Joshua Tree...

After being in San Diego with Scott and Ab, Ryan and I took a day trip over to Joshua Tree National Park.  It is about 3 hours from San Diego (and honestly probably closer to Los Angeles), but it was WELL WORTH THE DRIVE!  

Joshua Tree has easily risen toward the top of our favorite national parks we have visited, and we have been to many.  It has a diverse landscape and offers lots of hiking, rock climbing, and exploring opportunities.  

The infamous Joshua Tree...

We explored and climbed some rock formations while there...

It's hard to gauge the size of the rocks in the pictures... they were mammoth, huge!

Heart Rock

Arch Rock

Skull Rock

We also hiked a ton and saw some pretty amazing sights...

Hard to believe, but back in the day, farmers had to erect a dam in the area to hold the rain back.  Looking at the landscape and terrain now, it seems silly to think a dam was ever needed.  

We visited the cactus gardens too...

We traveled to a lookout spot where it over saw the San Andres Fault (along with Coachella way in the distance).  

It's hard to tell in the picture but the San Andres Fault runs on either side of the ridge that is in the center of the picture.  

As is the case most of the time when photographing nature, the pictures don't even begin to do the beauty justice.  It is most definitely breath-taking, and definitely a park I would put on the list to visit again. Joshua Tree, you are most definitely a beauty!

  

Sophomore Year

 Sullivan's sophomore year school picture...

Sunny San Diego...

We got to spend last week in San Diego with Scott and Ab. It was exactly what the soul needed - vacation, sunshine, and the best of friends.

We saw the most amazing sunsets every night from our condo...

We hiked Annie's Slot Canyons - a hike that takes you through narrow rock trails.  

We went to Torrey Pines and did some more hiking.  We wound up on the beach, where we saw the prettiest rock formations along the shore.

The boys played golf together one morning...

We also enjoyed a great brewery, a meh winery, great food, lots of laughs, and many memories made.  So thankful for our amazing friendship!

Who's Exercised?!

 Who exercised their right to vote, either today or through early voting? 

Quinn and I participated in early voting a couple weekends ago when she was home.  We waited in a hefty long line for a little over 2 hours to exercise our right to cast our votes.  

First presidential election in the books for Quinn.  Check, check!  

So proud of her desire to be active and engaged in the national and local political scene.  

Once a Dwarf...

 Once upon a time, Sullivan was a Dwarf for Halloween...

She even went as Snow White...

This year, she recreated her princess look.  It's a bit more grown up and the costume is left for some interpretation, but still Snow White nonetheless.  She makes a darn cute Snow White...

Sullivan and her friends all dressed as princesses...

From Left to Right - Jasmine, Ariel, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Belle (and the one in red chose not to participate, but was someone from Clueless).

No trick or treating this year, but Sullivan still had a blast just hanging with friends.