Best Food Jordan’s hot chicken sammie is one of my faves and won the cookoff! / In N Out after a killer hike / anything at Gracias Madre / vegan Frosty with fries / …and their vegan soft serve / I’ve ordered Cookie Lab‘s upgrade, salted caramel pecan, and white chocolate pumpkin cookies. Can you tell I’m obsessed? Best Beverages I’m going to Ventura this … Continue reading Best of Late Summer/Early Fall 2020
Things aren’t quite back to normal. I’m still teaching from home as I work in a city with the most cases in our county. However, I was able to sneak away for the weekend. To be honest, all my friends and hiking groups have been posting pictures of Zion. I didn’t go last year because Angels Landing and the Narrows seemed to extreme. Spoiler: they’re … Continue reading Fall Road Trip: Zion National Park
Well, here we are. 100 days into… whatever you want to call it at this point. There’s the usual stuff, hiking on my own and a couple of friends. We found the “goats at work” on the Turtle Rock trail. Other hikes: O’Neill Regional Park and Portuguese Bend Nature Preserve. There are no more Zoom happy hours, except with those who are actually long distance. … Continue reading June Recap: In Between Times (& San Diego Camping)
January 1st Tried parts of a smoked apple fritter from J.D. Flannel. Hiked 10.4 miles to Sitton Peak faster and more fearless than before. Hell’s Kitchen wasn’t open. January 2nd Laid in bed exhausted. Did some yoga. Co-workers’ boyfriends cooked food. I drank a whole bottle of wine. Hope I didn’t do anything stupid. January 3rd Hungover. Mom coined my back, I took Advil and … Continue reading 2020 & January Intentions
In past Octobers, I’ve been to the Eastern Sierras and New Mexico for some of the most relaxing trips. Last year in October, I spent a 3-day weekend in Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear. I’m a PSL basic b*tch but now I’m into apple cinnamon everything instead. Somehow, I’m being more responsible with my funds and I’m going to a destination wedding next month and … Continue reading Sunday Bests: Leaf Chasing & Pumpkin Carving
Unbeknownst to many, I’ve had a house guest for over a month and it was, at times, miserable. I’m particular – I need quiet afternoons for naps and working out, and I’m a bit of a neat freak. When my guest left on Friday morning, I felt relief. I had taken the day off, slept in, and cleaned intensely. Then it was off to a … Continue reading Monday Bests: Labor Day Weekend in Sequoia
Last year, a couple of friends and I took a late summer trip to Temecula wine country. We decided to go again this year and maybe annually. Our first stop was Miramonte Winery for their VIP tour and tasting, which we bought off Groupon. Afterwards, we went to our favorite Peltzer Winery for a tasting. They had $15 (instead of $20) tastings for teachers. We … Continue reading Sunday Bests: Wine & Whiny
Santa Monica – I intended to join the SoCal Stair Climbers but hit traffic. I ended up walking around anyways, stopping at Stout for a beer and shared fries. Mani/pedi and some Olipop – I had Friday off so I got some things taken care of. Our local Red Rock Canyon – In the evening, I took a quick hike. It got dark fast! Joanna … Continue reading Sunday Bests: Summer Days
Stop in Las Vegas I made a quick stop at the Seven Magic Mountains, an art installation on the way to Vegas. For lunch, I popped into Toast Society Cafe, co-owned by Rachael’s Good Eats. It was a gorgeous space with good service. The avocado toast was beautiful but tasted okay. I’ve eaten a lot of avo toast. St. George It got hotter and hotter … Continue reading St. George & Bryce Canyon
It was Teacher Appreciation Week. Where I work, we don’t get gift cards or anything from the kids, but the principal made us tacos, nachos, and I got a lovely, heart-warming list of my positive attributes from my colleagues. That, hanging out with Baron, getting a glass of wine and chit chatting with my favorite beertender, and the support of friends got me through a … Continue reading Sunday Bests: Low(er) Key
Julie in the World 