Category Archives: Weekend Getaways
The Power of Perspective
What do you do when you’re floating in a state of indecision? Take a road trip to a middle of nowhere desert, almost run out of gas, find the only station within a hundred mile radius, meet a cashier named Carol that moved to that almost-town for love and then drive home with a new appreciation for things like paved roads.
Never underestimate the power of perspective.
A Boulder Pit Stop
When people ask where I’m from, I generally tell them I’m from Vegas. Which is sort of true. I lived in Las Vegas for several years before I left Nevada. On the other hand, I didn’t actually grow up in Las Vegas. I grew up in a small suburb just outside of Vegas called Boulder City.
It’s this little town where everyone knows everyone, and your parents let you run around outside on your own at a pretty young age. I didn’t realize it at the time (as my whole purpose in life from about the age of 10 was to leave), but I was pretty lucky to have grown up there. The same things that I hated about it were the same things that were great about it.
Like the part where everyone knows everyone. I hated that. Everyone knew me. Everyone knew my brother. Everyone knew my parents. And there was a good chance everyone knew our business, too. I longed to reinvent myself as anything other than ‘Trevor’s little sister’ or ‘the smart, shy girl’. But that’s how it was. They knew all about you, and that was that. What I didn’t realize was that because everyone knew me, everyone pretty much watched out for me, too. I had a lot of freedom to run around that little town without my parents worrying too much about where I was at or who I was with. I lived my life without much fear of the dreaded ‘stranger danger’. I walked everywhere. I rode my bike everywhere. I lived on the same street for the first 18 years of my life, and literally knew everyone there.
After I graduated high school, I moved to Vegas and pretty much left Boulder City behind. At first, I would go back to visit my parents. But once they moved, I stopped going altogether. So, last week, when I was in Vegas visiting family, I made a point to go back. I met up with Carrie, one of my best friends from high school, and we drove to Boulder City to check out the sites.
Of course, it took us all of 15 minutes to see the sites. The city hasn’t much changed. It’s still tiny. The biggest difference? It would seem the library moved locations, and the old library building is now the senior center. (I know. Pretty Earth-shattering, isn’t it?) We drove down my old street and stopped to check out the tiny house I grew up in. The new owner’s haven’t changed much. Same yellow siding with white trim. And then we stopped for dinner at the Pit Stop. We reminisced over our favorite burgers and fry sauce.
Yep. It was a lovely afternoon. Good friends. Good conversation. Topped off with a trip down memory lane. All in all — good stuff.
Vegas Vacation
Things were a little quiet around here last week (on the blog, that is). That’s because I was in Vegas!
For the first time, I actually gave myself time to enjoy the trip. My usual trips to Vegas last a day or two, and I’m gone as quickly as I appear. Inevitably, those short trips always left me feeling guilty — there was always someone I didn’t spend enough time with (or didn’t see at all).
Did I mention that I’m originally from Vegas? Yeah, I grew up there. So this wasn’t some crazy, binge-drinking week of partying. It was a trip to visit friends and family.
Given our impending move to Seattle and the fact that Seattle is way further from Vegas than Pasadena (where I live now), I decided to take a slightly longer trip than my usual. I drove up on Tuesday and left on Friday.
As I tend to forget to use my camera whenever I go to Vegas, I made a point to take pictures this time. I did pretty well, with a few unfortunate exceptions. For instance, I stayed with my grandparents during my visit. And, wouldn’t you know? I didn’t take any pictures with them (or of them). I’m really disappointed about that. Oh well, I suppose that gives me another excuse to go back soon.
I spent the week visiting with my brother, my sister-in-law, my grandparents, a few awesome friends and, of course, my absolute favorite niece and nephew in the world.
I still don’t feel like I spent enough time there. I suppose when you grow up in a place, there are always people you wish you could hang out with more. That said, the trip was still great! (I miss you all already.)
Below is a collage of some of my favorite pics from the trip. If you’d like to see a larger view, click on the photo.
Vegas, Baby!
No, I wasn’t I wasn’t in Vegas drinking and gambling (though I’ve always wondered how different the place would be if I were a tourist).
I went to Las Vegas this weekend to visit my family – I grew up there. Even though I live fairly close, the drive sucks. I don’t visit as often as I should (or would like), so I took advantage of some free time this weekend and headed out. The weekend flew by, and it was a fun couple of days! (Though I wish I’d had more time to see everyone.)
I headed out on Saturday morning and arrived at my grandparent’s house around noon. I chatted and caught up with them the next few hours, then headed over to my sister-in-law’s house for some girl talk and appetizers. I took a moment to raid her closet and admire her burgeoning shoe collection. I even walked away with a fabulous new pair of my own – super cute, peep toe, patent leather, wedge Mary Jane’s. You’ve got to love ‘em!
After a full dose of girl talk, I headed to my brother’s house to hang out with him and his girlfriend – and my absolute favorite niece and nephew in the world. (Okay, so they’re my only niece and nephew, but even if they weren’t, they would still be my favorites!) You have to agree; they are adorable. We played golf (or something like it) in the backyard, then headed to Buffalo Wild Wings for what else…but wings. Okay, I actually had a veggie burger, but everyone else had wings. The kids serenaded me with their rendition of “Low” (Flow Rida featuring T-Pain).
Apparently, these eight and four year olds keep up with their hip-hop. We went back to their house for ice cream cones before the kids were off to bed. I chatted with Trevor and Brandy for a while, then realized I was late to meet my friend, Lisa, for her celebration of returning to singlehood. I threw on something other than my blue velour sweats and rushed off to meet her.
When I arrived at the bar, Lisa was d-runk. It was fabulous and too funny, and we had a great time catching up. After Dick’s we headed to Susan’s house and spent the rest of the night chatting. I got back to my grandparent’s house way late and crashed in bed after tip-toeing into the house in an attempt not to wake anyone up (I don’t think I succeeded).
Sunday morning I spent talking with my grandparents. I don’t get to talk with them near enough, and it was great to catch up. I was supposed to visit my friend, Carrie, but the time flew by, and before I knew it, it was time to drive home. (Carrie, I promise to make this up to you next time!)
I was so tired when I got home, I nearly fell asleep waiting in line at the grocery store. What a busy but fabulous weekend!
photo credit: James Marvin Phelps
Girlfriend Getaway
Carrie and Christy needed to get away from it all, so they headed over to Los Angeles for some fun in the sun (and to visit me)! I welcomed them to L.A. with hugs, some of the hottest weather of the year and raging wildfires.
From the airport, we headed straight to the Getty Center. (I wanted to prove that L.A. does, in fact, have culture.) We drove in circles for a while as I attempted to chat with the girls, watch the road and listen to the GPS. I’m pretty good at doing two things at a time. Three? Not so much. I can drive and talk or drive and listen – but put all three together, and well…the GPS lost most of the time. After a lovely tour of Inglewood and some other pleasant areas in L.A., I finally managed to figure out where we were going. At the Getty, we saw some art, took in the amazing views (complete with added fire-smog) and strolled the gardens.
I made the girls starve because we were supposed to meet Steven for lunch. By the time we got back to Pasadena, Steven forgot and already ate. But we made him come to the Novel Cafe and watch us eat anyhow.
That evening we headed out to Malibu to watch the sunset from a beautiful beach. Chloe Sue (the GPS) helped us avoid rush hour traffic. Translation: she sent us all around town and managed to make what would have been an hour and half drive (traffic included) turn into a two and a half hour drive. But hey, we never hit traffic, right? Of course, we also never made it to the beach for that sunset. Christy did take some lovely pictures through the car windows as the sun crept below the horizon. Luckily, we happened upon a cute 50’s diner at the Malibu pier, and thanks to Carrie’s ability to carry cash, they allowed us to park.
Saturday was hot, hot, hot. Instead of the planned Runyon Canyon hike (with no shade), we were off to Santa Monica. We clowned around on the pier, wandered the Third Street Promenade and did some shopping (Christy made an emergency curtain purchase). Since it was so fun the day before, we decided again to starve and wait until we got back to Pasadena to eat. We had lunch at an Italian restaurant in Old Town called Mia Piace. Yes, it was worth the wait. Yum-O. (Carrie even made us stay extra to ensure we received our second order of bread.)
That night, we headed to the Pantages Theater in Hollywood to see Legally Blonde the musical. Seriously, what’s a girl’s getaway without an overdose of pink? The show was fab-u-lous. I laughed the whole time and couldn’t stop uttering, “Omigod you guys!”
Then, suddenly, it was Sunday. Was the end of the weekend already here? We had planned a classy brunch at my house (complete with mushroom frittata, French toast, warm bagels and fresh juice) and a tour through one of the stunning botanical gardens nearby. However, Pasadena totally smoked us out. We opted instead for lunch at the Beverly Center, house hunting in Beverly Hills (scary realtor an extra perk) and shopping on Rodeo Drive. (I may have insulted the jeweler at Tiffany’s by exclaiming his $43,000 engagement ring was tacky.)
It was fabulous, it was fun, and it was totally girlie. I can’t wait for the next trip!
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