It’s the little things…

by Kaylah Stroup
At the beginning of last week Jeff text me about how he was so sick of the winter and was dying to go shoot photos. I replied “ditto! let’s get out” assuming that would I mean I would have to grudgingly bundle up and head out into the negative temperatures for a few hours. His response was “let’s go on a trip!” Two days later we’re in the car heading down to Virginia, he had booked us a hotel in Norfolk.

It was supposed to be an escape from the cold but the day previous to our arrival Norfolk had been hit with a pretty intense snow storm. They apparently weren’t too prepared, and the roads were kind of awful so after finding macarons and eating a burger we retired to our hotel room fairly early. As cold as it was there it was still an improvement and we were both excited to escape our city for a bit. While Cleveland was experiencing temperatures as low as -25, Norfolk was around 20 degrees.

The next morning we woke up before the sun so we could hurry down to the beach and watch it rise over the ocean. It was absolutely freezing but well worth it for the sight. This is one of those times where I’m not super pumped about my photos but once I get over the initial “I could have shot that better” I know I’ll be really happy I have them. Watching the sun rise and set with Jeff is one of my all time favorite things. It never fails to make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Funny story – For our first date I suggested we watch the sun rise together. We agreed upon a place, time, and date. I woke up super early that morning to make sure I looked extra cute, bundled up and headed to the beach. Nearly a half hour after the sun rose I realized this butthead wasn’t going to show up. I played it cool and texted him something along the lines of “Hey, you didn’t show! Hope you’re okay and nothing happened!” He text me back almost instantly. He had overslept and my text woke him up. We finally met up later that day but I’m probably never going to let him live that down.

I was pretty excited to find coral on the beach. Lake Erie doesn’t really have many interesting things that wash up on the beach, I mean if you exclude giant water bugs and trash, so even frozen coral is intriguing to me. I’m also a fan of sea foam. It was killing me that it was so cold there, I wanted to stick my hands in it so badly.

Back in Ohio, I’m still hating winter just as much as before we left for our quick trip but it was a great escape, even if it wasn’t a warm one.
xoxo


Two posts into my “the little things” series and both include Jeff and a sun setting or rising on the beach. Whoops!

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29 comments

Brooke @ Youre in Brookelynn February 23, 2015 - 2:10 pm

This looks awesome! I'd loveeeee to escape the freezing temps here in Chicago- i've been so inspired to go out and shoot some photos but I just can't get past the cold, haha! These photos are awesome, and you and Jeff are adorable 🙂

Kaylah February 23, 2015 - 10:34 pm

Thank you!!! 🙂

Yeah, I'm so over these temperatures. It's killing me seeing people on instagram in their short sleeve shirts and shorts.

Kayly Nyman February 23, 2015 - 2:16 pm

Beautiful shots! I love the one with the sea spray on the frozen rocks – just lovely.

Kaylah February 23, 2015 - 10:34 pm

Thank you!

Mindi Wooley February 23, 2015 - 2:28 pm

I love your beach photos! That sky is gorgeous! If you like washed up sea bits, you should visit the Texas coast sometime. It gets a bit overwhelming at times-to the point that the entire beach smells gross haha!

Kaylah February 23, 2015 - 10:34 pm

Hahah, well, I don't like smelly beaches but I really enjoy washed up sea bits.

laura February 23, 2015 - 2:28 pm

Well I think these are the most gorgeous pictures you've ever taken!

Kaylah February 23, 2015 - 10:34 pm

Thanks, Laura!

Betty2Tone February 23, 2015 - 4:03 pm

I commute on that bridge tunnel for work all the time! I'm hope you had fun in Norfolk even though it has been record breaking-ly cold here.

Kaylah February 23, 2015 - 10:35 pm

We did, for sure! Such a cute are. Sorry for bringing the cold with us. 😉

Betty2Tone February 23, 2015 - 11:33 pm

I forgive you 😉 If you come to VA again, you would probably really love Richmond too

Texas Jak February 23, 2015 - 4:15 pm

Lovely sunrise. It's wonderful to escape, isn't it? We have a "snowday" here in Dallas and its probably the only snow/ice we'll see all winter. Just a few more weeks of winter, so hang in there.
Texas Jak
http://www.novermyhead.com

Kaylah February 23, 2015 - 10:36 pm

I just saw someone post about the on instagram! So weird!

Kim Topolewski February 23, 2015 - 4:33 pm

I love when I wake up early enough to catch the sunrise, it's so gorgeous.

<3
kimberrleigh

Kaylah February 23, 2015 - 10:37 pm

I think one of my summer goals will be to get up before the sun as often as possible so I can watch it rise. Such a perfect way to start the day.

camerian February 23, 2015 - 6:27 pm

You guys should come back to Virginia when it's nicer outside! Richmond, Charlottesville, and Floyd are all awesome. If you'd like company and/or travel tips in Richmond, I'd be happy to send 'em your way. 🙂

Kaylah February 23, 2015 - 10:38 pm

I certainly wouldn't mind going back when it's warmer! Thanks, I'll definitely keep ya in mind if we do make our way back down.

Oh, Dinosaur! February 24, 2015 - 12:41 am

^In response to camerian's post, I every time you post a cemetary photo shoot I think you would definitely love Hollywood Cemetary here in Richmond. I'd love to take photos there but I'm not very good, haha.

Betty2Tone February 24, 2015 - 4:53 am

Yessss, Hollywood Cemetery is amazing!

Happy Hazel February 24, 2015 - 4:48 am

I love winter beach. Thank you for sharing beautiful pictures! <3

Random_Hi_D February 24, 2015 - 12:02 pm

Looks like a perfect day at the beach.

http://heidepadilla.blogspot.com/

Kayla Lukawiecki February 24, 2015 - 12:42 pm

!!!!
I live in Hampton and work in Norfolk. I drive past 80/20 burger bar alllllll the time on my way to work (was it any good? I've been meaning to try it)
Where did you get your macarons from?? Anyways, it looks like you had a good time!

Kaylah February 24, 2015 - 1:10 pm

It was pretty good! The burger was a little bit garlic-y for my tastes but all in all it was a nice little spot to eat.

We got macarons from Hummingbird Macarons and Desserts. Some of them were a little bit stale but they still tasted great. My favorite was the rose water, top five favorites of all time for sure! Plus they were SO sweet there! 🙂

Kayla Lukawiecki February 24, 2015 - 1:30 pm

I had no idea Hummingbird was over there! I'll definitely have to check it out.

Laura February 24, 2015 - 9:30 pm

this sounds like such a wonderful trip, even if the weather maybe didn't go as you'd hoped! i'm loving the photos of the water and the sky, the colours are so lovely:-) xx

Marine February 25, 2015 - 12:54 pm

I love these! Shawn and I took a weekend trip down to Virginia in January a few years ago because I had a job interview down there… long story short, there was an epic snowstorm the day before we left and since I hadn't heard from the place we went down anyway. Only one lane was cleared on the highway, but we made it to the hotel and lucky for us, our room had a mini kitchen and was a half mile walk from a quick chek. We stayed in for two days and lounged. When I finally heard from the place they wanted to reschedule. Screw that! I wasn't about to work for a place that didn't even have the decency to tell me they were closed when I was supposed to be there.
Ok, that wasn't all that short, but it's a memorable story nonetheless!

relright February 25, 2015 - 6:08 pm

Yeah the South has been hit with some colder than normal temperatures! Here in NC we're a little lost about to do with ourselves haha.

Kaylah February 27, 2015 - 12:32 pm

I bet! I'm feeling stir crazy in this weather and we get it every year!

sarah February 27, 2015 - 8:35 pm

I've always wanted to do this! But my work schedule makes it impossible to go on spontaneous road trips. Road trips are always best when the mood suddenly strikes.

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