I spend so much time visiting and exploring other cities that I often forget how remarkable my own town is. DC is incredible. I can’t imagine any other city that fits me better. I love the history and the culture. I’m not crazy about the crowds and the humidity, but […]
I was hiking in Monocacy National Battlefield earlier this year when I thought to myself, “I don’t like battlefields as much as other National Park sites.” When I think National Parks, I think Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Denali. When I think National Park Service, I think the monuments in Washington, DC. […]
I used to say I wanted to be a writer. But I had one big problem, I never wrote. Before long it just became a far off dream or a backup plan. I thought if my next job didn’t pan out I could always follow my passion and write. When […]
My very first cruise was in October 2009 to Bermuda. I was 24 years old and I had just begun working on Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas. I was scared. Everything was new and life was overwhelming. But then we arrived in Bermuda. The pastel homes met the brilliant […]
I went hiking in Mount Rainier National Park a couple weeks ago. I wasn’t in a good place. Physically, I was in a good place, a great one even. Mentally and emotionally I was in a dark place. I was dealing with a lot of uncertainties and inner turmoil. To […]
I turned 30 recently. I’m not exactly sure what I think 30 should look like, but my life just doesn’t “feel” like 30. To combat that dissonance I decided to book a trip for my birthday weekend. My typical trips consist of cheap (but safe) hotel or car camping. But […]
If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram you know that I attended the Washington, DC Travel and Adventure show a few weeks ago. I spent Saturday and Sunday listening to and learning from some of the biggest names in travel. In between sessions I was able to visit booths […]
It’s been a year since my National Parks project began. For those of you new to the blog, I’m attempting to see 100 sites managed by the National Park Service before the Park Service turns 100 on August 25, 2016. I devised this challenge when I planned a birthday trip […]
Last Saturday I visited my 67th National Park – Olympic National Park! I wasn’t sure what to expect. Visiting the Olympic peninsula in February could have been a terrible choice. To be on the safe side I rented a four-wheel drive vehicle and was mentally preparing for the worst. I […]
After my flight around McKinley, my trip was coming to a close. It was nearly time to head to the airport. I was so grateful for everything that I had the opportunity to see and do. I knew I was returning to “real life” a different person. Time in the […]
On the road out of Talkeetna early Saturday morning I hit some ice that sent my pickup truck fishtailing down the road. Now that I was wide awake from that excitement, it was time to see some wildlife and hopefully Denali before I had to head back to get on […]
After exploring Denali National Park, I climbed back in my truck and drove all the way to Hatcher Pass Bed and Breakfast in Palmer. I’ve stayed in B&Bs before and they’re not my scene. I don’t dig the frilly rooms and the meals with strangers. This place is WAY different. […]