So, yeah…my fortieth birthday is less than a year away. All of my friends and family are two thousand miles away, so I probably won’t be having a huge party. And, to be honest, I would almost rather be waterboarded than attend a party where I am the center of attention. Gotta love being an introvert. So what can I do to mark this milestone passing of time?
A few months ago, when I celebrated my 39th birthday, I came up with the idea to make a list of four must-do things before I hit my next birthday. I would have loved to add things like: take National Geographic 10-day hiking tour in and around Machu Picchu (only $6k a person + airfare!) and visit Versailles. However, I know my budget and other commitments, so I needed to be more realistic. Ultimately the decision was made to keep it local, i.e. within 6 hours of home and in California.
First step, before destinations could be decided, I wanted to explore who I am and what I really love. Yeah, I could put “Shop on Rodeo Drive” on my list, but why would I want to do that when Amazon is so much easier, and you don’t have to leave your house. So, with two self-realizations my list was formed. 1) I’m outdoorsy. When I was little I spent very little time inside. This is kind of something I had forgotten about myself. As an adult I actually had the nerve to tell myself that I didn’t like nature and that I was happy inside. What? Why would I lie to myself like this? Since moving to Cali, and spending so much time in the wilderness, I have regained my love of the great outdoors. I can actually feel a tug in my soul crying for rocks, trees, waterfalls, and wildlife. And, 2) I love history. It’s not enough to go someplace and say, “That was fun!” I want to know the facts about how it came to be, why it is where it is, and what happened there. Man, if I can combine the two, outdoorsy and historical, that is even better!
Now…without further ado…my list!
Hike Half Dome in Yosemite and camp in a tent overnight.
This one is pretty huge. People have died trying this hike. However, with some common sense, and with new regulations from the National Park Service it can be done safely. Everyday, from late May to early October, around 275-300 permitted hikers attempt to summit Half Dome using a well thought out cable system.
This hike appeals to me for a few reasons. First, its a challenge, and I love a good challenge. I can do this, and say, “Wow! I’ve really lived!”. Second, once upon a time, someone said that getting to the top of Half Dome was impossible. That word “Impossible” to me is like someone saying, “I double dog dare you!”. I’ll take your impossible and raise you a “she’s totally insane to try that!”. And, third, it’s just so freaking beautiful!
I added the camp in a tent element just because it is something that i have not done since I was a young teenager and it’s high time I got back into that.
Hike the Kelso Dunes
I think I like this hike, because it is a challenge, but also because I will feel like I’m in Aladdin. We’ve been waiting to take this hike until the weather turned cooler. Located near the town of Baker, the Kelso dunes are at a lower altitude than the high desert in which I live, and therefore, much warmer. The tallest dunes in this “dune field” rise to around 650 feet.
Learn to Surf
This one is going to be fun…I think. I love to boogie board, I have good balance, and I’m a pretty good swimmer. It’s just…the ocean makes me a little bit nervous. It’s not the sharks that make me nervous, but all of the other little creatures that I don’t have a name for. Last time we were in Huntington Beach, we were up on the pier and some guy was fishing. He reeled in this strange fish that I had never seen. It creeped me out.
I digress. I declare that by my 40th birthday I will learn the basics of surfing, and successfully stand up on my board (In the water) at least once.
Explore Hearst Castle
I love, love, love the history of this place! Everything from who stayed there, the fact that it had a female architect, how hard it was to get there, and its original owner, spark my history loving fire. I have never visited, but I have read about, watched documentaries on it, and dreamed of going there. It is only natural that it should be added to my list.
I cannot wait to explore my new little part of the world and share my experiences with you! And, believe it or not, I am actually looking forward to turning forty. In my thirties I saw myself grow from a kid to a self confident women. I am really excited to see how I grow in the next decade.
The post Four Before Forty appeared first on Kentucky to Cali.
