#gonewithmckell

[mckelljo]

Travel Diary: Birthday in Park City

For my nineteenth birthday, my bff Kaitlinn and I went to Park City and stayed the night. We shopped until we literally almost dropped, planned our trip to Hawaii (mostly I told her what I had already planned and she nodded), ate delicious food (brunch at The Bridge was AMAZING), made a list of 19 Things I’ve Learned in My 19 Years, and wandered through the Park Silly Sunday Market.

I was pretty much dreading that my birthday was a Sunday this year but it ended up being one of my favorite birthdays ever! It wasn’t filled with a huge party or a bunch of presents but I got to do things that I loved with my favorite people and that makes a great day in my book!

Thanks for all the birthday wishes!!!

[mckelljo]

Travel Diary: Escaping to Montana

Every summer my family spends a weekend fishing on the Madison River in Montana with my dad’s side of the family. The Johnson family has been doing this for 30+ years and we have so many great/crazy memories here. (Like the time we were struck by lightning or got attacked by a bear.) We all used to stay in cabins close to each other until they switched to really crappy owners and treated us not so good. This year we stayed in a cabin on Sheep Mountain just a little outside of where we normally stayed and loved it. I think we loved that it had wifi even more.

I’m not much of a camper or a fisherwoman (shocker, I know) so these trips are mostly a good opportunity to get out of town and watch old movies, read The Magnolia Journal, play cards, and sketch my dream house in the Hamptons. Sometimes you just need to run away to a cabin in literally the middle of nowhere and relax.

[mckelljo]

Travel Diary: Cruising Down The Oregon Coast

It took a lot of convincing but last year was our family’s very first time going on a trip for spring break! We had so much fun exploring the Oregon Coast! We traveled Highway 101 from Astoria to Florence making stops all along the way to go to the aquarium, spend time on the beach, or walk around the shops.

It was also our first time in Oregon and it was all that I expected and more. Driving down Highway 101 was beyond beautiful! Look to the left to see the thickest, mossy, green forest. Then look out the right to see the deep blue ocean. It was so amazing! I would go back in a heartbeat.

My absolute favorite spot was the condo we stayed at in Rockaway Beach. It overlooked the ocean and it was the most peaceful and relaxing place I have ever been. I saw some of the most gorgeous sunsets from the top balcony and listened to the waves crash all night. It was seriously such a dream!

All the fun memories that were made over this trip has convinced my parents that traveling with all seven members of the family can actually enjoyable! Who knew?

[mckelljo]

Travel Diary: Spring Break in San Diego

We went to San Diego!

My family had such a blast and so did I…until I got strep throat.  As terrible as it was being so sick, it was hard to be completely miserable in such a warm and pretty place.

The hotel we stayed at was actually on Coronado Island only a few short minutes across the bridge. Staying on Coronado was actually the best decision about the whole trip. Every night we walked to the boardwalk and ate delicious food (Village Pizzeria was our fave), explored the shops, and enjoyed the awesome view of the city.

If you ask my parents, the whole reason for this trip was to take my little sister to see her favorite animal at the zoo. She has loved pandas since she was a baby and literally owns every panda stuffed animal she lays eyes on. Sooo…PJ got to see her beloved pandas and the rest of us were lucky enough to tag along.

We took a trip to the San Diego Temple, wandered around Hotel del Coronado, and did lots of lying around. I also took the best nap of my life on the beach and I’m still dreaming about it.

I hope you all had a great spring break!

[mckelljo]

Travel Diary: Girls Trip to San Francisco

I’ve got it you guys. I’ve got the travel bug and it’s taking over my life. I’m constantly checking flights, looking at a map, watching vimeo videos of road trips, or reminiscing previous trips. To say it’s becoming a problem is a bit of an understatement. Today I’m going to share some pictures of one of my all time favorite trips last spring!!

I would call myself a city girl, even though the biggest city I had ever been to was Salt Lake City until a couple months ago. The tall buildings and high-end shopping makes me feel invincible, and that was once again confirmed on our girls trip to San Francisco!

It was seriously the most perfect weekend trip. We relaxed and visited with family, ate tons of good food, shopped until we dropped, and did all the cheesy tourist stuff. Not only that, but it was our first girls trip of (hopefully) many more to come!

Having extended family members living outside of Utah is both a blessing and a curse. I wish I saw them way more than I actually do, but it’s a good excuse to get out of town! My great aunt and her daughter were so kind to take us in for a few days while we visited. There were so many jokes and laughter I will never forget. We totally owe them for being the best hosts/chauffeurs out there!