And That's a Wrap.

I'm bad at saying goodbye, so I'm going to put it off for later.

We got up early this morning, knowing that the last leg of a journey is often the most difficult, since there comes a point where you simply want to be there and no longer be in the transient mode that is travel.  I personally adore travelling and have been lucky enough to do quite a great deal of it in my life, but one of the best things about a journey is that it does come to an end.  That gives you the chance to savor your experience, to make the time more meaningful.  

I can't say that this will be a particularly interesting entry, but you should read it anyway.  If only so you can tell me you did without lying to me.  Because it would make me sad if you lied to me.

We packed, ate some breakfast, and headed out to the road.  For once, we didn't need Martha May, since Mom's been visiting LA/Pasadena and Ventura for a long time.  So we hopped on to 101 and headed up towards Ventura, where our first stop was the graveyard that many members of the family are buried in.  Mom bought some roses and we visited the graves.  Next up was a short little visit with Shelly so we could see all the work that she'd done with the house.  We promised ourselves only a thirty minute visit.  I can't remember if we kept that promise or not.

So back we went to the car and onwards we went on our long drive towards San Jose.  Guys, I'm not going to lie to you.  I'm tired of driving.  I would be okay with never driving again.  There's a wall and I've hit it.  I've hit it so hard.  Oh well.  I'd beaten all the levels of Angry Birds, so I kind of stared into space for a while.

We decided to pull over for lunch in Solvang, the town with the really Dutch name.  And we ate at a place that I'm told that quite a few of you may have been to...

Of course, we had pea soup.  I mean, what else would you have in the area where split pea soup was invented?  Mom wanted me to take a picture in one of those cut-outs so I was a soup chef, but I said no.  I'll put my head in a T-Rex's mouth (if it fits) but I will not be a fake soup chef.  I don't know why.

Guess what we did next.  No, seriously, guess.  You give up?

We got back into the car.  And drove.  For hours.  Can we talk about time for a second?  As everyone knows, time flies when you're having fun.  As everyone also knows, time drags when all you want to do is stop driving and just get somewhere.  Someone invent a teleporter.  I'll pay you in love.  Not money.  Just love.  That should be enough.  

At long last, we got off on 85.  I immediately called Dylan to let her know that we would be there in around 15 minutes.  The resulting noises between the two of us may have broken the sound barrier.  It's highly likely. Then Mom and I took a wrong turn, but Martha guided us safely to the apartment.  I saw a platinum blond streak out of the corner of my eye and knew that Dylan knew we'd arrived.  There was lots of hugging and squeeing noises and general glee.  It was fantastic.

It didn't take that long to unpack the car; though I had a significant amount of stuff, it wasn't that bad.  It's all ensconced in the apartment while Mom and I lounge in the hotel.  Next, Dylan, Mom, and I headed over to the hotel to check in, followed by the obligatory visit to the legendary Psycho Donuts.  I got to see all the changes to the shop, while Mom was there for the first time.  Dylan and I explained it all and then, of course, we went home loaded up with goodies.

Next we decided we would go to an early dinner, since Dylan was going out for the night and Mom and I were tired.  We headed to Ojale, a nearby Mexican place that has some great food.  The nachos are loaded like no other, and there's a lot of food that's good quality.  A fantastic end meal to the journey.

Mom is in California until Sunday; tomorrow is filled with errands and general running around before dinner with some of our other cousins.  So I guess this is it.  It's time to say goodbye to this blog.

This journey has been an adventure like no other.  I could almost use up an entire thesaurus with all the words that pop into my mind when I try to describe it.  I am generally a person who loves the idea of a home and connects very deeply to the area around her.  But every once and a while, something stirs in my veins and demands that I move.  And did I ever move this time.

I cannot thank all of you enough for reading this blog and joining me on this journey.  I've truly enjoyed writing this; it's re-sparked my creative outlet.  It is with no small measure of sadness that I end this blog, but I know that it's started something in me that's new and precious.  I'm hoping that this will teach me to write 365 days a year, even if it's just a paragraph.

And as for you, reader, I hope that this has made you want to travel.  There is nothing quite like it.  The world is at your fingertips.  Go ahead and grasp it.

And remember, always take the road less traveled.

It's more fun that way.