California Adventure

I made a trip out to California last month - my primary purpose was to attend my dear friend's wedding in Yosemite, but then I discovered that my family would be camping at the beach the week prior. So I joined them for a few days before heading north.

We were at Dockweiler Beach in Los Angeles, which is just a few miles from where I spent the first ten years of my life.

We visited nearby Alpine Village, which brought back a lot of memories. I remember coming here with my grandparents when I was a child. My Dutch grandfather was very fond of the food and music.

My mom and I also drove up the coast to Malibu to visit the Getty Villa.

It was modeled after the Villa de Papiri, a Roman villa that was destroyed by the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

J. Paul Getty built the villa to house his extensive collection of Greco-Roman art.

My last night at the beach before heading north.

There's nothing quite as beautiful as a sunset at the beach.

My dear friend Lacey got married in Yosemite, and it was near perfection (aside from the hot weather and crazy traffic).

I've been to Yosemite more times than I can count, and I had no idea there was a chapel there!

I had to traipse across the meadow to get to the restroom, but the view wasn't too bad. :)

The reception was on the patio of the historic Awahnee Hotel.

Turlock High Class of '98!