As it turns out, Chico is a pretty neat place. After living in Biloxi for 2+ years, no decent, cool, hipster town goes unnoticed. Don't get me wrong, Biloxi certainly had its perks, but by no means did they include any sort of hipster prosperity in the making. I know Eric and I aren't hipsters ourselves; the attraction for me is the idea of the diverse town that attracts them. We've been in Chico for 5 days now and am pleased to say that I've enjoyed every minute of it. I cant say the same for Eric, as the reason we're here is primarily for him to start a new job. Though with the little we've heard about Chico before arriving, I think our own interpretation of the town exceeds our expectations.
Chico is a small town, averaging a population of about 90,000. A relative term (small town) compared to Biloxi's 30,000. While it lies in the middle of many widespread agricultural surroundings, the town itself offers a great downtown atmosphere of international foods, divey bars, and a hippie/yuppie/rural culture all of its own. Chico might be best known for its university, Chico State, Bidwell Park, and its agricultural importance in having some of the richest and fertile soil on earth (this gives me hope my black thumb could actually turn green). It shouldn't be surprising then that the city was nicknamed Tree City USA as its diverse and large quantity of trees spread throughout the city provides a much needed amount of shade to its downtown and residential surroundings. It is HOT HOT HOT in the summer time here; the first day we arrived the temperature reached a norm of 113, but the heat is actually quite bearable. So, the shade certainly helps. Should the heat be problematic, Bidwell Park offers a few swimming holes and a large river for cooling off. So while Chico is nowhere near the beach, at least it is close to some water.
I was also pleased to learn that Chico is central to many of our beloved tourist destinations; Tahoe, San Fran, and Yosemite Valley to name a few. I'm also looking forward to checking out a few new places I've not yet been including Napa Valley and Redwood National Park. The beach is just 2-3 hours away, and Oregon just a few hours north which should provide some excellent motorcycle adventures. Needless to say, I've become very excited for the chance that we may be moving here after our big trip, assuming everything with the job goes well.
Since we've been here, we've managed to keep ourselves quite busy. On the day of arrival, we drove down to Sacramento to meet up with my uncle Sean and his girlfriend Tina for lunch before checking into our rental in Chico. Ironically Sean and Tina just moved to Sacramento a few months ago from San Diego, and by happenstance Eric was offered a job just 1 hour north from where we will be living. Its a great feeling knowing that we will have family close by. After lunch we went by their farm that they are temporarily living on before taking the 2 hour drive up north. Later that night for dinner, we met up with some old friends (who offered Eric the job in Chico) for 4th of July dinner, wine, cupcakes and fireworks. They recently bought a house in Chico last year, and have been into farming goats and bees since. We spent the night exploring their yard and catching up on life.
Eric has been working every day since then 10 hours a day, but in between shifts we've been exploring downtown, Bidwell Park, exercising and checking out neighborhoods which has slowly grown into one of our favorite hobbies throughout the years. I've been biking through Bidwell while Eric is working, and busy making us new, non hospital orientated friends. Actually, after checking into Chico via Facebook (a seemingly mundane task), a friend mentioned that he had some friends in town and that we should meet up. We did, got along greatly, and spent the next 11 hours drinking and swapping stories. They ended up being a great couple that we will definitely keep in touch with. Its a good thing too, as this town is just small enough to run into some of the same people over and over again.
We have one full day left in Chico which will consist of Eric's last shift, laundry and packing. We head to Cancun on the 10th with a 12 hour layover in San Francisco which we purposely planned to take advantage of. As the day approaches, I find myself prepping our upcoming trip as much as possible, a task that seems to be never ending.
Sean and Tina are renting a tiny house before they buy their own in Sac. How modern and hip of them! We didnt get great photos, but they on on 10 acres overlooking a horse ranch and across the street from a very widespread vineyard.
Our VRBO, a duplex in a semi shady neighborhood. Our neighbors enjoy playing video games all day long with a very loud stereo but go to bed at a reasonable hour so there is no room to complain here.
While the neighborhood and neighbors are questionable, the inside is more than satisfying. Clean, spacious, AC, and everything you might need from coffee to plates and basic condiments.
Oh yeah, and a refridgerator of wine, beer, water and juices included in our nightly price! (The other stuff we bought ourselves)
The rental also came with 3 bikes which we have been using to make our way through Bidwell and around town.
Armin, Corinne, and their adorable family including goats and bees.
Our first sunset in Chico, and on a farm no less!
Unfortunately, Eric got bit and for the first time in his life. Guess he was outnumbered.
A little bit of Bidwell..
Rebecca and Chris (new friends via FB! And who said FB was bad socialization?)
My domestic duties throughout the week..
Chico is a small town, averaging a population of about 90,000. A relative term (small town) compared to Biloxi's 30,000. While it lies in the middle of many widespread agricultural surroundings, the town itself offers a great downtown atmosphere of international foods, divey bars, and a hippie/yuppie/rural culture all of its own. Chico might be best known for its university, Chico State, Bidwell Park, and its agricultural importance in having some of the richest and fertile soil on earth (this gives me hope my black thumb could actually turn green). It shouldn't be surprising then that the city was nicknamed Tree City USA as its diverse and large quantity of trees spread throughout the city provides a much needed amount of shade to its downtown and residential surroundings. It is HOT HOT HOT in the summer time here; the first day we arrived the temperature reached a norm of 113, but the heat is actually quite bearable. So, the shade certainly helps. Should the heat be problematic, Bidwell Park offers a few swimming holes and a large river for cooling off. So while Chico is nowhere near the beach, at least it is close to some water.
I was also pleased to learn that Chico is central to many of our beloved tourist destinations; Tahoe, San Fran, and Yosemite Valley to name a few. I'm also looking forward to checking out a few new places I've not yet been including Napa Valley and Redwood National Park. The beach is just 2-3 hours away, and Oregon just a few hours north which should provide some excellent motorcycle adventures. Needless to say, I've become very excited for the chance that we may be moving here after our big trip, assuming everything with the job goes well.
Since we've been here, we've managed to keep ourselves quite busy. On the day of arrival, we drove down to Sacramento to meet up with my uncle Sean and his girlfriend Tina for lunch before checking into our rental in Chico. Ironically Sean and Tina just moved to Sacramento a few months ago from San Diego, and by happenstance Eric was offered a job just 1 hour north from where we will be living. Its a great feeling knowing that we will have family close by. After lunch we went by their farm that they are temporarily living on before taking the 2 hour drive up north. Later that night for dinner, we met up with some old friends (who offered Eric the job in Chico) for 4th of July dinner, wine, cupcakes and fireworks. They recently bought a house in Chico last year, and have been into farming goats and bees since. We spent the night exploring their yard and catching up on life.
Eric has been working every day since then 10 hours a day, but in between shifts we've been exploring downtown, Bidwell Park, exercising and checking out neighborhoods which has slowly grown into one of our favorite hobbies throughout the years. I've been biking through Bidwell while Eric is working, and busy making us new, non hospital orientated friends. Actually, after checking into Chico via Facebook (a seemingly mundane task), a friend mentioned that he had some friends in town and that we should meet up. We did, got along greatly, and spent the next 11 hours drinking and swapping stories. They ended up being a great couple that we will definitely keep in touch with. Its a good thing too, as this town is just small enough to run into some of the same people over and over again.
We have one full day left in Chico which will consist of Eric's last shift, laundry and packing. We head to Cancun on the 10th with a 12 hour layover in San Francisco which we purposely planned to take advantage of. As the day approaches, I find myself prepping our upcoming trip as much as possible, a task that seems to be never ending.
Sean and Tina are renting a tiny house before they buy their own in Sac. How modern and hip of them! We didnt get great photos, but they on on 10 acres overlooking a horse ranch and across the street from a very widespread vineyard.
Our VRBO, a duplex in a semi shady neighborhood. Our neighbors enjoy playing video games all day long with a very loud stereo but go to bed at a reasonable hour so there is no room to complain here.
While the neighborhood and neighbors are questionable, the inside is more than satisfying. Clean, spacious, AC, and everything you might need from coffee to plates and basic condiments.
Oh yeah, and a refridgerator of wine, beer, water and juices included in our nightly price! (The other stuff we bought ourselves)
The rental also came with 3 bikes which we have been using to make our way through Bidwell and around town.
Armin, Corinne, and their adorable family including goats and bees.
Our first sunset in Chico, and on a farm no less!
Unfortunately, Eric got bit and for the first time in his life. Guess he was outnumbered.
A little bit of Bidwell..
Rebecca and Chris (new friends via FB! And who said FB was bad socialization?)
My domestic duties throughout the week..
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