vacation

#WayBackWednesday - My Heart Will Go On

I know, I know… What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Pfffft… unless it’s funny. In May of 2013, my dear friend Ashley and I set out to meet in Vegas. I had moved to Texas in 2011, and she was still up in Michigan, so this was a fun way to hang out somewhere new! So, we planned it out - the hotels, the activities, and the adventures. My best bud Kevin was coming as a surprise, and surprising Ashley is nearly impossible. Seriously, this girl can figure anything out! Anyway, Kevin and I boarded our Southwest flights from Dallas Love Field and were headed to Las Vegas. We landed and headed to baggage. Ashley had landed before us and told me to meet her there. I gave it away in a text, but she was surprised nonetheless. Mission accomplished. Story over! JUST KIDDING. Enjoy some photos! These events are not in any order, so don’t try to piece it together. Also, this is probably one of my all-time-favorite trips simply because of how ridiculous things got - with the surprise, the drunken nights by the fountains, and our adventurous hotels. I know Vegas isn’t for everyone, but I sure do enjoy the flashy absurdity every now and then.

We had street beers…

I took the “princess” koozie and we just recently lost it or it melted, not sure. Good stuff.

I took the “princess” koozie and we just recently lost it or it melted, not sure. Good stuff.

The spring gardens somewhere, I think the Bellagio?

The spring gardens somewhere, I think the Bellagio?

We did a lot of random shit the first day, which made us “sleepy”

We “fell asleep” instead of going to see Mystere, oops… I think Ashley went and actually fell asleep at the show, but I can’t be 100% sure because I was passed out on the far bed in this photo.

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Kevin flew home, after changing his flight to a day later so we could have more day drinks…

Kevin, Ash, and I getting prickly pear margaritas as Kevin delayed his flight another day. Gotta love Southwest for that feature!

Kevin, Ash, and I getting prickly pear margaritas as Kevin delayed his flight another day. Gotta love Southwest for that feature!

Ashley and I drove to the Hoover Dam, then on to the Grand Canyon. NEAT. (may have also stopped at Lake Mead)

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We did Vegas things at night…

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We watched the Bellagio fountains A LOT… Usually with some alcohol. We sang along, we laughed, we made fun of people, we had so much fun.

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We went up in the fake Eiffel Tower and saw the fountains at the Bellagio again.

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The best part was how many times we heard “My Heart Will Go On” at the fountains - including when we were up in the fake Eiffel Tower.

We stayed at Circus Circus, after two fabulous nights at Treasure Island. This was Circus Circus pre-renovation, so it was SHITTY.

We stayed at Golden Nugget, also, and went down the water slide in the shark tank! We did the Fremont Street stuff too, and enjoyed more drinks of course.

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We had all-you-can-eat-and-drink brunch AND got to-go mimosas for our adventures.

We saw other, prettier things in Vegas, and had drinks.

#WayBackWednesday - My first time in Alaska

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Three years ago, for Thanksgiving, I went to Alaska to celebrate turkey day with my other half’s family. I was recently laid off from my job, had no prospects, and thought it was a good time to make a trip. I had never been that far from “home” and I was completely excited. I had no expectations for the trip - but was hoping for snow. We arrived to a cold, wintry scene in Anchorage and it only got prettier each day.

As we prepare to head back up there in December, I’m hopeful for more snowy adventures. Enjoy some photos form my first time in Alaska.