Traveling

Whenever I check out somebody's online profile, one of the most popular "hobbies" or "interests" I see is traveling. If it is not on your list, suffice it to say, it should. I've done a bit of traveling. Not nearly as much as a lot of people. But it's a priority, and it'll continue to happen.

Eagle Rock in Topanga
(where I ran today)

I'm motivated to write this because I ran a bit further today on a trail I've talked about before: Topanga Canyon in LA. The reason why this canyon trail is so cool to me is because it is geographically

centered between Malibu/Santa Monica and the Pacific Ocean and what's often referred to as "the Valley." Topanga has a personality all its own, though. It's like a small Carolina mountain town. But if you run long enough and high enough you get to enjoy the Pacific and Valley view. It is amazing.

Now, I didn't have to travel too far to see this. At least not today. Last May, when I moved cross country from Florida, I did however. People who know me assume I came here for comedy, but I didn't. I came because there's opportunity I didn't have where I was. Yes, opportunity to strike it big in entertainment. But what's so much more appealing was and still is the opportuntiy I had to meet knew people and see some of the most amazing landscapes in North America and the world.

Next week, I'll be running my first marathon in Big Sur, CA. I chose this race, not for time, but for location. I may not even register for the race, because its expensive and I'm a baller on a budget. I'll probably camp Saturday night or even find a cozy spot to car sleep. Again, not running this for a killer time.

Sometimes finances and time can strap you, but we can still pick our best spots and go for them. Kill two birds with one stone...meet a friend half-way and visit a city you've never seen.

I'm not so self-assured to say that traveling is the ultimate learning experience, but if it is not, it has to be pretty high up on the board. Today on my run, I considered advice I've heard and advice I've given. The greatest words don't match actually experiencing something. Sitting in class is static. Experiencing provides retention and offers a truly unique translation of events that happened. Think back to a time when you visited somewhere cool. Now think back to a time when someone told you about some place you had never been to. Which do you remember better? Which one holds more meaning? Conjures up more vivid feelings?

I have a friend from Australia. An Aussie through and through. This guy is tough. When it comes to work, when it comes to partying. One time, after making a crass sexual remark in which I lol'd to, he went on to make an extremely profound statement. "My goal is to travel every inch of this Earth before I die."

I often repeat that statement in my head randomly. It sticks out. It is a simple, yet bold statement. And I often think, "why is it so bold? It's so simple." Because, the word "travel" has so many levels. A word that can rearrange itself from verb to noun. And instead of explaining what I mean, travel for yourself. Keep doing it.

Gomez, See the World: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKJJRnuCwF4

Topanga Canyon Morning Run

Today's run began at 9am PST. Sadly, it was the longest I've gone for a while, just over an hour. Not bad, but for someone slated to run a marathon in a month, I may want to pick up my game.

Nonetheless, this morning was great. Cool, wet, muddy, windy and rainy until on my turnaround when the sun broke through. With the exception of the near wipe outs as I made my way through tight, sticky turns on the trail, I was brought back to the joy of the old cross country days.

There's something about plowing up hills and holding the arms out as I try to maintain balance on the downhill while flinging wet clay from my shoes that seems both adventurous and natural to me. The thing about running trails and terrain is that when I'm doing it, my mind is no where else but on the trail. The few times my mind has trailed off in the past, I've payed in the form of embarrassing falls, such as the one by Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Georgia. At least the summer campers who witnessed me get the skid marks enjoyed it!

Most surprisingly, I found Topanga Canyon, a state park centered between the valley and the foot of Malibu's Pacific Ocean to have an oddly independent and isolated feel to it. Unlike many of the arid and dry southern California trails I've been on, much of the trail I trudged up had more of a North Carolina feel -- very green, pretty wet, skinny trails in some areas, tight turns, lots of nature/wildlife (I discovered a deer within the first minute), and yes, hilly. I liken it also to those air freshener or potpourri commercials I would see growing up. Or the tampon one where the woman is frolicing in a green, yet moutainous area while "there she goes" is playing in the background...youtube it, I swear. Damn, if there's one commercial that makes me want to buy tampons that's the one.

As you can see from the picture at the top, Topanga has this sort of Boone, NC feel to it. As you take Top. Canyon Rd. off the PCH, you start to feel like in a little mountain town. Small mom and pop stores and little artsy festivals. If you live in LA and you're in for an escape without escaping, this could be a good place for you.

Song: Carolina On My Mind, James Taylor and The DixieChicks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LvhF0uSEAE

Justin