Packing Life In
The road...packing life in as the Californians.
It's been 7 weeks of touring and I'm amazed at how quickly time is flashing by. Performing 8 shows a week is a laborious schedule. With that being said, there is something comforting about showing up to the same piano bench every day and playing the same songs in the same order to the best of my ability. The hardest part is the physical toll to my back and neck. I truly am tired at the end of the day. Especially with the home schooling commitments to Iris. Fortunately, our nanny Deanna has been a great asset.
San Diego
We typically only have Mondays off, which is our travel day from city to city. After LA, we traveled to San Diego which was gorgeous. We packed in the San Diego zoo, Coronado Beach, the beautiful public library, and some delicious meals. The sun shines every day and the weather is so lovely. We only had a week engagement so it felt hasty to move so soon.
Fresno
We tried to make the most of Fresno but it seemed like our low point thus far. We stayed in a Radisson downtown with very few amenities. Almost all of our meals were eaten at a 24 hour casino next door.
Renting an apartment is more expensive in each city but a must from now on with a family of 3 in a hotel room and no kitchen. Yes, Fresno was a bit of a dump. I did manage to get a great haircut, trick or treat with Iris and Pat in mild weather (Iris was Hermione Granger), and get to Yosemite National Park. One week in Fresno was enough.
Sacramento
The highlight for me so far is our current city, Sacramento, CA. The JB cast took a Napa tour last Tuesday which totally romanticizes this great area.
I've been online to check housing prices and college admissions, Craigslist jobs, and research musicians here. It reminds me of a big Iowa City with palm trees. At around 600,000 population, it's the perfect size. Great restaurants, not as insanely overpriced or as congested as San Fransisco.
I've been walking 2 miles to the Civic theater most days which is across the street from the state capitol building. The cute California bungalows line the streets and the leaves are changing to give the town an autumnal feel. Yet, I'm still wearing sandals and a sweater. Yum!
Birthday madness!
We made the most of Iris' 7th birthday with a blowout of treasure hunts, amusement parks, bike rides, pizza dinner, homemade cake with candles, Build a Bear Workshop, and a first time ice skating. Iris isn't spoiled at all!
Goal Update
All of those goals I talked about in a previous post...booze free, learning Spanish, practicing every day. These things are not happening so far but we are healthy and living each city to the fullest.
Two more weeks to soak up California. Then off to Reno to have Thanksgiving in a Harrah's Casino. Hurray!