Once upon a time in Ecuador...

I decided to tag along on a 9 day trip to Ecuador with friends from college. In no way did I have the means, as I was a semi- funemployed grad just trying to make ends meet. But where there was a will, there was a miracle. And I went. I'm not much for words, so here's a bit of a story in pictures... Enjoy :)

View from our residence

Rooftop view of Quito

Joshua Tree

Since we had a few days to kill while in San Diego, Pat and I rented a car and drove to J Tree. Absolutely loved it there. If you have the means, I highly recommend it.

We got in around 1 am and pretty much found a rock and slept on it. I woke up as the sun was coming up to the sound of some coyotes or something nearby. I was freaking out because I thought they were really close. And Pat was fine, because .. well he's Pat. He'd probably live with coyotes given the chance. But I digress.. It was a beautiful sunrise.

Havin some breakfast on a rock. I think I'm mid bite.

Oh hello.

Welp, see ya later Patrick.

So many Joshua Trees.

Overlooking the San Andreas Fault.

Road Trippin

I drove my friend Emma's car to her in San Diego. We got to see some sights, but overall, mistakes were made,  disagreements were had, and we ended up in San Diego after 2 full days of non stop driving. It wasn't the worst ever, but some people have differing opinions on how road trips should be done. I like the scenic route; and some people are lame. Oh well. Once we were there, my friend Pat and I rented a car and headed up to Joshua Tree to chill. It was cool. Anyway, here are some pictures!

 

Some lovely rolling hills. 

 

Sick ride, brah.  

Weird.

Yeah Wall Drug!

Bought some cowboy boots at Wall Drug. Classy.

Oh hey. Little sleep deprived?

Quick trip past Rushmore, because we didn't want to pay.

6am maybe? We still haven't stopped driving.

Took a little scenic hike.

Ropeswing!

Last summer some of my friends took me out to this rope swing... so Brittany, Kyle, Sarah, and I decided to find our way back to it.

New little friend

Kyle

Me

Rope Swing from Lauren Endicott on Vimeo.
Because it's fun to watch us all eat it in slow motion.

ORION

At the end of the summer I got the best job ever.  Penn State paid me to lead a few backpacking trips for their 2-credit Orion program (Kines 089).  I got to spend 3 weeks in the woods with some cool kids and it was awesoooome.

Week 1 -