Over the last three years, California has been so much more than just the place I call home; it has become one of my favorite, most beloved destinations on the entire planet. California is an incredibly diverse place, in terms…
See You Later, California—Texas, We’re Coming Home!
Well, the title of this blog post doesn’t leave much to the imagination, so I’ll jump straight to the point: Derek and I are moving back to Texas! In some ways, it barely feels like any time at all has…
Onsen Hot Pools: Letting Off Steam in Queenstown
Looking for a way to relax and rejuvenate during your trip to Queenstown, New Zealand? Onsen Hot Pools is calling your name! Onsen Retreat & Day Spa is a boutique spa facility located 10 minutes from downtown Queenstown. The spa is…
The Ultimate Queenstown Travel Guide
Oh, Queenstown. You absolute stunner! You gem of a city! When I first began planning our 10 day trip to New Zealand, Queenstown was one of the very first destinations I added to my “must visit” list. Even from that…
A Quiet Birthday Weekend on the Mendocino County Coast
Oh hello, 28! You know how on some birthdays, you just know it’s going to be a great year? (Well, to be honest, that’s most years for me…eternal optimist, I suppose.) But 28 is REALLY one of those years—in fact,…
Why I Prefer to “Travel Deep” vs. “Travel Wide”
So, I got a haircut last week (…this is going somewhere travel-related, I promise). It was my first time in this salon, so the stylist and I did the usual small talk song and dance: where are you from originally,…
Where to Taste Wine in Downtown Napa
Love wine tasting, but hate sorting out the designated driver situation? (…let’s be honest, abstaining from tasty wines while everyone else is getting buzzed is no fun!) Well, say hello to your new dream destination: Downtown Napa. Downtown Napa is…
My Top Travel Experiences of 2019
Well, here we are again: time for another year-end recap…and preparing to head into a new decade, too! If you read through the opening paragraphs of all my years-in-review, I have a feeling I’ll start to sound like a broken…
PSA: Downtown Napa is a Perfect Winter Getaway
Should you visit Napa in winter? If you want smaller crowds, better deals, and some of the coziest scenery you’ll find in all of Northern California, then YES! The months between mid-fall and early spring—when the grapes have been harvested,…
How to Spend a Weekend in Downtown Napa: Wine Country’s Most Walkable Destination
Nestled against the banks of the Napa River is one of California’s most vibrant, historic and inviting wine country destinations: Downtown Napa. It’s no secret that wine tasting has become one of my favorite pastimes since moving to the Bay…
Walking the Redwood Loop Trail at Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Walking among giants? It sounds like something that could only be possible in a fairytale…but then again, here in the heart of Big Basin Redwoods State Park, it does feel like a fairytale… Forested, mountainous regions have always been my happy…
10 Legitimately Useful Gifts for Travelers
Shopping for the perfect holiday gift for the traveler in your life? There are hundreds of “gift guides for travelers” on the Internet, but very few of these guides focus on items that are legitimately practical and useful for the…
