A little quiet time here in San Francisco...a great opportunity for a bit of reflection. We've been on the road for two weeks now and looking back, it seems incredible that we have done so much in such a short time.

We bought little "spirit" rocks in Colorado and I keep thinking about all the reasons we picked our particular one. Donna's is "Believe" and mine is "Courage". I think the main reason I chose courage was because I can be such a wuss about so many things and I knew I'd need a little extra something to get past the most worrisome issues...like heights and crawly critters...my sister's driving and just simply making such a leap outside my comfort zone. I think I needed to find the courage to believe we could make driving across America actually happen.

Well, two weeks on the road and I'm beginning to believe we're gonna make it just fine. I had my moment of total panic in Moab when we drove to Dead Horse Point to watch the sunset. We drove into to the park and didn't see a single car for at least 25 miles. Now, as most of you know, I like having people close by...at least close enough to feel some sense of assurance should an unexpected critter happen by. There was nothing but wide, open spaces and lots of red rock. I would have enjoyed the beauty of it all had a few cars been around, but the absolute fear of desolation was pretty hard to get beyond. Then, we began climbing the canyons and that put me into an even deeper fear because I wasn't expecting it...somehow we both thought we'd be on the lower road the whole time and just enjoy looking up at the beautiful colors of the canyons. (Silly us!) Finally, as we neared the top, I looked at the side of the road and there was nothing... but sky...and a very, very deep nothingness. It was all I could do to keep from screaming like a banchee, but I didn't. I waited until we got to the top and saw several cars with real people...then I just put my head in my hands and sobbed and sobbed. Poor Donna... all I could do was nod my head when she asked if I was OK and shake it when she asked if I wanted to go back down. Hell no, I didn't want to go back down! I wanted to stay with the people.

It all turned out well...we took lots of photos and hung out with the peeps, and came down with them. One car in front of us and one behind us...being in the middle made me feel very safe. : ) I said to Donna...I love being in the middle...she responded...I knew you would. Ah, sisters!

The next day we went to The Arches National Park and I climbed up part of the canyon to take photos of the Delicate Arch, walked on the edge of the Fiery Furnace and didn't even blink when we came down the scary part of the road.

So! I do believe I found my courage, but...and there's always that "but" with me...there were a few turns on the road through the Sierra Navada's that gave me pause and when we venture down the PCH, no doubt there will be brief (hopefully) moments when I just need to take deep breaths and hold on tightly to my courage. I can do that! Right?

Here we are at this comfy little inn in the Pacific Heights area of San Francisco. It's a wonderful place in a great location...we feel very safe here. If you're coming to San Francisco, check out the Pacific Heights Inn....decent prices...free parking...you will not be disappointed. We have a kitchen and we're cooking pasta and veggies tonight. In the mornings we toast the delicious sourdough bread and add a little local honey....perfecto!

I'm figuring out why I needed this trip. The obvious is that it's been a dream for most of my life. It's not at all about escape or getting away from my life in CB. I love my life there...I love my husband with every fiber of my being and my dog, Sadie. I love my friends and my work with Gregory and Roland Grise and my Grandmothers For Peace and my book group...and dear God, I do absolutely love the ocean and just being able to breathe the air. But...being a navy brat, I think I'm responding to the gypsy part of me. Growing up, I never lived in a place more that 3 years, and although a part of me longed for a permanent place, another part became a bit of a gypsy..always moving around...always searching. I realize this is not a search for me...me is with my Dave and Sadie...this is simply exploring the country and learning a little more about courage...and believing.