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?