2017 Travels and Adventures: A Year in Review - Part 1

Happy 2018!

I need to get my act together in celebrating the fun adventures of 2017 before I hop on a plane in another 10 days to start off on my first journey of 2018.    Between the things planned and the unscheduled fun to come, I can only hope that 2018 is as memorable as 2017.

Cheers to travel, whether near or far!

January 2017

The year started off strong in January.   I hiked into 2017 with a visit to Joshua Tree National Park,  followed by a long weekend trip to Maui to visit my friends (first visit back since I moved in May 2016) and then wrapped it up with my first trip to Disneyland.    Being a midwestern girl, we went to Disney World because it was closer, so it was fun to see the OG.  

Joshua Tree National Park 

Maui

Disneyland

February 2017

I stayed in California for the whole month.  (WHAT?)

First ski trip since Spring 2013, this time at Big Bear and a weekend trip to see my mom and one of her friends in Rancho Cucamonga.  

Big Bear Views

This restaurant - so much character 

March 2017 

Spring in San Diego included the Cherry Blossom Festival at the Japanese Friendship Garden.    Then, I needed more flowers, so it was time to go to the Flower Fields in Carlsbad.    The month wrapped up with a weekend trip to Dallas where we played tourist and ate all the things.  

So very cherry 

Flower Fields 

Give me some of that Texas BBQ! 

April 2017

Naturally when it comes to holidays, we don our festive hats, or ears in this case, to celebrate.  

I also traveled to Chicago for work and it was an added bonus to catch up with friends and family for a few days before actually going to my meetings.  

Somebunny in San Diego says Hi! 

Big city reflections in Chicago 

May 2017

I finally made it to the Galapagos Islands, a destination that has been on my life list for quite a while.  I  can't pick just one photo....

In other fun, I checked out the Birch Aquarium in La Jolla and my sister came to visit - the picture with TREX sums up what happens when we get together. 

 First off, I got to travel with my mom over Mother's Day

Giant Galapagos Tortoise 

Adorable Sleeping Sea Lions

Sea Dragons

If this isn't the best day ever, what is? 

June 2017

Hey there summer!  The June Gloom faded away and it was time for:

• Road trip to Long Beach
• My one Padres game for the year
• The San Diego Fair (and bonus 5k) 
• An urban hike up to Mount Soledad

Fun in the sun in Long Beach

Not sure who won

Fair Time:  Where the West was Fun

 Mount Soledad 

Up Next:   Part 2 

Including the First Bratsgiving and a foam party in Cabo.   The second half of 2017 didn't disappoint. 

What were some of your great memories from 2017?  

7 Photos of Adorable Sleeping Sea Lions

Adorable Sea Lion Alert!

Sea Lions:  one of the many things I loved about exploring the Galapagos islands in May.

So sit back, relax and take a minute and enjoy these photos.

This one had its own park bench in Puerto Ayora

Best quote from a friend who knows I love to bake
"That's a strange looking sugar cookie"

What adorable sleeping animals do YOU love?   Which sea lion is your favorite?

Other Adventures in Ecuador

Eating in Ecuador 

Eating in Ecuador

Food is high on my list of vacation experiences.

Whether it's a weekend road trip or a major adventure, I look forward to what I'm going to eat and drink.   Most recently I went to Ecuador, aka major adventure.    Our trip started and ended in Quito and we took a Galapagos Island cruise in the middle.    Galapagos has been on my 'work for it' list (wishing doesn't get you anywhere) and I loved the experience.

I have a quote up in my office that says "First we eat, then we do everything else."   

I'll be sharing more of my Ecuador trip including all the cute sea lions you can handle, but first, let's eat!  

Bizcochos

In Ecuador, the bizcochos we had were biscuit-like.   

Our guide had us spread caramel on top and then top it with a piece of cheese for a winning sweet and savory treat.  

Chifles

I love traveling the world and eating potato chips.  Technically chifles are not potato chips, they are plantain chips, but they are equally salty and delicious.    The picante Doritos packaging makes these chips look fierce and spicy.  In reality, not so much.    

Empanadas 
My friend and I were trying to keep track and we were pretty confident that we had plantains, empanadas, coffee and chocolate each day.   The way it should be.    

Fritada
Ecuadorian fried pork.  
Also pictured, the requisite plantains, and another favorite potato option, the llapingacho.

Blackberry and Soursop Juice
I loved that blackberry options were available (juices, ice cream, and more).   This layered juice was a real treat at El Crater.  In Spanish, the soursop is called guanábana.  I have to imagine I can find it here in San Diego as close as I am to the border.      

Potato Soup

So good every time. 

Sea Bass
Bonus when it had passion fruit sauce.

Vacation Coffee
It feels so good.

Ecuadorian Chocolate
Ecuador produces amazing chocolate.  
I loved these turndown chocolates from Hoja Verde on our cruise .

Llapingachos

Potato Pancakes

Chocolate Caliente
The real deal.   Hot milk and dark Ecuadorian chocolate.

Ceviche

I went to Peru in 2010 and that started a love affair with ceviche that continues to this day.    

Have you traveled anywhere recently where you've loved the food? 

Where should I go?   What should I eat?