Simply Glowing: Water Lantern Festival 2019

This past Saturday, I attended the Water Lantern festival.

Hosted by One World LLC., the water lantern festival is a traveling event that plants its stakes into different locations throughout the United States, and is expanding. 

My ticket (presale) was only $25 this year, and well worth the enjoyment and chill vibes felt through the evening air. Strangers were kind, inviting and relaxed. Volunteers and staff of the event were excited to have you, like a long time friend waiting for your arrival to their party.

The event had music, games, food trucks and street vendors selling glow sticks and other fun souvenirs.

The Water Lantern’s guided host counted down the evening’s agenda to the crowd as the time approached the latern launch, and let’s just say, people were full of emotion. As you can decorate each latern to your own choice of words, images or quotes, many were in tears to remember a loved one, or filled with excitement to set intentions for the future. The takeback was rewarding as the feeling of solitude washed over the crowd as they watched their words drift on the water in a warming glow. 

I cherished this evening, and would definitely recommend it to new timers. Go alone, go with friends, family, your boyfriend, girlfriend, or kids, but at least try it, once. It’s definitely a heart-warming experience. 

water lantern festival

We Love Our Public Lands: How You Can Help

"Today, the President announced his plan to dramatically reduce the size of two national monuments in Utah—Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante. This is the largest rollback of protected lands in American history. The decision also undermines the integrity of the Antiquities Act, which 16 presidents from both parties have used to designate and protect national monuments over the last 111 years."  --REI, American retail and outdoor recreation services corporation.




On December 4, 2017, our United States President spoke of his plan to drastically reduce the size of two national monuments located in Utah.  The decision followed Administration’s four-month review (April 2017 to August 2017) of 27 national monuments designated during the last two decades.




During this time of review, more than 2.8 million Americans submitted comments to fight for protection of these monuments. The voices were snubbed by administration and the decision was made, and took away 2 million acres of public land. A decision that has caused extensive outrage amongst all Americans who love the outdoors and appreciate it's beauty, including what it does for the welfare of people and the ecosystem. Large outdoor supplier and clothing store, REI has created a full page dedicated to helping those interested in voicing their concerns to our administration. To learn more, go here.


I am personally heart broken to hear what our admin would do to such precious places that millions of Americans call home. It's time to fight back so that our children and their children can continue on a legacy of God's beauty.


Show your colors and place this image on your social media platforms with the hashtag #UnitedOutside

Trip to Yosemite

"The world is big 

and I just want to have a good look at it before it gets dark." - John Muir 

...Because nature needs no words, I'm just going to show you pictures of my trip last weekend to Yosemite, Bass Lake and Raymond. Please enjoy. 

(All photos by @shoesdogsandchocolate)

Yosemite is the most beautiful park I've had the pleasure of visiting and the pictures only show a sliver of its majestic meadows, waterfalls and rock formations. If you've never been I suggest you do. Just once. Find Your Park! 

Visit: https://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm 

Get Your Kisser Ready: POGO by Ecolips Review

Took my new POGO on a hike in Pasadena, California. The weather was great on my afternoon trek through Eaton Canyon. I had it all: good shoes, my partner-in-crime, sunblock, bug spray and my iced iced berry flavored POGO #putongoout .

The easy refillable, sustainable product is biodegradable, gluten-free, cruelty-free, USDA organic, fair-trade certified and made right here in the USA!  

Just launched in Target stores, this cute little globe-shaped balm is available in six flavors; and you'll want them all! Just swipe on your pout and #KissTheWorld

Hiking in Hollywood

Another great hike marked off in the books. E and I worked our way through Runyon Canyon for the second time this year, and it was just as intense as the first. The breathing tempo started out great and my heart rate monitor was just fine until steep hills, slippery rocks and down hill trails had it beeping off the chart and my breath shallowing. It was awesome! 

The park's policy allows dogs, which makes for some cute, first introductions along your excursion. Hill tops and side roads give you a great view of the city skyline and offers the perfect backdrop for photo opps. 

If you have bad knees or back, a heart condition or asthma, I would recommend sitting this one out. But if you do go on this hike, bring plenty of water and, you know what else? Relax from time to time and soak in the view.

Just a day at the park

Bella, Lulu and I have been spending a lot of extra time together, outdoors. In our small town, we have the luxury of exploring three parks. A much appreciated array of options when the hustle and bustle of life becomes too much, and a long walk or a gazing view under a tree, can be just the ticket for pure relaxation. Two out of the three parks however, are usually loaded with foot traffic as adults accompany young children or other dogs, which usually go unleashed to roam the premises, and if Bella isn't in the mood for a meet and greet, it can cut our outings short.

Did I tell you Bella was feisty? Today she was called an Alpha female. "Yep, just like her mother," I added to the conversation with a friendly stranger visiting the park with his maltipoo, "Rambo".

Only after asking the dog owner if it was OK, did I let Bella off the leash to explore the area that was Rambo. The sweet little guy could have be an agility trainer, as he bobbed and weaved from Bella's temper tantrums. After a few how do you dos and don'ts from the pups and conversations of dogs ended, Bella, Lulu, Rambo, the stranger and myself parted ways and Bella and Lulu did as they do best and took over the rest of the park.

They win. 

Yosemite & Bass Lake, California

What an amazing week! E and I were so excited for our visit to Yosemite National Park. And the fact that our vacation time would land on the park's 125th Birthday, was just icing on the cake. Get it? ;)

Located just five hours North of Los Angeles, Yosemite is full of waterfalls, meadows, old history of Native Americans and views of glorious trees, rock formations and much more.

Journey along with me as I show you pictures, and share some guided commentary of our trip.

Arrival day consisted of exploring Bass Lake. A local hotspot for tourist during the warmer months, but a rather serene place with minimal hustle and bustle, during off season. 

Day two was full of adventure, as we explored Yosemite Mountain. Located just 20 minutes up highway 41, we stopped at the Pioneer Yosemite History Center, which showcases old bridges, covered wagons and stables to honor those who thought up the National Park Idea. 

To the right of the center is a small general store to grab snacks, use the restroom and fill up on gas, which I recommend doing as there are no other stops along the way. 

The local general store staff is incredibly friendly, humble, and welcoming. Creating conversation with them is easy. Make sure to say, hi! 

Continuing on... We drove another 30 minutes until our second stop, the Sentinel Dome. The hike to the dome is just under two miles. Make sure you have steady shoes and a balanced body frame, otherwise these uneven roads and steep hills may not be for you. 

Do you see the dome? It may look small in this photo, but it was quite large. And if you look close enough, you can see people on top of it. 

...jumping back in our car, we continued another 30 minutes up the mountain to Olmstead Point. Check out that view. 

And now, Glacier Point. Just a five minute drive from Olmstead, Glacier Point has the most spectacular view of Half Dome.

On day three, we drove to Yosemite Valley. Nestled in Curry Village, and the home of some of the most famous tourist spots 

We got out of the car and walked a bit to Yosemite Falls. Unfortunately the drought only allows for the water to flow during early spring and summer, and that's only if there is enough rainfall throughout the year, prior. 

Next up, El Capitan. This beautiful rock formation stands tall and proud as onlookers check out its great heights.

On the drive out of Yosemite Village, we stopped at Tunnel View. Although super windy and chilly, the view was beautiful. 

Before reaching the ground road back to Bass Lake, we met a few deer. 

I named them Bambi, Felene, and Penelope. Don't judge. 

No day was better than the other. They each had their own positive traits and offered gifts in abundance. You definitely don't miss the crazy traffic, 100 degree heat or angry Angeleano drivers on the road when you're hanging out with Mother Nature. 

On our way home, we made a few pit stops in order to linger throughout Northern California just a bit longer. One of them was in Tulare, California. If you're ever in the area, be sure to stop at Apple Annie's. This family style restaurant serves breakfast all day and has a very friendly staff, not to mention the best handmade apple pie you'll ever taste. 

Although we felt the weather heat up further down South on the drive home, we couldn't help but enjoy the easy trails ahead. 

Thank you, California, for being so good to us. We had the most amazing time witnessing one of the greatest National Parks this world has to offer, meeting good people along the way, and cruising the friendly highways that were built so that we can travel the long distance. 

If you ever go to Yosemite or Bass Lake, or have been there recently, please share your favorite spots to visit in the comment section below.  

Want to book a trip? Visit this link for more information. http://www.yosemitethisyear.com 

Happy road tripping!