My first time seeing the Pacific Ocean almost didn't happen. I almost...

here it was, a real-life La Jolla moment. I could stay all day and watch, but I felt like momma wanted her privacy.  She will be a great caregiver to her baby I’m sure.  Did you know that baby sea lions memorize their momma’s bark?  The barking all sounded the same to me, but even each sea lion is unique.  This is their place, and we were just visiting.     I felt honored just to see this special moment and connect with the land and nature.  When we ask, "Is There More To Life?" these are the moments we are looking for. The real moments that make up our lives. 

This is the stuff American Summer Nostalgia is made of. It's National Ice Cream...

Mentryville Park is a tiny oil ghost town rich in history tucked away in a tiny corner of Pico Canyon.  It's an important piece of US History for its role in the Oil Boon, but still draws people today for its beautiful hiking trails set in the Santa Monica Mountains. It's recognizable from several tv and movie productions but also draws a crowd for its reputation for being haunted.

My previous winters in Chicago always left me wishing I could be somewhere warm...