I began my journey the evening after Christmas day. I missed the first bus in San Luis Obispo and so I had to drive to Santa Maria and try to catch it there. I was very fortunate the driver let me on as the bus was standing room only. I arrived in Los Angeles, California and had a short layover before departing for Las Vegas, Nevada. I arrived in Las Vegas at 4:00 a.m. and had a 3 hour layover there. I departed the bus and found the hotel next to the bus station and found a fitness center so I could relax after all that sitting on the bus. I had the most boring bike ride of my life on the stationary bike for 30 minutes and my hamstrings are still letting me know they didn't approve. I then found a dumbell which I turned into a miniature bar and did some strength work. I then boarded the bus bound for Salt Lake City. The bus made a short stop in St. George, Utah where my Aunt and Uncle came to say hi. I arrived in Utah Tuesday evening around 5:30 pm.
Wednesday morning I got to go to Wasatch Crossift and do a front squat burpee ladder and I was amazed at the challenge it was with the elevation difference. Wednesday night all my siblings came over for dinner which I was able to prepare. It was nearly all paleo except for the few little treats that my mom added in such as her famous lemon jello salad that I requested and some mini eclairs for dessert which I am proud to say didn't eat a single one. My family loved it and my mom said she was so happy to have a new idea of what to feed everyone. The kids especially loved the fresh fruit platter.
Thursday I went to visit my Grandma. It is amazing to see how she had aged in just the past 3 years and what she does to stay occupied and how she gets around with her wheelchair.
Thursday evening I went to exercise at the Bountiful Rec Center and then met my friend Emily and her sister Katie for drinks and appetizers. It was so great to catch up with her. She truly is such an example to me.
Today I got up at 4:00 to go to the airport in Salt Lake City, Utah to fly into Long Beach, California. The flight was delayed and so when I arrived in Long Beach I had a very short period of time to figure out how to get inexpensive transportation to the greyhound bus terminal so I could come home on the bus. I took two city busses and arrived at the Greyhound station to find out I was supposed to pick up my ticket one hour prior to departure. I was given a standby bus ticket and received the last seat on the bus departing for Los Angeles, California. I made it to Los Angeles and had a 3 hour layover so I asked where a shopping center was and was told to take a city bus into downtown. I found a little mediterranean grill to have a paleo lunch at. I then decided I would walk back to the Greyhound station. I walked down 6th street and later learned I had walked down what is famously coined Skid Row. I walked down numerous city blocks of trash and saw people living in ruins and poverty, but each time I smiled at someone or an unwelcome remark was made I simply stayed positive and wished them a happy new year. You never know the difference an unkindness returned with a kindness will make or how a smile may help someone in need.
I made it back to the Greyhound station and arrived back to where I had parked my car. I had a great time, but was so grateful to be back to my familiarity, my abundance of blessings and a beautiful place to live.
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