I had been wanting to go hiking since I got here 2 years ago, but never ended up going until now. I had even bought hiking boots the winter prior and still had never actually had the chance to break them in. My friend Ashley goes hiking all the time, so I was a little nervous at first that I was going to slow here down.
We ended up meeting at Sorgenti del Gorgazzo, which is actually where an underwater cave is located. The water around it is so blue and very pretty and relaxing to sit by. At this location is where you can hike up a few different trails up the mountain. We wanted the one that went up to Mezzomonte, which is only about half way up the mountain. Which was perfectly fine with me, since I had not been hiking in a long time.
Starting off we actually had a little difficulty trying to figure out which way to go at the bottom as it seems like you would go up by the underwater cave but it was blocked off. Luckily, we saw a couple who looked like they were about to hike up it and followed them to the different paths. As we were walking up the trail split and of course we went one way and the other couple went the other. And to my luck we ended up going up the harder side. I'm glad I was in somewhat shape otherwise, I think I would have been a baby and had to stop a lot. Hiking definitely works different muscles than I am used to!
Ashley had brought her dog with her, so I was so happy when he had to keep stopping cause he was so hot cause then I didn't have to be the one asking to take a break :)
The views going up were amazing! We could see all of Aviano and the surrounding towns. Very pretty!
(Just getting started)
(Break time)
(Pictures don't do it justice with how pretty the view was)
Well after taking a few breaks along the way (well say to enjoy views, not me dying lol), we made it to Mezzomonte! We ended up walking around the town or a little to relax and just enjoy the views. There was also a very small market going on; it also looked like they were setting up for an event later with one of the big white tents with a stage and a drink stand setup. The town is super small, it is just a town half-way up the mountain with maybe 2 places to eat at, a church, and then a handful of houses up there.
After basically walking through the whole town we decided to head back down. So glad going down is so much easier. Plus, we knew to go the opposite way down than we came from, so we could be on the easy trail.
(Heading back down)
(Random place we ended up at the bottom)
But when your with me, nothing stops there. We ended up getting a little lost for a few minutes but eventually found our way back to Gorgazzo.
Today was a super fun day! I'm so glad I finally was able to go hiking again, it had been way too long! There are so many other hiking trails that are close to our house that I am kinda upset I haven't taken advantage of them until now. The easiest way to find the trails, obvioulsy is to go with someone who has already been. Or you can always Google hiking trails near Aviano and you can find tons that way.
Now this made me want to go hiking more, even if I was a little out of breathe going up, it was still fun :)
Since we had not been able to go to the beach until the weekend before we were definitely trying to make sure we took full advantage and went as much as possible the rest of the summer!
Today we decided to go to Caorle Beach, this year this beach I think became our favorite beach. There was plenty of beach area for people to lay out their own towels, the beach was just all beach chairs you had to rent, like most beaches are. And plus there were paddleboards! Even though we had to walk a little down the beach they still had them. I loved paddleboarding in Florida! Also, one of my friend's from work came with us, her name is Ashley as well. She ended up being the one paddleboarding with me, Preston feel asleep on the beach.
When we were out on the water paddleboarding, it was a little windy, which made it harder for me to move anywhere. But I still had a lot of fun! I had wanted to buy one when I lived in Florida, but we ended up moving out here instead. Now I just need to convince my parents to get one for their new beach house in Florida for when I visit :)
Today was a nice relaxing day at the beach. I'm so glad we could go again this weekend, we had no school work or anything to worry about which made it even better!
By the time we got home we had time to shower and then go out to dinner. It ended being just Preston and I going on a sushi date. We both have become obsessed with sushi. I can't believe it took us both this long to even try it.
These pictures are only a small portion of the amount of plates we did have, as you have to take full advantage of all-you-can-eat sushi!
Then to end the day with a pretty sunset out of bedroom balcony.
Today I got to celebrate my friend Kimberly's baby shower!
I seem to know a lot of people who are having baby's soon, all around the same time too. (Nope Preston and I are not having any kids anytime soon) :)
Two of her friends put on a baby shower at Area D (people can rent out this base for different events). Even though it was downpour the baby shower was so cute! I'm also glad I finally got to see Kimberly since it had been so long!
We got to play a game where you get to guess the circumference of the mommy's belly. I was pretty good at guessing, not sure if that is a good or bad thing. But I was only a few cm off from exact, but someone actually got even closer with an exact measurement.
Today was the first time Preston and I could actually go to the beach! With me traveling all the time for work and also us going on vacations, we had no time until the end of July! How crazy is that! Last year we went almost every other weekend starting the beginning of June. Oh well, at least we got to go now.
We decided to go to Jesolo because we told our friend we would also pick him up at the airport in the afternoon and this was the closest beach.
As per usual for any beach trip or any adventure we go on, we have to stop at the shopette for snacks. Were a picture of health...ha, I get my usual powdered donuts and now since they have Krispy Kreme Preston gets a few of the crullers they have.
Now were ready!
If you want to go to the beach anytime at the very end of July or all of August, you have to leave early, otherwise you can sit in major traffic!! One time it took our friends 4 hours just to get to the beach.
I love getting to the beach mid morning and there being like nobody there! So relaxing!
Preston and I were so happy we could just chill and not worry about anything for a while. It had been way too long since we didn't have a jammed packed weekend full of homework and chores (At least we finished our hw for the week already). I even got an Aperol Spritz and Preston a soda to enjoy our lazy day.
Even though we only got to spend a few hours on the beach, I was happy and satisfied, since I could finally say I had been to the beach this summer. Now to go as many weekends as possible to the beach :)
You know you love your job when you get to go to events on base and play all the games there and still market for your job as well.
People are always scared to be the first ones to try games or activities that are offered at events but I went straight for them!
First one I went to I'm not sure the real name but, I had always wanted to try one of the big bubble ball's that you get inside and roll around in and finally today I got to try one! They are insanely hot inside! All the sweat and nastiness is stuck inside with you. But they are a lot of fun! Instead of just rolling around this one the had bowling pins set up to roll and knock over. I will say I was pretty good, I got all strikes!
Next thing I got a group of us to do was the rock climbing wall.
One of my coworkers is horrified of heights, just like me but I do things with heights all the time. But I got him to actually climb it! He was hilarious to watch and listen to.
I wish my job could be like this everyday! I would never want to go home :)
Today I got to celebrate my first friend I made when I got here to Aviano, Mary, at her baby shower.
Her friend hosted a cute baby shower at her house.
We played the silliest/funniest games I had ever heard of. One we had to sniff diapers that were filled with smooshed chocolate bars. They literally looked like poop! haha
The next game we played we got to taste baby food and try and guess what it was. Oh my, am I bad at guessing! Also, I have no idea how babies eat that stuff, it was nasty!
For my job, you could submit a proposal about a topic you think would be beneficial for other people to learn more about. However, although mine didn't get picked, I did get selected to go back stateside for this event. I was beyond excited when I found out I could go back stateside, as it had been almost 2 years since I had been back! Plus, my jobs headquarters is close to my hometown. So after my conference I could extend my stay and go home to see family.
I forgot how long flights feel, as most places we travel to around Europe are max of 2.5 hours. And this was 2 different flights with one being about an hour and the next being over 8 hours straight. I had to do it this way as the day I had to fly back stateside, was the same day our cruise ship docked. So I had a super long day ahead of me! So sad Preston wasn't able to fly back with me. But I will say, the long flight I had plenty of leg room and probably way too much food! Also, the guy sitting next to me ending up living right by Preston and also having a kid go to the same high school as Preston, what a small world!
Short recap of my conference. I made some amazing friends and had a lot of fun getting to know them and hanging out with them! This is definitely a work trip to remember! And way too much good food!!
(Goodies from the conference)
(Morning sunrise walking to work to use their gym)
(Showing the out-of-towners the fun places around the DMV)
(Beer Tower and Marcus)
(Jello Shooters)
(#UMUC)
Thursday, July 14
Now onto the family adventures!
Today was actually the last day of the conference, but it was a half day! So my dad got to come pick me up after lunch and take me home!
I was beyond excited to be home, it had been way too long!
It was nice to be able to relax and not have to worry about anything. Of course one of the stops of the day was going to a Vitamin Shoppe. I love being able to go look at everything in the store and just get samples or one bar to try.
Friday, July 15
Another relaxing day but this time it was filled with actual Starbucks and Ben & Jerry's ice cream! I was totally taking advantage of all the food we do not have in Italy.
I think this day we just drove to random places I hadn't been and wanted to go to. And then for dinner, we got to go over to my Grammy's for lasagna. Which I was beyond excited for since Preston is not a fan of lasagna and I hadn't had it in years! And of course it was delicious!
So glad I could see some more of my family as it had been a long time!
Saturday, July 16
Today was a fun packed day!
My sister drove up so she could spend the weekend here and come to the NATS game today. This was another thing I was excited for because I think it had been almost 2 years as well since I had been to a game.
The game did not start until 7pm but we decided to get there early to go have fun in the Bull Pen.
Danielle, Joseph, my dad, and I all played corn hole. At first my dad and I were doing really well, or should I say my dad was. I was not making anything. But then of course, we went over and had to go back down to 13. Which this allowed my sister and Joseph to beat us :( Oh well, it was a lot of fun though!
(I love my big sis!)
(Love my family, missing Preston though)
Of course right after we got into the stadium, it started to downpour! And of course a delay in game. At least we didn't' have to be anywhere in the morning.
During this downpour, I did the dumbest thing ever. Since I hadn't had American french fries in forever, I accidentally went to town on both my sister's and Joseph's fries from their meal. Which in turn made me feel super sick, oops! Lesson learned...maybe.
Family! :)
(Great seats!)
(Cousins, missing Jacqueline though)
Since today was actually Joseph's birthday, my sister asked if they could put his name up on the scoreboard with all the other birthday day shout outs. It was awesome to see Joseph's face when he saw his name as he had no idea she did this for him.
Later during the game I had to get one of the massive margaritas, which was delicious!
We ended up leaving after the 7th inning, as it was getting really late. It was nice to hear the NATS ended up winning!
Sunday, July 17
Today we all go to meet up for brunch at the International Country Club, the place Preston and I got married at, barely 3 years ago :) I actually hadn't been back since then, since we ended up leaving not too long after getting married.
(Wedding spot!)
(Family for brunch at the Country Club)
(Got to celebrate Morgan's birthday early, cute picture!)
American breakfast here I come! I hadn't had a real American breakfast in years! So of course I went all out. I got a waffle, eggs, bacon, sausage links, home fries, and my favorite a powdered donut! You must also have a nice morning drink, I had a bellini.
(Oh how I missed you American breakfast!!)
So glad we were all able to get together for brunch before I had to leave again the next afternoon.
After brunch we went home for a little bit but then decided to go up to Preston's parents house to drop a few things off. I also got to see Jessie! Seeing her made me miss having a dog. She was beyond hyper when I finally opened the door to see her.
The next stop was for Preston. He is obsessed with Great American Cookie's cookie cake, which I have to say is amazing as well! At least the closest place is in a mall right near his house. He's lucky I love him, cause they were still making them and it would be about another 15 minutes or so to wait. So what better to do then go to the Starbucks in the mall and wait.
I guess I couldn't complain about having fresh cookie cake as I had to bring it back home to him the next day, so this way it would be more fresh than ones that have already been sitting out all day.
(Delicious cookie cake!)
Then time to go home and relax and watch a movie!
Monday, July 18
My last day home :(
I wish I had extended my leave longer, as this felt like the quickest few days ever! I wanted more time to be at home.
The next thing I got before heading to the airport was a sweet tea from Dunkin Donuts. I truly missed this! They don't know what sweet tea is in Italy, but I will say the peach tea here is doing a good job of being a replacement for now.
And then unfortunately it was time to say goodbye to my parents :(
(Gotta love leg room and Starbucks)
(Free wine!)
(Too much food!)
Preston and I are hoping to come back home sometime within the next year and this time together!
