Last month in Nashville - new hikes, clinical trial for insomnia & summer weather

As the last month rolled in, I knew I wanted to maximize the time I had left in Nashville. There were still a few hikes I had on my "to-do" list that I didn't even touch in the past few months. With the weather improving quickly, I wanted to get out and enjoy the outdoors once again after a long period of time being stuck inside.

The first hike of April was a paved trail half an hour away from my rental. Cumberland River Bicentennial Trail was not on top of my list, but after a few days of rain I wanted to avoid mud. Located in Ashland City, the trail is technically around 13 miles, although in reality it was closer to 10, in and out. I headed out nice and early and got there to see only two cars in the parking lot. The trail itself was terrific going along the what appeared to be a beaver dam in the forest followed by a river. I found a lot of pretty mini- waterfalls.

Small streams flowed along the paved trail

Water formed into small waterfalls in several spots along the trail

The wildflowers were all over the sides of the trail. It was great to see some color after what appeared to be a long winter season.

The bridge over the river had nice views, but the water was really muddy after a long streak of rainy days.

Another hike I did was about an hour away from "home" in Montgomery Bell State Park. Wildcat to Montgomery Trail (it has a longer name, but who cares) was a really interesting trail, a bit isolated, but picturesque nevertheless.

Multiple fallen trees showed how brutal the winter season has been with rain and winds pulling the tree right out of the ground. In one spot there were at least 5 trees all uprooted blocking the trail.

Corridor of trees

Some spots were fully alive and blooming, but there were not as many wildflowers as I saw just a week earlier in another park half an hour away.

The weather was initially gloomy but no rain in the forecast. About 3 miles from the parking lot on my way back the sprinkle started, and then turned into a misty rain soaking my jacked and drenching my hair. Having a shower in the morning was a waste of time. 

The rain did bring a different atmosphere to the views that I passed by. Everything appeared even more peaceful than before.

I was glad to be back in my car after 8 miles of walking.

Hiking was not the only activity I engaged in during this timeframe. I made delicious food.

First successful pizza with super thin crust

My staple egg/avocado toast that I have for breakfast

I also ordered delicious food, although this was the first time I went to a restaurant in a while.

Egg Bowl at Café Roze

Avocado hummus toast

I took pictures of ordinary settings, objects and cats that appeared to be memorable.

Sunset from the deck of my rental

Fake fireplace on Roku and a real cat

Real cat with a real tongue

And I even started to take part in the clinical study for insomnia using Sleepio.

More insomnia, work travel and routine

It's been a while since I wrote a post here. My life has become more of a routine versus constant exploring. It could be related to the fact that my insomnia continues without a break in sight erasing all desire to look for adventure, or perhaps it is the knowledge that I still have a few months to live here. Or maybe it is because it's the winter time (or was...) and I have little desire to do anything. Most likely, it is the combination of all of the above.

In the past two months, I have dealt with severe insomnia going from doctor to doctor to determine what is wrong with me. After multiple visits, a sleep study, blood tests, a brain MRI and even CBT-i sessions, I am in the same spot where I started. I have learned what sleeping pills work for me and which one don't, learned more about insomnia than I could have ever desired to learn, tried CBD and massage therapy and even enrolled in a clinical study (albeit very non-invasive). I gathered information about my sleep in a polysomnographic study that proved to be just that, information. No usable treatment options were determined. Perhaps a waste of time? I don't think so. It was pretty interesting to read the findings!

My sleep study room; and the wires on the wall that would be connected to my head, arms and legs - go ahead and enjoy a night of sleep!

A sad TV showing distorted image - for the price of the study they could at least have invested in modern technology!

I did some hiking, but minimal. I certainly won't beat my last year's almost 400 mile achievement at this rate nor do I aspire to. Somehow my goals became irrelevant with this sleep issue.

Radnor Park - one of my favorite trails in Nashville

A wild turkey in Radnor park

Wild turkeys right outside the house

I traveled to Houston for work in February and to LA in March. Both trips went okay. A lot of food, but drinking was minimal - I can't tolerate alcohol well anymore, even in small quantities.

I didn't go out to any restaurants, only when one was part of a Yelp event - an Italian place in Hermitage, Tutti Da Gio.

Delicious Italian style pizza - the crust was top notch but mozzarella was not super fresh

I also went to see a concert. I mean, how can you live in Nashville for so long and not visit a music event. Il Divo was fantastic, even 10 years after I saw them last time.

Il Divo

I somewhat lost touch with the girlfriends I made earlier. Most likely, because my lack of desire to go out with them. I guess after I declined at least 3 invitations, people just moved on. I did stay in touch with my Italian friend from Spencer who I met several months ago when I lived there. We hiked once and even decided to go to Colorado Springs together.

John Clayborn Millennial Trail was a pleasant 10-mile hike with about 1,400 ft elevation gain. It's been a while since I did this much hiking...

Lovely cows on the other side of the fence of the trail

Still wintry view of the river

I have been enjoying walks in the neighborhood though. It's also interesting to see the nature change in an urban environment.

Two tulips in the neighbor's front yard

I still enjoy eating, probably more than I should. Below is my first attempt at bagels. They look better than they tasted!

My California trip was quite good. I had a chance to explore Venice Beach and eat fantastic food as part of the food tour that I found for the group.

The view of Angeles National Forest in CA - all covered in snow

My first destination was the beach - I missed having beautiful California views

The boardwalk offered a pleasant stroll and exposure to odd-looking people

A philly roll was a must-have - Tennessee is not great with sushi...

View from an outdoor restaurant in our hotel

I fought to get this fireplace turned on in my room

Marina view during my morning stroll

...followed by this outstanding breakfast scramble - one of the best at hotels

Another great view from a restaurant at the end of our work retreat

And a view while I was waiting for the most incredible sushi below at KazuNori

Terrific to-go presentation from KazuNori - I hope to be back there one day

And that's about it. In two months... The desire to take photos, as you can see, was minimal, but I intend to improve on that. If insomnia is becoming part of my life, I have to adapt as well. In the meantime, one more month to go before my trip to Colorado. 

First month in Nashville - City life, insomnia and routine

It has now been over a month since I moved to this house in north Nashville. I now feel pretty comfortable here and almost at home. The house is located next to the train tracks, so every 15 to 30 minutes a train goes by honking its horn as loud as possible. This has been extremely frustrating, more frustrating than when I lived in Fresno next to the train tracks. For some reason I cannot recollect being so annoyed by the train noise. Or maybe it's because the trains were quieter there.

For the whole month I've had insomnia. It certainly affected my mental health and overall ambitions of fully enjoying the city life. I feel like I have settled into more of a routine versus in a constant traveler mode. Perhaps this is where I should be for a while.

I've established a good group of friends, and we meet once every few weeks for brunch or another activity. It's been nice to feel the sense of belonging. New Year's Eve was spent in a restaurant, actually two restaurants. One restaurant was our favorite, Sadie’s, and the second one was, Barcelona, where we met the New Year. I was in bed by 1:00 am. I guess it really says a lot about my values and lifestyle.

Salmon Kebab at Sadie's

Mushrooms at Barcelona

A whole variety of small plates

I've also enjoyed doing volunteer work. I started volunteering at the food bank and have completed my first volunteer shift bagging food for children. I also continue to volunteer at the Public Library, probably my most favorite volunteer activity so far. I'm surprised how much I'm enjoying it still almost two months later and wish I had started volunteering at a library sooner. I continue to speak with the Ukrainian refugee who I connected with through ENGin company. Finally, I started volunteering for a Humane Society. My first shift is in two weeks at a community event. I dove into volunteering to occupy my time with something that I consider useful. And also maybe to distract myself from the boredom of staying in one place for a while.

I also haven't been able to hike as much as I typically would, even during the winter. I finally went on a hike (North Fork Laurel Woods Trail) at a local park last weekend, and it felt fantastic. I feel I'm disconnected from nature somehow. City life is enjoyable from the perspective of having connections with people and doing things that I enjoy, but I definitely missed the part where I get quiet time alone in the nature hiking.

Kitty has been enjoying relative stability either lounging next to the heat vents or sunbathing by the door.

There is a heating vent right under the sink

He loves the morning sun shining through the glass door

The weather has not been ideal either this month, so I spent most of the time indoors. I frequently go on walks around the neighborhood while listening to an audiobook, podcast or a meditation. It's been a huge benefit to be able to walk without having to drive anywhere. The neighborhood is quiet for the most part except for when the train goes by... I enjoy the birds that visit the front yard in hundreds.

I went out with my friends to the skating rink for a few hours, it reminded me of the last time I was skating three years ago in San Diego. So many things have changed since then.

I've also made plans for future traveling. My friend and I are going to Colorado Springs for a month in early spring and then I'm hoping to spend the summer between Colorado and New Mexico. I've exhausted all options on Furnished Finder, so I had to use Airbnb to actually book something. I'm excited to travel again.

In the meantime, I am going to try and manage my insomnia and get my mind centered on enjoying the present.