So, August is nearly over and I realised I am very overdue for a new posting! Life has definitely settled into a routine and I am super busy most of the time! I am trying to earn a lot of money for the next stage of my trip, which gets closer everyday! San Francisco is an amazing city and you can always find new places to visit.

However, I am beginning to venture out a bit further with my time off. At the beginning of this month, I went out on my own to Hostelling International Marin Headlands Hostel for three days. It was a really new feeling for me to be completely on my own and to spend time somewhere where all you can do is take in nature at its finest. The Marin Headlands were a sight to see and I really felt at one with nature to say the least. The hostel was located on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge. Its insane that you can drive such a short way and escape the city completely. When I arrived, I went out exploring around the area and found myself on a short trail heading to Rodeo Lagoon and then to Rodeo Beach. The Lagoon was breath takingly beautiful and the beach was equally as pretty.

I then headed up to the Marine Mammal Rehabilitation Centre where I got to see a few seals and sea lions and also witness a Seal Autopsy….eww.After this I headed back to the Hostel to make myself a yummy tuna pasta dinner  and then I hit the sack, as it was going to be a BIG day the next day.

I woke up early to begin the Coastal Trail Hike all the way to Muir Beach. The hike was incredibly strenuous with huge inclines! Of course I choose the hardest hike to do for my first solo hike! Idiot. It was a 20km (About 13 Miles) hike in total there and back and not one part was flat! Haha. It was very beautiful and the views were amazing, although I had to remember to appreciate it. There were so many bright flowers on the track and the water was the brightest colours of blue and green I’ve even seen. However, seeing the signs saying that I had arrived to Muir beach was probably one of my favourite views, looking back. I continued down to the beach and then found a little place called the Pelican Inn, where I ate fish and chips and rested my weary feet! It was so adorable, and very busy, as weather was perfect and everyone was having picnics on the grass infront of the Inn. I would have loved to stay longer, but the thought of the 3.5 hour walk back got me moving pretty fast as I didn’t want to be stuck walking back to too late! Thinking back I do not know how I didn’t just give up, but I was very proud of myself to say the least! I also proceeded to belly flop on my bed when I finally got back and just laid there, and experienced the sweetest feeling ever….removing my hiking boots! Turns out I bought a pair that was all wrong for me! But thankfully the shop I bought them from had a 1 year satisfaction guarantee, meaning you can return them, even if they have been worn a lot! Since then, I have replaced them with, what I am hoping will be a better pair!

While in the hostel, I also got to know a large group of people who were having the coolest reunion. The had all been part of an epic walk across the USA 25 years ago and they were all reuniting. The had brought their families and they made the best dinner in a hostel I have ever seen. Just being in the atmosphere was the coolest thing ever. They also shared their wine! At one point, one of the men got on the Hostel piano, which was slightly out of tune, and proceeded to play some of his original works and entertain everyone. He was so amazing. Just goes to show that you never know who you will meet in your travels and the tales you hear.

Unfortunately, the next day was back to reality as I headed back to the hustle and bustle of the city. I spent the rest of my day exploring the ferry building, which to me, reminded me of a mini Adelaide Central Market. It was a good day to finish on, before I headed back to work the next day.

In the last month, I have really just been working a lot! but I am still trying to do something on my days off! Walking and exploring now has a huge place in my day to day routine. I really cannot believe how much this city inspires me to walk everywhere! It’s really handy to not have a car, which means I have no choice but to either walk or catch public transport. San Francisco is really condensed, which gives you the misconception that you can walk everywhere. But it has created a lot of instances where I am doing accidental exercise haha. I am also finding walking buddies who are as crazy as I am…my recent epic walking escapade was with Bella, a girl from my work at Le Marais. We decided it would be a good idea to walk all the way from the Bakery in the Marina, across the bridge and back! Bella lives in the area and did me a huge favour in showing me the Palace of fine Arts on our walk! It was SO PRETTY. I felt like I stepped into little Italy or Greece! Just WOW! Did I mention we BOTH forgot sunscreen… OOPS! It was such a beautiful day and we were talking so much we just forgot to put sunscreen on at all. I have definitely learnt my lesson. Thats for damn sure!

I also had another small walking escapade on my day off recently last week to Lake Merced, on the recommendation of a man that I met on a hike a few months ago. It was very pretty, located on a Golf Course and just another sight to see in San Francisco. There are just too many!

I’m sorry it has taken me so long to do another instalment! I have been really caught up in working so much! But I forget how much I enjoy doing this and how therapeutic it is!

You can all expect another posting soon! I am heading to Montana next week! So pictures will be coming your way!

xx