Last night sleeping in my place I had a visit from this motley crew. Framily is the best! Love them.
My movers are awesome at Tetris.
Final shots from the playa. View from my deck in Manhattan Beach.
Last shot of the view from my living room. I was one spoiled girl for the last year.
TA-DA! That’s one empty apartment. (Also, note to self: ixnay on the “smooth” filter. Totally unnecessary and I look ridiculous. But still have my toned arms, thanks F45!)
Duces LA. Also, wearing half my closet and clothes from at least 3 seasons because I was totally out of room in my bags.
I used to dread long waits in the airport. Benefit of being an adult? Waiting means an excuse to relax and imbibe. Mimosa at 8:45am on a Thursday? Yes please.
My darling cousins drove 1 hour to pick me up from the airport and have a drink and some apps with me in STL. This needs to happen more often.
We make late-30s look DAMN GOOD.
While I was taking a selfie to send to a friend at the zoo, these guys ran up and asked me to take a photo with them in it. They’re adorable and were super enthusiastic (“we’re ready for a group shot. Let’s do it!”) so I couldn’t say no.
Day 4: Omaha to Cape. Honestly. There were times when I drove.
Back in my home state.
St. Joseph, MO. Where the magic happened (aka, I was born here). First trip back since that fateful day.
No road trip is complete without a stop at WH!
My fave zoo in the US. This place really is special. Beautiful, and huge enclosures for the animals, which makes me happy 🙂
Boy oh boy these guys know where to go for food.
Totally forget what this animal is. But I liked the look of him/her.
Selfie in the really impressive rainforest exhibit.
Pygmy hippopotamus
Omaha you have THE COOLEST ZOO. Selfie while riding the tram through the zoo.
White rhino!
This dude (or dudette?) was going to town on the top of that fence. Nom nom?
Sky tram/lift at the zoo! So cool.
Day 3: Cheyenne, WY, to Omaha, NE
Things got really FLAT. But also really sunny and with a beautiful sky.
I swear I did some of the driving on this trip.
Thank you Omaha Tap House for a homemade veggie burger topped with hasbrowns, an egg, and cheese. And probably more calories than I usually eat in an entire day. #worthit
(Slightly out of order) Glamour shot mom took of me in SLC, visiting LDS campus. Those flowers!!
Had really fantastic drinks and apps (food was all vegetarian, and food and drink ingredients are locally sourced) at Paramount in downtown Cheyenne. Highly recommend!
I had seriously oily traveler’s hair. So this happened.
I can almost always convince mom to enjoy a good libation with me.
Having lived in cities with SO many people, it is rather shocking to be in a state capitol that is so quaint and absent of skyscrapers. America, I love your diversity.
Charli wasted no time getting comfortable in SLC.
Day 2: SLC to Cheyenne, WY. Most gorgeous rest stop view EVER.
Oh HAI. It’s me.
Panoramic of this beautiful country side.
We made it! I Hello Cheyenne. You’re adorable.
Obligatory tourist photos. Thanks, mom.
The drive from Reno to SLC was gorgeous!
From snow-capped mountains to colorful striations that reminded me of Arizona’s painted desert.
Bonneville Salt Flats along I-80 in Utah. Mom thought there was snow on the ground it was so white. This photo doesn’t begin to do it justice.
Driving into SLC is pretty spectacular.
No trip to SLC would be complete without visiting the truly impressive and beautiful church (LDS) “campus” (far too much real estate here to call it anything but that).
LDS Temple.
When you look for abundance, you’ll find it. Time and again the universe was letting me know how RIGHT this all is. Such as this sweet message on our take-out container from an amazing vegan spot in Reno.
Creeper watching us eat. #hotelLife
Packed into the car and ready for the first long day of driving: Reno, NV, to Salt Lake City, UT!
Mom, aka, Sheila. Such a bad ass for road tripping with me.
On the road again…
When Home Depot in Napa is only 20 miles away, I may have skipped the closer location just for an excuse to drive to Napa.
Thank you Jamieson Ranch Vineyards for an awesome afternoon. (Affordable tasty & wines in Napa! That’s gold people!)
While driving from Sacramento to Reno, NV, mom and I saw the most spectacularly bright rainbow we’d ever seen.
I like to think rainbows are Sean’s way of saying “hi” 🙂
Before I take off, lots of adulting in preparation for this adventure. Thankfully, the last trips I made to prepare for my move and travel abroad included visits to some great places, and time with wonderful people. In early May I headed back to the East Coast (Washington, DC, and New York City) for final visits to my firm’s offices and to say goodbye to fabulous colleagues and friends. I have had a wonderful 9 years as a lawyer, but taking the advice a friend offered last year, I’m running towards an even bigger goal (not running away from my current career or firm): a love of travel and seeing the world. After wrapping up life on the East Coast, I headed back home to Southern California, ever so briefly, then began a cross-country road trip with my mom and co-pilot in life (my 13.5 year old rescue dog, Charli) from Sacramento, CA, to Cape Girardeau, MO. Photos posted here are of these trips. Next posts will be the trip abroad where my first stop is London then onto Spain!
And I’m off! Last drive (for the foreseeable future) from LA up to NorCal.
The drive out of LA to I-5 isn’t too shabby. You may not get the coastal view, but the mountains are pretty gorgeous.
Had a few really lovely days in Winters. Small town NorCal.
Downtown Winters. Full of charm.
An eerily empty Union Station…
Turns out there is an upside to train delays and arriving close to 3am on a weeknight. The opportunity to capture photos of this beautiful building sans people.
New(ish) art installation in DC. I love any form of sending more positivity, and a giant Hug & Kiss is beautiful in my book!
One last shot of the gorgeous Central Park & River views afforded from the 45th floor of my (soon-to-be former) law office.
Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton
Annise's Adventures 
So excited to follow you on your journey! All the best to you.
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Thanks so much Daniele!! 🙌😊
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I’m already obsessed with your blog! Get it!
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Awwww, thanks for the support and encouragement 😊
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I’m so excited for you! I really miss traveling and can’t wait to do it again someday. I hope my kiddos love it as much as I do one day. I look forward to seeing where your adventures take you Annise!
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Your unknown animal is the South American tapir.
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Haha, what?
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This is AMAZING! You are in inspiration. I look forward to following your journey.
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Thank you!! 🙌
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I will truly miss you! But, I won’t be selfish. I am happy for you and wish you the best as you travel the world. I will definitely be following you. I’m truly going to be like you when I grow up….:)
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Hahaha. I love and appreciate you so much!
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Annise, the legend. Put some respect on her name! 👊🏾 xoxo Char
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Awwww! Love you!
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