CAMPING IN JULIAN
For, my dear friend, Maria's birthday this year we joined forces to have an incredible weekend camping in Julian, California at William Heise County Park.
Her boyfriend coordinated all the details and as a group we had everything we needed to make it a successful trip. Even with a "No Maria's Allowed" group chat, she managed to surprise US!
Starting very strong the birthday girl spent hours making us each our own camp pendant and surprised us with them on night one. She calls me "Sammy" and is probably the only person who still actively uses that nickname for me. I told her when we went to Ireland together that my grandma used to always call me that and she keeps her spirit alive for me. So the pendant, for me, is just a perfect sentimental gift. Lowkey been dying for a Maria original, our crafting queen.
We did our best to decorate camp and make her feel special! They borrowed this GIANT tent from family and wow that is luxury. A tent I can stand up in... I am feeling on the verge of needing this for Coachella...I fear we exist in a middle ground of true campers and glampers.
Anywyas, this tent claims to sleep 12 but with our setup of cots and air mattresses, 6 makes a lot more sense. I did bring my Coachella tent as well and we used it for changing, leftover stuff to tuck away, and then Saturday our friends who came in slept in it.
After an evening of setting up we settled in for the night by taking jell-o shots served on a silver platter, glamping like I said, thank you Paulina!!
The sun was setting and Katie and I were in charge of dinner.
We decided to go easy and simple but also super filling. I premade the chili and cornbread so we just had to reheat it.
Also dying, I actually have a version of the recipe up on the blog from YEARS ago, don't judge me too hard. It's not far off but this time I did add sautéed onions, diced tomatoes with garlic, and tomato sauce. Maybe its time to update this recipe soon! For now, here is the original Classic Chili.
Katie brought some baked potatoes that we reheated on the fire and it was perfect. After dinner we went on a group walk to the bathrooms and did a little stargazing (I am obsessed with pulling out my phone to look at the specific stars and planets). We immediately found Libra for our birthday girl.
When we got back we did cake and.... LOOK at this cake. As an amateur baker I was in awe. Chad, Maria's boyfriend, absolutely killed it. He killed it so much so, he picked the cake and the following day Maria sent him she wanted to try it.
Got some birthday pics with the boys included of course, shout out Chad and Adrian.
We ended the night playing a few different games. One being Blockbuster, which Maria and I were not so hot.
This might be a controversial take but quiet hours began at 10 p.m. and this woman across the way walked over at 10:09 p.m. to let us know we were "being too loud and they were trying to sleep". Mind you we were on the opposite end of our campsite playing a relatively quiet game (we totally were laughing every once in a while for SURE) but we were not being obnoxiously loud.
And of course, when her kids wake up and are loud before 8 a.m. (end of quiet hours) we don't say anything...
Nonetheless, what do you guys think of camp courtesy on quiet hours. I am so used to camping and just knowing you are signing up for anything with people partying, kids etc. Does anyone sleep good when camping anyways? That's why we bring earplugs!!
The next morning we had some breakfast burritos and then went into town. We started shopping around and I ended up leaving Kathy's Dress Shop with a new poncho and ring.
The last time and first time I went to Julian, Maria, Katie, and I, took a selfie in Kathy's! We met Kathy herself and she was running a birthday sale, so it was nice to buy from her and hopefully send some birthday love her way.
We went to Julian Beer Co. for lunch and drinks! The pizza absolutely hit the spot and I got the little seltzer they had.
Katie got a slice of boysenberry and apple pie from Julian Bakery & Cafe (she shared a bite with me and SO good! Made me want to make one for Thanksgiving this year). She also got me a caramel apple, one of my all time fave fall treats! I have to say no matter which pie spot you hit I have to believe they're all good. Also, two of the pie more popular spots have a couple bigger locations outside of the popular street.
We of course, made sure all the girls got cute pictures at the brewery. I wore this oversized denim jacket from my grandma. I just got it and love that I have something so iconic to remember her by. She also had red hair, I think mentioned that in my Carmel post, and so I feel even more connected. She would have been all over this post, miss her.
We got back to camp and relaxed for a little bit. We decided Saturday was going to be "party animal" themed. So we all wore some sort of animal print and surprised Maria while she was cooking dinner with Chad.
To end the night we had s'mores. Savory AND sweet. I had never had a savory s'more and that was a move. Matt and Christine brought Babybel cheese, salami, fig jam, and crackers. While I am a dessert girl through and through I did enjoy the savory one. Might have to add that to the campfire must haves.
We were very conscious of our noise levels, so much so, we turned the music off LOL. After s'mores we played some mroe games and chitchat around the fire.
Sunday morning, Paulina's famous chilaquiles. 10/10 every time. Honestly the photo speaks for itself and now I am craving them again. We played one last round of Hues and Cues and started packing up camp.
Cheers to our Maria girl turning 28. I cannot wait to see what this year brings her bright, beautiful, and loving soul! <3 your sammy girl forever!!
All the chaos, shot-ski's, and more will be sure to be in my October vlog at the end of the month, make sure you're subscribed to my Youtube channel so you don't miss a thing!
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