perfect day

So Saturday was a perfect day for me. It involved 4 of my favorite things! History, hiking, the boy and wine. It was a rare weekend when both him and I were off at the same time (the last time was the end of april when we went camping) and so we discussed doing something outside and I suggested Harper's Ferry. I hadn't been recently and needed to get my passport stamps for there, it is a gorgeous area and some hiking. So he was in as he is also a fan of history & hiking.

I'd been here before in May 2011 - but it was pre-passport! So needed to get my park sign picture too!

So we went off early Saturday morning and after arriving we set off to hike the Maryland Heights section - we had originally planned to do the Stone Fort hike but it was ridiculously  humid and absolutely gross so we just did the Overlook trail which was still a 4.5 mile hike and ended up with a gorgeous view of Harper's Ferry and the local area. It was awesome because we sat up there just taking it all in and enjoying the view and most of the time we were alone - and as we hiked down we just kept seeing people go up. Later on when we were in the town we looked up and just saw crowds up on the rocks! It was so peaceful when we were up there. 

view of Harper's Ferry WV - the Shenandoah River is the in background and Potomac in the front

the arsenal John Brown took over in 1859. Well a re-created one, the original one burnt down. 

The rivers merging - it was a bit cloudy in the morning, but gorgeous in the afternoon! 

So after lunch and popping into a few of the historical exhibits we decided to head to a local Virginia vineyard. We went to Breaux Vineyard, which is one of the best in Northern VA and did a tasting and then sat outside enjoying the afternoon while enjoying some wine. The tasting reminded me that I don't really like white wines - but their reds were great. And it was a great way to spend the afternoon sitting in a vineyard enjoying the mountains and gorgeous views with my boyfriend.

lots of grapes!

at the vineyard

enjoying a glass of wine

i really needed some time away from inside the beltway!

 So it was honestly my perfect day - hiking, history, the boy and wine. After we got back to his house we relaxed and grilled up dinner. Sunday I spent the day with him helping him and his friend as they renovated his office. So it was a nice weekend, getting to spend some time with him and doing some of my favorite things!

What would your perfect day entail?

they let me shoot a gun

So I haven't really written much about the boy on my blog. But things are going amazingly well with him. We see each other as much as we can with both of our crazy work schedules. Really the whole him working night every other 4 weeks sucks and then with me being away for 6 weeks for work again this summer. Oh well - I think we are better with it than most because we both work unusual schedules so we understand the others. Anyway, I've never been in a relationship like this and it is exciting and kinda scary at the same time - but since I met him in January we've talked everyday and I love spending time with him. So he is kinda into guns - and a while back he mentioned taking me to the range. So last week him and his friends went and I joked with him that he needs to take me next time - I went skeet shooting once in college and had a blast, despite being horrible. But he was really excited I told him I wanted to go. So Monday after work we went and I shot a handgun for the first time. And it was SO much fun! 

He taught me the basics over dinner on what I should be doing and how to aim and such. And well I don't have the best hand/eye coordination so I wasn't sure how I'd do. But I was pretty pleased with myself. I first shot with a .22 - which was light and had no kick. Then after I got used to that he let me try the .9 which was a bit more of a beast. So I kept aiming higher than the bullseye - after my first few rounds I was only on the top half of the target - so instead of giving me a new target he turned it upside down. Haha! He was impressed with my skills and especially my form when shooting. So I had a great time and I can't wait to go again. Next time he wants to take me outdoors and with a rifle. 

I love this picture - my target is the one on the left and his is on the right. 

My targets - the one on the left is the one he turned upside down to get more use out of. The one on the right is later when I was using the .9. A little harder with that one!

original marker of DC

modern historical boundaries

So on Sunday Linds and I went on an adventure - she wanted to go to Old Towne Alexandria for a few things so we walked around heading into stores and had lunch. As we were along the waterfront I was pointing out places to Linds and somehow I mentioned that Alexandria used to be part of the original plans of DC. And I was like one of the 4 original cornerstones is at this little park not to far from here. So we went on a historical adventure to Jones Point Park. I found this gem during my GW Parkway adventure when I went to all the places on the parkway for my National Parks Passport!

So from 1791 to 1846 DC extended into Arlington/Alexandria and today there are 40 boundary markers around the original 100 square miles that used to be the district. So it was fun to have a historical adventure!

the small lighthouse at jones point - the marker is in the sea wall by the lighthouse.

gotta get my NPS sign - especially when I have a friend to take a picture!

Last Saturday I went to see Tim McGraw! I bought the MegaTicket package for 9 country concerts this summer and I'm so glad I did. While my ticket was for lawn seats - when they don't sell out the pavilion you can pay and extra $10 and get a seat. So I did that and because I was by myself I ended up with an awesome upgrade - I was in the front row of the 202 section! 

i <3 td="" tim="">

So that was a fun Saturday night! Plus on Saturday during the day I went to the Herndon Festival with the boy and a few of his friends. One of the couples hosted brunch and then we spent the afternoon enjoying music and walking around and just laughing. It was a fabulous day.

So glad it is almost the weekend - work has been rough and I need some me time before the crazy starts. I can't believe it is June! Time is flying by! What are your fun weekend plans?

recently

So I feel like many of my blogging friends who are just finding a hard time to blog anymore. I love blogging and recording my life and being able to look back on what I was thinking and doing, but I've just been spending so little time on my computer. I'm on a computer most of the day and just don't want to get on it when I'm home. But the last two weeks have been great!

Ali and I at Luke Bryan

I saw Luke Bryan with Florida Georgia Line and Thompson Square two weeks ago with two friends. And I don't mention it much on the blog but if you follow me on Twitter I think you have an idea of my love for Luke. And like always he doesn't disappoint. He is probably my favorite person live because he is SUCH an entertainer. He has such a stage presence and will lay down on stage so the people can get a photo with him or take their phone and take pictures of his amazing butt. Plus he shakes it the entire time he is on stage.

And I was also excited to see FL-GA Line! They are so fun, and Thompson Square is great live. I've seen them before and their chemistry is incredible!

Last week I was a busy girl after work - between seeing the boy a few nights, going for a long walk with Linds, getting to meet Patricia's puppy Millie and then seeing a college friend of mine who I haven't seen since Christmas. So it was a fun week of things after work, which is nice because I've been working a lot recently, so I need something fun after. Plus I'll be gone for almost 6 weeks this summer for work. Which I finally found out where I'm going! Wooooo!

I'll be in Colorado for almost 3 weeks! A few days getting acclimated to the site, a week of training and a week session. SO excited to be back in Colorado. I know I won't have much time for playing but I'm hoping I'll be able to get outside a little bit. Then I'll be in NJ for a week and then ending my travel with  2 weeks in Raleigh, NC. So loving that I'm getting to Colorado & NC!

So last weekend was fun - I went to Chestertown to celebrate Kaity's bachelorette. We had a hilarious night in Chestertown reliving our college days. We spent the afternoon at the park playing croquet and drinking sangria, had a walk downtown for the Tea Party celebrations. Where we ran into a professor - who I did research with in college on the Tea Party and did it really happen (most likely not) but it was published back in 2005 and a really cool experience. But he was with 2 friends and they had the article in the pamphlet my college printed to publicize the article and as he introduced us and talked about us in college, the one guy was like "oh, that's you!" when he was talking about the tea party. So that was really awesome! And then we went to our favorite pizza place and then after some drinking at the hotel headed to the bird for some fun. And it was a pretty funny night. You never know what will happen at the bird. Then on Sunday before we left I walked around campus a bit.

i love the chester river - the sultana going downriver

the ladies

yay WAC!

The rest  of the weekend was quiet which was nice. Sunday night I headed to my favorite local place - the rocks around Great Falls National Park where I sat and read for a few hours. I'll be going here about once a week when I can. The perfect way to end a crazy day. 

And speaking of crazy days - my coworkers trapping me in my cube today. When someone tried to move it one of the guys went NO! Don't let her escape. It was funny. Gotta keep entertained somehow!

another charleston weekend

So last weekend I took Friday off and I headed back down to Charleston for Amy's graduation. I was excited for another chance to get to Charleston. Pretty much twice in a month with my trip in April, and this trip made me miss Charleston terribly. I was super excited to help Amy and her classmates celebrate graduation and all their hard work the last two years. I guess because I lived there and was around for so much their first year and hung out with a few girls a lot. So here are some photos from the weekend!

Friday night the graduation ceremony -- their program is joint between Clemson and the College of Charleston. They graduated with the College of Charleston's Masters ceremony. 

Amy and I at the reception immediately after her graduation for her program. There were 13 of them who graduated with their MS in Historic Preservation. 

Friday night after the graduation fun her family - her parents came down and her brother has lived in Charleston (again) for the last 6 months with work - and I went to Middleton Place for dinner. It is one of the plantations outside of town near where we used to live and they have an amazing lowcountry dinner menu. I had the Pecan Smoked Pork chop - in a maple burbon sauce. With risotto and collards. Amazing! That is one of my favorite things about Charleston - the food! Everything we had was fabulous.  

So Saturday early afternoon we headed to Holy City Brewing where we stopped by for a tour and tasting. Their stout was fabulous! Chocolately and carmel! This mural just took me away - it is so gorgeous and whoever did it is amazing! 

 So after a relaxing start to the day we headed to Fenwick Hall. It is on the National Register and has a neat history. While it is privately owned, the owners have let the Historic Preservation program have access to the house to document it and use it as a living classroom. The owners also let the program throw their graduation party here! I was excited to go there after hearing so much about it last year after they were there all fall for classes.

One of the many gardens

favorite picture - view down the oak alee from the front doors

just hanging out 

Her classmates

with Pam, Julia and Amy - we all lived in the same apartment complex last year

Fenwick Hall

with some of the girls - liz, laurel & pam

After the afternoon party for families and everyone we headed to the house where a few of them live for a goodbye party. It reminded me of the few times we went there last year - golf cart rides around Charleston...

And on Sunday morning after a wonderful Mother's Day brunch Amy and her brother made we spent the afternoon on the beach. You know nothing makes me happier then spending time on Sullivan's Island! We also had dinner at Poe's which was fabulous and a perfect way to end the weekend.

I was up super early Monday morning - 3am - to drive to Columbia and then fly back to Dulles where I headed straight into work. Somehow I was still trucking and didn't leave work late anyway and when I got home I was sure I'd fall asleep on the couch watching tv. But nope. Tuesday was another story though!

Work has been busy this week - I forgot how crazy things are leading up to the summer! I've been going in around 8 and not leaving until 5:30 at the earliest, and it will only get worse. Conferences aren't even in session yet and I'm tired! But on Wednesday night I had the boy over and he finally got to meet one of my friends! Him and Patricia hit it off and we had a fun night - I cooked dinner and we just hung out and mostly laughed at me... Oh well! I can't wait for him to meet more of my friends - it just means we need to visit them or they need to come to VA!

I can't believe it is Friday already - this weekend is the LUKE BRYAN concert!!!! I am so excited :) he is my favorite! And I'm also excited to see Florida-Georgia Line and Thompson Square, but really I can't wait to see Luke shake it for 2 hours.

Any fun weekend plans?

california

So last week I went to California for Mary Jo's wedding! The trip was a little bit of a hot mess but I had a great time. So originally Patricia and I were headed out to San Diego on Thursday night after work (although the wedding was taking place closer to LA), staying with her family and exploring around San Diego, but heading up Saturday for the wedding, then flying back to DC Sunday.  Unfortunately due to her boyfriend's father passing away Patricia wasn't able to make the trip with me. I'm so used to solo travel that I decided to head out to Joshua Tree National Park for Friday night, stay with her sister still on Thursday and just find somewhere for Saturday night. I booked a rental car and a hotel. 

So Thursday night was a hot mess. Get on plane - all ready to go! Wooo, totally not looking forward to a 6 hour direct flight. Plane had computer problem, we de-board the plane, told new time was 8:30. Great, go sit down and read. At 8:00 the flight was cancelled - so I immediately call United and get switched to a 10:15 flight to San Fran (which I've ALWAYS wanted to go to), getting in at 1am and then a 6:00 flight to San Diego. Call Patricia's sister let her know I'm no longer needing to stay with her. Have a fun night of flying and getting a few hours of sleep in the hotel room they put me in before getting to San Diego at 7:45 am. But my luggage didn't make it. Now I'm lazy and I hate carting my suitcase through security and everything, plus I have status so yay free checked bags. The one time I don't put extra clothes (completely forgot) in my carryon! So suitcase would be in the airport around 12 - since I wasn't staying local it was easier for me to pick it up. 

So first order of business was to head to Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego. Where I finally caved into my NPS love and bought an annual pass! 

National Park Site #71! Wooooo!

Overlooking San Diego & Coronada

The Monument and lighthouse 

the lighthouse

tide pools

 So after my fun around Cabrillos I headed into San Diego and Coronado and went for a walk on the beach! And then after picking up my suitcase! Yay clean clothes! I met a high school friend Donna who just moved to San Diego last week for a walk on the beach and a late lunch. Before heading out to Joshua Tree.

Donna and I

 So the drive from San Diego to Joshua Tree should have been about 2.5 hours but Friday afternoon traffic in Cali took about 3.5 hours. Oh well - I enjoyed the later part of the drive going around the mountains and desert. And I made it to Joshua Tree right before the sun set - which was also gorgeous!

gorgeous

Sunset in Joshua Tree

 Saturday morning I was up super early - so I went to play before it got too hot! Joshua Tree is my 72nd NPS site and my 9th National Park! Wooo! Slowly getting there! And I loved it. There is something about the desert that I just am in love with. So different and unique. I drove around the park and did a small 2 mile hike and just had a great morning playing in nature. And being sad I didn't camp.

my favorite picture with the signs 

inside the park

on my hike

the rocks were just so neat! and big!

i really love the country.

Needed a picture of a Joshua Tree!

So my obsession with the National Parks has reminded me how amazing and diverse this country really is! I had a great time in the park and taking in as much as I could - I wanted to do a longer hike, but didn't have the time and it was HOT - just around 90 and super sunny. So I decided to pass on it.  So after my fun I drove towards LA - to Mary Jo's wedding. I couldn't go to the ceremony but her reception was great! Amazing venue, cute decorations and very MJ. I had fun meeting her family and just being so excited for one of my closest friends!

MJ and I

first dance

So it was a fun trip out to Cali, I'm glad I got to help MJ & Brian celebrate and had an adventure in the process. I needed a few days away and it was nice - plus 2 more National Parks! Had no problems getting home on Sunday. And now I'm in work mode - my coworkers started on Tuesday so lots of training for them and just getting ready for the summer. It is getting real now! And I'm back to Charleston on Friday for Amy's graduation! Busy, busy, busy!

How was your weekend?