We got off “The Hill” last week for a trip to San Diego. The we would be my wife Holly and I. The Hill would be most of Tuolumne County beginning in Sonora at around an 1,800 foot elevation all the up way to the high country at almost 10,000 feet. While the elevations on The Hill may be a practical distinction for some, for me they are symbolic of my move over six years ago from the cement jungles of the suburban Bay Area. The choice of strip malls on every corner or miles and miles of pine trees and majestic views is an easy one to make. At least it was for me!
I rarely leave the Golden K and I have to admit it was nice to get away for a few days. After several weeks of 90 plus degrees at The Golden K the cooler temps of San Diego were a welcome change. The trips to the beach were refreshing; it’s been many years since we’ve seen the ocean. The trips to the “big city” were nice. Our night out for dinner in Little Italy was fantastic. The huge street fair – blocks and blocks of food and vendors – at Ocean Beach a few miles from our AirBnB was super cool.
After being immersed in The Hill for years now the unfamiliarity is striking to me the few times I am in a large metropolitan city. At those times I’m reminded of a line from John Mellencamp’s song called “Small Town“. Towards the end John sings,
“Got nothing against a big town.Still hayseed enough to sayLook who’s in the big town.”
So yes, it was nice to get off The Hill for a few days. But it was even better to get back on it!
Again from “Small Town”,
“But my bed is in a small townOh, and that’s good enough for me”.
Indeed!
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