let’s talk about travel

States to Watch

I have been looking for a way to talk about our travel and to dream towards new trips. When I found this map at a paper store in LA on a recent work trip and knew that it would be perfect to document our travels. I explored ways to mount it and mark where we had been. Doug went on the search for me until he found the right size of sheet metal that I could use as a frame and I am using magnets to showcase each location. I am so excited to talk through each story with Maggie. I never want to forget those long conversations on our road trips. Or the sunsets in Hawaii that brought me to tears. Or the joy I felt as Maggie discovered the Atlantic ocean for the first time. We have 29 states down… 21 here we go!

States to WatchStates to WatchStates to WatchStates to WatchStates to WatchStates to Watch

 

greenville – a getaway staycation

GreenvilleOneMemories from GreenvilleAbout two weeks ago we went to Greenville, SC on a bit of a getaway “staycation” kind of a trip. Doug’s parents offered us the use of their home in Greenville for the week and we were excited to explore this city. I was blown away. Really. Who knew this incredible approachable, foodie-filled city was just here? Well I think we just about visited 2 new restaurants a day, discovered about 5 parks, explored the beer culture and enjoyed this beautiful city with a river running through it. I was in awe. I don’t think I have experienced a downtown as vibrant as this one outside of Chicago or New York. It was packed with families, side walk cafes, street musicians and offered the southern hospitality available only in the deep south. Maggie was in heaven and we took our time to relax, read (I even got through the entire Harvard Business Review this month!) and build memories. Throughout a vacation, I often tuck away memories and think “I need to remember this moment”. I had quite a few of them, but perhaps my favorite moments on this trip were seeing Maggie discover her love for the outdoors. An unforgettable date night to celebrate my Masters (more on that to come) and hanging out with my BFF, Barbie, for a girls night out. There are alot of “Remember this moment” pictures but I thought I would share one that really puts the reason behind vacations into perspective. It is about connecting with family and building the moments that make up the fabric of your story together.

up up snap of the day

A winter day in Arizona - snowfall on the Grand Canyon

While watching the snowfall in Michigan today, I thought of one of my most memorable snowfalls – our visit to the Grand Canyon. It was in March and we were wondering if the flakes would hold off long enough for us to see the canyon. We had such luck that we arrived and the clouds cleared and we were amazed at the beauty and epicness (yeah it needs it’s own made up word – it is just that amazing) of this natural wonder. I can’t wait to take M back to share this with her.

Have you ever had a nature experience like that?

passport required #traveltuesdays

One of my favorite summer getaways was to Kincardin, Canada. We took the dogs, jetskis and enjoyed a long weekend at our friend’s beach house on a Lake Huron Beach. This picture was taken early one morning as I was walking the dogs – a storm had just come through the night before. This beach is rated to have one of the best sunsets in the world by National Geographic. Do you have a favorite coastal vacation?

for the road warrior #traveltuesdays

We just got home from our first roadtrip with Mags (we went to visit my parents in Alabama). She was a champ and I can’t say enough about how much we enjoyed the SYNC in our new Ford Escape. It made us feel that a cross country roadtrip is possible again. In 2008, Doug and I hit route 66 and traveled from Detroit to California. It was a drive of a lifetime. What has been your favorite roadtrip?