Vacation self is crazy. Here in Texas, if someone challenged my overweight, out-of-shape self for a nearly vertical walk up a volcano, going from 0-3700 feet in 1.5 hours, I would think you were mad for even offering. On vacation, this sounds like an adventure! The lodge we were staying at was a starting point… Continue reading The Vertical Climb of Cerro Chato
Spring 2022: Chicago
I always wanted to visit the Windy City but somehow, this became the last major US city I got around to touring. Over the years I would look at airfare and it always seemed to be in the dead of winter which, for me, is not exactly the ideal time to head north. I would… Continue reading Spring 2022: Chicago
Campground Notes: Ainsworth Park
The Columbia River Gorge, is gorgeous. It really is breathtaking and beautiful and a sight to be seen.However, I knew Ainsworth Park was going to be a ‘problem’. It is right on the scenic byway guaranteeing traffic noise. It was right on the rail line (and to be fair, everything along the gorge is on… Continue reading Campground Notes: Ainsworth Park
Winter 2022: Quartzsite
Earlier in January, I had the fantastic experience of boondocking for two weeks. This was the first time I had ever tried being completely free of any hooked up amenities and I had some initial concerns about being able to pull it off. To my delight, I found boondocking to be one of the best… Continue reading Winter 2022: Quartzsite
Campground Notes: Escapees Raccoon Valley, Heiskell
When I first started looking at Knoxville so we could visit the Smoky Mountains, I had designs on getting a lot closer to the park for our stay. Unfortunately, since we were traveling in high season, I couldn’t find a place that had availability for a month and some of the rates were 60+ a… Continue reading Campground Notes: Escapees Raccoon Valley, Heiskell
How to refresh your home in 2022
2022 is a bit of a special year when it comes to home improvement, mainly because of all of the amazing advancements that have been discovered in 2021. The home of 2022 must most certainly be eco-efficient if you want it to stay current, and that is good news for everyone. Not only does the… Continue reading How to refresh your home in 2022
Winter 2021: We’ve never been to Wilmington… right?
It was going to be a sunny, but chilly day. A perfect day for a car ride. I looked at the map trying to decide where to go – a place where I’ve never been before.I drove along the coast and in Southport, stopped to walk around & have lunch. As I was driving into… Continue reading Winter 2021: We’ve never been to Wilmington… right?
Autumn 2021: Portland
I lived a month in Portland in 2013 and enjoyed it. We were downtown for most of that time in a high rise surrounded by the quirkiness and a plethora of food carts. We debated back then to stay awhile since we loved the town so much, and for better, we kept on exploring. I… Continue reading Autumn 2021: Portland
Autumn 2021: Cleveland really does rock
When I was 21 years old, I moved from Long Island to Las Vegas. I took an epic cross country drive and my first stop was Cleveland, Ohio. I stayed at some random Holiday Inn and don’t even remember exploring the city. I was tired and scared and excited and beyond ready to leave the… Continue reading Autumn 2021: Cleveland really does rock
Autumn 2021: Mt. Saint Helens
On our way out of Hiawatha Trail, we just had to stop at Mt. Saint Helens. I remember when this volcano blew its top back in the ’80s. What I didn’t realize is just how massive this mountain really is. Unfortunately, it was a little cloudy the day we went but we were still able… Continue reading Autumn 2021: Mt. Saint Helens