This was my last day at Utica Reservoir, it was such a fantastic place to enjoy some quiet, contemplative time. I didn’t realize how noisy and busy my life had been over the last couple of months. While I really enjoyed traveling and the people I spent time with, having time to myself was so…

Today I did more exploring around Utica, including a hike down a 4WD trail that brought me to some gorgeous swimming holes. The activity was a good counter to all the sitting I’ve been doing on this vacation- enjoying the view, reading good books and journaling.

The title of this post pretty much sums up my day. I did get out for a hike around part of the reservoir, but mostly enjoyed taking it easy, even treated myself to a delicious afternoon nap after a dip in the chilly water. There are very few people camping at Utica, which is wonderful…

Went for a short walk around the neighborhood before I left for my trip to Utica Reservoir. It was uneventful until I walked to the end of a dead end street that had a dry creek bed next to it and a coyote casually sauntered by then hid behind a bush staring at me. Frightening…

Got out for a bike ride today to the store and one of my favorite local free little libraries that has a lovely seating area. I found a book on biking the North island in New Zealand written in the early 80s, and one about a guy who quit his job and spent a year…

Awesome hike on the Bay Area Ridge Trail from Tennessee Valley to the Golden Gate Bridge with my fellow trail goddesses, Gabriela and Julie. It’s been 6 weeks since we’ve been able to hike together and it was wonderful to catch up and enjoy being out on a cool foggy day. The bridge was elusive…

Spent a wonderful day hanging out with Emmy and Winston. Winston got some new toys to play with and was very happy. He cracks me up! Emmy and I got out for a walk to the Markham Nature Preserve, then had some delicious sushi and did a Trader Joe’s run, the pumpkin items were out…

The light coming through my window this morning was so beautiful, glad I had time to just sit and enjoy it. Later, I hiked up to the Miwok Trail behind my mom’s house, cool in the forest on the way up but very warm on the exposed, sunny trail. Saw a banana slug, lots of…

I’m on my morning walk, I can tell the school year has started -lots of kids headed to school – some on their own, most on e-bikes a few on regular bikes. It’s a relatively brisk morning, 53° and of course most of the boys are in T-shirt and shorts. Just like when my son…

Today was a Free Little Library day, I drove and walked around the neighborhood we lived and worked in over 25 years ago. The streets I pushed the stroller down, the library where we went to story time, the coffee shop with a kids play area, my office. I still can’t believe it’s been that…