Scenic Trip Surfing Back to the Herd

After leaving my generous friend Dennis and his warm hospitality, I headed back to the coast highway.  The sun was shining and the travel was glorious.  I've driven this route before, including in December when I had the horses in tow.  This time, I decided to take the time to stop whenever I felt drawn to pull over.  What a difference!  I met people, I stopped to do yoga in the sunshine with a view of the ocean, I stopped and hiked, and just took the time I needed to enjoy this spectacular place.

South of Santa Cruz, the terrain quickly becomes curvy and hilly, leading to the famous Big Sur area.  I passed the cliffs and made it past the stretch of highway south of Carmel which collapsed shortly afterward, the entire road for 100 feet slipping into the sea far below.  It is now closed for months of strenuous repair by engineers who will have their hands full rebuilding the popular highway driven by many tourists from all over the world.

Coastline near the area of highway one collapse

Signs of warning at the tenuous and treacherous nature of the coastal forces.

More warnings of the risk

Yet, just past the signs lies a path with new footprints to follow...

So of course I hike out to the edge...

Further South, I come to this amazing bridge, the Rocky Creek Bridge,
built in 1932 by enterprising crews of hardworking, risk taking men.

I want my photo taken, and ask a stranger to "do the stupid tourist thing for me".  So Randy is kind enough to oblige, while David invites me to come and "have a party".  We hit it off, and stood there near the ocean, learning about each other's lives.  Randy owns a big spread with his brothers nearby, and invites me back with my horses.  I will definitely take him up on it!  What a beautiful place.

Friendly Fellows, Randy and David
Locals who grew up in Carmel.  Hardworking modern day risk takers.
Somewhere around here is where the road collapsed.

Happy to be here!

An even bigger bridge to the south of the first one.

After a pleasant visit with Randy and David, we exchange contact info and go our separate ways.  I head south, they head home to dinner.  

Another beautiful view along the drive.

Looking back north

Parking "Bessie" to take photos

Bumper sticker from the Shambhala Center in Colorado.
Reminds me to stay in the present moment.

So many photo opportunities.  This is one of my favorites.

I drive most of the day, stopping and enjoying all of it.  Finally, it's almost six, and I'm thinking about stopping for the night, when this comes into view....

Big Sur Roadhouse offers warm hospitality and AWESOME fresh fruit wine margaritas.

I arrive right in the middle of happy hour!  Yay!

My hosts are the owner, and her brother, who manages the restaurant for her.  They have such a nice gig going on!  Love the copper bar, the famous chicken, and the location.  New friends along the trail.

Tony, the roadhouse manager.
His good looks alone are worth stopping for, right?

copper bar at the roadhouse

Famous chicken looking for scraps on the patio

The famous chicken.  Disappeared unnoticed, then was mailed back.
He awaits your next visit.

You can stay at this favorite spot across the road.
Honeymooners love the romance of it,
but your bride may only have eyes for Tony.

Highest gas prices I've seen.  Whoa.

View from Ragged Point Lodge

After leaving Tony and his sis, I head south again.  Now that it's dark, I decide to stop for the night at Ragged Point, a nice hotel on the cliffs.  Above is the view from the hike along the property.  They do a lot of weddings here I guess.  I guess I can see why.

Treebones restaurant

Next morning, I decided to drive back north again.  I was able to schedule a massage at Esalen for 4:00 pm, giving me time to explore the section I missed in the dark.  I am so glad I retraced my steps!  My friend Dennis has told me to stop and check out Treebones, a lodging experience that allows you to stay in a big Yurt!  They have 10 I think, nestled high on the hill overlooking that rugged Big Sur Coast.  Wow.  Swimming Pool, organic garden, gourmet dining, and a separate sushi bar.  Just lovely!

For a truly unique experience,
you can try the "human nest" at Treebones resort.
My dream house!

After leaving Treebones, I head north to Esalen for my massage.  The original hippie place for alternative thought and non-denominational spirituality, it has long held a reputation for generating wisdom, developing improved massage techniques, advancing fields of psychology, and in general, sending good energy out in the world.  It is also the site of sacred hot springs which flow into tubs overlooking the amazing surf and coastline.  What an experience.

Open showers perch over the ocean.  Most refreshing shower ever!

Hot tubs and relaxing - clothing optional!

Interesting walk to the baths below

Similar shot.

Just one of the many incredible gardens at Esalen

Continuing south the next day, after a somewhat uncomfortable night in the truck.  I must remember to always take a pad and bag in case I end up without lodging in the future.  I stopped several times to stretch and do yoga along the way, eventually stopping at several famous beaches.

Mussel Shoals is one of many surfing beaches I have heard about for years.
Interesting stop.

The pier at Mussel Shoals
Only experienced surfers brave these waters.

Homes along the coast of Mussel Shoals.
I'm sure there are some celebrities living here....

Mussel Shoals gardener

Surfer getting ready to hit the beach at Refugio

One of the most beautiful beaches was Refugio.  Wow, I just loved the lawns and palms.  I got a few good shots of surfers, but need to work on my technique in the action category.  I also met Detective Bernard, a surfing police officer (off duty) who was there to check out the swells.  We struck up a conversation and I learned that he was born in Hawaii and that we share many things in common beyone a love of Hawaiian music and food.  Bernard teaches surfing to injured and handicapped veterans, firefighters, and policemen.  He told me he has taught people with paraplegia, missing limbs, and even the blind to surf.  I figured if he can teach them to overcome their limitations, perhaps he can show me how to do it.  We make arrangements for lessons and exchange contact info for the future.  Awesome!  Learning to be a better surfer (I've only accomplished limited long boarding in Costa Rica) is at the top of my bucket list.  Bernard assures me that I can manage this goal with his help.  If the surfing doesn't work out, maybe he can teach me some cool chords on my guitar...I just love the old Hawaiian songs.

New Friends

Detective Bernard, the Surfing Police Officer

I think this is called hanging 10?
Surfer at Refugio Beach California

Surfer gets ready to get wet.
All ages enjoy the difficult and exhilarating sport.
For some, it's a religion.

Respecting each other on the wave is a must.

One day, this will be me!

REI on Santa Monica Boulevard

I finally arrived in Santa Monica, where I had put a new "massage tent" on hold at REI, on Santa Monica Boulevard.  I am planning to offer a wilderness massage experience soon, packing supplies in on horseback.  I needed a lightweight shelter for my table, and REI had just the thing.  The place is such a candy store for me!!!

After my purchase, I was delighted to partake of the happy hour (it's my thing!) at the Sushi restaurant across the street.  After yummy green lipped mussels, seared yellowtail, and seaweed salad, I enjoyed a small carafe of hot sake and green tea ice cream before heading to Venice Beach, which turned out to be just a short distance away.

Finally arrived in Venice Beach
Spent the night in a youth Hostel around the corner from Danny's.
What a fun place on St. Patrick's Day!  

After a pleasant time with new friends I met on the street in Venice, including a St. Patrick's Day drink with Michael, the friendly Tai Kwon Do Black Belt and bouncer at Danny's, I slept well in my room at a youth hostel, sharing a room with 3 other young women from Russia.

I have spent hours at Starbuck's today, whose free wifi makes it possible for me to share this blog with you.  I hope you enjoy reading these stories and insights from my life.  Please come back often and leave comments or send me an email trish.wild@yahoo.com if you are so inspired.  Hearing from you is my favorite thing about the blog, as you know by now.

It's time now to head south again.  My good friend Kristen awaits my arrival at her home in Carlsbad, north of San Diego.  More adventures await!  My plan is to return the horses at Anza Borrego in the morning.  It is time to prepare for our audition for "America's Favorite Trail Horse", April 9th, at Monty Roberts Ranch in Solvang, CA.  We have much to do, and only three weeks to get it done!

Each Moment Matters

Maggie on the Desert Trail

Campsite in the desert wilderness area of Anza Borrego

I was camped in the Anza Borrego Desert of southern California.  I had just completed a three day pack trip into the wilderness area with a couple of cool new Canadian friends.

delicate desert blossom

Lizard posing in the sunshine

Hummingbird on the nest

The cycle of life in the desert

A day hike culminates in a waterfall cave

Back in cell phone reception, I checked my voice mail and learned that my 25 year old nephew, Mathew had died.  He died of respiratory arrest after a fall during a seizure.  It was a tragedy for our family, and I dropped everything, made arrangements for the horses, called my boys, and prepared to make the journey for the funeral in Bismark, North Dakota.

I headed out that evening and stopped in Altadena, near LA, to rest at the home of my dear friends Paul and Donna.  They took me in, and gave me a comfortable bed to rest for a few hours.  They woke me at 0430 with herbal teas, breakfast, and a bag of dried fruits, nuts, and other treats for the road.  Friends like this are such a cherished blessing in my life.

My three sons Zak, Jesse, and Sylvain

I drove north to San Francisco, and Jesse and Zak jumped in with me.  We bought groceries, gassed up, and drove east on I80, all the way to Colorado, where Sylvain, my oldest son, was waiting to join us.  The four of continued the rest of the way to North Dakota, arriving about 1:00 am the next morning.

Passing through Wyoming

It was good to be with family during such a time of grief and mourning.  All my siblings were present, as well as many nieces and nephews, friends, and families of my sister in-law.  We all shared the grief, the tears, the emotional burden of knowing our beloved Mathew was gone.  We also shared memories, food, love, and a new appreciation of the fleeting nature of life.

My brother's oldest son Sam and youngest daughters, Natalie and Luiza

After a brief stop in Fort Collins, and some warm and wonderful moments with friends, we drove the rest of the way back to California.

The tragic stories from Japan also remind us of how quickly our lives can end.

After hugging my sons, headed down the Pacific Coast on highway one, stopping to enjoy the beauty of the area in one of my favorite beaches south of Half Moon Bay.  The succulents were blooming, and the dunes were covered in an amazing display of pink and yellow blooms.  I spent a few moments basking in the the beauty of the moment, realizing that it would soon pass, as everything does.

Fleeting blooms of succulents cover the dunes

Blossoms coat the dunes.  One of my favorite beaches.

I happened to remember that a new friend lived nearby, and I called him to see if he wanted company for the evening.  He welcomed me into his home, and thawed a beautiful 9 inch abalone for supper.  He showed me how to slice it thin, pound it thinner, coat it with delicious fine bread crumbs, and cook it over a flame to a tender morsel of wonderful eating.  Wow, that was something.

Dennis prepares the Abalone

The secret - slice it thin and pound it thinner.

The feast is ready!  Lemon and parmesan,
a nice glass of Sauvignon Blanc on the side.
What a delicacy to enjoy.

I slept hard for 10 hours after that special meal, and now am ready to head south down the coast again, getting closer with every mile to where my herd awaits me for our next adventure together.

The experience of spending such wonderful quality time with my sons and family over the past week has reminded me to cherish every day that we get live on this earth, even when times are tough.  I am more committed than ever to immerse myself in mindful awareness of the wonder that surrounds me in every moment.

Love is everywhere, when I take the time to notice.

Response to Bambi - address for Equestrian Site; my views on the search for abiding love

Musings from the desert night....

I was going to put this response to "Bambi" as a comment, but I don't know if many people read the comments, or this blog for that matter, so decided to post it here instead.

Also, if you post a comment, I get it in my personal email which I love, because I get so few comments, but I can't always tell who it's from.  If you want me to write back to you, then email me directly or give me your name if you know for sure I have your address.  I respond to every email I get.  I hope that one day my blog will be so popular that I couldn't possibly write to everyone, but I have a feeling that day is still a long ways off...

So here goes:

Dear "Bambi",

Sorry, I'm not sure how to put site links on here yet, but I'll look into it, along with a bunch of other things I need to investigate in the "social networking" world.

The site I have referred to in this blog is EquestrianSingles.com

I use it mostly to contact people in areas I am traveling through, hoping to get information, tips, riding buddies, offers of places to stay with my horses, and all kinds of other great resources.  So far, some people (usually women) have been very very generous and helpful.

Horses on the move in Norco, CA

On the other hand, men who are looking for romance on that site tend to try to move too fast for me, and I can't get tied down - I must be free to do my Nomad roaming!  So I don't contact men, unless they have an especially well written or interesting profile, which is not very often.  The dating website world really shows the lack of good education most people get in this country...

And beware of the good looking photos, especially if there is only one photo.  In my experience, they can either be a fake or a scam artist looking for prey.  And what is up with the scammer who has no ability to punctuate?  Oh yeah - I forgot.  Computer generated.  Like so:

"i am a model from germany looking for nice place to visit.  i can send check for your 6 month rent and security deposit plus large sum of money for me if you will please cash and send me the money so i can buy my ticket to come and see you. you have beauty horse and i very much love to ride.  i like to gallop on ocean. i have many degrees and want to be an actor when i finish medical school but retarded parkinson brother must also live with me so please send money fast when you cash this."

Can you believe people actually fall for this stuff?

Men on the ES website do contact me from time to time, and often either can't spell or say something stupid that clues me in that I don't want to spend any time around them.  I just think the internet is a dismal place to find romance, although maybe for young people it might be better - just a bigger pool of options to sift through.

I have been contacted by some nice men on the site who seem genuinely interested in my goal to ride 10,000 miles.  Sometimes they offer help, but that is rare.  Rare jewels in a sea of monsters.

I have heard people say internet dating works, but I have never seen anything but disasters for myself and my friends.  Sometimes they make for funny stories in hindsight though.  Like the guy from Massachusetts that flew all the way to visit me in Colorado.  Didn't look anything like his photo but within minutes told me he had a gluten intolerance.  He did not stop talking about it the entire time he visited.

What people don't realize is that ER nurses cannot stand to hear about people's ailments, especially outside of work.  You would not believe what big babies come to the ER.  Grown men crying with a splinter!  Incompetent mothers feeding their babies french fries!  Drug abusers that fake appendicitis or kidney stones to get a fix!

You know who impresses a trauma nurse?  People with multiple open fractures who still manage to say thank you and apologize for bleeding on the floor!

Not that we expect or even recommend that, but it is impressive.  I'm just saying...

If you must go to the ER, try not to complain at all.  Just state the facts -  the less emotion, the better we like you.  We admire and love people with a sense of humor.  You'll get much more attention and  better drugs.  It's true.  I'm letting the secret out.   Especially if you do not cry, wince, whine, shriek, or swear at the nurse.  Here is another obvious secret.  We know who is faking.  And we are irritated with all of you overacting drama queens. Although of course the best of us never show anything but compassion.

You cannot impress us with your symptoms, so say it once, and only if you must.  Just answer the question you are asked.  Don't elaborate, and try to be respectful.  And never, ever, touch the nurse.  We touch you - you don't touch us.  Get it?  OK, now I'll move on.

Back to the guy with the gluten problem.  He simply could not stop.  Every conversation, every meal, every single person I introduced him to just had to be informed of his quirky digestive malady.  By the end of the 2nd day,  I almost killed him.  Well, not really.  Oh, I wanted to really bad, but I did not own a gun at the time so I did not make any attempt to end his life.  Heck, all I had to do was slip him a slice of whole wheat bread, right???? I didn't do it, and I'm sorry to say, he still lives as far as I know.  Thankfully, far away from me.  My girlfriend Carolina still thinks he's worth the most laughs of anyone I have dated on her watch.

And sometimes dangerous disasters happen while trying to find love online.  Like the sociopath I almost fell for.  Well, actually I did fall for the charms of the "Alaskan Devil".  Who then seduced my best girlfriend, on my birthday.  She told him all sorts of false info about my finances. Which led him to break up with me. Because he was after money!  Man, was he barking up the wrong tree.  Charming yes, smart?   - not so much.   Close call?  I wouldn't be living my dreams now if she hadn't accidently helped me out on that one.  Thanks Tina!

So I have learned to avoid the website for romance, but enjoy meeting all the nice horsewomen!  I think it'll make a great resource all the way along the trail....

All you people out there who want to brag about meeting the love of your life online?  I have one thing to say:  "Isn't that nice!"  Now don't talk to me about it again for 3 years.

All these people in the world, and yet I think most of us know how hard it is to find true chemistry and abiding, lasting, respectful love.  To make it last?  Now that is the real question.  My hat is off to all of you who have made it happen.  Genuine happiness longer than 10 years?  Now I'm ready to listen...those are the real love stories....Like my friends Billy and Sheri.  And Jess and Mike.  Paul and Donna.  Lucy and Tom.  Nancy and Art.

I am aware (and somewhat jealous) of a few good relationships out there.

But most people I know are either unhappily married, divorced, madly searching for a relationship or just getting out of a bad one.

You people that just met "your perfect mate?"  Talk to me in 3 years if it lasts that long.  That new love phase is really sickening to the rest of us.  Especially when we meet him/her and can see he/she is all wrong for you.   Double especially if you feel the need to express your lust through displays of affection in front of us.  Yech.   Why oh why do girlfriends not listen to each other on these things?

It's nature's way, it's nature's way.

Sex and the City quote:  "It's the sex haze."

Me?  I'm staying single, at least for now.  I am having too much fun to screw this up.

The Main Males in my life now...

Do you think it's possible that Jerry Seinfeld was correct in saying "85% of the population is undatable!"  (Over 50, I think it's more like 95% or even worse).

Elaine's response:  "Well then, how are all those people getting together?"

Jerry's response:  "Alcohol".

Champagne and chocolate works for me....

Well, at least we can laugh about it!  C'mon - you know it's true!!!

A New Friend in Castaic

Along the way to Los Angeles, I got a call from my good buddy Janna.  She had told me about her friend Henry, who is in the process of creating a new vineyard in the town of Castaic.  (Cas-TAY-ic)

As she was passing through, she remembered that she was going to connect with him and introduce us, because she thought he had property and a horse set up.  They had been river raft guides together and she was pretty sure that he would welcome me to stay for a night or two.  When she called, I just happened to be nearing Castaic myself - coming from the other direction.  When she learned this, she quickly called a friend that had his number and then called Henry, who invited us to drop by.  When she called me back, I happened to be exactly at the Castaic exit on Highway 5 after driving most of the day.  It would be the perfect time to stop and let the horses have a break.  I pulled off the freeway and stopped in town, and within a few minutes Henry called with directions to his house, just a few minutes away.

Janna decided to turn around and come back to join us, and we enjoyed a few minutes together.

Janna and Henry in Castaic, CA

Good friends for a long time.

Henry's beautiful vineyard home.  My bedroom upstairs on the left...

Henry's dog, Jackson.  He's an Akbash herding dog, bred in Turkey to guard sheep.
Jackson is about 3 yo and already weighs 130 pounds!
Gentle and sweet, he guards the property with regal grace.
Here's a link if you want to know more about the breed:
http://www.threebestdogs.com/70/akbash-the-turkish-sheepdog/

Gives you a sense of how big he is doesn't it?  I am in love with this dog.

Janna likes to play with the heavy equipment.  She's a farm girl at heart.

In Henry's wine room.  Cabernet, Merlot, and Sirah in the oak casks.
Henry and I shared some of this bounty later - delicious!

Henry's other canine companion.  "Jilly".  So sweet.

Yup, Henry's in love with his little lap dog.  I think the feeling is mutual....

Janna and I share a hug prior to her departure.

It was a wonderful introduction, and Henry and I hit it off.  We cooked and drank wine, and I baked some of my favorite whole wheat walnut bread.  I stayed a second day, and took advantage of the sunshine to bathe the horses and trim their feet.  Henry and I managed to get a ride on the 80 acres before I loaded up and headed south again.  Thanks Henry for the great hospitality and the restful stay!  What a nice break for the horses, and I just loved meeting Jackson and Jilly!

There's my truck and trailer parked by Henry's house...

Horses get a much needed rest in Henry's corral.

I'm in love with Jackson.

More photos of Shandoni Ranch and Sharon's place in Placerville

Maggie after a workout and a bath.

Sharon with one of the restored antique vehicles they keep.

Bronze Statue at Sharon's place in Placerville

Sharon and her buddies.

Sharon and Trish hanging out in Placerville

Doreen at Shandoni Ranch with one of her babies in training.

On the Road to San Diego

Gathering the Herd to leave Shandoni Ranch
Midnight, Me, Magic, and Maggie

After 6 weeks at my dear friend Patty's house, I finally pulled out of her luxurious home and headed out to pick up the horses at Shandoni Ranch.  Maggie was a little hard to catch - she had a really nice boyfriend there - a great big red horse that told her lots of stories about when he used to be a hunter -jumper.

Jay from Shandoni Ranch

Jay helped me get hooked up and even offered to clean out my trailer while I went out and gathered the horses from the pasture.  He is the one who provided excellent feed and care for my horses during their lengthy stay at Shandoni.  Thanks to Jay, everyone is fit and healthy and ready to go.  It's such a great thing to find a great place to keep the horses.  I don't like to be separated from my buddies, but it sure worked out well this time, because Jay and Doreen were just, well, THE BEST.  I will be sure and stop by again when I'm in the area.  I feel so lucky to have found this wonderful place.

This is me turning around due to flooding of the road leaving Shandoni.
Lots of rain while the horses were in Helverta.

I finally hit the road around 1:30 and right away had to turn around and go another way due to flooding across the road.  A very nice neighbor let me turn around in his driveway.

Here I stopped again.
I had passed this joint many times, so I  stopped to try a burger here.
I must say, it was some kind of wonderbar!
An old fashioned hamburger joint on Rio Linda  in Heverta, -yummy!

The drive down highway five was good.  Sunshine and no problems.
We made it to Lost Hills, north of LA.
 I got a room at a Days Inn in the background.

This nice fellow allowed me to water the horses in the driveway of his truck wash.
I've never seen a car wash this big.  

A trip to Placerville

Toby and McGregor

I was invited to Sharon Evans' place in Placerville this week.  I met Sharon on an Equestrian website that I use to connect with horse people in areas I'm headed.  Sharon has been an animal trainer for the movie industry for more than 40 years, and was a wonderful hostess to me.  She told me interesting stories from her years working on films, TV shows, and commercials.  It was fun to see the photos from Bonanza, Little House on the Prairie, the Ewok movie, Petticoat Junction, Lassie, and many more.  Her personal dogs were willing to perform several tricks while I was there.

It was cold and snowy outside, so we chose not to ride at this meeting, but hope to hook up with her again when I come back through in warmer weather.

Whatever you want, we'll do it.

I'm planning to load the horses and head south to warmer weather today, Sunday.  I'm going all the way to the San Diego area.  I have a number of old friends and new there and lots of plans to ride.  I've been so laid up with this pain, and it's still not right.  I'm going to continue to search for answers and keep up the good practices I've discovered so far.  One day I'll discover the key and heal this thing that's holding me back.  Meantime, I must get back on the road and ride!

High Five from Toby

Might be a few days until I find internet access again.  The truck is all packed, I have a new camera in hand (a Nikon D7000), and I'm ready for action.