San Francisco Part 2: Lands End Lookout and Sutro Baths

Our second stop of the day was at Lands End Lookout and Sutro Baths. It's pretty cool, Sutro Baths use to be a public pool house that burned down in the 1960s and you can visit the ruins on the edge of the Pacific ocean today. It's part of the National Park system if you visit. Here are some shots from pur visit there:

The foundation of the building now in ruins

San Francisco Part 1: Fort Cronkhite and Rodeo Beach

My Husband and I had a day trip to San Francisco and we visited a few locations. The first location was Fort Cronkhite and Rodeo Beach. They have such a great view of the Pacific ocean, even on a cloudy day. I have to say I was very happy to see clouds, because in Marysville I barely see any. Also, even though it was chilly, it was nice, compared to the heat and humidity. Here are some photos of our visit.

The view of the Pacific and Rodeo Beach

The view of the Pacific, Rodeo Beach, Fort Cronkhite (The red roofed buildings) and Rodeo Lagoon

Some of the coastline that can be seen on the trails

More coastline and more of the Pacific

The view over one of the cliffs

The view from one of the cliffs facing inland

Rodeo Beach, the sand is nice and dark and didn't stick to the feet

Rodeo Lagoon

Ellis Lake -- Marysvile, CA

Now that I live in Marysville, California, this is the lake that is a few blocks away. It's called Ellis lake, there are a lot of water fowl about, such as geese and ducks and there are fish in the water such as catfish, trout and bass. I've also seen a turtle pop out it's head above the water occasionally, I have yet to snap a picture of it.

I think I've run out of things to do....

I don't know what to do anymore during the day when my Austin is at work. Sure I tidy up the apartment but that takes about 30 minutes tops and I also do the laundry, but other than that I have nothing to do. I've started to explore the surrounding area but there isn't that many interesting things to do or to see and it get very, very hot during the day. I'm happy that I actually have a gym membership, so I can go there and be around other people, but other than that I don't have a printing press or a job so my day comes to a standstill pretty much.

Yesterday, however, I finished this crayon piece that I started when I visited back in the beginning of July. It was a good way to spend the day, so in a way I am going to do more art until I find a decent job. I got a letter from one of my friends and it definitely brightened my otherwise dull day. Today I'm going to submit my paperwork to start volunteering at the library, another way to actually do something that can sort of, possibly, help me find a job, or until I actually find a job. 

Done in Crayola Crayons - http://verat.deviantart.com/#/d5bgojn

I don't know what I was expecting when I moved out here, but here it is, unemployed and currently a housewife, and in all sense of the word. I sit at home and don't see anyone. I really miss seeing my friends and most of the time am either updating my tumblr or looking for more job openings that sound interesting. I've also noticed how many print I have in my possession, most of which I should probably start selling, but one thing about that is I don't know who would me interested in purchasing. Going to start looking into Etsy.com to see how I can sell my art through there. 

Anyways, I usually end these things with a short story, but currently nothing comes to mind. Have a pleasant day/evening/night.

My trip broken down by my stops

Here is the quick breakdown of my trip in terms of stops, miles and time:

Day 1

#1 Denver, CO  ---> Laramie, WY

Distance ≈ 150 miles

Time ≈ 2.5 hrs

#2 Laramie, WY  ---> Green River, WY

Distance ≈ 225 miles

Time ≈ 3.5 hrs

#3 Green River, WY  ---> Salt Lake City, UT

Distance ≈ 175 miles

Time ≈ 3 hrs

Day 2 

#1 Salt Lake City, UT  ---> Wendover, UT

Distance ≈ 125 miles

Time ≈ 2 hrs

#2 Wendover, UT  ---> Elko, NV

Distance ≈ 115 miles

Time ≈ 2 hrs

#3 Elko, NV  ---> Lovelock, NV

Distance ≈ 200 miles

Time ≈ 3.25 hrs

#4 Lovelock, NV ---> Marysville, CA

Distance ≈ 225 miles

Time ≈ 4.25 hrs

TOTALS:

Distance ≈ 1, 215

Time ≈ 20.5 hrs

(The mileage is approximate and so is the time)

I've moved

Nissan Versa - My Rental Car

I've moved to a small town in Northern California where I can't find a job and sitting at home filling out applications is just becoming tiresome. You have to keep in mind that I do NOT posses a vehicle of any sort, so it has to be walking distance to where I live. To be more exact I've moved to Marysville, California and let me tell you how I got here.

Well I completed all of my required coursework for my undergraduate degree, which is a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing and a minor in Psychology. I have to say that I am pretty impressed with myself and this achievement. Will be getting my diploma in about 6 weeks time via snail mail. Then I finished working at the bookstore, trained a lot of new people for rush right before I left, so hopefully they all do a lovely job during rush. Then I packed up my things, shipped 9 boxes, rented a car, and fit the rest into the rental.

Packed Trunk

Packed Backseat - Don't worry I could see out of the back window just fine!

Second view of the packed backseat of the Versa

I started my drive out to California at 6 in the morning, my mom making sure that I took everything that I need and a few sad farewells.My plan was to make this trip in two days, Thursday, August 9th and Friday, August 10th. My overnight stop was in Salt Lake City, and I didn't like it there one bit. I made six mandatory stops along the way, to pump gas, eat and stretch my legs for a bit. By the end of my drive to Salt Lake City, I didn't know where I was and I was just following the highway, and it still puzzles me how I found my way to the hotel that I was staying at. 

Before checking into the hotel I went to my forever craving, all time favorite burger place, In N Out Burger. They make the best burger in the world, and you have to keep in mind that I eat them without the bun and wrapped in lettuce, so I can really taste how the meat. It was one of the best parts of my trip, enjoying a mouthwatering burger after a long drive....

The hotel I stayed at sucked, the parking was weird and it seemed as if there weren't enough spaces, the carpet was filthy and and the tub just looked disgusting. It looked like it was built in the 90s and hadn't been updated since then.  So much for booking ahead of time and expecting something better, but the bed was just fine, especially since all I really wanted was sleep. Thankfully I bought earplugs and had some pretty good sleep, waking up at 4 am and checking out at 4:30 to start the second part of my drive. 

Driving on the second day was much better, sleeping really does help from the night before. I was surprised that it was cloudy most of my drive through Nevada and that it even rained a bit. When I finally entered California. The scenery is just gorgeous and lush. I drove down Highway 20 to get to Marysville, and yes the road is a bit curvy but it was amazing to drive down. 

I finally got to Marysville and decided to fill up the tank before driving to the apartment and then to drop it off at the rental place. Well I already drove 1,150 miles or so without hitting anything or anyone, and for that matter not getting into a car accident. Well as I was pulling up to the gas pump, I heard a crunching sound and next thing I know the front right part of the bumper got smashed in by one of those concrete barriers that prevents the car from driving into the gas pump. I obviously didn't see it at all and thought I had some room before hitting it, boy was I wrong and less than a quarter of a mile from the apartment, too. Well I called Hertz roadside assistance and reported it and luckily since I purchased all the insurance that Hertz offers for a rental, I didn't have to pay for the replacement of the bumper, luckily.  

Overall I had an excellent trip driving to my new place of living, and if you are ever looking to rent a car, rent from Hertz, this is the second time I've rented from them and they are great! Now all I have to do is find things to do until I find a job, I think I'll start volunteering at the local library. 

A little update on everything

Hi everyone!!! So I haven't been that great for the past year with making regular posts and it's because life got in the way, and in a very good way. Let me explain:

I'm currently finishing up this degree and I am currently taking my last course for it this summer, expected graduation date is August. So school work has been swamping my life. However, if you've been reading on and off or know me personally, you know that I'm with a lovely man named Austin.The last time I filled everyone in on him was back when I wrote the post about all those letters that he received while he was in basic training (here).

Well a lot has happened with us in the past year. Back in January we got engaged, exactly after a year we started to talk with each other as well as seeing each other exclusively. Then in March we went ahead and tied the knot (yes! we got married!!!) before he went to his first duty station. As I might have mentioned before, or neglected to mention more like, he is currently in the Air Force. Sure we've only been together for about a year and a half, but we've been through a lot and in the past year our relationship has been a long distance one. While at basic training he could only communicate with friends and family via snail mail, and then once he got to technical school we got to talk on the phone every evening and did FaceTime "dates" (if you could call them that) every Friday and Saturday. Sure I did get to see him when he visited during the holidays and whatnot, but those were visits, overall it's been long-distance.

It surprises me that are now married and everything is working out just fine. People say long distance relationships are hard, and they are, but I've learned that it depends on the couple and the situation, since every relationship starts out differently and are all unique to their situations throughout the relationship. One thing that I've learned that is very important in every relationship is communication between each other, and I mean civilized conversations, no yelling or what not, but a conversation(s) were both are listening to what your significant other has to say without interrupting them or blowing them off in what they've decided to tell you. You should feel special that they are taking the time to tell you. Well enough of me babbling about relationship stuff (People (well, friends) sometimes say I give great advice, ummm .... thank you!).

Besides that when it comes to my schooling, I am currently in my final semester this summer. Yep! Taking my last class that I need for this degree. Very excited after exactly 4 fall, 4 spring and 4 summer semesters. I still currently work at campus bookstore as a book floor lead, I have to admit that I really like working there, the people are great.

Well thats my little update on what has been going on with me, I hope everyone has been well too.