Visiting the Quail Botanical Gardens

I had another fun-packed weekend spending time with friends, going to yoga, volunteering, BBQing (well, eating at a BBQ!), and hiking. Since I was also in Oceanside for a meeting, I decided to swing by the Quail Botanical Gardens and tour around. The gardens are in Encinitas. I saw all sorts of beautiful and interesting trees and flowers, cool mosaic garden art, and, of course, quail! Here are a few pictures from my afternoon there.

Hiking in Will Rogers State Historic Park

Although the third weekend in August was fun for a lot of reasons (Salt Creek Beach with Eva and Julie, Cam's 2nd bday party, Nicole's 30th bday party, etc.) I was especially excited because I was able to go hiking somewhere new: Will Rogers State Historic Park in LA. Britt and I toured Will Rogers' house and then hiked on the Inspiration Loop trail to Inspiration Point. I'm including a picture, but I don't know why, because I look terrible (Britt, on the other hand, looks super cute, as always!). If it weren't so hazy, you'd be able to see Santa Monica and the ocean behind us. Darn smog!

Camping in the Sierras

Last weekend I flew up to Fresno (yes, Fresno!) and met up with my dear friend, Susan, and her husband, Marcus. I met Susan while studying abroad in England in 1999 and we've remained friends ever since. When we were still in college we traveled through Europe together, went on Spring Break in Puerto Vallarta, and visited each other in Ohio/New York, where I lived, and Texas, where she lived. But...after college our lives got busier and, as sad as it is to say, we didn't see each other for seven years! Now she and Marcus live in California and we were able to have a long-overdue reunion. We're all avid campers and hikers, so we took to the hills! We went on three hikes, swam in a waterfall and creek in our campgrounds, and thoroughly enjoyed finally catching up with each other in person. I can't wait until they visit me in SoCal (hint, hint, Susan and Marcus!).

Carrie & Susan on the Lewis Creek Trail in the Sierra Nat'l Forest

Carrie & Susan Roasting Marshmellows at the
Summerdale Campground in the Sierra Nat'l Forest

Susan & Carrie at the Beginning of the Chilnualna Falls Trail in Yosemite

Susan & Carrie at Chilnualna Falls in Yosemite

Carrie, Susan, & Marcus on the Shadow of the Giants Trail in the Sierra Nat'l Forest

Pageants & Showers

On Friday night Ryan and Nicole took me, along with their families, to the Festival of the Arts and Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach. This year's theme is "All the World's a Stage" and the show was amazing, again, as usual. I love how perfectly the music, narration, and art combine. And, I love my wonderful friends who generously bring me along to events like this!


On Saturday morning I went to Nicole's baby shower, and let me tell you, this was the nicest, most fancy, and most classy baby shower I have ever been to. It was like a wedding, but it was a baby shower. Janae did the most amazing job hosting it. She is my inspiration for all future hosting duties. First of all, the shower was held at Janae's parents' house, which was overlooking the ocean in Laguna Beach--beautiful! Janae and her mom had decorated the chairs, tables, and event area so meticulously. The food was delicious--and the cake, oh my, the cake, was heavenly! Janae gifted attendees with the most beautiful homemade jewelry pieces (made by her!). You can check out her creations at http://www.jjems.biz/ (and I suggest that you do!). The whole event was fun and special. I am so excited to meet Miss Olivia Grace B. when she makes her debut sometime around September 13:-)

Janae, Nicole, and Me

The main flower arrangement at the baby shower!