Wanderlust… Its meaning aside, I’ve always loved that word. While exhaling those three rhythmic syllables, it’s difficult to not stare through the nearest window to watch the trees sway restlessly in the wind (as I just did), or to dig up past travel photos, and, thus, past emotions. But really, wanderlust, with all its gut-poking … More Notched, Part 6: Endless Wanderlust
The week has arrived: that of packing panic, last minute errands, advising the housesitter(s), worrying about the cats, etc. etc. OH, and that of the beginning of our two week vacation to a large swath of the Southwestern US! With much going on, and much more interesting things to post about once we hit the road, … More Southwest Itinerary (pre-departure rerun!)
It’s here: the final countdown to our trip across the US Southwest. Before the month ends, we’ll be on the other side of the country, road-trippin’ and hiking our way through golden aspens, other-worldly rock formations, and the grandest of all canyons. You can definitely call me excited, but am I prepared? I’ve been pecking … More Vacation Time: Forethought & Planning vs. The Free Spirit
Patience: it’s on my mind this week. “The best things come to those who wait.” “You don’t know patience until you have kids.” I’ve heard these themes from time to time, and throughout my life. It seems odd to discuss it in the travel realm, though, when parents have already given themselves the top award … More Notched, Part 4: Patience is a Traveler’s Virtue
Remember that post about how difficult it is to plan a travel itinerary that includes everything fantastic within a limited timeframe? And how we had scrapped ending our trip in Albuquerque, visiting the Balloon Fiesta, because the logistics were too difficult? Well, throw that out of the suitcase, because even a “final” itinerary can change for the right … More Itinerary Revision (Albuquerque, after all)!
I dedicated my first two “Notched” write-ups to food, and how travel has influenced my willingness to both try new foods and then prepare them when I return home. But as a person who seeks balance, it’s important that I utilize those calories, lest I become gluttonously chair-bound and unable to travel again. So I’ll devote … More Notched, Part 3: Walking Off Those Food Calories
As we were traveling to NC for a family event, we naturally had to consider exploring someplace new. Enter a long detour (through beautiful, mountainous scenery) to Asheville, NC, which is well known as the South’s craft beer and outdoor recreation capital. Although we only had one afternoon and night in the small city, it took only … More One Lively Day in Asheville, NC
Hey, what can I say? I love food. So I’m going to transition last week’s discussion about how my food foundation had been massively shaken by travel into how I’ve taken this big world of food and crammed it into my very own mouth…errr, kitchen. I cook *so much* more now, and I cook better. Flashback to 2011: I’m … More Notched, Part 2: Cramming a Big Food World Into My Small Kitchen
You’re an independent traveler and a capable online researcher, and you don’t need a travel agency to choose where you’re going to stay on your much-anticipated, desperately needed vacation….right?!? So am I, and I know how simple booking a hotel initially seems. But when it comes time to book where to stay – a rather … More The Balancing Act of Booking Hotels
I’ve recently been pondering a bit of an overhaul to my lonely little bit of webspace – er, this blog. Originally, it was created to blog what I thought was a single trip through several European cities. Yes, we crossed the pond on that trip, but then we were then so fortunate to do so not … More Soon-to-be Site Changes…?
Travel Notch 