New Jersey, New York City, New Adventures.

I was scrolling through my Instagram feed on June 14th, when I saw that my friend Samantha was posting photos from South Padre (THE BEACH <3).  Jelly me commented "Soo fun! I wanna go next time!! 😋" .... and continued scrolling. 

The next afternoon, my phone dings- I look and see a message from Samantha.  "I'm planning a trip to NJ & NYC, wanna come!?" (I said HECC yeesssssss) 

--- 07/31

We arrived at Newark airport, and headed to Mahwah, NJ - where we'd be staying most nights.

Had the YUMMIEST dinner at a legit 'New Jersey diner' - where we would end up becoming regulars for the week, LOL. 

We drove around and explored a bit, learning SO MUCH about NJ history.  (v cool)

-had the BEST quiche of my life, toooooo.

Then headed out to Flanders, NJ- where a relative of Samantha's has a GORGEOUS home out in the woods.  It was SO lush, so GREEN!  Oh, also, there were black bears meandering around the yard.  (not. kidding.  that was so cool to see) 🐻

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Next was a day trip out to Long Branch, followed by Seaside Heights- where we walked along the boardwalk, enjoyed delicious seafood and ice cream that melted SO, SO. FAST.  

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The rest of the afternoon we got our suntanning on at this GORGEOUS house on the bay. 

I mean. <3 

 

NEW YORK CITY

Okay y'all.  I had been to Manhattan a few times, but this was my first Top of the Rock tour.

💯 MUST.  So worth the breathtaking view, I could have spent hours up there. 

We walked a total of 25+ miles in the city and had a blast exploring Central Park, Little Italy, Union Square, Grand Central Station and more. 

last but not least...

I know I'm so late to this party but I discovered acai bowls in NYC and now I'm so addicted. 😂

tha ayend. (read in southern accent)

$$$an Francisco

A week long vacation in the most expensive city in the US? 😅

I took this as a challenge and attempted to super budget and see how little I could spend all week. (LOL @ ME)  Let's not talk about my failures, tho... 

📆 Sunday, 06/24 

My flight landed at SFO half past noon.  On the way to my hotel, I saw not one, not two, but THREE naked humans, and spent 90 minutes in traffic.  I prayed this was not how the next week would go.  LOL.    After dropping bags at the hotel, grabbing something to eat at WholeFoods (my loooove <3), we explored downtown a bit.  Holy HILLS. 

📆 Monday, 06/25

My friend and I arrived at Yosemite after a 3 hour drive of belting out ALL "The Greatest Showman" soundtracks. (best movie everrrr). 

Oh. My. Eyeballs.  😍

We didn't do much hiking, maybe 45 minutes of it?  HAH! But the drive to Glacier Point was the best decision made all week.  LORT.

I could have sat up here for hours and hours, and probably more hours. 

📆 Tue & Wed 06/26-27

The next two days are kinda JUMBLED UP in my mind because we just walked all over and explored every street. Ghirardelli Square and Pier 39, Chinatown, Lombard St and more...  

Also PLOT TWIST on Wednesday I decided to change my flight to Sacramento instead of back home hahaha. (YAY for visiting family I hadn't seen in 4 years omg best time 😭)

📆 Thursday, 06/28

FYI; 3 hours of walking on really loose sand will make your calves SO sore if you're not used to that.  :P

The beach was GORGEOUS and freezing.  

We came across SO many perfectly intact sand dollars. 

There's just something about the sound of waves crashing into the sand <3

📆 Friday 06/29

Last full day in San Francisco, we had ONE mission.  Get a BOMB-A$$ photo of the bridge.

I think I crushed it, idk. 😏

(we also discovered the "Twin Peaks" that day, two hills that have the most gorgeous city skyline view. (See blog header photo) 

And that's a WRAP!  

-f

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Blogging is sooo 2005...

Yet here I am, typing one...

                              and there you are, reading it? 

Hahaha.  What have I done?  

I've tallied the votes, drafted the posts, made the commitment and I'm jumping in with my two left feet. 

Check back soon for blogs of my travels, beautiful photography and funny stories.

-f

PS: xoxo @ everyone who said I shouldn't blog