Happy Thanksgiving!

I’m not much of a holiday person but Thanksgiving makes me reflect upon what I’m grateful for. I’m thankful most for my health, the fact my children like me, and all the people in my life. 

Today started waking to an alarm, which I like to avoid, but my parking garage was only open between 10:00-11:00am due to the holiday. I drove through some parts of San Francisco, including across the Golden Gate Bridge. 

I’m not spending much time in areas I can access by public transportation but I thought it would be fun to drive across. It was. I jumped on Hwy 1 and my first stop was this Taco Bell in Pacifica. You might ask why a Taco Bell but it has the best view and serves alcohol! I thought that would be fun. Probably good they were closed because starting to drink at 11am is never good. 

But it gave me an opportunity to watch the surfers and oh my goodness…I have never seen so many surfers! Look closely at my video. Those aren’t seals. I tried surfing once…once…in Hawaii. It was so freaking hard! I admire everyone out there (although I noticed many of them are sitting on their boards). 

I continued down the coast and my next stop was a swing that hangs off an old pier in Davenport. When I planned this I wanted to make my way down the steep cliff and get an Instagram-worthy photo but…I chickened out. The tide was high and I would have been soaked and there wasn’t anyone to take my photo. Excuses. 

So I took this one instead with my iPhone Watch remote…note the steep cliff in the back. That is what I would have navigated down to the swing. 

This coastline is just beautiful and the weather was perfect, as always. My next stop was the Monarch Sanctuary in Monterey. Monarch’s migrate to this area every winter as the weather is perfect. Monarchs aren’t stupid. Zoom in on my video if you can. The Monarch population is severely down but it was crazy how they were fluttering around. 

I checked into my Airbnb in Carmel. I took a 12 minute (power) nap and went to The Fish Hopper in Cannery Row because I wanted a traditional Thanksgiving meal and this was the only one under $100. California isn’t cheap. If the Monarchs had to pay rent they would land elsewhere. 

The place was packed with huge tables of families. I was the only single person. Two families asked me to join them. I’ve been dining alone in restaurants for six years now, and although it feels uncomfortable at times I would have rather been alone than sitting with the woman that bitched at her husband all night.

I stopped at the Ghirardelli store and picked up a big of minis. If you want to know how many of those things you can eat before you vomit, I think I tested it tonight. 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I am truly grateful for my life and everyone in it. 

Thanksgiving Road Trip

I’m taking advantage of a long weekend and heading down California’s Hwy 1, where I’ll turn back around in Santa Barbara. I’m trying out Apple Map’s “My Guides” which tracks your stops. I think this is my first solo road trip and I prefer being the navigator over the driver so I’m hoping this app helps. 

I’m on a year-long journey of using public transportation only so I picked up a car via Turo. Think “Airbnb, but for cars”. The owner lived in San Jose an hour bus ride away. It is a cute little Mini-Cooper!

I admit I was a bit nervous at first driving. I haven’t been behind a wheel since August. I may need to drive more often as I don’t like that feeling. 

I stopped at In-n-Out, my first fast food since being in California. I LOVE fast food burgers and my neighborhood doesn’t have any begging me to walk in (probably good). We don’t have In-n-Out in Minnesota and it was…ok. Not sure I will be going back. 

I made my way to San Francisco where I went to Twin Peaks to check out the view. I must admit I teared up once arriving. Beautiful!! I love cities and skylines.

I navigated my way to my hostel via the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood and passed by The Painted Ladies. I love this cities’ architecture. 

I checked into my hostel, where I’m in a shared bunk room for only $33 ($1 for a towel as I don’t like to pack one out wet). What a deal! When traveling solo, hostels are always a deal. Over two people, not so much. I don’t often post videos but you have to check these out. This place is so cute and I have a fire escape that has an awesome view!

My main goal for coming here tonight was to see one of my favorite bands from Minneapolis, Yam Haus. When I bought the tickets in July I bought two thinking I may know someone that wanted to join me but I didn’t have any takers. So on my way out for the night I stopped in the hostel’s kitchen and asked if anyone wanted to go to a show. Meet Jessie…

It was SO fun to see Yam Haus! They were great and the venue, The Great American Music Hall, was beautiful. 

Jessie and I went to a club afterwards and returned to the hostel to eat my leftover dim sum. It was a really good day. Experiences are amplified with company. 

Week Two Complete: San Jose

I've been in San Jose two weeks and feel very settled. I've found my local necessities (e.g., grocery, liquor, drug, hardware, library), figured out public transportation, gone out several times, and met some nice people. As I did this past winter in Myrtle Beach I moved my simple life easily to San Jose. 

It has been very easy to meet people. My personality helps but I really do believe it is the culture. I met some lovely people in my building simply hanging out in the community spaces. I also jumped back into online dating after a Covid hiatus. I am finding there are so many "transplants" in this area most people are looking for a friend (or Covid made them desperate). 

For the past couple years one of my favorite parts of my day has been eating on the patio. When picking an apartment Annelies told me it was ridiculous to pay an extra $400/month (gulp!) for a patio and I should "walk my ass down to the Sky Deck", so that is what I do (48 steps to be exact). In addition to experiencing the beautiful mountain view, and the weather San Jose has to offer, it has given me an opportunity to meet people. 

Sky Deck View

My apartment is perfect (I spent over 30 hours searching so it should be!) and the location is fabulous! I am one block from downtown so everything is a quick walk (or bus ride). There is live music nightly - so much so I'm overwhelmed! In two weeks I have taken the train into San Francisco, attended an Oktoberfest event, spent the day driving the coastal shores, and this weekend I'm going to Hamilton (for the FOURTH time!!).  

Golden Gate Bridge - San Francisco

Oktoberfest

Moss Landing

Roadside Fruit Stands

Monterey

Pebble Beach

Camel

Capitola

One of my goals this year is to not own a car. After two weeks I will say I am adjusting nicely to public transportation (the system here is GREAT!). I love the challenge of planning ahead and slowing down. Often friends say "can I pick you up" and I refuse, because a challenge is a challenge and I am all-in. At least today. For those wondering why the hell I would I rely on public transportation to get around it is for three reasons: 1) I love a challenge - it keeps me thinking and my brain sharp, 2) when I own less, life is easier, and 3) if we are going to turn the tide on climate change we all need to make changes that are uncomfortable.

Bus Patron

The weather here is...just amazing. I've lived in Minnesota my entire life and hate the cold so it isn't a difficult transition. Every day it has been sunny and warm. I see people wearing winter jackets when it goes below 65 degrees but I think they just want a reason to wear their winter jackets. There are fruit trees everywhere, including on my block! It is so strange.

Grapefruit Tree

Citrus

Pomegranate 

Because life isn't perfect I have a couple struggles. I knew it would be a challenge, but living in the pacific time zone has been rough. I'm a night person and most of my work days now begin at 7am. Ouch! The second issue is my damn "old lady hip". I've had hip pain for five (5) years and conservatively treated it until this summer when I committed to physical therapy and a steroid injection (a miracle!). But when I schlepped all my shit for the move something happened and I am back to hobbling. I love 75% of the benefits from getting old (e.g., smarter, richer, wiser) but not when my body doesn't work as I wish. I need to get established with a clinic. Task on this week's agenda.

I find myself explaining my life over and over as I meet people. When you do not follow social norms everyone is intrigued. If it intrigues you as well, a friend shared an article with me that perfectly describes my wanderlust (click here to read). I recently read The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho, which resonated with me as well. It is a classic that tells of a young boy who learns to pursue his dreams by following what his heart desires. That is me. 

I hope all of you are doing something today to follow your heart and pursue your dreams as well. I'm not sure how often I will update this blog for my “normal life” but I want to say this...I'm loving it here! This was a good move. 

Rae Ann

Lessons learned from this move (for later retrieval):

• Big Purchases. I purchased a mattress, bedframe, sofa, desk, nightstand and end table. All great purchases. However, I would purchase a simple platform for my mattress next time and not a full headboard. 
• Look for Smart Packaging. I purchased basic items that came in "smart packaging", meaning they break apart in pieces so I can pack for my next move and not buy new. Buying through Amazon helps. Some examples were a broom that unscrews in pieces and instead of a tall mirror small squares that make up a long mirror. 
• Shipping Lessons. First, shipping stuff was a good idea. I would tape the boxes better next time (I didn't lose anything but one box showed up split down the side).  I would try shipping via FedEx next time, as I heard that is cheaper. It still was cheaper than having a moving company.
• Order Earlier. Thankfully my mattress arrived prior to my first night, but nothing else did. I would order earlier and let the apartment hold it. I was worried about having it sit in the package room but I saw so many others doing the same. It took from Friday to the following Sunday to receive packages via USPS.

Goodbye Minnesota!

Today I'm saying goodbye to the only state I've lived in, Minnesota. People often say they are impressed with my craving for adventure as I travel throughout the world, often times alone. I have never been anxious about traveling. However, I have always felt overwhelmed about moving out of Minnesota. Today it does not feel that way. I'm ready. I'm excited!

In my last post I shared Ten Steps to Moving as a Nomad. I was on step #8 and promised I would update you when on step #10. That is happening now. 

1. Live minimally
2. Create a budget
3. Figure out where you want to live. Refer to #2. 
4. Get approval from Work (and possibly your kids)
5. Look for housing
6. Find a place to donate your possessions
7. Create a project plan
8. Execute project plan
9. Take a deep breath and believe in yourself
10. Jump on an airplane that will take you to your new home 

The most stuff I have ever flown with

My driver - I'm going to miss her

The last couple months I have been executing my project plan. 

Ship Off the Final Offspring. In August my youngest, Annelies, moved to college. I am proud to say I kept both children alive through adulthood. As most college students do, Annelies will stay with me over winter break. I cannot wait to show her my new city!

Annelies at MSU

Secure Storage. As a minimalist, storage facilities make my skin crawl. From a business standpoint they are brilliant, tapping into the overconsumption that plagues America, but I wish our culture would promote sustainability instead. With skin crawling, I secured a storage unit for my favorite possessions as I begin this nomad adventure. The eight (8) totes I am storing include my photo albums (3), collection jars (3) and two (2) totes of miscellaneous memorabilia, paperwork that is not electronic, and high school yearbooks. I have no idea when I will get this stuff but I prepaid two years. 

Storage unit sans License Plate Map

Pack. People keep asking "what are you bringing?" Even to me it seems odd to look at what I packed. I love that my "important documents" are in the same envelope my birth certificate arrived in when I applied for my first passport, in 1991! I kept the letter I wrote to the courthouse. Why I kept that letter, and not the other hundreds of things I donated, is hard for me to explain.

Letter to Courthouse in 1991

Below are questions I asked to determine if I would donate, store or bring with me to California: 

• For items I do not use for daily activities of life: When you are done with this nomad life, will the item bring you joy? If yes, put in storage. If no, donate.
• For items I do use everyday: Can you purchase in California? If yes, will it be cheaper to buy new or ship? I considered the sustainability aspect of buying new but justified my decisions knowing if I buy new, my old items would be donated. I know this isn't perfect but I'm buying very little (I will create a post for that later). 

Answers to those questions resulted in stuff to fill one (1) carry on suitcase, two (2) boxes small enough to check-in with Delta, four (4) boxes shipped via USPS, and one (1) gigantic monitor shipped via UPS. This boxing and shipping strategy didn't go exactly as planned so I documented lessons learned at the end of this post. Below is a photo of everything I own (except things in storage). The duffel bags were converted to boxes as I realized they were not sturdy enough. This is it. To me it was way more than I thought I would keep, but I think I did pretty well. My goal for years has been "to fit everything I own in the back of a Prius". I no longer own a Prius but my possessions would have easily fit inside. I call that success!

Everything I own going to California

Boxes shipped via USPS

Moving day meals (Big Mac & Lean Cuisine)

Donate. Obviously, I owned enough to furnish a two-bedroom apartment. I had a vision it would go to a family in need. So I shared that vision on Facebook a couple months ago and my friend Melanie answered the call. Melanie works with Westminster Presbyterian Church, who is working with the Minnesota Council of Churches, to sponsor a refugee family. It isn't always easy to do the right thing, so I cannot thank Melanie and all her refugee champions for working with me on this effort. On Saturday I moved 99.9% of my possessions to the Westminster garage where they will be stored until the refugee family arrives. Melanie just texted today saying a family from Afghanistan was flying into MSP - the same day I'm flying out. As I leave to start a new chapter, that family will be starting a new chapter of their own. I'm hoping my donation will make their transition a bit softer. Wow, this was emotional. In a really good way.

Melanie & me with my donation

Say Goodbye. It didn't feel right having a party to say goodbye due to Covid (I hate Covid) so I spent the last few weeks slowly saying goodbye to friends one-on-one. I moved out of my apartment Saturday and stayed in a hotel the last few days. It was so nice having my last few days with nothing to do but work and say goodbye to friends. Annelies surprised me by driving up from MSU and my last night in Minnesota was spent with my girls!

Last night in Minnesota

Annelies bought me Minnesota chocolate

Jump on an Airplane that will Take you to your New Home. That is where I am now. So here I go my friends! I'll connect with you from my new home...San Jose Cali(freaking)fornia! 

Lessons Learned from Flying to a New Home Nomad-Style:

• If staying for enough time where you are securing a lease (versus Airbnb), try to find a new building so you can secure the lease a few months out. It helps with planning.
• It will most likely be cheaper to buy new than rent furniture. Don't sacrifice your home just to get a furnished unit if you live simply.
• Use a floor plan tool to draw out your apartment before purchasing furniture. Annelies created a digital floor plan for me and I was shocked to see how little I can fit into my 450sf apartment! I used Home By Me.
• I mailed four (4) medium-size boxes I bought at Home Depot via USPS. The weight ranged from 25 to 45 pounds. It was ridiculously expense ($356.10). I estimated $250 and I'm still not sure why I was so off. The weight didn't matter - just the size of the box. One thing I learned is California has the highest shipping taxes. My first introduction to the California cost of living. 
• I paid UPS to box and ship my 35" monitor as I didn't have the original packaging. It cost $389 new and $196.05 to ship! Yep, you read that correctly. As I said to the cashier "let me look up the value as I may buy new when I get there and throw this out" she hugged the monitor and said "I will take it". I decided to just go with my original plan and ship. In hindsight, I should have bought a cheaper version when I arrived in San Jose. Lesson learned. But I do love that thing and I will hug her when I land in San Jose.

I'm Moving to California!

I'm moving to California my friends! Holy shit! I signed a lease in San Jose, gave notice to my current apartment, booked a flight out September 30, sold my car, and set up my forwarding address! I'm pretty committed at this point so I guess it is time to write a post.

I have lived in Minnesota my entire life. I often wonder if part of my wanderlust is because of my strong desire to live somewhere else. After having children I set 2021, the year Anna graduated from High School, as my first opportunity to move. So, why San Jose? Why not? I'm an overthinker so this decision was not made lightly but I must admit every time I looked at another city San Jose would call my name. My plan is to move often, so I don't have to love it, but things that drew me to San Jose were: 

• Unbeatable Weather. Summers are long, warm, arid, and mostly clear and the winters are short, not as cold as Minnesota, wet, and partly cloudy. Weather is important to me. 
• The Culture. San Jose is in the heart of Silicon Valley (my company is located there) and that is just plain...cool.  I'm a quick train ride to San Francisco which is filled with adventure and there are cheap flights in the region to explore. 
• To Join the Bandwagon. We all know everyone loves California. I want to see why. Oddly, this is why I kept returning to San Jose.
• Tick some Boxes. For my first move I wanted to accomplish a few things: Live without a car, live in a major downtown, live among "my people" (not really sure that is San Jose but I can name many cities that are not), as well as great weather and culture. 
• The Challenge. Of course there are downfalls to San Jose including the cost of living (ranked in the top 10 most expensive cities) and the fires but I figured starting with one of the most expensive cities would make my next move easier. 

The Plan. Twelve (12) years ago the documentary "The Story of Stuff" had a huge impact on my life which kicked off my journey toward a more minimalistic and purposeful life. Of course I didn't throw out everything I owned the following day but the more I read about minimalism and the more I practiced the lifestyle the more addicted I got to experiences and connections over possessions. My plan is to put less than ten (10) totes into storage, fly to San Jose with two suitcases and ship a couple boxes. I'll let you know how well that plan executes after I move. 

no·​mad | \ ˈnō-ˌmad : a member of a people who have no fixed residence but move from place to place usually seasonally and within a well-defined territory

I read a book this week People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry. It is a love story, with a wanderlust twist, that I have been anxious to read while sitting on my libraries waiting list for ten weeks! Poppy and Alex have nothing in common. She’s a wild child; he wears khakis. She has insatiable wanderlust; he prefers to stay home with a book. I could relate to Poppy as she lusted for travel and making new connections. The last couple chapters Poppy realized her wanderlust was because she was running away from the fear Alex (and others) would reject her. I read those last few pages repeatedly because they spoke to me. I struggle with the fear of this fear myself. Note I said "the fear of this fear". Consciously I do not believe I'm running away from something but so many people (close to me and strangers alike) ask me often "what are you running from"? I always respond "how do you know I'm not running toward something?" But I admit, I'm really unsure. I have such a strong drive to wander I can't imagine this is wrong. Maybe I'll meet "Alex" in a pair of khakis in San Jose. I hope he is bald.

In case you are wondering, I've created Ten Steps to Moving as a Nomad:

1. Live minimally
2. Create a budget
3. Figure out where you want to live. Refer to #2. 
4. Get approval from Work (and possibly your kids)
5. Look for housing
6. Find a place to donate your possessions
7. Create a project plan
8. Execute project plan
9. Take a deep breath and believe in yourself
10. Jump on an airplane that will take you to your new home

I'm on step #8. I'll update you as soon as I'm on step #10. 

Holy shit I'm moving to California! Rae Ann

St. Louis & Joanna Ward

I flew to St. Louis this weekend. It was a last minute trip scheduled to celebrate Joanna Ward. I met Joanna around 1980 when she moved her family to Isabella Minnesota, population ~ 200, a 30 minute ride from my hometown of Silver Bay (population ~ 2,500). Joanna's daughter Jessie was in my 8th grade class, which had less than 60 kids. My view of the world was so small at the time.

Joanna Ward, 1928-2021

My first memory of Joanna is watching her cook crepes after a sleepover with Jessie. Since that day I have enjoyed crepes in several countries (including France) but at the time had never even heard of a crepe. Joanna and her family seemed so worldly to me. 

Sleepover  Shenanigans at the Wards

Day after a Ward Sleepover

The house was filled with people and it had so much energy it felt like a holiday. It wasn't. It was just a common day in the life of Joanna Ward's home. It was at the Ward's home I was first introduced to real cheese. I was 13. All I had known to that day was Velveeta. FYI, Velveeta is not cheese. I also had Tang, which I heard about on TV but had never had. I seriously looked at these people like they were from another world. Trust me when I say the Ward family is the most down-to-earth group of loving people you will know. But my world was just so small at the time they felt like foreigners.

Joanna introduced me to a world beyond my tiny town. She talked of travels and history and introduced me to exotic foods like…real cheese. Joanna was loved by so many, including myself. I will be forever grateful for Joanna teaching me there is a world beyond the confines of northern Minnesota and giving me the urge to explore. 

I flew to the ceremony and I'm here to say airports are feeling "normal". I found myself navigating past the slow walkers and it felt great! That crazy "award trip" I took to Chicago in December of 2019 (finally) paid off as I was upgraded to Comfort and First Class! Things are coming back my friends. 

New wanderlust Tattoo

Me, Mary Ward and Jeff Clement

The Pre-Flight Bloody Tradition

Get your vaccine. Don't lick doorknobs and wash your damn hands! More importantly, share your travel stories with the younger generation to instill in them there is a world beyond "their little world". 

Map Display Board

Over the last six years the crap I own has diminished GREATLY. Although it is impossible to calculate I would say I have gotten rid of 90% of what I owned in 2015. Oddly (or not), the amount of "travel memorabilia" has grown. 

I added something to that collection. 

I've been wanting to do this project for more than ten years now. COVID quarantine made it possible. I hate COVID. I created a board to display my maps. I love maps.  

The how: 

• I purchased 1/8” thick plywood from Home Depot and found someone in my neighborhood Facebook group to cut the wood into perfect 2” x 2” squares
• I sanded the edges slightly
• I looked through my maps and cut out sections that were memorable, leaving about 1” around. This was my favorite part. I laughed and cried while looking through the maps. So many great memories. 
• I used matte mod podge to attach the map pieces to the wood
• I used a credit card to smooth the top
• After they dried I used a utility blade to cut off the excess
• I then applied mod podge to the top and attached magnets to the back
• I attached the map blocks to a black IKEA SVENSAS magnet board
• I hung near my bed so I could look at it every morning and dream about adding new blocks

After the tops were dry cutting close to the edge was easy!

Listed below are my other travel memorabilia with a link to view here:

• Wall hanging with license plates we collected from each of the 50 states
• Collection jars (I have well over 100)
• Room keys
• Pressed pennies

In case you need to hear it from a friend, if you have a "project" sitting around that you didn't get to during COVID quarantine, it probably won't happen. Release the guilt my friends and chuck the stuff. 

Happy travels, and crafting so you never forget the memories! Rae Ann