November was a crazy one. And rightfully so after spending the last month and a half trapped on a boat.
I disembarked, had a wild night out in Dutch Harbor with some new observer friends and flew to Anchorage for a few days. In chilly Anchorage (7°F), I turned in my gear and did some other final administrative work to finally be free from work… for now.
After spending a further few days in Seattle to see some friends and enjoy the proper fall weather, I drove down to Newport to whisk my boyfriend Grant away for a few weeks together.
We drove down from Newport to my Grandma’s house outside of Los Angeles where we went on a daytrip to Sant Cruz island, hiking to Pelican Bay. Last time I went in March 2019, the group-guided hike didn’t make it all the way so I’m glad I got to finish off the trail. The highlight was definitely the lovely weather and seeing several island foxes, they’re no bigger than a housecat!
On the way to Arizona, we stopped in Joshua Tree National Park for a day. I’ve driven by it dozens of times but have never been in the park. We grabbed some TKB sandwiches and went to our AirBnB in Yucca Valley for the night to rest up before exploring. Our accommodation was a 1950’s vintage trailer in an artist compound with other equally whimsical stays such as a teartrop trailer, airstream and storage container. Connecting all these stays in a lovely clothing-optional pool and hot tub with views of the desert. It was spectacular. We drove from the north side of Joshua Tree to the south-east corner stopping at a few locations that interested us including Keys View and Hidden Valley Trail.
We then drove to my parent’s house outside of Tucson where we camped for a few days in Patagonia Lake. The weather was perfect for a warm-blooded Alaskan like Grant. We enjoyed sitting by the lake, wildlife watching (a dozen different bird species, deer, javelina, cows and a coati) and reading and playing board games by the fire. For one night, we even got a site only accessible by boat, so we rented a small one for the day to explore the lake and enjoy a more secluded night.
Also in Tucson, we went for a hike up Tumamoc Hill for my brother’s birthday, celebrated my other brother’s girlfriend’s birthday and relaxed at home with movies and more reading.
My grandpa, his wife and my great aunt came over for Thanksgiving and we all spent the week together with them leaving this morning. Like I said, November was crazy! I’m glad I have December to get my shit together, relax a bit and enjoy the holidays.
November in Review 2019 || November in Review 2018 || November in Review 2017 || November in Review 2016
What I’ve been listening to: Nothing Happens by Wallows, Ashnikko, Not Your Kind by Hoity-Toity, Good Intent by Press to MECO, Fear Fun by Father John Misty, Who Are the Girls? by Nova Twins, Be More Kind by Frank Turner, The Innocents by Weyes Blood, Proundly Present.. A Guide to Loss, Love & Desperation by The Wombats, The Bends by Radiohead, Let The Dancers Take the Party by British Sea Power, Lungs by Florence and the Machine, Love is Dead and We Killed Her by Doll Skin
What I’ve been watching: Borat Subsequent Film, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (season 13), The Eric Andre Show (season 5)
What I’ve been reading: Didn’t See That Coming by Rachel Hollis, The Body by Bill Bryson, Men Explain Things to Me by Rebecca Solnit
