Across the Pond and Then Some

2/23/2011

Westmont Orchestra Golden State Tour: The Adventures Continue

We had a four-day weekend for Presidents' Day this weekend, and so our intrepid Westmont Orchestra and Worship Team took off touring across the state, with stops in such illustrious and exotic locales as Arroyo Grande, San Francisco, Watsonville, and (drum roll) Chowchilla (near Los Banos, for the mercifully uninitiated). For all that it lacked in recognizable destinations (SF being the notable exception, of course), this tour made up for in entertainment value and food quantity. We had an utter blast and an award-winning meal everywhere we went. Thanks to the family members that made it out in the rain to catch the concert in AG on Friday night!

Saturday we headed to the city where we played a benefit concert at the Bayview Opera House for the Old Skool Cafe, an employment program for at-risk youth. That night we went out on the town and had a harrowing but ultimately successful 3-hour adventure to Ghiradelli Square.

Photographic proof that, after 3 wrong buses and a 20 minute walk, we made it in time for a cup of cocoa.

Sunday we attended a beautiful church service downtown and then headed to Golden Gate park for lunch, including a 10 minute photo frenzy at the bridge overlook.

Repping with the Communication Studies buddies

Sunday night we played a concert in San Jose. I got to stay with my friends Katie and Justin in Santa Clara that night and absolutely loved seeing them!

Monday morning after an award-winning breakfast at Stacks with Katie and Justin we took off for Chowchilla, a 5,000 person town (not counting the prison) of mostly Dutch dairy farmers. Did I stay the night on a Dutch dairy? Why, yes. Yes, I did.

Tuesday morning we headed to Watsonville, where we played at 2 chapel services at a local high school. From there we headed back to Santa Barbara via Atascadero, where we ate yet another award-winning meal at the home of an orchestra member.

Aside from overwhelming amounts of mouth-watering comestibles and a plethora of concerts, we also had plenty of time for horsing around and having a general blast.

We had the rare privilege of witnessing our conductor doing a one-armed pull-up.

Definitely one of the best trips across the state I've ever been on!

11/28/2010

Tropical Thanksgiving

Went to Costa Rica for Thanksgiving.

We started out in San Jose, the Capital.

The National Theater, San Jose

Then we headed to the Monte Verde Cloud Forest where we went zip-lining and hiking in the Canopy.

The parental units loved zip-lining.

Next we went to Heredia, where Miranda lives. We saw her school and had dinner at her home in CR, where we met Rosa, the woman she boards with.

Then we went to Manuel Antonio, home of white-sand beaches and coastal rain forest.

We flew home via Panama City, where we took a tour to the city center and the Canal.

Happy Thanksgiving, one and all!

8/27/2010

A Summer Update

At the request of some of my adoring fans (okay, I admit it: it was a few family members), I've decided to do a summer review here on my blog. I confess that I was not even close to being across the pond, but I was across the state, working as an interpretive ranger in Yosemite.

In full regalia

The summer got off to an interesting start; when I moved to Wawona in late May, it was still snowing.

My porch on Memorial Day

As a result of this very late winter, the waterfalls had more water in them than I've ever seen.

Upper Yosemite Fall

There was also an incredibly impressive display of wildflowers, which stuck around much longer than usual.

Dogwood

Harlequin Lupine

Indian Paintbrish

My job went well, and I gave most of the same programs as last summer and the one before, plus a few new ones. My favorite one to give is the evening campfire program about the indigenous Ahwahneechee people of Yosemite Valley. I also gave guided walks in the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, hosted a morning "Coffee with a Ranger" program in the campground, worked in the Pioneer Yosemite History Center, and staffed the Visitor Center.

The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias

Wawona Visitor Center

The summer was an interesting one because of all the traveling I did; for the first half of the season, I traveled back and forth between Yosemite and the Central Coast every other weekend for weddings and family events.

My best friend Katie and her husband Justin tied the knot in July, and I had the honor of being a bridesmaid.

Aside from all the wedding festivities, some of the highlights of the summer included:

Wawona's Old Fashioned Fourth of July, during which I dressed in costume and staffed the History Center.

Backpacking with Dad near Vogelsang Pass

Overlooking the Clark Range at the Pass

Dad at our camp next to Vogelsang Lake

Alpinglow on Vogelsang Lake

Participating in an Ahwahneechee cultural demonstration and learning how to prepare acorn in the traditional way.

Lots of fun barn dances

Hiking off trail to Mount Savage and having quite an adventure trying to find the way back.

My friend Laura tries to triangulate using a map and compass. It worked...eventually.

Participating in the "Tenaya Lake Yacht Club": a regatta of rafts taking a leisurely float across an alpine lake while sipping champagne--good thing I had just had my 21st birthday!

Our trusty vessel

My fearless companions pose with the club flag.

Overall, it was a fabulous summer full of great memories. I'm already looking forward to next season!

12/06/2009

Closing the Book

Europe Semester is drawing to a close faster than seems possible. I'll be headed back in California in about 48 hours. I'm not sure I'm ready to leave, but I'm certainly looking forward to seeing my friends and family again. I'm incredibly thankful for Europe Semester and all the new experiences and friendships it has provided. Thanks for following along on this adventure and for taking the time to read about my travels. I can't wait to see you!

Kelsey