Per usual, we started the morning off with a walk to the #9 marker along the ocean. Getting back to the house, we (Uncle John, David, and myself) all ate breakfast. I spent the morning playing catch up to the three prior weeks recaps. After knocking out one week, leading up to Monterey Car Week, I tried writing in another form, old school pen and paper. Ideas seem to flow a little more freely when putting pen to paper and letting the ink form words and sentences as easy as waves rolling through the bay.

Pearl was ready to pick up after lunch, so we headed back to get her and took a moment to talk with the shop owner, Toby, about what was happening and what they did. She was running much better now. I was on deck for dinner and had planned to use some Everglades seasoning changing up the flavor of our chicken. Serving a Caesar salad and grits along side the chicken, we had a very delicious meal. Tonight we would accompany dinner with “Miss Sloane” featuring the talented Jessica Chastain.

Up and awake plenty early, I stretched and did a few yoga poses to get ready for my run. I skipped coffee, but it would’ve been nice to have a quick jolt of energy before setting off. It was practically raining as a heavy marine layer had set in. Cranking some pipe and drum music, I set off with one goal in mind; I’d see how far I could go, giving my feet a break from pounding so much pavement lately. Completing my run and walking to Lovers Point for a cool down, I sat on the beach so the water could wash over my feet. Having a few wavs crash further up than intended, I was working up to the point to get in for a quick dunk. What a shock; catching my breath, I swam out and treaded water for a few minutes, before heading back to where I could stand. Now acclimated, I stood in the shallows intermittently dunking my head a few more times. Refreshing as it was, I can’t say I would do this every day without a wetsuit.

Heading back to the house, I settled into the day; writing another days recap. Pearl and I went out for a drive and headed to Carmel to stop into a fly shop and ask a few questions about the local fishery. Hanging out on the porch in the afternoon, I kept writing. Enjoying a whiskey as the cars and people passed by, I think now was the first time I had relaxed all day. We started a movie while dinner cooked, “Gunpowder Milkshake.” It was pretty strange, but reminded me of the movie “Sucker Punch.” Starting a documentary about Jackie Collins called “Lady Boss,” we enjoyed dinner, pork tenderloin, stewed potatoes, and broccoli. I took a soak in the hot tub before heading to bed around 930 or 1000, for whatever sleep I could manage to get tonight.

Waking every few hours, I was up around 1, 330, and finally stayed awake around 530am. Obviously, something has been running through my head; I just couldn’t nail down everything that was causing me stress.

Going for our normal walk, we came back and had a hearty breakfast; egg and sausage scramble, grits, and toast. I needed to head to REI to grab some camping supplies for the next week, so I got cleaned up and on the road in time for the store to open as I got there. I walked away empty handed. Changing plans, was and always has been something that could happen while I am out on the road. But I didn’t think they could change so drastically. Wildfires are raging across the west every day; finding a way to keep moving, I started looking at new routes. Making plans to head back for a week around Labor Day, I would camp nearby and do other day trips before heading home. I settled on Pinnacles National Park for a trip Monday and Tuesday.

Uncle John cooked a pot roast for dinner. Hearty and delicious, we finished watching “Lady Boss” and made it all the way through (well they did) “Sweet Girl” featuring Jason Momoa. Heading to bed, Uncle John came up to tell me to just stay at the house all week and do day hikes and explore around the valley. This was not what I thought I needed, but I wasn’t going to argue having a real bed and hot fresh meal each day.

No walk this morning, instead we headed to First Awakenings for breakfast. I spent the day decluttering emails and watching a few commentaries on Youtube. At lunch I went out for a run down to the aquarium and back, finishing at Lovers Point. Knowing I was in need of a new pair of shoes, I headed down to Fleet Feet in Monterey for some new kicks. The store manager actually had worked in the Carborro, NC store and HQ office before taking her position out here. Its always nice to bond with people from back east, even if they’re from NC or not. I mentioned that I had signed up for the Big Sur Marathon, so we talked training for a bit. This is the longest race I have signed up for and the biggest goal I have set for 2022.

Asking why I was so far from the east coast, I filled her in, and by the time I was leaving, she offered me a job if I ended up sticking around. Ironically I had looked to see if there were any open positions within Fleet Feet before heading to the store. Coming home, I found my way to the front porch again. Not soon after Uncle John came out and asked if I wanted to walk since we didn’t go that morning.

Dinner would be crab cakes, sweet potato mash, and salad. We started “The Chair” featuring Sandra Oh on Netflix. Before bed, I jotted down a few notes of what was running through my head and then tried to get some sleep as best I could.

Waking up early today, I laid in bed till the last minute possible to get ready for our walk. Heading out with coffee, we had cereal when we got back. Taking a day to rest, I spent most of it inside. My left foot was aching a bit from the last run before getting new shoes, so I took it easy. I spent the morning looking over and compiling my notes and journal to get ready to write another recap. Around noon, I went out to clean pearl up a bit, organizing and going through all my gear. I added a couple stickers to her before heading back inside.

Giving my fraternity brother Riley Wilkins a call, we chatted for a bit. I always enjoy catching up with college friends and need to do it more. Funny thing is, he and his wife Ginny are heading out to San Francisco in a couple weeks. Maybe we can catch up while they are out west. We had started to make plans to do some fishing when I get back to the east coast. My favorite fish, Speckled Trout, will be in peak season for the winter bite off the coast and in the backwaters around Beaufort and Morehead City North Carolina.

Tonight, we had leftover pot roast (it was more tender after putting it in the instapot) with mixed greens and carrot cake for dessert. Finishing the last episode of “The Chair,” We started a documentary on Monty Python. I of course fell asleep.

Coffee in hand, we set off for our walk as usual. Uncle John had turned around with David as his hip had been bothering him. I continued all the way to Asilomar and then trekked back around the golf course by the cemetery. Just over 4 miles, which is typical for the morning walk. Starting the laundry, I waited till the wash was done so I could hang dry a few things. I would set off for Carmel Valley for a hike today in Garland Ranch. There is a fire tower lookout atop Penon Peak, so I set my goal and was off with a map in hand. Rucking with roughly 30 pounds, including camera gear, and my bio harness, it would be eight miles and 2300+ feet of elevation gain later that I would make it back down to the trailhead. Boy was I whooped. Feet barking and shirt soaked through, I set off for the house feeling good but tired and just wearing the pants I had on, windows down and tunes cranked. I immediately got in the hot tub when I made it back to the house.

David was flying to Mexico tomorrow, so we had an early dinner of Kielbasa sausage and cabbage, enjoying “Rocketman” as our entertainment for the night. Off to bed with speed, I was pretty sure after my hike I would have no problem sleeping.

Waking around 6am, I grabbed my coffee and sat on the front steps, looking out to the ocean as the waves roll in. Heading out for a walk once Uncle John woke up, we made it to his favorite local spot, Victorian Corner for breakfast. We invited Anthony to join us so, to inquire about using CBD to combat inflammation. We had a good conversation and even saw Jan (coworker of Uncle John’s) and her husband Michael. They had traded in the Yukon they owned for a new Ford Bronco Badlands. Taking the day to recover, I hung around the house, and thought about going to the Natural History Museum tomorrow. I tried reading, taking a nap, and looking at maps. Nothing really got me into the task. The rest of the day, I focused on writing in long hand again. Hoping for a bit more creative flow, I wrote on plain copy paper and just let the words create lines themselves. I tried writing a couple letters to gain a bit of perspective, but was struggling to get the right words out today.

We decided to have lasagna tonight for dinner. Always interested in learning a new recipe or skill in the kitchen, I wanted to help as I have never made lasagna from scratch. I have mastered spaghetti and baked ziti, but that consists mainly of just boiling the noodles and adding sauce. The noodles we used for the lasagna were no boil, which I thought was interesting. By the time we started layering the pasta, I headed back out on to the porch to chill a bit before dinner. I’ve never had such a hard time just watching the sea roll by. The water has always eased my spirit, but currently I was in need of a change and I couldn’t stop thinking about all the things rolling around in my head.

Letting the pasta cool, I was able to jot a few notes down in my phone that might help me sort through all the thoughts in my head. We watched the first Matrix movie over dinner and enjoyed a few pieces of dark chocolate for dessert. I had way to much pasta, which was evident later as I tossed and turned. Afterwards, I hopped in the hot tub, hoping to soothe some very sore muscles; listening to a few tunes from Johnny Cash, The Band, and The Talking Heads. I was feeling a bit better and couldn’t help but sing along. Heading up to bed, I thought my mood would transition into a decent night sleep. Well I was wrong. Two hours passed as I watched the newest season of Ted Lasso before I finally fell asleep after midnight.

Week 14 Mileage – 93