road trip – Tyler V Layne

Vermont fall road trip: Burlington & Stowe (days 1-2)

October 13, 2022 1 Comment

Me walking beneath a covered bridge in Stowe, VT

“If a year was tucked inside a clock, then autumn would be the magic hour.”
– Victoria Erickson

There is something special about October. The air gets cool & crisp. The leaves fade into vibrant hues of reds, oranges & yellows. There are brightly colored mums & creepily carved faces in pumpkins on every doorstep. It’s nature’s last show of its beauty & color before everything lies dormant in the winter, & it’s always a spectacular finale.

Despite living on the east coast for all of my life, I have never ventured north to see the leaves change. There has always been too much on the calendar, & before I know it, the leaves have already browned & died & the cold winter weather has arrived. This year, I was determined to not let another fall slip by unnoticed. So, shortly after arriving home from our trip to Montana, Joseph & I picked a weekend, booked a few Airbnbs, & began planning the ultimate Vermont road trip.

The drive up to Vermont was long & uneventful. I always underestimate how long it takes to drive along the east coast. The states are so much smaller than their western counterparts, but somehow it seems to take just as long to get across them. It was nearly 8:00 by the time we arrived at the Church Street Marketplace in Burlington. We stretched our stiff limbs & hurried out into the night, eager to get in a little exploring before the day was fully over.

Church Street Marketplace, Burlington, VT

Lucky for us, it seemed the marketplace was just beginning to wake up for a long night of fun. Burlington is a popular college town full of cute shops & mouth-watering restaurants. We were unwilling to wait or spend a fortune on food our first night, so we settled to eat at Petit Bijou Kiosk, a little cart set up across the street from the Parisian restaurant Leunig’s Bistro that featured pastries, coffees, sandwiches, salads & other grab-&-go options. We ordered two sandwiches, which unfortunately were pre-made & cold, & truffle fries with pesto, which were the definite highlight of the meal. Stomachs satisfied after hours of driving, we headed up the lane, dipping into cute shops & admiring the lights that were strung across the trees. Before heading out, we stopped at Lake Champlain Chocolates for some truffles & maple chocolates. It was the perfect pick-me-up for the hour-and-a-half long drive to our Airbnb.

The following day, we headed out early, excited to get a head start on the day’s adventures. Unfortunately, it seemed the weather was not as eager for our visit as we were. We drove nervously underneath the dark, gray skies, hoping the rain would hold off until we finished our hike.

Our first stop was Mount Mansfield, the tallest peak in Vermont. I remarked at the beginning of the hike that this was a “baby mountain” – less than 4,500 feet in elevation. It seemed like nothing compared to the mountains we have seen out west, which sometimes measure over 14,000 feet. However, I neglected to remember that 4,000 feet is no easy task, especially when the rocks are slippery & footholds are scarce. Our boots slipped beneath us as we trekked up the mountain side, climbing precariously up & down rock faces & keeping our eyes determinedly facing up so as not to see the drop below us. We had grossly underestimated the amount of exertion it would take to climb this mountain, & then to also return back down. I had only brought one KIND bar with me, & Joseph had not brought a single thing to eat.

I would like to report that the view was worth the hike. For the first bit of the trek up, it was. We sat on the rocks, hair standing on end from the chill of the cool mountain wind, gazing in awe at the valley below. Technicolor trees of orange, red & yellow covered the landscape. I wanted to sit there for hours, taking in the breathtaking view. I could have happily ended the hike there & felt fully satisfied. In fact, that’s probably what I should have done.

Me enjoying the view from the hike up Mount Mansfield

The rain clouds that had been threatening us all morning blew in as we approached the summit. Soon, we were lost within the cloud, only able to see a few feet in front of us before the landscape was immersed in gray, which is not ideal for traveling close to the edge of a mountain. We stepped carefully, rocks slipping below our feet & falling out of sight. I thanked my past self for one brief moment of wisdom from the beginning of the hike & gratefully pulled on my extra layers to warm my arms, which had grown numb from the cold.

Then, it started to pour. Heavy raindrops attacked us, seeping in through our clothes & chilling our bones underneath. The ground beneath our feet became even more slippery. We looked at each other & couldn’t help but laugh at our luck.

The bright side, if we could even find one in a raging storm, was that the rain did happen to bring out the colors of the leaves around us & make them even more vibrant. With nothing else to do & no way to get down the mountain faster, we accepted our fate & enjoyed the view. Peering through water droplets dripping off the brim of my hat, I soaked in the beautiful view & reminded myself this was what I had come for. We splashed down the mountainside & ran back to our car, & I thanked my past self for one more stroke of brilliance: I had packed a warm change of clothes.

Me at the Mount Mansfield summit gratefully eating a KIND bar

We changed quickly & drove to the Ben & Jerry’s Factory just as the rain was beginning to slow, stopping for some much-needed hot coffees along the way. Earlier in the week, I had attempted to buy tickets for the factory tour, but they had sold out before I was able to book them. For anyone attempting to do the tour, tickets are not released until promptly 11am on Tuesday the week before – not a minute earlier. I had woken up early Tuesday morning to book our tickets & had been dismayed to see they were not yet released. I checked again & again throughout the morning, but still, no available times. At 11am, I was in a meeting for work. When I revisited the site at 11:15am, all the tickets were gone.

Still, if you are unable to book tickets, visiting Ben & Jerry’s is still a fun experience, & the best part is available for factory tour recipients & your average dessert lover: The ice cream shop. We stopped first at the Flavor Graveyard, a small plot of land with fake headstones bearing the names of discontinued flavors of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. We spent a few minutes perusing & laughing at the comical descriptions of each flavor & its unfortunate demise. We then headed down the hill to the Ice Cream Shop. The line was long, but it moved fast, & soon we were seated on the patio, happily licking our ice cream scoops, which happened to be our first source of sustenance that day. I ordered the sweet & tart combo of Lemonade Sorbet & Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream, & Joseph ordered the caffeine-laden Coffee Coffee BuzzBuzzBuzz! & a scoop of the popular Half Baked.

After we had finished our dessert, we headed to Stowe in search of an actual meal. Many restaurants are fully booked on prime fall weekends in Vermont, but we managed to slip in to Harrison’s if we agreed to sit on the covered porch instead of inside the restaurant. We happily obliged – with the offer of warm food, an aptly placed heater just above our table, & a beautiful view of the iconic main street, what more could we ask for? We shared a bottle of the featured wine, a delightfully smooth Pinot Noir. For dinner, we shared the house salad to start. Joseph ordered the Harrison’s Burger, which was made with local beef & served on a crusty brioche bun with local Cabot cheddar cheese, fresh lettuce, tomato & red onion, & a tangy house made sauce. I ordered the sweet potato encrusted salmon, which paired beautifully with the wine & was just what I needed to finally feel warm after a day spent in the chilling rain. The pan seared salmon was topped with a sweet potato & ginger crust & served alongside a vegetable medley drizzled with a sweet & tangy maple balsamic glaze.

After dinner, we spent a few minutes roaming the streets, drinking in the view & walking more times than necessary under the quintessential covered bridges. When it grew too dark to see & the shops closed, we took the remainder of our bottle of wine & headed back to the AirBnb to relax for the evening.

Despite the poor weather, our first day in Vermont did not disappoint. In fact, it truly was everything I had hoped for: Beautiful leaves, tasty local foods, & an oddly homey feel for a place so far from home.

There is something special about Octobers – as the weather grows colder, we stubbornly bundle up in our sweaters & beanies, eager to soak up the last bit of the year before the weather grows too cold. We sip cider & pumpkin spice lattes & argue pointlessly over which is better. We gather closer & remember, even as the world grows colder & darker, that it still feels warm & cozy when we spend our days together.

And as special as Octobers are anywhere, I must say, there is something extra special about Octobers in Vermont. Standing under the protection of a covered wooden bridge, gazing out at trees with leaves so brightly colored the eyes can barely soak them in, it’s easy to get lost in the magic of Octobers. And that is precisely what I am here to do.

Places mapped by Wanderlog, an itinerary planner on iOS and Android

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Wyoming & Montana road trip: Bozeman (day 11)

September 29, 2022 No Comments

If you had told me on the first day of this trip that I would ever appreciate a night’s rest in a sleeping bag, I would have laughed. All that comes to mind of that first night is tossing & turning my aching body, wishing desperately for something more separating me from the rocky, cold ground beneath. But after 10 long days of hiking, I don’t think I woke up once last night. We slept in, & I awoke blissfully rested & cozy in my sleeping bag, appreciating its warmth & comfort from the cold, mountain air.

Today’s only task was to drive back to Bozeman. The adventure is drawing to a close. After 10 days of climbing mountains, walking main streets & gazing at incredible stars, it is time to return home.

On our way, we stopped by Starbucks, & we were greeted with a fun surprise – the first pumpkin spice latte of the season. Fall is on its way. It’s a time of change, of bittersweet endings & new beginnings. It’s fresh, exciting & something I am actually looking forward to returning home for. As beautiful as the West is, there is no better place to be for fall than the East Coast to see the leaves change.

The drive flew by as we chatted & listened to music. Most of the shops were closed when we arrived in Bozeman, but the restaurants were just beginning to open for dinner. We chose to eat at Plonk, an eclectic restaurant with inventive cocktails & delicious food. I ordered the Indian Paintbrush, a cocktail made with citrus vodka, sour lemon-lime & fresh raspberry purée. Joseph ordered the Whistle Pig Old Fashioned, which was made with Whistle Pig Rye, Whistle Pig Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup, bitters, & a lemon & orange oil. To commemorate our anniversary a few days prior, we ordered the Ploughman’s Platter, a charcuterie board with an array of delicious meats & cheeses. For dinner, I ordered the Grilled Salmon, which was served overtop grilled broccolini & topped with salt roasted beets & tangy horseradish cream. Joseph ordered the g.f.b., a burger made with local beef & topped with smoked cheddar cheese, house-made dill pickles, local greens, fresh tomato, citrus aioli, & spicy chimichurri & served with fried tri-colored fingerling potatoes.

Our stomachs were full, but we couldn’t resist one more taste of local Montana ice cream. We stopped by Sweet Peaks for a scoop each & relaxed as we licked our frozen treats. The sun was still up, but we were too tired to keep exploring. Instead, we drove to our Airbnb to get ready for our flight home the next day. I fell back onto our bed & immediately sunk into the soft mattress with a satisfied groan.

“Oh, wow, you’re not going to believe this,” I said.

“Is it good?” Joseph asked.

“Don’t come to bed until you’re done packing, because you’re not going to get up after you feel this,” I said. I had forgotten just how comfortable a mattress was. Despite being sad to leave this beautiful place, my excitement began to grow just to have the comforts of home once again: A bed, a hot shower, a temperature-controlled environment.

The trip was amazing, & I am sure within a few days, I will be ready for our next adventure. But right now, I’m excited for the next chapter of our lives. I’m excited to be home, to see the people I love & to see what joys this next season will bring. And most of all, I am grateful that no matter where this life takes me, I always have my adventure buddy for life by my side.

Life is meant to be experienced & savored no matter where it takes you. From summiting mountains to long days at the office, every day is a new adventure, & I will always be grateful that I am one of the lucky souls that gets to experience it.

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Wyoming & Montana road trip: Logan Pass & Avalanche Lake (day 8)

September 26, 2022 No Comments

Joseph & me taking photos on the Going-to-the-Sun Road

The mountains are calling & I must go.
John Muir

We have finally made it to the mountains!

Joseph & I awoke at 4:30am for our first day in Glacier National Park. If you plan on driving your own car through Glacier, early wake up times are a must. The parking at Logan Pass at the top of the Going-to-the-Sun Road fills up fast, & besides this lot, there is very little parking to the trails in this area of the park. We drove the 15 minutes to Glacier & then sat in the line of cars waiting to get in when the gates open at 6am.

The mist was heavy as we drove our car into the park. As we passed through the tall pine trees that surrounded either side of the road, we gazed up in wonder at the tall shadows that loomed ahead of us, only to realize a moment later they were mountains.

The drive up Logan Pass can be nerve wracking. There is a short barrier separating your car from the drop below, but as you wind higher up into the mountains, you begin to realize that barrier can probably do very little to impede a speeding car. The views, however, are worth it. It was like stepping into a fantasy world. Forested mountains stretched on as far as we could see, basking in the early morning light. Every so often, waterfalls would tumble down the sides of these majestic beasts. Below us, clouds floated between the trees.

When we arrived at Logan Pass at 7:15, the lot was already nearly full. We parked our car, pulled on an extra few layers to fight against the chilly wind, & began our hike to Hidden Lake.

A good part of the hike had been made accessible with a wooden boardwalk that wound over the landscape. The only challenge was the consistent elevation. Every so often, we would stop to catch our breath & look back to watch the sunrise over the mountains behind us. Beside the boardwalk, pink, purple & yellow wildflowers swayed in the wind.

We reached the Hidden Lake overlook & were dismayed to see the remainder of the trail had been blocked off due to bear activity. We learned later a grizzly bear & her cubs had made their home around the lake & were attacking hikers that came too close. However, the view of the lake was still worth it. The harsh wind bit at our exposed faces & hands, & yet, we still stayed rooted to the spot, staring down at the crystalline blue water surrounded by tall, green fir trees. Already, the views in Glacier National Park had stolen the show. Nothing we had seen yet in our trip even came close in comparison to these magnificent views.

Running ahead of schedule because our hike had been cut short, we drove the remainder of the Going-to-the-Sun Road to St. Mary. Just as we were leaving the road, we slowed to a stop behind a line of cars that had ceased driving in the middle of the road. Confused, we peered through our windows, only to spot a black bear right beside the road! He was happily eating leaves from a small tree & paid little attention to us. His black fur looked silky soft, & his snout was nuzzling into the leaves, looking for a good bite. We watched him eat for a few moments before we had to drive on to let the drivers behind us see, but the bear remained a topic of conversation for the rest of the day. He was the first bear I had ever seen, & I understand now why black bears are said to be big teddy bears – he was adorable & looked sweet enough to hug, although I am sure if I had approached him, I would have felt differently.

We stopped at the ranger station in St. Mary to talk over the itinerary in our trip with a park ranger. Many of the trails we had planned to hike had also been closed due to bear activity, & every other trail had high bear warnings, a risk it seemed we would have to take. We adjusted our plans & then returned to our car with a new, very important mission: coffee.

Just a two-minute drive from the ranger station was a coffee shop serving espresso. Joseph & I ran inside, eager for a caffeine fix. I ordered a slice of lemon bread & the largest size of an almond milk latte available. Joseph ordered an americano & a coffee bombolone, an airy, Italian doughnut filled with sweet, espresso cream & topped with chocolate ganache.

After this, we took our time driving back over the Going-to-the-Sun road, stopping at overlooks to marvel at the views. One of our favorite stops was at the Sun Point Overlook, where we hiked a short distance up to a cliff side that overlooked St. Mary Lake. I have never seen water so blue! It truly looked like a photo from a travel brochure, overly saturated & edited to look appealing. But there it was, right in front of our eyes, against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains.

For our afternoon hike, we chose to do Avalanche Lake. The trail had some elevation, but most of the hike was relatively easy. And the ending view was more than worth it. Being up close to that perfect blue water felt like something out of a dream. It was so blue it looked tropical, but surrounded by cozy pine & fir trees. It was something I have never seen before & still cannot believe is real.

As we trekked back, the rain clouds that had been threatening to pour on us all day finally did. We scurried back to our car & decided to head out of the park early. Joseph suggested going out to eat, & because I had been dreading our evening freeze-dried meals all day, I happily accepted.

We chose Backslope Brewing, a brewery just a few minutes outside of Glacier National Park with delicious, inventive food. For an appetizer, we shared the Labneh Plate, a mediterranean-style dish with fresh, creamy labneh cheese, a nutty pistachio mint pesto, salty kalamata olives, & soft, warm pita bread. I had to stop myself from eating the full plate so I could still enjoy our main course. For dinner, Joseph ordered the Fried Chicken Sandwich, which is pickle-brined, served with a tangy house slaw, a creamy aioli, & a spiced tomato glaze. For a side, he ordered the Garlic Parmesan Fries, which are served homestyle & have the perfect level of saltiness that keeps you grabbing for more. I ordered the Sunshine VegBurger, which is a house-made veggie burger served with a creamy aioli, spicy pepper jack cheese, bitter microgreens, a tangy wing sauce, fresh tomato, pickled red onions & pineapple, & a sunny-side up fried egg. Even though our stomachs were full, we couldn’t help but finish every last bite.

Overly satisfied, we returned to our campsite & retired early to bed. We had another early morning awaiting us & a long hike through the mountains to look forward to the next day.

It feels good to be back in the mountains. The fresh air & sweet smell of pine is everywhere. Despite the cold, it feels cozy. There is a special kind of energy that exists in the mountains & calls to explorers & adventurers. It’s serene & yet bursting with life. It feels like home.

The mountains have called, & we are here to answer them.

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Wyoming & Montana road trip: West Yellowstone & Whitefish (day 7)

September 8, 2022 1 Comment

Joseph enjoying ice cream at Sweet P eaks in Whitefish, MT

Road trips are exciting for the views, for the thrill of the adventure & for seeing new places. The part actually spent driving down highways in the car isn’t normally talked about. That was why the seventh day of our trip was not necessarily one I was looking forward to.

Today already had a stressful start. Three-day vehicle reservations to drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park have to be made online at 8am the day ahead of time. There is almost no where in Glacier National Park you can go to without traveling this famous road. I have been stressed about this particular detail of our trip even before we arrived. I like to have everything I can booked ahead of time so we know where we are going & can just relax during our trip. But there was no option to book the reservations earlier, & I knew Yellowstone National Park would not be a great place to try to book – the cell service is spotty & wifi access is practically nonexistent.

So, Joseph & I woke up at 4am, packed up our tent & hopped in our car to drive to West Yellowstone. There, we set ourselves up in Book Peddler & Coffee Cafe for some coffee, breakfast & wifi. Joseph ordered a breakfast burrito & vanilla latte, & I ordered a slice of vegetable quiche & an almond milk latte. The food was delicious & warmed our bones after another long night’s sleep in the cold Wyoming air.

At exactly 8:00, I clicked to book our reservation. There were a few seconds that I waited, eyes wide staring at the circle going around & around on my screen, indicating the page was loading. And then, I breathed a sigh of relief – our reservation had been accepted.

We packed up our things & hopped back in our car, ready to start the six hour drive to Whitefish, Montana.

The morning slowly dragged by into the afternoon. While we drove, we talked, made jokes, listened to music & played “My Cows” (our favorite road trip game & a perfect way to pass the time, especially when passing through lots of farms, as you do in Montana). One of my favorite new things to see in Montana were the “cow crossing” signs that dotted the road. As the drive went on, the jokes became sillier as we tried to stay awake after such an early morning & long trip.

“I like big butts & I cannot lie,” Joseph sang as we drove into Butte, Montana. “Look! They named it butt, & then they were like, ‘eh, we should put an “e” on that.’”

Joseph & I were hungry & tired when we finally pulled into Whitefish. We tried to walk the shops, but it was clear after only a few minutes of exploring that we needed food as soon as possible. We chose to eat at Casey’s, a sports bar that serves burgers, chili & more Montana favorites made with farm-fresh local ingredients.

The Elk Chili at Casey’s in Whitefish, MT

We ordered a cup of the Elk Chili as an appetizer to start, & we scarfed it down as soon as it arrived. As I stated a few days ago, I don’t eat meat often, but the chili was seasoned to perfection & the ground elk was tender & juicy. For dinner, Joseph ordered a Whiskey Cowboy Burger, which was served with a sweet & tangy house whiskey BBQ sauce, gooey havarti cheese, & topped with a crispy, fried onion ring, all on a golden ciabatta bun. I ordered the Summer Greens Salad with a 3 Grain Roasted Pepper Veggie Patty. The salad greens were bitter & earthy, topped with sweet marinated cucumbers, crunchy walnuts, subtly sweet blueberries, salty feta cheese, & a delightfully tangy & sweet huckleberry vinaigrette.

Joseph & I were fully satisfied from our meal but could not resist the temptation to once again indulge in local ice cream. We visited Sweet Peaks, a local ice cream shop that features delicious seasonal flavors, all made with quality ingredients from the Montana mountains. Joseph ordered a waffle cone with espresso & chocolate ice cream, & I ordered a cup with two limited time flavors: Huckleberry Lemonade & River Boat. The Huckleberry Lemonade was a refreshing sorbet made with a sour lemonade & sweet mountain huckleberries – it tasted much like a cross between blueberry & raspberry lemonade. The River Float ice cream was creamy, with chunks of dutch-oven style honey butter cornbread & a fruity, tart swirl of blackberry jam.

My ice cream from Sweet Peaks in Whitefish, MT

The clouds that had been looming above our heads began to release the rain they had been threatening for hours, so Joseph & I returned to our car & drove to our campsite. It was an Airbnb, with cabins & tent sites available, just a 15-minute drive outside of Glacier National Park. We pitched up our tent & then made a fire to sit & relax for the evening as we watched the stars appear.

Despite having little planned for the day other than driving, day seven of our trip had not disappointed. I had enjoyed the hours spent in the car, listening to music & chatting with Joseph. And thanks to our early wake up time, we were able to spend a couple of hours exploring a main street & eating everything we could.

Truthfully, even with the time spent in Whitefish, today still would not have been exciting at all had I not spent it with someone I love. Long, hunger-filled hours in the car can be brutally exhausting. But with Joseph, it was just another day of a very fun vacation. If nothing else, today was a reminder that travel is not about where you go, but who you adventure with.

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Wyoming & Montana road trip: Grand Canyon & West Thumb (day 5)

August 31, 2022 1 Comment

Joseph & me at Point Sublime in the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

It is rather typical of Joseph & I to plan way too much into our trip itineraries. We often find ourselves waking before the sunrise, hiking & exploring all day, & crashing into our beds (or in this case, sleeping bags) long after the sun has gone down.

Today, we woke up at 5am in the hopes of seeing the sunrise in Hayden Valley. It’s a spot in Yellowstone known for great views of wildlife, & we were eager to visit before the crowds gathered.

We took a little longer than expected to get ready, & we found ourselves racing against the clock to get to Hayden Valley on time. If nothing else, we consented we would still be able to capture some beautiful photos in the early morning light.

On our way, we passed by Yellowstone Lake, & we could not help but stop to take in the view. Separating us from the still, silent water was a picturesque wooden fence. On the other side of the water, silhouettes of dark purple mountains stretched up to the blushing pink sky. We sat for a moment, drinking in the view, & then our jaws dropped in amazement. We had stopped at the perfect time. The sun crested over the mountain peaks, burning so bright we could barely look. It rose into the sky, sending a stream of golden light across the water. Joseph & I watched in awe, no longer concerned about our sunrise views in Hayden Valley. This was the perfect place to be.

When we finally did resume our drive, we found Hayden Valley empty of wildlife, so we continued on to our next stop: the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.

Me at Artist Point in the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

I am probably going to regret writing this, but when I visited the real Grand Canyon, I found it somewhat underwhelming. Perhaps it was because I had been literally running through red, orange & brown canyons for days in the unforgiving summer desert heat, or maybe it was because of where I was in the park (I have learned since visiting that there are better views of the Grand Canyon in certain areas of the park, & I was definitely in one of the less stunning ones), but when I had visited, I was somewhat disappointed by the big hole in the ground. I am not sure what I was expecting – something more grand? But all this aside, I was lowering my expectations as we arrived at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, sure that this view would disappoint when compared to the national treasure it was named for.

So, when I did step up to Artist Point, I audibly gasped in awe. The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone is stunning. Bathed in the yellow early morning light, the canyon has an ethereal quality that made it feel like something not of this world. In the distance, a large, rushing waterfall gushed into the valley below, forming a winding river that surged through the valley below. Lush green trees grew along the rocks, filling the yellow & white valley with spots of green.

We hiked to Point Sublime, all the while gazing out at the arresting views of the valley beside us. Sublime Point, in my opinion, was not the best view (Artist Point, which is just an easy, quick walk from the parking lot, was more stunning), but the views all along the hike made the trek worth it.

After hiking, we drove along the North Rim of the Grand Canyon to see some other views before driving to our next stop: West Thumb.

All during the trip, we have seen geysers & hot springs. However, West Thumb had these natural marvels right on the edge of a lake! It felt strange to see this two very different elements collide. Standing on the boardwalk, we had steam rising from hot geysers to our left & a chill breeze coming off the choppy blue water to our right.

After exploring, we sat at a picnic table nearby to eat our lunch. As we ate, we talked about what to do with the rest of our day as we came face to face with an unprecedented event in our many travels together – a free afternoon.

We thought of finding another hike to do, but we had already explored much of the park, & everything else we still wanted to do we had planned for following day. And so, with no plans & nowhere to go, we stopped by the general store to pick up some s’mores fixings for later & then headed for the lake.

The black pebble beach was nearly empty. We tied up our ENO hammocks & gazed out at the rippling water surrounded by tall pine trees & dark blue mountains. We dozed as we swayed, a gentle breeze caressing us. When we grew cold, we laid out on the hot black beach warmed by the sun & watched the ducks swim.

After a few hours of relaxation, we headed back to our campsite to eat dinner. Not long after, storm clouds rolled in, so we escaped to the safety of our tent. Joseph pulled out a deck of UNO! cards, & we stayed up, laughing & having way too much fun playing such a simple game. When we grew tired, we laid back in our sleeping bags & listened to the patter of rain our tent.

Days like today normally don’t happen when Joseph & I are traveling. There is normally so much packed into our itinerary, we don’t even have a moment to think about relaxing. And we enjoy it that way – there is always something new to do or a new place to explore. But today was a rare treat that we both enjoyed, & it reminded us of something even more beautiful – it is not the adventure that makes our travels special, but the time spent in one another’s company.

This map was created with Wanderlog, the best trip planner app on iOS and Android

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Wyoming & Montana road trip: Grand Teton National Park (Day 3)

August 27, 2022 No Comments

When planning our trip to Wyoming & Montana, I honestly thought the Grand Tetons would be the most underwhelming part. Of course, they are “grand,” but I thought Yellowstone & Glacier would easily steal the show. However, our day spent in Grand Teton National Park had some of the most stunning views & amazing hikes I have ever been on.

We wanted to get an early start to our day, so we woke up before dawn in our Airbnb, took what would probably be our last real shower for days, & started the drive to Mormon Row.

The drive took longer than expected, & we unfortunately arrived far too late to take the sunrise photos we wanted. Still, the view was spectacular, & we managed to get a few romantic shots of the iconic barn in front of the row of snow-specked Teton mountains. The view was truly breathtaking. The mountains stretched high, the rocky fortress at the top looming down at us. The land below was quiet – it felt like a sacred space where the view of the mountains should be without any form of distraction.

Joseph taking photos of the Grand Tetons

Our next stop was Kelly, WY, an incorporated town not far from Mormon Row. The population is less than 200, & the town only consists of two businesses – a post office & a cafe. Unfortunately for us, the cafe did not open until noon, so our rumbling tummies had to wait to eat breakfast. We wound our car through the windy roods that led into Grand Teton National Park, eager for our first hike of the day. As we drove, we gazed at the magnificent Teton Mountains while listening to music, the windows rolled down & cool morning air blowing back our hair.

“I can’t think of a more chill moment than right now,” Joseph said as we listened to “Come & Get Your Love” by Redbone at full volume, singing along to the words & letting the moment sink in. We were finally back in the mountains.

Our first stop in Grand Teton National Park was Jenny Lake. We stopped by the camp store for coffee & a breakfast sandwich for Joseph. I ate some fruit & a protein bar we had bought from the grocery store. We packed our lunch at the car & then suited up with our Nathan Hydration Packs & headed to the trails.

The hike around Jenny Lake to Hidden Falls is one of the most beautiful I have ever done. Normally, on a hike, you are hiking through rather mundane scenery to get to the spectacular promised view. But on this hike, there was something to marvel at every step of the way. With the mountains on one side & the serene blue lake on the other, we were constantly turning our heads to gaze out at the view. Along the way, an orange fox ran across the trail only a few yards in front of us, & countless chipmunks & squirrels scurried around our feet.

Hidden Falls was a crowded spot. The majority of visitors had taken the boat across Jenny Lake & then did the short 1/2-mile hike up to the falls. Still, the waterfall was stunning. Cool, clear water cascaded down the rocks to a rushing river that cut through the landscape. Joseph & I stayed a few minutes to watch before finally trekking down towards the ferry.

We had decided to take the boat back to the mainland rather than hike all the way back the way we came. I think I would always like to take a boat back after my hike after today’s experience. The worst part of a hike is always the walk back after seeing the spectacular view, but today, the hike was over within minutes after over an hour of walking to get to our destination, & the trip back to the start was nothing but relaxing. We sat back, feeling the wind & spray from the water on our faces, & we drank in the view of the Tetons from our incredible vantage point.

We ate our lunch in the park, gazing up at the mountains, & then we went to talk to a park ranger at the Visitors’ Center. We had already completed our itinerary for the day & there were still hours left to explore the park. The kind ranger recommended a hike & scenic spot to visit, so we hopped in our car & drove to Jackson Lake.

It was a short, figure-eight shaped hike, but the views were spectacular. The multi-colored pebble beach led to serene, still waters that reflected the mountains like a mirror. On the hike, we were met by a family of birds that ran right up to our feet looking for food.

The afternoon went by faster than expected, & soon we had arrived at our campsite. We put up our tent together & then made our first freeze-dried meals of the trip. I am happy to report that it actually tasted really good! For our first meal, we had Creole-Style Chicken, & it was spicy & full of flavor.

We had a bit of a sweet tooth after our meal, so despite the dark clouds rolling in, we drove to the park’s general store to pick up some dessert. We went back to our campsite to get ready for bed, & we ducked inside our tent for the night just as the rain was beginning to fall. It wasn’t the quintessential night of camping we had wanted, with a crackling fire & star gazing. But lying in our tent, listening to the rain patter on our tent’s canvas walls, I couldn’t think of a more perfect night. It had been a full day of adventuring, & we were both exhausted. Like a lullaby, the rain lulled us into a much-needed night’s rest.

Trip map created with Wanderlog, a trip planner on iOS and Android

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Wyoming & Montana Road Trip: Jackson Hole, WY (Day 2)

August 22, 2022 3 Comments

After a long day of traveling, there is nothing better than a good night’s rest. Joseph & I slept in, appreciating the feeling of sleeping in a comfortable bed. Starting tomorrow & for much of the trip, we will be camping, & there will be very little separating us from the ground beneath.

We left our Airbnb around noon, stomachs grumbling. Our only plan for the day was to visit Jackson Hole, Wyoming, a quaint town right on the edge of Grand Teton National Park. The 45-minute drive to the town led us winding around the sides of mountains with incredible views of the valleys below.

Jackson Hole is an adorable town filled with old western charm. The buildings all have a log cabin feel, & many of the shops carry hiking gear, comfy socks & authentic leather cowboy boots. The park in the center of town square has large archways at each of the corners made from what look to be moose antlers (whether they are real or not, neither Joseph nor I could determine). And despite the busy streets, there is a horse-drawn carriage riding through all day, offering rides for a small fee.

The first objective when arriving at Jackson Hole was coffee & food. We settled on Cowboy Coffee Co. for the amazing reviews, & because it would satisfy both of our cravings in one trip. Joseph ordered a hot americano & a chicken sandwich. I ordered a basil pesto & mozzarella panini & a cold almond milk latte.

The coffee was amazing. Smooth with just a enough bitterness to give you the kick we needed, it was the perfect pick-me-up for our lazy day. And the sandwiches were quite literally the best I have ever had. The perfect crunch of the bread sunk into the gooey mozzarella cheese & a burst of flavor from fresh tomato & roasted red bell pepper, followed by a mellow earthiness from the basil pesto to round out the bite.

After our brunch, Joseph & I decided to explore. We perused the shops to buy souvenirs for loved ones & items we still needed for our trip. I had intentionally planned this lazy day into our itinerary for two reasons – one, we would need the rest after a long day of travel (something I had learned after many trips where I had neglected to plan such a lazy day), & two, we needed time to buy groceries & gear for our many days of camping. We bought freeze-dried meals (something I have never tried & am still nervous about at this moment) & a JetBoil stove to cook them. I also bought some new hiking socks, remembering my one pair from our previous trip was looking rather worn.

After dipping into too many shops that our wallets had no business being inside of, we finally decided it was time for dinner. We always try to taste some local flavors on our trips, so we settled on eating at Liberty Burger to try what was voted one of the best bison burgers in the area. Neither Joseph nor I had every tried bison meat before, & I was actually shocked by how much I liked it. Most of the time, I eat pescatarian or plant-based, but I try to step outside of my comfort zone when we travel. For my conscious palate, Liberty Burger did please me with their promise of cooking only sustainable burgers. Joseph ordered the South of the Burger bison burger & skinny fries. I ordered a Crunch Salad served with a bison burger patty, & I was pleasantly surprised by how satisfied I was from the meal. The greens were fresh, topped with juicy green apples, tart cranberries, sweet nuts, & crunchy homemade croutons. The bison meat was subtly sweet, a difference I noticed immediately from beef, & it actually paired beautifully with the fresh greens & tangy balsamic vinaigrette.

Joseph enjoying his meal at Liberty Burger

A storm was rolling in after dinner, but we couldn’t resist staying in town a bit longer to treat ourselves to some nationally famous ice cream. Moo’s Gourmet Ice Cream is a renowned ice cream shop, known for its local Wild Huckleberry flavor. Joseph ordered a large waffle cone with a scoop each of Belgian Chocolate & Vanilla. I ordered a bowl with a scoop each of Wild Huckleberry & Chocolate Cabernet.

I cannot remember the last time I ate so much ice cream. Halfway through the first extra-large, ice cream-parlor sized scoop, I realized my stomach was in trouble after just eating such a large meal. But it was simply too good to sacrifice a single bite. We licked the edges of our treats like kids & savored the thick & creamy delicacy that melted on our tongue. The Wild Huckleberry ice cream was divine – sweet & tart, the flavor was reminiscent of a tangy mixed berry cobbler with vanilla ice cream scooped on top. The Chocolate Cabernet flavor was the perfect compliment – the rich, luscious chocolate paired beautifully with a subtle cabernet flavor that was reminiscent of cherries but somehow still captured the dry taste of red wine.

Me enjoying my ice cream from Moo’s Gourmet Ice Cream

After our ice cream, we made a quick stop by the grocery store to pick up some food for breakfast, lunch & snacks, & then we headed back to our Airbnb. We tried to go to bed early, knowing we had a full day ahead of us, but still, we found ourselves lying awake, both from having such a relaxed day & from excitement for the activities we planned for tomorrow. Today had been a true vacation, but tomorrow, the real adventure would begin.

Trip map courtesy of Wanderlog, a vacation planner app on iOS and Android

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Wyoming & Montana Road Trip: Flying to Bozeman (Day 1)

August 22, 2022 1 Comment

The view from our flight to Dallas Love Field Airport

When people ask why Joseph & I decided to drop everything & fly out to Bozeman, MT for an 12-day road trip, there are many different responses I have used to explain. The first & most practical – we had flight credits that were going to expire this September, so we had to go somewhere. The most exciting – Joseph offically graduated from Messiah University as a Clinical Mental Health Therapist last week, & we wanted to take the opportunity to celebrate. One of my personal favorites – we are going to commemorate our one-year wedding anniversary. But the truth is, we just couldn’t resist – it had been too long since we had breathed in the fresh mountain air, & we simply couldn’t survive any longer without going out west.

It was an early start to our day of flying. My alarm went off at 1:30am, far earlier than I am accustomed to waking. I dragged myself out of bed, slipped on my running clothes, and went for a very humid jog in the early morning Maryland air. How was it already 75 degrees? The whole run, I kept thinking about how wonderful it would feel to run without humidity in a few days.

Joseph’s good friend, Matthew, picked us up to go to the airport. We drove through the empty streets to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Joseph & Matthew talking in the front seat, me relaxing in the back of the car. When we arrived, we grabbed our luggage, thanked Matthew for driving us, & officially began our adventure.

Our first challenge came from our luggage. When we were packing, we thought only about keeping our luggage under the weight requirement for Southwest to fly free. What we didn’t think about was how heavy 50 pounds actually is, especially when your bags don’t have wheels to roll them. Panting and sweating from the exertion, we trekked the 30 feet into the airport. Luckily, the bags were dropped off quickly, security went smoothly, & soon we were excitedly seated on our plane, waiting to take off into the sky.

During the first flight, we tried & failed to get some rest after what had already seemed like a long morning of traveling. We arrived at Dallas Love Field Airport bleary-eyed & hungry. We ordered some coffee from Starbucks & then went on the hunt for food, finally settling on sandwiches from Jason’s Deli. We then walked through the airport, trying to find something to occupy our time for the four-and-a-half hours we had to wait for our next flight.

The view from our flight to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport

Our second went by faster than the first. We talked with fellow passenger, Joe, who was traveling to Yellowstone National Park with his family. Joe is an accountant who homeschools his three children, & we enjoyed talking to him about he & his family balance homeschooling with their careers, travel & relationships outside the family.

When we arrived at Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, it was clear from the moment we stepped off the plane that we were in Montana. The airport was full of rustic wood & tall windows that gave a beautiful view of the mountain range that surrounded us.

We picked up our rental vehicle & then drove to Chipotle for some much-needed sustenance. On our way out of Bozeman, we stopped by a Safeway to buy champagne to celebrate. We also picked up our Montana Starbucks mug.

On all of our travels, Joseph & I have a list of things we must accomplish in order to earn our souvenir, a Been There Series Starbucks mug. We must walk a main street, hike in a national park, visit a tourist attraction, & eat or drink something local. Normally, we wait until we have completed all of these tasks before picking up our mug, but there has been such a shortage of Starbucks mugs lately that we wanted to make sure to snag our souvenir the moment we saw it, trusting my thoughtfully planned itinerary that we would still check off all that we had to do before the trip was over.

Our final destination for the day was our Airbnb in Driggs, ID, which is only a short distance from the Wyoming state line. On this trip, we will start at the Grand Teton National Park, & then work our way north, hiking in Yellowstone National Park & finishing in Glacier National Park. It’s going to be full of hiking, but today, we were just happy to drink in the sights of Big Sky Country on our drive. The setting sun cast a warm glow on the tall mountains covered in dark green pine & fir trees. We wound up the sides of mountains & drove past fields of cattle & horses. All the while, we listened to music & made silly jokes to keep ourselves awake. By now, we had been awake nearly 24 hours after only three hours of sleep, & the exhaustion was kicking in.

For our Airbnb, we chose a quaint, German-style inn. Our host, Nancy, greeted us at the door & showed us our room. With thick quilts & old paintings & photos of the surrounding areas, the Airbnb has a homey feel, much like visiting grandmother’s house. Joseph poured two glasses of champagne in the disposable water cups at the sink, & we toasted the beginning of our latest adventure & the many, many reasons we have to celebrate this month.

I don’t know yet what this adventure will bring, but after a year since being out west, getting married to the love of my life, & road tripping across the country, I am as grateful & excited as always to be traveling with Joseph by my side.

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Pittsburgh Weekend Trip: Mental health, music & the Monongahela Incline

February 22, 2022 No Comments

The Pittsburgh skyline from Mount Washington

“Hypocritical, egotistical,
Don’t want to be the parenthetical, hypothetical,
Working onto something that I’m proud of, out of the box,
An epoxy to the world & the vision we’ve lost.
I’m an apostrophe.
I’m just a symbol to remind you that there’s more to see.
I’m just a product of the system, a catastrophe,
And yet a masterpiece, & yet I’m half-diseased,
And when I am deceased,
At least I go down to the grave & die happily,
Leave the body & my soul to be a part of thee.
I do what it takes.”
– Imagine Dragons, “Whatever It Takes”

There is something truly special about music. It touches the human soul in a way that words alone never will (a fact I must come to terms with every day given my chosen profession). Music has the power to make us feel any range of emotions, to connect across borders that seem to divide us, & to create movement in moments of life that seem stagnant & still.

For over a decade, my favorite band has been Imagine Dragons. Their lyrics are enchanting poetry, & the breadth of their musical talent has always made me want to turn up my headphones to the loudest setting & listen for hours. Even more than that, though, the authenticity & vulnerability of their music is something I both appreciate & respect. Their music helped me through some of my most difficult years. I grew up with their songs on my Favorites playlist. I started my day with them, & I fell asleep at night listening to their melodies. Their music inspired me to keep moving, to follow my dreams, & to never give up. Most importantly, their words taught & reassured me that, no matter what I was going through in life, I was not alone.

For my birthday, my husband, Joseph, gifted me the bucket list item I had been wanting to cross off for years: Concert tickets to Imagine Dragons. Because the two of us can never resist making a travel opportunity out of any trip, no matter how small, we booked an Airbnb & packed our bags for a weekend in Pittsburgh.

The drive in was a bit treacherous with moments of snow so thick we couldn’t see the cars in front of us. Driving along slowly, we finally broke free of the storm & arrived in sunny but chilly Pittsburgh. We crossed over the bright yellow bridge into the city, looking out over the harbor.

“You know, Pittsburgh is known for their bridges,” I remarked, looking out at the many bridges we could see just from our current point of view.

“Is that true, or are you just saying that because you see bridges,” Joseph asked, to which I laughed.

“It’s true,” I insisted. As it turns out, this is true, but not nearly to the extent that I had been thinking. Pittsburgh has 446 bridges, more than any other city in the entire world! It is actually known as the “City of Bridges,” & these structures connect all different parts of the city that used to be isolated from each other by valleys, creeks & rivers.

Our first stop was our Airbnb. We had booked a private room in a red mansion with high ceilings & chandeliers. In our room, old radiators, an antique sink with two faucets (one for hot water, & the other for cold), a wooden writing desk, & collectible toys & games added to the old-fashioned ambience.

We drove to Point State Park to see the fountain, which, unfortunately, was not currently in use. It was easy to see why – the river that surrounded it was covered in large chunks of ice. The wind off the water was bitterly strong – it stung our faces & cut through our many layers, chilling us to the bone.

Our view from the fountain at Point State Park

We left the park to walk up the nearby streets in search of a spot for dinner. I had wanted to try a famous Pittsburgh pierogi, but all of the shops that sold them were closed or too far away to walk. Instead, we chose Revel, a refined American restaurant that serves hand-crafted cocktails & an array of breakfast, lunch & dinner options. The restaurant was full, but luckily there was one table left for the two of us. For drinks, we ordered the Barrel-Aged Manhattan (for Joseph), a drink that’s normally bitter but here went down smooth & warm, & the Blackberry-Sage Margarita (for me), a sweet drink with a well-balanced sour & earthy punch that went down far too easily. To give a nod to Pennsylvania, we decided to start with the Bavarian Pretzel, which was served warm, sprinkled with flaky rosemary sea salt & served with a ramekin filled with creamy drunken bechamel sauce. For dinner, we shared the Mixed Grill, a dish that allows you to choose your protein & sides to make a unique plate. We chose succulently cooked steak, buttery shrimp, roasted brussels sprouts that were drowned in a balsamic sauce, all served on top of savory, tri-colored fingerling potatoes.

Our seating & restaurant choice led us to a fortuitous encounter with another couple who were also on their way to the concert. We spent our dinner at two separate tables of two that really should have been pushed together to make one table of four – we chatted through appetizers, dinner & drinks, getting to know one another & swapping stories. Lindsey & Joseph connected over their professions in the mental health field. Lindsey & I connected over our love for Imagine Dragons, & Jason & Joseph connected over the fact that they are both such kind partners to gift their significant others tickets to their favorite band.

Near the end of the meal, Jason kindly offered their parking pass to us, saying it was just going to go to waste. He & Lindsey had booked a hotel close to the concert & planned on walking instead. Per his insistence, we accepted graciously. The plan before this was to walk all the way back to our car after the concert, which I was growing more & more anxious about by the second. The walk was going to be 20 minutes on the darkened streets in Pittsburgh in high winds & freezing weather. I was more than willing to trade sitting in concert traffic for 20 minutes in a heated car.

We departed to go to the concert, which was hosted at the PPG Paints Arena. The crowd was enormous! I had not been around this many people since the start of COVID! We bought merchandise to serve as a souvenir, & then found our seats just before the lights began to dim.

The Imagine Dragons Mercury World Tour concert in Pittsburgh

The concert did not just meet my expectations – it greatly exceeded them. Everything was perfect. All of the elements of the concert, including videos, lights, stage movement, & more, worked seamlessly together to tell a story. And it was a story we could all connect with – the pain, struggle, & grief that we experience in life, & yet the beauty that can be found as well. I can’t remember any two hours ever passing faster – I was entranced for the entirety of it, moving with the music, screaming the lyrics with the crowd, & wiping tears that had sprang to my eyes from the beauty of it all.

At the end of the concert, there was no encore. As we were reaching the end, I was wondering if there would be. It seemed they had played every song in their discography, & each one was performed at the level that an encore would be. What Imagine Dragons did was even more perfect. The concert began with the first song of their latest album, Mercury – Act 1, but they left it unfinished & moved on to the next song in their program. At the end of the concert, they picked it up where they left off & ended on the most powerful note of the entire night. It was a story that came full circle, with an ending so beautiful, there was no need for anything more.

It was all we could talk about on the ride home. It was all I could talk about while laying in bed that night. It was all I could dream about all night long. The concert had been cathartic. It had touched my soul in the way only music can. It was as if the songs brought up all of the deepest hurts I had experienced thus far in my life & all the memories I had experienced with this music as my only comfort, but then they wiped the tears from my face & whispered to me that I’m not alone, & it’s all going to be okay.

The following morning, my bliss was brought by an abrupt halt with a blinding pain that brought very different tears to my eyes. In an attempt to avoid the hot radiator in our room, I stubbed my pinky toe on the antique bed post. Eyes squeezed shut, thinking of nothing but pain, I hopped around the room on one foot, holding my other injured foot in my hands.

“Are you okay,” Joseph asked, staring at me with wide eyes. I glanced down at my foot to see the toe had already swelled & turned bright red.

We had a few plans still left in our Pittsburgh itinerary, & I am never one to quit, so I stuffed my injured foot in my hiking boot & insisted I was fine. Limping along behind Joseph, we went to visit the Monongahela Incline, a passenger railway built in 1870 that travels straight up the side of Mount Washington. At the top, we were able to get a fantastic view of the Pittsburgh skyline, complete with a couple bridges stretching across the river.

We stopped for coffee at Grand Brew & then went to Grandview Bakery & Sweet Shop for a small breakfast. I ordered the lemon bar, which was four times the size of the normal dessert. The tender crust was perfectly baked, & the curd was both gooey & tangy – precisely what a lemon bar should be. It was finished with a dusting of powdered sugar like freshly fallen snow. Joseph ordered his first ever eclair, & he was happy to report that it did not disappoint. The pastry cream was creamy & not too sweet, while the dough was so flaky it practically melted on the tongue. The chocolate topping was just enough to taste & add nuance to the dessert, but not so much that it overwhelmed the flavor. And once again, the portion size was enough to fill an entire family, but of course, we couldn’t let the sweet confections go to waste.

After breakfast, we returned to our car to drive to our final destination – Ohiopyle State Park, known for its spectacular waterfall views just an hour outside of the city. Despite my aching injured toe, we hiked the entirety of the three-mile Meadow Run Trail, which features two different waterfalls & natural waterslides. Most likely from the recent snowfall, the water was rushing over the rocks, crashing so loud that it was difficult to hear any conversation. But the result, instead of being chaos, was serenity. Long vines & branches dipped into the water, & where the current had touched the leaves, ice grew, weighing the trees down even farther. Where water normally cascaded off high perches, ice instead reached down towards the river below, sparkling in the sunlight. And all along the bank, stones made smooth by the rushing water were piled up amongst one another, revealing that, if we stand firm & strong, the pressures of life do not break us, but instead, smooth our rough edges & leave us even more peaceful than before.

Joseph enjoying the waterfalls at Ohiopyle State Park

There is so much pain in life. There are so many moments where the world around us seems like chaos, like water rushing past with a current so strong if we dared step in, we would be swept away. Life is plagued with grief & disappointments, & often, it can leave us feeling hopeless & alone.

But so many of these painful aspects of life actually contribute to its beauty. So often, we are focused on the chaos, when at any moment, we could turn & notice the peace that is just a few steps away in another direction. There are so many moments that make us want to scream, but an equal amount that make us sing. The finite nature of life is what makes the temporary moments of beauty so special. And grief itself is love for things that are no longer here with us on earth.

The most important thing to remember when traversing this life is that we are not alone. In the body of people at that concert, as we all sang as one, the lyrics touching all of our hearts, it was clear that we are all hurting, beautiful, complex, & magnificent beings. We are catastrophes & yet masterpieces. We are products of the system, & yet each us is unique in so many ways.

“I’m an apostrophe. I’m just a symbol to remind you that there’s more to see.” If you are struggling, I hope this will be the message you need. I am an apostrophe – so much of who I am seems insignificant in this world, & yet, here you are reading my work. And I want you to know that there is so much more to this life. There is so much beauty & struggle & joy & pain to experience, & you are not alone in any of those things. Your life matters, your presence brings value to the lives of those around you, & your story is not over yet.

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Delaware overnight trip: Rehoboth Beach, hiking & local eateries

October 1, 2021 No Comments

I love our meticulously planned travels, when we know where we are going & where we will be sleeping every night, but there is nothing more exciting than the spontaneity of a road trip.

For months, Joseph & I were planning to go up to New York for a few days for a wedding. However, it was not until a few days ago that we decided to leave a day early & make an impromptu trip to Delaware.

The day before we left, I did a little research to find a few places where we would want to stop. We packed our bags late Monday night, & then on Tuesday, with bathing suits on underneath our clothes, we headed out in our van to Rehoboth Beach.

We were lucky to have gone on one of the last warm days of the season. The ocean was cool but not unbearably so. We played in the waves with youthful exuberance, remembering the carefree days of our childhoods spent jumping through the waves. When the sun disappeared behind the clouds & goosebumps arose on our arms, we retired from our game & laid on the beach, toes dug into the warm sand, to dry off.

In our hurry to leave our home, we had not eaten much, so we decided to walk along the boardwalk to find some food. Our first stop was Thrasher ‘s, a renowned french fry stand. We ordered a small container of fries to share. Immediately upon receiving our food, cawing seagulls began to swoop down over our heads, getting far too close for my comfort. We walked quickly, shielding our fries from their talons, until we were out of their reach. Then we walked while we munched, searching for our next stop among the many shops & restaurants.

Most of the businesses were closed for the season, but we finally settled on Blackwall at the Beach because it served crab cakes, which we both had a hankering for. We ordered the Trident Broiler to share, which came with a fillet of salmon, a large lump meat crab cake, & two small shrimps, served with a zesty roasted corn salsa & a roasted red pepper slice topped with melted Parmesan cheese. The plate had both our mouths watering as soon as it was set before us, & we finished it within minutes. All of the seafood was cooked to perfection, & each part of the dish paired beautifully with the subtly spicy aioli & refreshing basil pesto that were served alongside.

Our stomachs were full, but we thought we would be remiss to leave the boardwalk we both remembered from our childhood without a reminiscent scoop of ice cream. We perused the shops a little longer, dipped into a bookstore to find a few new interesting titles, & then finally settling on Kilwins for our special icy treat.

The locally owned confectionary did not disappoint. I ordered a scoop of the lemon sorbetto, which was thick & creamy, with just the perfect amount of sweet & sour. Joseph ordered a blended scoop of bitter yet sweet cappuccino chip & Kilwins tracks, which was reminiscent of the chocolate-studded favorite, Moose Tracks. We sat on a bench in the fading sunlight to savor our treats before finally heading back to the van.

We bought the van used from my mom months ago with the idea that it would make a great travel vehicle. It’s not yet as decked out in travel comforts as we would like, but it’s still a large enough space for the two of us to fit comfortably to sleep. Joseph found a local beach that allowed overnight parking, & we drove thirty minutes to the serene spot. In the darkness, we walked up to the sand, gazing up in awe of the stars above our head & watching lightning crackling in distance. In the darkness, we couldn’t see the waves, but the sound of the water crashing on the shore was deafening yet pleasant, like listening to a favorite song turned up all the way on headphones.

The only discomfort were the biting flies that would not cease feasting on any exposed skin they could find. When we couldn’t take the nuisances any longer, we returned to the van, moved all of our bags to the front, & laid out our sleeping bag & pillows in the back of the van.

The distant storm had created a humidity in the air that left water dripping down the windows. Our skin sweaty & hot, we debated whether or not to open the windows & invite the flies to join us. Joseph found a way to secure our beach towels overtop open windows, which may have let in a bit of cool air, but mostly the towels just clogged up the gap & left us just as hot as ever. Uncomfortable but exhausted, we both fell into an uneasy sleep.

The night continued to be one of the longest of my life. First & foremost, even with a sleeping bag, the floor of a van does not make a comfortable mattress. Tossing & turning, I felt like I awoke every 20 minutes to reposition my body in an attempt to find a comfortable spot. Meanwhile, the air, which had been unbearably hot to start, chilled as the night went on. By the middle of the night, we had both covered ourselves with blankets & winter jackets to try to stay warm.

When my alarm finally sounded, I awoke feeling tired but resigned to the knowledge that there was no way I was going to get any more rest anyway. We packed up the van & began the bleary-eyed drive to Lums Pond State Park.

The trail was just shy of seven miles around a peaceful, blue lake. The hike had little elevation, so despite the distance, it was not challenging. We spent the time chatting with ease. Most of the hike was the same view of the lake obscured partly by the trees we were trekking through. However, we did finally reach the swamp that the Swamp Forest Trail earned its name from.

When I heard the hike featured a swamp, I was not expecting much, but I was actually pleasantly surprised. The view was stunning. The green water actually looked clean & inviting. Ripples ran along the surface without a sound, blurring the mirrored images of the trees angled overtop its surface. We stood for a moment, soaking in the view before finally turning to walk the few miles back to the van.

The view of the swamp at Lums Pond State Park

For lunch, we decided to go to Market Street in Wilmington, a bustling street with a main-city feel despite being located in the middle of a city. Part of the street had been closed to allow vendors & food trucks to sell their goods. Despite there being a number of restaurants we had heard about, we decided the best taste of local food would be from these brightly colored trucks, so we perused the selection before finally settling on our favorites. Joseph ordered a surf & turf sandwich, a sub roll stuffed with smoked chicken & shrimp smothered in chipotle sauce & sprinkled with bacon, with a side of creamy bacon mac & cheese from a green food truck down the line. Meanwhile, I visited Zaikka, an Indian food truck, & ordered a pita wrap slathered with creamy hummus & topped with lightly fried falafel, lettuce & peppers. We ate at a picnic table, listening to the music blaring from a nearby tent that obliterated any chance for conversation.

The hour was getting late & we still had a long drive to New York, so we decided to find a coffee shop for a little caffeine kick before bidding Delaware farewell. We stopped at Brew HaHa!, a famous Delaware coffee shop serving up some of the best coffee in the state. I never order my coffee with sweetener of any kind, but despite this, the cold latte with almond milk was smooth & light. Brew HaHa! definitely goes on my list of one of the best coffee shops I have been to.

My iced almond milk latte from Brew HaHa!

Our time in Delaware was short, but no less special than all of our travels. In fact, I think the short amount of time, & the amount activities we stuffed into it, made it even more exciting. The lack of sleep, scenic views, & unending search for delicious food & coffee are what road trips are made of. It’s a little taste of adventure in what otherwise would have been a day like any other.

However, I am a strong believer that adventures can be found even in the seemingly mundane moments of life. We are all the writers of our own stories, & we can choose the directions they go, what details we choose to focus on, what plot points & characters we choose to pursue. Any day can become an unexpected adventure if you’re willing to think of it that way, & perhaps venture a little outside of your comfort zone. Perhaps it means doing something spontaneous, like a road trip, or just something uncomfortable, like sleeping on the floor of a van. Or maybe it’s just taking note to & giving a little extra appreciation to the moments you don’t normally pay attention to, like the bittersweet taste of coffee. The morning caffeine run or the new restaurant chosen for after-work drinks can be relished for the little joys they are. Life, & all the moments within it, whether they be full of exciting new adventures or comfortable routines, is meant to be fully noticed, experienced & savored.

Map provided by Wanderlog, a travel planner on iOS and Android

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