Journal
Welcome to the full story: the complete journal of my adventures and stories of my travels, both near and far. My heart belongs on the road, seeking new knowledge and memorable moments wherever a Footprint can be left or a Freeway can take us. This is where I share my explorations and celebrate the conviction that traveling brings smiles. My style of travel is defined by intentional curiosity. I love trying new things and experiencing the local culture through the activities and cuisine they are known for, even if it pushes me slightly past my comfort zone.
You can expect a genuine, unfiltered mix of all my explorations. I love writing about everything that makes a destination special—from walking through grand National Parks and ancient international sites to simply enjoying a quick, scenic road trip close to home. I’m a slow-paced explorer, focused on soaking it all in and collecting knowledge rather than rushing the experience. Here, I share the honest recaps and practical takeaways that help you plan your own diverse adventures—including the well-tested itineraries, hotel insights, and transportation tips that make travel achievable with a busy schedule.
Whether you’re dreaming of a global escape or just need inspiration for your next weekend drive, I hope these stories motivate you to look closer at the world around you. Let’s step out together and start making new memories.
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It had been on my Colorado bucket list since it opened in September 2021, but somehow I kept forgetting about it. When my sister came to visit, we finally made it happen—a Sunday morning trip to Meow Wolf’s Convergence Station in Denver.
I’ll be honest: I had no idea what to expect. People seem to either love Meow Wolf or they don’t,...
San Francisco has a way of mixing the historic with the whimsical, the educational with the indulgent. Our weekend in the city was exactly that kind of experience—a perfect blend of San Francisco’s past and present: touring the working machinery that powers the iconic cable cars, getting lost in mirror mazes at Pier 39, sipping $16 Irish coffees...
When Justin and I decided to extend our San Francisco work trip by a day, there was one destination that immediately came to mind: Alcatraz. I’d visited the infamous island prison back when I was about 20, but Justin had never been, so we booked tickets through City Experiences, the official ferry provider for the island.
Getting There:...
Some of our earliest adventures together truly set the stage for our shared love of exploration. One of those memorable firsts was a long weekend trip in May 2016, venturing south into the unique landscapes of Colorado and New Mexico. Our itinerary was wonderfully eclectic: the hot springs of Pagosa Springs, the artistic charm of Taos, and two unforgettable...
On our recent Florida escape, I dropped Justin off for a couple of hours of seaside bliss at the Palm Beach Par 3 Golf Course while I ran off for a lunch date with a friend. What started as a simple plan to squeeze in some golf turned into one of the most memorable stops of our trip—and not just because of the stunning ocean views.
The drive alone...
There’s something almost magical about driving from Key Largo to Key West along the famous Overseas Highway. In December 2025, we experienced this iconic 113-mile stretch of U.S. Route 1, and it lived up to every bit of its reputation as one of America’s most scenic drives.
In this post:
A Road Built on Dreams and Determination
The...
In late January 2025, I stumbled upon The 52 Book Club’s 2025 Reading Challenge, and on a whim, I decided to give it a try. Some years I devour books by the dozen; other years, life gets in the way and my reading habit dwindles to nearly nothing. But this year was different. After recently giving up a part-time job, I found myself with more precious...
Holiday time is all around us, but when traveling to a warmer region, I find it harder to get into the holiday spirit when I’m wearing shorts and looking at palm trees. Sometimes, the best travel moments are found serendipitously. This particular adventure started not with a detailed itinerary, but simply by driving past a sign about “Jungle...
Key West is more than just the end of U.S. 1—it’s a pocket-sized island crammed with more history, literary legends, and iconic bars than almost anywhere else in the country. Planning a full three-day escape (plus 2 travel days) here requires a good strategy, balancing the must-see historical tours with the necessary Key West traditions, like finding...
There is something truly inspiring about the diversity of our National Parks, Monuments, and Lands. From towering mountains to deep canyons, our country offers an incredible array of landscapes. Our recent trip to Key West gave us a chance to check one of the most remote and unique parks off the list: Dry Tortugas National Park.
Originally the name...
When we started planning our Key West trip, I stumbled upon the Key Lime Pie Walking Tours. At first, I was intrigued—a guided tour dedicated entirely to this iconic Florida dessert? Sign me up! But when I saw the price tag, especially after we’d already splurged on other tours, we decided to create our own DIY key lime pie crawl instead. Armed...
Nine years ago this month, Justin and I embarked on our first international trip together—an adventure that would define our shared love for exploration.
Just a few days after exploring the charming ruins of Cahal Pech in Belize, we embarked on a highly anticipated bus tour for a day visit to Tikal from San Ignacio. Our destination: the magnificent...
It was today, nine years ago, that our adventure in Belize began with a captivating dive into ancient Maya history at Cahal Pech, just a stone’s throw from San Ignacio. Cahal Pech offered a charming and intimate introduction to the Maya world that was uniquely its own.
Getting to Cahal Pech was wonderfully easy from our base in San Ignacio,...
Our a trip to Myrtle Beach, SC, about this time last year, was a chance to visit some younger friends and check out a town my sister enjoyed. Upon arrival, I was surprised with the cold weather! Despite the palm trees and sunshine, it was far colder than we expected, even in November, necessitating an emergency trip to the outlets to snag a necessary...
There’s something uniquely captivating about a crisp autumn day, especially when it’s spent exploring the rich history and stunning landscapes of Colorado’s Gold Belt. Join us as we recount a memorable day trip to Cripple Creek and Victor, where mining lore and charming small towns come alive.
Our day began under clear blue skies,...
For the last nine years, the Chase Sapphire Reserve has been my go-to credit card. It was the card that lived at the front of my wallet, the one I reached for on every dining, travel, and everyday purchases. For almost a decade, it was a constant companion that unlocked some fantastic travel perks and made my life easier. Plus, the distinctive metal...
For our anniversary, we decided on a week-long escape to southern Alabama, splitting our time between the historic port city of Mobile and the sandy beaches of Gulf Shores. We love a trip balanced with history, local brews, and great food—and this Southern Alabama adventure delivered perfectly. We ended the week feeling truly refreshed and relaxed,...
Like many of our trips, we love to eat local, so eating & drinking in Mobile was no different. We found a fantastic blend of high-end Southern cuisine, casual dining spots recommended by locals, and some breweries. Let us share the 6 Restaurants & 2 Breweries we went to.
Dauphins (Fine Dining)
Las Floriditas (Speakeasy Nightcap)
Bob’s...
Our recent trip to Gulf Shores, Alabama, promised days of sun-kissed relaxation on its incredibly soft, sugar-white sands. However, Mother Nature had other plans for one of our mornings, greeting us with unseasonably chilly temperatures and blustery winds that made a beach day less than ideal.
But true adventurers know that a change in plans can often...
Justin and I love a good historical tour, and a retired World War II battleship sounded like the perfect way to spend a couple of hours. The official website for the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile, Alabama, suggested setting aside at least 2.5 hours, but in our usual optimistic fashion, we thought we could breeze through the self-guided...
Pensacola Day Trip: How to Maximize 24 Hours of History and Adventure with two places to eat
Sometimes, the best adventures are the ones that pack a punch, and our recent Pensacola Day Trip was exactly that. In just 24 hours, we traded a lively street festival for a lighthouse climb and finished with a staggering tour of naval history. If you’re...
If you’re looking for a perfect blend of history, good food, and relaxed vibes, an afternoon in Denver’s Lowry neighborhood is an excellent choice. We recently spent a few hours exploring the area, centered around the historic Hangar 2, and found a great way to escape the city bustle without leaving town.
Our adventure began with a trip...
The air is getting crisper, the days are growing shorter, and for those of us in Colorado, that can only mean one thing: it’s time to chase the aspen gold. With a precious weekend day in September available, we decided to make the pilgrimage that thousands of others in the state do each fall – a scenic drive over Guanella Pass. Known for its stunning...
My First Time at a Buc-ee’s
I hadn’t heard much about Buc-ee’s. Then, a store opened in Colorado in March 2024 and suddenly it seemed to be all anyone was talking about. Last fall on a road trip with Justin between Florida and South Carolina, we kept seeing the signs for a Buc-ee’s and decided to find out what all the fuss...
Each year for our birthdays or anniversary we try to go out to a nice dinner. We’ve been to some great spots around Denver like Fruition (now closed), Borolo Grill, Venice (a great Italian place), and some interesting vegan places. But this year, for my birthday, a craving hit me that I just couldn’t ignore: the butternut squash enchiladas...
When you think of Colorado, what comes to mind? Likely, it’s snow-capped mountains, vibrant ski towns, and breathtaking alpine vistas. But beyond the iconic Rocky Mountains lies a vast and often-overlooked landscape: the Eastern Plains. Recently, I embarked on a two-part road trip that offered a look at this expansive and sparsely populated region.
The...
When you’re driving across the American heartland, it’s easy to get caught up in the rhythm of the open road. Our recent trip to North Platte, Nebraska, was meant to be a weekend of unique adventure, anchored by one very specific and very Nebraskan activity: tanking. What we got was a journey with unexpected twists, from historical ruts carved...
For about eight years now, a rather unique image has floated around in the back of our minds – a picture Justin stumbled upon in a magazine while we were making vision boards: people floating serenely down a river in what looked like a repurposed stock tank. It seemed utterly whimsical, perfectly quirky, and immediately landed on our “someday”...
Since Telluride is only about an hour for Ouray, it make sense for us to go check it out, plus my friend really wanted to go – thus part of the basis for the long weekend. While a work issue delayed our morning, we eventually grabbed a quick breakfast and hit the road. The drive itself was a mix of changing weather, with intermittent rain and...
The idea for my most recent long weekend in Ouray was born over a casual breakfast with two girlfriends. When asked where in Colorado I’d love to go, my answer was immediate and heartfelt: Ouray. It’s a town I’ve long admired from afar, but its distance from home has always made it feel just out of reach for a quick weekend escape. One of the...
Well folks, this post might not be as exciting as other food posts. The simple truth is, we found ourselves gravitating toward the same two spots in Ouray, and our other culinary excursions were a bit of a mixed bag.
Ouray Dinners: The Outlaw & Ouray Brewery
Ouray Brewery was a highlight, largely due to the great conversations we had there....
Just a short, 15-minute drive on winding dirt roads from the historic downtown of Silverton, Colorado, lies a portal to the past: the Old Hundred Gold Mine Tour. While Silverton itself is a testament to the region’s mining heritage, this tour offers a truly unique experience, taking you into the heart of the Galena Mountain to see and feel what...
I’m no stranger to the restorative power of hot springs. Over the years of living in Colorado, I’ve dipped into about ten different mineral-rich pools, from rustic riverside soaks to more developed resorts. Each one offers its unique charm. However, my recent visit to Orvis Hot Springs in Ridgway, Colorado, marked a significant first: my...
Ouray, Colorado, often dubbed the “Switzerland of America,” lives up to its majestic reputation with stunning mountain scenery and a rich mining history. Eager to explore beyond the paved roads, we booked a Yankee Boy + Governor Basins tour with Alpine Scenic 4×4 Tours. This 4-hour excursion turned out to be a fantastic way to experience...
Travel is all about embracing the unexpected, but some surprises are less welcome than others. Take, for instance, the time we took a day trip to Ronda, Spain, back in 2018. We thought we were prepared with raincoats and an umbrella, but the heavens truly opened that day. I’m talking about rain so incredibly heavy, it felt biblical – unlike anything...