This weekend was in one word: Magical
View from my friend, Linzay’s apartment.
I flew in to San Francisco Thursday night. My friend Linzay picked me up from the airport. And we headed out to dinner in the Marina. We ate at this awesome burger place called, “Roam”. It was delicious.
Then we headed out in Russian Hill to grab drinks with some of my friends from college. In fact, one of my best guy friends, Drew, lives right next to Linzay. #smallworld
Dylan, Me, Drew
I don’t get to see much of these guys anymore, but when I do, it’s like no time has passed. Dylan, lives in Chicago, and Drew lives in SF. They are two of my best guy friends. And I was soooo excited to see them!
It was then time to hit the hay, as it was going to be a busy Friday. I woke up early to run down to the Fort Mason park and get a strength workout in. The view was breathtaking.
It was then back to Linzay’s apartment for some work. I also had a swim workout I needed to get in on Friday. I had asked around to some triathlete friends who live in the area, and it looked as though the most convenient option was the Presidio YMCA. It was 2.2 miles from Linzay’s place in Russian Hill. I didn’t rent a car, so next best option? Run! So, I got out my Oakley Factor Lite back pack to carry my swim stuff in, threw on my 26.2 sunnies, and headed to the pool. 
One more night in SF and then it was off to Napa for the weekend. So, of course, we went out for drinks…
The next morning, I woke up early and headed out the door to get my long run in. I had never run over the Golden Gate Bridge before, and so I didn’t want to miss out on this awesome opportunity.
On the path to the bridge
Up the stairs to the bridge
Alcatraz. (P.S Have you ever done the tour? If not, I HIGHLY recommend it. I didn’t have time to do it this time, but I’ve done it before and it’s amazing. Oh, and definitely get the audio tape tour)
It seriously was a perfect day to run in SF. (Side note: My favorite photo I took while in SF)
View of the city from the bridge.
Running across the bridge.
Love my Oakley Burn Shorts
After 12 miles in the books, it was time to shower, pack up, and meet up with the crew who I was going to the wedding with. I hadn’t seen my three best girlfriends since Davis got married last August. So, I was excited to spend the weekend with them. We also had three other girls joining us for the weekend, but they weren’t going to the wedding, but we thought why not have some more friends to enjoy Napa with, and share a house with!
So, the 7 of us packed it up in two cars, and headed to Napa. We stopped in Sausalito for a quick bite, and for a quick “photoshoot” by the bridge.
THE CREW. Betsy (lives in Denver, CO), Me, Lauren (lives in SF), Blair (lives in SF), Natalie (lives in SF), Mo (lives in Chicago), and Davis (lives in Lexington, Kentucky)
Betsy, Me, Davis, and Mo. The Girls. I met these three girls on my first day of college, when we got there for pre-season for soccer. We instantly connected, and have been best friends ever since. I can’t believe it’s been 10yrs!
Love these girls!
When we got to our house that we had rented for the weekend in Napa, it was time to change real quick, and break open the champagne to kick off the weekend!
The Magic Begins.
I can’t put into words what this weekend felt like. It was simply magical. The love that was surrounding us the whole weekend was palpable. From silly Vine videos, to reminiscing about old college stories, to making new ones. It was a celebration of true friendships. These girls truly are my rock, and I loved every minute of spending this weekend with them. After our champagne toast, we headed out to dinner in downtown Napa. To a place called Andaz. It was delicious. Tapas style. #love After dinner we met up with some dear friends of ours, Blake and Graham and their wives. These guys are truly special, and will always hold a special place in my heart. It was sooo good to see them, as I hadn’t seen them in probably 5 years.
This is why I LOVE weddings. It brings people together, who you don’t get to see regularly. Blake and his wife, Kendall, live in Birmingham, Alabama, while Blake finishes up residency (he’s specializing in high risk pregnancy, pretty cool!). And Graham and his wife, Jess, live in Indianapolis, and Foster and his girlfriend, Kate, live in Michigan. It was just so special to have us all together again.
Sunday, we had booked a wine tasting at Alpha Omega, a small vineyard about 20min from the house we were staying in. We booked it early, 11am, so we could squeeze it in before the wedding festivities began. No better way to start a day of the wedding, than some wine tasting. When in Napa…GO BIG OR GO HOME. I squeezed in an hour run real quick, before the day drinking began.
There was a cute path close by that I ran on, that ran along the Napa Valley River.
Threw on some “wine tasting” clothes, and headed out the door. First stop, Yountville for some brekkie. I LOVE Yountville. I had been there once before with Oakley. We did a bootcamp class and brunch in the cute park in Yountville. And it was so fun to be back.
Crepes and Scones. #yum
We then made our way to Alpha Omega. This place was gorgeous. And their tastings are FREE. We got to taste 6 different wines. And they were fabulous.
We sat outside around a fire pit drinking wine, with this view. Again, it was just magical.
After we warmed up our blood stream, we headed back to the house to get ready for Al’s big day!
Alex Martin has been one of my best guy friends since day 1 of college. He was on the men’s soccer team at DePauw, and we instantly bonded. I have known him for 10yrs, and I was soooo excited to see him tie the knot. Alex is one of those guys who just warms your heart when he’s around. He lights up a room with his smile, and can always make you laugh. To see him sooo happy, was such a special moment for me.
This wedding was out of a movie. It was held at a private vineyard. Julia, Alex’s bride to be, has cousins who own the place where they got married. It was outdoors without a cloud in the sky. The wedding was full of laughter, tears, and lots of love. To share in Alex’s special day was something I’ll never forget. It was beautiful how his wedding brought together a group of people who share so much love.
One of the many spectacular views at their wedding venue.
These are the boys. Blake, Foster, Alex (the man of the hour), Graham, Dylan, and Drew. These guys are like my brothers. Love them to pieces.
It’s hard to explain the feeling I get when we all get together. I’m sure some of you have felt that feeling, when you are around true friends. It was an emotional weekend but a special one.
All Dressed Up!
With Al, at the reception. He is one special dude, and I know Julia and him are going to be soooo happy together.
So, we danced, we ate, we chatted, had our drunken heart to hearts, laughed, shed a few tears, and said a lot of “I love you’s” as we don’t know when we will see each other all again. Yes, we all talk, text, etc. But, being together, is something special. When you can feel each other’s energy. This group is inspiring, dynamic, full of life, dreams. And I’m soooo proud to have such wonderful friends. Alrighty, starting to tear up writing this thing…so I’ll leave you with that.
I love this crew, Blake, Foster, Al, Graham, Drew, Dylan, Betsy, Mo, Davis, like they are my family. Thank you for the magical memories. And I look forward to the next reunion!
Slept in as late as I could, and then headed out for a run in the rain, before leaving Napa.
Rockin’ my Oakley Women’s Burn Shorts and Race Day Tank.
To close out the weekend, the 7 girls headed to Yountville Monday morning to check out the famous Bouchon Bakery. Monday was Memorial Day, and my family growing up would do a picnic with these three other families. It was a tradition for about 15 years. Although, I’m pretty sure it’s still going. My dad EVERY year for the picnic would make Monkey Bread. And it is to die for. So, I was pleasantly surprised when Bouchon Bakery had Monkey Bread. It made for a special day, so that I felt like I was still taking part in our family tradition. 🙂
Then it was off to the airport with Betsy and Mo.
I had such an incredible weekend. And feel so lucky to have such wonderful people in my life, and to be able to go on such amazing adventures.
Napa, you truly are magical.
KatieHartMorse 