#Baycation

There are certain times when you are out and about with a cocktail in hand, and your best friend calls and asks if you will come visit for her 30th birthday.

Scene:

You met said best friend in Nicaragua a solid two years prior and have yet to see her since. She hated you at first glance and then you wormed your way into her heart and there you have stayed.

Naturally you agree and then get all giddy and happy and jumpy and smiley and continue to drink some more cocktails and you wake up with a flight confirmation for 4th of July weekend to party with your best friend.

I waited on baited breath to finally see my fellow dirtbag world traveler and smother her for an entire weekend.

FINALLY the weekend arrived. And the 6am flight was boarded. #worthit

The journey from JFK to Long Beach was a bit stressful. And by that I mean NY has got some serious traffic congestion issues. Especially when your cab gets in a wreck on the way to the birthday party. That was like the most fun situation I have ever been in. Especially when he tried to make me pay the whole bill. Yea. No...

Hugs and tears and some more hugs later we were finally reunited for a weekend of beaching and general debauchery.

One of my favorite moments was seeing two of our friends from Nicaragua that Kristen didn't believe were actually coming.

REUNITED AND IT FEELS SO GOOD.

A day filled with surfing and drinking and fireworks watching. It was a weekend that I will never forget. My soul smiled bigger than my face the whole weekend.

When the birthday girl is born the day before the 4th of July everything is themed around USA paraphrenalia.

Spending the weekend bouncing from the beach, to house parties, and bars was incredibly fun. Many more memories were made.

What? You don't go in a bar and make pretend phone calls to very important people? You clearly are doing life wrong.

It was also an amazing experience to meet so many humble and inviting people. Listen to their stories. See a town that Hurricane Sandy tried to wipe away and view the people who put in the sweat, tears, and love to rebuild their little piece of New York. If you ever get a chance to see Long Beach, I highly recommend it. The people, the places, the faces, the everything will seep into your veins and make you feel home.

Besides they have lifeguard stands. Who doesn't love giant lifeguard stands?

The plane ride home was uneventful and sad because I didn't want to leave. It wasn't goodbye but a see you later.

Bay, your birthday was amazing and I am so glad to have met you and am eternally grateful for you to be a part of my life. Even if your drink is terrible.

Foster Falls

About two months (maybe almost 4 now...) ago my best friend asked me to go to Foster Falls outside of Chattanooga to hike and camp.

I hesitantly said yes because I have no camping gear and lack a desire to sleep on the ground. I mustered some enthusiasm and let her start the planning.

I had been at my new job just about a month, so I had no time to take off and told her that I would only be able to come Saturday and Sunday. Which turned into meeting in Chattanooga Friday night.

The plan was to get up early and hike Saturday, camp, and then hike out Sunday to drive back to our respective homes.

Linds recruited her friend Matt (our resident pack horse...) and off we set. Matt brought his dog Riley and I brought the puppy Paddler. I was nervous as to how he would do but figured at worst I could stick him my backpack and carry him.

Friday night we grabbed some beers and bar food (Linds and I's fav) and then she and I laughed and stayed up too late until one of us passed out mid conversation.

Saturday morning we ate breakfast at the hotel and watched horrified as some kids ask their dad if a bagel was a doughnut before we hightailed it out of there.

Since we were planning on doing a hike through we dropped two cars at the end and drove one car to the start.

We started at the waterfall which was spectacular. Riley taught Paddler how to swim, I broke my Ray-Bans, and we set off on our journey to the campsite.

we're like really pretty.

 The never ending journey is what this hike turned into. We realized that about 3 miles into the hike and I cautiously (secretly fingers and toes crossed) that maybe we walk the whole way through and grab a hotel room and order pizza....HEAR ME OUT....

We were on this journey and the campsite was a bazillion miles away (it wasn't...it was about 6) but we realized that we would get there about 1 in the afternoon and then what in the heck were we supposed to do? And then it may have started to thunder and I have this slight fear of being struck by lightening. I love thunderstorms but not being in the middle of the woods for it.

That led to us just powering through and walking to the end. We stopped for pictures, for the dogs to flop around in mud and puddles, to see some waterfalls, and to refill water bottles. It was a long day for sure.

I was surprised at how well Paddler held up. He walked the whole way and then promptly passed out when we got to the car. I had to pull out about 90000000 burs off his fur, but he had a blast.

It was such a fun weekend. Linds and I have talked about doing it again, but maybe ending at the falls instead of starting there and just taking the essentials, not a lot extra weight. Because we carried so much....THANKS SHERPA MATT!

a nice day for a white wedding.

Or one that started with a hell of a storm.

But let's reverse that party train right on back and talk about this wedding weekend.

My cousin was getting married and so kindly invited us to attend her beach wedding.

You had me at beach.

I knew this weekend would be very bittersweet for me, but I tried to put on a brave face and not be terribly grump the whole time. (I may not have been successful and for that I apologize).

Setting: Fort Morgan, Alabama

Background: I have been to FM a couple of times and they were all magical. But they all hold a special place in my heart and not a place I was ready to open my heart back up to just yet. Sometimes you just have to grin and bear it (and drink all the beer).

People: A crapton of family and a baby that has never seen the ocean. I was all too excited to get that baby to touch the sand and the ocean and understand it's magical powers.

How I Coped: Beer, Running, Reflecting, Tears by the ocean, and did I mention beer?

That last part is neither here nor there. We were there to party and celebrate an amazing person and her journey to becoming a married woman.

Fort Morgan is a quaint little strip of beach. And I mean quaint. You are 20 miles from town and there are I think 3 restaurants on that strip of beachway? It's my idea of heaven.

There are two ways to get to FM. You can come from the west and take a ferry from Dauphin Island or you can go around FM and cut back down and drive the one road into FM. Either way, once you are there you realize just how remote of a spot you are in.

The beaches are clean (for the most part) but there is no beach service; you just head out to the beach and set up shop. It is a self service beach. But it is a beach. And there are waves and shells and an ocean. All the things I really need. The one drawback is the oil rigs you can see in the distance.

Back to this wedding. We had been recruited to help set up for the wedding. Luckily the wedding house was about a ten minute walk from our house. With tables set, centerpieces built, coolers filled, and a tent pitched we made our way back home to have a few refreshments and take showers.

That's about the time that trouble hit. The wind shifted, the sky turned black, and the rain came. About an hour before the wedding. And then the biggest problem: the power went out.

Luckily the bride was very chill about the whole thing, but all that work we had done? Ruined. The tent crew had to come back out and re-setup and the centerpieces had to be redone.

the bride.

 By the miracle of all miracles the power came back on and the storm passed through all about 30 minutes before the wedding was set to start.

The wedding was beautiful and the sunset was to die for. A successful weekend by and large. Definitely a bittersweet one, but it was nice to make some new memories in a place that holds a special meaning for me.

Saying Goodbye and a Top Ten List

MC and I made our final goodbyes to Hawai'i the only way we knew how.

A little beach time, some shopping, lunch one last time at Duke's, and a final salute to the swaying palm trees.

With our goodbyes finished (and more like see you later) we made our way to the airport to take our overnight flight to Atlanta. Woof.

After almost 3 weeks of traveling with one bag that I wore on my back through 5 different states, 5 different time zones, countless ubers, a gaggle of hotel rooms, and many city streets I thought it might be due time to have the what I wore discussion and how to pack for 3 weeks with limited space.

Here is my top 10 list in no particular order.

First. The bag. Choosing the right bag is tricky, But test those suckers out. I rotate between two bags and am debating another bag.

patagonia

I took this bag all over Latin America this past November and it has worked perfectly for weekend trips, day trips, volcano hikes, classes, and then my three week long adventure through California, Arizona, and Hawaii. 

This bag holds a heck of a lot and is super comfortable to carry around. I highly recommend this bag.

patagonia

The Yerba is smaller than the Chacabuco, but I have used it for two different week long surf trips, as well as for work since it has a laptop sleeve. I have a past version and it zips more like a backpack rather than just around the top. But it holds a heck of a lot for a seemingly small bag. It has stood up great against the elements that both Costa Rica and Nicaragua had to offer.

patagonia

This bag is something that I have been lusting over. Since it zips all the way around it seems to me like a more practical bag for longer trips in multiple places. Being able to find things and repack quickly is ideal and is a bit difficult to do with a traditional backpack style bag. This one has has backpack straps that are hidden by a zippered pocket in the back and I think this may be added to my collection in the near future.

Patagonia gear and clothing always holds up well and I have a few standard pieces that always travel with me and I have been super happy with the quality and craftsmanship. I have also made the trek out to Patagonia headquarters and everyone was super friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable.

Second. Pick somewhere that swimsuits are acceptable. I kid (but not really). Pick somewhere that the weather is fairly consistent from place to place you hop.

I generally pick my journey's based on bodies of water, but sometimes you run into some issues with multiple weather changes. Just remember to have fun and keep number three close at hand.

Third. Pack in layers. Think in layers. Wear layers. Become layers. Seriously being able to layer is going to save your life and your back if you are like me and prefer the nomadic dirtbag lifestyle to the ritzy roller suitcase crowds.

California, Arizona, and Hawaii all have different weather during January. Not so vastly different that you needed a ton of clothing, but I always be sure to have a pair of leggings, a long sleeve shirt/sweater, and a scarf. All three pieces are easily converted for multiple wearings and in totally different ways. I always have a sweater or long sleeve shirt because I am generally freezing wherever I am.

Fourth. Think in terms of wear-ability, functionality, and versatility.

Don't pack things you aren't going to wear. Save that room for something fun and local you may purchase. You don't need more than one (maybe two) sun dresses. No one cares if in your picture you've worn the same dress 4 times. It's about the adventure not the dress. Also remember you are most likely going to be carrying that pack around a lot and the less weight, the better.

Fifth. Carry an extra pack-able bag for unexpected souvenirs and side trips you may take.

Every grocery store has started on the bring your own bag and save the environment thought wave. This means accessibility to a small, packable extra bag super easy. They are cheap, small, and if you lose it you are aren't out a big loss. These bags make for great beach trips, grocery runs, and souvenir shopping.

Sixth. Choose your footwear wisely because it takes up an extreme amount of space.

I personally say if you can't wear flip flops it's not worth doing, but that's not true. Being somewhere that means a lot of walking you are going to want something that has a bit more support than flip flops generally offer.

Rule of thumb I don't bring tennis shoes unless I plan on working out. They are bulky and you can't really wear them with anything but workout clothes. I pack chucks or my Merell's.

Merrell

I have a pair similar to these, but lighter that I wore all over Guatemala. They are great shoes since they aren't bulky and you can rinse them off.

Seventh. Lay everything out you want to take and then pare it down by 1/3-1/2. You're making memories and should not be worrying about what you have on.

Eighth. Remember you can wash unmentionables in sinks and bathrooms.

Save space and pack just a few types of underwear depending on what clothing you have packed. You can wash your underwear when you shower and hang it to dry.

Ninth. Think you need a hairdryer, a straightener, and a giant bag of makeup? You don't. Embrace the natural look. Think a brush and some mascara. Save that space for something else.

Tenth. Most places have stores. If you've forgotten something you'll survive. And in most cases, you won't actually need it.

But most of all, remember to have fun and enjoy the journey. It won't be perfect and there will definitely be hiccups, but the memories you make and the people you meet will more than make up for something silly that you will undoubtedly forget before you can even start to complain that it happened.