Tales from the Pacific

The Pacific Ocean is the largest body of water in the world. It takes over 12 hours to cross it by plane and countless more by boat. Yet, despite its imposing presence on the world map, it was given the name “Pacific”; peaceful in character or intent.  Almost like that of a blue whale. 

The Pacific Ocean, like the West Coast in general, has always fascinated me.  Its striking scenery, pleasant year-round weather, and natural diversity represented a breath of fresh air from the East Coast’s crowded I-95 corridor in which I was raised.  I have viewed it, therefore, as a sort of destiny that I would end up there. Of course not forever, but at least for our Winter 2023 Coffee Trip. 

It was a challenge settling into my new environment.  Parts of daily life in DC were calling me back in my mind; the Cam’s Kettle routine, my home on the Hill, heck, even my sweet little cat, Simón. The winter rains here in California did not help as each of my first ten days saw at least some form of precipitation; from light drizzle to full-on hail (a rarity for the Bay Area).  

So, upon awakening last Monday to sunshine streaming through my window, I decided it was time to settle in. I was going to walk through neighborhoods, I was going to climb hills, I was going to wander until I felt something, until I felt at home. And I did, I walked south through Golden Gate Park, the aromas of fresh eucalyptus and ponderosa pines wafting through the air. I continued through the Inner Sunset, a majority Asian-American community bustling with fruit markets and family dentistry practices.  A bought an orange larger than a softball to eat along the way. I did not patronize any of the neighborhood’s dentists, however. My walk turned to a hike while climbing Funston Avenue into Golden Gate Heights, an enclave full of ritzy houses and jaw dropping city views.  Finally, as I began to tire, I realized my wandering had led me to one of the most scenic spots in all of San Francisco, Grandview Park.  And the view was grand indeed. To the north, I could just barely make out the Golden Gate Bridge through a blanket of fog. To the east, downtown San Francisco and the iconic Transamerica Pyramid. To the south, more rolling hills of Mediterranean scrubland.  It was to the west, however, through a outcropping of trees, that I found what I came here for: the ocean, the coast, the end. 

Epilogue: Lessons Learned

The past two years, I felt myself navigating a series of burnouts related to growing a small business and living full time in Washington, DC.  I had yearned to go west, to understand what all those old 60s songs were talking about, to see what else this country and continent could show me. Seeing the Pacific Ocean provided me with a clear and important message. You can do it… because you just did it. I wanted to live on the other side of the country and I figured out a way to do that, at least for winter 2023.  This experience has taught me that I can achieve any future goal and that makes me excited for the rest of this year and beyond.

We can all be legendary in this way. Set a goal and make it happen. Be patient with the process, when times are good and when times are not good, just look at yourself in the mirror, shrug, and tell yourself, “I’ve made it this far”.  

For me, “this far” was the Pacific Ocean.