A Californian Adventure

The half way point at Glacier Point, Yosemite

This was one of my favourite holidays, for all sorts of reasons. We flew into Las Vegas, hired a car, and drove through Death Valley, to Yosemite, to Sonoma, and San Francisco, before driving down Highway 1 to San Diego and, finally, flying home after a few nights in LA. I had the BEST time. Each place we visited had it's own landscape, food and atmosphere and our daily routine changed with each city. 

Here are some of my favourite memories:

• Stargazed in Death Valley and Yosemite
• Watched the sunset over the Grand Canyon
• Drove an automatic car on the 'wrong side' of the road
• Pulled a one-arm bandit in Las Vegas
• Cycled along Venice boardwalk
• Scuba dived in La Jolla's magical underwater kelp forests 
• Hiked until my feet blistered in Yosemite National Park
• Screamed on the Giant Dipper in Santa Cruz, followed by a snacking on a corn dog 
• Escaped from Alcatraz National Park
• Visited Hollywood Bowl to watch an anniversary screening of Back to the Future, with the original score played by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra
• Got a parking ticket in Venice for parking facing the wrong direction
• Spied a little brown bear eating his dinner from brambles in Yosemite
• Watched Cirque du Soleil's Mystere  
• Cycled across the Golden Gate Bridge 
• Posed next to Route 66 signs in Seligman, Arizona
• Cheered for San Francisco Giants at their bayfront stadium, against San Diego Padres
• Kissed at the top of Santa Monica pier's Ferris wheel
• Paddled in the Pacific Ocean at California's beautiful beaches
• Slipped on rock at Huntington Falls in Golden Gate Park (and walked around with a soggy bum)
• Ordered expensive steaks which were carved table side at Carnevino in Las Vegas
• Stumbled upon an in-store (mewithoutyou) at San Francisco's Amoeba Records
• Watched dolphins jumping in and out the water from Carmel beach
• Shopped in Beverly Hills and squealed a little in front of the Beverley Wilshire 
• Cracked open a rock crab on Santa Barbara's Stearn's Wharf
• Ordered off-menu Animal fries at In-N-Out Burger
• Celebrated 4th July with San Diego's Big Bay Boom fireworks display
• Went to a gig (Soak, The Echo in Los Angeles)
• Snacked on dim sum in San Francisco's Chinatown
• Mixed a souvenir cup cocktail at the Purple Zebra in Las Vegas
• Toured a vineyard (Sanford Winery, from Sideways!)
• Walked down Bubblegum Alley in San Louis Obispo
• Ordered dinner at some of San Francisco and LA's amazing food trucks
• Admired McWay Falls
• Toasted marshmallows for s'mores under the stars at El Capitan Canyon
• Ate a burritto in San Francisco's Mission District
• Sampled some of Sonoma county's pinot noirs and chardonnay... and pinot gris... and sparkling...
• Queued to see the pandas at San Diego Zoo
• Scoffed doughnuts at San Diego's 'Donut Bar' (Creme brule, maple bacon, and boston cream. Fit.)
• Watched waves crash into the cliffs along Big Sur's coastline 
• Ate BBQ food at LA's 97 year old Grand Central Market
• Laughed at seals, sealions, and elephant seals
• Stood on the outside of an historic cable car up and down San Francisco's hills 
• Camped in Panamint Springs, Death Valley, after day time temperatures of 120F
• Watched surfers ride the waves, including my very own surfer on his first lesson in Venice
• Took in the views at the top of Mammoth Mountain in Mammoth Lakes
• Guzzled local craft brews and visited breweries and tap rooms
• Snapped a photograph of Bixby Bridge
• Explored the International Surfing Museum in Huntington Beach
• Saw the lone cypress on Pebble Beach's 17 mile scenic drive
• Posed in front of the Hollywood sign in Griffith Park

NOLA-mber: Presentations, Pecans & Po-Boys

I am just back from a four night work trip to New Orleans where I attended a research conference. It was a really great conference which provided a (much needed) enthusiasm and confidence boost for my research. New Orleans had hosted the same annual conference two years ago and I was lucky enough to attend then, too. I was excited to go back and take better advantage of being in this vibrant city. 

 

I ate my fill of pralines and pecan pie, dipped in and out of bars with live music, went to a fantastic jazz brunch, admired the pretty (and the bizzare) in little antique stores in the French Quarter, had a po-boy, went for a morning stroll down Bourbon Street (having witnessed it on a Saturday night last time!) and took a trip to the Garden District on the traditional St. Charles street car. Honestly, I did attend conference sessions - I even presented! I had tried to travel light and didn't take my SLR camera but I still managed to snap away using my phone.

I really enjoyed the chance to visit New Orleans again. I wish M had been able to take the time off to come with me - I think he'd have really enjoyed it. It also gave me the time to think and make plans, generally. The two 16 hour journeys alone left more than enough time to reevaluate various things that have happened over the past couple of months and to get excited about future plans. Sometimes, the thing you need most is some time to yourself, to see new and exciting things. This reminded me of Kaplan and Kaplan's research on restorative environments and the need for us to be fascinated, as a way of overcoming fatigue. They consider natural environments, but New Orleans fascinated me. The trip was a break from routine and the long to-do lists and gave me opportunities to renew my enthusiasm for my work, and for my life in general. Thanks, NOLA!

2012: A Year in Review

Inspired by Rebecca at Florence Finds, I decided to spend a couple of hours looking back over the highs, and making my peace with the lows, of 2012. Here are some of the little pieces that made me happy this year. I hope when I come back to this space I'm reminded how full 2012 was!

 

January

Me jumping at the top of Kerið

In January, we travelled to Iceland, staying in CenterHotel Thingholt, Reykjavik. We did a Golden Circle tour visiting volcanic crators, Gulfoss waterfall, geysirs, Þingvellir National Park and the Blue Lagoon. We had one of the most amazing meals at the Lobster House, got tipsy in Islenski barrin, and warmed up with hot chocolates in the colourful Laundromat Cafe. Here you can do your laundry downstairs, if the mood so takes you.

 

March

Birthday celebrations with a family walk and picnic in beautiful Tatton Park, followed by a meal out and Beatles themed cocktails at Hard Days Night Hotel.

April

Sea Odyssey, Liverpool. April 2012

Liverpool is a great city, always offering something to its residents and visitors. One weekend in April two rather large tourists came to visit. The 30 foot tall little girl Giant and her 50 foot Uncle in a diving suit wandered around the streets of Liverpool, brought to life by Royal de Luxe company. The Sea Odyssey Giant Spectacular was part of the Titanic memorial events in the city. We had lots of fun chasing the giants through the city. Amazing.

 

May

I've not spent much time with M's old school friends. So, a group of us rented a cottage in the Cotswolds for a long weekend. It was good to get to know his friends better over long walks, complete with a near death sinking inquick clay(?) experience, an unexpected and excellent Gurkha meal, and a 1920's speakeasy murder mystery (not guilty).

 

June

In June, M and I had a week in Andalucia, Spain. We took this photograph before we scrambled downhill and relaxed in a little cove at the Spanish Lake District at Ardales Park.

 

July

Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom Fireworks. July 2012.

In July, me, M, my mum and brother had a two week holiday in Orlando, Florida. We rented a villa with its own pool and did all the theme parks, shopped and indulged in naughty food. It was Mr.'s first time to Orlando's theme parks and I think he fell for Disney's magic charms!

 

August

My lovely mum's not had an easy time of it the past 10 years or so but our friendship has developed throughout, perhaps as a consquence of what's happened. In August, Mum and I spent a few days in Harrogate, visiting Betty's tea rooms and the Turkish baths. I hope we get to do more trips like this in 2013.

In August, we also celebrated our One year as a Mr and Mrs! Me and M celebrated in a gorgeous little cottage in Dentdale and had a great meal at Holbeck Ghyll's Michelin starred restauraunt in the Lake District. I can't believe how quickly the time passed by, but this weekend away gave us both a chance to reflect on our year as a Mr. and Mrs. and make plans for the years ahead.

 

September

A night exploring Bath with M and relaxing at the Thermea Spa, before a week of tennis, bike riding, mini golf, (more) murder mystery fun, and just generally catching up with good friends in CenterParcs, Longleat.

October

Eiffel Tower. Oct 2012 (Edited on Picassa)

As an anniversary gift, M organised a short weekend trip to Paris in October. We stayed at Mr. and Mrs. Smith recommended hotel, Hôtel des Académies et des Arts. This art hotel in Paris' Left Bank was perfect and we spent the weekend exploring, riding the batobus, visiting the Eiffel Tower, Sacre Coeur, Notre Dame and of course, Laduree! We also spent time walking through beautiful gardens and street markets, as I search my brain to remember what I learned in French A-level lessons.

November

In November, I was fortunate to attend a research conference in San Diego with a friend from work. It was good to have an opportunity to talk about my research, and San Diego was amazing. We stayed in the Gaslamp area, and everywhere we went there was a really chilled atmosphere and lots to do. Between conference related stuff, my friend and I made a stop at San Diego Zoo, introducing ourselves to this gorgeous guy! To top it off, my friends' beautiful baby girl was born the day after I returned home.

 

December

Royal Albert Hall, London. 2012

December was the month of visiting Christmas markets in Liverpool, London and Nuremberg. We had a weekend trip to London and, after admiring window displays, we went to see Jools Holland and his Rhythmn and Blues Orchestra in the Royal Albert Hall. I also visited a good friend in Germany. Then, Christmas! Christmas day no#3 happened yesterday as we hosted our first Christmas in our own home for both of our families. It was such a lovely day. We decided against the stress of a sit down meal and opted for a table piled high with buffet food and Christmas treats. Christmas music playing, Christmas tree lights glowing and all our favourite faces!

I'm fairly certain we had some sort of fun in February, but I can't think what we did! Perhaps this will get updated when my memory returns.

Today is the last day of 2012, and as I reflect on the past year I feel very lucky to have experienced all this in 12 months. I hope 2013 comes with its own adventures, and I know there's a few special dates in the diary already. Come on 2013, we're ready for ya!