Yeah I finally got around to starting that herb garden I kept talking about. The basil is coming in really strong and the mint has basically taken over its entire corner. I tried growing tomatoes from seed for the first time and honestly I didn't expect much but three of them actually sprouted. My neighbor said I should have started them indoors back in March but I figured I'd just see what happens. The soil here is a bit sandy so I've been mixing in some compost I picked up from the local nursery. I'm not sure if I'll get actual tomatoes before the season ends but it's been kind of relaxing to check on them every morning. Even the rosemary which I thought I killed twice is putting out new growth. I might try peppers next year but I need to find a spot that gets more sun.

My sister said she wants to start a vegetable garden too so I might give her some of my extra basil starts. It would be fun to compare notes as the season goes on. I also want to try growing some lavender along the edge of the yard because it smells great and supposedly it keeps pests away. I read that it takes a while to establish but once it does it comes back every year. That kind of low maintenance thing appeals to me more than fussy plants that need constant attention.

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We finally took that drive up the coast last weekend and I forgot how stunning the views are once you get past the city. We stopped at a little diner around lunchtime that had homemade pie and the best coffee I've had in months. The weather was perfect the whole way up and we found a short trail that led to a lookout point overlooking the water. I brought my camera but honestly my phone took better pictures because I didn't have to adjust anything. We stayed at a small inn that had this huge wraparound porch with rocking chairs and we just sat out there reading until it got dark UAOYDvHrNgO4cx. The whole trip was only three days but it felt way longer in a good way. I'm already looking forward to the next one maybe somewhere inland this time.

I kept a journal during the trip just jotting down small things like what we ate and the birds we saw. It was nice to unplug for a bit and not think about work or errands. We met a couple from Oregon who gave us tips on hiking trails further north that we might try next summer. The air smelled different up there cleaner and a little like pine and salt mixed together. I slept better those three nights than I have in months. Sometimes you just need a change of scenery to reset everything.