Tag Archives: california

weekend in carmel

11 Feb

A few weekends ago Brian and I road tripped up to Carmel for a few days to celebrate a friend’s wedding. I haven’t been to that area since I was a kid so I loved exploring it for what felt like the first time. We rented a house with some friends through airbnb which was so much better than staying in a hotel. It was in a great neighborhood and walking distance from the main drag of town. I knew Carmel was going to be visually beautiful with the sea as its backdrop but I was surprised to learn it also has some great restaurants and shops. Granted the whole place shuts down around 9pm- definitely not a place to go if you’re looking for a night on the town. But at 6 1/2 months pregnant I’m usually in bed by 9pm so it worked for me! We had such a fun three days. I’ll let the pics speak for themselves.

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road trip inspiration – big sur

23 Jul

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I’m back in road trip planning mode after a long break. As I’ve mentioned before, we originally planned on doing this trip last spring but life got in the way so we decided to push it to fall. Although, now that we’ve settled on fall I wonder why I ever thought spring was the right time to go? With a chill in the air and the leaves changing fall seems like the better choice. Am I right? At first I thought we’d travel in November to tie it in with our 2nd wedding anniversary but then I thought maybe the weather could become an issue at that time? Could we possibly hit snow as we get further North? Anyway, the fear of sketchy weather made me go with early October instead. Now that we have dates on the calendar I am getting excited. I feel like I am planning a mini version of the cross-country road trip I took a few years ago. I love the planning process- it gives me such a rush researching each city.

The first stop on our itinerary is Big Sur, one of the most magical places on earth, in my opinion. The scenery is breathtaking- rocky cliffs, blue ocean, sandy beaches and tree covered coastal mountains all rolled into one. It also smells incredible there- like fresh pine trees.

Brian and I have been to Big Sur a few times together. The first was when he introduced me to camping (it happened to be one of my ten goals when I started this blog four years ago- an experience you can read about here, here & here) The second trip was on our mini moon after getting married in 2013. As you can probably imagine Big Sur holds a special place in my heart.

Despite having traveled there a few times I still feel like I have so much to explore. I’m dying to visit the Esalen Institute. How have I never been there?

Here are some of my inspiration photos for stop one. Do any of you lovely folks have Big Sur recommendations? Restaurants? Coffee joints? Hikes? Hotels? Drives? Anything!

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images found via pinterest

 

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babymoon

25 Jun
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this picture speaks volumes about our response to camping

So, you know how couples sometimes go on one last trip before they have their baby? It’s referred to as a “babymoon.” Well, Brian and I just did just that last weekend before Frank comes home in four days. Granted if I had my choice, I would have chosen a relaxing and luxuries few days in Palm Springs instead of camping, but I believe in compromise. Considering Brian has been dying to get out into the wilderness and sleep in the dirt, not shower, cook on an outdoor grill and hike through mosquito ridden mountains all winter, I thought it was best if I just went the flow. I also figured I can survive anything for three days. So off to Mammoth we went with our friends Mike & Loni who happen to be some of our favorite people to travel with because they are game for anything. The last trip we took with them was to Pioneer Town and it was a hysterical few days in the desert.

Things I learned this weekend-

-California really is a gorgeous place

-eating hotdogs off a campfire grill is somehow much tastier

-bug repellent really does work considering I’m the only one who didn’t put it on and now I’m covered in bites. I kinda look like I have the chicken pox

-Seeing Brian so happy really does make me happy

-camping with wine is the only way to do it

-I look pretty horrid when I don’t shower for three days

-the Alabama Hills are AMAZING

Here are some pics from our trip-

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on the 395

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Brain in his element

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welcome home!

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Mike & Loni

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I’m a lucky gal, eh?

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camping is totally doable with wine

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emerald lake

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the view from our lunch stop

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lake mono

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lake Mono

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June lake

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the breathtaking Alabama Hills

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feeling very small in a good way

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