Vermont is for lovers

Over Labor Day john and I were off to Burlington, VT for more wedding festivities. John's best buds from growing up in Wilkesboro, James & Audrey, tied the knot out on a farm in gorgeous Vermont country.

We flew out Wednesday on the red eye and spent the majority of Thursday napping and eating yummy Vermont Cheese and drinking yummy Magic Hat. Friday we checked out the Webster farm and drove around and soaked in the gorgeous setting; we even spotted a covered bridge. We took part in the rehearsal dinner Friday night that was also out at the Webster farm.

The very scenic Webster Barn in Hyde Park, VT

Rehearsal Dinner Friday Night

James, Ryan and John (doesn't Ryan look like Corey Tate)

Bride & bridesmaids: Kim, Audrey, Katherine, Erin & Quincy

Saturday started as a gloomy, drizzly day but cleared up and gave way to a wedding perfect amazing afternoon. James and Audrey had their ceremony out in field with the rolling mountains in the background. After a very special ceremony full of music (Audrey came down the aisle to "Here comes the Sun") and tears (they wrote their own vows..sniff sniff) we partied it up in the barn with bluegrass music and even some singing by the bride and groom (check out the video clip below). What an awesome and memorable place for a wedding!

Jim got to asked to play the guitar during the ceremony

Beautiful stain glass from inside the barn

Reception


Video of James & Audrey singing it up at the reception. Resolution is kind of crappy, but at least you can get a feel for the fun festivities.

Sunday/Monday we spent back in Burlington. Did a little browsing along Church Street, ate yummy food at Flatbread and on Monday John and I met up with my aussie friend Crissy and her man, Chris, who just relocated to VT for law school. We rented bikes and cruised along Lake Champlain. We met up with James and JD along the lake for some hanging out.

Hanging out on the banks of Lake Champlain

It was so great to get to see Crissy and Chris...that makes twice in one summer!

John and Crissy cruisin' VT style.

It was a great way to end an already great trip. If it weren't cold for 9 months out of the year I think I could live in Burlington...rolling green hills, awesome lake, quaint towns with awesome markets, and Cabot Cheese and Ben & Jerry's. Yes, I heart Vermont.

Urban Cabin Fever

It dawned on John and I that it was past the half year mark and we had yet to get a camping trip in for '08. I know, crazy!?!? So a few weekends ago after feeling a bit trapped in urban San Diego, we packed up the truck and headed East for the Sunrise Highway.
Only about an hour or so outside San Diego, the Sunrise Highway borders along the deciduous forest to the West and the Anza Borrego desert to the East. The elevation quickly climbs up to around 5,000 - 6,000ft. We camped in an area called Burnt Rancheria. Nice and quiet with hiking trail access right in the campground.

John and Miles....it's trail time

After setting up camp we got a short hike in before we cooked up a delicious chicken sausage dinner. Even with the close proximity to the desert and it being the middle of the summer the elevation kept things nice & cool in the low 50's. We relaxed late night to a crackling fire and it was absolutely perfect; just the battery recharge we needed!

We woke up pretty early the next day and headed out for some exploring by car. We found this awesome lookout near Garnet Peak and we could see all the way to the Pacific. Inspired by the view we headed back to San Diego and decided to go to the beach for the afternoon. That you can't beat; mountains to beach in the same day.

View from our hike which was part of the Pacific Crest Trail. Crazy craggy mountains and shadows.

Same hike, different view. Directly East looking into the Anza Borrego Desert

Yikes, Rattlesnakes in the bathroom...I think I'll hold it.

View from our exploring on Sunday...that's the Pacific way off in the distance

Lots to Celebrate : Mags & Aaron

As I was downloading pictures from my camera I realized I'm a bit behind on my posts! In the world of San Diego this summer, our good friend Margaret had a b-day, and defended her thesis to become an official bonafide doctor! On a not so celebratory note, Margaret, Aaron and Riley also packed up and headed back East for Greensboro about 2 weeks ago. I got a text that they made it to NC this past Friday. Hopefully they had a great trip back and since I know they stopped in Flagstaff, AZ and the Grand Canyon I can at least vouch that the 1st part of their trip was certainly a good one. So as a tribute to good friends that will certainly be missed I'll post a few pictures from our time with Mags, Aaron and Riley this past summer:

Happy B-day Mags. We celebrated at the Prado Restaurant in Balboa Park, Yum!

Looks like that spiffy martini kicked in for Aaron

The weekend before the move, we had a low key bbq for Mags and Aaron. Lauren, Sarah, and Mags just chillin'.

Riley's wondering when it's going to be his turn to chew on the pork bone.

Fun times with good friends.