SAN FRAN | Part Two

On then next day we went to the Academy of Science in the Golden Gate Park. It was pretty amazing and the cousins really enjoyed exploring! 

SAN FRAN | Part One

So between summer and fall semester there is a two week break. And all the students on campus are pretty much homeless. 

Sooooo I went to visit family in San Fransisco for a week and it was AWESOME. I did not want to leave. 

I got in late Friday night and then Saturday we enjoyed I day at the beach in Pescadero. It was so nice to be next to the ocean again!

Summer Finals Week

Finals week was a little crazy (to say in the least).

We started out by taking some fun roomie pictures (naturally).

Provo Rooftop Concert

There are a ton of fun things to do and places to eat in Provo. 
One weekend the city was putting on a free concert downtown as part of the Provo Rooftop Concert Series. Montana and I walked down to it and grabbed a bite to eat and then met up with friends to go to the concert! 

We went to Zeek's Pieshake Parlour....and it was SOO good. Burgers, fries, and the best dang milkshake ever. We may or may not have stuffed our faces. It was that good. 

Provo Weather

Growing up in Florida showed my the wonders that the weather can create. Summer afternoon thunderstorms, crazy humidity, hurricanes, and on and on. 

Thankfully it only rained a few times this summer. #nocar #walkingeverywhere

We did see some pretty interesting weather though! I loved this one day where the fog/clouds totally covered Y mountain and Squaw Peak. It was kinda eerie but also pretty at the same time...?

Roomie Lovin'

I was blessed to have some pretty amazing roommates this summer. They were so supportive, loving, and fun. I know for a fact that they will be lifelong friends. 

Sarah's visit!

It's hard to believe that the far-out, crazy plans we started to make in the middle of our senior year actually happened. 

Having been best friends with Sarah since kindergarten, if there is one thing I can tell you about our friendship, its that we have some crazy dreams. Day trips to New Orleans and Birmingham? On the list. Open a cake stand at the farmers' market? It was a serious consideration. Site-see in Sand Fransisco? One day. (That one will happen.)

So when I told her that I would be attending BYU beginning in the summer term, the dreaming planning began. 

I'm so glad I got to see this girl before she started off to Orlando. I am so incredibly grateful for the continual love, support, and friendship she has given me. And I'm so glad I have the memories from that weekend forever! 

I picked Sarah up from the airport on Thursday and we spent the day exploring Salt Lake. We got lunch at the CUTEST little bakery ever. It was delicious, and we loved doing what we do best...eating trying new foods!

Eva's Bakery 

I scream...You scream...We all scream about midterms.

Summer semester is great. It is a beautiful time of year out here and the classes go by quickly. 

That being said, midterms rolled around way too soon. Good thing the Creamery is 20 ft from my apartment and has enough flavors of ice cream to satisfy this ice cream fanatic and her stress levels. 

The Payson Temple

One week in the middle of the term I had the opportunity to go to the Payson, Utah temple with a few friends from next door. It was such an amazing place! This is a fairly new temple, and not only is there the peaceful and calming spirit that surrounds all temples, but this one is also simply stunning. It was an amazing evening and I can't wait to go again sometime! 

Hiking: The Y

BYU is in a bowl. 
And the walls of said bowl are made of mountains. 
It is (still) quite a shock for this Florida girl to wake up and see this every morning.

Anyways.....
The mountain directly East of campus has been named 'Y' mountain because, well, there is a 'Y' on it. Looks like this:

Yes. Those black dots are people.

Hiking: Stewart Falls

A huge group of kids from Heritage Halls decided to go and hike Stewart Falls and were kind enough to invite me and two roommates, Shaylee and Montana, along! It was super fun and we had a great time!

Celebrating Independence Day!

I had an awesome Fourth and here are some of the pictures from it! 

I started out the morning going to the Freedom Fest Hot Air Balloon Show with the Jubecks, and then joined them for the parade downtown after.

Hiking: Mount Timpanogos

Not going to lie, this hike was one of the hardest things I have ever done. E v e r. 
But it was so worth it. 

Here are some of the facts:

• Total Elevation: 11,695 ft
• Distance: 16 miles round trip
• Water Consumption: 7 bottles
• Start time: 5 am
• Mountain View from the summit: totally worth it. 

Annnnnd now for a TON of pictures....

(Oh and I went with the Jubecks and a few of their family members! Super fun group!)

The Wests Make a Pit Stop

These crazies made a cross-country trip and were kind enough to stop by on their way south and see me! I'm so glad they did! And I'm super excited to go visit them in just a couple weeks!! 

We had an awesome dinner at The Black Sheep Cafe in downtown Provo. It was THE BOMB.

Hiking: Bridal Veil Falls

One of the first hikes I went on when I got to Utah was Bridal Veil Falls! I got to go with Jubecks and it was super fun. And just beautiful!