Summer Kick-Off

My summer vacation started last Thursday night after I finished my BA352 final!  The boyfriend and I jetted off to Grants Pass, Oregon where he grew up for the weekend.  Chris was the ultimate tour guide.  He suggested we start the trip off with celebratory margaritas!  I didn't have any resistance to the idea... MMmmm.
After gobbling up my margarita (and some of his) plus eating my weight in yummy Mexican food we went to visit his Mom and Don.  Then the next morning we all got up and hiked Rainy Falls.  Rainy Falls is a Class 5 rapid and it was stunning.  

Our shorts match- how cute! haha.
Here is Chris and his mama Christine (funny we have the same name).  She is the sweetest person ever... I'll credit her for his gentle soul.

One of the highlights of the weekend was our trip to the local farmer's market.  Chris had to start it off with a spicy BBQ pork sandwich.  Nothing like that at 9 in the morning :)
We came across this awesome vendor called Elemental who has a shop online too.  I bought this yellow owl shirt and Chris bought the pomegranate tree shirt.  All his designs were so good.  At $12 a pop I plan on buying a few more this summer.  They are sustainable cotton American Apparel shirts.  The guy who makes the shirts gave us a free CD of his band Itchy Itchy Ichibod.   Anytime I am given free CDs I am a little skeptical, but since this guy was so cool we put it on the moment we got back to the car.  I fell in love with his indie folk music.  It is a the perfect laid back summer soundtrack.  Is it possible to want to capture this guy's soul, because I really want a piece of it.

The finds did not stop there!  This delightful painting (in all my favorite colors) also found me.  I think I made the artist's day with my excitement and giddiness.  The frame is another thing that put me over the edge.  I made her take our picture with it.  Oh, and I shouldn't forget that bread.  Garlic cheese sourdough... heaven!
After the farmer's market we drove out to our next hiking destination.  But, along the road we saw this winery and being us we couldn't refuse.  To our luck they were doing barrel tastings too.  It was fun to try wine from a different AVA in Oregon.  The Viognier was great and I also liked the Malbec.  
Okay, so after shopping and wine tasting we finally made it to Table Rock!  We couldn't have asked for better weather.  We could have asked to not see a huge snake, but I need to get over my complaining.  


The hike didn't take near as long as we expected, which was great because that saved our energy for some fiercely competitive beer pong that night!  Here is Chris and his buddy Brian trying to intimidate the competition.  I wasn't scared.  I did win ONE game!  After the tournament we hijacked the neighbors pool for some night swimming and golf practice.  Then we got kicked out...
Sunday was a more chill day with a BBQ.  Brian and his wife just had a son named Dawson.  He is about the most calm baby ever.  Such a cutie!  I love how I caught the spit up in this picture!

Chris' friends.
Chris' dad and little brother, Mike.  Mike dyed his hair blue hours before this was taken!
I hate when trips come to an end! But, I was serenaded with Kanye West 808s and Heartbreaks all the way home.  
And we got to stop and eat amazing pizza at American Dream.

I can't wait to go back and visit GP. We are planning another trip later in the summer, so we can play at the river and go rafting. Summer time is here!

OH I almost forgot!  Grants Pass is home to the best sushi ever!  I can't even put into words how amazing it was...  Shiki Sushi inside of G Street Bar and Grill.  We recommend the Melinda Roll (Tempura shrimp, smoked salmon, jalapeno, cream cheese, topped with ahi)- everything yummy and nothing good for you!