Extraordinary Desserts

San Diego Part 4:

Ok, promise this is my last post on San Diego....but I had to tell you guys about this fabulous dessert place they have near the Gaslamp area. It is called Extraordinary Desserts. The desserts are so beautiful you can barely get yourself to bite into them....ok, I didn't have a problem with that really. It just sounded like something you should say. The dessert was even better when it hit your lips. So last recommendation for any San Diego goers... you must stop in Extraordinary Desserts for a sweet treat!

Until next Time...Blog On!

Fishy Fishy... I'm hooked!

San Diego Part 3: So the last part of my San Diego trip was spent on a boat. And when I say boat I don’t mean a yacht or sailboat…no, no a fishing boat.

The AZTEC

We went out on a chartered day and a half fishing trips with a bunch of professionals.

What had I gotten myself into?

It was a blast, although sadly Brett or I didn't catch a single fish. The guys tell us it wasn't a good fishing day and you can usually throw a line out and get a hit right away.

Apparently when the fish are hot they are hot and when they aren't, well the just aren't.

Others did catch fish (mainly mahi, yellow tail and blue fin tuna) but none were really huge.

We did a lot of trolling and looking for kelp. We were about 80 miles out in Mexican waters.

I didn't see land for over 20 hours. Crazy-huh? Some of the guys had been on 13 day trips.

We had the best crew too which made the trip. They were very helpful and I learned a lot.

So would I do it again? Absolutely. Honestly not sure if I would do another over night trip, but for sure this will not be my last deep sea fishing adventure.

Some tips for those newbies out there that I wish I had known:

1.) It gets chilly out there, bring extra cloths (layers)

2.) Definitely take motion sickness medicine. (It works-I didn't get sick and it would have been miserable if I had)

3.) The fish are messy, bloody, etc. Don't wear anything you don't want to throw away. White pants...not such a good idea :)

4.) Have FUN and catch some fish!

Until Next Time...Blog On!

Football Season Starts TODAY!!!!

U-----S------C...... Goooooo Cocks!

See you there! Who is excited?

Lions and Tigers and Bears OH MY!

San Diego Part 2: One of the best things about San Diego is the world famous zoo there. They have every animal imaginable and it is so cool to see these animals up close and personal.

My favorite animals were the:

Zebras

Hippos
Polar Bears
and Rhinos

We also made it out to SeaWorld…we hadn’t had enough of the animals I guess. The Shamu show was SOOOOOOO cool. I loved the penguins and all the other programs!

San Diego is such a great “family” place to vacation. I can definitely see myself going back one day with kids. There is just something magical about all the parks and it doesn’t hurt that the weather is absolutely perfect. 75 and no humidity….no complaints there.

Until Next Time...Blog On!

Beaches Galore

San Diego Part 1:
I just returned from a vacation out in San Diego visiting an old high school friend (Brett- aka Little Country) who moved out to California about a year ago. I have now made my way up and down almost the complete west coast. I just love it out there!

And of course I loved San Diego. It is basically just one beach after another. There is a cool downtown area but the true jewels are all along the coast. Each beach has a very different feel and appearance. I like diversity, so this was just icing on the cake.

Beach 1: Coronado
This little island has a great small beach town feel. This is where we stayed during our trip and my favorite spot. There is a famous hotel on the island (Hotel Del Coronado) that is the most amazing thing I have ever seen. The beaches are beautiful and the small downtown strip is within walking distance from the beach and has everything you need. There is a great mix of locals and tourists. Truly my kind of paradise.

Beach 2: Mission Beach/Bay and Pacific Beach
These linking beaches are the more happening beaches drawing a younger crowd. There are tons of restaurants, bars and shops all along the boardwalk which lines the beach. There is also a roller coaster that is right at the ocean. Lots of surfers hang out here due to the good waves. They even have a man made wave machine for surfers to practice their skills even on days when the waters are not cooperating. How cool is that?

Beach 3: La Jolla
Ahhh the classic California coast line. Here the cliffs meet the ocean leaving a very unique beach experience. Truly some of the most beautiful sights you will ever see. This upscale community is a definite must to visit.

More to come on my adventures in San Diego!

Character

"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."

What an interesting quote... I just love it! I think it is a cool concept and one I try to live by.

The older (and hopefully wiser) I get, the less I am concerned with what other people think and more what I think. Now as this sounds self-centered and even egotistical at first, it really is not. Stay with me, I'm getting there. You see, I believe that within all of us there is an inner being (conscience- holy spirit) that tells us what we should or should not do. And with that being said, we know better than anyone on the outside how we should live our lives. So you see why concern yourself with what others think, you already know all you need to know. You can choose to have the character that you can be proud of. As hard as it may be sometimes... it just feels great to do the right thing, even when it is not the easiest.

Until Next Time....Blog On!

San Diego or Bust!

So I just got back from a much needed VACA and had a blast. I will be posting several posts on some of the most interesting stories and of course some photos . Be on the look out. I have returned!

Until next time...Blog On!

The NEW "In Thing"...Everybody's Doing It

So I think Blogging is the new "In" thing to do. I like to think I have added to its popularity. The way I see it, MySpace and Facebook were so 2005, 2006 maybe even 2007...but now Blogging has taken a commanding lead into 1st Place.

Several of my friend's have Fabulous Blogs....check them out under our Favorite Blogs section if you haven't already.

And if you aren't blogging yourself....what are you waiting for?
Until Next Time.....Blog On!

No I am not dead

I will be on vacation for the next week... so posts will be limited. I didn't want ya'll to get worried. And to be honest, I am having a bit of writers block (hence the posts on herbs and the weather). We may have to cut down the number of posts a month. I need all you "guest writers" to step up to the plate really!

Hopefully with all that is going on this Fall I will have new (more entertaining) material to post!

Until then I will leave you with a quote from a good friend of mine:

"The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page!"

Until Next Time....Blog On!

Change

"Man cannot discover new oceans

unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore."

Apparently, I am getting further and further away from the shore. After being away from the coast now for almost 10 months, I am making the move AGAIN! This time to Charlotte, NC. Now 3 1/2 hours (my driving time) away from my beloved. Don't get me wrong, I am super excited about Charlotte....but still I never expected to not be a beach girl (at least for a long period of time).

I guess it is just my time to "discover new oceans". I've always found that new experiences are the salt of life...without them everything would just get bland.

So anyone who wants to come visit me in Charlotte, let me know. I'll be heading that way around November. I couldn't miss football season, lets be honest!

Until next time....Blog On!

Rosemary

I love the herb Rosemary! We have a small potted plant on our porch with this wondeful plant. Whenever I am sitting on the rocker out front I always run my hands through it just to get the scent. I think it just smells lovely. I wonder if I could get this in a prefume? Would that be too much?

Until next time...Blog On?

HOT!!!! With a capital H

Columbia is H-O-T!!!!

It will hit 101 tday and that is not the heat index, oh no, actual Temp!

It is too much really!

3 Amigos!

Happy (almost) Birthday to 2 of my favorite people!

Lauren- August 5th

Tyler- August 12th

Love you both!

~Erica

Until Next Time...

Blog On!

Jogging the Memory!

I was running the other day around the State House grounds. I have wanted to do this since I move to ole Cola town and just haven't. So here I am running up the steps and on my way back down, I looked straight ahead down Main Street and had a glimpse back down memory lane.

You see almost ten years ago I was in Columbia, walking down Main Street towards the State House steps with my Girl's State group. I could remember it like it was yesterday... 15 young girls, singing It's Raining Men, the theme of our banner, on our way to the State House to meet up with Boy's State. We could not wait!

The funny thing is, at Girl's State I met my first friend that went to CofC. She actually had just finished her freshman year there. Since we became close before I ever stepped on campus, I ended up joining the sorority she was in and now all my closest college friends are girls I met through being an ADPi.

I kind of chuckled as I made my way down Main Street. I had come full circle it seemed. Now that is truly a Jogged Memory!

Until Next Time...Blog On!