On the way to San Diego

I’m writing this from the air on my way to San Diego! Unfortunately, Kaboost’s seat is one row in front of mine, so neither plane speaks for me. I guess that’s what I get for paying as little as possible. At least our first flight from Panama City Beach was a smaller flight and we were seated together. «Wait, Panama City Beach?» Yes, let me explain.

Day 1

We left North Carolina a week ago and from there we drove to Indiana to visit my family and friends. On our first half day in the city, we watched a really dumb horror movie with my parents and brother called The Crazies, and yes, it made me feel like I was going crazy!

Day 2

Our second day in Indiana was supposed to consist of a short day hike and the brewery in town, but other plans fell into place when we arrived at the state forest and no one showed up. I did the Facebook event months in advance and it was a really nice day, but it’s my fault for doing it in the middle of the day on a weekday. Oops! We still found our way to the brewery after realizing no one was walking, and one of my best friends was able to join us at the brewery with her kids. We sat outside, had a few drinks and shared a pizza. In total we were there for about three hours and my brother even joined us towards the end.

My brother and my best friend’s oldest son got haircuts afterwards, which was overall a pretty quick outing. Kaboost and I ate Mexican food after that, and then headed to the same friend’s house to have a bonfire with her. It was a lovely evening and I was glad to spend time with your children!

Day 3

Our third day in Indiana consisted of my appointment with the hairdresser, which was early in the morning and was quite long. Fortunately, it wasn’t too early and David and I were able to have breakfast at our favorite place, The Cascade Cafe! It’s a quaint, homey restaurant that offers the best breakfast at fantastic prices. It’s unbeatable! My hair appointment lasted about three hours, longer than my last balayage, but I can’t complain. She did a great job, it was her first balayage and it only cost $80 with tip. I went to hair school, that’s why it was so affordable. I’m happy to be blonde again!

I met up with my other best friend after my hair appointment. She lives close to where I did my hair, so it was very convenient for both of us! We had lunch together, went to the Riverwalk for a short walk, and then had drinks at the cafe. It was very nice to be able to see her. The hardest part about moving hundreds of miles from my home state is that I rarely spend time with my closest friends.

Honeymoon coffee: I have a banana bread chai!

I drove straight from visiting my friend to my grandparents’ house. I’m very lucky to still have both of my grandparents on my mom’s side of the family, so I can’t imagine being in Indiana and not spending time with them. My grandmother worries about me and my favorite hobbies, but I assured her that statistically, women are probably safer in the woods than in their own homes. The trail presents much more interesting ways to die, but I always feel safer in nature than walking alone through a city.

Days 4-7

Finally, driving to Panama City Beach. Now, from Indiana this takes a full day. The family got into the car, left at 6 in the morning and arrived around 6 in the afternoon. We spent the entire vacation lounging on the beach, relaxing in the hot tub, or drinking. All of us definitely did a lot of that. I had a good amount of Miami Vices and pina coladas, while everyone else had most of the liquor and beer. Actually, I’m not sure what my mom had. Probably sparkling vodka and mixed drinks, mostly. I just hope they finish off my leftover Malibu and chestnut rum!

That’s our road trip so far, which has now been done by air instead of by road! Kaboost has decided he hates flying, so I guess I’ll start looking forward to our post-Tour America road trip…literally. Maybe I’ll fly and he can drive, ‘cause I love flight. It reminds me a bit of a roller coaster, which I also love. Although I admit that I feel like walking around for a while after all this sitting in cars and airplanes. We will be walking for a long, long time!

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