Summer Hometown Visit

Hello! It's so nice to blog again! I feel like I can breath a bit :::finally:::  I've had a busy (but amazing) Summer. This June I was able to go back to my hometown in California and see my brother and lovely sister in law and spend time with my in-laws  After a long weekend in Southern California I drove up to San Francisco for a conference and to receive a national award (YAY me!) and then got to spend a long weekend in Napa (for another post later).

July and August were both busy as I went to another conference in Michigan and a wedding in Ohio. It was fun to check out the Midwest. . . .all posts to come!

Anywho, please check out the pics and enjoy. It is always bittersweet going home. I loved seeing my family and old friends. I was so lucky to be able to see my dear friend and maid of honor while she was in CA (she lives in London).  I was also able to eat at my favorite Mexican Restaurant LA PALOMA (which is were Gareth and I first met).  And I had a great time doing lots of hiking and going wine tasting in Temecula.

Enjoy!

A morning hiking trip through Marshall Canyon 

A beautiful wooded area of the trail

A pincushion Protea spotted in someone's garden while we hiked. I love Proteas and used them in my wedding boquets. 

Typical dry California trail. 

My first visit to Ponte winery in Temecula! 

Ootside the tasting room at Ponte Winery 

I loved the exposed beams in the tasting room!

Enjoying some wine with the in laws and our cousin Josh. 

I really miss Mexican food! I ate this entire taco and enchilada!

More adventures to follow soon! 

Spring Break in South Africa

Hello! I've been away far too long- since my most recent post (in November!) I have been up to so much. Here are a few highlights before you read all about my recent African adventure.

November: I turned 30 and had a amazing birthday trip at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
December: My husband's family visited and we spent the holidays together.
January/ February/March: I got to visit DC and Tallahassee for work multiple times.

Now onto our most recent adventure to South Africa...
We spent two weeks visiting family and friends in Johannesburg and Durban and took lots of amazing side trips to Pretoria, Hartbeespoort, and the Midlands. Here are some photos form our first week in South Africa.

Enjoy!

Our first stop in downtown Johannesburg at the SAB Brewery for a tour and tasting

We were lucky to have such great weather 

We stopped for lunch at One Fox Street Market

We also had time to visit Gareth's grandmother and nanny

We drove to Hartbeespoort ant took a cable car to enjoy the view 

The ride up was a little scary! 

View from the top!

On Easter we visited the Union Buildings in the capitol, Pretoria 

We visited the Mandela and Gen.Hertzog monuments 

I will post more soon!

Pacific Northwest Adventure Part I

Hello! This past August my husband and I got to have a preview of autumn while visiting the Pacific Northwest. We had two weddings to attend and decided to turn our westward adventure into an EPIC road trip. We started in Seattle, looped around the start of the 101, and followed the whole Olympic Peninsula, down the Oregon Coast, and then inland to the McKenzie River Valley. Our final leg was up to Olympia and then back to Seattle before flying home. What an adventure (Also, I think I have now traveled all of the 101)!

Here are a few snapshots from the first leg of our trip!

I started my adventure at a conference at the Edgewater Hotel 

I enjoyed my waterfront room! 

I stayed in a beautiful waterfront room with views of the Puget Sound.

I caught a bit of the sights on a Duck Boat tour.

A view of Seattle from a Duck Boat Tour.

I really enjoyed seeing Seattle on land and by water on a duck.

Finally reunited! Gareth got to climb Mt. Rainer while I worked. But we were on our way together soon!

Day one of our road trip took us to the top of Hurricane Ridge

We enjoyed beautiful views more the 5,000 feet up! 

It was a little chilly at the top!          

I am not used to being at such a high altitude and didn't feel too well! 

Exploring the tunnels and road turn offs. 

A bit further down the ridge you could see across the San Juan de Fuca Strait to Canada.

I have LOTS more to share, so stayed tuned! I hope my inspiration can by your inspiration!

Grand Canyon Part Two

Here is the second installment of our amazing Grand Canyon trip. If you missed the first post, check it out here!

Our second day at the Grand Canyon started with a sunrise-ish hike down Kaibab Trail. It is one mile down and one mile back up! Phew! I am glad we went early in the morning, it was hot by 7:30 am. Enjoy our adventure!

My camera skills were bit shaky on the trail!

Views from about 1/2 mile down into the Grand Canyon

The sunrise was amazing!

It was a tough haul back up!

The switchbacks of Kaibab Trail

At Yavapai Point after our hike.

A the bottom of our hike. One mile down into the canyon. 

Yavapai Point

On our way home. New adventure await! 

This wasn't our only summer trip- we also visited Hilton Head Island, SC and Savannah, GA. More updates to come!

Adventure to The Grand Canyon: Part One

I am so lucky to have taken three amazing trips so far this summer. This June, my husband and I went to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon (I also went to Hilton Head and Savannah... posts coming!) It was absolutely breath taking! We had a wonderful time and were so lucky to stay in a lodge inside the national park which allowed for prime sunrise and sunset hikes right outside our room. I hope you enjoy a glimpse into our adventure below. Today's post covers our stop at the Hoover Dam and first sunset hike along the rim to Bright Angel Point.

At the Hoover Dam, it was about 110 out!

We spotted two huge elks along our hike.

The views were AMAZING!

Sunset on the rim.

A glimpse of heaven.

I couldn't image a better hiking partner to be by my side!l

Enjoy and be stay inspired! Part II coming soon!