I know, I know – I NEVER write a monthly recap unless I’m on an extended trip with a lot of constant updates and exciting stories to share (…Why? Mostly because my day-to-day life isn’t really exciting enough for a…
High in the Mountains of Colombia: A Stay at Casa Elemento
From the moment I stepped foot onto Casa Elemento’s grounds, it was clear that I had arrived in a uniquely special place. It had been quite the journey to get there – a bus from Palomino to Santa Marta, a…
2 Perfect Days in Denver in the Winter [Day 2]
I’ve already shared Part One of my “2 Perfect Days in Denver in the Winter” itinerary, which was filled with plenty of indulgent food, craft beer, architecture, and urban sightseeing, in true Denver fashion. Part Two, on the other hand,…
2 Perfect Days in Denver in the Winter [Day 1]
Denver had been high on my U.S. bucket list for a loooong time, particularly after I learned that it was only 2.5 hours away from Houston by plane. So when Derek and I spotted a great non-stop flight deal earlier…
Why My Quarter-Life Crisis Was the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me
Quarter-Life Crisis [noun]: a crisis that may be experienced in one’s twenties, involving anxiety over the direction and quality of one’s life. While people around the globe have been experiencing quarter- and mid-life crises for decades (Hemingway, anyone?), it seems…
Hiking Colombia’s Cocora Valley
The Cocora Valley (or Valle de Cocora) is one of the most unique – and surreal – places that I’ve visited throughout all my travels around the globe. I hiked the valley at the very beginning of my trip through…
Taking it Easy in Salento, Colombia
Longtime readers know that I have a love affair with small towns and sleepy villages, and the itty bitty South American town of Salento was no exception. Situated in the hills of Colombia’s coffee growing region, Salento boasts a population of…
Travel: It’s Not About What You See, It’s About What You Feel
I remember being 13 years old, sitting on some concrete steps somewhere in Paris with my dad and one of my younger sisters. It was summertime, it was sunset, and the sky was a beautiful shade of pinky orange. There…
My Top Travel Experiences of 2016
Happy 2017 friends, family and readers! It’s nearly a full week into the new year and here I am, just now publishing my year-end recap. Typical, eh? Anyways, the other day I read through my 2015 recap and oh man,…
One Day in Medellin: A City of Stories
It’s safe to say that I was about as excited to visit Medellin as one could possibly be before arriving in a new travel destination. After all, Medellin is tucked away in a picturesque valley in the Andes Mountains, has a fascinating recent…
Dear Palomino: You’re Perfect, Never Change
After the sweaty, muddy, and downright exhausting 2 hour trek back from the depths of Tayrona National Park, I found myself back at the side of the Santa Marta-Riohacha highway, just outside of the park entrance. With sweat trickling down…
Sleeping Under the Stars at Tayrona National Park
When I published my recent “highlights of Colombia” roundup post, I received a number of comments regarding my overnight trip to Tayrona National Park. After all, sleeping in a hammock in a hut overlooking the sea on gorgeous stretch of…
