Here's to Last Minute Getaways

I called Josh one Friday morning and said, "Let's go somewhere for the weekend." I think we both just needed to get away. You know what I mean. We decided to head to Julian, a tiny historic mining town in the mountains known for its apple pie and for taking visitors back in time. I put Josh in charge of finding a place to stay and things to do, and I was in charge of working hard so I could get out of the hospital early!

Josh found us a quaint little bed and breakfast. Our room was so cozy, and we had a wood-burning fireplace in our room. As the innkeeper was explaining things, he said, "Here's the wood. You guys are from Iowa so I'm sure you've built plenty of fires." I'm not really sure why being from Iowa means we build lots of fires. Does he think our houses are heated with wood burning stoves? Anyway...
Breakfast was oh so excellent, and I was sure to leave with the recipe for those poached pears! We talked with the other guests and the owners for a while, learned a lot about Julian and even more about the rest of California. I love bed and breakfasts,We spent the morning walking down Main Street (all 3 blocks of it), browsing the stores, sampling apple ciders and jams, and watching the horses and buggies roll down the street. And of course, we had some apple pie. After exploring Julian and eating our apple pie, we went for a hike on Stonewall peak trail: 4 miles round trip and a 900 ft climb in elevation.
And there was snow!! Me and my tennis shoes weren't quite ready for a trail covered in snow, but we survived. It was quite an invigorating hike for 2 people that are not in the best shape of their lives...but the view at the top was worth it!
It was a nice weekend away, and while I usually like to plan trips way ahead so I can enjoy looking forward to them, this last minute thing isn't so bad either. Might have to do more of it :-)

End of a Hiatus

I received a sweet email from my grandma yesterday, and she subtly hinted her disappointment that I had abandoned our blog. Truthfully, I have been rather disappointed in myself for not having the discipline to regularly write, and her little prod must have been all I needed to pick it up again. (And maybe the fact that I just watched Julie&Julia.)

It is shame to not chronicle this time of our lives and all of our new experiences in this new place. I know I would love to have a journal of this time during which we are seeing so much and growing so much. However, I am not convinced that I have much to write about that anyone would really care to read.

My life right now is made up of working way too much and doing outdoor activities during a time of year when in all my past years, the weather would not have dreamed of allowing it. I am pretty sure no one wants to hear about the life of a pharmacist, and I am VERY sure that few people back home want to hear that we spent the afternoon at the beach in February.

So I must resign myself to the idea that I am writing for myself and Josh, and not for anyone else. If anyone finds an interest in our ramblings of southern California life, wonderful. If not, I must still write for I will regret it otherwise.

Thanks, grandma, for the motivation!