Hiking in California

Got to California on Sunday around noon, rented a car, and drove up to the ridgeline on the SF penninsula. I went to Corte de Madera open space preserve where I took a solid hike and the pictures below. The preserve is comprised mostly of new growth redwood forest on westward facing slopes, with streams running through it and down towards the Pacific. On the hike I saw the state tree, bird, and flower (redwood, quail, and poppy, respectively). After that, it was down to Sunnyvale for food and work.

the trail

pineapple weed
(when you rub it, it smells just like pineapple)

an old growth redwood and I
(this one was 1500 years old and 225' at its highest)

a golden poppy

Chicago!

Spent last week in Chicago, it was a hell of a lot of fun. Highlights included: seeing college and Buffalo friends, a beer tournament, biking and running on the lakefront, lying around in Lincoln Park on the nice days, rock climbing, eating vegan deep dish pizza and lots of other good food, and Dance Dance Revolution.

Chicago skyline from the plane

beer tournament

DDR Showdown

Chow and Nick spinning joyously at the climbing gym

After the move from NYC -> PA

Left NYC on saturday night in a car packed solid. But after selling my furniture to the incoming sublettor, I can still say I can fit all my worldly possessions into one car. Watching riverside park and the Hudson go by, I felt sleep deprived and melancholy, already missing my friends, coworkers, and roommates. When I was only one flight of stairs down from my apt my roommates opened the door and shouted "we miss you already!"

Coming back to NE PA, everything seems welcoming. From the home cooking to the moss-covered stone walls to the rough stone foundations of a town that was deserted after all the hemlock trees were chopped down, it all seems to beckon me back and tell me to stay awhile. The snow's nice too, we got a few inches here overnight and there were bear tracks on the lawn in the morning.





They say you should live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard, and live in northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. I've done both of those now, and I feel content. The future holds infinite possibility.








My new permanent residence














My front yard