Flashback: Girls’ Trip to Mexico.

There’s no doubt that fall is in the air in Park City.

Two nights ago, I was awakened by the sound of an elk bugling in our backyard. It wasn’t a full bugle (maybe an adolescent practicing for the big event?), but it confirmed that the seasons are indeed changing. As if the reddening hillside wasn’t an obvious hint.

As we cling to the last days of summer, I took a look back at my favorite beach escapes. Last year, I wrote about beachy daydreams on Kate’s blog. I told you about the time John’s marriage proposal was trumped by Hurricane Irene. There have been multiple trips to Hawaii with my family, like this one, to the Big Island. Amanda and I spent a dreamy weekend in Carmel-by-the-Sea. And in March of 2011, I joined my other BFF, Sarah, her sister, Rachel, and her dear friend, Megan, on a girls’ trip to Mexico to celebrate Sarah’s upcoming nuptials.

The year prior, Sarah and I had gotten completely rained out on a trip to Todos Santos. But not this time. The weather was impeccable. The beach was postcard-perfect. Did I mention the humpback whales, swimming and showing off- with their babies?

We spent our days lounging by the pool, sipping tropical cocktails and browsing magazines. We had mimosa lunches at the beach club and swam in its infinity pool. We squealed like children as we splashed down a slip-n-slide onto the beach. We explored the ocean in sea kayaks or on paddleboards. We got sunburned and tipsy and laughed a lot.

In the evenings, we made homemade salsa and cooked dinners together. We dined al fresco in the palapa, by candlelight. We sipped bourbon around the firepit and laughed even more.

The weekend was a rainbow of color, vibrant hues everywhere: heavy oranges weighing down tree limbs; hibiscus and bougainvillea tucked into rocks; the deep blue of the sea competing with the sky; and the sunsets. Oh, the sunsets.

On our last evening together, we went into San Jose del Cabo for dinner at the Tropicana. There were margaritas and chile rellenos, a live band and at least 10 attempts at a decent group photo. And…you guessed it… even more laughing.

This time of year, and in the frozen months to come, I cherish these sun-filled memories. That “do-over” trip to Mexico with Sarah and the girls remains one of the best beach vacations I can remember! And really, you guys- there was a BABY WHALE.