Outdoor Challenge Returned

Outdoor Challenge

From (Monday, July 26, 2010)

Since its nice weather out there Im blogging about my challenge to get outdoors! To get moving and to try and see more pretty sights while exercising.

I hope that at least once a week I can take a new picture of somewhere I have been, doing some kind of activity. 

Anyone who wants to take this challenge with me feel free to comment and we can work some kind of posting out! :)

POST ONE:
Kayaking at the Great Dismal Swamp

Happy Birthday Tessa

21 and Counting

There are certain events in life that force one to reevaluate your actual age.  You may still feel a certain way but sometimes the reality of how old you think you should be still, and how old you are sneaks up.  Having three younger sisters, most of my events revolve around their “big events”, as in when my youngest sister turned 18, the reality that I was no longer a teenager (and hadn’t been for a while) sank in.  

This last week my next youngest sister turned 21.  Again reality slapped me in the face and woke me up to the fact that a few years have now passed since I have been 21, and still in most ways I feel no more grown up then when I was enduring my “special night out”. 

With all that aside, we went out for her birthday and had a blast.  We made her do the pub crawl (luckily for her is was only two places) and did the 21 shots/drinks for 21 years.

Hawaiian Getaway

When I was younger my parents would take us weekend trips to visit relatives in another city, or take us on week long camping trips to the lake.  They would haul all four of us girls out to a campsite, or packed into my aunts house for the weekend and these would be our getaways, our mini vacations from home life and school.  With that being said I had never really been on a true vacation before this trip. 

Never had I traveled to a distant state and/or country with the sole purpose of nothing but leisure and fun.  I'm not saying I'm deprived of visiting new places, or that I have never taken a lazy day off at the river, however the idea of getting away to a far off place for vacation was new to me.  Even though Danny had to travel to the next island over to take his Navy wide 3rd class exam in order for us to go I still consider it a vacation. :)

This trip was one of many things, but dull it never was.  We ended up cramming more into the 5 days in Hawaii than I have in most summers at home.  We tried everything from hiking to four wheeling.  Adventurers we were.  Each day we choose a different part of Kauai to explore by hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, four wheeling or even zip lining our way through the lush greenery and sandy beaches.  By the end of the trip it seemed we knew most of the tiny island and how to get around where we needed to go.  The whole trip was amazing, and I just want to thank everyone who made it possible, Mona & Dave, Grandma Pat, and Sara and Erik.  Also congratulations to Erik and Sara for getting engaged during our time there!

Backpacking and beaches VA style

So its no secret that the scenery around Virginia is vastly different from that of the Northern California Coast.  Even though I grew up with the beauty and elegance of the western climate its now time to explore the east coast of Virginia.

Over the summer so far we have been venturing out when possible and exploring what the eastern seaboard has to offer. Since we live in a military dense area, there are many many free concerts, festivals and other military friendly activities to choose from.  Also being outdoorsy people we are we have been exploring the beaching and camping spots over on this side of the country. 

Virginian beaches are profoundly different in every way from our own rocky, cold, stoic beaches of home.  They are very flat, crowded and white.  They lend themselves to swimming much easier and have a better atmosphere for spending the day barbequing with friends or tanning in the sand, however I find that i do miss the coastal beauty of home.

We did go backpacking this summer as well, where there were no giant California Redwoods, or rolling emerald hills around, we did get to hike through a wildlife reserve on our way to a secluded beach campground which served as a private playground for our small 6 person group.

Stuffed into 2 tiny backpacking tents and forgetting our camping stove we made it to camp and listened to the serenade of 1000s of bullfrogs and ocean waves as we fell asleep in the 80 degree nightfall. 

Wine and Dine California Style

Bringing home to me

So back at home we used to have wine and cheese parties about once a year or so.  These are smaller get together s where everyone dresses up (a great excuse to play dress up for the night) and brings a bottle of wine and a cheese to pair with it.

The beauty of these things are you get to taste a bunch of different wines and cheeses without having to spend 100s of dollars buying each bottle of wine and every cheese.  A few years ago I found this amazing Apricot cheese at one of these parties... something I would have never tried on my own.

Anyway to people here in Virginia it seemed to be somewhat of a new concept.  I knew that I came from wine country in all, but most people our age just don't appreciate wine I guess.  So we gave it our best shot at explaining things and I'm glad we did... turned out to be a great night.

If you like wine and cheese I would definitely suggest that you hold one of these get togethers, it truly is a great way to taste lots of different wines without having to live next to the wineries.

Birthday Ball Game

New home, friends and birthday cheers

This year, though its not the first year I have been away for our birthday (danny has the same bday and me), but it is the first year that I have been living somewhere else.  This being said things were real different this year.  I ended up having a great time and all, however just seemed strange to me.

Tides Game

I was getting ready for the day and kinda realized all my friends were back at home, although ended up wishing me a happy birthday through texts and facebook messages, it seemed very odd to not have any of them around.  Dont get me wrong, I have made a good number of new friends and we ended up going to a baseball game and having a bbq at our house the day of, but it was a whole different experience than our normal birthdays.

First good thing was that Danny was able to get the day off work if he went to the tides game, a AAA baseball team here in Hampton roads.  For me this meant we got to go to the game, and all his friends would be there, if for nothing else but to skip work.  With that news we headed off to the game and tried to meet up with everyone we could, rounding people up for a BBQ we wanted to have after the game.

Luckily we had a good number of people that showed up and ended up having a great time that night.

New Home

Packing, Purging and Parting

Bodega Head Last Beach Trip

We all know that moving creates a list of to dos about a million miles long, leaving the person feeling stressed and pressed for time.  Throughout my adult life I have mad a series of short moves, mostly around town or the county, but nothing further than about 15 miles from my parents home.

Because of what I thought was my extensive moving knowledge, and the fact that the Navy was coming to pack my house up for me I felt that this move would be simple, painless and quick.... well....

The Girls and Lexi Wine Tasting

If any of you out there have ever done a cross country move, be it by yourself or with the military then you know how crazy things can get.  Between the separating of mine and Danny's things from his parents (where I had been staying until the move) and the multiple goodbye parties, dinners and such from friends and family, I felt like I was being pulled a million different directions.



We threw in a few beach trips, wine tasting trips, going away bar nights, dinner parties with family, a camping trip and everything we could think of that I might miss is California.... the beauty, the fun and my wonderful friends and family.

Armida Winery

On a serious note though everything actually went down pretty smoothly, all things considered and we only had to wait for our stuff in Virginia for about 5 days.  Yes 5 or so days without a bed, tv, computer, or even clothes, besides what I took with me on our trip out. :)

Anyway its about time we take the trip out of California, our comfortable zone and try new things... I mean really besides a short two weeks after my birth, NEITHER of us have really lived outside the state for more than a couple months (and that was all for his training for the military anyway).  So with that being said we wait to see what lies ahead and hope that good things are in the future.  New, exciting new people and places and experiences we would otherwise never had.

Leaving

 So packing and moving goes on for what feels like forever and ever but spending the last days with the friends and family seems to pass in the blink of an eye... crazy how things work out sometimes.

Country Roads, Take Me Home!

Danny's Long Awaited Return to Cali

So finally after a year of being gone, boot camp, A school, deployment and work its time for danny to come back to California to visit his friends and family!
Of course everyone has been pestering me about when danny will be home, when he will be back and when he is gonna visit so now its here and the excitement is all very flattering.

I know Danny appreciated being missed while he was gone too! Unfortunately he was only able to be home about a week and a half before return to the sea but we managed to fit in so much fun stuff.

Family dinners and friends gatherings, wine tasting and even an 80's concert we love to go see when possible....

It seemed like we didn't stop moving the whole week and a half, but we managed to see everyone who made an effort to contact us. Overall I think it was a very productive home vacation trip.

I love you so much honey and Im glad that you got to come home!!

NYE 2011 VIP Style

VIP Section, Drinks and Food!

This year we decided to do things a little different than years past. Since it was a little more momentous than usual with Danny's homecoming just a week before we actually ended up getting VIP passes to one of the clubs around our hotel.

Even though it wasnt Vegas or New York for new years we felt pretty cool about our plans. Usually for new years we end up going to a local bar, party or street fair, so this was a nice change of plans.

We knew we wanted something close to the hotel (and who could ask for closer than one block away) and something fun and relaxing. That's exactly what we got this year with our choice of Peabody's.

Actually it was a pretty chill night, lots of fun with unlimited drinks, food and shots, our own section for the VIP members with tables for us to chill at with party favors and champagne, and of course the awesome dance floor that the club always has.

The night was all inclusive and we ended up watching the ball drop over time square for the countdown to the new year.

The champagne was corked and the screams rang out to bring in the 2011. Cheers all around and everyone was ecstatic.

We ended up closing down the bar and walking home to our hotel for some much need sleep before morning began.

I think it was a good kick to the new years and tribute to 2010.

Homecoming has arrived!

Finally after a 7 month deployment

Long deployment and over a year of on and off separation due to training, boot camp and deployments the wait is finally over.

It really feels so nice for him to be home... seriously now its time to start workin on the move out to the east coast.

So when the day arrived and we got up early in the morning, cold norfolk morning and got ready, did the make up, hair, picked out a cute (but warm) outfit and set out to find a spot on the pier to wait for the ship.

And as expected the two hour wait in the cold seemed multiplied by the prolonged slow chug of the tug boats pulling the ship into the bay to dock at the pier, and the icy wind that blew upon the enthusiastic families who await the reunion.

My sister and I had our eyes locked on the sea of soldiers passing by at the edge of the pier waiting to see our loved ones. I think we were so focused on the big crowd that I didn't see Danny and Andrew coming up near us until they were practically at the base of the bleachers. They had slipped through a break in the fence and were coming up on us from a different direction than the main crowd.

Overall it was an exciting and heartfelt experience.

Show Your Support and Send A Letter Today!

This will show your support and they will also receive a Zack brown band cd...

Airline Tickets and Hotel Reservations

Merry Christmas in Virginia!

So here comes the crazy hectic time of vacation planning and hotel reservations. This means i get to go visit danny back in virginia!!! YAY! :) He should be coming back home shortly and we get to spend christmas together.

But before that can happen it means I have to search for hotel deals, airline tickets, rental cars and so much more before the hectic holiday season.... time to stop procrastinating and start reserving things!

Baby here I come!! :)

Wine & Cheese Party Take Two!

Happy Birthday Liz & Yay for Our Wine and Cheese

So this is the second year of the Wine and Cheese Party at liz's house. Both times it seems to have fallen on or around her birthday. :) We originally came up with the idea because last year Danny was leaving soon and we wanted to try and go wine tasting before he left but didnt think we had the time.

Liz had been talking about having a get together at her house and so we decided to join the two and make it a wine and cheese formal tasting. It is now that time of year again and sadly Danny is gone out to sea, and my other sister Tessa is in Americorps across the country. This year we still did it but seemed that there was definitely a few things missing!

We ended up doing tastings with the different wines. Our goal was to have everyone bring a wine and a type of exotic cheese (not the everyday american or cheddar ) so we could all try new things without having to buy a million wines and cheeses ourself.

I must say this is a great way to try new things, and a great excuse to dress up for sure.

The first two pictures are from last years wine and cheese party. I figured I would add them in as a tribute to Tessa and Danny :) so they can feel included in this one!

Catching Up on Life

New Job, Dog Training and business All Around!

So I know its been awhile since my last post, however I have been busy with so much lately its been hard to find the time to get on and write. My new job is relatively easy, but I like it! Gives me something to do during the days instead of missing Danny.

I feel all official working at a Property management company! :) Now its just time to get everything else together and start working on organizing things for the big move. I know its still months away but I am probably the worlds biggest procrastinator.

So the way I see it, if I start now and do a little, put it off and keep that cycle up by the time its close I will be mostly organized. Thats the plan at least, lets see if it works out that way.

Halloween Tradition

Halloween Tradition

End of An Era
I know I had this same picture and title up last year but halloween is coming up fast and its strange to be uncertain of what my plans are. It seems like since forever I can remember having the halloween parties at the ranch (My moms old house out in the country).

Halloween is one of Danny and my favorite holidays, so it makes things even harder that he is not here and we dont have the ranch to have our parties.

Seems like EVERYONE is asking me already if what the plan is for halloween and the ranch. Even people I dont know. The other day I was at the bookstore at the JC and the clerk at the counter ended up asking me if there was going to be a party out at my house. This actually made me laugh that the parties have hit so many people, but also made me a little sad and reminiscent.

Over all it seems unfair that Danny has to spend ANOTHER halloween away from his friends and family here at home, but at least he is not in bootcamp this time! :)

I miss you honey!! Love you so much!!

Halfway Home

Phones Down, Time Difference and Anticipation

Its about that time now, the halfway point and my feelings are mixed. Yay we are halfway there, only the second half of the deployment to go and it seems like things are in reach. On the other hand it means I have to go through what I just did, waiting just as long as I have already waited... hmmm....

Well either way I look at it everyday we get closer and closer to his arrival home! I dont have that much to say this time just wanted to say that :) So Yay... hope everyone else is as excited as I am to hit the halfway point.

Crabbing for Fun - - - And Dinner

Week 7 Challenge Time

This weekend I decided to take advantage of the nice weather we were having and head out to the Bodega Head. We usually go out there to go crabbing, however it has been closed for some time now and just recently reopened.

So as we went out there this time we had no idea how the catch would be, of course expecting the best because no one has been out there for months. As expected we actually did pretty good, could have done better but we had MORE than enough crab for all of us and then some.

The jetty that we crawled out on seemed to be longer than normal and more difficult (probably due to lack of practice) but we all ended up making it out there eventually. :) Once out there though you definitely have to stay for awhile to make it worth the hike out, and to catch enough crabs.

This time we ended up catching a sun star in one of our nets as well... that thing was gigantic!

Challenge Week 6

Happy 30th Birthday Camping

So this weekend we ended up heading to the coast for the weekend to camp, fish, hike and chill. This time we decided to go back to Ocean Cove up past Jenner for the easy ocean access. We ended up eating like kings out at the coast, had everything from fish, steak, venison, eel and abalone.... soooo good!

It was one of my good friends 30th birthday which is the reason we headed out to the coast for camping, but it was a great excuse to be in the outdoors!

We went fishing both days, crawling over rocks out to the deeper part of the sea, quite a hike and very relaxing once your out there. The boys ended up catching 4 fish and an eel, a nice dinner for all of us :) Of course us girls didn't get anything except wet from the waves!

We watched the sun set over the ocean from our campsite while cooking dinner, we woke up and saw the mist fade away from the sea after the clouds burned away, we made smores and toasted marshmallows.... overall the trip was a blast and everyone ended up having a great time. So Happy Birthday Jared!! Thanks for having us out there!!

Week 4 Challenge

Disneyland Day of Fun and Huntington Beach Visit

So I know this is more of a road trip than an outdoor challenge this week, however I still took time to get outdoors and see some beautiful sights. A few friends and I took a trip to Orange County to visit Disneyland this weekend and took the day to spend at the beach before heading home.

This trip was nice and fun, a bit short for my taste but it has been since sophomore year in high school since i last went to Disneyland. I have to admit one day in disneyland is not nearly enough though, there were so many rides and things that we did not get to see, or rushed through because the time was running out. Overall it was a very fun day, how could it not be, being in the 'happiest place on earth'. :)

The next day before our drive home we embarked on our long drive home we decided to stop in Huntington beach, and spend a few hours on the shore. Since it wasn't the usual extreme heat that southern California is know for in mid summer, we were pleasantly surprised to find that it was perfectly warm in the sun with a gentle cool breeze.

Though I did not go hiking this weekend, or workout by holding on for dear life on tubes, I still got the satisfaction of seeing some of our beautiful places outdoors in California.