in a silent way

(grabbing things from Main Street Coffee House.) 

(skirt: urban outfiters, everything else is either vintage or thrifted) 

   I love exploring. I love not leaving the metro-area and still finding new faces. I love the feel of driving down a road in the suburbs I've never been on. I love taking a small amount of time during an essay-filled day to do so. Because you always get that paper finished on time still, sometimes forcing yourself to only have an allowed time is good. I feel these breaks are most important on this kind of day. Well, this kind of life (the college student life that is). 
   The town of Independence has always been a favorite of mine. Antique stores galore, creepy back roads, the Truman Library, and the old town feel of the square. For some reason, I love how empty the streets become on weekday late afternoons. Living in the city, there is hardly any of that. Although Kansas City isn't the largest place on the map, I still thrive for that feel of silence in the air once and awhile. 

ole buttermilk sky

(late lunch at Aladdin's Cafe.) 

(everything I am wearing here is either vintage or thrifted.) 

   Friends, today was the exact example of how a spring day should feel. As I am writing this on my front porch, the city air smells of coming rain and I could use a sweater. These evenings are perfect after a sunny day of roaming thrift stores and exploring along the lake. 

   This Saturday was finally a day without all the gloominess of the rain. I went with a friend to the suburbs to do some thrifting and then walking about Longview Lake. I was also excited to be using my new Canon Rebel XSi today for the first time, and I love the way it captures everything. This has really re-opened my love for photography, which I might have plans for in the future dates?! Oh, how many small business ventures I want to do with my life! If only time was on my side.

mini-trip: clinton lake part 2

Some background: finding time to get away is difficult with a couple consisting of a full-time education student working part-time and a full-time worker with a solo project and band. finding that time that is always scheduled  and cash that is always being used for personal hobbies/"living", is so rare. finding ourselves engulfed in different surroundings is something we don't come across often, but always strived for.

   With my summer break recently started, and my boyfriend taking his vacation from work, we decided to take some time away from our personal schedules and seek solitude elsewhere. Clinton lake was a place I had never traveled to before in Kansas, but it was one of his favorites when he lived in a town close to there. We pitched our dome tent, sleeping with just pillows and a sheet, and drink cheap beer over a campfire. The day time hours comprised of nature trails, fishing, the beach, and relaxing.

   With weekends like this, I don't know if I could leave the Midwest. Such simple trips as camping, mean so much more... just the ability to leave my urban surroundings, and find myself in the mist of a completely new environment without trouble, is a place I don't want to escape.

mini-trip: clinton lake part 1

"May your search through nature lead to yourself." 

Stay tuned for the second half of exploring on my mini-trip to Lake Clinton.