Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Around our anniversary we decided to go back and visit Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (where we drove through on the way home from Joshua Tree).


We are so glad we went back to spend a day. We could have stayed longer!





There are so many different hikes and places to explore. One of the hikes we went to reminded us a lot of Mushroom Caves in that some of the paths were very narrow.

Every where we looked was another beautiful backdrop.

The flowers were just starting to make their appearance, but hadn't quite fully bloomed yet.

There were also a lot of trails that required off-roading.


I highly recommend if you are ever in the area! We hope to go back again to explore more of their trails, and maybe camp for a longer stay.

San Clemente and Taylor's Graduation Party

My cousin Taylor just recently graduated with his electrical engineering degree! Eric and I were excited to go up and visit for his graduation party, and my Aunt Janet was so kind to let us stay in the San Clemente house for the weekend.

Life has been very busy lately so it was really nice to get away for a weekend without having to plan a big trip.

We went out to eat at a favorite spot, the Fisherman's Restaurant. Beautiful scenery on the water and delicious fresh seafood.


We took a walk along the pier and watched the surfers.


It was a little too cold to swim but that didn't stop anyone from enjoying the beach.

Sunday we headed up to Los Angeles for Taylor's graduation party. It was great to catch up with family. It had been years since I had seen my cousin Sean or his wife Katie!

My Aunt Janet and Uncle Terry have a beautiful house with the best outdoor space. Everything always looks so professionally done, but they do it themselves. They make it all look so easy!

The food was incredible, as always. They really know how to throw a good party.

The best part was getting some time to talk with so much family. Uncle Terry told Eric and I about all the projects they have going on, and about the importance of always pushing yourself to learn something new. I even got to sit down with Aunt Janet for a while and have a great conversation with her in the midst of her hostessing.

We had such a great time and love being so much closer to these guys! Thank you Aunt Janet and Uncle Terry, and congratulations Taylor!!

Weekend in San Clemente

My aunt was so nice to offer to let us stay at their little vacation house in San Clemente for the weekend, which was much closer to them for their Halloween party. It was so fun to get away for a couple days and explore a new place. Eric had never been and it had been many years since I've been.



The house is in such a great location in the middle of everything, and it was so cute!



As soon as we got to the water, all the memories flooded back to me from the time I had visited many years before. This is where my sister and I tried surfing for the first and only time (hopefully again someday soon!).



We took a walk along the pier, which was lined with people fishing. I know Eric wishes he could have cast out a line or two.









We stopped to eat at Fishermans Restaurant on the pier. It's such a beautiful place, we could literally see the waves crashing on the beach through the boards below us.



And the food was fantastic - Eric got the fish and chips while I got the fish tacos.



After lunch we took a walk along the beach to look for something to add to our rock garden.









I couldn't leave without putting a penny on the train tracks - another memory I have from when we were here last.



Then we went to take a walk around town before it was time to leave.









San Clemente is such a beautiful, charming town. It is the best place for a weekend getaway. Thank you so much for letting us stay Aunt Janet!