Tuesday, July 3, 2012

From Cali to DC: Snakes, Storms & Vespas

After spending two full weeks in California visiting my Nana, family and friends, it was harder than ever coming back to DC last Wednesday, even without the added delight of 100+-degree temperatures and the unexpected mother-of-all-thunderstorms that swept across the area Friday night, bringing 80-mph winds and causing damage throughout the region.

Despite a few scary moments when I was sure the windows were about to give way, our high-rise building thankfully made it through the storm unscathed. Plus, while thousands are still without power around town, ours amazingly came back on within a couple minutes of the storm’s passing.

Here, a look back at a few highlights, both the good and the not so good, from the past couple weeks.



Not So Good {June 13}: Shaking myself awake at 4 a.m. to make a 6 a.m. flight out of the DC airport -- luckily only a few minutes away by Metro -- only to find the line at security longer than ever before once we arrived. For the first time, Stephen and I found ourselves dashing to the gate just as our flight's "final call" was announced, an experience that then unbelievably repeated itself in Houston, where we were late getting in and forced to run between terminals in order to make our connection. Needless to say, this was not my favorite bicoastal travel experience! 




Good {June 14}: Celebrating my grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary, a memory I will always keep close. As part of the low-key festivities, our family gifted them a colorful betta fish named Gill, while my sister and Stephen baked up a delicious apple pie for dessert.  









Good {June 16-17}: Heading up to California's Central Coast for a weekend of wine tasting, beach hopping and Vespa riding lessons in Moro Bay and Paso Robles with Stephen and my best friends of more than 15 years. One of the wineries we visited was randomly hosting a "zoo day," where visitors could take turns holding a 120-lb. python -- admittedly not my favorite type of animal, but worth being a good sport around, at least for the couple seconds it took to snap the picture! 

Image Source: CNN.com
Not So Good {June 29}: Hiding out in the closest with my equally scared husband and two very terrified kitties during the worst storm ever to hit the DC area outside of a hurricane. Oh California, how I miss you already (although I must admit that earthquakes do scare me even more)! 

Has your area been affected by the sweltering temperatures, intense storms or massive wildfires that are impacting regions across the country? The amount of destruction and number of lives lost on account of these disasters is nothing short of heartbreaking, to say the least.  

13 comments:

  1. Your Nanna looks darling.

    Aren't these temps horrible. I am so tired of 100 + weather. It is making me stay indoors.

    Sunny Days and Starry Nights

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  2. The temps have been pretty bad in NYC too. I'm glad you didn't have to deal with blackouts. I feel terrible for those still dealing with it.

    Sounds like your CA vacation (despite the flight stresses) was really fun!

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  3. I cannot stand running to catch a flight or a connection - it really sets a tone for the entire flight, but I'm glad you made it. The family time you spent and wine-tasting sound amazing, and you look right at home on the vespa. I like to complain about SF's cool climates during the summer, but I will gladly take them over wildfires and storms. I'm glad that you emerged unscathed!

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  4. Scary! I'm glad you came out ok after the storm (and the python!). It's been ridiculously hot in the Midwest and there's been no rain so everything is dry as well. I just hope we get some rain soon.

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  5. That storm sounds like a crazy experience! My parent's house in NYC got hit by the tornado 2 years ago and it was crazy to think something like that could happen there!
    I'm glad you had fun back home - visiting home can be so fun, but bittersweet!

    xoxo,
    Chic 'n Cheap Living

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  6. So glad you had fun (and adventure!) and that you made it back! How nice to see your family!

    Missed you!

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  7. The time you got to spend with your family sounds like it made up for the downsides of your trip! I've had to run through airports a couple of times, it's definitely no fun!

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  8. It was 106 here and I'm over the hot weather!

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  9. Storms like that terrify me. I do not handle bad weather well at all. So glad that you are okay! :)

    http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
    Twitter: @GlamKitten88

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  10. Looks like a wonderful trip! And sorry you guys had to come back to the bad storms. It was bad in Richmond too! Scared us that's for sure!

    Jayme & Mendi @ Her Late Night Cravings

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  11. So glad you had an amazing time
    Away!!

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  12. looks like you had such a great time!! the ocean/beach looks like such a great place to be, and how fun to ride a vespa!

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  13. OMG that snake pic gives me the heebie jeebies! haha Glad most of the trip was good, other than the bad weather. It's been pretty hot here in FL too!

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