San Diego, surprise

I awoke last Wednesday (Thursday even?) morning to a text from my mom.

"Can you fly to San Diego and take the train up to San Fran?"

There was some discussion, a few phone calls and texts to my brother Pete who lives in San Diego and to the airline, and by lunchtime my next few days looked completely different. I had contemplated calling the airline to switch my original flight home from San Fran to Jackson-- I felt pretty spent travel-wise and very satisfied with all of the people I got to see and things I was able to do.

But mom and seemingly, the universe, had other plans. I found a group of girls who were driving down from Jackson to salt Lake on Friday, and they picked me up on the way. After 4 and a half hours of singing along to music we each took turns DJing and a lengthy discussion of each of our love lives, they dropped me off at the SLC International airport, letting give them only $10 toward gas. I insisted they take my bag of peanut m&ms and the acquiesced. They're flying to Thailand for a two week girls vacation/adventure, and they implored me to let them know the next time in in Jackson. I sure will.

And then, I arrived in San Diego. Palm trees, beautiful beaches, and crazy-delicious Mexican seafood as far as the eye can see. It was such a special thing, to be able to see Pete's world, as I had just seen Andy and Aunt Alice's. And after all of the time spent immersing myself in all of these other spheres and worlds, I spent all day yesterday riding up the coast is California by the water and then through mountains and horse fields. I didn't write much and didn't really talk to anyone else on the train. It's as though everything that happened this month just sunk in over the course of my 6 am to 10 pm journey. 

I'm about to board my flight home to Boston and I feel ready. There are people to see, music to rehearse and concerts to give. Much work lies ahead, and I feel likel have space for all of it. 

This week especially I'm going to spend some time at my computer. There are many stories to be told here, and I want to get them all down before I head to Austin in a month. 

Thanks for following me and for keeping me in your thoughts and hearts. I'm coming home a bit tanner and a bit calmer. Both good things.