Summer Update: Time Moves Too Quickly

I cannot believe I haven't published anything since July 9th! I feel like a big fat failure. It was my goal in July to write three times per week. I nailed it for two weeks and then our travel schedule settled in and, to be honest, I got lazy with my blog! The good news is that failure is temporary and I will recommit to writing three times a week in August!

July was the busiest month of travel that this pregnant lady could ask for. And no, I am not one of those people that complains about vacations. It was simply busy which was wonderful.

Our first trip in July was to Lake Tahoe - specifically Incline Village, NV. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort and Spa. It was a trip that Bill earned through work. The company takes the top employees in every sales and service role in the company on an all-expenses paid trip each year called President's Club. Bill finished first in the country in his position, meeting his revenue quota for the year at 144%, and they honored him with his company's prestigious Gauntlet Award. This was our third President's Club trip in this 6 short years with the company and I have to say that this might have been my favorite!!!

We stayed at the Hyatt for five days and four nights. It was a truly amazing trip. The views are nothing short of SPECTACULAR. Being so high up in the mountains, you get to take advantage of the heat of summer and the evening coolness that the altitude brings. Each night the company through fabulous parties and wined and dined their employees and guests. The staff at the Hyatt and the staff hired to accommodate our company specially were both spectacular as well. The view from our hotel room was equally breathtaking.

We got to choose from two separate "adventures" while we were there. Considering I was nearly 7 months pregnant at the time, we chose some low key adventures: one-hour massages (Heavenly) and a boat cruise across the lake and through Emerald Bay. Emerald Bay is one of the most photographed areas in the world. We were even treated to the history behind the land and the small island that sits right in the middle of the crystal clear bay from the boat captain. It was so fun to be out on the water with good company in such a fantastic place!

Panoramic Shot of Emerald Bay

The entire trip was like a dream because no matter where you looked, it was awe-inspiring. The mountains that surround you dwarf you, the water is crystal clear, and the people are as friendly as people come. One of the concierge staff at the hotel was talking with our friends and me one morning about the size of the sugar pine cones that fall in some areas around the lake. He told us there are pine cones as big as 24 inches long and wider than a football. Can you imagine?! After talking with him, he told us he would look for some on his property for us. He even followed through on his word. Like I said, the nicest people ever!!! 

Bill's Size 14 Nike next to one of our Sugar Pine Cones

The trip, however, did not end as wonderfully as it started. We actually and a 30 hour travel nightmare!!! The shuttle from the hotel to the Reno airport (one hour away) was about 45 minutes late. I was bouncing my knee the entire way down the mountain in angst about making our flight. Thanks to zero traffic, zero security line, and speedy curbside check-in, we made the flight! We were scheduled to take off at 2:30 and the plane was all boarded are ready to go at 2:25. Then the door stayed open... for 45 minutes. Then... it started POURING and STORMING. At some point we realized we would 100% miss our connecting flight to Pittsburgh in Las Vegas. They came over the loud speaker, asked all of those with missed connections to please exit the plan, and worked on "re-accommodating" us. Our bags, however, made their way to Pittsburgh that night without us! We ended up staying over night in a mediocre hotel/casino in Reno and catching the early flight from Reno to Vegas and then the 4 hour Vegas to Pittsburgh flight and got home about 18 hours later than expected. It was not a fun way to end the trip, but thanks to the wonderful people of Southwest Airlines, we did get $300 vouchers for future use!

Anyway, I made it home that Monday and prepared for a busy week as a coach. There were challenge groups and coaching sneak peeks to run and I had no time to slow down. Plus, I was getting ready for our next vacation - a week at the Jersey shore. (I know, poor me, right!?). We left Friday and drove into Philadelphia to stay with my uncles'. The next morning we zipped down to the shore. We stay in Ocean City, NJ every year for one week. We have always rented a place and just recently my aunts' purchased half of a duplex a block from the beach! It is so amazing!!!

Bill left early and my week was spent with my nose in a book, my butt in a beach chair, and my toes in the water. I read The Fault in Our Stars (I have been DYING to see the movie) and cried like a baby. Then I got sucked into the latest Nora Roberts romance Trilogy about the Montgomery brothers and the Inn BoonsBoro. If you like those kind of books, this is a good series! I finished that, too! We celebrated a few family birthdays and spent a lot of time doing nothing - it was just what the doctor ordered for this mama-to-be!

We got back very late Friday night and I took the weekend to recoup. Now it is back to work full-force until our next trip! We head to Nashville for a long weekend and the long awaited wedding of my beautiful cousin Heather and her hubby to be, John. Nashville just happens to be my favorite southern city so I don't mind packing my bags again one little bit!

Going forward, I promise not to use travel as an excuse. July was a big lesson for me. I slacked on my workouts, my blog, and my eating, too. But that doesn't mean I can't jump right back in. Crazy month or not!!! And keep in mind - the same goes for you. You can ALWAYS start fresh after a failure! :)

xo,
C