Day 32
Larry and I were out the door of our wood-paneled, flip-flops-required motel room at 8:00 AM. We drove up the west side of Lake Tahoe again and took some more pictures. The clouds that partially blocked our view yesterday were gone and replaced by piercing blue skies. The lake was so still I felt as if I could walk on it.
Larry drove us through Sacramento to San Francisco. He drove us a lot and I was thankful for the break. I reluctantly dropped Larry off at the airport.
Larry and I had such a great time together and I am thankful for his generosity, kindness, listening ear, and friendship. He was a wonderful travel partner and it was great getting to know him a little better. I found this old picture of us as I was going through Picasa. This is from 1984 (Mom, correct me if I’m wrong), I think I am 9 months old. My mom and I flew out to visit Zoe and Larry while they were living in Arizona.
Thank you, Larry for coming along with me on this adventure.
At the exact same time I dropped off Larry, I excitedly picked up my best friend, Andrea (from Andrea + Derek). I was Andrea’s maid of honor this past March and we have become best friends through the events of the year. I was elated when I received Andrea’s email a few months back that just simply said, “Someone is coming to visit you…” and attached was her flight itinerary.
We left the airport and drove straight to In-N-Out burger (seriously, don’t judge me). We stopped by the grocery store and worked our way through traffic to Highway 1.
I guess since I was talking and not fully paying attention, I made two significant wrong turns and we spent much more time in San Francisco than I had planned. But, these detours took us through some beautiful landscape we probably would not have seen otherwise.
You know the marketing campaign California dairy farmers have recently employed? ”Great milk comes from happy cows. Happy cows come from California.” Well, the flowing, green land you see behind those happy cows in the commercials is real! When the wind blows across the hills and the light reflects off the blades of grass, it looks like someone ran her finger across fine crush velvet. I have decided I want to be a happy cow from California.
Wait. That doesn’t sound good. No, you may not call me a cow.
I also really don’t want to be from California.
So, I’ll just be happy.
We drove about 350 miles from San Fran up the coast on Highway 1. We stopped every where we wanted to take a picture and since the coast is so unbelievably beautiful, we stopped a lot.
We made our way to a little campground called Anchor Bay Campground. We scored a spot just feet away from the beach and ocean. We got to watch the sun set over the Pacific and then made dinner by the light of our headlamps.
I am so happy to have Andrea with me. I cannot wait for the rest of our adventure.
this is my [happy] chapter 29
I love all the beautiful pictures you are taking. After seeing the picture of Larry with you as a baby in Arizona, I am reminded you got your traveling bug very early, thanks to your mom. It looks like Andrea and you are having a blast.
Ashley, I like all the titles of your posts. “Happy Cow” is the only one that made me laugh out loud. Enjoy the rest of your trip. Thank you for your kind words. Again I had a great time and look forward to another adventure with you.
I’m finally uploading all of my pictures from this amazing year – of which you have been a BIG PART. I miss you so, my friend! It’s so great to relive this amazing time together.