A year ago I celebrated the new year by jumping in a hole in the ice of a frozen lake in Minnesota.  The year that followed pretty much mirrored the experience.  2009 was filled with rushes of adrenaline followed by just trying to keep my head above water while swimming to the other side.

I raced around the country, completed my goal of road tripping all the lower 48 states, saved sea turtles while camping on the beach of Padre Island, hiked the Grand Canyon, went flying over the San Juan Islands, and much more that I have not blogged about.  While doing all of this the past year I have not lived anywhere for more than two months.  Until now.

January 2010 marks my third month of living in Berkeley.  The transition from living a nomadic lifestyle to becoming a Californian with no plans of leaving has been difficult to say the least — a bit like struggling to keep my head above water in a frozen lake in Minnesota.

I have finally emerged on the other side – climbed out of the hole in the ice and landed in “sunny” California.  And after all of the struggle I don’t know what to do with myself.  I feel like a fish out of water and can’t quite find my sea legs.

This year I rang in the new year in Tahoe and managed to capture a couple crappy photos on my iPhone before nearly being trampled by a drunken mob.

In the middle of drunken mob life is totally out of your control.  The only way out is to go with the flow and eventually emerge safely on the street.

If the pattern holds and this year mirrors the way I rang in the new year, 2010 will be the year of going with the flow and emerging from the pack.  Here’s to letting go and riding the wave in 2010.  Surfs up.

That may seem like a weird wish but of all the photos I have I get the most compliments on the ones of my feet.  So by popular demand here is a speed road trip across America with my feet in pictures:

Kayaking 1 of Minnesota's 10,000 lakes

Olympic National Park in Washington

Kayaking with alligators at Everglades National Park in Florida

Walking along the beach in Naples, Florida

Watching the sunset at the beach in Naples, Florida

Arches National Park in Utah

Camping on the beach at Padre Island National Seashore in Texas

I have worn this pair of Keen sandals in 47 states. I love my well worn Keen sandals and couldn't let them go to heaven at Padre Island National Seashore in Texas.

I got my kicks on Route 66 at Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona

Taking a break and enjoying the view while hiking the Grand Canyon in Arizona

Foolishly wearing sandals among the cactus at Joshua Tree National Park in California

Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California

Mount Tampais overlooking San Francisco Bay Area in California

Hood River in Oregon

Who hikes 4 miles up Mount Si in Washington wearing Tevas? Sue, that's who.

Kelp beds at Deception Pass State Park in Washington

Looking for whales at Lime Kiln Point State Park - San Juan Island in Washington

Muir Beach in Marin County, California

Out of my tent and off on the next adventure in California.

I wonder where my feet will take me next.

Autumn is my favorite season.  Or more accurately, autumn was my favorite season growing up in Minnesota.  Since then I have lived places that don’t really have seasons other than the rainy and dry season like Florida and California.  As much as I love Northern California, today I pine to go hiking in Northern Minnesota in all its autumnal glory.  Since I am 2000 miles away I’ll have to settle on a virtual autumnal equinox hike by looking at the photos of a late autumn road trip to St. Croix State Park from yesteryear.

Pictures are nice but I would rather be there.  I’m taking the red-eye to Minnesota on Friday to catch a little bit of autumn with family and friends.  See ya soon, Minnesota!

I caught a frog prince, but he jumped away before I could kiss him.

Location:  Sibley State Park, MN