places I love // the desert (back in Joshua Tree).

the best way to distract yourself from an Arizona summer is by planning as many weekend adventures as you can. even when those adventures just take you to another equally fiery desert, something about the newness of it all makes it special. 

the dreamiest lady band (seriously, google any lucius performance. THOSE OUTFITS) was performing at pappy + harriet's. the thought of getting to hear "dusty trails" live under the stars was enough to get me to round up a troop of friends. 

joshua tree has no shortage of desert airbnb's to pick from, and I've stayed in a lot of them. this one might have taken the cake. it was thoughtful and perfect and remote and adorable and in a town like joshua tree you need a place that you WANT to hang out in, because everything is far and hard and time consuming. we played games, made dinners, tried whiskeys, and had the very, very best time. I can't wait to go back to #thatdeserthouse. she's a babe. 

other highlights included a lightening speed peek into the national park (because, insane wind). FINALLY getting to go into the world famous crochet museum (it's always been locked). stocking up on perfect wonder valley olive oil at the station and relaxing in the dusty sunshine. 

joshua tree has quickly become a favorite spot, and I can't wait until I get to see her again. 

adventure log // I N D I A (delhi round two)

actual travel in india can be a true test of creativity and patience. in order to get home, we had to spend a final night back where it all began, in delhi.

we took our time, wandered around checking out the small things we didn't notice the first time when we were too wide-eyed and fresh faced to pay attention.

all the people, sounds, traffic.

we ended our adventure with an amazing meal at haveli dharampura (we tried to stay there too, but they were all booked. if you can swing it - DO IT!).

while we waited for our table, we popped up to the roof for one final sweeping view of the city.

rooftop upon rooftop was at eye level - and as the sun set and the sky turned pink, we sat in silence taking it all in.

the call to prayer humming gently across the city, the peppering of horns honking, the slight clanging of dinners being prepared through open windows - and the beautiful view of hundreds of kids emerging seemingly in unison from the chaotic city to fly kites through the pink skies and signal an ending. of another day for them - and the adventure of a lifetime for us.

adventure log // I N D I A (udaipur)

right when we needed a moment of calm(er) locale, our flight landed in udaipur.

tucked up in the mountains a bit, it was still very much india, just not turned up to eleven. 

a few days of quieter streets, calmer vibes, greener mountains. we walked everywhere. we took our time. the city of lakes gave us a break, and it was the perfect place to recharge a bit mid-adventure. 

we meandered around markets, chatted with locals. took boat rides to hotels in the middle of glassy lakes. 

we fell in love with a palace, met an eccentric puppet maker, and stayed in the most perfect guest house. 

we perched atop mountains, stumbled into technicolor festivals, and somehow talked ourselves into extensive private tours of the fanciest hotels. 

udaipur, you just might have been my very favorite. 

logistics: 

we stayed at the PERFECT little garden guest house. far and away the best place of the trip. 

we wandered around the city palace, stopped for cocktails and sunsets at the leela, walked in circles around the jagdish temple + wandered around lake pichola.