its the journey, not the destination

But this one kind of was — Sausalito, CA, and more specifically the beautiful houseboats in the Bay Area, at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge.

I came across it at 3am one morning, mid cancer treatment, trying to get myself back to sleep. I listened to “Get sleepy on a houseboat” and felt my body relax inch by inch to Jessica’s soothing voice. I mentally took my self on a tour of the bohemian houseboats every night.

And even though Jessica’s described it perfectly had to see it for my self, feel it for myself.

Sausalito is the cutest, Mediterranean-style seaside town in Marin County, located less than 10 miles north of San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge.

Legend has it, Otis Redding wrote "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay” here our (second) dance at our wedding.

And last year I got to go…

Some days will just stick in my memories forever, and this is one of them. Dig in their heels and firmly imprint in your brain.

I didn’t find my self there by chance, I made my way there very deliberately.

But what happened when we got there was pure fate. Sausalito was having their once a year village festival. There was, wait for it, three of my favourite things…rosé…oysters and mac n cheese!

We sat in the slightly misty, rainy day on the bay, skimmed stones and took some photos.

I looked up into that heavy sky and thanked the universe for letting me be here to see it.

The locals were lovely, they apologised for the weather but we were happy, as this little pocket felt just felt salty and safe, the sky was so close you could almost touch it. Just like home. And if we hadn’t just driven over the Golden Gate Bridge you wouldn’t even know it was there.

We met a local maker and ‘Toast’ (their new puppy) and the girls and I all chose a new ring, mine was moon stone and the girls were pearl. I told her that I would look at every day and see the sky here. I’d remember this moment, this day. And I do, everyday.

Coco and I walked away, comparing our new rings as we chatted together about how far out in the bay the mermaids might be.

You don’t know the impact of the people you meet along the way. But if you get the chance you probably should tell them.

And so this morning, during another early awaking in an attempt to fall back asleep, I saw a new podcast by Jessica, the story of Diane Keaton. A legend yes, but also one of my personal legends, women I idolised not just her fashion and art but because part of my cancer treatment was a mantra I took myself through.

It saw myself as an older woman, a granny, with silver hair with a side of fierce fashion. I needed to see myself with a future, with lines and wrinkles and being here. Walking my daughters and my son down the aisle. Being here in the world, being present.

Jessica has beautifully added my experience to the beginning of her story of Diane Keaton’s life. Which honestly, for me, was just the cherry on the top.

You can listen to Jessica’s podcast Sleep Magic on Spotify, I highly highly recommend! Coco and I listen every night, her favourite is ‘Meditating on the moon’.

Never ever have I felt more relaxed than in the cocoon of Jessica’s soothing voice and the illustrations she paints with her hypnosis.

If you’re anything like me, you will love to climb into to bed to reunite with that feeling night after night after night.