Countries Visited
1 – USA
We have been in the great state of California for the entire month. Most of it has been spent sheltering in place, but there was a time in the month of March when travel wasn’t discouraged and we got to see a few new places before getting to San Diego.
Best Meal
Steph – We recreated my favorite meal from Bali this week while in quarantine and it was something different and fun. While in Bali, we ate a ton of Tempeh with veggies and rice. It wasn’t easy to find anywhere after that, but our local Trader Joe’s has it. With a homemade sweet and sour sauce from things in the pantry, we created the meal again complete with garnish for the rice that Justin shaped with a bowl.
Justin – This month’s meal was really quite basic but set the taste buds ablaze like a California mountain fire. Hmm, maybe that analogy is in poor taste, but I figured since I am here in California I can say it. Maybe not, I don’t know. Anyway, Mid Mod Cafe was the place that produced a meal so simple and tasty that I had it twice in our few days in Palm Springs. You’ve probably noticed, if you’ve followed along, that I am loyal to places I like. This spot accomplished winning me over. The simple meal consisted of a veggie breakfast sandwich and a green smoothie.
Part of the appeal was the charming outdoor space where we were able to eat. Being back in California means being outside and having such a wonderful outdoor space for dining is a must. The green smoothie consisted of apple, celery, cucumber, kale, collard greens, lemon, spinach, ginger, spirulina, barley and alfalfa grass as well as banana. I can almost feel the the scrunched noses some of you made at reading that, but for me it was perfect. The brekkie sandwich was made up of brioche bun, scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese and vegan sausage. I always appreciate a place that offers up a non-meat alternative for breakfast.
Don’t worry, this place has food for our carnivorous friends too and is definitely worth a visit while in town.
Best Part of Being “Stuck” in California
Steph – The weather and sunshine has been fantastic. Windows open every day to get some fresh air has been a perk. But I think the best part about being stuck here is how the local government has been handling the pandemic. I know I’ve heard from a few friends who live places where the governors are communicating, responding rapidly and providing daily updates. I can’t imagine being stuck in one of the areas that isn’t restricting groups of people or closing things down. People in California are following the rules and it helps put my mind at ease a little bit.
Justin – I grew up in southern California and have a lot of great memories of this place. But being here as a kid and as an adult is wholly different. As a kid, I didn’t have an appreciation for the plants and flowers that are abundant year round. Now, maybe in part due to being housebound, I am excited every time I go for a walk. For me, the flora of the area is a new found appreciation and I am grateful to be able to see such wonderful plants. As an add on, I’ve been itching to learn to kiteboard for a long-ass time and once some beach restrictions lift, I’ll be taking to the sea to learn a new hobby. 🙂
Our Peak
Steph – Palm Springs was my peak. A town surrounded by mountains and desert where everyone has a cold cocktail in the afternoon and goes to bed early. Bright colorful buildings underneath towering palm trees and warm sunshine – it was paradise after a cold and rainy few weeks. I wish I had packed more bright colors and linen because my all black ensemble really stuck out like a sore thumb there.
Justin – I probably need to mix it up a little this month and not make it all about Bobby and Clara, my two new best friends I made dog sitting. (You can see their pictures below.) Instead, I want to talk about my peak, this time in the form of a peak. This month we got to visit Mount Whitney, the highest summit in the contiguous 48 states. At 14,505′ it isn’t that much taller than many summits of Colorado. What set this summit apart, though, is the prominence (10,079′) and jagged edges. The mountains in this region just look bigger and nastier than in Colorado. Stunning and intimidating at the same time, they beg to be explored. I am a little more than excited to be sticking around California for a while so we can dive deep into the wilderness of this state.
As a side note, not even 24 hrs before visiting Whitney, we stood in the lowest point of the US. That was pretty neat too.
Our Pit
Steph – Obviously, this pandemic has halted all future plans for us and it’s hard to find a bigger pit. But I already shared all my emotions about it in this post. I think that’s enough moping.
Justin – It should be pretty obvious, but being trapped sucks. The threat of Covid-19 has just changed everything. California is amazing, but we haven’t explored it as planned. Nor were we able to continue up to the PNW for our first time. And then, of course, we are missing out on our goal of making it to Alaska. In the grand scheme, sure, you could say “oh, poor babies.” But look, these were our goals and we won’t make them. And that sucks. We now stretch the money saved to visit those places to just survive in place. That my friends, warrants a pit.
Grateful to have…
Steph – 500 square feet to call home during this shelter in place order. I don’t know that I will ever be able to express to the family that lives here how much we appreciate them for working with us on a fair price. I know Justin will say the same thing, but we will be thanking them for the foreseeable future. Having a pantry we can fill with food and a good internet connection – we are safe and comfortable and that means the world to us.
Justin – Kind people around us. To say that we got really lucky at the place we are staying would be the ultimate understatement. We are in a small family’s guest house in their backyard. They have welcomed us at a really great price for San Diego and have also engaged us in their local social distancing hour where we can hang out (in person) and just have normal conversations. The family of four, plus their pup, Reese, is easily what I am most grateful for this month.
Missing this…
Steph – I miss adventures. Trying a new coffee place, browsing a used book store, walking through a museum. It feels so strange to be in a brand new city and not be exploring, but we are making lists of things we can’t wait to try someday in the future.
Justin – No question here, nature. I am learning to appreciate flowers and local plants like crazy on our daily walks but I am dying to get out for a hike, swim, surf, anything where I can be outside playing. The back patio at our little cabin is a saving grace for sure. But, oh nature, I miss you. I hope at minimum it takes some time to reset itself while us humans are cooped up inside.
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What’s Next?
The same thing that most people around the world have in store for the month of April – staying home. We are working on finding new ways to entertain ourselves while staying healthy. You can find our first list here, but I’m sure there will be more to come.
