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<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> In January, my friend Kelly asked me if I would like to go on a Cali trip. My immediate response was Hell Yea! She had this whole plan on where we going to go. It sounded fabulous and I was in. She had also asked two of her coworkers if they would like to go as well. It was great to meet Caroline and Christy and set out and go on an adventure with them. And an adventure it was! By the time we made it to San Francisco, we had kayaked in the crystal blue pacific ocean in La Jolla, ventured the streets of Laguna, and climbed a mountain in Yosemite, I was exhausted. Nonetheless, we had 2 days {which turned into 3} to spend in San Fran. It's kind of blurry to me now but what I remember most of what we did then, was walking. We might have walked that whole city twice in the few days we were there. There was no particular place in which we traveled that I liked more than the other. But, I somehow ended up taking the most and probably my favorite pictures, in San Francisco. The City is filled with so much beauty & art, everywhere. 
We actually went in. ^^
My giveaway ring! Plus more rings that you can find in my shop 
Next in line at Mama's. I'm thinking we waited about 1 hour and 20 mins?? It was worth it.
Lombard Street
These boots were not made for walkin'. My feet HATED me after this trip.
^^That one curl^^
Buena Vista Park
I think we did all we could do and saw all we could see in the 3 days in San Fran.
After coming home, my biggest regret was not going to the red woods. I'm getting upset thinking about it now. I think I would have really enjoyed that. Just gives me a reason to go back! Hopefully sooner than later. <<<<<>>>>> <<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>> <<>> While in San Diego, the girls and I talked about backpacking in Europe in the slightly distant future... I'm down with that. <<<>>> W A N D E R L U S T : a strong desire for or impulse to wander or travel and explore the world. Xo
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                                              Today Nikao turned 10 months old. To celebrate we ventured to the National Aviary in Pittsburgh's North Side to do a little bird watching. My mother, brother, his girlfriend Marisa and I along with the baby had a great time at the aviary.
I've always had quite the obsession with birds. Being able to fly is something that I can only dream of being able to do. If I were a bird, I'd be a blue bird.. To me, there is nothing more beautiful in nature. Today we got to see very many different birds. I of course took 1000 pictures like usual. Some photos featured were taking bu my mother. <<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>> <<<<<>>>>> <<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>> I'm usually not the one to brag, but, I'm pretty sure I have the most adorable nephew in the whole wide world. Not only is he adorable but he's super happy always and is so freaking good. I'm obsessed with him. I haven't seen much of him over the last few weeks and think its completely nuts how big he gets in such a short time. In 2 months we will be celebrating his 1 birthday! {I cannot believe it} He loved the birds, at one point he reached out to touch one. Its funny how fearless a baby can be. Happy 10 months baby! <<<>>> <<<<<<>>>>>> <<<>>> We were so excited to stop through Yosemite, California. It was our second to last stop and well worth the 6 hour drive from Laguna Beach. I have never driven into a scenery like this before, it was very much inspiring. Fascinating. I cannot wait to go back! Brace yourself, I have TONS of photos of Yosemite Through My Eyes... <<<>>> <<<<<<>>>>>> <<<>>> 
 
  
  “Yosemite Valley, to me, is always a sunrise, a glitter of green and golden wonder in a vast edifice of stone and space.” <<.>>Ansel Adams<<.>>           ^^<<.>>This one kind of looks like a painting<<.>>^^      
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<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>> <<<<<<>>>>>> I can't believe its already been three weeks since I got to spend 24 hours in Heaven on Earth: Yosemite, California. Ugh! What I'd do to go back there right now! It was absolutely breathtaking and I could not be more disappointed at how short our stay was. and am certain that if I don't return there in this lifetime, then I would not have lived a full life. Yosemite is HUMONGOUS! All the girls and I got to explore was a tiny section of its gorgeousness. {such a tease} There was only so much we could get done but best believe we did all we could do in that 24 hours. We even made it out to the meadow in the middle of the night to watch the stars. Which was terrifying and exhilarating all in the same. Terrifying because of the wildlife, and exhilarating because I have never seen a universe so clear. These photos were taken while driving, walks around camp, and while hiking. I actually hiked most of the way to the waterfall by myself! There was a lot of taking in the moments, stopping and looking around. Realizing where I was and how surreal it all is. I think that that was something that I wanted to bring home with me as well. Being in and really feeling the now in life. It wasn't at all hard to do there! Quite easy in fact. Xo! <<<>>> <<<<<<<>>>>>>> <<<>>> <> Stay Tuned for my last stop to San Francisco 
As close as I could get the edge {standing} 
<<<<<>>>>> <<<>>> "The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize that at the center of the universe dwells the Great Spirit, and that this center is really everywhere, it is within each of us." Black Elk - Oglala Sioux <<<>>> <<<<<>>>>> 
The Great Spirit is in all things: he is in the air we breathe. The Great Spirit is our Father, but the earth is our mother. She nourishes us; that which we put into the ground she returns to us - Big Thunder (Bedagi) Wabanaki Algonquin <<<<<>>>>> <<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>> <<<<<>>>>> The Spirit of the Natives was all over this place. The feeling of their spirits was incredible. The first thing my brother said when we got to Cucumber falls was 'I wonder what the Native Americans felt when they found this place?' I can only hope we felt as much gratitude as they did when we got here. 
<<The embarrassing photo my brother took of me cooling off in a water hole.>> ^It was too funny not to share.^ 
Today I went to Ohiopyle State Park with my brother Christian and his girlfriend Marisa. We had such a great time.
It was so peaceful and spiritual. <<<>>> First we hit up the Youghiogeny River and watched all the water rafters for awhile before we had enough guts to jump in {it was freezing}. I was the last one to do it and didn't stay in very long. After that we hiked to Cucumber falls which was gorgeous. We hiked to the top, had lunch, then painted. Marisa decided not to but Christian and I painted for almost 2 hours. I'm no watercolor pro, but any paint medium excites me even if I'm not any good at it. Neither of us finished our work but we certainly plan to {at home} <<<>>> This week was by the the longest and most exhausting week I had had in a long while so I had been looking forward to escaping to nature. This was the most perfect day. I hope to return to Ohiopyle soon! Until then, the woods in my area will have to do <3 <> Xo
 San Diego, California  First beach stop. Coronado. Coronado Beach is always a good time. The beach is lovely, as is the town.. We spent our first day there, and all of us passed out on the beach. When I awoke, I had a horrific tan line. we made the mistake of going to a bar called on the rocks, had a couple cocktails, went to the beach, then fell asleep. perfect way to start our vacation. When we came to, we visited shops and stopped by the Hotel Del Coronado. There are many shops inside there and its just fun to walk around in. Rumor has it that it's haunted, but I never got that vibe. It's just simply a beautiful, old, unaffordable hotel with so much history.    >><<I definitley rocked my turquoise body chain everyday at the beach>><<
 These fish tacos were to die for^^ The next day we made our way to probably my favorite beach: La Jolla. It is unreal how beautiful this place is. The water is clear, the beach is somewhat more private, it's perfect really. If I could own a home at any beach I'd have to say I'd choose La Jolla. 
            After laying out at the beach. We went shopping and ate before our next little adventure... 
The girls and I decided to go on a kayaking tour, which was a lot of fun. I actually haven't gone kayaking in a really long time so I was quite nervous. It was about a two hour tour which was in the ocean towards the caves. When we got to the caves. each of us got to paddle in two at a time. The girls and I got to go in first. You basically just paddle in, turn around and paddle out. I think my favorite part was when waiting for everybody else to go in and out. Hanging out in the ocean and watching people swimming by and others on there paddle boards. Basically just relaxing. Our tour guides names were Max and Sam, and they were really sweet. Max took all of these pics of us with his Go pro.
 Four years ago, Kelly and I stood on top of this cliff and watched the sea lions from above. So, it was pretty awesome to be this close to them. Although, when her and I made our way into the cave I somehow managed to get way too close to two of them. They were NOT happy. Our tour guide told us kindly to back away about 8 times. I seriously thought the creature was going to attack. We made it out safely.
<<>>Laguna Beach, Ca<<>>  Laguna Beach is so gorgeous, it's like a dream. We were only there for just about under 24 hours. One of the girls I traveled with had a family member living close by so we stayed with him for a night before making our way up north.
 I'm pretty sure that I need to live at the Sea Castle, a beautiful home on the coast of Laguna Beach accented with turquoise. A dream home for sure.
 We ended up hanging out in Laguna all day and through the night. I'd love to go back there someday and spend a little more time. One day just wasn't enough!  “Don’t believe what your eyes are telling you. All they show is limitation. Look with your understanding. Find out what you already know and you will see the way to fly.” ~Richard Bach <<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> <<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>> Stay tuned... Next Stop: Yosemite... |
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