grand mere state park: part 2/woods

"i'll stand where you stood/come out of the woods."
-matthew and the atlas

***

grand mere's trail head.
led out onto a beautiful.
shaded.
nature path.

the mid october afternoon.
lent it's mild wind.
orange & crimson canopy.
and generous leaf piles.

the sun shone like a diamond through the tree trunks.

grand mere state park: part 1/baldtop

a few weekends ago.
i rose early.
packed a backpack.
and drove clear across the palm of michigan.

window's rolled down.
sphere of the sun in my rear-view mirror.

i drove till the highway hugged lake michigan.
then pulled into a state park.
and traversed through the gorgeous woods.

the forest trail led to a sand dune.
baldtop.
a hundred foot climb.

the wind whipped.
and sand swirled around me.

i trudged to the top.

in the near distance.
white-capped lake waves could be heard.
crashing.
calling.

i pushed further on.
and to my great reward.

the peak was incredible.
crisp air.
sand grass.
water.
and solitude.

not a soul to be seen.

i sat with my legs hanging over a sandy edge.
looking out across the wide expanse.

endless water.
endless water.
endless.

:: an hour from home...

i went on vacation.
one hour from home.
i traded the city.
for a slice of paradise.


& while i could go on and on--

i think i'll let the beauty of michigan speak for itself.

:: make mine a one-way ticket, please...

i've discovered the perfect thing to dream about at work this weekend.

there's this retreat spa in costa rica.
all peace.
and beach-y.
and wellness focused.

this place where you can unwind.
and let your jaw drop at the world around you.
where you can eat amazing food.
meet fascinating people.
practice yoga on the beach.
in the jungle.
get a massage while watching the sunset.

this pura vida retreat and spa
sounds like heaven.

i'm so in.

who's coming with me?

:: a true story

{original image via weheartit}

once upon a time...

two girls commenced on a perfectly warm summer evening.
they brewed a pot of tea.
turned on the patio twinkle lights.
and fired up the laptop.
in their supreme wanderlust--
the two friends decided it was high time to stop talking.
and start doing.
so they made the decision.
right then.
right there--
surrounded by the lullaby of a classic beatles tune.
and the whirring a 1,000 mosquito wings--
to go to hawaii.

and they meant it.

they searched airfare and condos.
luaus and parasailing.
pearl harbor and rainforests.
pineapple fields and spas.

and then.
they couldn't stop smiling.
and jumping around.
and buzzing with the excitement of dreams coming true.

because in nine short months.
they'd be ankle deep in sand.
golden brown.
and care-free.
waving "aloha" to everyone they passed.

they'd be in hawaii.
and that's a gorgeous thing.

the end.




p.s- yes! this really is a true story!! woot woot!
in march, my friend liz and i are going to hawaii.
i've already started asking--
are we there yet?

:: let yourself GO...

i read the book wide-eyed.
and open-hearted.
a highlighter in one hand.
journal in the other.

i envisioned the world through liz gilbert's eyes.
was inspired by the lessons she learned.
and the amazing places she adventured to.

there are many aspects of her travels
that exemplify the things i am doing in my wildest dreams.
eating pizza in italy.
running through gardens in india.
biking through bali.

she described an indonesian house she rented for several months.
all bright red kitchens.
and outdoor showers crafted with mosaic-tiles.
secret gardens.
and papayas hanging outside the bedroom window.

i read this description over and over again---
because when i think myself into my happiest place...

that's where i am.



so it goes without saying--
that i am uber excited for this movie.
to see all the amazing landscapes.
feel the emotions.
meet the characters.
experience the loudness.
the quite.
brought to life.


let's all meet somewhere in the middle come august.
and see it together.

deal? :)

:: hit the tracks, jack::

[all images via "we heart it"]

i am packing my bags.

towing along::
a stack of books.
my newly playlisted ipod.
a comfy zip-up hoodie.
my little black dress.
my turquoise stilettos.
my gray TOMS.
a pair of leggings and a long purple top.
a selection of sunglasses.

i am printing my ticketed bar code.
mapquesting distances.
making reservations.
charging my point-and-shoot camera.
and getting every kind of down-right GLEEFUL about my weekend in chicago.

i am jazzed about the food.
and the sights.
and the laughter.

but can i be honest?
i'm most excited about the train ride.

i'll be back.
tanner.
fresher.
and full of things to share.

enjoy the weekend...

:: midnight train to georgia

{may 2009}

i've been aching to take a train ride. just over a year ago, i drove down to chicago with my friend. my work schedule didn't allow me to stay as long as she did, so i hopped a train home a few days early. i snapped the above photo shortly after we lurched forward toward the first stop. the solitary five hour rail ride was a beautiful experience.

there is something about riding in a train car that makes me feel all at once adventurous and simple. it makes me feel old-fashioned---in the most amazing way, of course. it makes me ponder the days when the railroad was revolutionary. when getting from one side of the country to the other took days, instead of hours.

there is something so beautifully earthy about train travel. the way you can see the world whizzing past. how you can take in the landscapes. and buildings. the color of the sky. it's life in fast forward. it's a blurry wonder. it's a tad bit magical.

perhaps i'll board a train sometime soon. small bag stored away neatly over my head. cup of steamy coffee in my hand. i'll lean back and close my eyes until we start moving. then i'll stare, wide eyed with wonderment, as i rush along with the rotation of the earth.

: this weekend was just what i needed

:::cleveland : in photo:::

: gorgeous weather. abundant culture. great nights. amazing food. awesome friends :