Adventure. Relaxation. Gift.

3 words that you don't have to say twice to us, to get us somewhere. Whether they are used individually or simultaneously, we're there! This trip was a mix of all of them as a gift for Kelsey's birthday. The island looked so much different than either of us remember from when we were younger, but experiencing it as adults was something great!

We were able to relax on the beach. Roam and explore the island via parasail and golf cart. And experience some wonderful food! The sand and water aren't as smooth as the coast, but tranquil nonetheless once you get away from the people. Sitting on the shore, drinking an ice cold beverage and listening to the slow crash of waves at our feet mixing in the background of our country playlist. If we could be in this setting everyday, it would be paradise!

Being up in a parasail was an unique adventure to say the least! Taking off from the back of boat, sitting in a harness seeing the coast of California as well as the harbor of Catalina. To then dive back to boat and get splashed by water when our feet cut across the water, was an experience not soon forgotten. We made our way up to 500ft again, soared around in a circle like a bird scouting the area, and awe fell upon us. In that moment, seeing God's creation from a perspective not often visited, in the open air rather than cabin of a plane, was bliss. Everything we see each day, at ground level gets taken for granted. The trees that give us shade. The flowers that give us oxygen and beauty. The crashing waves that show us the force of the ocean, yet the calm and peacefulness that comes with its repetitive nature, all taken for granted until we find a new way to see things. Thats the challenge in and of itself, right? To find a way to continuously see life and our own formed opinions and experiences in a different way to either form a new one, or come closer to understanding someone else's.

Then there's the food. From the ice cream shop the corner, to some of the best tacos we've had in a long time, it had a little bit of everything. Although, a lot of the places only take cash without warning, my melted ice cream was still worth it! One night, we got dressed up and had dinner on this second floor balcony at a seafood place. Seeing the sunset while enjoying a table of lobster and wine, it made the trip! But getting an unexpected hearing of an ABBA tribute band when walking main street back to our room was a rare treat.

This little slice of island living is so close yet we hardly go. Isn't that the reality of life though? Having so much so close to us, yet we rarely visit or taste? One of our goals to close out the year and beyond is to find new adventures and go on as many as we can, while we can. Everyday should have no regrets or finding time for statement" I wish I did this more" or "I wish I found time for this."

To that, enjoy the scenes from this trip and live life abundantly!