Vitamin Sea and 56'

My recent trip to Clearwater Beach was a bit cooler than what I have experienced previously.  The water temperature was 56' but that didn't stop a few brave souls from splashing around.  I had no intention of taking a dip but rather wanted to feel the warm sand beneath my toes and get my feet wet as the waves rolled in.  A quiet stroll down the coastline, coffee in hand, with my Mom was the perfect way to spend the day.  I enjoyed the sounds of seagulls flying overhead while a few were "sunbathing"  and the shore filled with seashells and the air which smelled of salt.  The beauty of the ocean and the sound of the waves always gets to me; this is one place where I feel quite at home.

After taking in the ocean views, we made our way over to Papaya Street as it was time for lunch!  And there is one place I will always go, Pearly's Beach Eats. Their Fish Tacos are amazing and you can't go wrong with their Gnarly Nachos, big enough to share for sure!  They offer local beer and one I have come to love is the Clearwater Honey Cream by Pair O' Dice Brewing Company.  Their surfboard tables and vibrant beach colors make this place a must-stop spot to visit in Clearwater. Jimmy Buffett playing the background only added to the atmosphere.  If only Uber-Eats could deliver to Kansas City!

Before heading out, we took a quick walk down Mandalay Street popping in and out of the local beach stores before heading to our next destination.  We decided to drive the coastline which was a great way to enjoy the palm-tree lined streets and quaint sea-side towns.  It was a great sunshine-filled day.

Until the next time in paradise...🌴

Shona

Wilderness In Florida

While reading my new book, "A Women's Guide to the Wild", I ran across a state park I knew I had to check out.  I was heading to Florida soon and book highlighted the Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park near Tampa as one of the best outdoor recreation sites. Hiking through lush swampland, sign me up!  I ran it by my Mom, after-all, she would be my chauffeur and I had to make sure she would be up for a little hike! 

On our way home from spending the day at the beach, {more on that in the next blog} we took the back roads along the coast and headed to our next destination to do some outdoor hiking and hopefully see more of Florida's wildlife. As we entered the park, we stopped at the visitors center where a host was very helpful in showing me which trails to take, where to park, restrooms, etc.  One more question sir, "Where are the primitive campsite?" I did get the "surprised" look, probably from using the word primitive, but he kindly circled the sites and explained how to get there.  

We made our way to Shelter 5, switched shoes, and headed to the trail.  It started as a paved bike trail but we quickly landed off the beaten path.  We chose the 1.9 mile loop which did have numerous branches so if you wanted to go farther you could but it was mid-afternoon so we stuck with the shorter of the trails.  It was very peaceful and the nature was gorgeous even in January.  We only ran into a few people and that was towards the end.  I was hoping to see a croc or two, no luck that day, but there were a lot of squirrels and the park is known for its bird watching areas, so we heard many different birds singing their songs. Did I mention we somehow missed our turn, which seems like a hard thing to do considering we were looping but leave it to us!  So, we actually went about a mile farther than expected, but we survived.  Burning calories, Mom! 

The park is spread over 8000 acres and there are many activities available.  Hiking, biking, camping..both tent, cabin, and primitive, bird-watching, recreational areas, fishing, fire pits and shelters/picnic areas can be rented for day use.  Bonus, dogs are allowed!  I highly recommend checking this gulf-side Florida park out if you are near Tampa, it's a gorgeous place to spend the day or night! 

Explore More 🌲

Shona

The Roads of Twenty17

Twenty17 was quite the year and it's time to share my annual review! It had some major positives and some days weren't all roses and bonbons but I believe those days happen and often at times they happen for a reason.  And as the year ended, I was able to reflect on it and appreciate it more than I imagined I would.  I learned more about myself, what I am capable of, my weaknesses, and my strengths.

This year started with my last ever "holiday break" from college.  As I started my 4th semester of Nursing school, I knew graduation was just around the corner!  No time to give up now! The last semester wasn't easy but it was worth the many hours of studying.  I was voted as Class President, would be giving a speech at graduation, and was offered a Nursing position at Shawnee Mission Health.

February meant a last-minute-leaving-at-midnight-trip to Eureka Springs with my BF.  I took my first test of the semester and after celebrating a friends birthday, we left at midnight and headed on our first adventure of the year! I loved Eureka Springs, it's definitely on the go back list!  My Dad also received the Kansas Bankers Association Award Soil Conservation for 2016, {insert}proud daughter moment.

March brought some warm spring temps and we decided we should start our camping adventures early!  We settled first at Clinton State Park and have visited there since then, spending the weekends with nature, campfires, and tent living.  Camping has made me realize how much I love the outdoors and even though I also love mascara and getting all dolled up, I can hang with the best of them. Dry-shampoo for the win!  Lesson, don't judge a book by it's cover...a long time rule.  We toured the Boulevard Brewery for the BF's birthday and if you haven't done it, add it to your list! The beer is great and so is the food! Plus, it's local!  I made an appearance on Fox 4 KC for Spring Fashion and auditioned for Fall KCFW.

April brought Spring KCFW and I was fortunate to walk Saturday night for Barbara Bultman and made the KCFW Instagram page showing off her amazing designs.  I walked for Noble Native at the First Friday's Alley Fashion Show, also showcasing Amina Marie Millinery and Coki Bijoux Designs.  Camping at Lake Perry and a last minute trip to Florida for Easter to visit my Mom and Stepdad were more highlights!  A photo shoot showing off fitness and running around Kansas City and my last clinical day ended the month off just perfectly!

May brought on Cinco de Mayo, showing off KC to friends from Tulsa, farmers market shopping, taking my Mom on her first KC Streetcar ride for Mother's Day, Nursing Night at the Royals, Memorial Day weekend at the lake, and finally....GRADUATION!  The next day, off to Palm Springs for more adventuring and exploring California!

The Summer was spent mostly at the lake, working, studying for that wretched test...we all remember that...and just enjoying time with friends and family.  I drove to Colorado to visit friends and run my third half marathon, surprised my sister with a long weekend trip to Florida, had a jeep-day with my home girl Heather...cruising open country roads and sippin' on Sonic Route 44's. The very unique Valkyrie photo-shoot with none other than Jonny Hackett and Heavy Metal Heros was super fun and a crab broil with friends which included a slip-in-slide ended the month of July.  A quick trip to St Louis for a local runway show and getting to spend time with two of my favorites designers while they introduced me to "The Hill"...one word, Italian! I made an appearance on KCTV-5 for Fall Fashion with Jana, had minor surgery, and tried to watch the Eclipse...of course Kansas was cloudy and rainy that day! I was also fortunate to be photographed wearing Lucia Sarto gowns and Marianna Haritunian Jewels for a local photo-shoot in Lawrence.

September meant Labor Day and more lake days...by now I was getting pretty used to this lake life and loving every minute of it!  I participated in the Local Runway Fashion Show held in the West Bottoms and we spent another weekend camping at Clinton Lake.  The warm fall temps just meant more of nature and outdoor adventures!  This camping trip was the time the deer almost ran into me, literally...an unforgettable moment for sure!

October...October 4th, the day I found out I passed my NCLEX! I was at my Mom's that day.  I will never forget it.  They took me out for margaritas that night to celebrate...I have never been so happy. Mainly because it meant no more studying and I could finally start being a Nurse!!   I learned how to play Bunco and even won the bank that night...I was invited back, but the "older" people said I couldn't win again!  They were probably all cussing me as I strolled out with my dough! I walked both Friday and Saturday night for KCFW, spent Halloween with my nieces and nephew, and got that 10th tattoo I had been waiting to get.

November...let's be real, birthday month!  Celebrated with a little weekend get-a-way to St. Jo and a stay at the Whiskey Mansion with my Mom and Sister...it's tradition for us to have a weekend together.  Got a private tour of the Missouri State Penitentiary and while there had an amazing photo shoot capturing the architecture of the prison.  Spent Thanksgiving Eve with the rent's since I had to work Thanksgiving...my Mom made a special dinner just for me...and consumed way too many noodles! Adventured back to Arkansas, this time staying in Hot Springs, Ouachita National Forest, and Ozark National Forest...camping in 40-degree temps and surviving, a perfect weekend away with gorgeous views.

December...spent the holidays with family and friends and that's what's important. From baking cookies with Mom to an all-you-can-eat crab brunch and bottomless mimosas with our lake friends, to watching holiday movies and drinking a lot of hot cocoa...it was the perfect way to end the year!

{gift from my dad, 2017}

Here's to New Roads in Twenty18!
Shona