Take enough trips, and you start to get a routine down when it comes time to pack. Thanks to my type A personality, I always make a packing list to make sure I don't forget anything important. These items are always in my carry-on: 1. A variety of entertainment options. I get bored easily, so I … Continue reading My Carry-On Essentials
Weekend in Portland, OR
The weekend started off a bit rocky, but in the end, we had a wonderful getaway to Portland for my husband's birthday. I had been there once before, but this was his first trip. Originally, we were supposed to take the Coast Starlight train from San Jose, CA up to Portland, but after several hours of … Continue reading Weekend in Portland, OR
‘Cockpit Confidential’ Will Ease Your Flying Fears
If you're at all like me, you love to travel, but flying can make you a bit apprehensive. Well, get ready to loosen your grip on the arm rest. A friend recently gave me a copy of Cockpit Confidential by pilot Patrick Smith and this book changed everything. Smith effortlessly takes you through all of … Continue reading ‘Cockpit Confidential’ Will Ease Your Flying Fears
Camping in Yosemite’s Wawona Campground
I absolutely love camping, but it's been a couple of years since I've had the time to get a trip together. We've lived on the west coast for 5 1/2 years but I had never been to Yosemite, so about 6 months ago, I logged on to recreation.gov to see if there was a campsite available … Continue reading Camping in Yosemite’s Wawona Campground
Labor Day Weekend in Chicago
Before this weekend, I hadn't been to Chicago since I was 8 years old, so I don't really remember much other than pizza and SUE the T. Rex. When a work conference put me in the midwest the week before, I decided to take advantage of the opportunity and make a vacation out of it. … Continue reading Labor Day Weekend in Chicago
Weekend in Carmel-by-the-Sea
A few weeks ago, my husband and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary with a short one night getaway to Carmel-by-the-Sea. This cute little beach town is located in California just a couple of hours south of San Francisco near Monterey. Its unique charm and proximity to the SF Bay Area make it a favorite … Continue reading Weekend in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Honeymoon in Italy Part 2: Positano
After a scenic train ride to Naples, followed by a beautiful car ride along the coast, we found ourselves in a completely different Italy than we experienced in Rome. Positano is a lovely cliffside village located on the Amalfi Coast. Here we were surrounded by luxurious boutiques and cafes. The Hotel: The Eden Roc Hotel … Continue reading Honeymoon in Italy Part 2: Positano
Honeymoon in Italy Part 1: Rome
Wow! Where to start. My husband and I are so incredibly lucky that his parents offered to organize and send us on our honeymoon as their wedding gift. With recent Italian ancestry, and a love for the country themselves, this was the perfect trip for them to plan. And, boy, did they deliver. My father-in-law … Continue reading Honeymoon in Italy Part 1: Rome
Costa Rica and Estación Las Tortugas
Last summer, in June of 2012, I embarked on one of the most rewarding trips I'd ever been on. I traveled to Costa Rica for 10 days to volunteer at a Leatherback sea turtle research station on the gulf coast called Estación Las Tortugas with a group organized by EcoTeach. This trip forever changed my … Continue reading Costa Rica and Estación Las Tortugas
