We woke up + got the fire started again + made some hot tea. There was frost on our tent + it was chilly. We packed up + hiked back to the car. That morning all the plants on the trail were frozen + there was even ice on the suspension bridge. Once we got going, we warmed up.
We were exhausted by the time we saw the sign for the overnight parking area, haha. It seemed like it took forever from that point to get to the car. We were starving + stopped at McDonald's on the way home (it tastes so good after only eating ramen noodles + beef jerky!!!). When we got out of the car, we could barely walk. It was so funny. We were hobbling around for days.
Zac + I went backpacking at Fall Creek Falls the weekend before Halloween. We did the Cane Creek Lower Loop overnight trail again (post from 2 years ago). It wasn't raining this time + we were so excited :) It was cool, but a beautiful sunny day. I'm always nervous before we go on a hiking trip. I never even camped before I met Zac, but I really love it. It's so peaceful (when you don't have teenage boys right behind you, haha), but it's also a lot of hard work. I love taking pictures + my favorite part about fall creek falls are the creek crossings + suspension bridges. The leaves had changed colors + it was gorgeous on the trail:
We got to camp, set up the tent + looked for firewood. Once the sun starting setting it got cold, so we started the fire. I brought marshmallows this time + stuff to make s'mores :) They were so yummy!!! I carved the perfect forked stick for a skewer (I was pretty proud of it!).
We went to bed pretty early since there's not that much to do out there + we were exhausted. I did have my usual panic attack (shivering + freaking out) but it didn't last long + my sweet husband gave me his jacket. I don't think I was that cold. I think it was just in my head. After that though, I slept really good. Probably the best I have ever slept in the backcountry before. I'm usually listening for every little sound.
This week I went to outdoors + picked up a frisbee (Zac either lost ours or gave it away?!?! [i can't remember...what else is new, haha]) Then I scooped him up from work + we went to Kwik Check + picked up some gyros w/ cucumber sauce. Yum! We had a picnic at Overton Park, snuggled on the blanket + threw the frisbee. It was a gorgeous day + we didn't want to leave to go back to work :( Time flew by...
Zac thought it would be funny to get some action shots :) I made a mess, haha.
I'm so thankful that Zac works in Midtown now so we can get lunches together. We used to work about an hour away from each other, so it's nice to be so close now :) I love fun dates during the work day + getting to be with my sweet husband.
Last night I made mulled cider or wassail. It was so yummy! :) This is how I made it:
I added 2 cups of cranberry juice (not cocktail) + 2 cups of apple juice (I tried to find apple cider, but they didn't have any) to a 1 1/2 qt. saucepan. Then I added 1 Tb. of mulling spices to a mulling spice ball (or you could use a tea ball strainer)...
...and then added it to the pot with 1 c. of cinnamon imperials/red hots. Brought it to a boil + then let it simmer (low) for at least 30 min.- 1 hr, stirring occasionally.
I served it with a cinnamon stick + whiskey (obviously you can omit this, but it cuts some of the sweetness) :)
Have you ever made any before? What do you use? I think whipped cream would have been good on top too :)
We walked down to the beach from the hotel that morning.
Then we waited in the lobby to meet my surf instructor Ian. I was sorta nervous, but excited. He drove us to a spot in San Clemente by the pier. I had a great time the last time I went but this time was a little different. I'm not sure if it was me, the instructor or the waves but something was not meshing well, haha. It seemed like by the time I could get up, the waves fizzled out + I was only in a foot of water. For most of the time, I was thinking "why am I out here again?" while I was being beat by the waves + my surfboard. I'm glad I did it + I can mark it off my list, but I really wish I had gotten up for longer than 2 seconds. It makes me want to do it again just to prove to myself that I can do it. I've never worn a wet suit either + I was surprised that I never got cold.
I got in the hot tub after surfing + it felt soooooo good. Then I treated myself to a date milkshake at the Crystal Cove Shake Shack. It has changed owners since the last time I was there, but it was still awesome!
Next, we went to Balboa Island + took the ferry. I thought it was so cool the first time I ever did it + it is still pretty cool :) It brought back sweet memories. I really wanted to try the everything balboa bar or frozen banana, but we were still full from the milkshakes :( I love that the island has a ferris wheel (one of my favorite things).
On our last night, we had dinner at Las Brisas in Laguna. The views of the coastline at night were beautiful.
On the second day, we drove to San Clemente + then on the way back stopped by one of my favorite little surf shops called Girl in the Curl. They have the best sweatshirts. I lost mine years ago + I knew I wanted to replace it.
Then we went to the waterfront shops of Laguna Beach. We stopped at this really cute candy shop (the guy got mad at me for taking pictures, boo!). I have a soft spot for the old fashioned candies in barrels:
There was a crazy fog that lasted all day.
We had lunch at The Beachcomber in Crystal Cove. I got a yummy frozen fruity drink at the Bootlegger Bar + fish tacos. We had a great view of the ocean + I was able to sketch.
We went for a walk on the beach after lunch + took pictures. I brought my Diana+ camera with me. I can't wait to see if they turn out. It's always a surprise :)
We ended the day back at the Laguna Beach boardwalk. It started to get more foggy as the day went on + at this point you could barely see the ocean.
We had dinner that night at Sapphire. I had the SOUTH AFRICAN RED MANGO CURRIED BARRAMUNDI-Sweet Potato, Braised Legumes and Cashews, Organic Swiss Chard. It was really interesting, but really good. I wasn't quite sure what I was eating, haha.
My mom decided she wanted to go on a trip + picked southern california because she knew the area + felt safe traveling alone. I decided I would visit on the weekend so I wouldn't miss too much work. I flew in on Friday + it seemed like I spent most of the day flying. It was a long trip. I had to fly an hour the wrong direction to catch another flight to fly right back over where I started, which is always frustrating, but it was totally worth it :) It was a beautiful day. We went to Fashion Island first. We had lunch, shopped + got a special yogurt treat!
Then we drove the PCH 1 to the hotel. The views were stunning...
views from our hotel...
That night we decided to eat at 180 blu in the hotel. We got to sit outside, snuggle by the fire + listen to the ocean. It was awesome. I tried the craziest sweet + firey drink called a smashing pumpking. It had jalapenos in it...yes, I said that right...JALAPENOS in my drink. They said it was their fall version of a margarita. My lips were on fire... I was wondering if they were trying to play a Halloween joke on me ;)
beautiful roses throughout the lobby...
I ended the night with a decaf coffee by the fire. They even had cute rock candy stirrers :)
