Life is a highway

Last week, Ben and I took a little trip along the California coastline via Hwy 1. 

I have no words to describe how amazingly fun it was, which is a shame, 'cause I would really like to brag about it.

So, I will have to use these pictures to try to convey how epic it was.

D A Y   O N E: 

Concord, CA (i.e. Oakland, CA)

 [This is what Ben left me all summer to do: play with PVC horses.]

[I'm not bitter.]

 [Okay. I'll admit what he does is pretty awesome. And he's great at it! Plus, his friends/colleagues are pretty great too.]

[It was over 100 degrees the first day. I was not pleased. But, that evening was beautiful.]

Not pictured: Dinner with Ben's uncles, David & Mike, who were WONDERFUL hosts. I hope I can visit them again.

D A Y   T W O: 

San Francisco, CA.

 [Driving in SF sucks.]

 [We stayed at this great hotel, Le Hotel d'Arts. Each room was commissioned to be painted by a local artist. And they sold the artwork in the hallways. Awesome.]

[We went to the Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park. Despite it being freezing, it was a great time! Obviously, Ben is great at headstands.]

[We went to the de Young Art Museum.]

[So foggy.]

D A Y   T H R E E : 

San Francisco, CA... Santa Barbara, CA:

 [Chinatown.]

 [So many scarves! I bought one.]

[I want to move to SF. It was my favorite city on our trip. Who cares if it is more expensive than NYC? Ben agrees, it's a perfect city.]

[It was foggy.]

 [And then it was beautiful.]

 [We spontaneously pulled over to pick some fresh strawberries.]

[Berry picking was our favorite part of the whole week.]

[The rest of the drive was terrifying.]

D A Y   F O U R :

Santa Barbara, CA... Los Angeles, CA

[We stayed here. Wish we had time to use the patio.]

 [And hang out with our neighbor.]

 [We conveniently stopped to tour the university as a possible Grad school choice. After talking with an adviser, it's not the program for me. But, how beautiful is their campus?!]

[Ben napped to LA.]

[We stayed in the wonderfully gaudy Hollywood Historic Hotel on the, ahem, east side of West Hollywood.]

[We went to a FANTASTIC show at The Troubadour. Listen to Delta Rae. You won't be disappointed.]

D A Y   F I V E :

Los Angeles, CA... San Diego, CA

[We had brunch with one of my favorites. I'm kinda obsessed with her.]

[Ben's never been, so we went.]

[It was a beautiful day.]

[We got to have dinner with this happy girl!]

 [She's laughing at Ben playing "Put My Sunglasses On Upside Down". Adorable.]

[Love my family.]

D A Y   S I X :

San Diego, CA

 [Beach time. My boyfriend is hot.]

I now officially now hate Phoenix and need to be in California forever.

It was perfect.