It’s kind of perfect for both things – taking it easy and relaxing, right? I know that as much as I’ve loved to keep busy and moving, it’s been really nice to just relax and unwind for a bit, too. Especially getting to sit outside of the tent, just admiring the scenery. I’m looking forward to getting out on the water – Katie and I are doing the lazy river tomorrow, then doing the big adventure with everyone next week. How about you?

I’m a busy kind of person but if I don’t slow down I’ll more or less lose my mind... I also want to teach the kids about loving nature and loving to experience outside of their iPads, so it’s been perfect! The scenery has been majestic! One of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. I feel like we’ve done it all but the favorite part has probably been horses and hiking, and just being together through it all!

I’m glad you guys made it out for a little leisurely time, Ellen! I know what you mean, it’s just nice to get away and just relax, put all the day to day and work stuff aside. What have you all gotten into so far? Aside from the hiking and ATV tour, we got look around the ghost town a little more closely. Also looking forward to pretty much anything with the horses. 

I’m so glad, too! It’s been an absolute blast. We’ve mostly been hiking and honing in on our photography skills, and we went out for a trail ride which my girls loved – Eli, not so much, he’s still getting used to horses – but I think overall the best part of it all has just been getting away from it all. I’m sad to be going home but it makes the trip that more special that it has to end, don’t you think? 

I think that we all need a break from it all sometimes. There is something much needed about getting a break to enjoy the wilderness and everything. I’m glad that you managed to do it and you’re getting to do it with your children.   I think I’m honestly looking forward to trying new things, pushing myself and maybe one day I’ll hike and watch the sunset or something fun like that because self-love and enjoying beautiful things is the way to go.

Absolutely! If we focus on work and work alone we’ll risk losing our minds. The wilderness is so perfect for refreshing the mind and getting in touch with your body and soul. Did you end up seeing any sunsets while you were here? I’m all about self-love, too, and this has been the most amazing place to celebrate it! I hope you’ve had a blast!

Hiking is one of those things you can always enjoy even when taking it easy. There’s a relaxing element to it. Honestly I’m not really feeling like I’m going to dislike anything while on the trip – unless I run into a bear. Then I might not be the happiest and that might be considered the least looking forward to. How’ve you been enjoying the trip so far? 

I’ve enjoyed every moment of the trip except the thought of it ending! I’m not sure I’m ready to go back to reality. I’m hoping that you haven’t run into any bears?! Or that if you have, you’ve lived to tell the tale by now. I love nature but not nature that can bite my head off.

Glad to hear you’re taking it easy here in the wilderness. It’s definitely easy to sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery in a place like this. I think this is what the doctor ordered for probably most of us! Everything sounds so exciting, but I have to admit I’m glad it’s summer and not winter. We could be skiing instead of horseback riding and I would… not enjoy that at all. What are you most looking forward to - or what have you already done that you liked? Oh, and speaking of hiking - did you make it out to the hike today? I’m Misha, by the way. I don’t think we’ve met.

Not a fan of the snow? I love it, personally, but I also love the sun. Honestly, I’ve just enjoyed being far away from the insanely busy days of work in LA, this has been the perfect escape. I did make it to the hike and I loved it! The kids did, too. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Misha! I’m Ellen. I don’t think we’ve met, either, but I’m glad that we have now. 

oh that sounds absolutely perfect. isn’t this place just the best for a vacation? i honestly wish i would have left my phone at home too, i mean i often leave it in the tent now anyways but… wow, it’s just so nice to be out here, right? are the kids loving it? i am so looking forward to the hike today. are you going?

It’s one of the best vacations I’ve ever had, for sure! If not for my need to take pictures of the scenery I’d definitely have left my phone at home, but I’m looking at it less and less as the days go by, so that’s something. The kids have had a blast! There’s so much to see and do. I did indeed go on the hike! The sights and sounds were incredible. What did you think?!

I have a list of scary but exciting things I wanna do in life and this Summer I crossed “moving to a new place” and “releasing my debut single”. I’ll let you guess which one of those things was the scariest. But now I’m curious. Do you have a bucket list, too? Or is there a scary but exciting thing you’ve been dreaming of doing? I’ll listen to all of your wishes while I’m exploring the area – it’s so pretty here! Oh, I’m Inbar, by the way.

Welcome to town, Inbar! I’m Ellen. Congratulations on your debut single, that’s a hell of a feat! I’m doing my own exciting-but-scary (or scary-but-exciting) starting in August with my first podcast! Other than that, it’s the usual stuff... jumping out of airplanes and whatnot.

Sweet treats

Well it’s finally here. My little bakery opens its doors today and I’m both excited and nervous. It’s bitter sweet though as it makes me miss my mother and grandmother even more. Please come along to Memory Lane bakery.

I wish I had the energy of my 4 year old daughter. She basically ran around the entire house last night with my dog because she was excited for the new place, and now she’s bouncing around again wanting to play outside. Did I have this much energy at all…ever? I decided to take her and my son out for dinner tonight because I’m too lazy to cook, plus my son is one, he won’t care. Any suggestions? @townofbayview·

I’d love to have the energy of any of my children between the ages of toddler and teen! It’s insane what they can get done in 24 hours while I’m falling asleep. As for dinner, where did you end up landing on? I’m always open to recommendations as I don’t know town nearly as well as I’d like to!

Then it’s a mad dash to go find a copy somewhere or hope that another service has it somewhere… or the bottom of the barrel, “here, honey, try watching this, instead,” but you know that it’s never going to compare, right? We have a few copies of Frozen, too, trust me, I get you. It’s better to buy two than reach a point where you don’t have it! If she’s played by you, then I am fully on board that believing she is a princess, just by default! You deserve the title, and a crown. Could not agree more, it’s just nice to have that little bit of a break. Yeah, same, I think it would be kind of hard? My friends Candice and Kayla do a podcast and I’ve always admired the work that they put in, so I know you’ll kick ass, too! As you should, how do you feel, having wrapped it up? Aw, thanks, luv! You’re the best.

It’s absolutely not the same when they’re at the age that all they want is that specific movie or show! Eli’s finally moving onto more variety, thank god, but it’s a stage that each of mine went through and boy did it make me grateful for YouTube and iPads and all the things my parents didn’t have when I was a terrible two. Kind of like how I have back ups of each of the kiddos favorite toy or doll? Is it just me that does that? I don’t know about crowns in the hospital, but I’ll pretend her scrub cap is... it is purple, after all, and isn’t that the color of royalty? It seems like a lot of work, but at least all I have to do is talk and the rest is up to the editing crew. Thank you, lovely! I feel relieved! Even more relieved that we finally met eye to eye on negotiations for S18 so the fans aren’t left up in the air anymore. No, you!

Oh no, trust me, emphasis is absolutely on ‘used to’ right now. I still don’t mind getting a run in when the kids are off with their moms and I can wake up ass early to do it, but most of my exercise just comes from hiking in the woods, now. I can’t blame you, eventually you’ll go back to wanting to sleep all the time, but until then, you might as well enjoy some nature and the good weather that early in the day. It’s just neat to hear people talk without the pretense of doing it for promo for a show or movie, just getting a look into a slice of their life, kinda. He truly was, I saw him once, just out and about, and was in awe of even breathing the same air.

Hiking is definitely the way to go, especially with so many amazing trails in the area – it’s good for the body, mind and soul and, most importantly, Instagram Stories. You make an excellent point, though, I might as well make the most of it and pretend to be an early riser... as if I have a choice in the matter. Rest will come when I’m ready to embrace sleeping in again. I totally agree! I’m sure there will be people who want to talk about their projects and I’m 100% here for them and that, but what I really want to know is what drives them on a day to day basis, what keeps them going when the going gets tough! Oh, wow, talk about being in the presence of a legend.

Maybe those people! You never know. Podcast? That’s fun! What is it about? Glad to hear that life is good! Here it’s up and down, but doing better every day. I’ve been a bit slow, but enjoying the weather now.

You truly do never know, people are capable of the craziest things. I hope it’s fun! It’s just an interview-style one, with me as the interviewer, talking to people about their lives and their ups and their downs, like you mention. I’m hoping for more ups than downs for you, Jake! The weather is gorgeous in town, we are blessed.

What type of podcast is it? Tell me more! I’m not really the type to interview anyone. What about you? Who are you dying to invite to the podcast? Any good names coming up?

Just me interviewing extraordinary people, talking about what makes them extraordinary! Honestly, I’m interested to get just about anyone on there to talk to me, although living in Bayview has me leaning toward asking some of its residents if they’re interested.

I am. I did pop back here for a few days, but now I am back in Ireland again. Oh, I know what you mean. I mean I ended up with twins so…imagine the sleep when they were little.

It would be lovely for him to be closer, for the kids especially. I agree with you on the Maleficent cast being good people; saying that I’m biased when it comes to them. So I completely understand you saying your biased when it comes to the Greys cast. None of us expected Maleficent to be as popular as it was. Let alone film a second one.

We do. Well, I do think a parent helps with that because you get less of them. You know that just as much as I do.