california trip in pictures.

now, wether i like it or not, school is in session. 

for the very last time. 

into the wild among the majesties.

Tucked into the Aspens & Pines and into the wild we slept this weekend. Into the canyon and beyond Tibble Fork Reservoir, the Zoo and I along with friends, camped among Utah's majesties. From time to time, though I am surrounded by the mountain range, I forget how beautiful Utah is until I emerge myself into the deep woods of the pines.

We found the most perfect camping spot right along a stream which the Zoo and I went in and explored for hours. During the day, the Zoo fished at the reservoir, though we caught nothing, he did teach me a thing or two. With a campfire, hotdogs, marshmallows and the smell of fresh sap we spent the night telling ghost stories and laughing. We could sense fall just right around the corner, and though summer is my favorite season, I will say when in Utah, it's fall I look forward to.

I've always loved camping. I grew up camping with my family and grandparents in the woods of West Virginia and Florida and it was always some of my favorite times spent with them. With that, I do have a liking for camping but I'm always reminded the next morning how just a weekend of camping is good enough for me. I feel like death warmed over, and I probably smell like it too. To end our camping trip we decided to take a detour and drive through the Alpine loop looking for moose and all sorts of wildlife. Unfortunately, my car decided to dish us some trouble and basically died up in the mountains so we coasted all the way down the mountain till we hit the Sundance Ski Resort and waited in the shade for a tow truck in major style. Sweat pants, hoodie and a nasty top knot having not showered in quite some time. It was awesome. Some guy named Shane saved our lives and we had to take Ryder my 4Runner to the shop.

Didn't see that one coming, but it also didn't put a damper onto our trip, just a little bit of excitement to our adventure. I'd say we had a blast overall. It was a great reminder that we need to spend more time in the mountains and take advantage of Utah's purple mountain majesties.

Tomorrow we leave for a week in California to celebrate the marriage of a good family friend of ours. We'll be taking a pit stop over night in Vegas staying at the Luxor Hotel which I'm pretty pumped for. Oh you know, it's just the Egyptian Pyramid along the freeway, you see. And you know I love all things Egyptian so let the wild rumpus begin!

sign for Charleston, the Holy City of America

"I'm sure all of you will agree when I say that Charleston is one of the last All-American cities that has not been grossly tarnished by anyone or thing. For me personally, I like being able to walk down the narrow, spellbinding cobblestone streets of the peninsula and feel the history behind it: not walk or run along the battery and see a bunch of grossly intoxicated kids smoking cigarettes on the front porch of a house that has more history behind it than they could even begin to fathom. If you really think on it, any MTV real world show has revolved around sex, drama, run-ins with the police, and drunken stupidity. I do not want to see this city succumb to this behavior even more so than it is now! Charleston dates all the way back to the 1670's, and I'll be damned if we let MTV's reality TV show ruin the multi-century old reputation behind Charleston." - Colin Raden

As many of you know, Charleston has been getting a lot of attention lately, being given #1 titles two years in a row. As a result, many people have been vacationing to the city, which was gridlocked before this ever took place. Now, more packed than ever, CBS has been given the green light to start filming their television series "Reckless" which is only adding to the chaos. News crews for this show have been spotted on Broad and King streets, creating a slew of stop-dead traffic where ever they go. Now, today 7 August, MTV has revealed that they too will be filming a new television series here in the Holy City called "The Real World: Charleston." This TV show is to be set at a house along the Battery, as well as many bars throughout the city. The purpose of this petition is to stop MTV from filming their new TV show here in Charleston, SC. The city is too jam-packed as it is. It takes 15 minutes to go one mile in some areas of the peninsula as a result of how many people are here, and it is creating a huge inconvenience for those that call Charleston their home. Sign this petition and hopefully we can show MTV that there simply is not enough room for them to film their reality show here. - change. org

I hope all can be understanding of this situation, wherever you may reside. Charleston is a place I hold dear to my heart and the South is very particular of it's history, charm and manners. We tend to keep it the way it was when it was first founded and we are very proud of the beauty and charm it holds. Especially in Charleston and on the Battery streets where it has become a historic destination for American history. Please, take the time to sign the petition. It's free and only takes five seconds of your time. It would mean the world to me. We don't want trashy TV and the worldliness choas to step foot in the Holy City.

To sign the petition go here.

an august wedding.

My best friends and I have this rule "No roommate left behind." Boy did we stick to it like soldiers. The four of us managed to get married within a year. That's kind of unheard of with a group of best friends, if you ask me. Nik was the last of us to tie the knot and boy did she go out with a bang. Her wedding was spectacular - probably one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever been too, and I feel so blessed to have been a part of it.

Nik was stunning, to see her glow with happiness brought so much joy to me. I just do really adore her and Jordan. I'm so excited for their marriage and can't wait to hear of their adventures in San Francisco. She truly is such a blessing in my life and I'm so happy to have Jordan as part of our "family" now.

One more wedding to go and I do believe that will be a close to my wedding season. What a fun weekend it was to be with my girls again. Hope that day comes again real soon.