In some ways it feels like the trip started in mid June. We all left UT for six weeks on the west coast from CA to WA to BC. One of us went to summer camp, another went bike racing, and all of us mixed in visits with family and friends. For me and Hazel it was an extended version of a well-trodden path: dropping Will at the camp bus in the Bay Area and making our way to Sproat Lake on Vancouver Island, with lots of stops along the way. This year was pure magic. Precious moments with beloved CA friends. Family adventures in the outdoors. And loads of lake time at one of our favorite places in the world. We even met a new family member along the way!
In California, we caught up with friends in the kids’ beloved hometown, Portola Valley. We visited old haunts. We had a dreamy day in San Francisco. Stopped by Mrs. Doubtfire’s house (one of our favorite movies, RIP Robin Williams). Re-connected with the family of Hazel’s former nanny in Marin, where she stayed while I headed to Tahoe. There, in the early days of the Sierra summer I was reminded of the power of sisterhood. With some great longtime friends we processed some of the magic and hardship of this thing called Life through lots of hiking, eating and talking. No doubt one of the great superpowers of women is our ability to be vulnerable with each other in ways that make us stronger.
From there we connected with some of my kids’ Aunts and Uncles on Skyline, in the Bay Area. Together we headed off camping for a few days in the foothills of Mt. Hamilton. Cousins, camping and s’mores for the win. And floating in cool water on hot summer days. It was divine. Serendipitous that our timing allowed us to join this adventure!!
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