Carolina to California : August 2011

It's about time that I reminisce on our trip to Puerto Rico earlier this summer to visit JB's brother, Matt & our sister-in-law, Julia. We started the trip by driving down to Jacksonville, FL where JB's parents live. We enjoyed celebrating JB's belated birthday and Father's Day for Neil. A home cooked meal by Marianne the first night and a nice dinner out the second evening started our vacation out juuuust rightt! We enjoyed good food, company, and two fun nights of playing games until late. On June 23, we flew out of Jacksonville directly to San Juan, PR where we were greeted by Matt. We headed back to their apt in a wonderful part of SJ, called Condado. We had some homemade guacamole, pina coladas, dinner, and then went out for some sangria. Such a fun way to start our week in PR.

Second Night in FL

With Matt & Julia - First Night in Condado

Matt & Julia are in San Juan becuase that is where Matt has been stationed with the Coast Guard. On our second day (Friday) Julia had to work, so Matt took JB & I on a tour of the Coast Guard station, Old San Juan, and we went to lunch at St. Germain... which was nothing short of amazing.

Sector San Juan

Walking on the La Princessa in Old San Juan

San Juan Fort

Old San Juan, Brighter version of Charleston's Rainbow Row!

Lunch at St. Germain... AMAZING!

Shopping in SJ... The owner personalizing our 'door' to say, "Casa Baker"

After doing around in Old SJ, we headed back to their apt and got ready for our weekend trip to Vieques!!! Vieques is a small island off the coast of Puerto Rico... and most of the most beautiful places I have ever been... and that's saying a lot (in my opinion). I cannot WAIT to go back one day. Here is a picture gallery of our weekend in Vieques.

Boarding our little plane to Vieques

Casa de Amisted (our guest house) - back patio & pool

Vieques' wild horses

First beach stop, tip of the island, Green Beach

JB & I at Green Beach

Lunch in Esperanza, the only 'big' town in Vieques

Lunch View in Esperanza

JB exploring Navio Beach

Saturday night in Vieques we went to the brightest Bioluminescent Bay in the world in Mosquito Bay.
You kayak out to the middle of the bay, get out of the kayak and swim while the water around you illuminates as you activate the algae living in the water. Truly amazing!!
This is a picture from the internet because you cannot really capture the light without a very high-tech camera.

After the Bio Bay, we went out for the evening to the W Hotel & Resort on the island.
It was nice, but we decided we were glad we didn't stay there because it really took away from the
'real' experience of being on the island.

Last day on the island... Blue Beach!

Beautiful...

Perfect weekend!

Flying back to San Juan for the rest of the week!

Ariel view of the fort in Old San Juan

Upon our return to San Juan, we had a rainy day the following day... so we did lunch with Julia and then did a tour de sangria around Condado! ha. The following day JB & I went to El Yunque National Rainforest, Puerto Rico's National Rainforest.. Following are a few pictures from our hike!

beautiful waterfalls

after the first half of the hike to one of the peeks

Coqui frog!! Unusual to find, but I can always find frogs!!

Enjoying a break :)

JB enjoying our last day in Puerto Rico at the beach!

We truly had an unforgettable time in Puerto Rico. There was so much to do & see, and we cannot wait to visit Matt & Julia again! Thanks, PR Bakers for a wonderful trip!!

So... It is quite obvious that I have been lacking in my blogging! It's almost been 3 months! Geez... that means that my sweet little niece is almost 3 months old, which is clearly NOT OK!

Since my last post:

School got out June 10th, gonna miss Team Baker.. but hoping for another wonderful group of children & parents
I chaperoned a group of 4th-6th graders on a church camp, PassportKids in Wingate, NC for a few days
JB & I had a "see you later" dinner with our good friend, Jen(nifer) haha... as she was about to move to Kansas. This was my first hard goodbye because of the Army, but I am SURE it won't be the last.
JB & I went to Florida & Puerto Rico to visit the other Bakers! (another post for this!)
The podiatrist figured out what is wrong with my feet... basically a bone is too long in both feet, causing overall foot pains/aches and specific joint pain. EW.
JB & I took my dad on Fayetteville's own, ZipQuest Zip-lining and Water Falls, for his Father's Day gift!
I took the position as being a CO-leader for our Battalion's FRG (Family Readiness Group)
I worked the VIP tent with Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, meeting John, Paulie, owners of Blue Ridge Cabin (who provided the home), and even getting to shoot a scene acting with Sabrina Soto from HGTV! She is the newest member of the EHM design team. Hopefully that scene will make the cut for the October episode!!
Spent 10 days at N. Myrtle Beach with family, with JB making it for one weekend when he got out of the field
And this week, I started to get my classroom in order, got a much-needed pedicure, had lunch with my co-leader to discuss FRG stuff, did my FRG training last night, and had another podiatrist appointment in which I got my first cortisone injection in my foot... hoping for some relief so surgery won't be needed for a LONG time!!