We arrived in San Mateo and did the typical tourist route where I was that idiot tourist that thought California was warm always and everywhere. I bought the Pier 39 sweatshirt to keep myself warm, but of course in 80's style hot pink. Remember driving across the GG Bridge and we could barely see the tower because of the fog? What about driving through the winding roads of Sausalito for our first time. Isn't it ironic that our primary home is now on those windy roads?
Then we drove down to Santa Cruz after seeing half-moon bay. I remember that drive because I wrote about the beautiful redwood forests in a school paper during my sophomore year. That drive took us right through Boulder Creek where I bought my first house in 1998 so I could work in Silicon Valley. I was so excited to arrive in Santa Cruz because that was the first real "Califronia Beach" that we visited (not to mention the Lost Boys was filmed there).
That trip obviously influenced my dreams and decisions for years to come. All my classmates were looking at local colleges and I was talking with you about how to get schooling in Orange County where you ended up at UC Irvine. You took me in as your roommate and together we enjoyed the best that Southern California has to offer. Your dreams and actions have affected my life so greatly. I haven't always recognized that nor given you credit for all the sacrifices you made to help me become the person I am today. Stephanie I will carry on your adventurous spirit however you decide to guide me to do so. I can't say I believe that you will be talking to me from the afterlife, but all of your influence you had over me during your life will live on in my spirit. Thank you for helping to make me the man I am today, but I don't mind if you always think of me as your little brother.