The Sweet & Sour Life

And so, it begun. The ultimate roadtrip West. With Rachel's help, the Ayers women have mastered selfies. Within the first day, well really minutes, we learned that the Old guy, doesn't need a million photos taken of him. Aka, one is enough, possibly too many. So many adventures, so many photos, so many laughs & memories to fit into a decent length post that you might actually read, but here goes nothing! This perfectly describes everyones roles.  Day 1: We hit the road from Pflugerville, TX (Yes, that is spelt correctly… Weird Texas people). There was LOTS of driving involved (I know, obviously.. it is a roadtrip afterall), so this may get kinda repetitive. The Ayers gang headed towards North West Texas by way of Abilene & Amarillo... or at least attempted to make it there. Morning of it clicked that my friend Holli lives in Abilene & the Old Man remembered a juicy, delicious burger joint. Excellent pit stop! Holli & I haven't seen each ot...

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel only read one page."  -  Saint Augustine Well, once again... I'm back at making the promise I'll get better at updating this, but while I do know that I'm living in limbo status in beautiful San Diego, California... It's a hardship being here, HAH! I think of the I spy or Where's Waldo books, and you all are looking at a map wondering where I am and what I'm up to (I like thinking I'm that interesting & curious to all of you).  I finally made it to my new home, and let me just say it has definitely NOT been without adventure & some crazy stories. I took a month off for pure enjoyment, and enjoyment I had. And, San Diego became home about a month and half ago.  This WAY overdue post is just to update you on future stories, with an over abundance of photos and stories I think are extremely funny. I've met amazing & weird people, seen some of the best site...

Alright, I'm back tracking on some of my posts. I've most definitely been slacking on keeping the world, or the small crowd that reads this, inspired by my travels, but at last more fun weekend excursions! Let's go with Emma and I's trip to Rome . It was simple. It was no rush, no fuss, it was amazing. As a small group, we have decided that all new cities deserve a good attempt at breakfast/brunch. If you've been to Italy, you know that's not so easy. I mean, how do people not eat freaking eggs and toast for breakfast? And, thank you America for the invention of Mimosas. If only the rest of the world would jump on board. Although, prosecco is SO much better than champagne, but beggars can't be choosers. In any case... we google & tripadvisor, and find the TOP place for breakfast and it's near our hotel. Double score. We spread the mimosa word to Julie, and she decides to for-go sleep for mimosa's, as any sane person would do. Baccano. That...

My Graceful European Bow Out.  Photo credit: Matt Lester. View from his apartment into the Bay. It's that time. Only a few days until April 29th. Sayonara Europe day. Between Europe and Asia, I've seen so much. Experienced even more. And learned a ton more than that. All the countries and cultures I've experienced while being stationed in Gaeta, no matter how I write them on paper (iPad), cannot come close to how amazing they all have been... In their own separate ways. But this tour means nothing without homeport, and how great and significant it is to my heart. Photo Credit: Matt Lester. That's Gaeta Vecchia, Castello & Monte Orlando. I leave Gaeta bittersweet in my heart. Bitter because everywhere I go or look I'm struck with sadness of memories and experiences with old friends. Living somewhere you can't help but grow fond of things because of important people. But I leave Gaeta mainly sweet. If it was possible, I'd be a maste...

OMGosh. Stunning. Amazing. Breathtaking. Other typical descriptive words.  (Me at the top of the Panatheniac Stadium. You can see Temple of Olympian Zeus & The Acropolis in the background.) Whenever I travel somewhere new, I start rating it against my top 5 favorite locations. Food, wine, events, weather, people, etc. all comes into play. Well, after my latest long weekend excursion, Athens has worked its way into the Top 5!! Welcome to the elite, Athens!! Before we left, Sara helped me go old school. We actually made print outs of food and wine recommendations. I carried around this stack of papers with the best street food and wine bars . Julie and I managed to hit nearly all of them. (We both equally love the Greek flag. The colors & the design. This flag flies at the top of The Acropolis.) For the meat & potatoes... Why did I love Athens?! Why is it Top 5 worthy?! FOOOOOOOOOD!! Souvlaki. It's like a Gyro, but the meat is different. W...

I write this as all 3 of us prepare our lives for new chapters. Georgia. California. Maryland. All nowhere near each other, but all equally excited for future adventures... and how they’ve just only begun.  One day, I had the novel idea to use all my baking supplies to bake for the entire USS Mount Whitney and all it’s departments delicious delights. Now, picture my baking supplies as a Hoarders Baking Edition. We had more than enough to make this happen. The most logical idea was to divide and conquer. You have to start off strong in this sort of event otherwise you’ll never get very far in the process.  So I barked orders, Emma started with peanut butter cookies, and Sara was in-charge of the Butter Pecan Fudge. Emma has become quite the baker, it was her ability to read and follow a recipe, Sara didn’t possess the same skills.  As you know when you make fudge, it takes a HOT minute to sit, harden, and cool to where it actually looks and taste like fudge. ...