The Scottish Highlands

Hello my friends!!

Keaton and I ventured to the UK this May for our EIGHTH (!!!!) anniversary and we spent most of our time in Scotland. It was everything I hoped it would be. It was green, the weather was amazing, and the sheep had babies- so everything was perfect!

We ended up flying into Glasgow, renting a car (it's own adventure) and driving, straight to the Isle of Skye. Skye was absolute magic. Don't go to Scotland without seeing this incredible place.

While we spent most of our time on Skye, we also spent a little time in Inverness where we did do a little Nessy hunting... ;)

As always, I'll share some of my favorite spots at the end!

Joshua Tree

Our best friends, Justin and Rachel, are what I'd call "desert people", meaning they love the desert. I never really understood this because I'm more of a "water" person and the whole thing about the desert is that there isn't any water. Like, would you go the beach if there wasn't an ocean right there? No. But still they insisted that we needed to take a trip to the desert so I could experience it and then I'd get it.

Well I'm here to publicly announce that the desert is, in fact, quite magical and that I fell in love with the high desert of southern California. 

We stayed in Joshua Tree, just a little ways outside of the National Park. Every morning I would wake up early to watch the sun rise and every evening I watched it set and there was something therapeutic and circadian about that. You don't get that in the piedmont of the southeast, really. The desert sun is a thing all on its own, just like the prairie and the tropics have their own unique sun. I liked that. 

I always thought of the desert as desolate and therefore less interesting but I found that it's impossible not to be in awe of the organisms that have adapted to such a harsh environment. Desert species are resilient and bold. The ravens are charismatic and the cholla cactus leave behind woody skeletons that look like artwork. 

The desert biota have a deeper appreciation for water than I ever could and can thrive with even the smallest inputs. We were fortunate to arrive just after a meager snowfall, so the wildflowers were bursting from the ground and the Joshua Trees were filled with creamy white flowers (something that only occurs when water conditions are just right). Palm trees and song birds flourish in the small oases that are scattered sparsely across the landscape and you can actually trace the watershed through the unique patterns that have shaped the topography of the Mojave. 

I don't typically write this much but I was just really taken by this place. I'll include a list of my favorite spots at the end and if you haven't made your way to this corner of the globe yet, I hope you'll consider it!

Nor Cal Dreamin'

When my all time BFF wanted to celebrate her dirty 30 in Cali, I obviously jumped at the chance to spend as much time in California as humanly possible because I love it there. So Keaton and I spent a couple of days bumping around highway 1 until we met the gang for a little wine country time.

We usually end up in So Cal so it was nice to visit the northern part of the state. I read some Henry Miller and Steinbeck to prep for the trip and I gotta say, I get why the bay area is so sought after. It's a magical place... Mountains, steep coastlines, mystical fog that comes in every evening; what more could you want?

I think we did as much as anyone can do in 7 days and I'm already starting my list of things I want to see next time.

Prepare for some major Phoverload (photo-overload)

BIG SUR

Vacationland

For me, Maine is only "Vacationland" in the summer...

I don't like the snow and I don't like the cold (the south is choice for this reason...) but I do love my mom! So this summer I actually made it up to Maine TWICE to see her. Time with family + time on the coast is basically my all time combo. 

We spent some time in Sedgwick, Brunswick (all the wicks, I guess), and even drove out to Bailey's island to explore a little. The real bonus is that I can usually find flights to Boston (only 3 hours from my mom) for less than $100 round trip! #PTL

I even got to help my mom shoot a wedding while I was up there! 

Beach Bums

In only two weeks Keaton and I went coast to coast!! Gulf coast to Atlantic coast that is...

We got the chance to hang out with friends in Tampa and then we hit Myrtle Beach because I was presenting at a conference.

I think sunshine is a drug because I'm addicted to it.

Shadecation 2018: Catalonia

This month we took a trip to Spain with our dear friends Justin and Rachel.

As I'm going through the squillion photos I took I thought it'd be fun to throw together some of the little videos I (and Keaton) took on the trip.

We spent most of our time in Barcelona and Girona but did a little day trip to Cadaques.

I'd challenge you to show me a better way to spend your birthday ;)

Walks in the Woods

I really enjoy my job and I realize not a lot of people can say that. One part I find especially rewarding is when I get to show others what we're doing on the ground.

I love watching people experience nature.

As I mentioned before, I'm trying to pick up my camera more this year and that includes photographing my work more! Why wouldn't I, really. I get to work in some of the most beautiful biodiverse ecosystems in the world!

So here are some photos from a rainy day in the Raccoon Creek watershed. Raccoon Creek is unique because the biodiversity is off the charts, most of the watershed is in protected land, and it's still technically in the Atlanta Metro.

Any day I get to spend in Raccoon Creek is a privilege.

Tulum

Keaton and I just got back from a 9 day vacation in Tulum, Mexico.

I've wanted to go to Tulum for a while now because it always looks so dreamy and boho and just super relaxing.

It did not disappoint!

The food was incredible, the beaches are breathtaking, the jungle is wild, and you can bike to everything. This is maybe the most perfect vacation spot... We stayed at two different Airbnbs while we were there, one in the jungle and one in the pueblo.

The beach is obviously amazing but we were surprised by how much time we spent in the cenotes. Throughout the yucatan there is a large underground river system and as sink holes or pits have formed, it's exposed the groundwater, creating these beautiful swimming holes! Such an awesome way to cool off and an awesome spot to see birds (and bats)!

Many delicious cocktails were had, many tacos were consumed; what more could you ask for?!

[ At the end of this post I'll include a list of "Must See/Eat" in case you're looking to take a trip to the Yucatan ]

Field Work

Y'all.

I LOVE my job.

I've been working full time for The Nature Conservancy for almost a year! I wanted to share some photos from random field days here and there. I'm still a little nervous to take my camera in the field with me, just because you never really know what to expect! It could be a really easy, chill day on the river, or you could flip your boat trying to save an elementary school kid from losing their lunch... you just never know! So most of these photos were taken on my phone (in a Lifeproof case, which is a total necessity these days).

SHADECATION

Hey guys! Just got back from Cali so I'm nice and tan and maybe still a little jet lagged...
We took a trip with our best friends (also the other two members of our band, Cool Shades) Justin and Rachel, to see Bon Iver at the Hollywood Bowl. We spent 4 days in L.A. living, loving, and losing the rental car.

My camera died half way through the trip and I forgot to bring a charger and/or another battery. #fail BUT such is life...

I love California. There really is such a vibe about that place. I think I'm more inspired artistically when I'm there, which makes sense I guess.

Anywho...here are some shots from our trip!

Greece!

Y'all, I've been dreading this post because it's the end of my Europe pictures!
Oh well! On to the next adventure I suppose...

GREECE.
IS.
AMAZING!!!!!

The people are legitimately the friendliest we met abroad. We gave up our seats up for an elderly couple on the train and then they were trying to give their seats to another older couple and it lead to the most polite greek argument I've ever seen :)

We stayed in Athens. Our Airbnb was extra amazing. We were literally at the bottom of the Acropolis. The food was unreal.

I don't think it could have been more perfect! We took a day trip to Hydra (because y'all know I can't stay out of the sea) and the Greek islands are even more beautiful than the pictures!

We were really just blown away. I think I've said this every time but I really can't wait to go back!

The French Riviera

Our anniversary trip to Europe was a really big deal! I had been saving for the trip basically since we got married so I wanted to taste as much as I could! The first stop on our trip was the French Riviera. We flew into Nice and spent the night, then we took a train south to Marseille, where we stayed for 4 days.

The focus of this trip was to stay around the Mediterranean! Neither of us had ever been to Europe but the beach bum in me wanted to stay near the water.

Here are a select few (I took A LOT of pictures) of the photos from that leg of the trip!

2016 Y'all!

I honestly can't believe it's been over a year since my last post...but then at the same time I totally can!

2015 was the year of survival. It had so many highs and some pretty major lows but we survived and now I'm back! I want 2016 to be about thriving. But it feels weird to not catch you up on the time in between. SO I figured I'd share some of my highlights from 2015.

Let's just get this one out of the way...

Nash City

Labor day weekend was epic y'all. We went to Nashville and had the time of our lives! So thankful for good friends in cool places (THANK YOU ALLISON!)

We did the Parthenon, the Farmers Market, Third Man Records, the Belcourt, LOTS of good food in between, AND to top it all off we visited the most amazing swimming hole I've ever seen!

Work Hard, Play Hard

This week I took Keaton and Brenda with me to help me catch some fish for my research.
You know they say don't mix business with pleasure but I think that doesn't apply here...we had too much fun.

Life is good.

Belize...Again

I went ahead and compiled some of the video I took while I was in Belize in case they wanted to use it for the class and I figured I might as well share it here! Video gives you a feeling that photos can't quite capture. I would love to get better at videography...maybe someday. For now I'll just keep winging it. lol

This was my first time using my GoPro so some (cough..a lot..) of the shots are super shaky!
Practice makes perfect right? ;)

Hope you like it!

Little St. Simons Island

Keaton and I got the chance to visit Little St. Simons Island for our 3rd anniversary (3 YEARS???). It was so quaint and lovely. We rode bikes all over the island and had lots of adventures. This summer has been one to remember and it's not over yet!

Belize

I am finally getting around to going through my photos from my recent adventures. Belize has such a special place in my heart! I wouldn't mind calling it home some day... Here's to dreaming!

Georgian Fall

We had some pretty great colors this fall if you ask me! It's weird having an Autumn but I could definitely get used to it...

-Listening to Horse Feathers: Curs in the Weeds-

Livin The Dream!

Last weekend I got to travel down south to the Gulf of Mexico and help out with some seagrass research! It was to give me an idea of what I'll be doing next year when I start working on my thesis (EEP! I am still working that out...). So this is small taste of what you're going to see all next spring and summer! ;)

Following your dreams is so wonderful. I highly recommend it. 

-Listening to Feist: Cicadas and Gulls-