After my weekend trip to Joshua Tree, I wanted to take another mini trip. There was no work on Monday so I booked a last minute trip to Lone Juniper Ranch in Lebec. From the desert to the mountains. The kiddos stayed with grandma this time so it was only me and the spouse. I think it’s been about 2 years since him and I went on a weekend trip alone. Our relationship has been unsettling lately but we’re trying to make it work. I was anxious about this trip but also excited to go somewhere new.

We were only 2 hours away from home but my is it a different mood once you leave the city. I love it. As we approached our destination, the weather started getting a little chilly. Once we exited the freeway, we were given instructions from our host to follow a dirt road.

Our cabin was cute, small, and cozy. I loved the wood smell. We started up the grill, poured ourselves drinks, and played music. It was a cold night but alcohol tends to warm you up so it was nice being outside, even though it was 43 degrees. Eventually we went inside and watched a movie.

The next day we cooked breakfast and enjoyed eating outside while we admired the scenery around us. I felt I was in a video game like Legend of Zelda Breath of The Wild.

We decided to check out the neighboring town. We did a little bit of Pokémon hunting around the park and fed peanuts to cute squirrels. I wanted to check out the local thrift stores which I ended up getting books.

We went back to the cabin to relax for a bit and got a bucket of carrots delivered to our cabin to feed the animals. The ranch has a sauna which we booked for an hour but 20 minutes was enough. It got hot real quick in there. It felt nice to detox.

Our last night was spend watching The Big Bang Theory and playing Dominion. The night was a little chiller so we stayed inside.

Morning came and it was time to pack up and head home. We fed the last of the carrots to our furry friends and said our goodbyes.

The drive back home was relaxing and I made a stop at a comic book shop. I found some nice goodies.

I enjoyed my stay at the ranch. I think eventually I’ll want to move away from the city to some place less noisy and congested. The spouse and I had a chill time to relax and just be us. I love my kiddos but it’s okay once in a while to take a mini break from them.

The trip helped in refocusing my goals. Nothing is set yet and my thoughts are constantly changing but I’m looking out for myself and my wellbeing. It’s okay to be selfish and focus on my happiness. Life is short and uncertain. I don’t know what my future holds but I do know that I just want peace and joy. No more self doubt and second guessing decisions. Just live.

PS. Am I going through a midlife crisis? Maybe but I do feel my life has been dull and settled lately. This is the year of rediscovering myself and so far, I like it.