From Feb. 18--22 I had the chance to head to Monterey, California to attend the Western States Communication Association conference. My first trip to WSCA was two years ago in Phoenix. This year I played the weekend away in California with some more fabulous folks. Here's the recap, in pictures.
Keriann and I flew out of SLC at 6:05am. Waking up in the 4am hour is god awful. We arrived in Monterey at 8:30a after a quick transfer in LAX. By 8:30a we were starving. Upon the suggestion of one of the shuttle drivers from the Hyatt we walked over the river and through the woods...er...I mean down the hill and under the overpass to a fantastic little dive called "Randy's". In Monterey? This is a MUST. check out this beautiful burrito...only $4.50! Bring cash.
Entrance to the Hyatt Regency resort, home away from home for four days.
While in Monterey we of course had to hit up the Aquarium. Believe everything you hear--it was fantastic. The building is as much on display as the animals are. Otters, jellies, penguins, among the visits we made.
Check out this sea dragon!!
At the end of our first evening in Monterey we caught a full rainbow. I've never seen a full rainbow that extends clearly into an arc. The rainbow appeared over the bay and was awesome. It eventually turned into a double rainbow and I couldn't help but think of the YouTube video...go on, google it.
Cannery Row in Monterey, CA
Maria joined us on Saturday--getting ready to head to Big Sur, north of Monterey.
Abi and Maria--tree hugging. So classic.
Popping a little bubbly under a giant redwood in Big Sur. This is one of those magical life moments. Such a great time in Big Sur with these ladies, Maria, Keriann, Abi, and Katie.
Inside the huge tree.
I was doing some sort of dance... no big deal. More dancing followed suit at the Sock Hop later.
Abi, Katie, Keriann, Maria, and Me taking advantage of some beautiful scenery.
Maria posed us for this pic. I call it our lesbian "civil union announcement" picture. Quaint, right?
The sign at the conference center. Scared much?
Happy President's Day ya'll. We celebrated white men by eating at this Americana establishment. Delicious fish and chips just off Cannery Row.
The view from Ghiradelli on Cannery Row.... delightful.
The loot from Ghiradelli...also delightful! Thanks for sharing Georgi!
Ain't no party like a West Coast party... Sock Hop 2011 was epic. I danced. A LOT. (oops). Maria rocked out on crutches and check out that t-shirt! Stay classy, Utah.
Speaking of classy... check out the suits on the band. They were amazing, actually. Everything from Blondie, to Journey, to 80's metal, to Cee-Lo. The band's name was "Pop Rocks". Yes please.
Monday evening on the beach at Fisherman's Wharf (Monterey) with Georgi and Keriann.
We had an AMAZING experience with a server at our restaurant. Here's a model conversation:
SERVER: so, where you from ladies?
US: Utah.
SERVER: I love Utah, my favorite place.
US: Oh really? (incredulous...)
SERVER: Yes, love it, love it.
GEORGI: So, I'm curious. What do you love about Utah?
SERVER: (deer in headlights) Ugh... Yosemite. My favorite, yeaah, Yosemite.
US: (OMG)
SERVER: and the canyon. yes, the canyon. I see it on the internet. Yes.
Or....
SERVER: Are you interested in dessert? (presents dessert tray to the table)
US: No, thank you. We're so full, it was great...
SERVER: You sure? We have nice mousse, nice dessert.
US: No, we're fine. Thanks anyway.
GEORGI: Are those real? They look great!
SERVER: (Shakes head no emphatically) No, no, not real. See? (sticks finger into the tiramisu... finger sinks all the way into the tiramisu pastry). Oh...yes. Yes, it's real. Just kidding!
US: (terror).
Finally...
SERVER: You want roses? (presents each of us with a single stem rose) Smell them! Smell them!
US: (smelling the flower petals). Wow, these smell really strong.
SERVER: I spray perfume on them in the back!
US: um, huh?
SERVER: Just kidding, just kidding!
All in all, a fantastic dinner. Obviously.
Check out those roses! Perfumed!!! Just kidding, just kidding.
Keriann and I enjoy the pool, hot tub, and the complimentary robes from the Hyatt.
An unexpected joy of the trip is that I lost my drivers license in California. Thanks, Becca for faxing over copies of my passport and license!! After verifying my existence and identity by providing all my credit cards, Costco card, hotel bill, photo copies, and a charming smile, I was on my way home to SLC.
All in all, a great trip.
X-BOX
Grading...and more grading. And then some grading.
Clean this thing out...
Headin' out. This is SLC near our house.
Being hot.
Heading to Sandy...
Laundry....
Family time....
Becca's love affair with Reba, the leopard gecko...
Grabbed a little Sunday dinner... and mom accidentally ripped a $10 in half....
First attempt at homemade pretzels...success!
Oscar night. And more grading!!
Oscars and pretzels
Home again after laundry is done and playing with the cat.
Bed time!
Keriann and I flew out of SLC at 6:05am. Waking up in the 4am hour is god awful. We arrived in Monterey at 8:30a after a quick transfer in LAX. By 8:30a we were starving. Upon the suggestion of one of the shuttle drivers from the Hyatt we walked over the river and through the woods...er...I mean down the hill and under the overpass to a fantastic little dive called "Randy's". In Monterey? This is a MUST. check out this beautiful burrito...only $4.50! Bring cash. 
Entrance to the Hyatt Regency resort, home away from home for four days. 
While in Monterey we of course had to hit up the Aquarium. Believe everything you hear--it was fantastic. The building is as much on display as the animals are. Otters, jellies, penguins, among the visits we made.
Check out this sea dragon!!
At the end of our first evening in Monterey we caught a full rainbow. I've never seen a full rainbow that extends clearly into an arc. The rainbow appeared over the bay and was awesome. It eventually turned into a double rainbow and I couldn't help but think of the YouTube video...go on, google it.
Cannery Row in Monterey, CA
Maria joined us on Saturday--getting ready to head to Big Sur, north of Monterey.
Abi and Maria--tree hugging. So classic.
Popping a little bubbly under a giant redwood in Big Sur. This is one of those magical life moments. Such a great time in Big Sur with these ladies, Maria, Keriann, Abi, and Katie.
Inside the huge tree.
I was doing some sort of dance... no big deal. More dancing followed suit at the Sock Hop later.
Abi, Katie, Keriann, Maria, and Me taking advantage of some beautiful scenery. 
Maria posed us for this pic. I call it our lesbian "civil union announcement" picture. Quaint, right?
The sign at the conference center. Scared much?
Happy President's Day ya'll. We celebrated white men by eating at this Americana establishment. Delicious fish and chips just off Cannery Row.
The view from Ghiradelli on Cannery Row.... delightful. 
The loot from Ghiradelli...also delightful! Thanks for sharing Georgi!
Ain't no party like a West Coast party... Sock Hop 2011 was epic. I danced. A LOT. (oops). Maria rocked out on crutches and check out that t-shirt! Stay classy, Utah.
Speaking of classy... check out the suits on the band. They were amazing, actually. Everything from Blondie, to Journey, to 80's metal, to Cee-Lo. The band's name was "Pop Rocks". Yes please.
Monday evening on the beach at Fisherman's Wharf (Monterey) with Georgi and Keriann.
We had an AMAZING experience with a server at our restaurant. Here's a model conversation:
Check out those roses! Perfumed!!! Just kidding, just kidding.
Keriann and I enjoy the pool, hot tub, and the complimentary robes from the Hyatt.
An unexpected joy of the trip is that I lost my drivers license in California. Thanks, Becca for faxing over copies of my passport and license!! After verifying my existence and identity by providing all my credit cards, Costco card, hotel bill, photo copies, and a charming smile, I was on my way home to SLC.
All in all, a great trip.
