America the beautiful

I've already arrived to my turn around destination, San Francisco. After 8 days and over 3,000 miles I made it to the Pacific Ocean.

Throughout my travels, I have been the most amazed by how beautiful this country is. I never really appreciated it until I was up close and personal.


The desert is a truly amazing place. From seemingly out of nowhere giant plateaus grew out of the earth. Bands of color, compressed after millions of years played off the sunlight behind me.

Strange plants like alien creatures dotted the landscape. Dr. Seuss would have been proud.

It's the Pacific Ocean!

After 8 days and almost 4,000 miles I finally made it to the Bay area.



I first saw the ocean when I got to Half Moon Bay, just a few miles south of where Chelsea and Andrew live. The air was infused with eucalyptus and sea salt. I was grinning ear to ear because I had done it. I had driven across the country all by myself. I cheered and through my arms into the air through my sunroof in triumph.

I drove north up the Pacific Coast Highway to get to Pacifica. I had a hard time looking at the scenery because the road was so narrow and windy on the sea cliff that I had to spend my time concentrating on the road.

Joshua Tree National Park

One of the must sees on my trip was a visit to Joshua Tree National Park in southern California, about 2 hours east of Los Angeles.

When I pulled into the park I instantly put on U2. It really is the perfect soundtrack to see Joshua Tree.

The actual Joshua Tree is a crazy looking thing. It looks like a furry monster with a bad haircut.

I had lunch sitting alone with the massive rock formations. I was a little freaked out about what might be hiding in the holes in the ground or between crevices. But mostly I felt at peace. Some people feel closer to God in a house of worship. For me, the whole outdoors is my church.

Joshua Tree is a special place that has magical qualities. It makes you notice the little things and appreciate the strange.