Regroup and get going again...

Last night I learned how to shoot a pellet gun. This came around after a hefty serving of burger and fries from Hodad's, and some beer. Hodad's is a world famous burger joint in Ocean Beach in San Diego, California. With bellies full of grease and beer, it was time to shoot at the garbage can in my Uncle Bob's backyard. Why we felt this necessary, I can't tell you, but the absurdity of it was somehow required to soothe the kinks and blisters from a near month on the road. We are no doubt having the time of our lives, but the strain of a constantly changing horizon can sometimes ware away at my energy. This time, shooting at a garbage can while mildly buzzed was perfect. A few small explosions and some laughter did the trick.

Yesterday started with several flying leaps off a cliff into the ocean below, followed by cave explorations that have entirely redefined my concept of darkness. Dirty feet, and salty hair were washed away with a shower. Callie and I sorted through our repetetive wardrobe and traded shirts in order to feel like we looked a little different. In the end, same basic outfits with a few new colors. Hair done, makeup on, and a few drinks just in time to go to dinner at Hodad's.

Today started with a haze that lingered within and without; the sky was cloudy and so were my thoughts. I went for a jog. The clouds burned off, and my mind sharpened. I am seated at my uncle's dining room table attempting to pound out another draft of my first travel writing piece. The heard of dogs that live here are lounging around at my feet. The wind chime is tinkling in the breeze. The afternoon is slipping past at a windy, oceanside pace. I am trying to fully grasp how amazing this roadtrip has been. So many new people have entered my life, and left quietly the next day. Some of them I look forward to knowing longer, some of them have already been categorized as a once-on-a-sunny-day memory. All of them exquisite pieces to my most recent adventure. We have reached a transition; the rest of the trip will take us to the east coast, through the south, and home again. I feel like a whole new chapter is about to begin. Our stop in San Diego has been refreshing; a bit of a refueling before the next leg of the journey.

Tomorrow we head to Tucson, Arizona. After that we plan to follow the coast as closely as possible all the way to the top of Florida. Maybe we'll see some aligators, we will likely want to die in the heat and humidity, and I fully expect to get lost and found by complete strangers that will quite possibly become friends. This has tended to be the case. I have no idea what will happen next, but at least I am well rested and ready to get going again.