Canada/Portland Road Trip

Last night around six we arrived home after a total of 38 hours spent in our car. 

And of all the road trips I have enjoyed in my lifetime, let me tell you this one was hands down the funnest, craziest, largest, most chaotic, busiest, longest, and most memorable of them all. 

It was not without it's hiccups of course. 

Our tire blew out, our battery died, I got some awfully painful stinging nettle on my arm (it felt like a row of bee stings), we got lost and turned around more than a few times, and 3/6 of our caravan of vehicles were issued rather expensive parking tickets, including us. 

But somehow none of that dampened the overall experience. 

Nope, it may have even added to the adventure of it all.

It's hard to pinpoint what exactly made this trip so much fun, because heaven knows coordinating activities and lodging and meals for nineteen people is no small or easy task. 

But it was grand let me tell you. Grand!!

And this is about to get real mushy, but more than once I got teary just basking in the glow of having all the people I love most in the world gathered together in one place creating such sweet and happy memories.  

I know, I know. I'm a sentimental sap. 

And I fought every natural instinct that makes picture taking so difficult when you are busy and having the most fun, and tried really hard to document it all along the way on instagram.  

But it was great to finally get some of my canon pictures uploaded today and relive some of my favorite moments.  

Beach day for example. 

These two were regular beach-combing buddies.

And these jelly fish were the weirdest ever and scattered all over the beach. 

Two full weeks with our nieces and nephews was pretty much the funnest ever. 

Just look at those adorable squishy faces!!

I made 20 bucks getting into this insanely freezing cold water.  And I'd do it again. 

How cute are they two days before their big wedding day?! Am I right? 

 Cold or not, my love is never happier than when on the beach.

Pretty sure that is why he and our niece Avery are such good friends, they spent a lot of time exploring together. 

Like a true Remington this one os pretty passionate about her food. 

** Wedding pictures coming soon!

We Ate Our Way Through Cinque Terre

European outings should not be taken too lightly or embarked upon without some sort of objective and purpose.

And so ours was excitedly decided upon while riding the train full speed toward our destination.

Our goal would be to taste something delicious in every village.

We would eat our way through Cinque Terre.

And ate our way through we did!

Pesto focaccia Pizza in Riomaggiore.

Pesto lasagna & spaghetti in Manarola.

Margarita pizzette and ciabatta in Vernazza.

Gelato in Monterosso.

Panini (& more gelato) in Milano.

Ryan even tasted a hand full of the salty water of the Mediterranean Sea long before we went swimming in it just to be sure of it's saltiness.
And a few other tasties were thrown in there for good measure.
Here's proof - as if you needed any.

best thing I ate there for sure. I was thinking of you, you would have been in heaven.

Look Mom, all the pizza is square. Turns out you were doing it right all along and didn't even know it!

second best thing I ate. can you see how crispy the broiled pesto top is? and the brown stuff isn't chocolate, it's a balsamic reduction. I'm salivating. 

Pesto anything was hands down my favorite.

The pesto from this region was to die for.

I don't know what exactly they do differently but it puts all other pesto (which I love) to miserable shame.

It was a delightful way to experience these coastal villages.

Not just because it was delicious (which it most definitely was) or because it added another dimension to our sightseeing (which it most definitely did) or because it was a lovely way to meet and speak with locals (which it most definitely was) but because these pizza and bread making artisans were up and baking at 3:30 in the morning to stock their shops.

So it seemed only appropriate to reward their dedication to their craft with our recurring solicitation. 

New Mexico

After a 5 day whirlwind anniversary trip, we are back.

Back to our house, and work, and telephones, and computer, and blog.

All of which are strictly forbidden on anniversary trips.

It's been indescribably nice to get away together, and now it's indescribably nice to be back home.

I'm of the mind that when life is good - as it should be - coming home is just as exciting as going away. 

Ryan calls it our post-vacation high, but I am pretty sure it just means we have it pretty good here. 

So we are back, and I don't know what to say but that we had a wonderful time.

For years Ryan was dragging his feet on the idea of spending any vacation time in New Mexico. 

His argument was that it was the armpit of the country.

Luckily his stance drastically changed this year and he became really excited about spending time in said armpit.

I'm so glad he did, because even the armpit has it's charms.

Nope, I don't even think even he'd call it that anymore, it deserves better. 

It was both beautiful and enchanting. 

Which may just be how it earned itself the tittle of land of enchantment
Did you know it was called that? We had no idea.
That's the claim on the welcome to New Mexico sign and all the license plates. 

We were skeptical at first, but it really is.

Let me see if I can convince you.

Mexico, part one

A girls trip...

It's been talked about, discussed, put off, postponed, dreamed about, anticipated, and finally realized.

And there is just something grand about an entire week of girl time with the ones you love (and who love you) the very most.

The bath-water ocean and sandy beaches didn't hurt a bit either.

It was a glorious way to see out my 20's!

**more pictures & details forthcoming.

More Myrtle Beach

1. Glimpse of 3/9 pools from our balcony

2. Us & the view from our living AND bed room

3. Foggy humidity = constant dampness but really great lighting/coloring

4. Elevator photo op

5. Dee-licious crab enjoyed lakeside at sunset

6. Late-night stroll(s) on the beach

7. And just in case this wasn't obvious

8. Miles of windy boardwalk & wonderfully random shops

9. Lunch at an adorable & practically antique hot dog stand

10. Loads of basking in the sun & reading (me) hours of work related classes (hubs)

8. And every other spare second found us at the beach