I really like to visit California. For the most part. It’s generally lovely weather, the landscape is vastly different, and it’s dry enough that my hair looks pretty good all the time. On the negative side, I can’t really wear my knits, it’s so very far away, and that same dry weather plays havoc with my skin. So it’s one of those places that I love to visit and love to come home from.

This past week, I headed back across the country for another work trip. This one was a wee bit different, though, since my colleagues and I were attending a conference, rather than putting one on. I didn’t really know what to expect as far as time to myself went, so as any knitter does, I overpacked on knitting.

In an unprecedented feat of reasonable-ness, I only took two of these projects in the end. I woke up early on Tuesday and headed to the airport, where I immediately procured an iced coffee and set in to work on my socks.

I boarded the plane and knit until we could put our tray tables down, at which point I felt I could cut in the heel. I used to only do the straight knitting when I was anywhere other home. No heels, no cast ons, maybe maybe maybe a toe. But these days, I feel pretty comfortable with all of it.

I finished the sock and wove in the last end as we touched down in California.

In case you’re wondering, this yarn is Knitterly Things Vesper Sparkle Sock in the Prisma colorway. It’s the July club colorway from the 2017 rainbow of the month club. Anyway, I called an uber for ~1 hour ride from L.A. to Pasadena, and got the sock cast on but forgot about my backseat carsickness and had to stop after that.

That afternoon, I did some walking around Pasadena, took a nap, and went to a networking event. With the time change, I was pretty pooped after that so I went straight to bed. The next day I slept in a bit and headed to the conference for breakfast. I won’t bore you with all the details, but it was a good day. I scored some fun swag, including a lei from the fine folks of Hawaii:

In the afternoon, we toured the headquarters of the Tournament of Roses which, among many things, featured some amazing landscaping.

 

On Thursday, I made myself get up early enough for some early morning coffee, knitting, and reading. I finished my book and the cuff of the second sock.

That day, two pretty cool things happened. The first was that I got to see Bill Nye, The Science Guy, speak. He was very funny and engaging.

The second was that I found Mer-Pug. I love him. Evidently this is a thing in Norfolk, VA – which is pretty darned awesome.

We had a closing celebration that night, which was a lot of fun. I don’t often get to dress up and go out on the town, and I enjoyed it a lot. The next morning, I was up at 3:15 a.m. and while waiting for the uber managed to get in some pre-4-am rows in on the sock.

On the plane, I started a veritable coffee IV and a new book, all while plugging away on the socks.

By the time the flight was over, I was nearly at the toe and ready to cut in the heel.

It was still pretty early when I got home yesterday, so I cut in the heel alongside a little more coffee. The coffee was really just to at least keep me awake until it was time to go pick up Joshua.

It was a great trip, I really liked Pasadena. Dry heat, great food, and roses everywhere. As a wannabe hermit, though, I am glad to be home. I’ve slept in, played games with Joshua and Kevin, gone grocery shopping, and now I’m ready to finish up those socks.

Happy {travel} making!