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Honeymoon West Coast trip: Crater Lake & Hood River (Day 9)

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Crater Lake

Traveling into Oregon, the thing that struck us first was the smoke. 

It hung low in the air, obscuring the views of mountains in the distance & leaving a lingering smell of ash. 

Our first stop was Crater Lake. The hike was short but strenuous, straight up a rocky trail with a sharp drop to both sides. A wrong step could mean a nasty fall. Though my breaths were heavy & exhausted, I could not help continuing to exclaim how beautiful the view was. Blue mountains overlapped in the distance while pine trees stood tall below. Between the rocks, yellow & red flowers dotted the side of the mountain & swayed in the breeze.

When we finally reached the top of our hike, we teetered towards the edge, taking in the view of the still, blue lake surrounded on all sides by tall, forested mountains. Interrupting the glassy appearance of the water was one, small mountain that grew out of the center of the lake. 

Crater Lake was a place we had been looking forward to visiting for the promised majestic views. And it was beautiful, but I cannot even imagine how stunning it would have been without the tint of gray that hung over the entire landscape, sometimes so thick that we couldn’t see the blue lake below. 

Crater Lake

When our thirst for the lake view had finally been quenched, we started slowly back down the side of the mountain, still stopping every once in a while to gaze out at the arresting views. When we arrived back at the truck, we ate a quick lunch & then began the long drive to Hood River.

Until today, I was not aware that Mount Hood is not just any mountain – it’s a potentially active stratovolcano, meaning it is an elevation of the earth’s crust built by layers of lava & ash. According to ScienceDaily, stratovolcanoes have occasional, explosive eruptions, but the lava is so viscous (meaning it is a thick & sticky consistency) that it does not travel far before hardening completely. Mount Hood has not had a major eruption since the 1790s (U.S. Geological Survey [USGS]). 

Mount Hood is our destination for tomorrow, but it still dominated our landscape today with its commanding presence. Mount Hood stretches nearly 8,000 feet into the sky, but its total height is actually over 11,000 feet (USGS, Peakbagger). It is the 28th most prominent peek & the 13th highest point in the United States (USGS). 

It was difficult to capture the view in our cameras. The gray of the mountain blended with the gray of the sky, so we accepted this view as just for us & simply appreciated its beauty during our drive. 

Our Airbnb was incredible! We had gotten a master suite with a private bathroom, walk-in closet (that we didn’t use), a large bedroom, & a separate room with couches, TV & a fireplace. Downstairs was a home theatre, a gym, &, our favorite addition, a heated pool! Joseph & I didn’t have the chance to do much swimming this past summer, so before we headed to dinner, we both couldn’t resist a dip in the water. We splashed around for a bit, & then changed into nicer clothes for a dinner at Hood River.

Mount Hood sign (Photo by Zaron on Unsplash)

A lot of the restaurants were closed because of COVID-19 or Labor Day weekend. We had initially wanted to go to pFriem Family Brewers, but they were full. Luckily, the hostess had a wonderful recommendation for another local restaurant not far away – Riverside. There was a bit of a wait, so Joseph & I took the opportunity to walk around Hood River & watch the setting sun over the water.

I have never seen such a beautiful & yet devastating view. The sun had turned burnt orange & barely managed to light the sky. Instead of its normal glowing rays, it was a perfect sphere, so much so that I could have mistaken it for the moon. During our walk, it hung low just above the mountain tops, where it reflected into the rippling water below. It was a picturesque view, yet we both knew it was caused by the raging wildfires not far away. 

We had been seeing this type of sun now for months off & on, all the way across the country in Maryland, but this was the first time I had seen it so clearly & truly taken in what this view meant. Now realizing this, I wondered just how far away this type of sun could be seen. Was it visible in other countries? Could you see it across the globe? It was as if the earth knew one part of it was in pain, & it wanted to let the rest of the world know. Ironically, it seemed like it was earth’s way of sending smoke signals. 

We ended our evening at Riverside for a delicious dinner all made with fresh, local ingredients. It started with the best bread I have ever tasted (which they make in house every day), served with olive oil & balsamic vinegar. I have to say, I am part Italian, so I have had this appetizer many times before, but never has it tasted so amazing. For an appetizer, we ordered bacon wrapped dates, which were served stuffed with marcona almonds & soaking in honey. It was the perfect blend of sweet & salty, with a lovely nutty finish. 

Piquillo Peppers from Riverside

For dinner, I ordered the stuffed piquillo peppers, which were soft, roasted peppers stuffed with creamy quinoa & roasted vegetables & drizzled with a creamy, spicy, orange sauce. The dish was entirely plant-based, which is a diet I try to mostly stick to when I am home but have been breaking for this occasion because it isn’t the easiest to keep while traveling. I was wary of ordering the dish because I often find restaurants struggle to enhance the flavors of plain vegetables & grains without meat or dairy, but this dish was delicious & one I would definitely order again.

The restaurant was directly beside Hood River, which provided a gentle breeze & a lovely ambience for our evening. Just beside us was the bridge that led from Oregon to Washington, & throughout the evening, we watched the cars’ lights reflect in the still water below & listened to the sounds of a distant train in Washington chugging by. We were also supposed to be able to see Mount Hood from where we were sitting, but once again, the smoke had obscured this view. 

Often on my blog, I talk about the importance of self-love & loving others. Today, what struck me most is how important it is to love our planet. The earth is literally on fire right now, & many of us, myself included, are just continuing on with our daily lives. 

I think for me, one of the hardest things is that I don’t know what to do to help, & when I think of ideas, I’m not sure what kind of difference they will make. I am not a firefighter – I can’t help fight the wildfires. I am not a politician, so I can’t help write legislation that will change carbon emissions or make us more eco-friendly as a country. I am not an engineer, so I can’t help make cars that run on electricity or homes that run on solar power. 

But I think the most important thing to remember is that we all do play a role. Every little bit makes a difference, & some of the changes can be simple to make. Maybe it isn’t realistic for you to carpool to work, but maybe you can be more mindful of unplugging electronics you aren’t currently using in your home. Maybe you don’t want to eat plant based, but you could switch your household cleaners to eco-friendly ones. There are so many ways to help save this planet, & it’s good for you, too! I forgot how much better my body feels after eating a plant-based meal, but today, I was reminded of how often what’s best for us & the planet overlap. 

Even when we are on the road traveling, we have two homes: Our body & the earth. Make sure you are loving them both the way they deserve. 

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Honeymoon West Coast trip: Redwoods National & State Parks (Day 8)

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Me hugging a redwood tree

The air is crisp & clean. It’s icy fingers stretch down into my lungs, freezing my chest but for some reason making me want to breathe in deeper. The sky is gray. Dense clouds hang low above our heads. The smell of pine lingers, foreshadowing the coming colder season. In the distance, I can hear small animals chattering to one another & scuttering along the forest floor. 

I outstretch one hand & run it against the rough bark of the tall, majestic giant standing before me. The tree seems to almost radiate a reddish glow, filling my chilly form with a wondrous warmth. I look up. From where I stand, I can just barely see where the top branches reach the sky above. 

I wrap my arms around the trunk. They do not even travel halfway around its base. I press my ear against the bark & pull my chest in closer, listening for the hum inside, matching the beat of my heart to the beat of the life inside this ancient resident of earth. It has been standing here since long before I was even imagined, & it will remain here long after I leave this world, every year growing a little taller, a little wider, a little stronger, a little more majestic. 

Me in a redwood tree

When I was a little girl, I was infatuated with trees. I imagined that I could talk to them, & I would spend hours playing outside with my imaginary friends in the forest. And the trees I dreamed most of meeting were the stately redwood trees in California. 

I have finally arrived, nearly 20 years later, & while I am older & wiser now, I do still wonder what these trees would tell me if they could talk. What would they say, after seeing the earth change over the last few thousand years, to someone like me, who can’t even comprehend how long that actually is? 

Perhaps they would tell me that life is so much simpler than I make it to be. That in that forest, as much as the world seems to be different, a lot has also remained the same. We all grow, we breathe, we love, & we die. Everything else is not required. When compared to all that has happened on planet earth, the things I worry about in my daily life would not even equate to the width of one ring in their trunk. It does not mean those things are meaningless, but perhaps they are also not worth the worry lines in my own face. Life is beautiful & meant to be savored. 

So, when the busyness seems to consume you, & the worries of life are all you can think about, come back to this place. Center yourself. Feel the sun on your skin, the beat of your heart, the air moving in & out of your lungs. Ponder your humanity, & how fleeting it is, & remember that is one of the things that makes it beautiful. Stand tall & grow with confidence. And finally, know that your life is deeply rooted to many others who were here long before you, & who will be here long after you are gone, & that alone gives your fleeting existence on this earth meaning & purpose. 

Joseph & I spent the day today exploring Redwood National & State Parks – we did a 13-mile-hike, & then drove, exhausted, to our Airbnb in Medford, Oregon, where we crashed for the night. In lieu of trying to capture every little detail of our day, in which it seemed nothing much happened, I though it better to capture what I felt during our hike, gazing at those majestic trees & feeling the sense of wonder I always had as a little girl when I saw pictures of them. 

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Honeymoon West Coast trip: San Francisco & Redwoods National & State Parks (Day 7)

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Joseph & me in front of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco

There is a famous saying that claims once you leave home, you can never go back. It wasn’t until I was an adult who returned to living at home during the pandemic that I understood this phrase. You can always go back, but it’s not the same as it was. You can’t go back to being a kid. The memories you have growing up in your childhood home are completely different from the new ones you make when you return. 

I think this is true of all memories, not just the ones compartmentalized to your childhood home. Any significant period of your life has a certain magic to the memories. But, returning to that place does not make the magic come back. Just a quick visit to your old high school is a great example of this. You can walk the halls, talk to old teachers, sit on the bleachers where you cheered during football games & maybe snuck your first kiss, but it doesn’t feel the same as it did in those four short years of your life when you felt invincible. 

Joseph & I started the seventh day of our honeymoon to try to experience an old memory of mine – we ran across the Golden Gate Bridge, just as I did with a team of amazing people two summers ago. It was the beginning of our run across the country, which we did with the Ulman Foundation to support young adults with cancer. 

Team Baltimore (my 4K for Cancer team) just before running across the Golden Gate Bridge

I remember how that first run felt. I remember the exhilaration & the excitement I experienced, unsure yet what the summer would bring but knowing the journey ahead would be momentous & memorable. 

Today’s run was not momentous. We stood in that chilly, misty San Francisco air just as I had done before, clicked our watches to start tracking our run, & started the trek up the steep hill to the bridge. It took my breath away, just as it had before, & my legs sighed in relief when we reached the flatter grade of the bridge. The mist was so thick, the long suspension ropes leading to the tall, red towers disappeared entirely into a thick cloud above our heads. 

The run across the bridge was fast, & before I knew it, we were back at our car, starting the long drive north to the Redwoods National & State Parks. As we drove over the bridge we had just run across, a bittersweet feeling seeped into my stomach. I had wanted to relive the memory, but this was simply just revisiting. My team members were not here with me, & we were not about to travel across the entire country, our legs carrying us & hearts keeping us going in the fight against cancer.

Me after running across the Golden Gate Bridge today

The drive to the redwoods was uneventful but exciting. I have wanted to see the redwood trees since I was a little girl & read about them in a book. When I had participated in the 4K for Cancer run, I had been disappointed that I came all the way to California & missed seeing the majestic trees. 

Our Airbnb was a camper within Redwood National & State Parks. We got settled into what was by far the most unique Airbnb we had stayed in yet, & then drove off into the setting sun to just catch a glimpse of the views we planned on hiking to tomorrow.

To say that redwood trees are big is an understatement. They are enormous. Our entire wingspan combined didn’t even stretch around half of the base of one of the trees. The trees reached high into the sky as well, basking in the sun’s light. Inside, all I felt was the giddy joy of my 5-year-old self, finally standing at the foot of the redwood trees I had read about. 

Me in front of my first redwood tree

Memories cannot be relived, but that’s what makes them so special. You only get to have one first kiss or one first dance. You only have your first day at school, your first time you win an award, your first time running across the Golden Gate Bridge, & your first time seeing a redwood tree. But what makes those moments memorable is the fact that they only happened once, or because they it was the start of something special that happened again & again. It was the start of a your first cross country adventure. It was the start of your career. It was the start of your love story. 

Running across the bridge & experiencing Joseph’s first time traversing it had been fantastic & memorable in its own way. It was not the same as running it with my team, but it wasn’t supposed to be. That moment is sacred & special in its own way, & it should stay that way.

One of the best things about memories is that we are always forming new ones. Dreams are fulfilled, goals are accomplished, & sweet surprises fill our lives every day. Today, wrapping my arms around the redwood tree, feeling the rough bark beneath my fingertips & ear pressed against the trunk, listening for the hum of life inside, was a dream come true & a memory I have been waiting to create for years. 

Remembering may be bittersweet, but the new memories I am creating in this moment – life has never tasted sweeter. 

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Honeymoon West Coast trip: Monterey & San Francisco (Day 6)

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Me with the jellyfish at the Monterey Bay Aquarium

Do you ever have a day that starts out so good it’s almost too good to be true, & then something happens to make you realize it is, in fact, too good to be true? Today was like that. 

Joseph & I decided to sleep in a little to take advantage of our one morning that we didn’t have anywhere to be early in the day. It was a misty, cloudy morning in Monterey, which meant there was no point in getting to the 17-mile-drive early to see the sunrise. Instead, we left our Airbnb around 8:30 & drove 20 minutes to the start of the drive. 

The 17-mile-drive is a scenic drive that features forest views & the coastline in Pebble Beach, California. It was created in 1881 & was first traversed in horse & buggy.

I am always struck when I go to national parks & other places how interesting it is that someone found this land, claimed it, & said they wanted to share it with everyone, but then charged them to get in. But, nevertheless, I always hand over the money. I just cannot resist the chance to see any part of this beautiful world.

Joseph taking videos on the 17-mile-drive – vlog to come soon!!

The trail wound through neighborhoods & trees before finally following along the restless coastline. The ocean was feisty the morning of our drive, splashing up against the rocks with such force that the resulting wind smacked our faces & blew back our hair & clothes as soon as we stepped out of the truck. A dense smoke hung low in the air, most likely from the wildfires raging not too far away, & all you could hear for miles was the sound of crashing waves. 

Our next stop was the Monterey Bay Aquarium, one of the spots I was most looking forward to. I am happy to report it did not disappoint. The aquarium, which was located right on the edge of the bay, was filled with exhibits that stretched from the floor to the ceiling, brimming with colorful sea creatures & tall stalks of seaweed that swayed in invisible currents. The aquarium had done an excellent job of recreating the sea creatures’ natural environment. The exhibit rooms were dark, leaving an eery blue light from the water that drifted into the space. Standing in front of the enormous tanks, realizing how large the animals in the depths of the ocean actually are, was a truly humbling experience. We are so small in this world, & there is so much more to this life & creation than we are even aware. 

Joseph at the Monterey Bay Aquarium

As much as we enjoyed watching the fish swim around, Joseph & I also appreciated how friendly the staff was. As soon as we walked in, the woman who greeted us noticed our face masks (white & black that say bride & groom, respectively) & asked if we were on our honeymoon. When we confirmed that we are, she immediately announced that we needed celebration buttons & asked us which sea creature from a selection that we liked best. We chose the octopus & sea turtle, on which she wrote “Just Married” on the corresponding pins & drew little party hats on the animals. It was such a simple gesture, but being given those pins to wear as we walked around the aquarium made us feel like appreciated guests & customers. And she was not the only staff member who made our experience better. From the friendly man at the front door who gave us our instructions for the day, to the conversational cashier who asked us about our honeymoon & talked to us about her dream to visit the East Coast, to the worker who was hurrying in his work day but still stopped to congratulate us. As amazing as the aquarium was, the staff truly made it an unforgettable experience that I would recommend to anyone.

I could have happily spent the day watching the otters play & jellyfish drift, we had to leave to drive to San Francisco for our evening’s activities. We ate lunch at the truck & then drove to our Airbnb, where we dropped off our belongings before heading into the city.

With all of the wedding & honeymoon excitement, we had forgotten is was Labor Day weekend. San Francisco is normally packed with people already, but thanks to a Giants baseball game & the holiday weekend, it was easily double the normal amount of crowds. This meant parking was even more difficult than it usually is, & we easily spent 30 minutes just looking for a space. We finally found an open spot where someone had left a full drink cup sitting – I suppose no one wanted to touch it or knock it over. When we checked the price, we were dismayed to see that the hourly rate was no longer available. Instead, for special holiday parking, there was a flat rate of $50 no matter how long your stay was. Unwilling to look for parking again & running out of time, we forked over the money & rushed into the busy San Francisco streets. 

We had reservations to tour Alcatraz, but before the sky grew too dark, I wanted to see the sea lions. At Pier 39, sea lions famously gather on the pier, much to the delight of onlookers at the nearby restaurant. We ran to the pier & spent a few minutes watching & laughing as the sea lions barked at one another & flopped around the deck before resting their heads on one to rest. Then, we ran back up the street to the boat ramp for Alcatraz. 

Alcatraz Island (Photo by Shelby Cohron on Unsplash)

The wait was a little long, but we passed the time chatting & people watching. When the time for boarding came, we excitedly found seats on the top of the ferry so we could watch the island grow closer. 

Alcatraz, I learned, was not just the prison for infamous criminals, but also for pacifists who tried to avoid the draft Civil War. Because they were supposed to be in the military, they were tried & punished as military members in defiance of the United States government, which means the punishments were stricter & resulted in stints spent in Alcatraz. And after the prison closed, Native Americans attempted to claim the land because they were allowed to reside on any surplus land. To avoid this, the United States turned it into a national park, which it still remains to this day. 

The Native American & imprisoned pacifists situation wasn’t the only one that struck an uncomfortable cord. Alcatraz was operating until the 1960s, when many social movements gained traction, one of them being the movement to reform inmates rather than give lifetime punishments for all crimes. This means that, until that time, many things happened in Alcatraz that social justice leaders today would be infuriated by. 

It was a little creepy walking around the old cells where inmates spent years of their lives, shut off from the world & spending most of their time alone in spaces small enough to be a closet today. The chill from the outdoors seeped in through the walls, making me wonder just how cold it got for inmates on the island. 

Because of COVID-19, the audio tour was given entirely on individual devices that we carried with us for the tour. The devices gave us directions on where to stand & turn, & the story was told by voice actors, creating an immersive experience. 

At the end of the tour, Joseph & I returned our audio devices & looked at the clock. To our delight, we had finished the tour in just one hour & could catch the earlier ferry. By now, we had not eaten in eight hours & we were growing hungrier by the minute. 

A cell in Alcatraz

We raced down the 13 stories from the top of Alcatraz to the bottom of the hill it was situated on. By now, the line for the ferry had already grown long, & we stood nervously hoping there would be room for us on board. San Francisco is almost always misty & chilly, but on Alcatraz Island, it was even colder, windier & wetter. 

The line began to move as boarding began, & we waited with bated breath as we inched closer to the boat. 100 people away…80 people away…50 people away…the line began slowing down…35 people away…people began holding up their fingers in the air to signal how many people were in their party, & the crewman slowly selected the lucky ones who got to board…25 people away…people were becoming more earnest now, pushing their way forward…20 people away…the crewman apologized & closed the gate. We were stuck on the island for another hour, waiting in line. 

Our stomachs fell with disappointment as the boat sailed away. Hungry, tired & now cold, we sat on the concrete, stuck where we were until the boat returned for us. As the minutes ticked by, our moods soured. We were not dressed appropriately for a night on Alcatraz, & as we sat, shivering, my fingers slowing grew numb. We watched TikTok videos to pass the time, our empty stomachs setting our teeth on edge as we waited. 

When the boat returned, we stood quickly, the crowd pressing in on all sides. Everyone wanted to get on the ferry as quickly as possible. To our dismay, we spent another 20 minutes in the cold, teeth chattering & body’s shaking, as the crewmen completed their necessary chores on the boat & gathered everyone from the island – this was the last ferry of the evening. 

When we were finally allowed back on the boat, all the charm of the day had left our minds. All we could think about was how hungry, tired & cold we were. We called the restaurant we planned on eating at, & to our dismay discovered we needed vaccination cards to dine inside, not just there, but at every restaurant in San Francisco. I had my card with me, but Joseph, unfortunately, had left his card in his backpack, which was currently in our bedroom at the Airbnb. 

View of Golden Gate Bridge from Alcatraz (Photo by Eric Ward on Unsplash)

When we got to the island, we rushed back to our car. The last bit of my positive attitude left as, in my hurry to get in the truck, I knocked over the sticky, sweet-smelling drink that had been left sitting in our parking space & spilled it over my new boots. 

With short & tense language, we tried to find a new restaurant, but anyone who would take us was already closed because of the late hour. We finally resolved to order takeout from the restaurant we had originally planned on & take it back to our Airbnb, but when we called, we discovered takeout could only be ordered by visiting the restaurant in-person & sitting at the bar. Left without any options, Joseph drove me as close to the restaurant as he could, & then returned to our original parking space to await my phone call. 

I sat at the bar quickly & told the bartender I was ready to order, but he insisted I wait & look at the menu. So I sat, annoyingly drumming my fingers until he returned, & I gave him the order I had memorized in the truck. 

The restaurant was busy, so I was surprised & grateful when our food arrived just 15 minutes later. I called Joseph & rushed back outside. He picked me up from the curb, & while driving, I fed us both bread to slowly fill our stomachs & hopefully boost our morale. 

We arrived back at our Airbnb & quickly changed into warm clothes. Joseph grabbed us some wine from our bags, & I set up a spot to eat in our room. We sat together, hoping to salvage the evening, but conversation failed us, other than the occasional dumfounded question: “What just happened?” 

The food was rich & hit our empty stomachs wrong. Neither of us finished. We laid back in bed, knees pulled up to our stomachs in pain, feeling dejected & exhausted from the long day.

Here’s the funny thing about this whole story: Up until the last few hours, our day had been bliss. We started it with lovely views of the coast, & then had some of the best hours on our honeymoon yet wandering around the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Our Airbnb host was lovely. We got to pet her dogs, & she promised us a complimentary breakfast with homemade muffins for the following morning. We had the chance to see the cute sea lions in San Francisco. We did the Alcatraz tour, which wasn’t our favorite experience, but we would have regretted not going, wondering if we missed something. And here we were, in a cozy room with food from the restaurant we wanted to visit. We had let this one experience completely cloud our vision from everything else that we enjoyed today. 

It’s difficult to center yourself when something goes wrong & remember how much good there is in the world. Today, I was reminded of the importance to not let one unfortunate event ruin an entire day, & certainly not to let one bad day, month, year, or however long it is (I’m thinking about you, COVID-19) convince me that it’s a bad life. There is so much in this world & in every day to be grateful for, even on the days I have to look a little harder to find it. 

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Honeymoon West Coast trip: Santa Barbara, Solvang, Bixby Bridge, & Carmel-by-the-Sea (Day 5)

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View from the drive to Big Sur

No matter how well you plan for a trip, the one thing you can always count on is that something will not go according to plan.

Joseph & I had planned on taking a ferry ride to Channel Islands National Park today at 8a.m. It was going to be a short trip – the only two options for a ferry ride back to the shore were 10a.m. & 4p.m., & we couldn’t afford a full day spent on the island. The plan was to run around the loop trail as fast as we could, take in the views, & get back to the ferry in time to return to shore. However, as risky this plan was from the beginning, it became utterly hopeless when we received a phone call from Island Packers Cruises yesterday asking if we wanted to change our reservation to a 4:00p.m. return time because all we had essentially booked was a boat ride. By the time the ferry actually docked on the shore, we would only have a maximum of thirty minutes on the island, if we were lucky, before we had to board once again. 

Joseph & I both agreed that we would rather take in the sights another way. So, late last night, Joseph looked up the best hikes in Santa Barbara & chose one that immediately masked our disappointment of not going to an island – we would be going to a hot springs instead. 

Joseph hiking to the hot springs

We woke up early in the morning & drove just 10 minutes away to the trailhead. Instead of going straight to the springs, we decided to take a long, loop hike up a mountain that would take us back to the hot springs on our way down. 

The hike was exhausting, but the views were more than worth it. The mountains in the distance were painted against the sky in all different shades of blue, creating an artistic ombre effect. From our lofty perch, we could see the entirety of the town below us, as well as the undulating waves of the Pacific Ocean. 

The first thing I noticed as we skidded back down the side of the mountain was that the air around us had grown warm. A moment later, I heard the gentle tinkling of falling water droplets. Less than a minute later, we broke through the trees to reveal misty pools of water stair stepped down the side of the mountain, steam rising off of the surface. 

We pulled off our hiking shirts & shorts, revealing the bathing suits we had worn underneath, & slipped into the serene water. The water was so hot that, at first, it stung our skin. I am quite sure it was hotter than any hot tub I have ever soaked in. But our bodies soon acclimated, & we were able to lean against the slimy rocks & relax. There was an odd smell of rotting eggs in the air, which I realized after a moment was from the sulfur compounds that not only give hot springs their many health benefits, but also their characteristic eggy smell.

The hot springs in Santa Barbara

When our bodies felt warm & loose & we were adequately rested, we pulled ourselves out of the water & trekked down the final 1 1/2 miles down the mountain. We were both hungry at this point from our morning’s adventures, so we hopped into the truck & drove 45 minutes to Solvang. 

Walking around Solvang was like stepping into a fairytale. Danish-style homes & windmills lined the streets, & inside each of these structures were local businesses selling items like wooden shoes, sweet candy, & first edition books by Hans Christian Andersen, the pages still intact but yellowed & the covers beginning to peel from the years of storytelling. 

A view on the main street of Solvang

Our first stop was Succulent Cafe for lunch. Joseph finally ordered the burger he had been craving this entire trip, & I ordered the roasted eggplant, which came with fresh bread from a local bakery. The eggplant was served in a rich marinara sauce mixed with olives, capers & roasted mixed vegetables. It was a tad salty for my taste, but still delicious. 

After eating, we decided to stroll around town & do some window shopping. While we did, we passed by multiple wineries (we were, after all, in the heart of wine country). We decided we would be remiss not to buy a local bottle, & we dipped into one store that happened to be in the oldest building in the town. 

Crawford Family Wines is a family-owned winery committed to using only the very best fruits in the country in the making of every bottle of wine. We ordered the tasting with cheese, which came with a flight of five different wines & a container of five different cheeses to pair with each one. The cheese came from the store attached to the winery, Cailloux Cheese Shop, a family-run, European-style shop that sells artisanal cheeses, charcuterie, bread, & accoutrements. The shop is named after the owner’s dog, Cailloux (pebble in French), whose ambitious attitude inspired Janelle, who has a graduate degree in geology, to pursue her passion & open up her own store.

Flight of wine from Crawford Family Wines

I have never enjoyed drinking wine more. All of the wines we tried were smooth, & even the dry reds had bold, fruity flavors. All of the cheeses were so different, from a creamy, soft goat cheese to a hard, smelly yellow cow‘s milk cheese with herbs. Every pairing of cheese & wine was the perfect complement, & after every tasting, we were left speechless & unsure how we would ever choose our favorite. 

We finally settled on a 2014 Pinot Noir from Radian Vineyard. It had a brighter & fruitier flavor than any Pinot Noir I had ever had, & the finish was soft & lingered delicately on the tongue. We bought a bottle for later in our trip & then continued our stroll down the lane.

Before we left, I wanted to try authentic Danish food, so we went to Good Seed Coffee Boutique (because dessert with coffee is always better), & then went to Mortensen’s Danish Bakery for dessert. The pastries were huge! The majority of them stretched longer than my face. I wanted something small, so I chose a lemon petit four, & Joseph ordered a chocolate coffee cookie. I know, it’s they aren’t really danishes, but they came from a danish bakery & I have always wanted to try a petit four, so I let it slide. 

I was glad I made the choice I did because the petit four was delicious. The soft, biscuit like cookie was smeared with a lemon jam & then topped with mousse-like lemon cream. Then the whole dessert was covered in a thin layer of buttercream with a delicate icing flower piped on top. It was dainty & delicious, the perfect sweet bite. 

We left Solvang later than expected, so our next unexpected conundrum was what we should change in our itinerary. Our initial plan was to drive the scenic route to Bixby Bridge, then go to Carmel-by-the-Sea for dinner, & then drive the 17-mile-drive to our Airbnb. However, by now, it would be far too dark to see any of the views on our final drive. So, since we were still full from eating our way through Solvang, we decided to do both scenic drives first & then have a late dinner.

Our view at Bixby Bridge

The route was breathtakingly gorgeous. All along our drive we looked over rocky cliffs to the restless sea below. The drive took longer than expected, & we arrived at Bixby Bridge just as the sun was setting. The light was perfect to snap a few photos & capture the scenic moment, & then to just stand together & soak in the view. Green mountains behind us, a rocky valley to our left, & a steep drop to the golden beach below with waves crashing to the shore in the dim light – despite the cold from elevation & ocean wind, we simply could not tear our eyes away. It was only when the sun was completely hidden by clouds that we finally returned to our truck. 

Now, it was time for another itinerary change. Luckily, tomorrow was the only day we had planned to sleep in, which meant we technically had time to get up early & still drive to see the views on the 17-mile-drive in the early morning light. We decided to sacrifice rest for the experience tomorrow morning, & for the moment, the most important thing was to get some food in our stomachs. 

We drove to Carmel-by-the-Sea, a bustling town despite the late hour & the chill in the air. The weather was reminiscent of fall. We both changed out of our summer clothes & put on sweaters & pants instead, & then headed into the romantic streets lit by street lamps & globe lights. 

We decided to go to the TreeHouse Cafe for dinner. The wait was long, but we requested to sit at the bar, which got us seated immediately. While talking to the server & bartender, we mentioned we were on our honeymoon, & the next thing I knew, they were offering us a table out on the rooftop, surrounded by twinkle lights that looked like stars. 

Joseph & me at our table at TreeHouse Cafe

For a starter, we ordered Greek Dolmas, a vegetarian dish made of stuffed grape leaves & served with tangy & creamy tzatziki. And for dinner, we split the seafood paella, a warm, comforting rice dish full of shrimp, chicken, sausage, clams, mussels & roasted vegetables.

When we told the server we were ready for our check, he told us not to hurry away, & a moment later, the manager brought us a chocolate cheesecake with raspberry sauce & whipped cream. Stuffed from our dinner but much to enticed to refuse, we both nearly finished off the cake together. Layers of moist chocolate cake & creamy, fudge cheesecake, balanced by the sour raspberry flavor & the creamy & cool whipped cream was the perfect, sweet ending to a delicious meal. 

By now, the shops were closed, so Joseph & I walked the main street, taking in the ambience & staying close to one another to keep warm. We arrived shortly at our truck & then, after a long day, finally began the drive to our Airbnb. 

All throughout the day, things didn’t go as planned, but they turned out so much better than we expected. We missed out on the Channel Islands hike that promised amazing views, but instead, we got to gaze out on all of Santa Barbara from the top of a mountain & soak in hot springs! Our stop in Solvang was longer than expected, although definitely worth it. Because of our extended stay, we missed driving the 17-mile-drive, but being late meant we arrived at Bixby Bridge right at twilight & got probably the best view of the day, & we are looking forward to the views we will get on our drive tomorrow morning. The restaurant we chose was crowded, so we settled for sitting in the bar, & then a nonchalant conversation turned into us getting the best seats in the house & a delicious dessert. 

Life is full of sweet surprises. We just have to remember that when life throws us an unexpected turn of events, it might be to turn us into an even better direction. 

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Honeymoon West Coast road trip: Los Angeles (Day 4)

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Me with Queen’s Hollywood Star on the Walk of Fame

You know it’s going to be a good day when you wake up before your alarm clock because you’re just that excited to get started. 

Today was the first official day of Joseph’s & my road trip adventure. Up until this point, we had spent our honeymoon relaxing & exploring San Diego, but today, we went to Enterprise & rented a car for the first time in our relationship to begin the trek north to Seattle.

And we didn’t get just any car. I waited on the bench outside with our many bags while Joseph went inside to get our ride. Twenty minutes later, he rolled up in a white 2021 Ram 1500 Classic, blaring Danger Zone by Kenny Loggins. We loaded up our bags & hit the road, ready to officially begin our adventure.

Our new ride – a 2021 Ram 1500 Classic!

Our first stop was Griffith Park to hike the Brush Canyon Trail. The weather was cool at the beginning, so I made the mistake of not putting on sunscreen, & very soon regretted it. The trail wound up the side of a mountain littered with cacti, which provided little shade from the hot sun that baked on our heads from above & reflected up on our faces from the orange dirt beneath our feet. Despite this, we still had a wonderful time taking in the views on our trek up. On the way, we passed by a sign written by pebbles that read “Have a Nice Day,” which made us smile & gave us a little lift to carry us up to the top.

The view from the top of the mount was scenic, yet somewhat disappointing. I was under the impression that we would be hiking to the Hollywood Sign, but somehow, we ended up on the mountain beside it. The trail offered excellent views of the iconic spot, & looking back, that was probably better for pictures than standing right next to the letters, but I still felt a little wave of disappointment, standing exhausted & sunburnt at the top of the wrong mountain. 

Joseph & me hiking on the Brush Canyon Trail

On our way back down, we met up with a man named Larry who was creating another sign that said “Have a Nice Day” out of sticks on the side of the trail. After a short conversation, we learned that Larry created a number of these signs all along the trails in the park, & he comes back almost daily to repair them for the hikers that pass by them every day. Larry was inspired by a hike he was on years ago where someone had lined the entire trail with sticks – the ambience it created added to the hiking experience, & Larry wanted to do that for the trails at Griffith Park. He started by lining the portions of trails with large rocks & boulders, & then he started creating arches out of sticks. His latest project has been creating these signs, & he finds joy in the smiles it brings to travelers’ faces.

Larry took our photo & wished us a happy honeymoon, & then we were on our way, smiles once again on our faces, just as he had intended.

Joseph & me with one of Larry’s “Have a Nice Day” signs in Griffith Park

Our next stop was Hollywood Boulevard. We ate a quick lunch at the truck & then drove into the city of Los Angeles. We had a two-hour time limit on our parking, which I was worried wouldn’t be enough time, but as it turns out, Hollywood Boulevard is not as exciting as I thought it would be, & we returned with time to spare. As we approached the boulevard, we walked along dirty & graffitied streets that already gave me a nervous feeling. 

“This isn’t quite what I expected,” I said to Joseph.

“Yeah, it’s just…a city,” Joseph said. 

“I hope Hollywood Boulevard is better, but it’s not looking good.”

My hopeless prediction proved true when we arrived at the famous road. Lined with cheap tourist shops filled with plastic Oscars statues, crowded with people walking blindly past groups of homeless city residents sitting on the sidewalk, the stench of weed hanging in the air, & with bright, flashing globe lights on the fronts of theaters that, instead of adding an affluence to the walk, just seemed to add to the facade of the entire attraction. The only enjoyment we had was reading every name on the Hollywood stars beneath our feet, excitedly calling them out when we recognized one. We took the required touristy shots of us sitting & kneeling beside the stars we liked best, grabbed some delicious coffee at Tiago Coffee Bar & Kitchen, a brightly colored cafe committed to cultivating a welcoming community for artists & the LGBTQ+ community. We then walked back to the car & began our drive to Santa Barbara. 

Joseph & me with Etta James’ Hollywood Star on the Walk of Fame. I walked down the aisle to the song At Last by Etta James.

On the way, we decided to detour from our route to drive along the coast of Malibu. The waves were even bigger than the ones in San Diego. They lazily approached the shore, growing as they rolled like ice cream being scooped out of the container, before finally crashing against the sand. We admired the scenery as we drove, growing hungrier by the second but never regretting the longer drive.

For our Airbnb, we reserved a private room in a small home in Santa Barbara. We stuffed ourselves with leftovers & finally showered after a long, hot day in the sun, & then we crashed on the comfy bed & armchair in our room, exhausted from our day. 

Our first day back on the road was tiring but exhilarating. It feels so good to be traveling again. I feel a little out of practice from our year-long hiatus – the long hours spent in the car,  challenging hikes, & restless sleep takes a toll, but I know my body will adjust quickly to the new demands as it did before. Being able to travel & see this beautiful world is a true gift & blessing, & I plan on soaking up every minute of it.

But I don’t just want that mentality while traveling. That is the souvenir most important to take home with me. Every day has new experiences to be enjoyed, inspiring people to meet, & hidden blessings around every corner. We just have to keep our eyes open & appreciate every moment. We have to remember to stay focused on the positives & to embrace every new opportunity. And when surprising detours & trials come our way, our challenge is to simply appreciate them as part of our unique journey.

I guess I’m trying to say, as our new friend Larry put it much more simply, today, & every day, I hope you have a nice day. 

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Honeymoon West Coast road trip: San Diego (Days 1-3)

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Joseph & me on Mission Beach, San Diego

After over a year, we are finally back on the road!

Because of busy work schedules & the COVID-19 pandemic, Joseph & I spent the last year mostly in our homes, waiting for the opportune time to resume our travels. When it came time to plan our honeymoon, it didn’t seem there was any question in what we would do. Now given the opportunity to splurge a little, we decided to book a flight to one of the distant states that would be most difficult to cross off of our 50-state bucket list. To make the most of it, we planned a two-week road trip to knock three west coast states off of our list: California, Oregon & Washington. 

Joseph & I awoke far too early Monday morning, less than two full days after we tied the knot. A two-week road trip & a DIY wedding both require a lot of forethought & planning, which meant we were up late Sunday night packing our bags & making sure we had everything we needed. Around 10:30 that night, I finally crashed & took myself to bed, & Joseph joined me an hour & a half later, meaning when we awoke, I had gained a mere three hours of sleep, & Joseph had just half of that. Despite this, our excitement pulled us out of bed & tackling our first to-do’s.

I absolutely hate flying. I’m not as afraid of it as I used to be, but I just find it immensely uncomfortable. I’m not the type of person who can sit in one place for very long, so sitting for hours on end in an uncomfortable chair flying in the sky is not my idea of a luxury vacation. To get all of my jitters out, I went for a short three-mile run our street-lamp lit neighborhood. Meanwhile, Joseph drove to a nearby Wawa to buy coffee & breakfast for our awesome best man & brother, Jon, who was getting up far too early after a very busy weekend to drive us to the airport. 

Checking our bags & security went smoothly. I haven’t flown much in my life, but, thankfully, I remembered everything I needed from my family trip to Arizona last year & I was able to guide us through our first checkpoints. Joseph ordered some Chick-fil-A for breakfast, & we sat together, butterflies in our stomach, waiting to board our flight. 

The sunrise view from our airplane window

Our first flight was four-and-a-half hours long. For the first hour, we tried in vain to get some sleep. When that proved fruitless, I got out my computer to enter our road trip itinerary into my calendar, & to open a new document & write down absolutely everything I remembered from our wedding day. Joseph pulled out his laptop as well to sort through hours of precious footage from our the same day. We had not payed for a videographer; instead, we had asked members of our wedding party & family to capture videos from our day to compile our own vlog (stay tuned for that!). Everyone we asked went above & beyond what we ever expected or even dreamed of, & I was brought to tears multiple times peering over Joseph’s shoulder at the screen. 

We had a two-and-a-half hour layover in Phoenix, where we got some brunch. With the time change & how early we woke up, we were both bleary-eyed, exhausted & very hungry at what was now 8:00 in the morning. To eat what we both figured would be our final healthy meal of the trip, we ordered some salads from Panera Bread & sat down next to some fellow travelers, one of whom now lived in Phoenix after traveling for years in her camper! Traveling full-time is something that comes up frequently in Joseph’s & my conversations, but for now, I think we are content just making it a regular part of our life together while continuing to live close to family & pursuing our respective careers. 

Our second flight was just a little over an hour. We sat down next to a woman named Melissa, who was traveling home from sending one of her daughters to college & watching the other daughter get engaged! We spent a good portion of the flight chatting about weddings & things to do in San Diego. She recommended to us a restaurant in Old Town San Diego called Casa de Reyes for some authentic Mexican food, which we immediately added to our notes, & she also gave us the name of a biking trail off of the boardwalk that sounded like fun.  

We finally arrived in sunny San Diego in the early afternoon. We stepped out into the warm, summer air with excited smiles on our faces. We called for an Uber to take us to an Airbnb, a cozy loft apartment over our host’s home that featured a balcony overlooking a neatly manicured yard with a thick palm tree growing up through the center.

Me on Mission Beach, San Diego

We changed into our bathing suits & headed first to Mission Beach. Our first look at the West Coast was exhilarating. The ocean waves crashed deafeningly against the sand, sending a wind up to the boardwalk that blew back our hair & clothes. 

The one thing we didn’t expect was how chilly the beach & water would be. I knew the California coast would be cooler than Maryland, but the water was absolutely freezing. Coupling that with the cooler, low-humidity California air made for a much chillier beach experience than I was expecting. We both ran into the waves to at least be able to say that we plunged into the Pacific Ocean, & then we decided to walk along the boardwalk instead. 

For dinner, we had reservations at Bandar Restaurant in the Gaslamp Quarter, a Persian restaurant that we found excellent reviews for online. Globe lights hung from the awning, while dim light filled the dining room. Since it was our first fancy night out of our honeymoon, we ordered a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon to enjoy with our meal. For starters, we ordered the best spanakopita I have ever tasted (salty, creamy & with a perfectly balanced herby, spinach & feta flavor) & a basil pesto hummus with thin, crispy, pita bread squares. For dinner, Joseph ordered Barg, a marinated & charbroiled filet mignon served with basmati & saffron rice, & I ordered the Wild King Salmon, which was also charbroiled  & seasoned with garlic, lemon & saffron & served with grilled vegetables. Both dishes were good, but I wish we had shared. It was so much food – I would have preferred smaller dishes with more variety of flavors rather than the large slab of meat. But it was still delicious & gave us lots of leftovers.

Joseph at Bandar Restaurant. We ordered spanakopita & pesto hummus with pita bread for our appetizers.

We headed back to our Airbnb & finally crashed in bed around 11:00. We had been awake for a full 24 hours after only a few hours rest & were desperately in need for a good night’s sleep.

Despite the lack of rest, we still woke up at a decent time Tuesday morning feeling ready to explore. We headed first to Mission Beach, where we rented bikes & explored the trail Melissa had recommended. We ended up biking about 13 miles, & although it was tiring, we had a blast. The water was gorgeous, & our trail led us around the entirety of Mission Bay & through the streets of busy San Diego.

Me biking on the boardwalk at Mission Beach

Famished from our long ride, we headed to Old Town San Diego for lunch. Again, per Melissa’s suggestion, we went to Casa de Reyes, & we were not disappointed. For a starter, we had chips with homemade salsa & fresh guacamole topped with chopped tomatoes & queso fresco. Within seconds of our starter being served, our main dish was also brought to our table on large warm plates. I ordered ‘Armadillo’ shrimp, which were bacon wrapped shrimp stuffed with crab & pepperjack cheese & drizzled with a creamy & spicy chipotle aioli. On the side was black beans with cheese & a zesty & fresh-tasting corn salad. Joseph ordered Mar y Tierra, which included the ‘Armadillo’ shrimp as well as succulent grilled skirt steak, frijoles puercos served in a corn tortilla, ensalada de nopales, guacamole, & pico de gallo served with warm flour tortillas. I have never had more delicious Mexican food. It was the perfect balance of salt, spice, & subtle sweetness that delighted our taste buds. To drink, Joseph ordered an El Rey Mojito made with Matusalem rum & agave nectar instead of sugar, & I ordered a specialty margarita called La Riviera Maya, which was a refreshing yet sweet blend of Frida Kahlo blanco tequila, Matusalem rum, coconut, strawberry, & pineapple juice.

Fresh guacamole served at Casa de Reyes

Stuffed from lunch, we decided to stroll around the town. Surrounding the restaurant were a number of small shops filled with items shipped from Mexico or made by local artisans. We stumbled into a vegan chocolate shop, & despite still being full, we couldn’t help ourselves from ordering a small truffle each & a hot latte. Nibble Chocolate is a healthy chocolate store that makes its candy with just two ingredients: fresh cacao & sugar. There is no added milk or additives for preservation or added creaminess. Despite this, it is some of the creamiest, most delicious chocolate I have ever tasted. I ordered a lemon truffle, which had just the perfect amount of fresh lemon flavor to not be overbearing but to add just a touch of acid to the normally sweet treat. Joseph ordered a coffee truffle, & we both ordered lattes to go. 

We continued walking into the nearby state park, where we visited Cousin’s Candy Shop to buy some freshly pulled salt water taffy for later (Joseph had never tried salt water taffy before!), & then continued window shopping until we were ready to go back to the Airbnb. We walked over a mile to a nearby grocery store to pick up some essentials for our upcoming road trip, & then took an Uber back to our Airbnb to rest after another long day. 

For our third & final day in San Diego, we woke up early & headed to Balboa Park, where we hiked the Florida Canyon Trail. I have never seen succulents so big! They were just as large as the cacti we passed. I wish the ones in my pots at home grew to that size. 

A cacti growing on the Florida Canyon Trail in Balboa Park, San Diego

After completing the short trek, it was time to visit one of the spots I was most looking forward to – the San Diego Zoo. I love animals, & I bought us tickets to the zoo months ago. As always, the elephants were my favorite, & we spent a large chunk of our time watching them walk around & eat. I got a little sad when I saw the polar bears in the summer heat, but a quick search online assured me that they are comfortable in the San Diego climate. The San Diego Zoo is committed to animal care & conservation of endangered species around the world, which is why I felt at ease visiting. As Joseph & I walked around, it was apparent that the zoo had made large efforts to keep the animals as comfortable & content as possible. Every section of the zoo was like walking into a new habitat, & all of the different animal homes were spacious, some of which even extending over top of the trail & into large rooms we had to carefully enter to not let them escape by accident.

The entrance to the San Diego Zoo

We ate a semi-satisfactory meal at the Treetop Cafe (the food was good, but over-priced, as zoo food tends to be), & then we headed back into Balboa Park to explore. We went into the Spanish Village Art Center, where a number of local artisans had created shops filled with detailed paintings, delicate pottery, life-size statues, & more. We stopped by Daniel’s Coffee for some refreshments, & then walked around Balboa Park, stopping to stroll around the botanical gardens, admired the architecture, & listen to musicians.

As the afternoon waned, we called an Uber & headed to the Gaslamp Quarter, where we perused the shops until it was time for our reservation at The Lion’s Share. We had made the reservation when we saw that the restaurant offered charcuterie, the meal we served at our wedding. Because we ate very little at our reception, we wanted to have the chance to eat this delicious dish again. We sat down at our table & were surprised when our server brought us two glasses of champagne to toast our nuptials. We ordered the charcuterie, a starter on the menu, & enjoyed it with our sparkling wine. The charcuterie board changes daily at The Lion’s Share to feature whatever is most fresh – on this day, it had goat cheese, honey, strawberry compote, pickled mushrooms & cauliflower, whole-grain mustard, imported meats from Italy, & even more mouth-watering foods to create endless delicious combinations. 

We were still hungry after finishing, so we ordered Duck in a Hole (another starter) & the Seared Scallops to share for an entreé. To drink, I ordered the Treehouse Realtor, a fruity mix of tequila, Campari, passionfruit, lime & soda, & Joseph ordered the St. Elizabeth Sexy Party, a much more bitter drink made with bourbon, cinnamon, chocolate bitters, & allspice dram. The Duck in a Hole could easily be my new favorite brunch dip. The runny egg yolk was tamed with creamy gravy & the savory duck, while the herb salad on the side gave a touch of earthiness. We sopped up the leftovers with the thick, perfectly buttered & toasted slice of bread. The seared scallops were served over a bed of soft couscous with a pool of creamy garlic sauce, & the result was a dreamy combination of saltiness & tang that was balanced by the delicate starchy flavor of the couscous. We cleared our plates &, despite our stomachs being full, still stared longingly at the menu, wanting to try more.

Duck in a Hole, served at The Lion’s Share

We took an Uber home & spent the evening organizing & re-packing our bags for the adventure ahead. Tomorrow, we will be renting a truck & heading to Los Angeles to officially begin the road trip portion of our honeymoon.

It feels so good to be back on the road. After over a year-long hiatus, Joseph & I both immediately feel back at home. Traveling is one of the things we do best together. Working together & exploring new cultures & experiences brings us closer, making it the perfect activity to do for our honeymoon. It’s ironic to me that we began our travels together just after the proposal, & now here we are, resuming our travels just after our wedding. I simply cannot thank enough all of the people who have supported us & helped to get us to this moment. We would not be who we are without you. 

Now, let’s go on another (long-awaited) adventure together.

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Washington DC: The day trip we “forgot” to mention

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Me at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

It was a hot day in August when Joseph and I decided to visit our nation’s capitol.

I spent a day planning our itinerary, & then we left early on a Tuesday in Joseph’s black Mazda. As we drove into the city, the tall buildings I was expecting greeted us first, but then, lush, green trees surrounded our car.

Our first stop was the Smithsonian Zoo. To avoid zoo parking costs, we drove to Porter St. NW, thanks to a tip online. However, upon arriving, we found that there was only two hour parking available, which would not be long enough for us to explore the zoo. So instead, we drove around for a few minutes, and we luckily stumbled along free residential parking just a couple blocks away from the zoo. We ate a quick breakfast at the car and then walked the busy DC morning streets to our destination.

We strolled down the brick-laden streets that wound around the animal exhibits, peering in with bated breath and repeatedly turning away, disappointed. The animals were nowhere to be found. 

The air was already growing humid and sweat was brimming on our foreheads in the August morning air as we approached the elephant exhibit.

“What if the elephants are hiding, too?“ Joseph asked. I looked back at him, dread washing over me.

“I don’t want to think about it,” I said. Elephants are my favorite animal.

Luckily, the elephants were not hiding away like the other animals. They lumbered around their pen, grazing and enjoying the warm sun. I gazed at the majestic creatures with the same wonder I always do, looking deep into their amber eyes and seeing the same wisdom and beauty that always encapsulates me.

The Elephant Trails Exhibit at the Smithsonian Zoo

Once I had finally had my fill, we explored the rest of the zoo with much more success. The animals had finally come out. We laughed while we watched the otters play and gazed, fascinated, at the stately cats panting in the hot sun. 

Just before leaving the zoo, Joseph dragged me into the Great Ape House, my least favorite place in the zoo. I have been terrified of monkeys since I was a little girl, and that fear has not subsided in the slightest over the years. I watched in terror as the orangutans swung from branch to branch and the angry gorilla charged the glass.

I don’t think we lasted more than two minutes in that exhibit, but that was plenty of time for me. I would have rather spent more time with the elephants.

We were both famished by the time we left the zoo. While Joseph went to get our car, I stopped by Starbucks to get us two large iced lattes and our special mug that we get from every trip we take. We are currently trying to visit all 50 states, and from each one, we get a Starbucks mug from the “Been There” series. It’s our special little souvenir that represents where we have been, as well as our coffee addiction.

We drove to the National Mall, which proved to be an even trickier place to find parking. When we finally did find a spot, we were both growing hangrier by the minute. We walked to a nearby patch of grass and immediately began picnicking. We both felt much better with food in our stomachs, sipping ice cold coffee. 

Joseph & me at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial

By now, sweat was pouring down our backs. My hair was unkempt, and we were both itchy from the grass. It was quite tempting to jump into the glistening water beside us, or to turn home to take a blissfully cold shower. But after traveling in a car around the state of Colorado for nearly two weeks, we are no strangers to discomfort during our adventures, and we always try to make the most of it. So, as planned, we walked around the entire loop of the National Mall. Good conversation and the incredible statues kept us occupied. 

When we stepped into the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, followed shortly by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, I couldn’t help but reflect on the current events rocking our country. The Black Lives Matter protests were still at their height. Anger had painted our country into two distinct colors of red and blue. The election was still a couple months away, but already I felt the divisiveness and fear in the hearts of my fellow Americans. 

Our walk took much longer than expected – hours later, we were ready for dinner. We drove to Georgetown, or rather, what we thought was Georgetown, and then drove an additional 45 minutes searching desperately for parking. When we finally found a small spot on a beaten down road, we discovered to our dismay that we were on the wrong side of the city. We were on the right street, but our actual destination was a seven minute drive away. It doesn’t sound like much, but it was not a walkable distance, and it meant we would have to search for parking again.

Me at the Washington Monument

We were exhausted but liberated when we drove into Georgetown and found it was the main street feel we had been searching for. The tall, ornate buildings had been replaced by small, locally-owned shops and restaurants. Luckily, we found parking within a few minutes, and then we searched for the restaurant we wanted to visit. We settled on an American cuisine (I mean, we were visiting the American capitol, after all); we dined at Clydes, a family-owned restaurant that believes in using local and sustainable ingredients in their cooking. The atmosphere was classy, but no doubt American. We sat down at a leather booth, surrounded by ornate woodwork, and listening to 80s rock music playing softly in the background. 

Joseph ordered a burger and some of the best French fries I have ever tasted in my life. I got a salad with grilled salmon. Neither of us were disappointed. The meat and seafood were cooked to a succulent perfection, seasoned so astutely we both couldn’t stop eating. 

We ended our meals satisfied and ready to return home after a long day. On our walk back to the car, we perused a few shops, but we were both too tired to take our time. 

When we arrived home, we each took long, cool showers and then crashed into our beds, ready for a long night’s rest. Visiting our nation’s capitol had been an exciting trip, one we would not soon forget. 

We didn’t tell this story right away, though. Life seemed to only grow crazier, both in our personal lives and in our nation. I was working way too many hours to also be regularly posting on a blog. However, every time I received a free moment and thought about posting this story, I thought it might seem tactless to describe a blissful day in our nation’s capitol with all of the tumultuous events occurring at that very place.

And then, the events of January 6 occurred, when fellow Americans stormed the U.S. Capitol building with guns and bombs, disrupting the peaceful transition of power our country has respected for hundreds of years. It was shocking to watch the videos, just as it was shocking to watch the violence take place during the Black Lives Matter protests last summer. And both times, I realized I sat safe at home while others were hurt. I sat at home while my brothers and sisters were killed. It made me sick to my stomach. 

Me outside the Smithsonian Zoo

So, why am I posting this story now? The timing is no better than it was before. Well, all I can say is, it was a beautiful day, in our nation’s capitol. Despite it being unbearably hot and an exhausting trip, it was a beautiful day spent in the city our nation depends on every day. 

When I think back to the trip now, I think about the moments I spent gazing up at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. I think about what he fought for, the reason he is remembered in granite and in our hearts today. I wonder what he would think of the divisiveness in our nation now. I wonder what he would say about the protests, the riots, the hurt, and the pain. 

I cannot speak for him, but what I will say is that I think the time has come for us to unify once again. I think it is time to rebuild, and to build it much better this time. I think it is time that we listen to one another instead of yell at one another, that we build each other up instead of tear each other down. I think it’s time for forgiveness, as hard as it may be, and to soften our hardened hearts to the possibility of love and building a better future. 

I don’t think it will be easy. I don’t think it is something I can just write and then it will happen. It’s going to take patience, hard work, and a lot of uncomfortable conversations. I imagine I will have to be in a lot of situations that are far more discomforting that this day in Washington, DC. But I am more than willing, and I hope you are, too. 

Because, as Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” 

Joseph and me just a few minutes away from his house – we made it home just as the sun was setting

There has been a shadow of darkness over our nation, and hate has been spewed for generations. I know standing up against this overwhelming cloud of wickedness and corruption takes courage, but I think it also takes a lot of love. And if I want to be remembered for anything in my life, I want it to be for how I loved. I hope my writing is a part of the dim light shining through, and my intention is that whoever is reading this feels only love from my words. 

Let’s drive out the darkness together, one small step at a time, and let’s love the hate out of this nation, one person at a time. It’s what we all have the power to do. It’s what we were born here with the freedom to do. And as Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “The time always right to do what is right.”

P.S. Watch Joseph’s vlog about this trip on his YouTube channel – & don’t forget to subscribe!

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Travel

How to travel during COVID-19

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Joseph and me during our road trip to Colorado

Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase a product after clicking the associated link, I will earn a small commission off of that purchase.

It seems like the novel coronavirus is not going anywhere soon, so we have all been tasked with finding ways to navigate this “new normal.” For travel enthusiasts, like me, that can be a difficult task considering the amount of risk and restriction associated with travel. Airports are practically a breeding ground for the virus, and every country and state has different mandates about how and when people are allowed to visit. 

It is recommended to stay at home as much as possible unless travel is essential, but sometimes, we all need to step outside of our homes for our own mental health. If that’s you, consider using these tips to keep your travels as safe as possible.

1. Do your research

Research your own state’s laws and the laws of the state or country you are planning to travel to. Know what the restrictions are and what is required of you, such as having an extended quarantine when you arrive at your destination or after you return home. If you can limit your travel to within your own state, that’s even safer, and it can be more realistic if you can’t take the time off to quarantine from your job.

2. Wear a mask

Joseph and me on a main street in Leesburg, Virginia, where we were visiting Joseph’s sister, Jo, and her husband, Dan

Whether your state or the place you are visiting requires it, wear a mask. The most recent research shows that this protects not only the people around you, but yourself as well. Make sure the mask you are wearing is approved by the CDC, and please wear it over your mouth and nose. Both your mouth and nose lead to your respiratory system, so there is absolutely no point in leaving your nose exposed.

3. Go somewhere within driving distance

Joseph and me at Rocky Gap State Park during our road trip through Western Maryland

If you can, avoid international travel or travel to faraway states that requires a plane ride. Airports pose a much larger risk of contracting and spreading the virus than your own vehicle. If you can stay within your own state, even better. But if you want to travel out-of-state, consider the idea of road tripping there. The great part of this is driving to your destination enables you to see more of the scenery and to stop at other places along the way that seem fun or interesting. Make a road trip playlist (or use mine below) to listen to some entertaining tunes along the way. 

4. Keep your hands as clean as possible

Wash your hands frequently, and keep a bottle of hand sanitizer in your car for times when you can’t. Keeping your hands clean dramatically reduces your chance to contracting and spreading the virus. And remember, even when you think your hands are clean, do NOT touch your face!

5. Stay away from other people as much as possible

Me hiking in Aspen, Colorado during Joseph’s and my road trip to Colorado

If you are traveling simply to get out of the house, consider alternatives to hotel stays and popular tourist attractions. Hiking, fishing, and other outdoor activities are great alternatives to walking busy streets. Consider packing your own food or getting takeout rather than dining at a restaurant. And while the weather is still warm, camping can be a more affordable and safer alternative to hotel stays. 

6. Make it worth the trip

Joseph at Dan’s Rock Scenic Overlook during our Western Maryland road trip

Traveling to other places is fun, but it only seems worth it when you really get to experience those places. The good news is that the tourist attractions are often not the best way to achieve this – the best way to experience a place is to go where the locals go. So, again, do your research. Make a list of the places you want to visit and things you want to do that are low-risk, such as visiting national parks, scenic points, local eateries that are offering carry-out, and main streets in small towns.

7. Get tested for COVID-19 when you come home

Whether your state recommends it or not, a safe step you can take at the end of your trip is getting tested for COVID-19 as soon as you return and quarantining until you get the results. Waiting to interact with other people until you know you’re safe can help prevent the spreading of the virus to dozens of people. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, so if you are willing to take the risk of traveling, consider making sure that you are the only one who experiences any potential consequences of that choice. 

Traveling can be a great way to take care of your mental health and get active in your daily life, but during times like this, it should always be done with caution and forethought. Don’t stop living life, but make sure when you do embark on any adventures, you are doing so safely for yourself and others. 

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Pennsylvania day trip

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When the novel coronavirus changed the world in March, it was difficult to imagine what a future would look like. I took my life day by day, watching, observing, and trying to construct some form of comfort and continuity in my life. 

In the five months that have passed since that time, it has still been a struggle to find solace in a world that is rapidly changing around me. I have spent far too much time trying to plan for a future that is still mostly unknown. The few things that have brought me some consolation are the people in my life and the adventures I have taken now that my schedule is oddly free. It was these two things that brought me to Pennsylvania.

Traveling during the coronavirus can be daunting, especially when restrictions are constantly changing. However, after checking the latest travel restrictions this past week, I made plans to visit the state just next door to me where two people I was very excited to see are currently living. 

Since the start of the pandemic, I have not seen any friends in person. Apart from my new fiancé and a few of his family members, I have socially distanced myself from everyone. I have heard it has been suggested to call social distancing “physical distancing” to encourage people to still have social interactions through less conventional means, such as Zoom or FaceTime. Unfortunately, in my case, physical distancing really did become social distancing – text messages went unanswered and video calls became less frequent as people have grown tired of the constant screen time and so little authentic time spent with people. 

Caitlin & me at Stevenson University’s Relay for Life in 2018

So, when Caitlin and Mark agreed to meet for dinner in their town of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, I jumped at the chance to do a little more traveling and see two people I have dearly missed.

Caitlin and I became friends my first year at Stevenson University, and we have been close ever since. She invited me to come with her to Campus Crusade for Christ, an organization on campus focused on helping college students grow in their faith. It was there that I met Mark, who was one of the leaders in the club. The following year, Caitlin and Mark started dating. It was obvious from the beginning of their relationship that the two of them were perfect for one another. This past June, just 10 days after my own engagement, Mark proposed. So, this dinner was not just one to catch up, but to celebrate the life milestone we had all taken very recently. 

Joseph and I woke up early Saturday morning to get a jumpstart on our traveling. It is on our bucket list to visit all 50 states, and this was our chance to cross Pennsylvania off our list. 

In order to officially say we visited a state, there are a couple of things we have agreed we need to do. We have to explore a main street, eat (or drink) at a local restaurant, hike at a national park, and visit a tourist or scenic spot. Once we have done all of these things, we can go to a local Starbucks to buy our “Been There” series mug.

So far this summer, we have visited Colorado, Maryland and Virginia. Suffice it to say, I was very excited to add a fourth mug to our collection that has been growing on my windowsill. 

Our first stop was Gettysburg National Military Park, a place shrouded in American history. The morning was thankfully still cool when we began our relaxed, four-mile hike on the Johnny Reb Trail. The paved path wound through cemeteries and monuments commemorating the lives of fallen soldiers and to tell the story of the Battle of Gettysburg. Stone statues marked the spots where the infantry moved during the fight. According to the National Park Service website, the Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point during the Civil War that helped secure the eventual victory of the Union. Known for being the bloodiest battle of the Civil War, it was this particular battle that inspired President Lincoln’s famous “Gettysburg Address.” 

Our next stop was Starbucks. It was a little early in the day to already be buying our mug, but we knew we wouldn’t check off all our destinations until that night, and since it was now late morning, we were both desperate for coffee. We bought our mug and two lattes, and then we headed to downtown Gettysburg to walk Steinwehr Avenue, our main street of choice for the day.

While we had been hiking, I had seen people dressed in nineteenth-century style clothing. I had assumed these people were tour guides or people doing reenactments at the park. However, as we walked down the street, we saw multiple people dressed in the same garb. Some played the part of their costume, talking as if they had just stepped off the battlefield, while others I caught checking their cell phones that they had hidden away in their petticoats. Either way, their attire alongside the classic architecture and shops filled with historical artifacts created an immersive experience I thoroughly enjoyed. 

After walking around town, we drove to Lancaster. Our dinner reservation was not for a few hours, but we had bought tickets to ride on the Strasburg Railroad, the oldest continuously operating railroad in the country. According to the Strasburg Railroad website, the railroad was founded in 1832 to transport both freight and passengers across Pennsylvania. Neither Joseph nor I had ever ridden on a train before. We excitedly boarded the bright red locomotive and sat across from each other on the bench seats. When the whistle blew and the train chugged out of the station, we stuck our heads out of the windows to feel the wind against our faces and to watch the corn fields whizz past. 

While riding, we were treated to learning a bit of Pennsylvania history, culture and superstition. We were told that it had been this train that had taken Abraham Lincoln and his wife, Mary, to his inauguration in 1861. Unfortunately, a mere four years later, it was also the train that had taken Mary and the body of the deceased president back home. Out our windows, we were able to see Amish farmers working in the fields while we learned from our tour guide about the plain lifestyle. Almost halfway through our trip, the train came to a full stop, and our guide encouraged us to be very quiet so we could hear the ghost whistle of the engine on the Lancaster, Oxford and Southern Railway, which has been out of service since 1918. Our train’s whistle pierced the air, and without a second’s delay, another whistle answered. 

“Is it an echo,” I asked Joseph at the same time he turned to me and posed the same question.

“Did someone ask if it was an echo,” our tour guide asked jovially over the loudspeaker. “I am so disappointed. We pay that farmer 27 dollars a day just to whistle back at us.”  I laughed, unsure if the guide was joking or not. I guess we will never know for sure if it is an echo, another whistle, or if there really is a ghost locomotive riding the rails in Pennsylvania.

We had a little extra time between the end of our ride and dinner, so we headed to downtown Lancaster to walk another main street. As soon as we stepped out of the car, a candy store caught my eye. I ran to it like an excited child while Joseph lagged behind. 

Sweetish Candy is a Swedish candy and hygge shop that sells imported Scandinavian goods, including a plethora of sweets made with wholesome ingredients. Entranced by all the goodies, we bought two bars of Icelandic bitter chocolate made with Icelandic sea salt and bourbon vanilla. After spending so much time roaming around the shop we had very little left to explore the main street, so we headed back to our car to go to dinner. A nearby gas station bathroom served as our spot to get ready, so when we walked into the restaurant, we looked as if we had not been running around in the humid Pennsylvania heat all day.

We met Cait and Mark at Loxley’s, a popular, upscale restaurant in Pennsylvania. To enter, we walked across a bridge that overlooked a manmade pond filled with ginormous lily pads and big, bright orange fish. Our friends, who had arrived a few minutes before us, were seated on the patio outside. We greeted each other with hugs and exclamations of congratulations. As our waiter, Jonah, served us drinks and appetizers, Caitlin and I studied each other’s rings while we all had the chance to share the stories of our proposals and how life and wedding planning has been going since then. Once dinner was served, we turned the conversation to what post-graduation life has been like, to our work lives, and to sharing how general life during a pandemic has affected each of us. The world grew dark around us as we continued talking long after the plates had been cleared and our glasses had emptied, enjoying the experience of finally being able to talk with close friends without a screen placed between us. 

As Cait and I both began to yawn, Joseph and Mark called an end to the evening. We hugged goodbye, promising to visit again soon, and then each returned to our own cars. On the drive home, I felt a sense of peace that I have not yet experienced since the beginning of the pandemic. Life has not returned to normal, and I don’t think it ever will, but the day’s adventures had been a reassurance that this new way of living can still be just as enjoyable and exciting.

Traveling through a place filled with history was a reminder to me of just how much the world has changed and how much it will continue to change throughout my life. Walking around town surrounded by people in bonnets and top hats reminded me that wearing a mask is simply the latest change in fashion, and to be perfectly honest, I would happily choose to wear that than the corsets I saw those other women donning. Like the first gunshot fired during a war, the novel coronavirus changed the world as we know it forever, and we are now in the midst of understanding what this new world will be like. However, in the thick of all this uncertainty, there are two things I now know for sure that have given me hope: First, that life is always changing, so the best way to live life to the fullest is to embrace the new and seek to find ways to still confront and encounter even more novel experiences. And secondly, it will always be the people in my life and the relationships I have built that will bring me comfort in times of elation and struggle, and though it may try, social distancing cannot take that away from me. 

Life is not what it used to be, but hopefully, with a little mindset shift and perhaps a little extra effort, we can make it even better than what we ever envisioned.

P.S. Joseph has launched his vlog! Check out his perspective of today’s events by watching the video below. If you like it, please consider subscribing to his YouTube channel – every follow helps.

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