Yesterday was a pretty amazing day. Somehow me and two of the other girls ended up having Friday off and let me just put down for the record...that NEVER happens. NEVER. It’s a rare occurrence and when this opportunity came we decided to go to Ecofina Springs. For those of you that have never been there before let me just say, it was amazing. It’s a spring that is crystal blue clear and cold as ****. Like so cold you have goosebumps and you might have to just jump in without thinking about it. 

For us the drive was about two hours. Mainly because we made some stops to get food, coffee, and we took a small detour to get to this kayak rental place. Once we were there though we were met with this cute dog who just wanted to greet everyone that she saw. We of course loved on her and wanted to take her with us. She was just so cute and literally wanted to sit and be with us. 

After we had greeted this beautiful, adorable, creature we paid, got our stuff and piled into the van. Of course I was extra and demanded a picture be taken before we left and despite a look or two from my friends I got the pictures. Once that was one, we got into the kayaks and we were off. It took us about thirty minutes to get up and around to the springs. Once we were there we found a place to park our kayaks and we started to enjoy our time. We brought food, water, and of course sunscreen. The water was at least 50 degrees (maybe 60, were not sure) but with the sun being out and in the middle of summer it was perfect. In total I think we spent about two hours chilling, chatting, and of course, using the rope swing. It was so much fun to do and even though it took one of our friends some time to convince we all ended up going and having a blast. 

Once we were done hanging out we decided to go ahead and paddle down the entire creek (which is about 3 miles from the springs) and just enjoy our time out and about. So with that we set off into the creek. Really the next hour and a half was super relaxing. We had the creek all to ourselves and we really did enjoy the time we all had together. We took pictures, we joked, and we just enjoyed the sunshine. For us it’s not very often that we get this time together to relax and be a group. So it was a nice way to spend our Friday. 

In the end we got super lucky because right as we got done we realized how close the rain clouds were and after we were dropped off at the car it started to sprinkle. So we really did have good timing to not only enjoy the springs but to also get some of that vitamin D because it was storming by the time we were on our way home. 

I hope sometime soon I can go again, get some more footage, and maybe bring the big camera to get some wildlife. 

 

The whole reason I went to New Orleans was to go see Twenty One Pilots for the third time. I had tickets that were about five or six rows away from the pit and let me tell you the actual placement of our seats was amazing. When I got to my seat and sat down I really took it all in. We were in an amazing place and it honestly felt so surreal. I couldnt believe that I was there, sitting in New Orleans about to see Twenty One pilots play once again. They are one of my favorite bands of all time so for me to be there seeing them, is like a dream come true all over again. I may have seen them play twice already but the feeling is still there. 

When the actual concert started I felt like the world stopped moving. Everything was amazing and there was a part in their performance where Tyler felel through the stage in a very dramatic way, the lights went dark, and next thing I knew Tyler was standing on a platform right next to me. I Turned around and I felt like I was melting. Every part of me lit up and I was so excited. I had never been that close to either of them before and to get to experience that was a dream come true. I got to see him up close and personal. 

From there the rest of the performance was just as amazing as the other ones I had been to. Just closer, more personal and amazing. I felt like I was on cloud nine the entire time and I didnt want that moment to end. I really didnt. It was one of those times where I felt like everything was just perfect. 

I can't wait for another performance and I hope someday they will do VIP. Now that would be a real dream come true. 

Yesterday was so much fun. I had never been to New Orleans before and even though I didn't have a lot of time to look around and truly explore New Orleans, I am grateful for the small amount of time I did have there. 

One of the first places I went to once I got into the city was this climbing gum called the New Orleans Bouldering Lounge. The nice thing about them is that you can fill out the waiver an watch the safety video all online and even if you have never climbed before they do go over the rules in a way that not only will crack you up but make you really understand how dangerous the sport it. So once you get to the Bouldering Gym all you do is give your last name, pay and your set. 

Compared to the gym I work at I will say that it is much smaller. They have four different sections in the gym and once a week they do a total reset for one wall. To me that seemed to be pretty intense but when you have a small gym you have to figure out ways to make work easier on yourself and your crew. The Routes that they were much easier then the ones at my gym but to be honest it made me feel pretty good because it meant that I could do 3/4's in their gym and that was the first time I had done 3/4' in general. So it was a very rewarding moment for me. 

I think I am surprised by my own ability to adapt to sports and to give them a chance. I never thought climbing would be for me. Ever. I thought that it would be one of those sports I would try out just because my friend really enjoyed it and now here I am, in love with the sport. I hope I can go back soon and visit that Bouldering gym because it was amazing. I enjoyed every second of it and I am so glad that I got a chance to check it out. 

In the end we got pretty lucky. When we got to Mackinaw City we were told that the weather had been pretty bad up there. It had been rainy, nasty, cold, and windy and when we arrived it was the first time that had gotten good weather. We were pretty surprised by that considering that we normally go up to Michigan right after the first few days of the Lilac Festival. Every time we have been up there we have pretty good weather and we hardly have any issues doing what we like to do. It also helps us to have good weather since we like to camp out and of course if you are a person who tents a lot then you know that having rain come down upon you for the entire night or day is not a fun time. It means you pack up a muddy tent and if you are really unlucky then you are packing up your tent in the rain and wind. Needless to say I have done that once or twice and it was not a fun time in the slightest. 

SO of course we had a few days of amazing weather. It was sunny, in the high 60's/ low 70's and of course close to 0 humidity. The only issue we really had....the bugs. They are usually bad up there but this year they were horrid. I'm not sure if its always like that the first week of June but if it is, I can see what people come earlier or stay in hotels. I got bit all over my neck and shoulders and I can say that I am not to happy about it. Most of the bugs up there don't bite but unfortunately they also have mixtures of mosquitos which DO bite and they are not easy to run away from. 

One our last day we ended up going back to the island and we had some fun biking around the island and stopping to take pictures as we went. Its a nice place to take photos and its a lot of fun to just take a relaxing ride around and not really put in any real effort. After our adventuring on the island we returned the bikes and decided to go back to the mainland. Once we did we got dinner and realized that the forecast called for pouring rain all night long. The big question came after that. Do we stay in the tent, get ****ed up and listen as the campsite became drenched and muddy or do we pack up and start driving home. We decided to get everything packed up and head home. It honestly sounded better then waking up the next morning to only have our campsite be flooded. Of course we then have to pack up in the mud and rain and that was less then ideal. 

Unfortunately when it comes to camping, tenting, or even sleeping in a hammock you just never know what will happen. It can be really good or really bad depending on what Mother Nature decides to do. So our trip to Mackinaw has come to an end and I can say that it was another successful trip. I got some weapons, we got some fudge to split and I got some time outdoors by the campfire. 

Does it get any better then that? I don't think so. 

Today is our last day up here in Mackinaw City. We have had quite a blast here and we have enjoyed the quiet and peace that we were given. We've had a lot of drinks, lot of of exercise, and of course lots of time to chat along this journey. Tomorrow we will start making our way down to gross, humid, and very rainy Florida. Really I have quite enjoyed being able to have some time to myself. I've liked the cold weather and the ability to sit outside with the campfire and not feel like I was roasting myself to no end. 

Of course we will be back next year. We will once again visit the Enchanted knights store to buy more weapons and we will visit the wine store (that is also a beer store )to get more drinks and of course stay at the campground to have more campfires in the peace and quite. I honestly am already excited for the next year to come. A lot will be different at that time and I am sure that things will be settled down when that comes. I'm excited for what is coming our way and I only hope of bigger and better things. 

So I ask you guys to please check out my gallery to see if anything peaks your interest. I always have trips going on and I always try and share those experiences with you so that you can then decide where you want to go to next. I always recommend Mackinaw City and Mackinaw Island just because it is one of my favorite places to visit. To some it may seem kind of bland and boring but for some the bland and boring is exactly what you need to get away from all the chaos. 

While we are up here exploring please help me out by clicking here to go to my gallery and see if anything interests you. If it does you can click the buy now button so that the piece can you be yours today! 

As always I appreicate you guys quite a lot and I always look forward to what is to come. The next trip I will be going to is in about ten days and that will be my trip to New Orleans. I have never been there before and I am so excited to finally see it with my own eyes. Of course I am mainly going there for a Twenty One Pilots concert so that will be the focus but I also want to explore and see what the great city has to offer.