Somewhere in the heart of the Aftermath

Well, bike trip's done but the adventure of course continues. I'm checking in from the beautiful city of Berkeley, California, loafing around the apartment of some friends before heading out to a bike shop. Really missed that, loafing, I mean. After a month of insane activity, laziness is truly sweet. But anyway, a bit of a recap.

Life's moved pretty fast since my last posting; my bike trip's ended in the San Francisco Bay Area, a little prematurely but certainly merited. Faced with the option of biking alone or having a vacation on my own terms, I chose the vacation. I have not been disappointed. I think, of all the places that I've seen and visited on the west coast, San Francisco is my favorite. Lots to do and see, and lots of amazing bike rides to go on. Just yesterday I took a leisurely and scenic ride through the Berkeley Hills and up Grizzly Peak. Don't let the semantics fool you, it wasn't a bad climb at all!

So here's the game plan as it stands. I'll be staying in Berkeley for a few more days, headed back into San Francisco for their Pride weekend. I've decided to take a meandering route back to Virginia, opting to take Amtrak's Zephyr train from Oakland to Chicago. I'll be arriving at Union Station on the 3rd of July, where I'll be picked up by friends and then we'll roadtrip back to Virginia. Slowly, I think. If all goes as planned, we'll be spending the 4th in St. Louis, enjoying a free show and free lodgings with a friend. I should return home by either the fifth or sixth of July, bike box and panniers in hand.

In other news, I got a job! Or rather, a paid internship that will end in my full-time employment. Inner Quest, a renowned Outdoor Experiential Education company in the D.C. metropolitan area has offered me a position in their apprenticeship program. From late August to early November I will receive valuable training and work experience as an outdoor instructor. Following that, I'll decide whether I want to continue working with Inner Quest, or take a position elsewhere with a company like NOLS or Outward Bound. So, my life is turning out pretty nicely at present. I'll have a little time in July and early August to get a jo-schmo job to pay bills, and more importantly to join a cycling club and do a little volunteering. Life is good.