Bethany Lake

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Nathan and I have been hitting up the fishing spots in the area. Most spots are out in the suburbs but still prove to be really beautiful. This particular area was called Bethany Lake. It was more like a pond and likely man-made. It had a beautiful trail going along the water, though. It was a rather strange spot, literally a block away from a busy 4 lane road and across the water, opposite of the walking trail, was a little neighborhood. It felt secluded, for the most part. I caught my first fish there, a tiny little guy. Nathan took my picture while I stood as far away from the fish as possible. I really don’t like things that live in the water. Nathan had to do the honors to release it back into the water. I will not touch fish.

oregon coast

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Recently I took a trip out to the coast with my boyfriend. It was a little extended weekend trip but it was really nice to get away. We didn’t really plan out anything besides the hotel. We were just winging it!

The Oregon coast is so beautiful. It’s unlike any other beach area I’ve ever been to. The forest basically comes right up to the beach and it’s breathtaking. And the fog! I love the fog.

We tried to check out Thor’s Well but the tide was low so it was basically a hole in the ground with some water at the bottom. Nothing like the photos I had seen of it! We also tried to go to the sea lion caves but the sea lions were out in the ocean. Boo! This is why you should plan things, guys.

Before we left, we went to a little pond area to do some fishing. I spent the time taking photos of the area and the sunset. I loved the cotton candy clouds!

On our way home, we stopped by a little aquarium and had a fun time. We weren’t planning on stopping in but I saw a sign from the highway and thought it would be a nice to check out. They have a part where you walk through a tunnel that is surrounded by water and sharks swimming overhead. I wasn’t too excited about that bit!

I really love taking short trips to explore areas outside of Portland. I hope to take more trips in 2016!

colorado lightning

Personal

This year I had the opportunity to meet up with my mom and brother in Colorado, where my grandparents live. Since moving away from home, I try to take a trip back to Las Vegas each year to see my mom and brother. Usually, I get out there around my brother’s birthday in July. This year, however, I wasn’t able to go! It was quite sad for me and I was pretty homesick/familysick. I missed them! Instead of hanging out with my mom and brother in Vegas, we decided to all met up in Colorado and hang out with the entire family. Even better since I haven’t seen my grandparents since moving to Oregon in 2013.

Colorado is simply gorgeous and probably one of my favorite places to be. Especially where my grandparents live! They are at, like, 10,000 feet elevation and the clouds are like nothing I’ve ever seen. My grandparents have the most amazing view of Pikes Peak from where they live. I really just love everything about being out there.

One of my favorite moments from our trip this year was this incredibly lightning storm. I’ve never seen anything like it! Lightning off in the distance, no thunder and no rain; simply a beautiful show. I had to take some photos! I can’t wait to get these printed out. The next morning, I guess the storm finally moved closer. I woke up around 6am to the loudest thunder clap I have ever heard. It shot me right out of bed! I looked out the window almost immediately and, as I was laying back down, I saw the bright flash of lightning I’ve ever seen and another crazy loud thunder clap. I’m pretty sure the lightning was right there in the backyard. Terrifying!