Yesterday was about 35 degrees and I decided that for my birthday I want to be somewhere warmer. Also, a friend of mine just moved away and I really miss her, so I want to see some of my old friends. That made me decide that it's time to head home for a little while. I'll be flying into L.A. which I don't really care about. I was just in southern California in March for a friend's wedding and it's northern California I really miss. I haven't been there in about 4 years. But a good friend who I've known since I was 12 is in L.A. so I want to visit her. So I will be staying in L.A. for two nights then driving up to Monterey to stay a night. I'm excited about Monterey because it's possibly my favorite city in California. From Monterey I will go to Santa Cruz and stay two nights with a friend there. Then it's off to San Francisco for three nights to see my step sister. From there will be a day trip to Muir Woods, Calistoga, and Napa. I'll stay the night with a friend in Sacramento. Then I'll head back down south for a night in Santa Barbara. Somehow I spent my entire life in California and never made it out to Santa Barbara. I'm really excited to play tourist in places I've been dozens of times (but haven't been for years) and to see some friends. I have friends scattered throughout the Bay Area, so I am going to try to see as many as possible. Hopefully some of them will play tourist with me. I don't have any money, so I have three and a half weeks to make as much as possible. I think I can do it...and I won't need as much as I needed for my east coast trip (which is why I'm broke, I spent way too much on that trip!) cause I'll be staying with friends in some places. Raina will have to sit this one out because flying to L.A. is cheaper than driving and I don't want to bring her on a plane. My parents will be watching her which will save me over $300 in doggie daycare fees, so thanks guys! For my birthday, on the 18th, I'll be in Monterey, which will be good because I love that city. The second I get to Santa Cruz I am going to a place near where use to live to get the shrimp burrito I've been missing for years! I really think I'm crazy...I wake up and just decide to do something...oh well, it makes life more fun! Does anyone know of a travelholics anonymous?