What's the deal-io of the week: Western Bound

It's been awhile since one of these, right?!? I know how much you all of missed them. 

I came across this little gem of a resort just last week. For any of you last minute travelers out there, these accommodations look like the perfect way to escape the Northern chill of November. You know how much I like to head out West every now and then.

The Arizona Grand Resort in Phoenix boasts all types of activities from golfing to spa treatments. From the looks of the website, the grounds are beautiful - I would even go as far to say pristine. The resort is currently offering a Thanksgiving special of $99 per night!   

I checked in with my travel buddy, Trip Advisor, and the guest reviews of the Arizona Grand are all extremely positive. What I also like about this hotel is that the general manager responds and thanks each guest that posted a review. Now that's the kind of service that Expedition Evans likes to see. Phoenix anyone?

Happy Monday!

xoxo mevans

The Most Delicious Donut You Will Ever Eat

Seriously, I'm not exaggerating. In wandering around California aimlessly (since wandering aimlessly is what we do best of course), we stumbled upon the mecca of all donut shops - Randy's Donuts. Randy's has been featured in a bunch of movies (most notably the Iron Man franchise), and is located right outside of LAX. It doesn't look like much, but believe me, the donuts are amazing - and I don't even like donuts. If you ever get a chance to go, try the chocolate raised - it's the JAM. 

Happy Friday everyone! 

Have a great weekend!

xoxo mevans

Happy Blog-versary!

Hello everyone! Yes, yes, it has been awhile. I'm not going to issue any excuses or apologize for my absence. It's my blog and I'll write if I want to - LOL. No totally kidding, I have missed typing away and regaling you all with my stories.  The truth of the matter is, it's just been mad busy around here these days.  You know, being an adult and stuff. I guess this plagues us all once in awhile. 

This is a special post though, because I wanted to announce that this is my blog's one year anniversary! I remember on a rather cold (and boring) November afternoon, I decided to change things up and start writing about my travel experiences. For a non-writer by trade, I think I've done pretty good by my blog. This blog has given me an outlet that I would not normally have otherwise.

So as well as giving myself a "pat on the back", this post also serves as a "thank you" to my friends and fam that care enough to take a few minutes every now and then to check in with Expedition Evans. 

I thank you all and hope you keep reading! When I post, that is. :) 

xoxo mevans

Fall Back

So the Expedition Evans hacienda withstood its first hurricane. My immediate thoughts were "let's turn this into some kind of trip and evacuate" (I'm not gonna lie) - however my logical reasoning (and my bank account) got the best of me, and we decided to stick out the storm. Thankfully no serious damage except for some power outages affected us.

Not to get all profound on you, but in a way I think it really made the summer go out with a BANG (even though Labor Day is this weekend). Like an out with the old, in with the new kind of thing. Today the weather is a bit cooler, and I think everyone is ready to welcome a change of season. I know I am. I've had mixed feelings on summer ever since I graduated high school. Something about a 9am to 5pm schedule 50 weeks out of the year that makes me miss my school days.

So with September just a couple of days away, I welcome the season of pumpkins (and pumpkin spice lattes), bright fall colors, crisp fall days, CAMPING (stay tuned for that), and our 5 year wedding anniversary! Enjoy the last few days of summer everyone!!!

xoxo mevans

What's the deal-io: You wanna go where???

So my latest obsession is with French Polynesia (mostly because I just saw it on Keeping up with the Kardashians). Tahiti, Bora Bora - I will make it there some day. The biggest thing standing in my way though, is airfare. I was stunned to learn that an economy ticket to French Polynesia is at least over $1,000 EACH WAY - you are talking almost $3,000 per person. 

Travelzoo made me smile this week when I saw this beauty of a deal. 

OK - so $700 each way might not be a bargain, but hey, I'd pay that much for some of this: 

 (Photo Courtesy of the Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa website)

xoxo mevans

My "DASH" With Fame

I think you all know how I feel about flights that are 5+ hours. I detest them - with a passion. Waaa-mbulance alert: Waaaaah I wish places weren't so far. I always scrub out for them too. Glasses, and clothing that I would usually wear to the gym are my usual fashion of choice. I usually throw my hair up in a messy ponytail about 5 minutes before I leave - as if to say "yup, I look like hobo, and I'm not ashamed of it." Life lesson here everyone, life lesson - never leave the house looking like a hobo.

In true Expedition Evans awkwardness this time around though, I was in for a bit of a surprise. It turns out that upon boarding my Virgin America flight, who do I find sitting in first class? About two feet away from where I was standing?

The ever classy, Rob Kardashian (of Keeping up with the Kardashians fame, or Kim's younger brother). As I fumbled through my bag looking for my phone (because for some reason I thought I could take a pic of him sitting on a plane and that wouldn't be weird), I quickly realized I was becoming "THAT" girl - you know, back in the day, the girl that would stop at nothing to get an autograph of one of the *NSYNC members? Not Chris though, because he was gross.

I dialed it back a bit and calmly proceeded to my seat (Bud had sat down before I did). I immediately texted every person I knew to tell them about my morning's events. Most excited was my sister. We chatted immediately on how we should proceed with this situation. Bud told me to "stop being weird" and that we would see him at baggage claim and to ask for a pic there. To which I said to him in disbelief, "What Kardashian gets their own bags?!? From baggage claim no less."

Well friends, apparently Rob does: 

I was a bit too star struck, so I have to give it to Bud, because he actually went up to Rob and asked for the picture (isn't he great?). After he agreed, I awkwardly stuck my hand out and shook his hand and said, "Hi, I'm a big fan" and he replied, "Hi, thanks I'm Rob", with a sheepish grin. As Bud struggled with the setting on my camera phone (which seemed like an eternity by the way), I couldn't help but think how I looked like I had given up on life with the clothes I was wearing.

Rob, if you are out there reading this, thanks for being a good sport and humoring me a bit. You'll always have LAX Baggage Claim Area B to remember me by. 

xoxo mevans

Back in the Saddle

Long time no talk you guys. Seriously. I gotta shape up with this blog thing. Don't worry - I've been keeping busy. Summer is always a crazy time, and I am happy to say that I have some fun EEE (Expedition Evans Experiences) to share with you. I was able to squeeze in a last minute trip to Cali earlier this month. I tagged along on Bud's business trip and managed to make time for some California fun in the sun. Full reports to come!