summer 2013 part 1

Its officially summer! I graduated! And in about 4 days, my break will be over! Yes that's right kiddos, my foray into the working world begins June 10. I've got a few slight nerves but things are shaping up to be super nice: the dress is casual, like SUPER casual. When I went to interview, people had just gotten back from a kickboxing class. This place is legit. Also, its in Bethesda and right off the Capital Crescent Trail. Which means its a 5 mile bike ride from my grandparents house. Sounds pretty nice to me. 

Who is this crazy man photobombing me!?

The past few weeks have been blissful. My room is semi-organized, I've seen all the home friends and gone out to Arlington. Oh I bought a car! That was an ordeal fit for its own blog post. I'v been to a few Nats games and even made a day trip to NYC. [Note: if you're going to do this, check the weather! It POURED! My group was a bunch of troopers though, no complaints at all. We wandered all through the lower half of Central Park, went to the Natural History Museum to escape the storm, and then got cheap tickets to a Comedy Club show at night. Successful and relatively cheap.] 

Central Park chillin with my pal

This past weekend was a highlight for sure though. I made a long weekend out of going to Blacksburg to hang out with Grant. It was nice/kinda weird to be back so soon. My last post stressed this a ton, but really, there is no better place than Blacksburg. Everything just feels so right there, from the convenience of everything to the ever smiling townies. I miss it!

We managed to pack a ton of activities into the 4 day stay. Hung out at the river, attempted to get to the cave at night (didn't make it there due to being traumatized from playing Slender Man too many times...), went to the batting cages, had Frank Sinatra dance offs, made delicious meals and went camping. Grant tracked down a great state park called Douthet about an hour and a half north of Bburg. Douthet is pristine: a cute lake, nice campsites, tons of great trails with sweeping vistas, you name it, it has it. We cooked up sausages over a fire and tried to make my dad's famous dump cake...except this cake was worthy of a real dump. My bad...I need practice with cast iron skillets.

The dump cake didn't turn out so hot, but the pictures did

The next day we drove up north a bit for a surprise. I knew what it was going to be - a waterfall - but had no idea just how big or beautiful it would be. Its called Falling Springs and its the tallest waterfall in VA. No offense to the Cascades or anything, but this waterfall is infinitely more majestic and awe-some. Its 80ft with a clear drop off; none of the against the mountain/hill stuff like the Cascades or Yosemite (which is really cool too but this is pretty unique). The falls are plainly seen right from the road, and with a little bit of maneuvering down some rocks, you can get right down to the bottom and even get underneath. 

We started by going to the top to check out where the water came from. Its a giant creek with a bunch of lagoons (all with the prettiest blue water) and lots of rope swings and places to swim. We got right up to the edge and sat in a little pool of still water...a mere 5 feet away from the 80 ft drop. One of the coolest experiences I've ever had, hands down, and its not far from DC or Blacksburg really. 

Tarzan???

It was a great weekend - 11/10 - and much needed before I take the plunge into 40 hour work weeks and big responsibilities - bills! taxes! I've always talked about adventures and traveling but I think that weekend set things really into motion. Can't wait to see where life takes me! Woooooo!

foreshadowing the big falls

Virginia is the greatest!

Hope I'm not completely jinxing myself, but we found all in all about 16 four leaf clovers. Here's to good luck!