bits & pieces of L.A.

Last week, Angela and I took our jewelry on the road for the LAZR Tradeshow, in LA.  We set up headquarters in the L.A. Arts District, and sought out as much fun as possible.  Who says you can't mix business with pleasure?  Well, not us!!!

We finally got to check the Hollywood Forever Cemetery off our bucket lists, where we communed with the dead at the Dia de los Muertos Festival.  Be sure to take a look at their schedule, if you're going to be in L.A.  There is always a  movie or concert being played there, along with grave spotting.  We found Mel Brooks, Toto, and Johnny Ramone. 

One of our favorite things to do in L.A. is to hit up the consignment shops on Melrose Ave.  I'm excited to say that I finally got that pair of combat boots, I've been wanting for over a year now.       

Our favorite to dos in the Arts District:

The Pie Hole
because they have damn good pie & coffee.
Handsome Coffee  
coffee so good, they don't offer sugar.
Wurstkuche
what's better than sausage dogs, steak cut fries, & an extensive beer list.  there's even a rattle snake & rabbit sausage, but we both went with lamb.

wilderness

Sometimes you have to get away from it all, to appreciate all that you have.  Deep in the woods of Northwestern Alabama... we hiked and camped for the weekend, in The Sipsey Wilderness.

After forgoing the tent and sleeping in our hammocks , we may never use the tent again.  Now to buy the extras, like bug netting & insulators. 

Thanks to my sweetheart for the lovely pictures of me.

symbiosis hot springs... costa rica

You've just hiked for two hours around the steaming sulfur pools of a volcano, so logically you take a dip in the hot springs, and the obligatory mud bath... right!?!? We obviously knew this would be fun & relaxing after our hike, but we didn't buy into the mud bath. Well, we were wrong. I can't believe that my skin actually felt super smooth afterwards, and even Patrick agreed. We're sold, our visit to the Symbiosis Hot Springs was a real treat. And, probably our best photo op... this one's going in a frame!!!

secret hideaway... costa rica

A favorite part of our visit to Costa Rica has been the mini trips within our vacation.  Each day here, we've loaded up in our 4x4, and headed out to a new location.  Yesterday was going to be our day to relax, and just drive along the coast heading north...  Plans changed a bit when we stumbled upon Playa Bonita,  a hidden gem at the base of an abandoned resort.  We managed to hobbled our way down the rickety weather beaten stairs to this cove hidden at the base of the cliff.  We basically had this tiny beach to ourselves, except for a few locals who came prepared with hammocks.  Luckily we came prepared with our own picnic of fresh fruit, refried beans, and corn tortillas.

playa conchal... costa rica

It's the rainy season here in Costa Rica, but you wouldn't know that from our day at Playa Conchal... Our little beach, where we are staying is black sand, but yesterday, we drove an hour south and ended up on an all shell beach. This was a first for me. Amazingly beautiful, but a little tough on the feet.

 I interrupt this post to say that we were just in an earthquake... Seriously, but I guess it was more of a tremor. Now we're off to the volcano, because we're intelligent people!