Checking off the Bucket List

Cross-country ski in the Alps? Check!

I went cross-country skiing today for the first time. Let me tell you...it's not as easy as it looks. We did two tracks: one 4 km and one 8 km. I did pretty well on the 4 km track. Just one little stumble! Then on the last part of our 8 km track, I took a really nasty fall. Like so bad that I'm hurting just laying here in bed. My knees are the size of baseballs and my forearms are burnt from sliding on ice.
BUT. It was a really cool experience. Will I do it again? Maybe. For now I'm just happy I can check this off my bucket list.

Personally I would rather go back and just walk through all of the tracks. There were so many beautiful things but I couldn't look very much. I had to focus on the track to stay upright. I'm laughing at myself now just thinking of how silly I must have looked. Especially on that last fall. It was a doozy.

Here are a few pictures from the day. There was no way I was going to risk bringing my camera so these are a bit grainy. Hopefully you can still see how beautiful it was today!

{Side note: I'd just like to say a quick thank you to my grandparents for buying me this iPod touch so many years ago. It's old, the battery life is terrible, and the photo quality is not the best. But man am I so happy to have it. It's great for those moments when I can't use my real camera, when I want to listen to music on runs or long flights, or when I need to look something up real fast in the city. Plus it lets me text my family and friends back home. So thanks, Nanny and Papa! Love y'all!}

Mont Blanc

On Saturday morning, we got up early and drove to Mont Blanc. It is the highest point in Western Europe and it's just 1.5 hours from the house! We passed through Switzerland on our way so we went through the border control. Only no one is ever there working. It's so funny to go from America, where we are very strict with border control, to here, where you don't even need a passport to go to the next country. I'm not complaining, though!

You start at the base of the mountain and take a cable car up to the first peak at about 1000 meters. Your ears start to pop on the way. Here, you can eat lunch, get acclimated to the altitude, and walk around in a relatively warm temperature. There are also a lot of trails you can take. You can walk back to the base of the mountain, you can walk to Lac Bleu (Blue Lake), find a spot for a picnic, or just walk through the mountain. We walked to the lake, which was a stunning shade of blue and had the coolest reflections.

Then you take another cable car to the top. Your ears will pop even more and you can feel the change in oxygen. It is absolutely freezing at the top! A winter coat is so necessary. Earmuffs and gloves recommended. But man. The views are incredible! There are many things you can do up on the top: eat (if your body is used to the altitude...otherwise it's not a good idea), take an elevator to a higher point, look at the mountains from different terraces, and even take another cable car into Italy. We did all of the above, except for the eating. The cable car to Italy is about one hour. You don't get out unless you are there to climb the mountains, so it is essentially just a round trip to see gorgeous views. I was surprised at how many people were hiking, camping, and rock climbing.

This place was very cool for someone from Georgia, who has only ridden a cable car to the top of Stone Mountain. There were people from all over the world! I heard so many languages in the cable car. Such an experience!

And I had to wear a UGA sweatshirt because it was Georgia's first game of the season! I actually woke up in the middle of the night to get score updates from my brother. Sadly, we lost. But I was cheering them on from France!

De Soto Falls

Every year, we go to the mountains for my mom's birthday.

This year, we went to Vogel Park and De Soto Falls.

Those guys.

Callaway. Such the model.

It was a good day all around. We sure missed Zeb, though. As my mom says...he's the life of the party.

Brevard, North Carolina

This past weekend was AMAZING!!! I absolutely love going to the mountains, especially in the fall.

I had such a great time with my small group. We went hiking, walked around downtown Brevard, ate at a cute café, and watched tons of chick flicks.
All in all, a relaxing weekend with lots of quality bonding.
Just what the doctor ordered.

Weekend Getaway

Good news: I'm leaving tomorrow afternoon to go to Brevard, North Carolina with my small group. I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am for this. I desperately need a break from school and work.

I think the thing I'm most excited about it is seeing the waterfalls and all the pretty leaves. I'll be taking pictures like it's my job.

Bad news: I have to take homework with me. But at least I'll be writing papers in the mountains instead of Athens.

Images: 1 2 3

Good Times with Good Friends

This past Wednesday, I was able to take a day trip with my mom and Mrs. Andrea, her good friend from church. Mrs. Andrea has a mountain/lake house in Clayton, GA right by Lake Burton (fitting, don't ya think?!).

On the way up, we stopped at The Dillard House for lunch. This is a family style, all-you-can-eat, southern food restaurant. They bring all the food to your table and you eat until you can't eat no more!

Sweet tea in a mason jar. Can't get much
more southern than that.

Coconut Cream Pie

Her house is absolutely beautiful and has a gorgeous view.

View from the back porch

I thought this idea was genius. Hang lanterns and candles from a ladder for a perfect centerpiece on the porch.

I will have a hanging bed in my house one day. Even if I have to force someone kindly ask someone to make it for me.

Some of our good friends, the Turners, were staying at the house for the week. I absolutely LOVE them! Michael was our music pastor a few years back. He and his sweet wife, Heather, have a little boy who is almost two. Oh.my.word. he is precious. He is a ball of energy for sure.

We had so much fun catching up on life and just enjoying each others company. We are definitely going to get together again soon!

L to R: Heather, mom, Mrs. Andrea, Michael, Seth, me