Pyramid Highway w/ Mt. Rose in the distance.
When I started college almost 10 years ago in Reno, I never, not once, thought I would refer to the Biggest Little City as “back home.”
I never knew I was a girl with a western heart.
Can you even believe that I lived in Reno, Nevada for 9 whole years?!
Can you believe that going back for a 2 week vacation didn’t even seem like enough time? I fell right into an old routine, with my favorite people, and nearly felt completely at home.
I say nearly because Sean was still here, in Michigan, working away…and honestly, without him, nowhere feels complete.
Can you believe that I cried the minute I got to my house? I felt completely torn, my heart in two distant and different places.
Can you believe that I long for that dusty city, nestled between the high Sierra Nevada’s and desert mountain ranges? A city of contrast: desert and mountains, wind and sunshine, hot days and cool nights, delicious mexican food and sushi, neon lights and big, bright stars.
The Biggest Little City
Rib Cook-off and scenes from the 18th floor
Reno has become a place that feels a lot like home. It’s where my people live, not just my family, but the best friends a girl could ask for. Friends that welcome you into their homes like a member of the family. Ones that don’t ask when you’ll be leaving, but how long can you stay?
It was such a good stay, so fun to lunch with my besties, share a billion lattes, devour some frozen yogurt, and just sit, chat, joke.
I napped a lot, ate a ton, got my hair did, soaked up the sun on the shores of Lake Tahoe (and forgot to take any pictures!), went to the rib cook-off with my fam where we ate our weight in delicious BBQ, could not get in enough time with my sweet, funny niece, or enough conversation with my best pals.
Baby Ava, Reno Balloon Races, Hair did, more Ava!
In-n-Out Animal Style, RIBS!, Feta Dip fixins, Hummus + bread sticks.
While I was gone I had lofty plans to do a few blog posts, snap a ton of real-deal pictures, but I didn’t. I just let myself go, I just enjoyed my time with people I was missing, and snapped a few phone pics when it seemed right.
And, guess what?
I don’t even feel bad…
Rude? Maybe, but it was totally liberating.
Sometimes, you just gotta live life and not even feel bad about it.
Bailey’s living room, glitter crafts at Brooke’s, Drinks + Dinner at Old Granite St. Eatery
I am back in Michigan now, in my little house amongst the trees, catching up with my much-missed husband, and snuggling with my pups.
Like any road-weary traveler, I am happy to be back in my bed, cooking/baking in my kitchen, and getting back to a normal routine.
But…seriously, I cannot wait to visit again for Christmas. It’s always exciting to go home.