idaho'ed + sunsets

The good news is that I get to stay onshore for a least the next couple of weeks, the bad news is that my 28-day hitch has turned into a 39-days...

I had a verrrrrry lazy time off compared to jam-packed June, which was awesome and made me slightly stir-crazy at the same time.  I found out that I need to get some new hobbies besides traveling.  The problem is that all the hobbies that I have brainstormed either A. requires more than one person (ie. tennis, volleyball, etc) or B. requires follow up with I'm working (ie. gardening, guitar, piano, etc) .  I think I've narrowed it down to becoming a professional yogi or getting back into running - or maybe sewing/knitting.  One thing that I can to both on my off time and while I'm working is start studying for the Professional Engineers exam.  The problem there is that I think I forgot how to study.  Clearly, I've got some work to do.

Anyways, onto the recap of the last 4 weeks...I landed in Houston and headed straight to Jackson Hole, which I found out is actually just called Jackson and all those annoying tourists have morphed the name to Jackson Hole.  Confusing.  I met Alanna and Kory in Jackson for the night and then we began our annual pilgrimage to Challis, Idaho for one of the best music festivals around - Braun Brother's Reunion.  I actually missed the last 2 years; one for Andrea's nursing school gradation (valid excuse) and the other because I was working (not as valid).  Over the years, we have had several interesting experiences getting to and from Challis.  Including driving 16-hours on a Sunday after 3 long days of sun, booze, and dance moves ...there's not much that the Rolow sisters and I won't do for a good time.  This year did not disappoint...

BBR!

this one pretty accurately captures the group..

After thoroughly wearing ourselves out, we got up first thing Sunday morning and headed back to Jackson and were Bakersfield bound.  I spent the next week on Chad's couch, literally.  I actually didn't leave the house until Wednesday, and that was only because Micky and the Motorcars and Reckless Kelly (yes, two bands that we had seen the weekend before) were playing in Bakersfield.  Naturally, I needed to see them again.  That weekend, Chad and I had talked about heading to the coast to get out of the Bakersfield heat for mini-vacay and lucky for us, the bands were heading that way to play at a mac n cheese festival.  Naturally, we had to go making that 3 shows in 1 week - ridiculous, I know.  We didn't just go eat pasta, drink wine, and dance we actually did quite a bit of hiking and sunset watching as well...

Shell Beach sunset

Bishop's Peak Hike

mac n cheese festival

Avila sunset

That Saturday I found out that my baby cousin (by 2-years) and her sweet husband are going to be moving to South Korea!  Their planned move date is October 1st for an 11-month job assignment, and I am just so thrilled for them!  However, that week it began to sink in that I wouldn't be able to say bye to Laurel and Jason before they move and I started getting sooo sad (aka super grouchy).  I'm not sure if Chad just wanted to get rid of bad-mood bear or if he actually wanted to take a quick trip to Houston, but either way we booked a last minute trip to H-town to see the Browning's before they officially become expats.  Even though Houston in mid-August isn't exactly a vacation destination, I am soooo glad that we got to spend time with our Houston family :) 

Newest addition to the Johnson clan...JAKE!

I got back and headed straight to Ojai for a little girl's get away with Carrie.  I haven't really gotten a chance to spend time with just Carrie since I left Bakersfield, so we planned to get out of town to catch up a few weeks ago.  Shortly after arriving, we agreed that we needed to make the trip to Ojai Valley Inn and Spa and annual one.  Everything about the resort was absolutely gorgeous...

         
I ended up having to come back to work a few days early to help take care of some issues, so my time off was a little short and I didn't get to go home as planned.  BUT since I'm working 5(ish) weeks this hitch, I'll have an extra long time off :)  

2 days down, 37 to go! xoxo...