Hiking in Shenandoah National Park

The weather was so nice this weekend. I knew that  getting out and enjoying the sunshine was way more important than studying. Sean and I had planned on doing this hike last weekend (when Jenna and Amy came to visit) but the rain and 50 degree weather kept us inside. I have been wanting to hike the upper falls of White Oak Canyon for a while now. The hike was a little over 4 miles and not too difficult. The colors of the leaves at the top of skyline drive were absolutely amazing... the pictures do not do them justice. 

It was also nice for Sean and I to be able to spend time together... he had been so busy all week with homecoming stuff. On our way home we stopped for ice cream at this little road side stand in Sperryville, VA... and it was incredible. 

A Fall Inspired Wreath

Since discovering pintrest I have been dying to make a new fall wreath. I combined ideas from several wreaths. I found two simple felt flower tutorials and decided to incorporate both into my wreath. For the larger flowers, I glued a gold button into the center to give the wreath a little more color (Sean didnt think it look fallish enough). I wrapped the entire wreath with a tan yarn that I had lying around the house (yes, this took FOREVER). 

 

Enjoy!

Loving fall...

Luckily Sean and I were able to enjoy apple picking with friends, several weekends ago, before it decided to get cold and rainy here in Winchester. Marker Miller farm was having a fall festival so we were able to enjoy the beautiful weather, amazing food, and good music. It also helped that my clinical conference was over (possibly the biggest presentation I will ever give in my life) and all I wanted to do was anything but school. It is also sad to think that this is going to be my last fall here in Winchester with my PT school family. 

Love these girls!

Since the cold weather has kicked in, I have been hibernating inside while baking, drinking ethiopian hot tea (I still have some left from my trip and I dont know what I am going to do when it is gone), and becoming obsessed with Pinterest. Recently I made an apple crisp (we picked way too many apples) and made my first attempt at pumpkin bread/muffins. I found this really simple recipe and was able to make bread and pumpkin muffins. I also put Sean to work and decided it was about time he learn how to help in the kitchen... and he did a great job!

Country Roads, Take Me Home...

Eventually, we finally made it home.  The winding West Virginia roads took us back to familiar landscapes.  As the trip ended we were sad but also relieved.  It was a fantastic trip and we were so blessed to have been able to go.  We made so many memories that we will never forget.  Lauren & I are now safe and sound in Winchester getting our selves ready for her last year of PT school and my 3rd year of teaching. 

The St. Louis Gateway Arch!

Home Sweet Home!

Our Appalachian Mountains!

GOAL!!

Driving across Kansas was NOT the highlight of our trip.  Flatness, flatness, and more flatness.  At least we didn't get sucked up by a twister.  Driving across the long monotonous Kansas landscape ended up being totally worth it... We had a blast that night!!!  During our stay in Kansas City, Lauren & I decided to go to an MLS soccer game.  The game was played at LiveStrong Sporting Park between Sporting Kansas and REAL Salt Lake.  LiveStrong Sporting Park was amazing!  Although there is not a bad seat in the intimate stadium, we were lucky enough to be sitting in the second row!  We could literally reach out and touch the players!  The atmosphere was electric game was very exciting.  The match ended with Sporting Kansas (the underdog) winning 2 - 0!  My favorite part of the night was how much fun Lauren had!  When we left she was already talking about us possibly going to see my favorite team D.C. United play later this season!

LiveStrong Sporting Park:  Pre Game

Ya... we were that close!

Blue Hell:  That is the hardcore Kansas fan section

Rocky Mountain High...

The next stop on our trip was the Mile High City of Denver, CO.  Driving through Colorado was amazing.  Lauren & I were able to get out and stand in the ice cold Colorado River... the same river that shaped the Grand Canyon, where we had been only days before.  The view from the road as we drove through the Rockies was truly beautiful.  As we approached Denver the weather turned on us a bit, however, we were still able to make it pretty close to the top of the 14,000 Foot Mount Evans.  On the way up we passed two mountain lakes and some great overlooks.

Colorado River!

Echo Lake at the Base of Mt Evans

Overlook on Mt Evans

When we arrived in Denver, we were starving!  No worries though, Denver is the home of one of Lauren & I's favorite places to eat... CHIPOTLE!  Yes, I can honestly say that eating at the First Chipotle ever created was the highlight of our trip to Denver.... Delicious!!

Denver Skyline

The First Chipotle Ever!

Red Dirt Road...

After leaving Las Vegas, Lauren & I headed to the more rustic destination of Arches National Park in Moab, UT.  First of all, let me just say that Utah is one of the most gorgeous states that we have had the privilege of driving through.  As we pulled into Arches we realized that neither of us had ever been in a place anything like this.  There were huge formations of red rock as far as the eye could see.  Just like in the Grand Canyon, we decided to stay two nights instead of just one.  Our first night mostly consisted of setting up camp and exploring our campsite, which was awesome by the way.  Directly off our site there were huge sandstone rock formations that were easily climbable.  Lauren watched as I was totally transformed into a kid again...  I pretty much climbed everything we came across during our whole stay at Arches! The night ended with us watching an amazing sunset.  During the rest of our stay, we went on a couple of hikes out to some of the more popular rock arches in the park, hung around camp reading and relaxing, and watched an even more amazing sunset followed by a beautiful sunrise on our last morning.  All in all it was a great time!

Camp Duffy!

The World Famous Delicate Arch 

Lauren & I at Delicate Arch

Double Arch:
 P.S. The 3rd Indiana Jones Movie was filmed here!

Lauren & I at South Window

Landscape Arch

A Large Rock Formation Outside of Our Campsite...
Oh Wait!  Who is that on top?

Sunset View From Our Campsite!

You Gotta Know When To Hold Em', Know When to Fold Em', Know When To Walk Away, & Know When To Run...

Viva Las Vegas!!!

So it was finally time to start our journey home... but there was NO WAY we were coming back the same way we came.  There was certainly more adventure to be had.  Lauren & I headed North East out of California and into Nevada.

Our first stop was the Hoover Dam.  Now that the bypass bridge is complete, it provides an excellent vantage point to view the Dam.  It was definitely something worth seeing... very impressive.

The Bypass from Nevada to Arizona

Next it was finally time to head to Las Vegas!!  This has been one of the greatest highlights of our trip so far.  After checking into the Paris Hotel & Casino, Lauren and I first walked around our hotel (which we soon realized was like a small city).  Next we decided to walk the strip.  There are so many awesome street performers and things to see!  We then decided to try our hand at some gambling... I'll just say "We won a little... we lost a little... Lets just leave it at that."  It was not long into the night though, that Lauren & I realized that we already couldn't wait to come back!

Paris Hotel & Casino

The World Famous Bellagio Fountains

Sean Trying to Figure Out How to Play Slots

Crazy Flexible Person

Human Statue

The Strip

Seeing the city lit up at night was by far the best part of our stay.

Bellagio Water Show!

Now we are off to Moab, UT to hike and camp in Arches National Park!