"Elegant Tryon Bed, Barn & Breakfast"

When Mark and I decided to go to the Blue Ridge BBQ Festival, we knew we wanted to stay at an AirBnB. Since he was gearing up for a deployment, we wanted to maximize the opportunity to relax and enjoy our little vacation. I found this cute bed and breakfast and knew we had found "the spot."

Wild Animal Safari

Shortly after moving to Columbus, we started seeing signs for the Wild Animal Safari and I knew we had to check it out! It's a drive through animal park and I really was looking forward to getting close to all kinds of fun, zoo animals.

Mark's MCCC Graduation

After 6 short (or long, depending on who you ask) months, Mark graduated from MCCC, Maneuver Captains Career Course this past week.

"The resident course is 22 weeks long and takes place in a small group setting. The POI is flexible and adapts to the needs of the Commander in the field. One such way we do that is by surveying current Battalion and BCT Commanders. For example, it was identified, because of the current ARFORGEN Cycle, that training management was a shortfall in the PME of captains coming to BCTs. As a result, a basis of understanding of training management is now taught in the course. The curricula forces on all types of operations that a company commander may be forced to operate in, from combined arms maneuver to wide area security missions" - MCCC Website

Callaway Gardens Fantasy in Lights

Mark and I moved into a small, loft-style apartment in a great location here in Columbus. We love it! However, we outgrew it the moment our non-temporary storage arrived. What was a cute, well organized apartment quickly turned into a, "please shut that door so I don't have to look at the clutter," apartment.

With that said, we didn't decorate for Christmas this year. My heart hurt a little, especially after being in Japan for three years and yearning for a real Christmas tree, but the thought of adding decorations to our chaos did not seem appealing. Enter: Christmas light shows and Callaway Gardens!

Wanderlust Wednesday Link up #7

 Christmas Trees on Broadway in Columbus, GA

Uptown Columbus' Food Truck Invasion

A few weeks ago, Mark and I took a stroll to the local food truck festival! It was our first festival in the area and we were excited to check it out. We didn't buy tickets in advance, but looking back we probably should have because EVERYONE was there!

Our Weekend at a Hunting Cabin

Last year at the Semper Fi Fund Golf Tournament in Okinawa, Mark and I met a wonderful man who was in the Marines (back in the day) and continued to be a huge supporter. He's a successful person with many acres of hunting grounds that he offered to Mark after he found out we were moving to the area! Needless to say, Mark was thrilled.

Market Days on Broadway

From April to November, Broadway in Uptown Columbus turns into a fun market every Saturday morning from 9 to noon. You can find anything from flowers to pickled eggs and the crowd is just as diverse. It was one of the first things that Mark and I did after we moved to the area and has been a common activity in our schedule.

Last Week in Photos

Last week, we moved into our new apartment! My mom came down to help us unpack and, after she used her super hero powers to get the job done in one day, we spent the rest of our time exploring our new city.