Summer Fun – …on the B.L.

Embracing joy on a carousel. | Skirt | Shirt | Button Up | Glasses | Headband | Shoes | Earrings | Necklace | Purse

Right now is a shitty, shitty time. Between COVID-19 and people fucking finally waking up to systemic racism. Alright, life is always shitty, and nothing about systemic racism is new, but COVID is making the world a worse place. I haven’t been writing about social justice lately because I’ve been writing about it heavily for years, and I’m happy BIPOC voices are getting the attention they deserve. I will start writing about it again, and I will definitely toss my two cents out there soon. But right now, I’m gonna focus on eleven things that bring me joy.

My dogs. I love my dogs more than anything else in the whole world. Now that the puppies are to an age where they can snuggle on the couch with me, Tess, and Beau makes me very happy.
Carousels. On my 23rd birthday, I went to six flags with my bestest friend. She doesn’t love carousels. I get it: they’re slow, boring, and made for children. I LOVE THEM. They make me so happy. I can’t wait til COVID becomes less of a threat, so I can ride one again.
Tea. It brings me so much joy. I drink it all the time. If I’m at home, there’s an 87% chance I have a cup of tea in my hand. The other 13% of the time, I’m waiting for the water to boil.
Traveling. I haven’t traveled in four months, which is the longest I have been in one place in years. I can’t wait to hop on the road or board a plane again. I’m not sure when it will happen, but I’m looking forward to it.
High heels. I love a pretty pair of heels. I don’t wear them as much anymore because I work from home and rarely put on pants. I wear them as often as I can, which is not often, but I love them.
Ice cream cones. I love a good soft serve ice cream cone. It’s so good. It makes me so happy. Honestly, I could go for one right now. They make the bad days good and the good days better.
Not wearing pants. Going home and taking my pants off is the best feeling. If I don’t leave the house, I don’t put on pants.
Lazy days. I hate not being productive, but sometimes, laying on the couch doing absolutely nothing is just the best. It really calms the soul and gives me extra time to love on my dogs.
Pastries and fresh bread. These go hand-in-hand because pastry shops almost always have fresh bread. Living in France, I had fresh bread and pastries every day. It’s amazing I didn’t gain a gazillion pounds.
Rainy days. Houston is in a drought right now, so I miss reading and working hearing the rain. It is such a calming thing for me. I thrive in rainy weather. (The dogs do not share the same affinity for rainy days. If I had to poop in the rain, I doubt I would either.)
Music. I love music. It’s been a huge part of my life forever. I love creating, well making, music – I’m a crap composer – and listening to it. Music is an integral part of my life. It is always on.

bisous und обьятий,
RaeAnna

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Fish Creek Falls has become an iconic destination in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

This is as close to free as you can get without it actually being free. Parking is $5 per car, so load up and head out. It’s the perfect destination for people of all hiking abilities and ages. There are several trail options. You can’t miss the first falls, which is by far the most photographed and popular option. From the parking lot it’s less than a quarter of a mile downhill – you do have to hike uphill to get back to your car, though. You can hike up the mountain to another bridge, farther up is a second falls, and passed that is Long Lake. If you plan on going to the lake, you’re in for a long day. Even going to the second falls is an afternoon excursion.

The first falls are amazing. On the way up, we pretty much bypassed them completely because there were so many people around. Most people will stop and enjoy the first falls deciding to not hike more after that. We headed straight for the bridge.

We had quite a bit of company on the way to the bridge, but most people turned around there. Taking a small break, there were lots of friendly chipmunks and butterflies to watch. They’re very comfortable with people, so they came right up to us. It took less cajoling to get my Partner-in-Crime to head to the second falls. I didn’t lie this time about the distance because he knew it would be a jaunt.

The hike from the bridge to the second falls is definitely a bit harder. On the way to the bridge, there is usually some buffer between the trail and the cliff. To the second falls, a good bit of the trail is the cliff. It makes for great Instagram pictures, though!

By the time we arrived at the second falls, we were hot. Luckily, there was no one there, and I had the forethought to wear bikini bottoms under my shorts and a sports bra. So I stripped and hopped into the pool at the bottom of the falls. Holy bejeezus! The water was cold. After awhile, your skin goes numb, so it’s fine. Lots and lots and lots of pictures were take. I ended up rock climbing up to another waterfall pool in nothing but my bikini and sports bra. I’m adventurous like that.

It truly is a spectacular view.

To hike all the way up and back, it took us five hours. We kept a pretty good pace, but we stopped and enjoyed the view a lot. We spent over an hour at the second falls. It is definitely worth the hike! I think my butt looked better for a day afterwards.

Tag: Summer Fun

11… Joy Bringers

Fish Creek Falls