Travel Log: Encinitas

Just a short getaway from the hustle and bustle of Long Beach is a small surfer town in San Diego county, Encinitas. There are two campsites to choose from, both where you can pitch your tent right on the beach. You must reserve far in advance during the summer months at both Carlsbad and San Elijo. We chose San Elijo and stayed a blissful three days of surf, sand, and relaxing under the stars. I watched my boy ride the waves for hours as I sunbathed on the sand with a good book.

The good thing about the secluded hide-a-way is it's proximity to the city. Who knew such an oasis could be nestled within the hustle and bustle. We ate at the local favorites. Auggie's Crab House made for such a fresh and succulent dinner, perfect after the beach adventure. And a small restaurant by night fish market by day spot in the city gave us the flavor of the most tender macadamia crusted opah we've ever tasted. Not bad for a last minute mini vacation.

Lastly, who could visit San Diego without trekking through their famous zoo. The elephant odyssey was my personal favorite. But there is something to be said about those playful orangutans that capture your heart. We saw it all. Lions and tigers and bears and more! I can't wait to visit them again...and to relax by the surf in Encinitas.

Escaping the to your own private lake in Mammoth, CA

When you first hear the words Mammoth Mountain, the beautiful images of snow lifts and powdered mountain tops fill your minds with wondrous adventures. But far from the snowboarding hills of the crowded winter season comes the calm, tourist-free months of summer when the locals thrive. Summer is the time of year to truly enjoy Mammoth. The air is clear with the aromas of fresh water, newly grown pine trees, and rainbow trout just caught from one of the many lakes. It is a nature lovers’ paradise of wilderness trails, waterfalls, and fishing lakes. The best of these is Shadow Lake. This journey is not for the faint of heart. It is a four mile hiking trail through meadows and murky water and up and over steep, rocky mountain passes. Plenty of rest stops and water breaks must be taken. Then as you finally feel you can’t go on, you see it; an amazing oasis. Just you, completely engulfed by a forest of trees on a mountain top, on your own private lake with no other person as far as the eye can see. Feel free to fish for trout or just meditate atop a rock. There are no reports to be handed in here, no bumper to bumper traffic on the 405 freeway. Time and troubles are lost, and you are finally free to exhale.

Late Night Pondering

Here's the thing: I hate my job. No, I mean, I really fucking HATE my job! Don't get me wrong, it pays the bills well enough, and I like the people I work with, but in some ways I see bartending as just a few steps up from whoring yourself. You are playing this game of make believe that you are absolutely delighted to wait hand and foot on people for about an hour for their own delight and pleasure. You're basically faking it for money (usually about $5).

Now, I know exactly what I want to do with my life. I want to write, and I'm actually pretty damn good at it. I want to be a resident writer and then someday an editor of a major magazine. But, that career path is hard to come by. I could blame the failing economy or the fact that there are millions of girls in my shoes also trying to achieve my goal. But the reality is: I'm not disciplined. I don't write unless I find something worthy of writing about (just like my painting). And I have no idea how to move past the occasional freelance gig.

Here's another thing: I have been searching for a new job. My dream job of course is that coveted writing position at a major women's mag like Cosmo, Glamour, Seventeen, or LA Mag. And as much as I hate my current job, I can't seem to lower myself to settle for less than that dream. I found a job listing today for a marketing job that I am absolutely perfect for, because I have the experience and it actually involves some writing. Yet I am hesitant to apply for it because, yet again, its not the dream job I crave. Am I stupid? That is the question of night...