We arrived in California about a week  ago.

So… California is expensive, guys.

Across the West, we have camped for as little as $10 a night.  Average.  We never had any trouble finding a campsite.

Then, we made it to California.  There were no campsites available.  We finally found a place to camp in San Diego.  For a primitive campsite, with no electricity, no water, and lots of sand, we paid $63.  Good grief, California.

Other than that, things have been great.  When we left Arizona a few days ago, the temperatures were approaching 115 degrees.  Good grief, Arizona.

It’s been sunny with a high of 75 in San Diego.

My schedule is so busy during the school year, I don’t get to spend as much time with my family as I would like.  Out here, we are trapped in a 15 passenger van together 24/7.

Of course, that is the point.  I like spending time with my family.

Several people have asked about our course.

Basically, we are touring the National Parks.  We visited the Southwestern Parks before the heat drove us out.  Now we are travelling up the California coast.  Today we are in Malibu.  Tomorrow, or maybe the next day, we are heading to San Fransisco.

I am a scheduled person.  I have been a teacher so long it is difficult for me to operate without a schedule.  Living without a schedule agitates me.  That is another reason we are out here.  Modern life requires a schedule.  From time to time, though, it is good to drop the schedule.  That is hard for me to do at home.  Back home, too many people have too many expectations for me.

Here in a Starbucks in Malibu, no one knows who I am.   No schedule.  No expectations.

William James once wrote: “Whether he can afford it or not, every man ought to force himself to a month-long vacation every year.”

I am not sure what he was getting at with that quote, but, I am guessing he was breaking free for other people’s expectations.

I will be back to blogging every day when I get home.  We are about two weeks from home.

For those who want to know, we will first drive through San Fransisco, Yosemite, Northern California, Reno, Salt Lake City, Yellowstone (maybe), Cheyenne, Denver, Colorado Springs, Kansas City, and St. Louis.

That is, of course, if I don’t decide to stay forever in Malibu.  This place is incredible.

Thanks for being patient with me while I have been out here.