Where did the last week go? California Eats & Euro Auto Fest

Yeah…so, I definitely was planning on engaging you with my amazing adventures in California this past week and then I got back into work, got back into my running, and before I knew it…it was Friday and the Hubs and I were heading to South Carolina for the Euro Auto Fest.  Hubby was featuring his Saab (I lovingly call him a Saab Snob)

I figure you all didn’t want to hear all the mundane details of my vacation and, besides, the pictures speak for themselves.  Central California was beautiful.  The weather was kinda weird.  I wasn’t ready for 20 degree differences driving back and forth over the hills.  I didn’t remember the Pacific Ocean being THAT cold!

Anyway, I did want to share with y’all some of the amazing eats I had in California.  It was awesome!  We did end up eating out almost EVERY meal.   At amazing places, too.  Check it out:

We ate sooooo many strawberries.  The best kind of strawberries too…purchased from roadside fruit stands!  I loved it!

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A #yummy breakfast with leftover #strawberries before today's adventure!! #vacation

A post shared by Anna Evans (@runningshutterbug) on Oct 9, 2014 at 8:48am PDT

My first crepe…the strawberry, banana, nutella version complete with ice cream on the side!

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Ice cream for breakfast? Don't mind if I do! #dontjudgeme #imonvacation

A post shared by Anna Evans (@runningshutterbug) on Oct 10, 2014 at 10:40am PDT

One of the many drinks we had fire side.  Fire pits everywhere!

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Lunching in paradise #halfmoonbay #vacation

A post shared by Anna Evans (@runningshutterbug) on Oct 6, 2014 at 1:49pm PDT

Anyway, after we got back I was thrown head first into work.  I work for a very small company and I’m the only admin person.  Needless to say, lots of emails and call backs to be made.

I survived the week.  Before I knew it it was Friday.  Time to hit the road again.  The Hubs is part of a local Saab Club and they get together regularly to show off their cars, and talk about their cars, and buy stuff for their cars, etc.  It’s kind of cute 😛

This weekend was the annual Euro Auto Fest in Greer, SC.  We drove down Friday night, stayed in a pretty craptastic hotel (which I won’t go into…I’m trying to forget!) and headed to the BMW plant to get our spot.  We spent the day walking around the lawn checking out 400+ European cars.

Of course I took my camera.  Here are a couple of my favorites from the day.

*Disclaimer-I don’t know ANYthing about these cars.  I just think they’re cool (and pretty!)

Elf Limo?  That Land Rover is ready for safari!  And how about that VW bus camper?  I would totally drive that and camp out in Yosemite.  The Rolls Royce is so beautiful too.

It was a super fun day.  The sun was shining, the weather was great.  It was fun hanging out with my hubby all day and sharing his hobby.  I may not know much about cars but I’m learning.

Hope you all had a great weekend!  Here’s to another busy week.  Next weekend I am planning on staying home and relaxing!  No plans for me.  I can’t wait!  Later, Peeps!

California-Quick Recap

I’m planning on writing a much more detailed blog recapping the amazing week the Hubs and I spent in California.

For now, here are some highlights (complete with photos, of course!)

Places we went:

Big Sur State Park

McWay Falls-in Big Sur

Bixby Bridge

1Infinite Loop-Apple Headquarters

Japanese Friendship Gardens

Moss Beach

Half Moon Bay

Big Basin State Park

The Stanford Dish

Golden Gate Bridge

So many restaurants…

Things we saw:

Fruit trees everywhere!

Sea Lions

Waterfalls

Tidepools

GIANT Redwoods

Yarn bombing!

So many pumpkin patches

Biggest Monopoly board ever

Crazy clouds/Fog

The Blue Angels

Alzatraz

Gone Girl

Things I loved:

Patio dining

Fire pits

Daily road trip adventures

Afternoon naps

Plenty of photo ops

Crepes and ice cream for breakfast

Fresh strawberries

Honey straws

Evening walks (with the kitties!)

Did I mention the photo ops??

Want more photos?  Check out Running Shutterbug on Instagram-http://instagram.com/runningshutterbug

California definitely treated me well.  Already contemplating a trip back!

*All photographs were taken by Anna Evans. Use without permission prohibited

Packing and Tracking

Here I am…when I post this I will be less than 24 hours away from jetting across the county to southern California!  I’m busy packing and planning and figuring out what I absolutely do and don’t have to have with me.  I’m taking every piece of camera equipment I own.  I’m wondering how practical that is but I’d rather bring all of it and not use it then not bring something (like my flash diffuser or monopod) and miss a great photo op because I don’t have the right stuff!

Oh, I almost forgot to tell y’all that my wonderful husband bought me the Eye-fi memory card.  I can now upload pictures directly from my DSLR to social media!  No more waiting until I get home to upload everything into Lightroom and then post it on Facebook.  Yay!  Be excited for me!!

One thing I’ve been trying to reconcile lately in anticipation of this trip is how to try and eat healthy when I’m going to be in a new place, with many food temptations.  I won’t have my normal schedule to keep me in balance.  I’ve been really good lately thanks to the ‘Lose It’ app.  If anyone hasn’t checked this app out yet I love it!  It’s very similar to My Fitness Pal but for me it’s much more user friendly.  It’s so easy to pick the correct portion sizes.  It also gives me the flexibility to enjoy treats every now and then.  Check out this amazing combo….only 250 calories…and sooooo worth it!

I also use the Plant Nanny app to keep track of my hydration.  Even though the hubs laughs at this app and it’s silly sounds and funny looking plants, I love it.  I’ve never been more on top of my water intake!  It helps that I use this amazing water bottle with the ability to track the number of bottles I drink right on the cap.

 

I’ve already made the decision to not worry about tracking while on vacation.  That said, it does not give me the right to eat whatever I want.  Free for all with the bar nuts!  But I’m not going to be so anal on tracking every morsel that goes into my mouth.

*I’m taking my bottle with me on the trip (empty through security, of course!)  I’ll still be doing my best to stay as hydrated as possible.

Am I worried about ballooning up on my trip?  Maybe a little…but not really.  My weight has been annoyingly stable lately, every now and then it drops a pound only to return the next day or so.  I’m cool with it though cuz I’m definitely noticing some extra room in my clothes! Scale be damned!!

The activities we have planned include a lot, A LOT of walking and moving.  While I probably won’t get a single run in while we’re gone, I have a feeling that my Fitbit will be hitting 10K steps each day!

I have more laundry to do, more lists to check off.  So, this is where I leave you!  If you want to keep track of my adventures in California you best follow me on Instagram-runningshutterbug!  I’m sure I will be posting daily!  This may be the last y’all hear from me on here until I get back.  I’m not very good and posting on the blog on the go!

Whelp, California, here I come!  Stay cool, Peeps!!  See you on the flip side!