It’s funny how a place can signify different meanings at different parts of your life.
My first visit to Potato Chip Rock in 2012 marked the culmination of my time in San Diego with friends from the University of California. Back then, the hike seemed surprisingly manageable, despite the profuse sweating. It provided closure to that chapter and offered precious moments of bonding.
Returning in 2017 with fellow teachers after a weekend in San Diego, what I remembered as an “easy” hike from my college days turned out to be exhausting. We underestimated the challenge and had only a gallon of water for all of us, leading to some serious dehydration. Many of us were also quite hungover from the previous night’s shenanigans. Nonetheless, it became a memorable experience, etched within my early years of teaching.
But it was the visit in 2021 that held the most enchantment. Sharing the journey with Katherine Pham, despite the struggles to reach the summit, created indelible memories and the perfect start to the year. It wasn’t just about reaching the top but cherishing the moments and capturing them in unforgettable photos.
Who knows when I’ll be back. But I’ll always remember the precious glimpses of time Potato Chip brought me in my life.
