Beth W | Being There Now

Ram Dass: Prequel and Sequel–Surrender and Synchronicity

Kind of a loaded title–I know

But apt. So apt. Boy oh Boy.

When I closed the computer after writing On the Passing of Ram Dass, I thought that was it. I had described, as best I could, a single moment with him. An expansive, mind-blowing, transformative, yet extraordinarily simple, single moment–part of a day filled with transformative moments at the Open Your Heart in Paradise retreat on Maui in 2010.

Everyone at the retreat had such moments; seeing Ram Dass in his wheel chair approaching the dinner table that night was mine. It was as if the air reverberated with the sound of a great silent bell, and time–just stopped. That moment is a koan I carry about with me. The memory of it stops thought. It is a great gift, among many I received from Ram Dass. And so, after trying to describe that moment and the onion-peeling and surrender that happened before, it seemed my work was done: a tribute, I hoped, to the beloved, funny, brilliant, later, almost silent teacher, whose acts of devotion radically transformed spirituality and spiritual culture. And who, though that’s a story for another time, saved me from a dark hole of despair. I had never written about it before, and had talked about it to only two people. Sharing that moment with Ram Dass felt like coming out of a spiritual closet. I shut the computer. It was done. Time to return, I thought, to carrying water and chopping wood.

But then something happened.

Prequel and Sequel. In Be Here Now, Ram Dass writes about the great cosmic joke–that no matter where you think you are, you are right here, right now. You are always, already here, now.

After I completed my last post and shared it with a couple of people I thought might like to read it, I tried to put it away. Around the planet, at this moment people continue to grieve and celebrate Ram Dass; when I closed the computer that evening, I thought that was what I had done. Grieved and Celebrated. But that was not the plan.

The Prequel

For a couple of months, I had been thinking about the images my husband and I had taken on Maui. I hadn’t seen them in years. Those were early days for us of smart phones and camera apps. On Maui, we took photos on my phone and with a “real” camera. It was a period of transition for us. We had moved the year after the retreat, unplugged the computers and TV and moved fully into our new life. I kept my smart phone; he checked in at the library. For nine years I knew those pictures were somewhere, but I wasn’t worried about them. They drifted out of my consciousness. Two months before Ram Dass’ transition, I couldn’t stop thinking about them.

Buddha at the Temple on the Mala Ramp in Lahaina

Two in particular kept buzzing around my consciousness. One of us posed at the beautiful Buddhist statue at the temple near the Mala Ramp in Lahaina, and the other, the topic of my previous blog post, a photo of Ram Dass and me.

After I let my mind forget about them for a day or so, my husband found the image of us at the temple he had uploaded to facebook nine years ago and forgotten, and I found my much shared, pixilated, treasured image of me with Ram Dass. For me it is an image of lila: of how our desires manifest when we surrender, and of how what comes with those manifested desires–the shattering of time, the sudden understanding of, as Ram Dass called it, The Only Dance There Is–makes us realize the thing desired was not actually that which was desired at all, but evidence of it–which is connection, enlightenment, love.

The Buddhist Temple on the Mala Ramp in Lahaina

My husband found the first picture on October 25, Ram Dass left the body on December 22, I closed my computer on December 23. The holidays happened and my friends, both those who loved Ram Dass and those who had never heard of him, showed pictures of their trees and candles and holiday feasts. Ram Dass taught Karma Yoga, the business of getting on with life but dedicating it all. He never wanted the message to be about him or taught that his way, Bhakti Guru Kripa, was the only way. So trees, lights, feasts, Hanukkah candles–it all just goes ahead and that’s fine. It’s part of The Only Dance There Is—Grist for the Mill.

The Sequel

I was trying to be finished with my post, but it kept at me. There is this battle many of us have going on about the ego. We feel that we’re supposed to give it up. We work so hard to give it up, and of course, the working just strengthens its resolve. Because after all, who is doing all that work? And so my ego and I resolved to write no more! Well . . . maybe just this instagram post. Okay, maybe just this facebook post. It was like holding back a river.

Then on December 27, a message popped into my inbox. It was from Shutterfly. I hadn’t realized I still had an active Shutterfly account! I had barely used it (probably because I ran out of free storage) it said, “Your memories from nine years ago,” relive this memory.

It was Maui.

And the moment expanded as time stopped. There they were. And here they are. Photos I had forgotten and remembered. Lots of them. There are not too many from the retreat at Napili Kai. I was shy about taking pictures, thinking I should just be able to hold onto something so important.

Quin Withey at the Plantation Inn in Lahaina, Maui, 2010

Mainly they are moments with my husband that are precious. Irreplaceable images of transition and continuation. The way one mala bead leads to the next and the next and the next while in each bead we are simultaneously there and here.

And there was also, in all its unpixelated clarity, the photo of me with Ram Dass at table. And another, I never shared. Boy oh Boy. The lovely, brilliant, cosmic humor of it all. How utterly amazing. What gratitude to be included in the joke! And to be given another koan to stop my mind just when I needed it.

There seemed to be a pretty clear message delivered in the Ram Dass voice of the pre-stroke days.

Write about the Whole Trip!

With Ram Dass and Dasima. The unpixelated version.

And since I’m not sure what the means yet, I’m going to close the computer lid again.

But not before I post links to the best places to find Ram Dass’ work, and to support the ongoing work of the Love, Serve, Remember Foundation. LSR has spent years and countless hours preserving Ram Dass’ work, making many of his teachings free and available for everyone, assisting Ram Dass after his stoke, and much, much more.

Visit RamDass.org to find books, films, malas, other devotional items and connect with Ram Dass Satsang. Spend time with the Be Here Now Network to listen to recordings of Ram Dass’ teachings, as well as those of Sharon Salzberg and many others.

And subscribe to Baba Ram Dass on youtube to access free recordings and videos of his teachings from the early years until now.

Finally, I should mention that there is still one more image of me with Ram Dass that is missing. I’m fine with that. Well, maybe I am. We’ll see how long the computer lid stays closed. In the meantime–

Enjoy the Cosmic Dance!

Do you have experiences or thoughts about Ram Dass and this teachings or experiences of synchronicity? How have they affected your life? Share in the comments below–I’d love to share them with you.

On the Passing of Ram Dass

Being with Ram Dass now

Today is December 23, 2019 and yesterday evening, on Maui, Ram Dass dropped his body.

Today there will be many posts about Ram Dass. His life impacted millions of us searching for deeper spiritual connection–for ways through life’s drama to the light–past illusions, past despair, to hope and, as he said in Fierce Grace, to a place of contentment and self-acceptance.

The title of this blog, Beingtherenow, is an homage to Ram Dass that I set adrift in the online ocean without explanation. It seemed, and still seems, that even referring to his work, Be Here Now in a blog title was just so big a thing to do. Like trying to explain the ineffable. Yet his work informs every aspect of my life as I live it today; it helped me to realize that I could, in a literal sense, go home again. In a very tangible way, I am resting in the being there now place I always longed for–and so, the title remains, a thank you to him. And now, after many years, I set my small story of an ineffable moment with Ram Dass adrift in this little canoe for any who may happen onto it.

In a way I have known Ram Dass since I was a child. I was alive in the sixties and remember seeing black and white images of Timothy Leary and Richard Alpert on the nightly news. I wanted to be older–to be part of the Summer of Love and the feelings of freedom and new thought I sensed around me. The Civil Rights Movement, environmentalism, women’s movement, and the spiritual revolution Ram Dass brought to America informed my early life. So when I found Be Here Now on the streets of Manhattan in the nineties, I already knew it though I had never read it. I don’t think it is possible to describe the experience of reading Be Here Now. Every time I read Be Here Now, it is a different book. Each time, I am certain an image or page I am seeing was not there before. It seems to exist, as we all do, in an ever-changing eternal present.

Years intervened between that first reading. Years, as in everyone’s life, of happiness and sadness, heights and depths. Grist for the Mill.

I was emerging from a particularly dark time after a lengthy period of care-taking when I picked up Be Here Now again. And that experience–the book was all new! I stared at the brown pages, reading and re-reading. In the “Cook Book” section were methods to help me move through and past the sadness and turmoil I had been experiencing. I remember thinking, “I wonder if Ram Dass is still alive.” I didn’t know he had suffered a severe stroke; my life had moved past and now circled back. It seemed instantly, there was a short television program showing Ram Dass speaking slowly. I searched for him online and found his online Satsang; it was my first experience of a social network. This was 2009.

With Quin Withey at the Buddhist temple near the Mala Ramp on Maui

The following year I attended an Open Your Heart in Paradise retreat on Maui with Ram Dass, Krishna Das, Sharon Saltzberg, and the dedicated members of the Love Serve Remember Foundation. Because my husband and I combined the retreat with a twenty-fifth anniversary trip and spent two weeks on Maui, we stayed in Lahaina rather than at the resort where the retreat was held and I day-tripped over to the retreat for five days. I could write much about this experience, but this is not the time. Today, I want to try to describe one moment.

Mindfulness involves witnessing our “stuff”–our responses, our reactions, emotions, jealousies, joys–all the dharma drama that makes up our lives. Witnessing allows us to remember that we are something other than our thinking and doing. It allows us to step back into being. I had been working with this and with surrendering resistance pretty deeply, and at the retreat, while I wanted to descend into bliss, the gift I received (a very Ram Dass kind of gift) was the gift of more witnessing–especially of my inner introvert and needy child. Oh boy, as Ram Dass would say. There was a lot of grist for the mill there.

On perhaps day two, I realized I desperately wanted a photo with Ram Dass and felt too shy to just go get one. Now, Ram Dass had his photo taken with everyone and seemed to love doing it. This was only an issue in my own mind. I witnessed my monkey mind running all over the cage with it, “How could I be so petty; needy; silly? Just go and get the picture taken!” Ram Dass was everywhere, hugging everyone, enjoying everyone. I had received my hug and darshan of “boy oh boy.” What was my problem?

Finally I mentioned this to a friend involved in all aspects, Satsang; we laughingly agreed it would happen somehow, someway. The morning moved into a profound meditation led by Sharon Salzberg. The breezes drifted into the room which settled into a deep stillness. At some point, I heard my mind say, “This is so good. I don’t need a picture–just this.” It was a profound, yet, so easy, moment of surrender–of opening.

After meditation we all went about our day. The waves lapped, whales were spotted, the air was warm and perfect, people played in the ocean, there was much laughter. And then it was time for the evening meal. I don’t remember how I came to be sitting at that particular table, or what I was eating. I was sitting with my friend who was the person I knew best, and who is beloved by so many.

Dropping out of Time

I looked up from where I was sitting to see Ram Dass in his wheel chair being pushed toward me. Here the experience becomes difficult to describe. It seemed that I and the entire room dropped out of time as the moment expanded to encompass everything. I had a physical sensation of plummeting even as I was perfectly aware of my place in the room, sitting in my chair watching Ram Dass coming to sit beside me. It all happened in the eternal slowness of an instant.

My friend smiled, whispered for me to get up and stand beside Ram Dass and snapped a picture; it happened quickly and he was not ready with his usual gleaming smile. The original, I hope, is on a hard drive somewhere. I cherish this version which was resized as I shared it and shows us pixelated–it looks just about exactly as I felt in that beneficent, time-shattered moment.

During the rest of the evening meal, we talked about food as people do. I gave up my seat to someone else when I had finished and went outside to sit in the beautiful, velvety darkness where time waited to return to its normal running. It waited for quite some time. Ram Dass probably never knew the profundity that moment held for me. Had he known, he would have said it was Maharajji’s lila, and so it was.

A teaching of love, and humor, surrender, and the absolute fullness of each eternal, ineffable moment.

Sub ek.

Many free teachings as well as books by Ram Dass and opportunities to donate to Ram Dass’ work are available at Ramdass.org and the Love, Serve, Remember Foundation.

Namaste–

We are all just walking each other home–Ram Dass

Do you have experiences with Ram Dass or his teachings? Share a comment below–I would love to hear them.

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My Perfect San Francisco Solo Travel Itinerary

Day 2, San Francisco Spontaneous Solo Travel Day

My San Francisco view from the Kensington Park Hotel

I loved visualizing, planning and packing for my combination solo travel and sister trip adventure to San Francisco and the Giant Sequoias. Now, after a very full arrival day and a really good night’s sleep at the Kensington Park Hotel, I was ready for my first full solo day in San Francisco. I might as well admit it. I’m not a morning person. But I made a discovery about the Kensington’s amenities that really made my morning flow. There are elegant little self-serve stations with coffee and biscotti. (I can’t really even begin to tell you how happy this made me). Best of all, I didn’t have to go to the lobby, I just padded down one flight of stairs and there they were. There were no lines, so I just piled (quite a few) biscotti on my plate, poured coffee into my lovely ceramic cup and enjoyed them in my room. A perfect way to start the morning. After taking in the view of the city, I was ready to start the day!

Embracing Mindful Wandering

My first stop was the front desk to load up my tote bag with maps and brochures and ask lots of questions — always a good plan! I didn’t really have specific destinations in mind. I knew I wanted to ride a cable car, find my way to Haight Ashbury, and visit the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art in the evening; as for the rest, I embraced mindful wandering. My favorite way to explore when traveling solo. I know wandering isn’t for everyone, so feel free to use my “spontaneous itinerary” in this post and the wrap-up as a guide. It’s also a great laid back plan if you’re traveling with friends or family!

One of my three planned destinations, the Haight.

My first mission, despite the great coffee at the Kensington, was a short, sturdy espresso. I knew the general direction I needed to go to fulfill both my trolley and caffeine desires, so went out the front doors of the Kensington and turned–downhill, which in this case was left. Walking just a couple of blocks I ran right into the beautiful Emporio Rulli at Union Square. It was a beautiful spot to enjoy the vibrancy of San Francisco at mid-morning. I ordered a delicious espresso and chocolate croissant and sat outside to enjoy them. Next it was time to ride the cable car!

My First Cable Car Ride

Cable cars are part of the really stellar San Francisco public transportation system. Everyone I encountered as I rode the cable cars and busses was extremely nice, patient, and helpful. They’re accustomed to tourists, so just remember to be nice to them and they will reciprocate. There are different ways you can buy tickets to use public transportation in San Francisco. I recommend just buying a Muni Pass online. It made it so easy to get around town without worry. Plus, it’s an easy app that looks cute on your phone. Cable cars require an extra ticket. You can find out all about Cable Cars at this really informative spot.

View from the back window of a SF Cable Car

You can actually look directly in front of you while having coffee at the Union Square Emporio Rulli and see where you’ll hop on a cable car. Be prepared to wait for a bit. I had a great time waiting in line talking to people I met from all over the world. None of us had a clue what we were doing or what to expect, which made it even more fun. When your car arrives, you’ll have the opportunity to get a seat inside (if there are any left) or hang onto the outside of the car! Hanging outside looked like fun, and I nearly went for it, but decided I’d better wait until a car came with available seats. Cable cars are a pretty wild ride!

I jumped on the Powell-Hyde line, snagged a seat in the back of the car where I could watch the view out the back window as we ascended those steep hills and passed landmarks like Lombard Street nicknamed “Crooked Street,” and enjoyed the view and everyone on board. It was a beautiful cloudy day. Watching the brakeman handle the car is amazing! I rode all the way to the end of the line at Ghirardelli Square and walked the short distance to Fisherman’s Wharf for lunch.

San francisco Bay Cruise

Lunch got put off for an hour, however, because there in front of me as I entered the Wharf was the Red and White San Francisco Bay Cruise fleet. Suddenly I realized a cruise around the bay was exactly the kind of easy, spontaneous, tourist activity I wanted to give me an overview of the city. As I climbed aboard and took my outdoor seat, the misty breeze blowing off the bay was wonderful. The jean jacket I’d packed definitely came in handy!

The hour-long cruises are equipped with headphones that provide a recorded guided tour as you pass under the Golden Gate Bridge, along the coast viewing historic San Francisco sites, and of course, by Alcatraz.

The View of Alcatraz from the deck of a Red and White Bay Cruise Ship.

I loved the panoramic views of the city from the deck of the boat!

San Francisco View from my Red and White Bay Cruise.

Back on land, it was definitely time for lunch.

Lunch at Boudin’s Bakery, Fisherman’s Wharf

I knew that the next day after my sister arrived, we would probably find an amazing seafood restaurant. Seafood is her favorite, and the next day we ate lunch at another San Francisco icon, McCormic and Kuleto’s overlooking the water. For my first day, though, I just wanted something simple, iconic, and fun that offered me easy vegetarian choices. I wandered right into the incredible flagship, Boudin Bakery at Fisherman’s Wharf. Boudin Bakery is a beautiful, amiable, windswept giant. As you walk by the windows outside you can watch the sourdough bread being created right before your eyes. They still use some of the “mother” recipe that is 150 years old! There were so many choices! I finally settled on the rustic tomato soup bowl, but there are so many others. And who knew that I could come home and buy those delicious breads for myself from Amazon! This is the San Francisco Sourdough Garlic Volcano Bread. Oh my.

After lunch I strolled through all the fascinating variety of Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39, and along the beautiful Embarcadero to the Ferry Building. It’s only about two miles from Fisherman’s Wharf to the Ferry Building, but you’ll want to take your time and enjoy all the rich variety –the shops, street performers, gardens, and view of the water. I took well over an hour, and had a wonderful time. The locals will tell you to keep alert. It is a crowded busy area. So remember to be mindful of your belongings. Near the Ferry Building, I looked up and saw Coit Tower. It turned out to be one of the highlights of my trip! From the Ferry building, you can take a tram, taxi, or walk to Coit Tower. I actually started walking, then I realized the challenge of Telegraph Hill, and opted for a quick taxi. I did walk down though as you’ll see!

Coit Tower and Telegraph Hill

Coit Tower at 1 Telegraph Hill is a must-see, especially if you’re interested in art and history of the 1930s — or if you just want the city’s most panoramic views! Completed in 1933, Coit Tower is a 210 feet tall art deco structure built of reinforced concrete. Many people think it has the best 360 degree panoramic views of San Francisco, the Bay, and five counties! I loved the giant murals painted all around the interior circumference of the tower. Coit Tower was the pilot project of the New Deal’s Public Works of Art Project. Painted in the “social realism” style, the murals depict the variety of California labor in the thirties. You can read more about the history of this fascinating landmark, here.

If you want to buy a ticket (like I did), you can ride up in the period elevator and walk up the narrow flights of steps to the top of the tower to take in the views.

View of San Francisco from the top of Coit Tower

Telegraph Hill and the Haight

When I walked out the front door of Coit Tower and saw the iconic sign for Telegraph Hill and a path leading down, I thought, “What an adventure!” It was beautiful — and steep. Soon I came to a staircase that ran the entire length of the hill! As I kept going down, I encountered one of San Francisco’s most lovely neighborhoods with homes tucked into the side of the hill and stunning gardens.

Be ready though, those stairs are steep and there are 400 of them! Still I would not have wanted to miss this wonderful walking adventure. It was one of my most mindful times during my whole fun, spontaneous day. At the bottom of the hill I was ready to find a bus to my last destination before heading back to the Kensington for a rest. The Haight.

Here is another wonderful thing about the San Francisco Transit system. By this time my mind was still excited about my day, but the rest of me was getting pretty tired. I knew I was facing in the right direction, and pretty much just got on a bus and told the driver I wanted to go to the Haight. He told me where to get off to transfer, and the next bus driver did the same, and voila! I arrived at my destination. Thank you San Francisco drivers!

“The summer of love” may be a distant memory, but I still wanted to walk through the area and think about the history and images of that time. Now, Haight-Ashbury is a fun, cool shopping and restaurant area, with beautiful Victorian homes. I’d rested on my bus ride, so I walked through the streets enjoying the fun and funky shops. I stayed long enough to pick up some cool “vibes” before finding the bus back to Union Square and the Kensington Park Hotel to rest for a bit before I went out to the San Francisco Museum of Art and supper.

Art and Dining at San FRancisco MOMA

Entrance to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

Viewing and dining at San Francisco Museum of Modern Art was a perfect end to my day of solo travel in San Francisco. And best of all for me, it was just a ten or fifteen minute walk from the Kensington. As you can see from my photo, the featured exhibition was the work of the surrealist artist, Magritte. His work actually inspired some of my photographs from a quick run to Saint Louis. You can find out all about SF MOMA and its current exhibitions here.

Even the restrooms at SF MOMA are Modern Art!

After a long delicious day of mindful wandering, watching the sun go down while dining at Cafe 5 in a rooftop sculpture garden at SF MOMA was a peaceful, satisfying end to my day. The menu is seasonal, so it’s always fresh and delicious. I had a wonderful hearty salad, but there are options for everyone, including a kids’ menu. Cafe 5 was the perfect choice for me after my long day, but there are other places to sample artistically-crafted fare at the museum, whether you just need a quick pick-me-up, or an elegant meal, you can whet your appetite here.

I loved my lovely long day of spontaneous mindful wandering in San Francisco. Do you have special San Francisco memories? I’d love to hear them!

Life! in the Ozarks

I always say I live in the prettiest on the planet planet, the historic Victorian village of Eureka Springs, Arkansas in the Ozark Mountains. If you’ve stopped by my about Beth page, you know I’ve come full circle, from Fayetteville Arkansas where my father was on faculty at the University of Arkansas, to the piney woods of Deep East Texas, to Phoenix, then the Upper East Side of Manhattan, a few years in Dallas and Austin and finally, back to the Ozarks. I’ve loved living in all of those places, but the Ozarks has always felt like home.

We call them the Ozark mountains, but really they’re a series of plateaus worn down over the millennia into spectacular vistas everywhere you look. The Ozarks are also the perfect spot to to find a wealth of travel experiences. Whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, with friends, or with your family, you can find symposia and symphonies in Fayetteville, internationally acclaimed art at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, theme parks at Silver Dollar City and Branson, and hiking, dining, festivals and more in my own beautiful Eureka!

Here in Eureka Springs, alone, there is an incredible array of lodging (some of it’s even haunted) to suit any taste and price range. The town is known as a regional art center; there are galleries, music festivals, plays, Opera –parades practically every week–lakes and rivers, nature trails, forests, camping nearby, fabulous dining, and (very important for me as a local) amazing coffee bars. We’re our own little mini-Venice–a town with a population of 2000 that welcomes over 750,000 visitors each year! And yet we still maintain a small town feel.

The Crescent, “The World’s Most Haunted Hotel”

Everyone who comes to Eureka wants to live like a local; I’ll give you detailed itinerary ideas about life and what to do when you visit Eureka from a ‘locals point of view.’ I love it here and want you to love it too.

As wonderful as Eureka is, the Ozarks region is even vaster! So I’ll be filling you in on fun itinerary ideas for Fayetteville, Bentonville, Branson, and ‘secret’ out of the way spots around and in between! You’re going to have a great time living life in the Ozarks!

Beth, at the Botanical Gardens in Fayetteville, Arkansas

Do you have questions about Ozarks traveling? Leave a comment! I’d love to answer them for you.

My Perfect Solo Travel Days in San Francisco

Day 1, San Francisco Arrival Day

I flew into SFO on a beautiful afternoon. I had done my research on taxis, Uber and Lyft –I’m a little embarrassed to say that when I took this trip I had never taken either Uber or Lyft. That’s all changed now! I had taken hundreds of taxis during the fourteen years I lived in New York City (back when dinosaurs walked the Earth before Uber or Lyft) so I jumped in a cab. I was really glad I did. I love talking with cab drivers, especially on the way from an airport to my destination. The drive was beautiful, the conversation, enlightening, and the cost –about fifty dollars or so plus tip, which was about what I expected after doing my research.

My driver took me straight to the door of the Kensington Park Hotel in the heart of Union Square. I love, I mean really love solo travel, but that doesn’t mean I’m not a little nervous or have some culture shock when I arrive in a new place. I always feel a little shy and have to take time to get my bearings. The Kensington really helped with that. The staff were friendly and helpful, the lobby is gracious and beautiful, but unpretentious –and loaded with history.

The Kensington has a real San Francisco feel. I was fascinated by its history. It lives in a building built in Moorish-Gothic style in 1925 by the Elks Club. The ceiling is hand painted so don’t forget to look up! The Kensington shares the building with the San Francisco Playhouse, so you can take in a play right in the same building. A real perk if you’ve walked all over the city like I do, but still want a unique San Francisco experience before going to sleep. Also in the hotel is Farallon Seafood Restaurant. Since I’m vegetarian I didn’t eat there, but it was packed every night! You can learn more about the Kensington and its history here.

I absolutely adored my room. It was tucked into a quiet spot with a view overlooking Union Square. The Kensington is a historic hotel, so the rooms are cozy. Mine had two full beds that were so comfortable I had some of the best nights’ sleep of my life. And I’m not exaggerating. I was very, very happy at the Kensington. I loved my comfy room so much I thought I’d see if I could create one like it. I couldn’t duplicate it exactly, but these linens come pretty close!

Mindfulness tip upon arrival

I always try to take a quiet half-hour or hour after I arrive at my hotel to acclimate, rest, and decompress. I’ve discovered it’s helpful when I’m traveling solo to make the space my own. I unpack my bag a bit, hang up my clothes, find my books and set them on the night tables –plug in the phone, and put my feet up for a little while. I check my messages, call home, and may flip on the tv, but usually I just rest, listen to the sounds outside the window, and shut my eyes for a moment or two. Taking a little time before rushing out into a new place helps center and acclimate me to my surroundings.

After I’d rested and freshened up I was ready for my first walk around San Francisco. I didn’t really have destinations in mind, but knew the general direction I wanted to go was –downhill. I had a nice spontaneous walk, got a little lost (I almost always get a little lost) and used my gps to make my way back to the hotel. I always carry my portable charger with me when I’m on my own. San Francisco is such a vibrant city. It’s exciting just to walk around and get a feel for things. My next post will cover my complete, spontaneous SF itinerary for the solo traveler, but right then, it was getting dark, and I was pretty hungry; where to go?

I knew I wanted somewhere close to the Kensington so I could get home easily after dark. I made a great discovery just one block uphill from the Kensington. The Zingari Restorante and Jazz Bar. After eight at night, it became my home away from home. Zingari was another really nice spot for me as a solo traveler. I arrived there tired, hungry, and a little rained on and left happy, feeling befriended, rested, and full. It overlooks the sweeping lobby of Donatello hotel, and live jazz plays every night. You probably do want to check the menu here before going. For me as a vegetarian traveling solo it was perfect. I sat at the bar, had a lovely vegetarian pasta, talked with the bartender, and relaxed after a very long day. And I took my sister when she arrived! By about ten, I was ready to return to my happy place at the Kensington.

What are your happy places in San Francisco? I’d love to hear about them!

View from the base of Coit Tower and Telegraph Hill.

San Francisco and the Giant Sequoias

Being there now is not about getting somewhere fast. It’s about seeing the journey in our minds — muddling over our visions, ideas, dreams, and plans. Trying to stay present as we do our best to get the details right, and finally — starting out, journeying, and being there.

The images in my welcome post were from a travel adventure with my sister to San Francisco and Sequoia National Park near Three Rivers, California — it was also the first time I did almost all the planning for a major adventure. Packing was a fun challenge because San Francisco is cool and rainy in September, Three Rivers was really warm, and in the mountains with the Sequoias it was cooler, but still warm and sunny. I found five essentials that were perfect for the whole trip. You can see them in my planning and packing post right here.

There were a lot of moving parts in planning this adventure, and I made a few mistakes (I’ll talk about those so you can avoid them) but it was a wonderful sister trip. Now we try to take trips together whenever we can!

The Plan

Because my sister and I have such different schedules, I divided this trip into three parts: solo travel time in San Francisco for me, a day and a night in San Francisco for the two of us and a glorious couple of days and nights in Three Rivers just minutes away from Sequoia National Park and those ancient giants. You can probably already tell that I love trees and forests. Connection with nature is my primary entry to mindfulness. Spending time with the Sequoias with my sister was a dream come true.

But first came my solo day in San Francisco!

Where in nature do you feel most connected?

Planning and packing for San Francisco and Sequoia National Park

Planning

Because of our schedules my sister and I started brainstorming our California trip months in advance. After lots of phone calls, we decided on our two main destinations–San Francisco and the giant Sequoias in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. I didn’t know California very well, so this was definitely a learning experience, and exercise in mindfulness!

It’s always a good plan to do your research, and I spent hours on trip adviser and Airbnb looking at reviews of different hotels and rentals. I finally decided on The Kensington Park Hotel in San Francisco in the heart of Union Square, and a beautiful AirBnB rental in Three Rivers, California just minutes away from the Sequoias. They were perfect both for my solo travel leg of the trip and and for after my sister arrived. More on the historic Kensington and our gorgeous Airbnb in a later post.

Packing

Figuring out what to take on this trip in September was a challenge! The San Francisco forecast was rainy and cool, but the forecast for Three Rivers–a five hour drive south– was sunny and 102 degrees! I knew I needed some key items in my suitcase. but first, I really needed a new suitcase.

I’m not a Zen packer. I take lots of things that make me feel comfortable and at home no matter where I go, especially when I’m traveling solo. For this trip I definitely needed new luggage. After searching, I decided on this great Samsonite suitcase in my favorite color. I knew I’d recognize it the instant it came off the luggage ramp. It’s roomy, really easy to pull, and expandable–which, since I carry a lot of my world with me when I travel is important to me.

My Absolute Essentials for San Francisco

My jean jacket, light scarf and perfect new Samsonite luggage

I love to blend in with the local scene, and even though I’m a long way from being a millennial, I like to feel fashionable, a little hip, and young–all the while being really comfortable. Luckily San Francisco style makes it easy to do all those things! Here are my SF essentials:

Number 1–blue jean jacket. I wore my jean jacket constantly in San Francisco. Rain or shine. It was the perfect weight for cool mornings and just the right casual style for the trip. Pro tip: bring one with lots of pockets. You’ll use them!

Number 2 –jeans, of course, to go with your jacket. Which ever are your favorites. Because I don’t travel light I took different kinds. All stretchy and comfy.

Number 3–light weight scarf. You will need this, believe me! Choose one made really light weight fabric that you can just stuff in the pocket of your jacket, or into the next essential item–

Number 4–a roomy, light weight tote bag. You will carry this everywhere. I mean everywhere. I carried my phone and an extra wireless charger in my tote because I use my gps when I get (mindfully) lost. As well as maps, brochures, souvenirs, and the occasional half sandwich. And since the weather can change on a dime in San Francisco, I looked for a tote that was roomy enough to carry things I needed just in case. If the sun pops out, you may want to put your jean jacket in your tote bag! And although I didn’t take one, it’s good to pack a lightweight hooded windbreaker or slicker. I also carried a small cross body purse for my keys, wallet, lipsticks, and spare change.

Number 5–comfortable shoes. I have a confession to make. I can only wear one brand of shoes these days. I have to have major arch support, and I love to walk for miles when I travel. Vionic Shoes have literally made this possible for me after I thought an injury a few years back had stopped me in my tracks. For this trip, I took a pair of sandals which I wore all over San Francisco, and a pair of boots, both Vionic. And in San Francisco I walked five to ten miles a day! Thanks Vionic!

Mindfullness tip for planning

Deliberate breathing. Whether I’m really enjoying the process of planning or feeling overwhelmed, I can forget to stand up, walk around, step outside to look at the sun and away from blue light, and breathe. My best quickest breathing technique to reset is to exhale quickly and inhale slowly three to six time times. This takes a full minute if I really connect, and works well to reset my mind and body.

What are your San Francisco Travel Essentials? I’d love to hear them!

Welcome to Being there now

Thanks for stopping by. Btn is meant to be a space to share fun, meaningful ideas about staying mindful and present in the moment in travel and in life. It’s about finding ways to step back, breathe, take a beat, and enter fully into experience. To embrace life and travel in all their joy, beauty, and messy wonder.

I hope you enjoy these moments we share together.