california recap

{photo credit: me}

we are home from california! what a great, busy, fun trip we had. we packed a lot of activities and adventures into our week long stay. i think we were in a different city almost every day! we stayed in san jose with friends of his but spent time in pacific grove, monterey, carmel, santa cruz, and san francisco. san jose is in close proximity to some really cool cities which is why we were able to take so many day trips.

i think my favorite day was our afternoon/evening in san francisco. we played disc golf in golden gate park, ate street style tacos at tacolicious, went climbing at planet granite with friends of his, ate more mexican food for dinner and walked to chile pies for homemade pie milkshakes. when your day involves eating mexican food for two of your three meals, you win. drop your mic and leave the stage.

dan lived in the san jose area for a year after college and made some really great, solid friends during his time there. it was really nice to meet all of the guys i've heard so many stories about and see him interact with them. even though it's been several years since his time out there, the main group of guys still keeps in regular contact which is really neat. it's hard to find those kinds of friends.

all in all, our trip was really great, and my heart really does belong out west i do believe. if in a month from now i announce i'm moving closer to the pacific, don't be surprised.

{photo credit: dan}

{photo credit: me}

{photo credit: me}

{photo credit: nice girl}

{photo credit: me}

{photo credit: me}

{photo credit: me}

{photo credit: me}

{photo credit: me}

{photo credit: dan}

{photo credit: dan}

{photo credit: me}

{photo credit: dan}

california recap

{photo credit: me}

home from california, and i sure do miss those palm trees. they are one of the things i look forward to seeing most when i go out there. such massive beauties! we had such a wonderful trip. like i mentioned before, i had not been out there in years, probably since early college (eight/nine years?). it was great to see all of my aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandpa and catch up with everyone. my uncle told me as we were saying goodbye that it was great to finally have a conversation with me! i can imagine that the lacey he saw eight years ago was quiet and awkward and not super engaging in conversation. i can say that i'm still very awkward, but perhaps a little better at using my words.

during our visit we celebrated my grandpa's 90th birthday, met my cousin's wife and their new baby, traveled to pasadena and claremont for some day trips, had a mini family reunion party at my aunt's house, enjoyed liquid nitrogen ice cream, went on a run beside orange groves, drove up san timoteo canyon and enjoyed the gorgeous view of the valley below, and ate mexican until it came out our ears. when can i go back?

{photo credit: me, aunt barbie}

1. olive street market for afternoon coffee
2. the house where my dad grew up (super special to see this).
3. twinning in denim jackets. does that make it dwinning?
4. airstream trailer

{photo credit: me}

1. back abbey bar and restaurant in claremont. we got the best burgers and duck fat fries here.
2. san timoteo canyon. the views, people.
3. peach tree in my aunt's backyard
4. parliament chocolate shop

{photo credit: me, mom)

1. augie's for coffee
2. my grandpa and i on his 90th birthday! he's totally got it going on. what is his secret?
3. drive to pasadena
4. microbrewery at the redlands airport. yum yum beer.

{photo credit: me}

1. redlands public library.
2. california ootd
3. tiny airport planes
4. the flight heading home