I took a day just to myself recently. It is a beautiful week here in the mountains, with the leaves changing and I just didn't want to miss the show. I took a run and made my way up to Black Balsam for a gorgeous hike and drive on the parkway. The relentless pace of life at the start of school (and soccer season) requires some time in nature, as it is a powerful antidote to stress and an essential act of self-care. For me, quiet time in nature provides the space for introspection and more mental clarity. As always, I am grateful for the chance to be here in it.
Eating a ginormous burrito at El Farolito in San Francisco, 2004 I LOVE burritos. It is a passion that I share with my brother, and we actively seek out a quality burrito in almost every place we visit (Jessica is more of a Fish Taco kind of gal, but she enjoys burritos as well). My love affair began around the age of 18, in the parking lots of Phish shows - where I could find any number of amazing burritos, cooked up on a dirty Coleman stove. I just loved the explosion of flavor (and surprise) that came with each burrito I ate in those years. One of the the first times I visited Asheville for a few days in college, I came across Rio Burrito, a now defunct burrito-specific shop on Biltmore Avenue. I went there all the time, and got to know all the nice folk who worked there. So, I was quite disappointed when they shut it down - so much so that I wrote about it here. But when Mamacitas opened in downtown Asheville in Spring 2004, I was smitten...
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