Jul
2012
A mini summer vacation wknd means…
First things first. This month, I am making an effort to appreciate the simple things in life and show my gratitude. Today, I am thankful for the public library. Last week, I went online, reserved 4 books I was dying to read….and voila! They were already ready for pick-up today! It’s so nice….free….and easy. Thank goodness for libraries….and for summer reading too! (btw I just read sweet valley confidential- it’s sweet valley high ten yrs later, lol. random but I used to love those books! Ha)
And now onto A MINI SUMMER VACATION MEANS……
This past weekend, Jared and I took a mini-vacation. The thought behind this weekend was that it would be for pure-fun…no weddings, no races, no friends….just us and summertime. We also only wanted to be gone one night, so had to pick a place that was only a couple hours away. SOOOO….we spent the weekend in Santa Cruz!
It’s about an hour and a half from San Francisco. There’s a beach, there’s mountains, there’s sunshine, and there’s a really fun beach boardwalk. Even though I came home exhausted (was a go-go-go type weekend still…we forgot to relax), it still felt so much like summer….and I must say, I think I finally have a tan.
To me, summer vacation weekends means…..
1) The beach
Ah yes, we got plenty of beach time in this weekend. It was 83 degrees, which was perfect.
Beach boardwalk=summer
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2) Eating meals outside…and drinks too
This doesn’t look very appetizing, but it was AMAZING! Tofu with peanut sauce, spinach, and broccoli. I’m def making this at home.
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Look at that huge pour!
3) Ice cream on the beach
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4) Rollercoasters and carnival games!
a kid at heart…
Log ride= soaking wet
Roallercoaster
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Post roller coaster….check out my huge eyes!
My prize….souvenir for Charlie
5) Hotel breakfasts
I’m really weird (admittedly) in that I absolutely love the crappy free breakfasts at little hotels. Jared and my parents think I’m crazy and would much rather go out for a nice brunch (think belgian waffles and omelets), but I have a weird thing for hotel breakfasts. Can’t explain it. Don’t judge.
6) Going somewhere new and touristy
We went to Roaring Camp Railroads, which is an old 1880s style town with trains that take you through the redwoods. I grew up in Cali so am used to the redwoods, but it’s a really nice thing to do especially if you’re not from here.
This dog loved the train rid
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Uh oh, what’s going on here?
Our train got held up by some wild west bandits!
There was even a shoot out…..
and a few dead guys…
But pretty soon, we were back on our way
hiking in the woods
and eating bbq
Anyways, we spent two full days on our summer mini-wknd and got home sunburned/tan, tired, and happily exhausted. My weekend didn’t include working out, sleeping in, or eating enough veggies…..oops.
—What things do you like to include in summer vacation weekends?
— Do you use the library? Or prefer to buy books?
–Any weekend trips coming up?
Alex @ therunwithin
July 3, 2012 at 7:10 am (351 days ago)Jealous of that trip, I recently found a new love for the public library after having no internet or cable for a month. I don’t know but that tofu looks delicious!
Rebecca
July 3, 2012 at 10:29 am (351 days ago)I didn’t have internet for a while too and found that the library’s internet speed is MUCH faster than the free internet at Starbucks….a total score!
sprint2thetable
July 3, 2012 at 8:00 am (351 days ago)That is one fun-filled mini-vacation! I’m a huge fan of eating outside too. It’s just too hot to do there here right now! I’m going to park it in the pool this weekend.
Rebecca
July 3, 2012 at 10:28 am (351 days ago)A pool weekend sounds fabulous!
Richard
July 3, 2012 at 8:33 am (351 days ago)I want that weekend. How fun. Love the food even tofu with PB. Charlie would love the train.
Rebecca
July 3, 2012 at 10:28 am (351 days ago)He sure would….I was wishing he was there
healthcraved
July 3, 2012 at 9:23 am (351 days ago)wow this looks fun! santa cruz looks so beautiful, I hope I get the chance to go there someday. my weekend trips are usually to memphis or new orleans (I live in mississippi, so I’m right in between the two) they’re also really fun but they sure do put a dent in the wallet
Rebecca
July 3, 2012 at 10:28 am (351 days ago)ooh, I’ve never been to New Orleans and really want to go. It’s in my top 5 list
Brittany
July 3, 2012 at 9:51 am (351 days ago)Hey, I live in Santa Cruz! It was gorgeous this past weekend. And my parents were actually doing the train robberies when you were there! I can actually see my dad in one of the pictures, small world! Glad you had a good vacation here.
Rebecca
July 3, 2012 at 10:27 am (351 days ago)Haha! Such a small world!! Your parents were the volunteer people doing the shootout thing at Roaring Camp? That’s so funny! I love Santa Cruz— lucky that you live there
Alyssa (pb and oatmeal)
July 3, 2012 at 11:10 am (351 days ago)That looks like so much fun! I’m jealous!
Kim @ Living, Laughing & Losing
July 3, 2012 at 1:11 pm (351 days ago)Looks like you had a great time! My boyfriend are heading to North Carolina for this long holiday weekend!
eatpraytri
July 3, 2012 at 3:05 pm (351 days ago)I have had two weekend trips in a row now and I am TIRED! LOL. Ready for a weekend at home finally! I love all of your beach pics and that pic of the dog on the train! Funny.
Luv What You Do
July 3, 2012 at 8:10 pm (351 days ago)I am so jealous of your get away! We have a few weekend trips to Wisconsin planned which I love. It is always so relaxing. I am a big fan of buying books on Amazon. I always have a long ‘to read’ list and love the feel of a book in my hands!