Beach Hammock

Another painting inspired by my love of the beach. Today was yucky and gray. I could really use a beach vacation!

BeUTAHful

Utah is truly one of the most beautiful places in the world! It's tempting to take what's close by for granted and overlook the beauty in your own backyard. So we've decided to spend some weekends exploring the nearby wonders. 

A few weeks ago we visited Fremont Indian State Park and got to sleep in a teepee! It was so much fun. And how cool is the backdrop?! It felt like we were on an old Western movie set. 

And the weekend before last we finally went to Goblin Valley, a place I've wanted to see for years. It rained nearly the whole time, but it was still a fun and relaxing adventure. What's next? I'm so addicted to travel. I'm game for whatever, whether it's on the other side of the globe or a three hour road trip.

Yet Another Caribbean Cruise

Truth be told, I'm addicted to cruises. In March I went on my seventh. I know--I sound totally spoiled but it's more doable than you'd think. Did you know you can find cruises for up to 80% off? The whole package, which includes accommodations, all the food you can eat, transportation from one island to the next and entertainment, can often be cheaper than a night at a hotel. And it's so much more relaxing than your typical vacation. Okay, I didn't intend on sounding like an infomercial, I just love cruising!

We tried a Holland America cruise for the first time. Each company has their pluses and minuses. We loved the food but found the entertainment lacking compared to other cruises. 

Our first stop was The Bahamas. We tried to go snorkeling but the weather did not cooperate and the waters weren't clear enough, so we enjoyed a good swim instead. 

We went kayaking in Turks and Caicos, which was one of the highlights of the trip. 

Dominican Republic was beautiful. 

I love exploring new countries! It's on my bucket list to visit 40-plus before I die. 

Puerto Rico turned out to be another highlight.

I loved how colorful it was! 

Would you judge me if I told you I'm already having cruising withdrawals? Like I said, cruises are addicting! 

Jackson Trip

My husband had to deliver a giant sculpture to a gallery in Jackson, Wyoming for work in March, so I got to see Wyoming for the first time. 

The best part about road trips? The scenic views from your car and of course, the tunes. 

We shopped, checked out a few galleries and ate some amazing Thai food. 

I loved all the Native American art. Rumor has it I have a Cherokee ancestor. One of these days I'd like to have my DNA tested and find out if it's true.

Denver Trip

I'm behind on posting here. Three trips/vacations behind! In March my sister and I road tripped to Denver, Colorado to see Lorde in concert. 

It was a MAGICAL show. We got really close to the stage and even held Lorde's hand at the end while she sang Team.

This was our first time in Denver and we thought it was lovely. We shopped, we swam, we ate at lots of delicious vegan restaurants.

Of course, being the giant music nerds that we are, we had to check out a huge local music store. I highly recommend it.

I Heart California

Me at the beautiful La Jolla Beach

A couple of weeks ago my family and I went to California. We had a family reunion in Death Valley, then we went to Disneyland, Hollywood, Laguna Beach, and San Diego. It was a wonderful trip. Do you want to know a secret? California has my heart. I've wanted to live there since I was a kid. And maybe someday I will. Hopefully sooner than later. People seem to have a passionate love or hate for California. While I know it's a flawed place (like any other) I love the mild year-round weather, the diversity, the art, the anything goes attitude, the beaches, the celebrities, the vegan restaurants around every corner. Yup, I love California.

Thailand Trip

My sister and I have wanted to go on an exotic trip together for years and I've wanted to see Thailand for even longer so we decided to take a spontaneous trip earlier this month.

We got to stay in a magical beach bungalow with an oceanview balcony for next to nothing.

The Big Buddha was really cool. 

Two monks were kind enough to let a few of us silly tourists pose with them. 

We got up close and personal with several monkeys. They climbed all over our bags, tried to steal my sister's phone and pulled her hair. It was pretty funny!

My sister and I on the boat heading to Khao Phing Kan and other gorgeous islands.

 Khao Phing Kan, aka James Bond island. It was gorgeous! We also got to canoe through some breathtaking caves.

Visiting the elephant sanctuary was hands down the best experience of the whole trip. I've been obsessed with elephants for many years. Getting to feed, bathe, brush and pet them was amazing. Such a dream come true! 

Kata Noi beach was lovely. We planned to snorkel but the waves were too intense so we played in the water instead.

 Trick Eye Museum was a lot of fun. It's filled with dozens of interactive murals. This is a longtime favorite painting of mine by Van Gogh.

Thailand was absolutely magical and easily one of the best trips of my life--and the icing on the cake is that it can be done on a tight budget. I would recommend it to anyone.

Caribbean Cruise

 The husband and I went on a Caribbean cruise to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We had a blast!

 The Bahamas was gorgeous and relaxing.

 Jamaica was our favorite. It was a magical day at Blue Hole, Dunn's River Fall, the flea market and we went snorkeling for the very first time. 

 We loved snorkeling so much, we went a second time at the Cayman Islands. We never got bored of the aqua water.

Lastly, we did a little shopping in Mexico.

Tropical Sunset

I took a community oil painting class for fun and because I miss painting with other artists. (Sometimes I really miss the sense of community I enjoyed in high school and college.) So being an acrylic girl, this was my first oil in years. I gravitated toward a tropical scene because I'm going on a Caribbean cruise in a couple of weeks. I'm sooo excited!

Washington/Oregon Trip

A couple of weeks ago my family and I went on a road trip to Washington and Oregon. We stopped in Idaho to visit my grandma. 

 Seeing the Fremont Troll was on my bucket list. It was sooo cool!

Getting my feet wet at Madison Park. 

I finally saw the Space Needle in person! So cool. 

I love how artsy Portland is. 

 I was in heaven at Music Millennium. I adore huge record stores. #keepportlandweird

We got to try so many delicious vegan restaurants.

Cannon Beach was dreamy!

One of the most beautiful beaches I've been on!

This dog loved it, too. 

The forests were truly magical.

Europe Trip

In May I got to go to Europe with my parents and sister. It was my first time visiting in over twenty years. This time my sister and I spent a few days in Venice, Italy, before joining our parents on a cruise that hit Croatia and Greece. 

 Venice was dreamy. 

 Riding a gondola was on my bucket list. I loved it!

 I loved seeing all the masks. I want to attend a masquerade one of these days.

 Santorini, Greece was so lovely. 

 This was my first time on the beach in five years.

 Gorgeous view in Santorini.

The Acropolis in Athens, Greece. I learned about this in school. It's cool to see the real deal. 

 Nice view of Dubrovnik, Croatia.

 Split, Croatia.

My bodyguards. :)