And so lake we shall

I am a lake girl and will always be.

I grew up on a lake in Montana, spent my highschool years at Lanier, and every summer without fail I spend every weekend (and many weeknights, even when I shouldn't be) playing on the lake.

There is a lake atmosphere - similar to a beach mentality - when you grow up on the lake. My favorite bars are lake bars - Oh, Dam Bar why did you close? My favorite friends are lake friends - even when they stay hidden from October to March.

But every year at the beginning of April that phone call comes and on through the summer saying- grab the board, get your cooler.

It is time for the lake.

We clean up the boat and grab our new suits

 And hats and shades...

 We spend everday floating and tanning

And get in to cool off from the hot Georgia heat

 And board until exhaustion- some better than others.

 And stay until sunset

And so lake, we shall.

Sometimes you should worry that the tide will reach your chair.

Ah Cabo, my annual retreat. We rode horses, were attacked by the ocean, lived on TeCATEs, missed a few flights, traveled to Utah (well only I did), lost car keys, and overly enjoyed every moment of it. But I am perfectly tanned, relaxed, and ruined my summer diet - so it was definitely a successful holiday.

The best thing about Cabo is sleeping with the porch doors flung open to the night breeze and hearing the waves gently rolling onto the shore all night. You wake with the sun peaking over the cliffs, smile to yourself, and scurry over to the coffee maker so you can enjoy your morning coffee on the patio before the sun has reached its peak.

And everytime I am here is looks exactly the same and it is familiar and welcoming and tempts you to never leave. You could stay there, on the porch, watching the days go by. Knowing they must be going by but never seeing a change, never growing older, because in paradise that doesn't happen and you smile again because you know that is exactly where you are - paradise:)

But I am a firm believer that paradise is made to be played in and not observed so out we go into the sunshine.

We packed up our Tommy Bahama bookbag/cooler/chairs and headed to the beach. If you do not own one of these chairs, or have a friend's to steal, I suggest finding one. Now. You do not want to miss another summer season without one. Excuse the shamless plug but you will not regret buying this.

My perfect beach set up - beach chair, hat, water, nook, iPod, cocktails, a six pack in my cooler chair, tanning oil, and a towel.

Unfortunately this beautiful beach setup was attacked by a rogue wave and a flip flop and beach coverup were lost in the disaster.

Apparently there is a truth to worrying if the tide will reach your chair.

But nothing could stop our enjoyment in this beautiful beach paradise.

We shopped for everything we didnt't need (but this is the cutest beach bag right?!) and even bought the hat off this poor man's head.

                                              And as usual for us, it turned into a dance party.

After being covered in sand and fried from the sun and spending all our money on bags and hats we strolled up to the pool for dinner and mojitos (and to rinse off in the pool, shhhh).

We dined in the pool on Tuna Tar Tar and Guac for dinner (and every other meal of the week) and laughed until we cried about life and friends, and loves and weddings. About work and school, being lost and traveling. And alot about how we are very, very blessed.

Because this is one happy girl!

I did have some trouble getting back - was bumped off two flights, had to detour through Salt Lake City and sleep on the floor (and buy a sweatshirt since it was SNOWING in SLC!), took the all-nighter to Atlanta and landed at 7AM, grabbed my bags, caught marta, and made it to work by 10AM. But that is the life of a Delta Brat and I wouldn't change it for the world.

But my boyfriend is on that boat!

We arrived to Cabo yesterday and are enjoying a nice "Adult Spring Break." The girls and I got the last four seats in the back of the plane together but either way we made it on.

And were Cabo bound:)

We chatted and laughed and started to celebrate the Spring Break holiday right away.

And finally saw -- BEACH!

After arriving and getting through customs, getting our rental car, grabbing a few necessities at the grocery store to stock the kitchen we went to the pool to show the girls around the property and for the last bit of tanning sunlight of the day.

Or alot of the last sunlight of the day.... red already but brown tomorrow:):) Thank you Dad for my Native American skin.

 I also made sure all the girls sampled the delicious Mojitos. I will be making these all summer long. Addicted.

That night we went into downtown Cabo which is always a blast and hit up the usual spots - Cabo Wabo, Squid Roe, and Blue Jungle and danced the night away. Blue Jungle is a great open air space and club and one of my favorites. It is on the main strip and tables are sparse and VIP only but uneeded. There is plenty of dance floor but the bar is good to congregate and mingle.

We even made new best friends that were living and working on a yacht. L and I loved telling them our horror stories of boat life along the Intercoastal and hearing their much more fabulous Mexican boating adventures. I would definitely like to try boat life again one day.

Especially if it is boat life with this first mate here:)

Pimento Cheese and Bubba

Spring only finally arrives for me on Steeplchase and Masters Weekends in Aiken. Once the weather gets a bit warmer and the flowers begin to bloom I begin to crave Aiken, and my grandparents home, and walking the dirt road in the humid mornings, and running on the polo fields.

Aiken is the perfect Southern town - small and quiet, lined with magnolias and horse prints.

It was my year for badges to the Masters and John and I went to cheer on Bubba Watson and Rickie Fowler (sorry, Rory) and enjoy pimento cheese sandwiches and cheap beers. We came over Friday night and took my grandmother to Linda's (her favorite) and showed him through downtown.

It is always a blessing to be able to attend Masters Sunday, to see Tiger in his red, and walk the course. We arrived as the gates opened, set up our chairs on 16 and walked to catch our favorite players tee off. John was rooting for Freddie Couples who was playing an awesome tournament all week but I was rooting for a Bubba win. We bet beers on each hole and I will proudly report that I kicked John's butt. Don't mess with my golf skills.

Or at least my golf gambling skills.

The day was perfect and we witness so much excitement from being tied on the 18th, to seeing a UGA grad win, and Oos' double eagle.  

Plus I think I got my base tan covered for Cabo on Thursday...

You are officially checked off the BL

I am on the plane already, indulging in sweets, cheese, steak, and too much wine. I am sitting in first class next to this lovely Frenchman that is teaching me about wine and cheese and I have the hiccupps so it must be going well!  It is your favorite sins that do you in and Delta, you get me everytime...

This morning was a whirlwind, we were up and out early to make it to Versailles and back before leaving back for good ole America this evening.

Bound for Versailles

 The gardens are massive and I was in awe even in th winter with not much in bloom. The grounds are a child's (or king's) dream and I was craving frolicking and hiking, 4-wheeling and camping in their midst.

There is a grand cancal at the back of the palace beyond the steps and rowing teams were out on the water. Locals were jogging through the palace grounds and it is quite thrilling to imagine your life with such grandeour and history everyday (it definitely beats my running route).

Someone locked me out...

After making it back from Versailles I had a few extra euros and finally caved into a nutella crepe, outside at our favorite cafe, we hailed a taxi, and were off to the airport.

We will land in Atlanta at 8 PM - it is amazing how much you can accomplish in a day. Now off to finish this last glass of wine and popped some melatonin, and crashhhh.

Paris, you are officially checked off the Bucket List. Now where to next?

Just me and Mona

We woke up on our first full day in Paris and walked to the market for crepes and flowers. I am doing Paris on a shoestring budget and instead ate a protein bar and cafe americano. If I can survive on protein bars and one small meal a day, I can have enough for attractions and an extra glass of wine.

It is important to know your own traveling priorities and I will gladly live off ramen noodles to be in Paris or Thailand or Utah or Vancouver for a day. Not many people will agree with me, but in order to take the trip, I will make the sacrifices I need to.

We are only in town for a few days and have our plan set to "Crash Course Paris." I think I have everyone convinced to make the trek out to Versailles but everything else we will visit is in the city. Our first stop was to walk to "heaven" or Montemartre, the highest point in Paris and the location of the Sacre-Coeur, and honestly my favorite stop. We sat on the steps of the church and listened to a gentleman with a guitar sing songs in French and Spanish, and even some in English. The view was breathtaking - overlooking the rooftops of Paris, remembering all they have seen and endured.

We stopped for croques and vin at La Quasimodo and walked over to the Notre Dame to pray and attend service.

Attending service in Notre Dame - blessed.

We walked along the Seine, enjoying the city and the beautiful views and winding our way through the streets to the Arc de Triomphe and down the Champs-Elysees to the Place de la Concorde and finally to the Louvre.

The Louvre was free to anyone under 26 - woo! Make sure to look up any nightly or special deals when traveling - it will save you a bundle.

Inside the Louvre we got lost in the foundations, there are many twisted turns and nooks and crannies that get you turned around or make you stumble onto something beauitful. It was in this way that we came upon the Mary Magdelena, Venus de Milo, and standing directly in front of the Mona Lisa.

And also had other fun while we were there as well.

After the Louvre we rested our feet and drank some vin before leaving again for our own "Midnight in Paris." Walking the streets and experiencing the city, walking back to the Eiffel Tower for late night drinks and beignets (or a protein bars in my case).

But who cares, I am in PARIS!

Je ne sais pas

We arrived at Charles de Gualle at 11 AM and were ready TO. GO. I was giddy and couldn't help RUNNING through the airport.

We took the RER to the Metro and on the train I let my mind absorb everything - the architecture of the buildings that bring you back to a different time. Not just a few buildings, but everywhere. There is no modern architecture and it is perfect that way. It has character and it adds to the beauty and romanticism of the city, as does the language which to me always sounded like a mumbling, angry Frenchmen but when I am standing in the city its exquisite and mesmerizing.

I hate when I travel and come into a new place that is still speaking English. France is NOT one of those places. I know a few words to get by and I do admit, having helpful, multilingual countries has gotten me out of ALOT of obstacles and I am grateful for it; but the trip never seems real or complete if everyone is altering their life, their culture for me and honestly, my ignorance. It is a thrilling experience to be lost in a country with no way of direct communication, it feels like the real way to travel.

After dropping our packs we went out to explore. We walked the streets and took in the city. We were staying only two blocks away from the Eiffel Tower. It is huge, bigger than I ever imagined and so beautiful at night. From anywhere in the city you can see it bright and magical in the sky and every hour it twinkles with lights for five minutes. Its breathtaking, unreal, and unbelievable to be standing in its shadow. Most landmarks are smaller or disappointing in person but the Eiffel Tower exceeds any expectations you have in size or beauty.

We waited to ride to the top and it is worth every penny to do so. We went up at night and the view is amazing.

The view from above overlooking the Seine.

An Eiffel Tower, over the edge, selfie.

WE MADE IT ON TOP OF THE EIFFEL TOWER MY LOVES!

I am easily falling in love with being in France. Everyone has been kind, to go against in stereotypes you may have heard, and have not told me off eventhough I am juxtaposing my French and Spanish constantly. Si, Qui. Je ne seis pas, Gracias.

Embarrassing.