So this year I decided to ditch the family and run away to California for an extended Thanksgiving trip. I simply didn’t want the pressure of choosing one parent over the other regarding dinner plans and etc.  Flying across the country was much easier…or so I thought….

I decided to get my party on with some friends I hadn’t seen in months the night before I left.

The evening went something like this…

The following morning went something like this…

No need to say more. I was finally able to get my shit together and appreciate the mountains of Colorado. It was awesome to see the mountains I was driving through this summer from such a height.

Day 2 took place in San Fran. I was able to meet my cousin Raina in Mill Valley, where she lives, and hang out with her for most of the day. Karen met us on Haight Street and we did some immense shopping. It was really great to see Raina and spend time with her outside of MD! Her mom, Leah, was also able to cut my hair in her salon. This salon was so, so cute. I was also ecstatic about seeing the golden gate bridge because, you know, it’s like something you only see on tv. I also saw Alcatraz  from the bridge as well! Pretty rad. #tourist

^this blob of land is Alcatraz. FYI.

DAY THREE: CHRISTMAS TREE MADNESS.

First off, holy shit. I definitely decorated a 14 foot Christmas tree today (along with an additional one roughly 10 ft). It took FIVE people THREE hours for the ONE tree. But we 15/hour? I’m there. It was exhausting but totally a cool experience. Never pictured myself working in downtown San Francisco while on vacation. Well, I never picture myself doing a lot of things but I somehow end up doing them… & that was literally the majority/highlight of day three.

^Sending some peace and love to MD. There is more than enough in this town.

DAY THREE: SANTA CRUZ AND HEAVY DRINKING AND…

hello from the Pacific!

Santa Cruz is absolutely gorgeous, laid back, free spirited, and rad. This was the first time seeing the Pacific Ocean, and in seeing it, it was everything I had expected! I cliff hoped and climbed around caves just to test my sanity. Sanity=0. It makes everything better that way.

These wonderful people are Karen and Adam, friends of mine that I stayed with.

…to be continued.