CWWPC (Cee’s Photography)
I got out on Saturday for a walk before the forecasted rain. It felt good to be outside and moving my muscles. I wanted to stay out there forever, but the sky started to turn a dark gray quickly and the wind picked up. I made it back to my car before the rain and lightning started.
CWWPC (Cee’s Photography)
I took the featured picture on our road trip last week right before the storm got really bad. Sorry it’s a little blurry, but I was driving. I wanted to get the pretty rainbow before it disappeared.
Despite the crazy rain and flooding, we had a great time in LA. On Friday, we stayed with some friends and played games all night. I was the Disney Scene It Champion, I faired pretty well in Apples to Apples, and after I warmed up, I kicked butt in the old game Dr. Mario. We got to bed a little later than we wanted to since we had the Cookie Con the next day, but it had been awhile since we’d seen our friends in a long time and I was having too much fun.
We got up early to get ready. I watched the news to check on traffic to the Convention Center and saw the aftermath from the crazy storm. We were lucky that we drove down as early as we did because there was a mudslide shortly after I took the above picture on the Tejon Pass that closed the Interstate down. Luckily, there were no hazards between where we were staying and the Convention Center. It was weird to drive out and see that the flood waters for the most part had receded. We were thankful though because it was cookie time. We got there early to check in and get in line. Unfortunately, the cookie con was not organized well, vendors weren’t told that VIP ticket holder got in an hour early, and so the opening of the Cookie Con was delayed. When we were finally let in almost 45 minutes late, many of the vendors were still setting up. We began our rounds of tasting samples, (Cookie Jam – delicious…look for it on shelves soon, Got Milk and bacon donut holes, and cookie shot cups you could fill with different flavored milks)
checking competition pieces (edible art and superhero theme cake),
trying new products (it’s a cookie printer),
look at the pretty products
,
and watching classes/demonstrations.
There was more, but overall the Cookie Con was underwhelming. There were a lot more product vendors, many of them not baking related (i.e. the nail polish design ladies or the at least 3 different electronic massage guys all selling the same kind of product in different wrapping and slightly different pricing). I kind of thought it would be like the scrapbook conventions I’ve been to where each vendor either had something to try or make. More interactive. We got through the whole Cookie Con in a few hours. We stuck around only to see Duff Goldman make cookies and then left. 
We didn’t come back for the second day even though we’d already paid for it. Not sure I would go again unless they got their S**T together, got more baking vendors, and more interactive things to do.
CWWPC (Cee’s Photography)
I take pictures with my Funko Pops whenever I can and post them to my instagram account (@redwritinghood707 if you’d like to check it out). I also take pictures of the books I am currently reading or would like to read. Last weekend in Half Moon Bay, my sister and I went to see the giant waves crashing on the rocks. It was raining like crazy, but it was so beautiful. Plus there’s just something about seeing mother nature do her thing. In this picture is one of my favorite Funko Pops, the 10th Doctor from Doctor Who. Getting him out there on the log was a bit of a challenge because waves were coming at us from the side, plus the sand was so wet we kept sinking, but my sister was a rock star and got him out there and even got him to stand. The wind kept knocking him down. Oh the things I do to take my pics sometimes. I’m sure you all have been there right?!? What was even more amazing were the people out on there surf boards. We watched them through the window while we ate lunch at Sam’s Chowder House. The rain had calmed a bit after lunch so we took some pictures. My sister got this great pic of the wind pulling the surfer above the water.
CWWPC (Cee’s Photography)
I went for a walk one day in a direction that I don’t normally go. I wanted to see some different scenery. As I walked out this way, I was on the other side of the street where there aren’t nearly as many trees or shade. I was so hot and sweaty, but I had set out to walk at least 2 miles before turning around. Once, I finally did, I crossed the street to seek refuge in the shade of these trees for my walk back. Unfortunately the trees didn’t last all the way back, but the bit of shade I did get plus walking through all the beautiful colors, kicking the leaves and listening to them crackle helped me forget how hot I was for a little while. I love fall, but nowadays it takes way too long for the cool weather to come and stay. It’s already the middle of November yet it’s still been in the high 70’s – mid 80’s here. Global warming at it finest.
Which Way (Cee’s Photography)
My husband and I took a walk through the Redwoods near Santa Cruz, CA last year. It was so beautiful to be back amongst the trees I came to love while going to college up in Humboldt County. It’s amazing how tall these great big trees can get. I always think of my husband as being a giant at 6’3″ to my 5’1″, but as you can see he has nothing on these trees. We really need to go back to the forest. Though that trail was tough with all it’s steep ups and downs, but it was worth it because I got 30 floors on my Fitbit that day, the most I have gotten in a single day so far. It is one of the achievements I am trying to hang on to as I try to get back to that level of fitness again. Which reminds me, I am supposed to be finding a trail for us to walk today, so I better get to it 🙂
CWWPC (Cee’s Photography)
I took this photo early one morning as my husband and I set out to visit family. It was a holiday weekend and we wanted to get ahead of traffic. The sun was just coming up and there was nothing but the road.
Cee’s Which Way Photo Challenge (Cee’s Photography)
This is Andy Goldsworthy’s Wood Line at the Presidio in San Francisco. I only just discovered this place last year. For those of you who may not know, the Presidio is a former military base in San Francisco. After it’s closure, the city has slowly been converting it, the land and the buildings for civilian use. Some of my favorite things to do there now is the Walt Disney Museum, where you can not only watch Disney movies, but also learn about the life of Walt Disney. I also love to go to the “Off the Grid” picnics on Sundays, where you can have lunch from any one of the featured food trucks and listen to live music. Many people also bring lawn games like horse shoes, bean bag toss, and all kinds of ball games. It’s a great way to spend the day.
I found Andy Goldsworthy’s Wood Line on Instagram and I knew I had to see it for myself. It really is quite amazing. It goes on for more than 1,200 ft. I only balanced part way down it, but it definitely made me feel like a kid again. I loved gymnastics as a kid and I remember always trying to find things to balance on like a balance beam. Anything from sidewalk curbs to low walls. Andy Goldsworthy has a few other art installations within the park, but I have only seen one other, the Earth Wall. My sister took me to the Presidio Officer’s Club to see the museum there and to check out the findings of the archeological digs in the Presidio. It’s another interesting stop if you are visiting San Francisco.
Cee’s Which Way Photo Challenge (Cee’s Photography)
For as long as I can remember, this statue has been standing above Highway 280 in Hillsdale, CA. I didn’t know who he was until I was an adult. I did not go to school in the United States until 6th grade, so I missed California history which included the founding of several Missions by those spreading the Catholic word. This statue depicts Franciscan Friar Junipero Serra. Some call him the “Founder of California”.
Last year, I decided to finally pay a visit to the statue located at one of the rest stops along the highway. It was a little bit of a hike to get to him, but not bad. His view is beautiful from up there. He himself though is a little weird as you’ll see if you click on the link. In reading about the statue, the most interesting thing I found was the mystery of what he’s pointing at. So far the speculations are he’s pointing down the mission trail or at future conquests. I remember thinking as a kid that he was pointing at the cars on the highway in judgement though what he was judging us for I never really knew.
If you ever find yourself rolling down Highway 280, stop and visit. It’s a newly remodeled rest stop and sitting up by his statue looking out at the view is a nice place to eat a snack.
Cee’s Which Way Photo Challenge (Cee’s Photography)
This is the entrance to the tunnel at Devil’s Slide on the Pacifica side. My husband and I hadn’t driven through here since the road closed and they built the tunnel through the 
mountain. We were spending the weekend in Half Moon Bay for my 40th birthday a couple of years ago and went in search of a place to walk after breakfast. I found the nearby Devil’s Slide Trail on my phone and we drove over to check it out. The trail here is paved, very clean, and offers some spectacular views of the ocean (with possible whale sightings) and birds (many migrate to the area). There
are quite a few information signs along the way naming the local birds and plants as well as explaining the history of the area. The trail is where Highway 1 used to go before the new tunnels through the mountain were built. We were there so early in the morning that we had the trail mostly to ourselves. We walked, enjoying the crisp sea breeze, and listening to the ocean. I stopped and sat at one of the benches about halfway up while my husband continued to walk. I thought about turning 40. When I had turned 30, I had been fragile and depressed for months before and after my birthday and I thought it would be like that turning 40, but it wasn’t. I was actually happy to turn 40. I think it had to do with feeling a little more comfortable with who I am. Right there on the bench, I made the decision to better take care of me and to start actually doing the things I dream of doing. I am finally writing everyday and I have started exercising and eating better. I also found a job that makes me happier and gives me more time to work on the things that are important to me. Now I need to work on actually taking vacations and traveling more. I guess my first step should be getting a new passport. I am putting it on my to-do list now. I am also thinking that I need to go back to that bench and think more things through. Who knows what else I could work out while sitting there. Maybe it could be my thinking spot. Have a great weekend everyone!
Onto My Next 40 Years 