Cascade Springs/ Alpine Loop

Last weekend Zac and I went on a little mini road trip adventure to check out the Alpine Loop! I had been seeing this scenic drive posted ALL over instagram, and decided I needed to check it out myself. My goodness you guys, it was well worth it!

We started the loop in Provo (where we were led via google maps), and it seriously was like an explosion of color. I swear the only words coming out of my mouth were, "Oh my gosh look how pretty!" and "Oh my gosh, look how PRETTY!" You just couldn't help but smile at the surrounded beauty, being completely enclosed by the mountains.

We continued our little adventure which ended up in an accidental missing of a turn, and ending up in Heber. Oops. But it was fine by us! Zac had seen a road going up through the mountains that he wanted to check out, and I am so happy we did. This road led us to the dirt road of Cascade Springs which was just unreal. It was nice just taking it slow, and really enjoying everything around us. We got out countless times just to look at the stunning views! The best part is it led us right back up to the top of the Alpine Loop, and we found some awesome camping spots we want to try out in the near future along the way!

If you are craving and adventure along with stunning views I would 100% recommend driving the Alpine Loop. There are so many places to stop and enjoy the views, plus there are a bunch of random trails all over the side of the road. We were a little crunched on time, so we didn't stop to hike at all, but it is definitely something we want to do soon.

One thing we noticed is that if you come through the entrance in American Fork you have to pay $6 for a three day pass. We aren't sure if we came through some back way, or never really started on the Alpine Loop, but we somehow ended up accidentally skipping this. But $6 for a three day pass seems well worth it to me! That is just a little heads up for any of you thinking of taking the time to go explore. Especially since most places like that only take cash, and can't break anything higher than a $10 bill.

Have any of you found some fun places to explore this fall? I am making a list of all the places I want to check out this coming year so SHARE SHARE SHARE!

Breakdowns

I swear one day I am feeling on top of the world, and that I have my life all figured out, and then the next day I am on the verge of a mental breakdown. This was my day yesterday. Does this happen to anyone else but me?

Yesterday was just a bad day for me, and when I sat back and thought about it I realized that it was all on me. I was the one stressing myself out, and for not reason at all. Do you ever have those days where you are either of sick of your job, or school, or anything really, and it is just for that day, but it is like all the sudden your head explodes, and you can't stop your thoughts from running wild? You put so much stress on finding that perfect job, or being this perfect person, and before you know it you are doing all you can not to break into a million tiny pieces? Why do we do this to ourselves?

It is ridiculous you guys. The need for being perfect, and comparing ourselves to everyone. Just days before you were thinking how lucky you are, and what a blessed life you have, and the next thing you know you have completely turned your back on that wonderful life, and instead are wasting your time trying to become someone you are not. I think we sometimes we just need to take a deep breathe, step back, and realize most of us have it pretty good, and there is just no need at all to do all this comparing and perfecting.

I guess the main point I am trying to get across is life is just too hard if your are constantly comparing yourself to others, and my goal from here on out is to change my attitude about that. Instead of being jealous of those who might be more successful than me, to instead be excited and proud for them! We should all be rooting for each other. Life isn't a competition! We should all get to CHOOSE the way we want to live without fear of not being good or glamorous enough.

Well this is the end of my rambling ladies and gentlemen. Here is to a new attitude, and to less breakdowns.

P.s- Pictures are from a Saturday adventure with my love to Bridal Veil Falls. We were driving through the Alpine Loop when we stumbled upon this beauty. It was too gorgeous not to stop and pull over to take pictures. I want to go back some day soon, and explore it a little more!

Life Lately

It has been approximately a billion years since I did my last "life lately" post, so here it is. I know some of you follow me on Instagram, so these will just be some repeats of what you have already seen. Although, I will try to give a more detailed explanation of each photo, yeah? Alright.

My best friend Bianca and I decided to go for a hike one day. It was a long time ago.. like probably a month at least. Yeah.. anyways, she is that little person at the bottom of the picture! I have a fascination regarding waterfalls, and seeing how far up I can climb them. That is exactly what I was doing here. I didn't make it very far. I was out of practice.

 Also a while ago, my friend Anna (from Anna Apricot) and I decided to haul this 500 pound chair across the desert, basically. It seriously was the heaviest thing of my entire life, and I won't even tell you how many breaks we were required to have carrying it to the ideal location. All I have to say is the pictures that resulted because of it are absolutely WONDERFUL, and I hopefully will be sharing those soon. 

If you ever have the opportunity to be Nataly's pen pal, take it!!! Seriously, the best pen pal EVER! She always makes sure everything is super wonderful, and colorful. Seriously can't take this girl. She is the greatest, and I stinking love her. So yeah, be her pen pal... or be my pen pal. Email me. Or her. Whatever. 

That one time Bianca and I went to the London market, and found the Tube stop that we frequented so much while in London. Seriously, having London withdrawals. My word I love London. We originally went in there to see if they had our new favorite candy bar (Mint Big Chunk Kit Kat) that we discovered while in London, but we had no luck. Has anyone seen these anywhere? Serious question! I need to buy them all. 

The great Zachary taking me on a Zacventure this Labor Day weekend. I am convinced everyone needs to experience a Zacventure. Apparently, this wasn't even a real one! It was just a test. I am still calling it one though, because it sounds cooler. 

Seriously, Utah? Stop it. Just stop it! 

Look at this handsome guy, and the face he decides to pull anytime I turn the camera towards him. Haha just kidding, but this picture makes me laugh. 

UTAH!! STOP IT!

*Instagram: shelbyrichins

7.14.13

Yeah I know, it has been about nine years since I have posted anything. Don't judge me! I have been house sitting for the last week and a half, and who knew how crazy busy that would make me. This family I house sat for basically lives on a tiny farm, which was basically heaven for me. Like seriously, the live in a little cottage with things like chickens, ducks, rabbits, etc. It was so nice to get away for a little while, and have a little time for myself. I think everyone needs that every once in a while.

I figured since I basically haven't said anything prior to the fourth of July, I would tell you what has been going on in my life according to Instagram! But first I will share with you what I did for the fourth.

The fourth of July is one of my all time favorite holidays EVER! I just love spending the day outside with family, and enjoying some fresh summer air. This fourth of July I had a little BBQ with family, and then headed to my house sitting job in Pleasant Grove. I was a little bummed that I was spending the "fun" part of the fourth alone, but it ended up being absolutely amazing. I decided I wasn't going to let the fact that I was alone ruin my fourth, so I grabbed my i pod, jumped on the trampoline, and watched a 360 degree firework show. After the fireworks settled down I laid on the trampoline and looked at the stars while listening to the distant thundering of fireworks and some Swell Season. Now does that sound great or what?

Alright, now for some pictures.

 

So remember how I mentioned that I am serving an lds mission? Well so is my brother. He is going to Australia. On the fourth of July, our church put out the Mississippi flag and the Australia flag along side the American flag. It was kind of the coolest :)

 

Mississippi y'all!

Watercolors!

 

Longboarding with my main boarding lady!

 

Some lady friends and I went to the Rooftop Concert Series. This is The National Parks. They are incredible. We all may or may not have a crush on that main man right there!

We were just enjoying some Rolling Stones tributes when in walked Tyler Glenn from Neon Trees to sing a song. Did I mention he was wearing a full floral suit. Night made.

So I guess not too much has happened since I last posted. I did manage to give myself food poisoning for the first time. That was really fun... Overall I had a fun time taking care of a little farm for a week and a half, but I am so happy to be home!

Life Lately

I figured since I have been a little absent lately, I would catch everyone up on what I have been up to the last weekend or two. Well first off, skateboarding. My friend Paige and I have taken up skateboarding/ rollerblading at the park as a fun new summer hobby. Basically, it has been the absolute best, and I can stand on the board without falling on my face now. Success!

Other than that I have been taken complete advantage of summer concerts! Last weekend I dragged my friend Kayla to Battle of the Bands down in Provo. I seriously was soo amazed by the talent at this thing. Seriously unreal. I went down there to meet a friend/ listen to his new band. The story of  how I met this wonderfully talented sir is a complicated one, but trust me.. his band is AMAZING! And the band members may or may not be quite handsome. Just sayin'

Anyways, the bands name is Strange Family. I definitely recommend looking them up on Facebook! But seriously, soooo good you guys! And I go to a lot of concerts!

STRANGE FAMILY!

So that was last weekend. This weekend was also a fun one! I got to see probably my all time favorite local band, Holy Water Buffalo, play at the Utah Arts Festival. It was soo much fun. The arts festival is one of my favorite things about summer, and I always look forward to it. There are some pretty talented people here in good ol' Utah, and I am always amazed at the talent and creativity there. This year there were dancers that danced on the side of a glass building. It was seriously incredible! I wish I could explain it better.

Anyways, Holy Water Buffalo was fantastic as always. It definitely turned into an interesting night when some unexpected people showed up at the front of the stage, but other than that it was a normal outing. It was also my first outdoor concert of the summer! Whooo! Hopefully there are many more to come.

Now for Friday. I got to go to Lagoon, and it was magical. Alright, maybe not magical, but it was pretty fantastic. I LOVE amusement parks. I could spend all day in one, although I did find out that I am turning into a grandma and have to take some kind of pain med before I start going on rides. Seriously though, first ride in and I had a head ache. When did this happen?! But yeah, it was great fun.

Best part of it all.. there was literally a group of four boys that looked IDENTICAL to One Direction. I am not joking you guys. IDENTICAL!!! We saw them around the park all day, and I think I had a connection with the Harry look-a-like. We totally looked at each other, and it was magical. Even if he was like 12 years old. Not really, but might as well have been.

We definitely rode a ride with them though, and now I can say I rode a ride with One Direction dopplegangers. Basically as cool as it gets.

My brother/cousin/friends also talked me into going on the ferris wheel.

Don't ask me why I didn't think about my extreme fear of heights before getting on this thing. Let's just say there was a lot of screaming and threatening to jump out.. maybe.

Anyone have anything fun happen over the weekend?

Insta Overload

 Art project at work. Basically I have the best job EVER!

 Sooo one of my kids might have a moped.. and goggles.

 Missing my best friend. And skateboarding. And this day.

 My pup.

 First hike of the year.

 Guess who... oh, it's The North Valley.

 My awesome brother is going to Australia!

 My awesome friend is going to Tennessee!

 Europe come faster!

 Mason Jennings <3 p="">

 Flowers just because..

 Hipster friends

 Easter treats

 Perks of having barista friends!

 Coolest parents in town!

My pup.. again.

 

Well there you have it folks. Here is my life according to Instagram. Follow along @shelbyrichins