Alison Wortman

Utah has my heart! I think that could be this entire post summed up!!! Seriously though, I will do my best to share just how much of an impact this state had on me, but it will not do it justice!

Tuesday, June 1st, saw us getting on the road, saying goodbye to Nevada and hello to Utah. First stop, as requested by Sadie was to swing by Swig! It was pretty awesome – and we all wish there were many more Swig across the country to try out different flavors! I tried the Hula Girl – it was delicious, albeit a little sweet! Sadie had the Riptide and I would definitely try that one too – it was yummy!

Utah was spent visiting canyons! We drove through Zion National Park, which opened our eyes to the amazing canyons. Something we’d never seen before! Driving along cliffs, admiring the incredible colors and entering tunnels made through the actual rocks?! Incredible!

However, the canyon that won us over (yes compared to Red Rocks in NV, Zion and Grand Canyon in AZ) was Bryce Canyon National Park. I convinced my family to do a 5.5 mile moderate/strenuous hike at Fairyland Loop, and it did NOT disappoint. The views, the wildlife, the plants…I cannot find the words to describe it. Humbling, breath-taking, mesmerizing…I’m not sure. All I can say, is if you have the chance, absoutely put Bryce Canyon on your Bucket List!

We spent two days in Utah, and we cannot wait to get back and explore Northern Utah this winter and play in the snow on the ski hills…and a swing by Swig, of course! Curt and I both feel that we would absolutely return for a canyon trip and explore more…it was THAT awesome!

Some Thoughts:

• Whichever canyon you decide to explore on foot, do that one last! I wonder if we had done Bryce by car and Zion by foot, if I would be as in love with Zion as I am with Bryce.
• Ruby’s Inn was a fun historic hotel to stay at. The rooms are dated, but the staff and amenities make up for it!
• Stock up on groceries at Ruby’s Inn (very reasonable) and make picnics, etc to save cost…and enjoy the complimentary breakfast buffet in the morning
• Swig is a drive-through location! Ha ha! Something we should have looked into as we drove around trying to find the parking lot!!! Ooops!
• Every single person we met in Utah was so friendly and helpful…seriously! Every.single.one! Kindness is definitely felt in Utah

Utah, you absolutely have my heart..so who wants to meet up with us for some more exploring and a family-friendly holiday?!

As an avid reader, a community builder and a Mum who needs other Mums…it just seemd like a natural decision to grab some friends and start a book club! Our sweet book club of 8 started back in Summer 2019. We met monthly until the Pandemic shut us down in March 2020. Once things opened up in June 2020, we decided to start meeting up again in backyards following appropriate protocols (including swithching to Zoom when we went back into the red).

Why do I love my amazing book club? First off, being a part of a book club, exposes me to books I may not normally pick up for myself and what a surprise for me! Secondly, connecting with women monthly about books but also really about life, just fills my bucket. Lasty, being part of my book club during Covid was life-saving. Once a month, my social bucket was filled. We knew at least once a month, we would all connect and lean on each other, while chatting about a book!

Goodbye sweet ladies!

On April 25, I said goodbye to my sweet book club. While I plan to follow along with them virtually and see what they are reading and share my thoughts etc via text, I will miss this monthly meeting for sure. I have no doubt that once I’m settled in Cary, I will seek out a neighborhood book club…or start one of my own! My sweet club, had an amazing card for me at our last meeting…and they made a donation to the San Jose Public Libraries in my name! How fun is that? A little piece of me, remains in the libraries. I think it’s a perfect gift. I love you ladies!

Now onto May reads. Let’s see House Rules by Jodi Picoult, and The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

House Rules

House Rules was good however I think I enjoyed it for different reasons than someone else might enjoy it. As some of you know, my sweet niece is Autistic. While Asperger’s and Austism is not the absolute focus of this book, it opened my eyes to so many feelings and struggles and celebrations my sister feels on the daily. Honestly I think the actual story line may have been missed a little on me as I was so focused on the “Ah-ha” moments of this book. Jodi Picoult often shoots straight and really provides thought-provoking content and this one definitely did not stray from that.

The Book Thief

The Book Thief, really took me by surprise. I actually picked it up a few months ago and put it back down. It just didn’t grab me and at the time, I needed a quick and easy read. A few friends (that I love most of their book recs) encouraged me to pick it back up and so I did. I definitely had a hard time at various points but overall I really liked this book. The ending had me in tears…full disclosure: I finished it the day we left California, maybe not my best decision! I really am captivated by WWII historical fiction and nonfiction, and this book grabbed me. My dear friend Lisa feels the same way and I am literally lugging this book all the way across the country, so I can put it in our guest room, ready for her visit! Side note, was anyone else surprised that this was a YA book?!

Got on the road from California on Sunday, May 30 after a morning of goodbyes and goodies with our friends The Parrals. This family has been our “sister family” since our eldest girls met in TK…while I am so sad at the idea of not seeing them on the daily, I am so excited for our next Chapter together.

The drive from CA to NV was actually pretty smooth – the only traffic was getting out of Gilroy, CA (go figure!!!) and the pulling into the Las Vegas strip. We were all pleasantly surprised with how fast the drive went! A couple of bathroom stops, a Starbucks stop and then a supper break at Subway. When I say pretty smooth, there was only one little hiccup. We are driving our SUV with a Thule box on top…and well, that puts us in the oversize catagory, which means we are in a separate parking area. Unfortunately the parking area at Treasure Island was full and we had to park quite a ways away. It was nice to get out and get some steps after being in the car, but man oh man, was it hot! Definitely not used to the heat that radiates from the pavement!

Our stay at Treasure Island was fun. We spent the morning walking the strip and seeing the sights, kids’ first meal at Denny’s (LIam may be obsessed with Birthday Cake pancakes!) and a dip in the pool.

Mind blown!

This is where it really gets good. Monday afternoon, we decided to hop in the car and head out of the city to check out some of the “nature sites”. Hoover Dam absolutely BLEW MY MIND! IT was massive, impressive and humbling. I will be the first one to admit, I was not excited about “a dam”. As someone who runs a dam regularly in San Jose (love you Lexington Reservoir), I did not have high hopes. The tours were closed at Hoover Dam, but you were able to do self-guided tours and learning about the building of the dam and seeing how magestic it was, was incredible. I highly recommend if you are visiting Las Vegas, hop in the car and go for the drive to Hoover Dam.

If Hoover Dam, isn’t enough, you can follow along our path and then head to Red Rocks Canyon Park, about 25min from Las Vegas. Unfortunately, we missed the part about the park closing early, but were able to pull over on the side of the road and take some amazing photos and enjoy the sunset over the beautiful Red Rocks.

Tuesday morning saw us hopping on the road and heading towards Nevada…via Arizona 😉 lol

Some Thoughts:

• Always get the upper floor hotel room in Vegas – it was sooo quiet. We were able to sleep, remote school and didn’t even know we were in a Casino!
• Not many families in Las Vegas, but those that were there were walking the strip around 9:30am before it got too hot and too busy.
• Check the operating hours of Red Rock Canyon Park.
• SUV with Thule Box should not try to enter parking garages that are 6’10 max. You’re welcome!!
• M&M store looked like a lot of fun, however the line up was long. Maybe getting there before it opens and get in line?

I’ve crafted this post in my head a million times over the last 5 days – normally around 3:ooam. Apparently this is when I do my best thinking!! I’ve shared a few of my thoughts with friends and family over the last week, as I wrestled through them.

If I’m completely honest, I’m realizing that I was never supposed to stay in California. It doesn’t make it less sad or easier to leave, but it does give a little clarity. I’ve often wondered what my “superhero” skill set is…and often come up blank. This transition has made me realize that my strength is building community, connecting people and being a super-networker (as Curt calls me).

Building Community

When I came to the Bay Area, I quickly saw a need for a community of mothers amidst the crazy, busyness of Silicon Valley. I immersed myself in a few groups and then created my own through my Baby Boot Camp and Karna Fitness franchises. In 2010, I was awarded Franchise Owner of the Year and there is one main reason for that: I was recognized for the Community I built. Throughout the 15 years that we lived in San Jose and area, I sought out opportunities to deepen connections, build greater communities and network others. When I look back on the last year (granted a Pandemic year), what I realized is that I’ve been looking for opportunities to build community. However, in my network, there is no more building to be done. The connections have been made, the foundation has been layed and these communities are good to go – for which I’m incredibly grateful.

I don’t know if this makes sense, or is even coming out right. What I know, is that we leave behind in California and incredible group of people. The reason we can say our West Coast chapter lasted 15 years, is in part to Curt’s employment opportunity, and in part to our community. We leave a piece of our hearts in California and know that this is truly the end of a chapter and NOT the end of the story.

To all our amazing people, we love you and look forward to seeing you. And thank you. Thank you for loving me, loving my family and supporting us through the thick and thin. Oh and did I mention that our new home on the East Coast has an incredible guest room…just saying 😉

The road trip to Cary, North Carolina has begun for the Wortman family! Well sort of. Yesterday, saw us packing up and moving out of our amazing temporary beach condo at the Pajaro Dunes, Watsonville, CA. And our first stop? Santa Clara (for those of you out of town, that’s about 20minutes from our San Jose home). Why? We need a few days in order to get kiddos through school testing and have a chance to hang out with our friends one.last.time.

So begins the next two weeks of everyone working and schooling. In a small hotel rooms. Fighting over temperature control. Enjoying wayyyy too much family time 😉 In all seriousness, Curt and I are so impressed with our children. Their resiliency and willingness to “go with it” inspires us on the daily. Not to say they don’t have moments of being frustrated with our “nomadic/adventure” lives or struggling with sadness, but overall they are excited about the upcoming move.

Unfortunately the Embassy Suites Santa Clara is still limited in terms of availability of services. The pool, business center and cafe are closed but they are doing their best with Grab & Go breakfast items, round the clock coffee and incredible customer service. We have converted the bedroom into a remote work office for Curt and the children and I have taken over the living space as a 2nd, 5th and 7th grades classroom!

Next stop, Las Vegas, NV. No seriously, Sunday, May 30, we hop on the road and head to Treasure Island hotel in Las Vegas! In the meantime, you will find me hanging out with friends, getting ALL the miles in and walking all over town, and frequenting some fave cafes and restaurants. Oh and teaching fractions to a second grader – but that’s a story for another time!

Living at Pajaro Dunes Resort for three months was a pretty incredible experience and an amazing way to finish up our West Coast chapter.

In addition to waking up every morning to foggy sunrises and the waves crashing, we said goodnight every evening to stunning sunsets. That did not dissapoint. The children loved the close proximity to the beach and often spent their “recess break” down in the sand. While the beach tends to be quite windy, it is very quiet and worth throwing on an extra sweater and relaxing on the soft sand.

Every morning, Curt would go for a walk along the beach and be greeted by his “Pajaro pets” – sea lions, seals, dolphins and maybe even a whale…jury is out on that one!

Friends have asked how we stumbled upon such a gem. In September, we spent a long weekend at Pajaro Dunes Resort, celebrating Sadie’s 13th birthday. Covid birthdays were tough and a big one like becoming a teenager, needed some kind of celebration. We fell in love with the area and swore we would come back. Little did we know, that five months later, we would be moving in! Fun fact: that weekend in September, is where Curt and I shared our idea of moving across country with the kids and we had our first discussion. By the end of the weekend, everyone was on board-ish!

Top Five Faves at Pajaro Dunes Resort

Alison: the feeling of instant relaxation, as we pulled into the gatehouse – no matter what was going on in San Jose or Cary. Oh and having the bedroom patio door open every night to sleep to the sound of the waves!

Curt: scheduling morning walks on the beach…every day, allowed him to appreciate what was in front of him and start his day off right.

Lexi: how close the beach is to the condo and she could go boogie-boarding any time she wants.

Liam: how gentle the waves were so he could play in them. (side note: we had a great experience purchasing second hand wet suits from O’Neil in Capitola, CA)

Sadie: loved how relaxing it was at the condo and learning to boogie-board.

Two Thumbs Up!!

We highly recommend the Resort area. Find a long weekend and book yourself a stay. Or better yet, with things opening up a little more in the state, grab another family and enjoy an amazing beach stay. Alternatively, if you need a place to stay for a few months, check out their off-season rates and move in. We stayed at Pelican Point in September and lived at Shorebirds. I think I prefer Pelican Point but Shorebirds was fantastic. A couple of things to note – when staying at Pajaro, you are quite remote. Everything is about 10+ minutes away so make sure to pack those s’more ingredients. In addition, if you are a coffee drinker, make sure to bring your fave, to enjoy on the patio. Oh and if Larry is working at gatehouse, please tell him Wortmans (115) from North Carolina say Hi.