California

I always thought I wasn't the California type.  Somewhere along the line, I'd somehow decided you were either an east coast type or a west coast type.  I've been to LA a couple of times and didn't immediately fall in love.  Seattle's pretty phenomenal, but everyone tells me I'd tire of the rain in no time, though I doubt it.  The east coast however...L..O..V...E.  Sometimes I miss living in NY.  If it really is an either/or decision, I'd already staked my line in the sand. And while the beaches on the east coast aren't like those sandy white beaches of California, I'd take the sand dunes of Cape Cod or the rocky beaches of Maine any day. 

When California is only a short drive away, you have to go right? That 2-3 hour proximity to other cities is one of the things I miss most about NY. 

You'd think that taking a dog somewhere would be easy.  It probably is for those people who understand that dogs are just dogs.  In this house, the dog's bag size and weight exceeded the human's bag weight and size.  Even I know there is something wrong with that.

Reason number one for going to CA....

If you are thinking I'm kidding, you'd be wrong.  I just moved to a town that doesn't have a Crate & Barrel and it was a little rough at first.  I thought my sister was joking when I asked her where the closest Crate & Barrel was and she said "California"--my narrow little mind really thought no town could survive without this completely "essential" store.  (You can btw, you just have to be resourceful and use UPS....)

As it turns out, I think I kind of am a California type of person.  You can like both coasts right?  It could be that living in the desert has pushed my sanity at times so I truly appreciate the green lushness that was CA.  I know I am so blessed with the career opportunity that I have and I am so thankful.  The real estate market here is out of control spectacular if you are a buyer.  I also know that Vegas has outstanding access to entertainment and phenomenal restaurants--much better than Denver. I know how awesome that is.  I really do and I appreciate it.   But sometimes when I'm driving home, or shopping homes and neighborhoods, I'm looking at these desert landscapes wondering if a person can actually die from tree and grass withdrawal. 

California on the other hand...it was like magic just being there and we were nowhere near the beach.  Just one night in California and I was outside every moment I could be.  Walks in the rain, walks under tree lined sidewalks and paths and sitting in the grass, just because it was there...yes, I could definitely love California.  Our hotel even felt California with it's Jamba Juice smelling lobby and music going even at 5:30  in the morning. 

Brooklyn wasn't complaining.  It took her all of 2 minutes to decide she loved it.

And of course, waxing nostalgic for grass, greenery and scenery is really just a way to hide the less nature-inspired reason we needed to go to California (aside from C&B)..

Teaching Chipmunk the importance of french fries in a well balanced diet.  Turns out it's in her blood and she already had it down like a pro.  Crate and Barrel + Ikea + California = perfect weekend indeed.  Increased Chipmunk photo opportunities during road trip is the icing on the cake.