Dinner with sea otters and yoga with seals

Monterrey, California caught me completely off guard. We were on our way back North to San Fransisco and decided to spend one last night on the ocean.

I love spontaneous travel decisions because without them, I would never know what a perfect little beach side town Monterrey is. 

After spending the past few days in the woods of Big Sur I was ready for a nice dinner and hotel stay. We booked a night stay at Monterrey Hotel, around the block from Fisherman's Wharf and Cannery Row, it is  located in the historic downtown area. The hotel was quiet and charming with switchback hallways that you could easily get lost in. 

For dinner we walked to Fisherman's Wharf and after getting a great recommendation from our hotel staff decided to try Domenico's on the Wharf where we enjoyed seafood, seafood, seafood. 

 

 Wood grilled salmon and shrimp straight from the bay we sat above.

 

We even had an extra guest that was a complete show off by catching his own meal from the marina - but we let him stay around to enjoy the evening with us anyways.

 

We stayed late, chatting with the waiters that wanted to know everything about "Walking Dead" (being that it is filmed in Georgia) and enjoying wine on the deck.

We also couldn't look away from our entertainment. They looked a bit lazy but they never quit pushing each other over the side or jumping flippers first into their pile of friends. 

The next morning we awoke for a greatly needed early morning run down Cannery Row. This area takes you along the beach and through the first canneries, or what is left of them, that helped the area boom.

 

 Everyone in Monterrey was active - from the bikers peddling past on the ocean front trails, the paddle boarders exploring the calm bay, and we even caught a glimpse of a AM yoga session in the harbor.

Serious skills here!

Monterrey definitely put me in a zen like state as well - off to Trader Joe's and back on the road again...  
 

You are now free to move about the country.

This all started as a travel blog (those many months ago) and FINALLY I am getting back to my roots and #deltabratting across the country.

I love every bit of traveling, even all the boring tidbits - the packing, the train ride to the airport, and the anxiety of getting on flights. I am happier sleeping on the floor of the airport when I have spent the day getting bumped from flights than sitting at home. But that is how I have traveled from the beginning and that is how I hope to always travel. I am embarrassed to admit the amount of tears that I will shed the day I am too old to stay at a hostel.

This trip came from bittersweet circumstance - my job was ending but it gave me a week to vagabond about before transitioning into my new role. I knew I NEEDED to head West but wasn't exactly sure where I would end up. Hiking the Narrows, seeing S perform in Vegas, drinking until twilight in Napa, or all of the above. All I knew was the West was calling me home.

I ended up in beautiful San Francisco and though I am prejudice to many other cities around the world, it quickly shot up my list of favorites after a few blissed out days. This is one of my favorites from crooked Lombard Street looking out to Alcatraz.

We were blessed with amazing weather - warm with no fog. If you are familiar with SF you know this view is quite peculiar!

We spent Saturday playing tourists - enjoying all the activities you secretly love but know you shouldn't. We watched the seals lay in the sun off of Pier 39. If you want a good shot - go early to miss the crowds and all the touristy shops (no one secretly loves those).

Sweet guys may even pose for a shot with you

America's Cup is being held in SF this summer, an annual yachting match with teams from countries around the world. Trials are to begin this week and last through September, so with yachts coming and going and sound stages being erected; by afternoon Fisherman's Wharf was littered with people.

Wanting to stay as long as possible near Italian yachting men (right?!) I lingered near Fisherman's Wharf and stumbled upon a Farmer's Market and one can never say "no" to a Farmer's Market.

Plums, Avocados, Artichokes...



 Beets, Grapes, Radishes....

The Ferry Plaza market is held each Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday in front of the Bay along the Embarcadero. On Saturdays, food trucks and chefs from around the city setup stalls to serve fresh, delicious meals.

After grabbing some fresh goodies and a good meal, we made our way to Golden Gate Park.

If you are feeling adventurous, walking the bridge is exhilarating, especially on a day with views like these

Walk the bridge South to North to have the wind at your back (yes, it makes a BIG difference), a restroom at the end, and bring a coat. Just trust me, it is cold up there!

 The next morning after a full day of sightseeing, I could not leave SF without one last important stop. The Painted Ladies - and where the sitcom Full House was filmed! Don't judge me.

Seven of the houses lining Alamo Square have been coined the "Painted Ladies" but all of the houses in the area have amazing Victorian architecture and intricate details. I want to live in a house this beautiful one day and a city this mesmerizing.

It is true.. I left my heart in San Francisco!

#Nashvilleninjas

This weekend was a roadtrip weekend to Nashville, TN. I couldn't stay in work knowing the beautiful summer sky was waiting so I skipped out early and caught a ride with a friend passing through on his way North to Chicago. This is the best part of the drive, through the mountains along the Tennessee River.

We started with Happy Hour and dinner at The Pharmacy. A beer garden and burger joint in East Nashville. Prices are great, food was delicious, and the beer was cold. It is a perfect spot to start your weekend events with a Friday Happy hour - long benches and a great outside atmosphere. 

 I'm not much of a burger girl so I had the grilled chicken and sweet potato fries - it is a large amount of food so split with another or save for your late night snack. (That is what we did of course!)

 It was A's first time to Nashville so we did the whole touristy thing - playing on Broadway and kicking around in our cowgirl boots.

I have been to Nashville a handful of times and had to stop by my favorites - The Stage, Paradise Park, and of course Tootsie's. It is your favorite sins that do you in and Tootsie's in definitely one of our favorites!

There is a new great bar called Honky Tonk Central - with big French doors opening onto Broadway. With the doors open wide and great music playing it was the perfect spot to be!

 On Saturday we all woke up early and had breakfast at Mad Donna's - Bloody Mary's, 2 for 1 Mimosas, and gooey omelets were just what we needed to rally and head does to the Tour de Fat.

Tour de Fat is a festival traveling to different cities around the country to raise money for local bicycle non-profits with the help of beer, a full line-up of bands, and crazy competitions.

Check out information and if they are coming to your city here:

 http://www.newbelgium.com/events/tour-de-fat.aspx

It was a great event, and all the activities were centered around the use (and fun!) of bikes - from trying to ride reconstructed bikes - like this sneaker enhanced bike

to fans and misters that would only let you cool off if you were peddling quick!

Since we couldn't bring coolers in we bought our tokens for beverages instead. Luckily, no peddling was necessary for those!

 Here come the Mummies ended the day - one of my new favorites, they are rumored to be famous musicians that are dressed as mummies and their true identity is not known to anyone. Although it sounds odd, they are entertaining and put on a great live show. Definitely one to check out if you can!

It was a great weekend with great friends in a city I love.

And one last family photo in front of the Nashville Parthenon to remember the weekend:)

You want to take selfies?

My life has been all consumed this past week with the Moore wedding...

but how could you say "No" to this couple?!

Friends were flown in from around the country and we prepared, pampered, and partied every night. AD flew down from her exciting NYC life of PR events and beauty products and KS my soul mate and partner in crime came down from enjoying her summertime in Nashville - the bridesmaids were reunited and it felt so good!

The week began with several events - a welcome dinner in the couple's new home with games and chatting into the night.

and continued with cocktail parties with the best of friends. These beautiful ladies were my college roommates 

and this group of gents have been friends since childhood and were our neighbors in Athens. It was the perfect few years together and has been wonderful to be together again.

With the weekend beginning, it was finally - ONE. MORE. DAY!

A bridal luncheon was held at Park Café in downtown Duluth - stuffing ourselves with friend green tomatoes and maple crème brulee.

After the rehearsal, dinner was a Mexican themed fiesta complete with margarita machines and sombreros

and a "fun" Hawaiian forever lei for the bride...

There were gifts and toasts

and "forever leis" for all!

Saturday was the BIG DAY - the ceremony was held at the Payne-Corley house, the perfect venue for an intimate Southern wedding

but you must provide your own charming Southern gentlemen!

The day was a whirlwind of champagne and streamers, flowers, and dancing into the night. We were locked out of our room (well the room we took over) at the end but it was the perfect opportunity for selfies in the hallway (but when is it not a perfect opportunity for selfies?!)

The endless cocktail parties, toasts, errands, and laughs for the week have put me in a slight depression to have it all come to an end.

I just love these people and wish they would all move home to me NOW!

Honeymoon bags

It is that season again...more weddings, a baby shower or two, and engagements, bachelorettes, and cocktail parties filling the agenda every weekend.

It is a bit more fun when you consider both the bride and groom amoung your best friends.

K is my sorority little sister, my twin, my college roommate, and the angel to my devil (this was a nickname that I hope doesn't stick still!)

A is my protective big brother, my neighb, and one of the best guys I have ever met.

They are both hilarious, thoughtful, and wonderful. We have all shared countless memories together so to be involved in their wedding festivities is a honor.

Instead of of the usual gifts of plates and silverware (tho I admit it I got that for yall as well) I decided to do something a bit different and made a honeymoon bag of treats, magazines, and summertime necessities.

There were the usual practical items of crackers and cookies, magazines, and sunscreen.

But also fun items for a perfect first trip - sunnies, champagnes, and toys...not those:)

1. A large beach tote monogrammed for the Moore's.

2. Bride and Groom tumblers to be THAT couple on their cruise

3. Sudoku and Crosswords for K and Cards and Pop-its to annoy other passengers for A

4. Snackies

5. Elle and Vanity Fair for K and GQ and Men's Journal for A

6. SPF 45 and above to embrace the pale.

Also disposable cameras, His/Her Ray-Bans, candy, champagne, and goggles (1 pair for A).

Safe travels!