Tag Archives: San Francisco

Letting go…again

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San Francisco Bay Area

I’ve been trying to let go of this “thing” now for the past month or so after realizing it was pointless to hang on to what apparently no longer existed.  However, I kept hanging on to this “thing” while at the same time trying to let it go.  It’s been a complete emotional tug of war that has kept me standing in the same spot over and over again.

Almost every day I would imagine myself walking to the cliff’s edge overlooking the ocean, face into the wind and there I would tell myself to throw this “thing” over the edge.  But every time I imagined this, my fist was tight and my hand wouldn’t open.  I simply never could let it go.

And so I continued to hold on tightly to this “thing”.

Last night I walked to the cliff’s edge yet again, face into the wind as usual…and took a long deep breath.  And to my surprise gone was the tight fist that always kept my hand closed.  My hand was open and I was finally able to let go of that “thing”.  I didn’t even have to throw it because the universe took care of that for me once it knew I was ready to let go.  The wind simply picked it up gently right out of my opened hand and carried it back and beyond me where I stood.  It did that so I wouldn’t have to see it anymore or be distracted by it while I stood there and marveled at the beauty and healing powers of the ocean.  I lingered for  a while as I continued looking forward.

And do you want to know what happened after that?

The breeze felt amazing on my face!

I am,
The Urban Mountaineer

I Don’t Mind the Rain

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darcybakerphotography

I awoke Saturday morning to the soft pitter-patter of rain drops gently falling on the trees in the woods and on my roof. I don’t mind the rain. The clouds have rolled in, the skies have become a landscape of grey and white billowing whispers and it makes feel calm…quiet.  No, I don’t mind the rain at all.

It rained all day on Saturday and all the way into my Sunday in which I once again awoke to that familiar sound of gentle pitter-patter.  A sound that without much effort quickly per-swayed me back into a restful state.

No, I don’t mind the rain, in fact I don’t mind the quite grey clouds that sneak in to mingle with the bright white happy ones.  The sound of the drops falling from the sky especially when they tag the leaves in the trees on their way down and dance on the puddles their predecessors created are gentle reminders for me to stop and breathe.

I listen for their rhythm, I listen to hear the wind that has carried them my way and I wonder how far they’ve had to fall in order to reach me. I appreciate their journey.  I listen to stop, iI stop to breathe and I connect.

No, I don’t mind the rain.  The rain reminds me there is comfort right where I am in the moment.  It reminds me that it’s okay to stop, rest and allow myself to rejuvenate quietly.  It reminds me that I’m not always in control and that’s okay too.

*I am rejuvenated*

I am,
The Urban Mountaineer

My daughter and I have a “Love-Haight” relationship….

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young girl looking at records

I think it’s the distinct historical neighborhoods that collectively make up the super-eclectic vibe that pulses through the city of San Francisco.  EsEf definitely exhales with a diversified force like no other city I’ve known.  Its core is the roots of a rich history and these neighborhoods are the extension of one of the best cities ever to live in or at least be a part of.  It’s a soft and subtle fusion of anything and everything that is possible and more on a fast track of vibrant urban movement.

To me, they are the many corners and secret niches of a remarkable Victorian mansion connecting all the rooms as a whole but each having their own unique décor and I want to see them all! Continue reading →

My pictures just don’t do her justice

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Image of the Gold Gate Bridge

It’s been said that Princess Diana was the most photographed woman in the world but I believe San Francisco’s iconic Golden Gate Bridge has got her beat.  That being said I could hardly consider myself a resident until I took at least one pic of her.  And so I have…finally.  It only took me 4 months to take the shot and another 2 to post it but hey, at least I can say I finally did it.

As much as I’d like to post one of those blow-your-mind epic shots of this beauty I’m afraid this is probably the best you’ll get from me.  Let’ face it, there are a kagillion other photographers who have lived here all of their lives and have probably been taking her portrait since they were 5 years old.  They know all the of the rock-star ledges to balance a tripod on, killer views to zoom in on and know the best helicopter cabs to hang out of in order to get those famous heart-stopping shots we’re all too familiar with…seriously they know what they’re fippin’ doing. Continue reading →

Sifting Through Chinatown 1 and 2

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20160505-2337-(1)

In a quest to truly learn my way around the city I’ve decided to take a series of self-guided walking tours that are designed to help me get more familiar with the various neighborhoods, hot spots and points of interest San Francisco has to offer. I purchased a box of 50 tour cards with maps on one side and a quick tour narrative on the other. I figured I’d do a tour a week and by the end of the year I should know my way around like a native or just enough to get lost on a regular basis. Will I actually do a tour every week? I doubt it however I will work my way through the deck until I’ve done everyone.

My first adventure recently took me into the well-known “Chinatown” district and WOW I think my brain is till on sensory overload. Not in a bad way it’s just overloaded with sites, sounds, smells and the energy that comes from being in a crowded and unknown place bustling with activity. Continue reading →

Sunshine, butterflies and a navigation system

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Young girl taking pictures under the Golden Gate Bridge

Rainey taking pictures under the Golden Gate Bridge

 

Now that I’ve landed just outside of San Francisco my friends have been asking me often if I’m digging it here, more specifically if I’m digging the city. This isn’t an easy question to answer considering the long journey in which my daughter and I have taken in order to get here and why we did so. Of course it’s an amazing place. I know it sounds glamorous to up and move to a big city … but no, it’s not always so. And when I’m asked if I like California better than Colorado I can’t say either way because those are two completely different places. It would be like comparing expensive apples to really expensive oranges. I have yet to figure out how to do that. I can say for sure It’s not always sunshine and butterflies however, there is sunshine and there are butterflies….lots of butterflies.

So why did we move here in the first place? Well that’s a semi-long and somewhat simple answer, which goes like this: Continue reading →