Search Results

One of my Favorite Views! I love traveling! That's why I decided to start this travel blog. But I also love PLANNING my trips. I truly enjoy scouring the internet to figure out where to go and then really digging in to make the most of my time in the location I choose to visit. Time spent researching and planning your trip before you go generally makes for a more enjoyable relaxing vacation. This is not to say you shouldn't be flexible and leave time and space in your schedule for unplanned exploring and relaxation. But having a general framework for your getaway from the outset ensures that you have time to fit in all you want to see and do so you can just relax and enjoy! Here are the steps that I generally take when I decide it is time to plan my next trip: DECIDE WHERE TO GO Where to Go? Sometimes this is the hardest part! If you are like me, you have a Travel Bucket List a mile long that gets longer every time you see friends' pictures from their latest adventure, Instagram Travel Accounts or Pinterest posts. My mind flits from one place to the next with anticipation and honestly I can get overwhelmed. To narrow it down, I consider the following: Time of Year. What is the best time to visit some of your top spots? When you are planning to visit correspond to the activities you want to enjoy? Avoid the rainy or hurricane seasons in the warm weather locales. You don't want to spend the whole time hunkered down in your hotel room. Also, if you can, avoid peak tourist season and try to hit the "shoulder season" which is right before and right after the peak season. Not only will it be less crowded, but you may be able to find better deals. Finally, make sure you aren't going to be visiting a location during the slow season or during an important local holiday as places may be closed or have severely restricted hours/services. How Much Time Do You Have? If you only have a few days, choose a smaller location or somewhere close by. You don't want to spend a big chunk of the limited time you have traveling back and forth. If you plan to take a longer vacation, you can travel a further distance and should choose a location that may take longer to fully explore. Who Are You Traveling With? Whether you are going on a solo trip, a family vacation, a girl's getaway or a romantic rendezvous will greatly influence where you decide to go and what things you want to do when you get there. What Is Your Budget? Have you saved for that dream vacation you finally get to take or are you looking for a budget friendly getaway? As noted above, if you can hit the "shoulder season" of a location you are considering you may be able to find some deals. Do You Need a Passport or Visa? Make sure you know what documentation you need to visit a specific location. Some countries require a visa in addition to your passport. Even if a visa is not required, certain documentation may be required for entry. Check out Travisa.com to determine the requirements for places you are considering. If you need a passport and already have one, check the expiration date to make sure that your passport will remain valid for the entire length of your planned trip. If you need to get a new passport or a visa make sure you can secure those documents prior to your departure date. Check the State Department's website at travel.state.gov to check out the latest passport processing time estimates. As of June 2022, the State Department estimates that expedited applications (which cost a bit more) are taking 5-6 weeks and routine processing is taking 8-11 weeks (which does not include mailing time which may vary by region). The time required to secure a Visa may vary depending on the Embassy you need to work with to get visa approval. Special Events. One thing I like to do when narrowing down my travel choices, is to see if there is any kind of special event I may enjoy during my trip. Often I will attend a concert or a sporting event in addition to my "touristy" activities. Review the tour schedules of your favorite bands or the game schedules for your favorite sports team. If they line up with one of your possible destinations, that can help make your decision. I went to see Zac Brown Band at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee during one of my trips and was able to secure Pit tickets at a very reasonable price! They were some of the best seats I have ever had at a concert and made the whole trip especially memorable A Concert is a Great Thing to Plan Around! MAKE YOUR TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS Book your flight. Reserve accommodations. Consider whether you want to stay in a hotel or an Airbnb. This decision will be based on price, location and space needs. While initially an Airbnb may seem cheaper, make sure to look at the total cost for your stay as additional cleaning and booking fees are added at the end of booking which may erase any potential price disparities. Even if the Airbnb is more expensive, you may save money in the long run by having access to a kitchen to make some of your own meals. I especially like having access to a refrigerator and kitchen for breakfasts and snacks. In Venice, Italy we stayed at a beautiful Airbnb with a nice kitchen and made our own home cooked Italian meal with fresh ingredients from the local food store around the corner. It is a special memory and one that stands out from an incredibly memorable trip. Check out the scene below. Regardless of whether you stay in a hotel or Airbnb, I highly recommend skimming the reviews to confirm that the location is good, what amenities are available, and notice if there are any consistent complaints (about cleanliness, noise, service, etc.). Do you need a rental car? Consider whether there is adequate public transportation that you can utilize to get around and do all the things you plan to do. Can you join tour groups to do those things that are further away? Are you within walking distance of most sights? I often utilize the 48 hour ticket most hop on/hop off sightseeing bus tours offer to get back to certain spots I want to revisit after I take the initial tour. Many places also have access to taxis, Ubers or Lyfts that can provide needed transportation. Even if you decide you need to rent a car for certain things you want to do, can you just rent for a day or two as opposed for the entire trip? There is nothing worse then paying for a rental car that sits in the parking garage most days. RESEARCH YOUR DESTINATION This is the fun part! The internet is the best tool to learn all you can about your chosen destination. I generally start with the Tourism website for the location. This gives you a general overview of the area and highlights the most obvious hotspots that the tourism board is proud of. Then I use Google search to find articles or travel blogs (like this one!) that provide useful insights and travel tips for the area I am traveling to. I will look at several different sites and notice what things consistently appear on the "Must See" lists. I take notes on any tips they provide about how to time tours, what things require prior reservations, and other helpful tips for making the most of the area. This research is also where I look for those lesser known spots that are charming or quaint and will provide a less "touristy" experience. Of course I want to see the Eiffel Tower when I am in Paris, but where are the places the locals frequent off the beaten path? CREATE A SCHEDULE AND WRITE AN ITINERARY From the research, make a list of the activities and sites that interest you. Research the things the want to see and do so you are aware of best times to visit and whether you need to make reservations or buy tickets way ahead of time. (For example, if you want to tour the Pearl Harbor Memorial in Oahu, there are limited advance tickets and even fewer next day tickets that become available every day at 7 am. If you don't plan ahead, it is likely you will not be able to visit this well-known historic attraction.) After I get the details for the things I have decided I want to do and see during my trip, I create a day-by-day agenda for each full or partial day I will be on vacation. When organizing this agenda, I consider the amount of time each activity will take, travel time to and from, will I need recovery or clean up time after a certain activity, are there sights/activities that should be grouped together because of location, does a tour or activity have to be done on a certain day or at a certain time because of availability, etc . I always cushion time frames in the schedule so I am not rushing from thing to thing and can relax and be present in the moment. I also make sure to leave open time so that I have space to include things that I discover while I am there. It is also important when creating your schedule to know yourself (and any fellow travelers) and anticipate if you will want or need afternoon refresher naps, early bedtimes, later start times, etc. Also, make sure you allow time for meals in your schedule. Nothing worse then being a hangry traveller! BOOK TOURS AND/OR BUY TICKETS If there is a tour or activity that you KNOW you want to do and it is a popular tourist attraction, consider booking your tour or buying entry tickets ahead of time. Once you have completed your itinerary, you will know the day and time for the tour/ticket. Hopefully your research indicated if a particular tour sells out early or needs to be done on a certain day or time so you will not be unpleasantly surprised and need to rearrange your carefully crafted schedule. I also recommend checking out Viator.com for packages that group together tickets to popular attractions at a discounted price. Usually these tour packages include "skip the line" access to the attraction so you don't have to waste precious vacation time standing in entry lines. I DON'T buy tickets ahead of time if I am not concerned about it booking up or selling out so that I can maintain some flexibility in the schedule if I need to switch things around due to unplanned weather, new discoveries, or unanticipated delays. Make copies of all tickets and purchase confirmations so you have easy access to confirmation numbers, pick-up information (if transportation from your hotel is provided), address for attraction (if you have to get there yourself), meet-up time and other details. If I am going on a long trip with lots of planned activities, I will keep all this documentation organized in a folder that I bring in my personal item carry-on. TAKE CARE OF HOME WHILE AWAY When it gets closer to your departure time, make sure you have done everything you need to do to take care of your home base while you are gone. Things to consider: Stop mail or arrange for someone to bring your mail in so it does not accumulate in your mailbox alerting people that you are not home. Also consider whether you need to arrange for someone to take your trash out or care for indoor or outdoor plants while you are away. Arrange for care of your pets. In-home visits by a neighbor (this is great job for a younger child in the neighborhood to earn some extra cash and learn responsibility!) or an in-home pet care company allow your pet to stay comfortable at home while you are wandering the world. My daughter has used a pet care company and they send daily pictures of her cat from each visit to reassure her that he is doing okay. An alternative is to take your pet to a traditional boarding kennel or cattery. Call your credit card company to alert them that you will be traveling. Failure to do this may result in your credit card from being declined putting a big damper on your vacation! Consider where you are traveling and whether an international cell plan needs to be considered. You can choose to rely on wifi to check messages or use FaceTime to keep in touch with loved ones, but wifi can be spotty in areas and leave you stranded or having to use costly international data. PACK FOR YOUR TRIP Check out my separate blog on how to pack (and also how NOT to pack) here. Beginning to pack is exciting because it means your well-planned trip is getting close! ENJOY! Your trip is here! All of your work to research and plan your great vacation will pay off. Relax and know that everything is in place for you to have an incredible, memorable getaway. Bon voyage!

Jo's Coffee: Breakfast Tacos are a must have when visiting Austin and Jo's Coffee is a perfect place to go to try them out. There Jo's locations on South Congress, Downtown and in Red River so you have several options to grab your breakfast taco fix. Each location serves a variety of breakfast tacos, oatmeal and granola for breakfast along with several different coffee drinks and teas. The breakfast tacos are available from 7 am until they are gone (so you may want to stop by early). The lunch menu includes grilled chicken tacos, deli sandwiches and salads available from 11 am until gone. Jo's offers an assortment of drinks (including sodas, Topo Chico, and a rotating selection of local beers and Frose). Check out Jo's menu here . Cooper's Old Time Pit BBQ: Another thing you have to eat when in Texas is good ol' BBQ! There are many BBQ places to pick from and I am sure they are all fantastic. We went to Cooper's Old Time Pit BBQ and really enjoyed the vibe and the food! Cooper's is open seven days a week from 11 am to 10 pm. They offer several different cuts of meat that are cooked on the open fire right in front of you. Madison got brisket and I got the chopped beef sandwich. They have several traditional southern side dishes, including a Macaroni and Cheese that was incredible! Dessert options include several different flavors of fruit cobbler with ice cream. We were stuffed but satisfied when we left! Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill: The motto for Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill is "Bootlegged & Bountiful" and you gotta love any place with a motto like that! Their website says they serve "Classic American Comfort Food" and I can attest to that. The vibe in the restaurant was really cool and the food was delicious! We left stuffed...uncomfortably so. This restaurant is always packed so reservations are a good idea. 1886 Cafe & Bakery: This quaint Victorian-style cafe is attached to the Driskill Hotel. They are open until 2 pm for breakfast and lunch. They serve traditional Texas comfort food made with time-honored recipes. They also use locally sourced ingredients. We had a delicious breakfast there one morning before heading out to explore Austin. Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream: Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream is an incredible ice cream store with its flagship Austin shop right on South Congress ("SoCo"). They have really unique flavors such as Everything Bagel, Salted Peanut Butter with Chocolate Flakes, Brown Butter Almond Brittle, Gooey Butter Cake, and Brambleberry Crisp. You definitely need to stop here for refreshment after an afternoon of shopping in SoCo! BONUS RECOMMENDATION: Austin Eastciders Cider: This last recommendation is not a place to eat, rather it is a hard cider that is produced locally and it must be tried if you are a fan of hard ciders. I had the Blackberry Cider and it was amazing! These are just a few of the many great restaurants in Austin where you can sample some good ole Southern cooking. Let me know if you discover any other eateries that should be highlighted for future Austin tourists!

Just a short drive away from Austin (an hour and a half to be exact!) is the wonderful city of San Antonio. San Antonio was where Davy Crockett was heading when he famously said "You can all go to hell and I will go to Texas!" I had heard great things about San Antonio and its' famous River Walk and wanted to check it out for myself. Let me tell you, it definitely lived up to all the hype. My daughter and I truly enjoyed our visit to San Antonio and we encourage you to join us and Davy Crockett and head to Texas! Best Place to Stay: There are several hotel options in San Antonio. Wherever you choose to stay, I would recommend choosing a hotel situated on or near the River Walk. We stayed at the Canopy by Hilton San Antonio Riverwalk and I highly recommend it! The location was great as it is literally right on the River Walk and only a short walk away from most of the other things you will want to do. The Canopy also has a highly acclaimed restaurant right on the property that I will highlight below. It is also a brand new hotel so everything is really nice and fresh! Best Things to Do: Gruene Historic District/New Braunfels: About half way between Austin and San Antonio (or approximately a 45 minute drive from each) is the Gruene Historic District located in the city of New Braunfels. Gruene (pronounced "green") is a charming rustic Texas town with a distinct history. It is home to Gruene Hall, built in 1878, which is the oldest dance hall in Texas. Many big name country music stars have played here over the years. Gruene Hall still has live music every day so check the schedule and try and catch a show in this historic venue! There are also several local shops to pick up a memento from your trip, including the Gruene General Store which hasn't changed much since it opened in 1925. If you make a trip to Gruene, make sure to plan to each lunch or dinner at The Gristmill River Restaurant and Bar highlighted below in Where to Eat! Walk or Cruise the River Walk: Once you arrive in San Antonio, the first thing you will want to do is check out the River Walk. You can stroll up and down both sides. There are several bridges that can take you up and over the river whenever you want to get to the other side. Check out all of the restaurants and shops that border the River Walk and decide which ones you want to return to during your stay! There are also free water taxis that will take you up and down the river throughout the day. You can also buy a ticket to take a guided cruise up and down the River Walk. We chose to do a cruise at night so we could see the River Walk all lit up. City Sightseeing Hop On/Hop Off Tour Bus: I always recommend doing these bus tours on the first day or two of your trip when they are available. Riding the full loop gives you a lay of the land and a little history about the area you are about to explore. We bought a package that included a two-day bus pass and the River Walk boat cruise. Having a two day bus pass works to get you around the city and back to any places on the tour bus route that you want to return to. There are other packages that include discounted tickets to additional sightseeing spots. Check out all your options here . The Alamo: The most famous site in San Antonio is a must see! Known as the "Shrine of Texas Liberty", the Alamo represents the heart of Texas pride and the spirit of its' people. I admit didn't know (or remember) the history of the area and I found the tour entertaining and educational. It gave me a whole new respect for the history of Texas in their fight to be independent. To do a self-directed tour you must reserve a FREE timed-entry ticket. Alternatively, you can buy a ticket for a guided tour that will give you a complete history of the Alamo with a directed tour. I would recommend the guided tour for the complete experience. You can find information on securing your timed entry ticket and tour prices here . Historic Market Square: The Historic Market Square is an area "where the culture of San Antonio comes alive". There are over 100 locally owned businesses located in the Historic Market Square that allow you to enjoy the sights and flavors of old Mexico. You can find authentic Mexican curios and artifacts, hand-crafted leather goods and hand-woven Mexican blankets for $10. After shopping you can enjoy authentic Mexican or Tex-Mex cuisine at one of the several restaurants in the Square. Or you can just enjoy an authentic Mexican churro with your choice of dipping sauce! Yum! A trip to San Antonio is not complete without a visit to the Historic Market Square (and it is a designated stop on the Hop On/Hop Off tour bus mentioned above). Find more information on the Historic Market Square here . La Villita Historic Art Village: La Villita Historic Art Village is located on the southern bank of the River Walk and is easy to get to while strolling on the River Walk or after your tour of the Alamo. The "Little Village" is an artisan village that has been listed on the U.S. Government's National Register of Historic Places. The cobblestone streets are lined by historic architecture opening up into spacious outdoor plazas. La Villita has a storied history, but these days serves as a mecca for artisans and entrepreneurs selling their wares in over 25 boutiques and performers entertaining visitors at cultural events throughout the year. La Villita is the perfect place to find unique gifts and mementos to remember your San Antonio experience. I bought a beautiful hand embroidered kaftan at Villa Tesoros that caught my eye and I get numerous compliments every time I wear it! Pearl Shopping District: One of the stops on the Hop On/Hop Off Tour Bus is the Pearl Shopping District. It is a little out of the way, so if you don't do the Tour Bus you will have to have transportation to get here if you don't want to hike all the way over from the River Walk area. If you do choose to go, you will find a lovely shopping area anchored by Pearl Brewery. There are several different retailers with an eclectic mix of items from books, kitchen wares, free trade artisan crafts, home decor and clothing boutiques. There are also a number of different restaurants to choose from aside from the Brewery. On the weekends they have a large Farmer's Market with Saturdays dedicated to local farmers and ranchers and Sundays featuring local artisans. Definitely check out all that the Pearl Shopping District has to offer and plan to make a stop during your stay. Best Places to Eat: As I mentioned above, San Antonio is known for its authentic Mexican food and its Tex-Mex cuisine. We only had a couple of days and were trying to cram in all of our sight seeings so we didn't do too many "sit down" meals. We were able to check out a couple of places (and try a couple of special San Antonio treats, so that can get you started if you find yourself in San Antonio. The Gristmill Restaurant: After checking out Gruene, make sure to grab a bite at the Gristmill River Restaurant and Bar before you head out of town. The Gristmill is located beneath the Gruene landmark water tower in the ruins of a 1878 Cotton Gin overlooking the Guadalupe River. It is included on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Gruene Historical District. There are multiple levels of dining and an outdoor beer garden. We sat on an open air patio nestled in a grove of trees overlooking the River. It felt like we were eating in a tree house! The food was delicious and the setting was beautiful. La Panaderia Bakery and Cafe: For breakfast we stopped at La Panaderia Bakery and Cafe and we were not disappointed with our choice! La Panaderia is owned by two brothers who grew up baking bread and pan dulce with their mother in Mexico. They decided to share their Mexican heritage and love of baking with their San Antonio community by opening the cafe in 2014. They had so many delicious pastries it was hard to choose! Domingo: Domingo is an open-air restaurant located beneath the Canopy by Hilton San Antonio Riverwalk where we stayed. The vide is cool and relaxed enhanced by the open air concept. The patio of Domingo is right on the River Walk so you can watch the boats float up and down the river and the people strolling along the River Walk. Domingo serves Mexican dishes with South Texas flavors. I had the Grilled Adobo Chicken Tacos which were delicious. Madison and I split the Skillet Cornbread made with cheddar, zucchini, and green chiles and served with honey butter. It was AMAZING! The drinks are "agave forward beverages" that are styled with edible flowers creating a drink almost too pretty to drink...notice I said almost. San Antonio is an incredible city with lots to do! I encourage you to plan a visit and suggest combining it with a visit to Austin to do all the things I highlighted in my Austin blog which can be found here . By the time you are done exploring these parts of South Texas you will be saying "y'all" and speaking with a country twang while craving BBQ and Tex-Mex!

Bats, BBQ and Breakfast Tacos? Must be in Austin, Texas. Austin has been on my travel bucket list for a long time. Austin is marketed as the "Live Music Capital of the World" and I love live music. I went expecting a Nashville vibe and was so excited because, as you know from my post about Nashville (which you can find here ), I LOVE Nashville. However, I have to be honest and say I was a little disappointed when I first got to Austin. If there is a Nashville-type area with live music playing all day long, I never found it. There are a lot of different Districts in the downtown Austin area and it can be confusing to figure out where to stay and where to go if you are not familiar with the area. While our hotel was very cool and had a great location, I don't think we were in the best place for the live music experience. Despite my music letdown, we still had a great time exploring Austin and taking in all of the other things it has to offer like Bats, BBQ and Breakfast Tacos! I hope this blog helps you figure out what you want to experience in Austin and then find the best location to use as your home base to explore this very progressive and interesting city. Best Places to Stay : As I said, there are several different "Districts" in downtown Austin that each have their own distinct vibe. You should pick a hotel that is located in the District that is situated closest to the things you are most interested in. Here is a brief summary of some of the more popular entertainment Districts: Congress Ave Historical District: Congress Avenue runs through the center of downtown Austin from Lady Bird Lake to the Texas State Capitol. Hotels in this area will be close to the Texas State Capitol and government offices as well as Austin's central business district. South Congress Avenue (or "SoCo" as the locals call it) will probably be on your Austin To Do List. See my description below under Things To Do for the reasons. Sixth Street Entertainment District: This is the hub of Austin nightlife and has been dubbed "Dirty Sixth" by locals. There are many bars and restaurants and lots of activity nightly. Sixth Street is closed off to traffic from Thursday through Saturday night to accommodate crowds. Rainey Street District: Rainey Street is a trendy party area with colorful historic homes that have been converted to restaurants and bars. Red River Cultural District: Apparently this is the live music hub and where I should have stayed to check out why Austin is called "The Live Music Capital of the World"! I did love the hotel we stayed at though which I will describe below. Second Street District: This area is known as downtown Austin's shopping hub and is filled with local boutiques and trendy fashion shops. If you are looking for a retail fix, this is your spot! There are several other distinct Districts within the downtown area. I have just highlighted a few of the more popular ones. Check out Austin's Tourism site for a more complete description of all of the areas so you can determine which location is right for you! We stayed at the Driskill Hotel which is the oldest operating hotel in Austin. The Driskill was built in 1886 and, just like the Biltmore in Providence which I talked about here , the Driskill is rumored to be haunted. The incident that is responsible for one of the hauntings apparently happened in a room right down the hall from where we were staying! Alas (or thankfully, depending on your perspective), we did not experience any paranormal activity during our stay. If I keep staying in old, haunted hotels, I am bound to have a ghostly visitor someday! In any event, the Driskill Hotel is a beautiful building with a prime location right on Sixth Street so it is only a few short steps to rowdy nightlife if that's on your agenda. It is also easy walking distance to Congress Street and the Texas State Capitol. I highly recommend The Driskill Hotel! Best Things to Do : Congress Street Bats: This is the most iconic thing to do in Austin. Every night at sunset people gather on or around the Congress Street Bridge to watch millions of bats fly out from beneath the bridge. You can also sign up to take a tour boat out on the water to watch the bat show from below. This actually may be a better spot because the tour operators shine a red light up to the bridge which helps to see the flurry of bat activity more clearly. It was a little anti-climactic because we couldn't see the bats that clearly from the top of the bridge, but we caught glimpses and it is an amazing spectacle nonetheless. And you can't go to Austin and say you didn't see the Congress Street Bats! Added bonus...you can get a great sunset selfie with the Austin skyline in the background. Lady Bird Lake: The Colorado River runs through downtown Austin into Lady Bird Lake ("LBL"). LBL is not a true lake, but a damned portion of the Colorado River. In any event, it is a great outdoor space in the middle of the city where you can kayak, run, walk or bike. Swimming and motorized watercraft are not permitted on the Lake. The Ann and Roy Hike-and-Bike Trail makes a complete loop around LBL. The Trail is 10.1 miles long and mostly flat. Texas State Capitol: Check out the Texas State Capitol and the surrounding grounds. There are free guided tours daily that last between 30 and 45 minutes. You can also pick up a free brochure at the Capitol's north entrance or the Information Desk and do your own self guided tour. University of Texas at Austin: Check out the UT at Austin campus and keep your eye out for Matthew McConaughey or Brene Brown. They both teach classes here! You never know where you may bump into them. UT is proud to claim Matthew McConaughey as their own and even had a Christmas tree devoted just to him in the school bookstore! South Congress Street Shopping ("SoCo"): I mentioned this above when talking about the Congress Street District. It is a great place to spend an afternoon strolling and shopping. It is one of Austin's trendiest neighborhoods and is known for unique independent shops, galleries and vintage stores. For those more mainstream shoppers, the Yeti flagship store is here as well as Reformation and Kendra Scott jewelry. Esther's Follies: Located on Sixth Street, this comedy show has been described as a modern-day vaudeville mixed with political comedy...the "Texas answer to SNL". The windows open up to Sixth Street and the comedians utilize the outside and unsuspecting pedestrians to enhance the show! It usually sells out, so you may want to grab your tickets ahead of time here . Bars on Sixth Street: There are many to choose from and several have some form of entertainment. We stopped in at Pete's Dueling Piano Bar and had a great time singing along to the requested songs. Zilker Metropolitan Park/Barton Springs Pool/Zilker Botanical Garden: A great recreational area to spend the day. There are many park amenities such as picnic areas, volleyball courts, and a nature and science center. One of the premier features of the park is Barton Springs Pool which is a natural spring fed pool with year round average water temperature of 68 degrees. The Zilker Botanical Gardens are also nearby and provide a relaxing escape from the bustling city. Best Places to Eat: Jo's Coffee: As the intro to this blog suggests, Breakfast Tacos are a must have when visiting Austin and Jo's Coffee is a quintessential place to try them out. Jo's has a variety of breakfast tacos and coffee drinks, as well as burgers, sandwiches/wraps, salads and alcoholic drinks. Check out Jo's menu here . Cooper's Old Time Pit BBQ: Another thing you have to eat when in Texas is good ol' BBQ! There are many BBQ places to pick from and I am sure they are all fantastic. We went to Cooper's Old Time Pit BBQ and really enjoyed the vibe and the food! Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill: The motto for Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill is "Bootlegged & Bountiful" and you gotta love any place with a motto like that! Their website says they serve "Classic American Comfort Food" and I can attest to that. The vibe in the restaurant was really cool and the food was delicious! We left stuffed...uncomfortably so. This restaurant is always packed so reservations are a good idea. 1886 Cafe & Bakery: This quaint Victorian-style cafe is attached to the Driskill Hotel. They are open until 2 pm and for breakfast and lunch. They serve traditional Texas comfort food made with time-honored recipes. They also use locally sourced ingredients. We had a delicious breakfast there one morning before heading out to explore Austin. Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream: Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream is an incredible ice cream store with its flagship Austin shop right in SoCo. They have really unique flavors such as Everything Bagel, Salted Peanut Butter with Chocolate Flakes, Brown Butter Almond Brittle, Gooey Butter Cake, and Brambleberry Crisp. You definitely need to stop here for refreshment after an afternoon of shopping in SoCo! Austin Eastciders Cider: This last item isn't a place, it is a local hard cider that must be tried if you are a fan of ciders. I had the Blackberry Cider and it was amazing! Conclusion: All in all, even though I personally don't think Austin competes with Nashville as the "Live Music Capital of the World", it is a very fun place to visit with lots to see, lots to do and a lot of delicious food to eat. I highly recommend a visit to Austin to check out the Bats, BBQ, and Breakfast Tacos! If you venture to Austin, you should definitely combine it with a visit to San Antonio! San Antonio is only about an hour and a half drive away with some really cool stops in between. Check out my Best of San Antonio blog for tips on the best places to stay, the best things to do and the best places to eat in San Antonio. Y'all come back, ya hear?

If you are a middle-aged person (or just a connoisseur of good music), you may be aware of a song titled "Bittersweet" by Big Head Todd and the Monsters. I loved this band back in the day and I particularly loved this song. I would belt the lyrics to the chorus from the top of my lungs whenever it came on. " It's bittersweet. More sweet than bitter, bitter than sweet. It's a bittersweet surrender." I didn't realize the wisdom of these words at the time, but have come to realize that they describe most of life's experiences. But not only that, as the song indicates, it is necessary to surrender to both sides of the bittersweet feeling in order to live a full beautiful life. I had the opportunity to really explore this topic during the past week as the universe bombarded me with examples of how the bitter and sweet of life play out. My week started with a phone call from Taylor, my youngest, who will be graduating from college in May. She was expressing her feelings about being ready to be done with college and move on to the next phase of her life, but she also felt sad about leaving college behind and wondering if she had fully taken advantage of the experience. I told her that her such a mixture of feelings is quite normal whenever we experience a transition in our life. But do we really ever stop to think about the duality of what we are feeling? The mixture of happy and sad feelings is unsettling. If we feel sad about leaving something behind, we may question if we are genuinely happy about what is coming next. This is uncomfortable so we generally just ignore the sad and focus on the happy. The second bittersweet message came to me at a yoga class the following day when the instructor advised that the mantra for the class was "It is like this AND also like this." She was talking about paying attention to how our bodies were feeling in particular poses and note that a pose can feel challenging to one part of our body, but also be relaxing and calming to another part. Again, a juxtaposition of two distinctly different feelings at the same moment. But she also told us that this experience of competing feelings is something we also face in life and we need to learn to observe, acknowledge and embrace all the feelings that arise within us in order to learn and grow from a situation. The final universal nudge came when I was doing my walking meditation and listening to my favorite podcaster Brene Brown's Unlocking Us. Her episode this week featured Susan Cain who is an author and researcher who recently wrote a book entitled Bittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole . During the interview Ms. Cain explained that bittersweetness is a state of longing, poignancy, and sorrow, an acute awareness of passing time; paired with a curiously piercing joy at the beauty of the world. It recognizes that light and dark, birth and death, bitter and sweet, are forever paired. She found that when we are confronted with experiences that have both a bitter and sweet element, we have two choices: Push away and ignore the bitterness, but doing this will most likely cause us to unconsciously inflict or transfer the bitterness to others; OR Accept that pain and joy, or bitter and sweet, go together and experience and feel them both in order to have a whole-hearted life. When there is pain that you can't get rid of, she recommends transforming it to something else as a creative or healing offering to others. Some do this by writing music, creating art, or writing poetry of sad stories. Taking Ms. Cain's advice, this particular blog is my effort to take some of difficult feelings I have experienced lately and create a healing offering. Perhaps my journey exploring bittersweet feelings will offer support or solace to someone going through their own challenging times. You are not alone in your struggles and should not feel guilty when you feel pain or sorrow in the midst of an otherwise joyous experience. It is a part of life's journey. One thing that became obvious to me in thinking about all of these messages I received this week, is that I am guilty of trying to avoid the bitterness and pain that should be a part of my life experience. Even though I think I am emotionally in touch, I frequently try to rush through the difficult parts. For instance, my instinct when my daughters share bittersweet feelings with me is to jump in and make it better. I focus on the positive feelings and while I acknowledge the validity of the sadness, I definitely downplay the negative side of the situation. I believe this is the tendency most people have as experiencing sad feelings is uncomfortable and generally seen as something to be avoided at all costs. This brushing past the hard part is Standard Operating Procedure in handling my own feelings as well. I do not ignore or suppress the difficult feelings, but I definitely try to expedite the handling of them. (Pro tip: This is not possible-it will take as long as it takes. Learned this the hard way!) During the past year, I have tried to rush and force my way through the emotional processing of my divorce and get to a point of being "OK". I frequently told people I was "fine" (which my therapist said really stands for "Fucked Up, Insecure, Neurotic and Emotional"...pretty accurate.) I thought if I acknowledged that I still felt pain or sorrow that would mean I wasn't over it and wasn't moving on properly. To be honest, I really did feel "fine" most times, but then something small would trigger a large emotional response clearly indicating that the pain and sadness had not been fully acknowledged and released. I now see that this "toxic positivity" is not helpful nor is it beneficial to really experiencing joy. In this increasingly binary world, we feel like we need to identify and put a label on each situation as "happy", "sad", "exciting", "frustrating", etc. Often times experiences do not lend themselves to such an easy description. We do not have to feel one way to the exclusion of the other. We do not have to be absent of pain or sadness in order to feel happy. As my yoga teacher said "It is like this AND also like this." Moving forward, I will embrace experiencing bittersweet emotions. Getting divorced obviously involves many sad feelings. Loss of an important person in your life, loss of the future you had planned, disruption to the family unit and extended family relationships that have been built over the years, painful memories of past good times, new difficult situations, and a destruction of the foundation you had built your life on. However, these sad feelings do not take away from the many positive feelings that I have as well. I have created a new vision of my life that I am excited about, I have met many new people I would never have known if my life had continued on the same path, I have experienced tremendous self growth and empowerment and have reconnected with the inner spark I had lost along the way. I love the part-time job I have selling jewelry in my retirement. I learned that I am good at selling and actually really enjoy accessorizing with jewelry. My life now has freedom to consider possibilities that were closed to me before. Will I move back to San Diego to live my later years by the ocean and in the incredible weather I enjoyed when I was in law school? Maybe! Or will I return to my childhood home of Colorado? Perhaps! I am the captain of this ship and can steer it whichever way I feel inspired to go and that is joyful and exciting. But for the time being, the sad feelings still co-exist with the happy ones. And that's ok. It is my belief that the joy in our bittersweet moments cannot be fully appreciated unless we also encourage and allow the sad feelings in to provide the context. It is only by realizing and acknowledging what we have lost or what we are letting go of (a period of life, a moment, a person, an experience), that we can be truly free to enjoy what comes next. Embracing bittersweet feelings also encourages us to fully grab the joy in the current moment because we understand that these precious moments are fleeting and they too will pass on our way to new experiences. All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another. -Anatole France

I just returned from a long girl's weekend in Nashville, Tennessee and I already can't wait to go back! If you love listening to live music by talented musicians, you need to plan a trip to Nashville, also known as Music City, immediately if not sooner. Nashville has been the launching pad for many past and present popular musicians. As you walk up and down Broadway, there is live music playing in every bar all day and all night by excellent performers hoping to be discovered and make it big. Even if music isn't your cup of (sweet) tea, Nashville has plenty of other things to keep you occupied. There is amazing food, sporting events, museums, history, and lots of shopping. And don't forget the moonshine! This was my second visit and I can tell you it definitely won't be my last. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Nashville and I am sure you will love it too. Best Places to Stay: Downtown : If the main focus of your visit will be the honky tonks on Broadway or attending a concert or sporting event at Bridgestone Arena or Nissan Stadium, you will want to stay in the central downtown area. There are many hotel choices downtown, but the prices tend to be a bit higher due to the location. The trade off is being able to walk a block or two to many of Nashville's attractions. This convenience will come in handy after a full day of sightseeing or bar hopping to listen to all the great music. We stayed at the Drury Plaza Hotel Nashville Downtown and I highly recommend it! The location was fantastic and an added bonus was the incredible free hot breakfast and the free snacks and drinks at the 5:30 Kickback every day. The breakfast was more substantial than the usual free breakfast offered in hotels. There was fresh scrambled eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy, oatmeal, a waffle station and a cook making pancakes in adorable Music City shapes! The afternoon "snacks" included a full on dinner buffet with alfredo pasta, grilled chicken, garden salad and soup. You also got a punch card for three free drinks every day during your stay (cocktails, wine or beer!). Unfortunately we were usually out and about around 5:30 every day so only took advantage of the Kickback on the first day, but it was there if we wanted it. It would be a good way to keep your spending down as you can potentially cover two meals and drinks everyday! The Gulch : The first time I visited Nashville I stayed in an Airbnb in The Gulch. The Gulch is a newer upscale area with chic boutiques and trend-setting restaurants. It is a great place to stay, especially if you don't plan to spend a majority of your time on Broadway. Broadway is only a quick 15 minute walk away, but The Gulch is definitely removed from the craziness of the main downtown area if you prefer a more low key vibe. The Gulch is where the famous "What Lifts You Up" Wings mural is located for that perfect Nashville Insta moment. There are only a few hotels in this area, so you would most likely be staying in an Airbnb if you want to stay in The Gulch. Best Things to Do: Old Town Trolley Tours: Whenever I travel to a new spot, one of the first things I do is to jump on the hop on/hop off tour buses that most tourist areas have. This gives me a general overview of the area and also highlights those things I want to make sure I see before I leave. Nashville was no exception. We took the Old Town Trolley Tours which has 14 different stops as it takes you around Nashville. Some of these stops will be specifically highlighted in this list, but there are many different stops that may be of interest. The great thing about the hop on/hop off is that it gives you transportation around the city and you can get off and explore where ever you choose. Another Trolley will be around to pick you up about every 30 minutes. To me the cost of the ticket is totally worth the benefits! Honkey Tonk Bar Crawl: Obviously! This is the main Nashville attraction. Most honky tonk bars are located on lower Broadway, known as Honky Tonk Highway. Live music starts at 10 am every morning and goes until 3 am! There are so many bars and honky tonks it is hard to know where to go. Some of it is just a trial and error effort. There are no cover charges in Nashville, so you can just walk up and down Broadway (and the nearby side streets) and pop into any place that looks interesting. Most bars pipe the music being played inside onto the sidewalk, so if you hear someone you like you can run inside to listen some more. Many of the bars have several different floors with a different band on each floor so make sure to check out every floor of a place you like. If it is a nice day or evening, be sure to head to the very top if the bar has a rooftop. Many of the bars in Nashville are partially owned (or inspired) by today's most popular country music stars: Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton to name a few. So if you have a favorite country musician, check to see if they have a place and be sure to put that one on your list. Having been to Nashville twice now, I have found a few places that I consistently enjoy: Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row Honky Tonk Central Kid Rock's Big Ass Honky Tonk Rock-n-Roll Steakhouse Luke Bryan's 32 Bridge-Especially the rooftop bar! Lucky Bastard Saloon-One of the newest honky tonks on Broadway. Nudie's Honky Tonk-A great spot for a rooftop selfie capturing Broadway lights in the background! Yee Haw Brewery/Ole Smokey Distillery: We discovered this place after a tip from a local and we are so glad we did! The Ole Smokey Distillery is on 6th and Peabody, just a short walk from lower Broadway. It is a great option for lunch before heading down to the honky tonks. Before lunch, you should definitely do the moonshine tasting. For $10 you get a drink (either a Yee Haw craft beer or a seltzer) and several tastings of the flavored Ole Smokey Moonshine. After you complete the tasting you get a $10 coupon that you can use in the bar area for another drink or you can put it towards the purchase of moonshine to take home or a souvenir from the gift shop. So basically the tasting ends up being free...not to mention fun! We sampled Blue Flame Moonshine (basically tasted like Everclear-yuck!), Sour Cherry, Butter Pecan, Peanut Butter, and pickles and pineapples soaked in moonshine. These flavors are just the tip of the ice berg as the wall was filled with a colorful display of other varieties of moonshine and whiskey! We then made our way over to the bar and my friend Christina (a craft beer fan) bought a flight of Yee Haw brews to try. The snack bar offered several different types of tacos from White Duck Taco that were reasonably priced at $4.95 a piece. Christina got a fish taco while I opted for a Thai chicken taco with mango salsa. What a fun way to spend the afternoon! Line Dancing Lessons at Wildhorse Saloon: The Wildhorse Saloon is an iconic Nashville venue. It has the largest dance floor in the downtown area and an expansive stage for live performances. There are two floors to view the stage and a suspended herd of wild horses on the ceiling. Line dancing lessons are free and taught by an instructor in between sets of live music. We learned two different line dances including one called the NashVegas Shuffle. The schedule for performances and line dancing lessons can be found on the Wildhorse Saloon website . They also have a full menu, so you may want to consider this place for dinner and a show (plus a little bit of dancing). There really isn't too much room to line dance at the other honky tonks, so it was fun to have the opportunity and the instruction. Museums and Historic Buildings: There are many, many museums and historic buildings to tour in Nashville. Admission charges vary. Here is a list of just a few: Frist Art Museum Tennessee State Museum-Located near the Bicentennial Capital Mall State Park This is a stop on the Trolley tour. The Parthenon-Nashville is called the "Athens of the South" primarily because of its focus on higher education, but also because it is home to a full scale replica of The Parthenon. Inside the replica is a museum that houses paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries and, like The Parthenon in Greece, houses a 42 foot statue of Athena. This is also a stop on the Trolley tour. Country Music Hall of Fame-I visited this museum on my first visit. It is substantial and took about half a day to get through it all. There is a lot to see and experience at the museum. I love country music so I enjoyed it, but if you are not a big country music fan it may not be worth the cost and time to you. Ryman Auditorium- You can tour the building that was the original home of the Grand Ole Opry. It is cool to see this historic venue up close and personal. There are still live performances at the Ryman and I have been told it is a fantastic place to see a show, so you may want to check out the schedule during your stay to see if you can catch one. Patsy Cline Museum-I have not visited this museum, but love Patsy Cline. Maybe next visit! Johnny Cash Museum-Christina and I went to the Johnny Cash museum on this trip. It is small and doesn't take long, but costs $22.95. Personally, I didn't think it was worth it as I am not a huge Johnny Cash fan. However, for a true fan there was a lot of cool memorabilia that would be interesting. What I did enjoy was the Johnny Cash cafe/bar right next store. There was a cool "Johnny" vibe to the place. That doesn't cost anything to go in! Gaylord Opryland/Grand Ole Opry: The Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center complex is located outside of downtown Nashville. You will require a car or an Uber ride to visit. If you have not been before, it is worth the trip. The complex is amazing and is a one of a kind 9 acre atrium with indoor streams and gardens. There is a variety of activities, shopping and restaurants, Of course it is the current home to the iconic Grand Ole Opry. I went to a show at the Grand Ole Opry on my first visit and am glad I did it. I didn't feel the need to make the trek out there this time, but something that everyone who goes to Nashville should do at least once. Sporting Events or Concerts: I like to schedule some of my trips around a sporting event or concert that I want to see. That way, I can take in an event I would like to enjoy anyway, but also get to check out a new area! The Tennessee Titans play football at Nissan Stadium which is walking distance from downtown. The Nashville Predators play hockey at Bridgestone Arena which also hosts a variety of concerts and is located right on the Honky Tonk Highway. I planned my first visit to Nashville to see the Zac Brown Band at Bridgestone Arena and got the best tickets I have ever had for a concert at a reasonable price! I am spoiled now. If you are interested in going to Nashville, see if you can schedule it around an event or concert. So easy to do both here! Best Places to Eat: Prince's Hot Chicken or Hattie B's: Nashville is known for its' hot chicken, so you have to try it at least once while you are here. Prince's Hot Chicken is the original hot chicken restaurant. Hattie B's appears to be the most popular. At every Hattie B location there is a long line of customer's waiting to get a taste of the local favorite. Hattie B's has levels of hotness so you don't have to feel left out if your palate doesn't appreciate spicy. Their levels are described as Southern (No Heat), Mild (A Touch of Heat), Medium (Warming Up), Hot! (Feel the Heat), Damn Hot!! (Fire Starter), and Shut the Cluck Up!!! (Burn Notice). How brave are you? Hattie B's also has several other traditional southern foods on their menu so there is something for everyone. Assembly Food Hall: Assembly Food Hall is located on 5th and Broadway so it is a perfect place to grab a bite to eat while cruising up and down Broadway at the honky tonks. Assembly Food Hall has over 30 different eateries (including locations for Hattie B's and Prince's Hot Chicken), bars and three stages so you don't have to miss any live music while you eat. Christina grabbed some sushi while I chose a wood-fired personal pizza. A great space if you are with a group because you can avoid the prolonged discussion about where you should eat when everyone is in the mood for something different. All the different options can be found here . . Biscuit Love: Biscuit Love is located in The Gulch and unfortunately I have never been because there is always a SUPER long line! I have included it in this blog because the consistent long lines are a sign that it must be pretty good. Biscuit Love is a local family-owned business that serves biscuits and breakfast. They started in 2012 with food trucks and now have three brick and mortar restaurants. Their location in The Gulch is open daily from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm. My recommendation if you really want to try one of their award winning biscuits is to get up early and hopefully beat the line. Good luck! Milk and Honey: Milk and Honey is another breakfast place in The Gulch. I got one of the best chocolate croissants in my life from Milk and Honey on my first visit. This time I tried the almond croissant and it was just as spectacular. They have sit down restaurant with a substantial menu, but again long lines have foiled my plans to check out the sit down options. I was "forced" to stick with the walk-up bakery options. Can't say I was disappointed. Goo Goo Chocolate Co.: Goo Goo Clusters are Nashville's Official Candy. The store is located across from the Johnny Cash Museum and Bar. You can buy a variety of premade Goo Goo Clusters or you can design your own personal Goo Goo Cluster that will be made while you wait. The personalized Goo Goo can be made with a variety of sweets and add ins to satisfy your own unique sweet tooth. Click here to start planning what you want to include in the *I nsert Your Name Here * Goo Goo Cluster. We bought a few of the premade and each one was delicious! We tried the classic Pecan Goo Goo Cluster (pecans, caramel, and marshmellow nougat covered in milk chocolate), Lil Goos (peanuts, caramel and nougat covered in milk chocolate) and the PB&P Premium Goo Goo Cluster (peanut butter, caramel, and pretzels covered in dark chocolate). Another Nashville original you don't want to miss! Yee Haw Brewery/Ole Smokey Distillery: I already talked about the reasonably priced, delicious tacos served at the Ole Smokey Distillery above, but wanted to include it here under Best Places to Eat so you don't forget about this option. Best Places to Shop: There is so much to do in Nashville, you might think that you will not have any time for shopping. But that would be a mistake! There are several places you will want to check out in order to pick up those special gifts for family or friends left behind or that special something that will always remind you of your incredible trip to Nashville! The Gulch : You can find some of the usual chain stores like Urban Outfitters and Lululemon in The Gulch, but you can also find chic boutiques that have unique vibes and trendy clothing and home decor items. One store in particular that I loved was Kittenish, a very pink and very girly boutique owned by Jesse James Decker. The branding in the store was on-point and the prices were reasonable. It just felt fun to shop there! There is also a store in The Gulch called Paddywax Candle Bar where you can sip mimosas and make your own candle with a variety of fragrances to choose from. Marathon Village: Marathon Village is a stop on the Old Town Trolley route. Marathon Motor Works is an old automobile factory that has been transformed into a unique retail complex. Stores here include Antique Archaeology (owned by American Picker's star Mike Wolfe), Jack Daniels and Harley Davidson stores that sell licensed merchandise, souvenir shops, an olive oil shop and a distillery and winery that offer tastings. In addition to the stores, there are artifacts from the auto manufacturing history that line the halls giving the location a unique and interesting feel. The half an hour time between Trolleys gives you just enough time to check out this area and hop back on to continue your Trolley tour. Broadway: Mixed in along the honky tonks are stores that sell authentic cowboy apparel like boots and hats. They are ready to outfit you so you can fit in with the crowd. There is also upscale shopping right outside the Assembly Food Hall on 5th and Broadway with stores like Free People, Sephora, the Apple Store, Ariat and the Nash Collection (where I found my really cute NASH sweatshirt to remember my trip!). Nashville is such a unique and vibrant city I have no doubt you will fall in love with it just like I have. There is so much to do, if you discover something fun that I haven't mentioned, please comment and share! I will definitely be back so would love new suggestions! It's not goodbye, Nashville, it's see you later!

Recently I was hanging out with a group of women celebrating National Margarita Day (who knew it was even a thing?). Once we were a few flavored margaritas deep, we began discussing the trials and tribulations of being modern day women at approximately the mid point in our life journey. Otherwise known as middle age. We all had very different life situations, but one thing was clear. We had all spent a majority of our life taking care of other people. We all agreed that we took on this responsibility willingly and with joy. The pride with which we caretake was evident in the passion and depth of emotion we showed when talking about the important people in our lives. The problem with this primary focus on making sure others in our life are properly taken care of, is that we are often last on the list. We run out of steam and time before we have a chance to turn the spotlight on ourselves. Again, most of us don't begrudge this choice and it is just part of being a "mom" and a "wife". However, we all eventually reach a point where the chaos quiets and we are left standing alone with ourselves. This can happen at any time for any number of reasons. All the kids finally leave home. You get divorced or are widowed. You retire or are laid off. A serious medical diagnosis. Or, as in my case, many of these things happen within a short period of time. When life throws you a curveball or the rug is unexpectedly ripped out from under you, it can be overwhelming. After taking time to absorb the shock and feel ALL of the emotions of the experience you are having, it is the perfect time to begin your journey to self discovery. This journey is necessary to rediscover who you really are after all this time, what things truly bring joy to your life, and what kind of life you want to live from this point forward. This journey to self discovery is not for the faint-hearted. It will take some real soul-searching and honest reflection. It may require some difficult decisions. It may necessitate some changes in the way you live your life or the people in it. I began this journey in earnest about a year ago when my marriage of almost 25 years ended. When the future I had planned was no longer a possibility, I had to do some heavy lifting to figure out who I was and what I wanted. I was no longer someone's wife. I was no longer a hands-on, day-to-day mom. I was no longer part of a cohesive family unit. I was no longer a corporate lawyer. Without these labels and these roles, who really was I? I thought back about the person I was before I got married. That person was an individual in her own right with her own distinct dreams and plans. She had an energy about her and an enthusiasm about life that had somehow dimmed along the way. I decided I needed to get back to that person taking along with me the life lessons I had learned over the years. The combination of that energy and enthusiasm with the wisdom I had acquired would be a very powerful one indeed. I am by no means done with my self discovery journey and I honestly believe that it should be one that continues for a lifetime. But I can provide you with some tips that have led me to the happier place I am now. You can use this travel guide whenever you decide to take that journey to your own self-discovery. WHAT TO PACK: Courage -You are going to need courage to take an honest look at yourself and your life and make an assessment of what should stay and what should go. Some changes may be hard if you have really put yourself on the back burner and need to get your mental and physical health back on track. Maybe you haven't set proper boundaries with people in your life and establishing those new limits will be difficult to impose and difficult for others to accept. But it is time to dig deep for that courage and make the changes necessary to rediscover yourself and what is important to you. Vulnerability -This journey will also require you to be vulnerable. Take a close look at mistakes you have made along the way and take responsibility for the role you have played in straying away from your authentic self and the difficulties you have faced. Compassion -After you have done an honest self-assessment, make sure you have compassion for yourself. Forgive yourself for your mistakes and choices along the way. You did the best you could at the time. As Maya Angelou said "When you know better, you do better." Also, have compassion for the people that have hurt you. This doesn't mean you have to allow them to continue hurting you or that you have to accept their behavior, but understand that everyone is just doing the best they can. There may be reasons you aren't aware of that causes someone to make a choice you don't understand. Curiosity -You will need to bring a healthy dose of curiosity on this journey. Spend time really thinking about the things that bring you happiness. What were you doing and who were you with when you think back to times you really felt joyful. What are those things that you have always wanted to do, but were too busy or they seemed impractical. Learn to play an instrument, plan a trip, join a tennis league, volunteer for a cause that is important to you, write a book? Maybe start a blog? :) Also, what kind of lifestyle do you want to lead going forward? What activities and hobbies do you want to incorporate into your everyday life. What about your surroundings? Do they reflect your truest self? Are you happy in the suburbs or do you want a more city vibe? I decided to move from a traditional house in the suburbs to an apartment in Saratoga Springs where I can walk everywhere and there is always something going on. I didn't realize how much I wanted this lifestyle until I actually did it. It brings me great joy. Excitement -This is the most important thing to bring with you. This journey of self discovery is exciting. You will uncover new truths and reveal things about yourself that you may have forgotten. Perhaps your introspection will confirm that you are on the right track with where you are and feel grateful and peaceful with that knowledge. If you discover that the way you are currently living is not in alignment with your authentic self, this is great news! Knowledge is the first step in making changes. You can dig deeper to figure out exactly what changes you want to make and start taking action to create a more fulfilling life. THINGS TO DO TO FIND THAT INNER VOICE Walking -Walking and listening to podcasts is literally one of my favorite things to do and brings me great peace. I go for walks with some of my best friends: Brene Brown (Unlocking Us and Dare to Lead), Glennon Doyle (We Can Do Hard Things) and Oprah Winfrey (Super Soul). These women provide great insight into things that block our happiness and teach us how to become unblocked. Even when I think a podcast isn't going to be particularly interesting or relevant to me, I am always surprised to gain some new knowledge or a different way of thinking about something going on in my life. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my walks and podcasts! Meditation/Journaling -I started a practice of meditating 15 minutes every morning when I wake up. I read the daily entry from Journey to the Heart by Melody Beattie and then turn on meditation music and a timer. Focusing on my breath and thinking about the message from the book starts my day in a positive way. I have noticed that my general mood is calmer after starting this meditation practice. Some days I am able to completely relax and zone out, other days I have to constantly push thoughts away. But it is a "practice" that I will keep working on. I honestly don't journal as much as I should, but I can say that when I do it really helps to get all my thoughts out of my head and onto paper. It clarifies things and often helps me to make sense of some of my emotions. I should definitely do this more and it is always recommended as a helpful practice in self discovery so I included it in the travel guide. Yoga -When I do yoga on a consistent basis I am always amazed at the impact it has on my life. My muscles are less tense, my flexibility is good and I feel great! This exercise impacts both mind and body so you get a double whammy! If you notice, the first three things to do all involve some level of stillness or inward focus. It is necessary to quiet the mind of all the useless (and often negative) chatter to hear that soft inner voice that has all the answers for us. Once you start paying attention to it, you will notice that it nudges you when something feels off or not right. If we are not still or quiet enough to pay attention, it gets lost in the chaos. Self Care -For me this is something that definitely got neglected. I have discovered how amazing it feels to really take care of myself. For me this not only means getting exercise (my walking and yoga, as well as a little strength training), but also taking the time to nurture my physical self. If it fits into your budget, getting periodic massages and getting your nails done are small things that reap great rewards. Even if your finances don't allow for those things at the moment, doing self care things for yourself shows that you are worthy of that time and attention. You feel better about yourself when you have taken the time to give yourself the nurturing and care you provide others. I have what I call Self-Care Sunday when I do a face mask, hair mask, slather on some extra lotion and put on my coziest sweatpants and read a good book or watch a show I enjoy. It is rejuvenating and re-energizing after all that self-discovery work. Therapy -I cannot overstate the importance of being able to talk to a neutral third party that can provide fresh insight or lead you down your path of self discovery. Talking to my therapist I have discovered things that were impacting my choices and decisions that I wasn't even aware of. Having this insight or knowing where you may have some work to do to clear up some feelings is invaluable in getting to your authentic and wholehearted self. THINGS YOU CAN SKIP ON THIS JOURNEY Self Pity -It is very easy to get stuck feeling sorry for yourself when things don't go as planned or someone disappoints you. However, in order to find your joy, you cannot stay in this place. The one constant in everyone's life is change so you have to realize that these things happen. If the pandemic has taught us anything it is that we truly don't have any control over things so we just need to go along for the ride. When something happens that disrupts our life, we need to Shake It Off (in the words of Taylor Swift) and look at it as a directional pointing us toward a better path. Negative Energy -When bad things happen, which is usually why we set off on this journey of self-discovery, it is easy to become pessimistic and focus on everything that went off track or how people did us wrong. There is some benefit to spending a little time in this space to learn the lesson it can provide and to make different choices the next time. Once you have made that assessment, it is time to move forward and pull out that curiosity and excitement you packed to bring on this journey. Positive attracts positive. A good mood and good energy will bring good things into your life. This also applies to the people you surround yourself with. Make sure those closest to you are supportive of this journey of self discovery and are encouraging of your efforts to find joy. Numbing -As hard as some of this self-reflection is, it may be tempting to numb any hard emotions you are having with busyness, excessive activities, alcohol/drugs, sex, shopping, or any other things that distract you from your feelings. Not feeling those uncomfortable feelings will inhibit the growth that comes from dealing with the truth of what you are discovering. Numbing is only temporary and can actually cause more heartache and disruption in the long run. Dating Apps -If your journey to self discovery finds you traveling solo, take the time to learn to be by yourself. You may think getting back out there and finding someone to fill your time with will make you feel better. It might temporarily, but it can be just another form of numbing. It is important to focus on yourself during this journey so you don't get confused by the voice of someone else when you are trying to figure out what YOU want. This journey takes a lot of time and energy and you will be a more attractive partner when you are finally in your own power and living your most authentic life. You will also attract someone who is aligned with your discovered (or re-discovered values) and that will lead to a stronger more authentic connection. Looking back at the past year, I realize that I was in no place to put myself out there and use my energy to get to know someone else until just recently. I am finally at a place where the thought of possibly meeting someone new is interesting, but I am also so enlightened by my journey that I don't NEED it. That feels like the best place to be for me. By following this travel guide in my own journey to self-discovery, I have learned many things about myself. I am feeling empowered by my independence and am happy with the choices I have made after really thinking about what I want this second half of my life to look like. It has been painful, difficult, eye-opening, humbling, joyful, exciting, unexpected and adventurous. I still don't have a complete picture of where this journey will take me, but I know for certain I am heading in the right direction. As the quote above says, I have always had the power, but I just had to figure that out for myself!

A drive along the California coast on Highway 1, known as the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), is an awe-inspiring journey that everyone should do at least once! The PCH runs from San Diego all the way to Washington State, but if you don't have time to do the whole thing you will still be amazed by the views of any portion you choose to do. One of the most famous sections of the PCH is the part between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Along this route you can see the famous Big Sur area and cruise through a number of awesome California coastal towns. This is the journey my friend and I took on a recent girls' trip to California. I will give you our itinerary as a starting point, but you can easily add many more stops or spend more time in some of the areas if you have the time. You can also eliminate some of our diversions if you don't have a full10 days or if you want to make it all the way down to San Diego on your epic California coastal journey. Day One-San Francisco You can view my previous post on our whirlwind day in San Francisco here . This is definitely a place where you can add more time if you have it. If not, use our plan to see as much of San Francisco as you can in ONE day! Days Two and Three-Napa and Sonoma Valley This was actually one of my favorite parts of the trip! View my previous blog post about my magical experience in California Wine Country here . Napa and Sonoma Valley aren't actually on the coast, but we wanted to make sure we could spend some time wine tasting before heading down the PCH and we are so glad we did! Day Four-Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz and the 17 Mile Drive from Monterey to Carmel-by-the-Sea My friend and I are extreme planners, but on this trip we decided to go outside our comfort zone and try to "wing it" with hotels after we left Sonoma Valley. This new approach didn't last long once we tried to find accommodations along the coast in the summertime, especially during the post-COVID vacation boom. We couldn't find anywhere along our planned coastal journey to stay on Saturday night, so we grabbed the only room we could find in Emeryville located across the Bay from San Francisco by Berkeley. Even though it wasn't exactly on our agenda, it was a very nice hotel and gave us a comfortable place to rejuvenate after all the wine-tasting of the previous two days. Half Moon Bay: We got up early the next day and headed back over to the coast to hop on the PCH down to Half Moon Bay. I always think of the band Train when hear about Half Moon Bay and if you are a Train fan you know what I mean. We stopped at the well-known Barbara's Fish Trap ( www.barbarasfishtrap.com ) for an early lunch. I am not a big seafood fan, but the crab cakes were delicious! TRAVELER TIP : Bring cash because they don't accept credit cards and go early because a long line will form and there aren't a ton of tables. We also saw long lines at Sam's Chowderhouse down the road, so if you can't get into Barbara's Fish Trap for your seafood fix this looks like a good alternative. After lunch we drove down the coast to Waddell State Beach to watch all of the surfers and kite surfers. If I was younger and more adventurous I would definitely try kite surfing because it looks awesome! Santa Cruz: From Half Moon Bay we drove south on the PCH to Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz is a cute little beach town with a boardwalk and some beautiful cliffside walkways to take in the surrounding scenery. We parked on the street near the Natural Bridges State Beach and then walked along the West Cliff Drive scenic pathway that hugs the coastline. The pathway provides breathtaking views of Monterey Bay. If you want, you can walk the pathway all the way to the Santa Cruz wharf. It is generally flat so it is a very easy walk for everyone and you can go for as long (or as short) as you want. We didn't visit the wharf while we were there because it was a Saturday and it was extremely crowded, but it looked like a fun place! The Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park ( http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=546 ) is also in Santa Cruz and is a great place to see California Redwoods. There is a vehicle day use fee of $10, with discounts for seniors and larger fees for tour buses. The Park is nestled in the Santa Cruz mountains and has 15 miles of hiking and biking trails. There is an easy walking loop that takes you through a grove of old-growth Redwood trees with the tallest tree towering 285 into the air and measuring 16 feet wide! The oldest trees in the grove are 1,800 years old. 17 Mile Drive from Monterey to Carmel-by-the-Sea: Heading south on the PCH, you will find an entrance to the beautiful 17-Mile scenic drive from Monterey to Carmel-by-the-Sea. There are three other entrances so depending on where you are coming from another entrance may be more easily accessible. There is a $10.75 fee per vehicle to enter the 17-Mile drive and once you enter you will follow a map through several points of interest, forested areas, coastline views, beautiful mansions, and famous golf courses including the world-renowned Pebble Beach golf course. Depending on how long you linger at the various points of interest or scenic overlooks, the drive could take up to 3 hours. If you are heading south on the 17-Mile scenic drive you will end up right at Carmel-by-the-Sea which is where we planned to stay for the next three nights. Day 5-Carmel-by-the-Sea, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, Monterey and Big Sur As I mentioned above, our well-intentioned plan of "winging it" on our California road trip didn't work so well. So much for us trying to be more relaxed about our travel planning! When we discovered that we were going to have trouble finding reasonably priced hotel rooms along our route, we got right to work planning out our accommodations for the rest of our journey. We decided to stay in Carmel-by-the-Sea for three nights as it was centrally located to many of the sites we wanted to see. It was actually kind of nice to have a home base for a few days and not have to pack up and move every morning. I guess Ann and I are not the relaxed, "go with the flow" travelers we had hoped to be! But it all worked out in the end and the moral of the story is that we are going to continue with our natural state of being super planners. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve: We started our day with a beautiful six mile hike at the Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. The Reserve is just a mile or so south of Carmel right off the PCH. You can see my more detailed blog about visiting this "Crown Jewel" of the California State Park System here . Carmel-by-the-Sea: After our hike, we stopped in downtown Carmel for some lunch and shopping. There are several excellent restaurants in downtown Carmel, it just depends on what you are in the mood for. We ate at the Mission Bistro ( https://missionbistrocarmel.com ) right in the middle of the downtown area. I had a Burrata Salad with grilled chicken that really hit the spot after our morning hike! The shopping in downtown Carmel is equally as satisfying with many exclusive shops and boutiques to find whatever you may be looking for or discover that thing that you didn't even know you needed! Monterey: Next we drove north on the PCH back to Monterey to check out some of its highlights, including spots made famous by HBO's hit show "Big Little Lies". We drove through Cannery Row, a cute little shopping area in the area's old cannery buildings. It looks like there are mostly touristy shops in Cannery Row as opposed to the boutique shopping in the downtown Carmel area. After cruising through Cannery Row, we set off to scope out the various location shots from Big Little Lies. First stop was the Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey (not to be confused with the giant tourist attraction Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco). There we ate at Palace Trattoria which served as the set for Blue Blue's Cafe, the quaint coffee shop overlooking the harbor where the main characters met to drink coffee and spill tea. Apparently the restaurant has been mobbed with BLL fans since the show aired so they can sit at an outside table and share their own gossip. Of course Ann and I had to do the same and get a picture! Next stop was to Lover's Point Beach in Pacific Grove where we learned that the Blissful Drip coffee shop from BLL didn't actually exist but was a set constructed at the Lover's Point Beach. The set is long gone, but we snagged a picture at the Beach anyway. The final BLL location to scout was the Bixby Creek Bridge in Big Sur so we headed south on the PCH to check it out. Big Sur: From watching Big Little Lies, I was under the impression that Big Sur referred to a beach town along the California coast. While there is a small unincorporated village with a collection of small roadside businesses and homes called Big Sur, when you hear someone talking about Big Sur they are most likely referring to the rugged stretch of California coast between Carmel and San Simeon. It is bordered to the east by the Santa Lucia Mountains and the west by the Pacific Ocean. You travel through the area by the narrow 2-lane PCH. Hold on as you take sharp turns, veer toward seaside cliffs and try to take in the spectacular views of the coastline. It is not for the faint-hearted...just ask Ann who got very nervous as I drove the winding road. It is totally worth braving the journey as it is some of the most picturesque scenery in the world. The opening credits of Big Little Lies shows just a glimpse of what it is like driving over the Bixby Creek Bridge. Day 6-Capitola City Beach, Ragged Point and Morro Bay Capitola City Beach: We headed back north to the northern end of Monterey Bay to the Capitola City Beach. This a small urban beach known for the bright, colored hotel rooms built right on the sand that offer a beautiful backdrop to the beach. There are several shops and restaurants along the Esplanade right by the beach. We ate at the Margaritaville restaurant that sits right on the beach looking out at the ocean and the colorful buildings. Ragged Point: We then headed back southbound on PCH and drove along the Big Sur coastline again (once is not enough!) until we got to the south end of Big Sur. There we pulled off at the PIedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery which is home to more than 7,000 Northern Elephant Seals which are the second largest seals in existence. You can see the stats on the picture above! Morro Bay: Next stop...Morro Bay! Morro Bay is a quaint little village right off the PCH. It is known for a large volcanic mound at the end of Morro State Beach called...what else...Morro Rock. Morro Rock is 576 feet tall and is the dominating feature of the town. There are several eateries along the harbor if you want to make this a lunch stop on your road trip! Day 7-San Luis Obispo After Morro Bay we headed to San Luis Obispo (or SLO as the locals call it) to crash for the night. We stayed in a charming family owned hotel called the Apple Farm Inn ( www.applefarm.com ). The Inn has 106 unique and charming rooms and is centrally located for easy access to SLO's many sights. After we dropped off our bags, we headed over to Avila Beach to relax from our travels and catch a few rays. That night we strolled along the bustling Higuera Street to check out the shops. I made several purchases at an adorable store called The Junkgirls ( www.junkgirls.com ) which was filled with unique and handcrafted gift and decor items. I highly recommend a stop here! Off Higuera Street is the infamous Bubblegum Alley where pieces of chewed gum cover the walls (see pic below). Gross or cool? Only you can decide. Other sites in SLO we didn't get a chance to check out are various wineries, the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa (a 1700s Spanish mission with a museum), the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus, and of course nearby beaches and hiking trails. SLO has a very cool vibe and I wish we could have spent a little more time checking it out! Day 8-Solvang and Santa Barbara Solvang: After a restful night sleep at the charming Apple Farm Inn, we hit the road to head to a spot a little inland from the PCH. Ann had done some research and suggested we check out Solvang, a small city in the Santa Ynez Valley known for its Danish architecture and wineries. We are so glad we took this side trip! Solvang, which is Danish for "sunny fields", is an adorable destination known as the "Danish Capital of the World". You may recognize the name as it has been featured or mentioned in several different TV shows or movies. Most notably it was the setting for the movie Sideways starring Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church as two men traveling through the Santa Barbara wine country. They stay at the Hitching Post so we had to snag a picture of that landmark! You feel as if you have been transported to a European village as soon as you enter the Main Street that goes through the middle of town. You can take a leisurely stroll down Main Street and take in all of the shops that fill every nook and cranny of the buildings lining the street. Of course you can't leave Solvang without trying some of the delicious danishes that can be purchased at any of authentic Danish bakeries in the area. We also hit the Sunstone Winery, a Santa Ynez Valley winery, on our way out of town. What a great day...Solvang was definitely one of my favorite stops on this trip! Santa Barbara: Santa Barbara is a short 45 minute drive from Solvang and where we planned to stop for the night. We stayed at The Eagle Inn ( www.theeagleinn.com ) and I highly recommend it. It has a perfect central location and a delicious free breakfast in the morning. After checking in we strolled along the harbor and checked out the city. Santa Barbara has a great vibe and is a place I would even consider living! The lively downtown features an outdoor shopping area that runs along State Street with tiled courtyards, fountains, chain retailers and small boutiques. Artwork is sprinkled around the town including bronze statues and wall murals. There are several hip cafes and outdoor restaurants, breweries and wine bars. We ate at a brewery called The Cruisery located at 501 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA ( www.thecruisery.com ) which gets its name from "Brewery + Beach Cruiser = Cruisery". The Cruisery has an awesome outdoor eating space to provide for entertaining people watching in the historic downtown area while we relaxed with good food and drinks. After dinner we took in more sites and caught a beautiful sunset over the harbor to cap off an incredible day! Day 9-Ojai and Santa Monica Ojai: Ann suggested we take another detour off of the PCH to check out Ojai (pronounced "OH-hi") which is a small city in Ventura County located in the valley of the Topatopa Mountains. Ojai sits in one of the few east/west valleys so the early morning sunrise fills the valley with sunshine and the late sunsets create a "Pink Moment" painting the surrounding peaks in rosy hues. There is a strong Bohemian vibe to the city and spirituality is a big part of the culture. Apparently the valley lies in a geomagnetic vortex zone where energy fields arise from deep within the earth's core and visitors come to visit the many wellness retreats and meditation centers. The restaurants and cafes in Ojai are all locally owned and serve artisan food using local organic produce. The views driving into the valley were stunning. We parked at the head of a hiking trail that took us up above the city looking down into the valley. (SIDE STORY: I didn't see the sign advising not to leave ANY valuables in the car due to high theft and left my purse in the car. When Ann mentioned the sign I freaked out and rushed to get back to the car so I didn't fully enjoy the hike and the beautiful views. So, travel tip...make sure to read all warning signs and take any valuables with you if you hike so you can leisurely enjoy the beauty surrounding you!). After the hike and heart-racing return to the car, we stopped in town to have a quick drink at the Topa Topa Brewery. I had a hard Kombucha which was very tasty and made me feel a little healthy while drinking. Santa Monica: Feeling calm and restored after our visit to Ojai, we headed to Santa Monica where we planned to stay for our last night before flying out of LAX the next day. In all honesty, Santa Monica didn't feel particularly relaxing or safe. We walked around and checked out the famous (or infamous) Santa Monica Pier. It felt like something we had to do, but it wasn't really our scene. Lots of typical boardwalk food and the traditional boardwalk rides and games. We came, we saw and we quickly left. From there we walked over to the Third Street Promenade which is a three block car-free, open air shopping area. We strolled up and down the street and checked out the Santa Monica Place mall located at the south end of the Third Street Promenade. While it was nice enough, there is nothing especially noteworthy or unique about this area. We were getting travel weary from our epic 10-day long journey, so we returned to the hotel room to rest up for our long journey home the next day. The next morning we got up early to walk along the ocean and it became clear why so many people look fit and healthy in California. The beach volleyball courts were already packed, the boardwalk was filled with runners, walkers and roller bladers, various exercises classes were being held up and down the boardwalk and beach including HIIT and Spin classes. It would be so awesome to take a spin class on the beach looking out at the Pacific Ocean! New experience for my bucket list. Day 10-Hollywood, Beverly Hills/Rodeo Drive and HOME! After our early morning walk in Santa Monica, we jumped in the car and drove towards LA. Even though I lived in San Diego for several years and frequently took day trips to LA and surrounding areas, I had NEVER seen the Hollywood sign in person so that was on my agenda. We first went to the most popular viewing spot in Griffith Park. Griffith Park is one of the nation's largest urban green spaces (5 times the size of New York's Central Park!). There are several hiking trails up to the Griffith Observatory that has a great view of the Hollywood sign. You can also drive up to the Observatory, but this spot is EXTREMELY crowded and parking is difficult if not impossible. Since we had limited time and were not prepared to hike, we needed to find an alternative viewing spot. With the help of Google and Ann's stellar research, we found that there is a lesser known viewing spot from Lake Hollywood Park. To get there you drive through a residential neighborhood up a steep, hilly road. You will know once you get there because although not the most popular, it is still crowded. Snag the first parking spot you can find and walk over to the park for a perfect viewing spot! After all this time I finally can check this sight off my "to do" list. Before leaving California, we stopped at the iconic In-N-Out Burger one last time. Can't visit California without stopping at least once. Delicious and inexpensive! After lunch we drove around Beverly HIlls and stopped to walk on Rodeo Drive. The 90210 zip code has a reputation for a reason. The streets are beautiful and the homes are amazing. Rodeo Drive is crazy and it kept bringing up "Pretty Woman" vibes for me. I wanted to go into a shop and say "Big mistake! Big! Huge!", but unfortunately wasn't planning to go in and drop a load of cash shopping. Since shopping on Rodeo Drive wasn't in our budget, we wrapped up our sightseeing and headed to the airport to catch our flight home. CONCLUSION This was an amazing journey that cannot be completely captured by words and pictures. However, I hope that by sharing some highlights from our trip you will be inspired to plan your own California Coast road trip. I felt like I got to do it twice...first in person and then by reliving it when creating this blog post. Both times I felt awed, overwhelmed and grateful for the experience. If you have had your own amazing California Coast trip, please comment with additional input and ideas for those currently planning their epic adventure! Let's go!

"My only regret in life is that I did not drink more wine." -Ernest Hemingway The second stop on our epic California road trip was Sonoma and Napa Valley. The well-known wine country is 45 miles north of San Francisco and only about an hour's drive (depending on traffic getting out of the city), but there is a local airport if you want to fly right into the region. A getaway to this area is magical and you feel like you have been transported to a whole other world. So grab those cute sandals you couldn't wear in San Francisco, throw on a a cute sun dress and your most stylish sunglasses or sun hat and get ready for an incredible experience! Where to Stay...Napa or Sonoma Valley? This is an age old debate...should you go to Napa or Sonoma when you visit the region. I say, why not BOTH? They are only 20 to 30 minutes apart and if you are there for a few days you can easily spend time in each location! The common advice is that Napa is bigger and more commercialized while Sonoma is quainter and more low-key (and probably a tad cheaper). My personal observation is that this description is accurate, but they are both great spots. In addition to the central area in both Valleys, there are also lots of smaller towns within each region that are also charming and would make a great home base while visiting. I recommend doing some on-line research about the various wineries that you would like to visit, map out your choices to see where most are located and then make a lodging choice based on that. You can either stay in one place for the whole time and drive around (or find transport) to explore the entire region or you could choose to spend a night or two in each location. We stayed at the El Pueblo Inn in Sonoma ( www.elpuebloinn.com ). El Pueblo Inn has been family owned and operated since 1958. It has a good location which is walking distance to local grocery stores and Sonoma Plaza (the shopping area mentioned below). With your stay you also get a good continental breakfast to get your day started, a peaceful courtyard with beautiful landscaping, and a nice pool/hot tub area. Some of the rooms have balconies. The downside was our room was a little dated and dark. However, El Pueblo Inn is very reasonably priced (relatively-most hotels in either Valley are a little pricey) and for the cost, the benefits mentioned above far out-weighed the negatives. Besides, we were really only in the room to sleep so dark is good, right? There are many, many choices for lodging throughout the Valleys and you probably can't go wrong with most of them. What to Do: Uhhhh...wine tasting and tours, of course! See below for just a few suggestions from the hundreds of wineries in the area. I personally would not try to book more than three in a day, but two is probably better. First, you don't have to rush to get from one place to the next and can sit and enjoy the wine and the ambiance of each unique winery. Secondly, you do get full from all of the tastings (especially if you eat at some point in the day-which you definitely should with all that wine drinking!), so you become less enthusiastic to taste as the day goes on. Hiking-If you (or your liver!) need a break from the wine consumption, there are many hikes in the area to get out and enjoy the beautiful scenery in the Valleys. Disclaimer: We didn't do any hikes during our visit, but I saw information about many and I can only imagine the views from some of the hikes is amazing. Go to Alltrails.com to find descriptions of hikes in the area Shopping-Sonoma Plaza located in the center of Sonoma is a beautiful 8 acre square park with cute boutiques, gift shops, and restaurants lining all sides of the park. Downtown Napa is a larger commercial district with more stores and fancier dining establishments. St. Helena in Napa Valley also has a Main Street of cute stores and restaurants (including some of the places recommended below!). Make a note that most stores close at 6, so don't plan to shop after a day of wine tasting because the doors will be locked by the time you get there. We learned this from personal experience. Cruise Around and Take in the Sights-If it is within your budget, I HIGHLY recommend renting a convertible and driving around the area with the top down. Driving through the miles and miles of vineyard lined hills with the wind blowing through your hair and the sun on your face is a feeling like no other. Taking an afternoon to drive around both Valleys (or maybe even over to the coast) is a very enjoyable way to spend the day! Where to Taste: There are literally hundreds of wineries in the area. Making a choice of which ones to visit will depend on a number of factors. What to Consider: Is there a wine you really enjoy that comes from Napa or Sonoma Valley? If so, you may want to visit that vineyard to learn more about it or to try other varieties made by the winery. Alternatively, you may want to branch out and try new wines that you don't already know about. What do they offer? Some vineyards only offer tastings. Others have options to take a tour. Does the vineyard offer food? Most have options to purchase cheese or charcuterie boards, but some have more substantial offerings and you may want to visit these places closer to lunch or dinner. See below for description of Charles Krug Winery which had wood-fired pizza we could order with our tasting and it was delicious! What is the cost? There is a range of costs for the tastings offered at the various wineries. The difference depends on what type of tasting or tour you sign up for, as well as the size or notoriety of the winery. Generally, tastings range from $40-60. The tasting and tour we took at Schramsberg Vineyards was $80. It is important to assess what you get for the tasting fee to determine if it is worth it or not. Sometimes we got less for the more expensive tastings. That was always a bummer. Do you want to go to a larger, more commercial winery or a smaller, family owned vineyard? I suggest including some of both in your schedule. There is definitely a different vibe to each. The smaller vineyards feel more personalized and relaxed, but there is nothing like the magnificence and grandeur of some of the larger vineyard properties. Where are your staying? As I noted above, the areas are close so it is definitely doable to get to both. However, if you don't have a designated driver and/or you are trying to do many tastings in a day, you may want to make sure the vineyards you choose to visit are in a more concentrated area. There are options to take a Wine Train or other organized tours which eliminate this question (and concerns about driving) as they will have pre-arranged stops. If you are overwhelmed by all of the options or don't have a specific preference, this may be the choice for you! Please note that advanced reservations are required for most, if not all, wineries. This could also impact your choices if you wait too long and can't get a reservation at your preferred vineyards. The only exception would be if you take an organized tour or Wine Train because your reservation will be included with your ticket. Wineries We Visited: Below is a description of the vineyards we went to. I started with my favorites first, but it was hard to rank because they all were amazing in their own way. Schramsberg Vineyards- 1400 Schramsberg Rd., Calistoga, CA 94515 www.schramsberg.com This vineyard was my favorite! So much so, that I joined their Wine Club and will receive deliveries of their wine four times a year. Schramsberg Vineyards is a smaller family owned vineyard that makes Chardonnay and Pinot Noir based sparking wines. They were one of the few vineyards that offered a tour along with tasting and I think this really enhanced my experience. The tasting took place in the darkened caves where bottles and bottles of sparkling wines are aging. The Schramsberg Vineyards are home to the first caves dug for wine storage and was the first hillside vineyard in Napa Valley established in the 19th Century. The vineyard was almost destroyed by wild fires recently and as you drive up the hillside you can see from the scorched trees how close the fire came. There is a monument on the property thanking the local firefighters for saving their vineyard. The cave tour was a little more money then other tastings, but you got six tastings and the tour of the caves so it was definitely worth every penny. The tour made it a total experience and I actually learned a lot about wine and wine tasting in general. I highly recommend including this vineyard on your schedule. Domaine Carneros -1240 Duhig Road, Napa, CA 94559 www.domainecarneros.com As described on their website, "Domaine Carneros is a singular winery best known as a small grower-producer of methode traditionelle sparkling wine, Pinot Noir, estate vineyards, and a breathtakingly beautiful chateau." The chateau sits high on a hillside and the patio overlooks gorgeous scenery as you enjoy a flight of FULL-SIZE glasses for your tasting. This is where scheduling three tastings in a day became a problem. By the time we got here we were full and couldn't even finish all of our glasses! If you add this winery to your schedule, make sure to put it earlier on the itinerary before you stomach gets too full. Inglenook -1991 St. Helena Highway, Rutherford, CA 94573 www.inglenook.com Iglenook is the vineyard owned by Francis Ford Coppola (the director of many popular films including The Godfather movies). Fittingly, the entrance and property of the Inglenook winery looks like something from a movie. Funny story-we didn't read our reservation closely enough and couldn't figure out how to open the grand gate. Once we figured that out, we tried to video ourselves driving through the gate but it started closing on us when we where only part way through! Security had to reopen the gate so it didn't close on us. I can only imagine the laughter that was going on in the Security Guard station watching us struggling! Slightly embarrassing, but oh well...you only live once and you have to capture the moment. In any event, we finally got through the gate and took in the gorgeous estate before making our way out to the terrace for our tasting. The woman who managed our tasting was so enjoyable and knowledgable that she made the whole expereince! After the tasting we explored the property a little more and there are exhibits related to cameras and filmmaking due to Mr. Coppola's day job along with the history of the vineyard. Charles Krug Winery -2800 Main Street, St. Helena, CA 94574 www.charleskrug.com Charles Krug Winery is Napa Valley's oldest Winery Estate. It was established in 1861 by Charles Krug, the visionary father of Napa Valley winemaking. It was purchased by the Mondavis, wine-making royalty, in 1943 and for over 75 years and four generations they have been operating the winery. There is some Mondavi family drama related to this winery and the Mondavi estate down the road. Be sure to ask for the details if you visit this winery. The tasting room also has a medallion on the floor that marks the spot of a time capsule buried underneath, so that's pretty cool. The other thing that makes this winery stand out is the delicious wood-fired pizza you can order with your tasting. I would make sure to plan your visit to Charles Krug around lunch or dinner so you can kill two birds with one stone! Beringer Vineyards -2000 Main Street, St. Helena, CA 94574 www.beringer.com Beringer is a large commercial vineyard. The property is definitely beautiful and the wine was good, but this was my least favorite of the vineyards we visited. The cost for the tasting was a little more expensive and you didn't get much for that value. Small tastes, brief description and not much else. Wasn't bad, but wasn't anything special. Where to Eat: I sound like a broken record, but there are many, many places to eat throughout Napa and Sonoma Valley and again, you probably can't go wrong with most choices. My friend Ann is a master researcher, so she found some excellent places for us to grab a bite to eat. I should make it clear right now that I am NOT a foodie. Ann and I both decided before we left on this journey that food was not going to be a major part of our budget, so we did not look for or eat at any fine dining establishments. We looked for places with delicious food that were quick and budget-friendly. If that is what you are looking for, I am your girl! Below are a couple of places we found that met the above criteria in spades! El Molino Central -11 Central Ave., Sonoma, CA www.elmolinocentral.com El Molino Central is a small Mexican Restaurant that serves tortillas, tamales and fish tacos. They also serve beer and wine to go. Its colorful exterior gives you an idea of the vibe. There is no indoor seating, but they have a large patio area that was very crowded when we got there. Always a good sign! The prices are moderate and the food is excellent. I ordered the Chicken Enchiladas Suizas and was in heaven. Living in upstate New York, I have missed authentic Mexican food. I grew up in Colorado and lived in San Diego for a bit so I am spoiled. Ann ordered the fish tacos and gave them two thumb's up. Gott's Roadside -933 Main St. (Hwy 29), St. Helena, CA www.gotts.com Gott's Roadside is a classic American roadside grill that serves a variety of burgers and other traditional roadside options, but it also has vegan choices. They also have some unique California-inspired dishes and seasonal specialities. All menu items use locally sourced ingredients. Their menu also includes sushi, fish tacos, salads and hand-spun organic shakes. There is bound to be something for everyone on their menu. And because it is in Napa, you can also order wine by the glass or the bottle or you can try a Frose, a frozen blend of rose wine, strawberry and citrus. The stars were aligned when we got there because there was no line and we just walked right up to the window to order. However, a few minutes later there was a super long line and every time we drove by Gott's again there was long line. So if you go, be prepared to wait in a bit of a line. But as I noted above, when there is a crowd there is definitely a reason. The food was delicious. Also, keep your eyes peeled for celebrities because I am pretty sure Kristen Chenowith was sitting with a group of LA friends at the table right next to us! Charles Krug Winery- 2800 Main Street, St. Helena, CA 94574 www.charleskrug.com Check out the section above about the Charles Krug Winery to see a picture of the yummy wood-fired pizza we had at our tasting. You don't have to pay for a tasting to go in and order a pizza, so keep this in mind as a dining option even if you don't want to sample their wine. SO BOTTOM LINE-PUT NAPA AND SONOMA COUNTY ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET LIST! If you haven't been to Wine Country yet, start making plans immediately! You won't regret it. Plan that long-awaited girl's trip or romantic getaway, depending on your situation or your mood. Either way it will be an experience you will never forget.

San Francisco is an amazing city with so much to see that most people take at least three days to take it all in. You could easily fill a whole week with activities (including day trips to outlying areas like Napa/Sonoma or Yosemite...although these areas are entitled to a trip all their own!). I have been to San Francisco on many occasions and am usually there for at least a long weekend. However, on this particular trip, my friend Ann and I were doing an epic journey down the northern California coast and only had limited time (limited=a day!) to spend in the City by the Bay. Ann had never been to San Francisco so we had to be very efficient in our planning to fit in as much as possible. From my previous visits, I had several things I wanted to show her that would have easily filled the day. But Ann is an expert researcher and came up with some additional things to check out that I had never seen and we wanted to add them to the already busy agenda. Lucky for us, we are both hyper-organized and compulsive planners. So between the two of us were were able to come up with a ONE day schedule that pretty much covered the whole San Francisco area. If you only have a day, you can use our plan to make sure you really SEE San Francisco. However, I recommend that you take this itinerary and spread it out over a few more days if you have the time. It would certainly be more relaxing! The "San Francisco in One Day" Agenda Following is the list of the things you can do in San Francisco in a day. You can do them in any order that makes logical sense for you depending on where you are staying. We stayed at a motel right across from the Presidio, so our day started there. I should also note that we did have a car that allowed us to drive to some of the places, but if you are adventurous and looking to get in your steps for the day you can walk (but be prepared for some intense hill workouts as you walk the steep streets!). Alternatively, you can grab Ubers to get to some of the more out of the way locations. First Stop-The Presidio The Presidio is a national park located at the south end of the Golden Gate Bridge. It was originally home to native people, then subsequently became a military post under flags of Spain, Mexico and the U.S. It is 1,491 acres (5% of the total area of San Francisco!) and includes museums, hotels, restaurants, hiking and biking trails, scenic overlooks, picnic areas, beaches, a golf course and other things I am sure I am forgetting because there is SO much there. Entry to the Presidio is free. We walked along a path that took us down to an area called Crissy Field. This restored area used to be an airfield and now has wide green fields for picnicking or sports, a marshy area for bird-watching and nature observation, a wide beach with a stunning view of the San Francisco Bay, and nice flat trails for walking or biking. This is one of many spots in San Francisco to get a great picture with the famous Golden Gate Bridge in the background. Second Stop-Marina District/Fisherman's Wharf From Crissy Field, we followed a walking path heading toward the Marina District and Fisherman's Wharf. The path goes along the coast, so on the way we had more amazing views of the Golden Gate Bridge as well as some great looks at Alcatraz. We walked along the harbor and saw all the beautiful boats anchored there (with the ever-present Bridge in the background) as well as some of the beautiful colorful homes which line the street across from the harbor in the affluent Marina District. Ann is a big coffee drinker so when we spotted a coffee truck parked near the Marina Green with a LONG line (always a good sign) we figured we had to stop for some refreshments. I don't drink coffee, but scored a delicious chocolate croissant! The guys working the truck were extremely energetic and friendly so it was a nice boost to our morning. After our coffee break, we continued along the path to the Fisherman's Wharf area. Fisherman's Wharf is VERY touristy, but you can't come to San Francisco and not see it. That would be like going to Paris and not seeing the Eiffel Tower. Fisherman's Wharf has a lot to see so there is bound to be something for everyone. There is the iconic Ghiradelli market place where you can get delicious chocolate or ice cream treats, the sea lions who are usually swimming and sunning at Pier 39, tons of touristy shops to pick up that souvenir you think you have to have (but then don't know what to do with it when you get home), great restaurants and of course great people watching. Fisherman's Wharf is also where you pick up the ferries to Alcatraz or nearby Sausalito (which we didn't have time for this trip). Unfortunately, we also missed the Pier 39 sea lions because of the season (we were visiting in June but I have included pics from a previous trip I took during September when they were there). We ate lunch at the iconic Boudin Sourdough restaurant. They are known for their clam chowder served in sourdough bread bowls. As I don't like seafood and Ann wasn't that hungry, neither of us had that specialty dish so I cannot personally recommend it. However, as noted above about the coffee truck, when there is such a buzz about something there is usually a reason. So, if you like clam chowder, you should definitely put it on your "Must Try in San Francisco" list! Boudin's also sells sourdough loaves in the most adorable animal shapes that kids (or kids at heart) would love! We were able to watch the masters at work creating these masterpieces. Third Stop-Powell-Hyde Cable Car/Lombard Street Like Fisherman's Wharf, you can't go to San Francisco and not ride a cable car. That is sacrilege! So imagine our disappointment when we found out that the cable cars had stopped running during the pandemic and were not scheduled to restart until August! There is nothing like riding an open air cable car up and down the steep streets of San Francisco. I was so disappointed that my friend was going to miss that experience. But the Travel Gods were looking down on us! We went to the Powell-Hyde cable car station (located across from the Ghiradelli Marketplace) and found the cable car operators were training and preparing for the August re-opening. Ann asked if we could get a ride and they offered to give us a free short ride from Fisherman's Wharf up to Lombard Street (which is where we wanted to go to anyway). Just goes to show it never hurts to ask, because you might get exactly what you want! So Ann and I got on the cable car with one other bold soul who must have asked for a ride and took a trip up, up, up the steep street. It was the best cable car ride I have ever had because there weren't crowds of people blocking my view and it was free! We got dropped off right at the top of Lombard. Perfect! And we didn't have to walk up that hill! Lombard Street is that famous "crooked" street that you always hear about. It gets its reputation from the eight tight turns in one block. It is located in the Russian Hill District just a short (uphill) walk (or if you are lucky, cable car ride) from Fisherman's Wharf. You can walk up or down Lombard Street depending on which side of the block you find yourself on or you can drive down the one way winding street. In addition to the multiple curves, Lombard is also know for it's beauty. The homeowners on Lombard all maintain beautiful landscaping which adds to the iconic reputation. Fourth Stop-Painted Ladies/Haight-Ashbury/Union Square/Chinatown At this point we went back to get the rental car to continue our explorations. We plugged in our destinations to Google Maps and took off. First stop was the famous "Painted Ladies" across from Alamo Square at Hayes and Steiner Streets. You may recognize the Painted Ladies from the opening of Full House. It is one of the most photographed locations in San Francisco. The open space of Alamo Square across the street provides the perfect location to get a good photo of the Painted Ladies with the San Francisco skyline behind them. It would probably be a great photo op at dusk, but our jam-packed agenda didn't allow much leeway for that kind of timing. In addition to the Painted Ladies, there are other Victorian homes around Alamo Square that don't get the same attention, but are just beautiful (if not more so!). We hopped back in the car and drove a short distance to the historic Haight-Ashbury District to step back in time. The District was one of the main spots for hippie and counterculture activity in the 1960's and it maintains that vibe. Back in the day it was home to revolutionaries and famous singers such as the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane and Janis Joplin. My subsequent research on the area indicated that you can drive by the old Grateful Dead home (710 Ashbury St.) and the old Jefferson Airplane home (2400 Fulton St.). We didn't know to do that, but make a note if you head to this area and are a fan of either of those bands. The Upper Haight area is filled with boutiques and hip restaurants, as well as flamboyant clothing stores, piercing and tattoo parlors, while down the hill in Lower Haight there are alternative bars, consignment stores and music shops with old vinyl. There is definitely a cool, hippy vibe to the place that is totally different then the rest of San Francisco. We didn't take the time to get out and walk around, but it is on my "To Do" list the next time I go back. After we left Haight-Ashbury, we cruised by Union Square in the central downtown area. Union Square refers to a one-block plaza and the surrounding area that has the largest collection of department stores, upscale boutiques, gift shops, art galleries and beauty salons in the U.S. There are also many hotels in this area. I have stayed in the Union Square area on past trips and it is a nice central location, especially if you are interested in shopping while in San Fran. A few blocks from Union Square is Chinatown. We just cruised by the Dragon Gates this time, but I have enjoyed the delicious Chinese food served up here in the past and can confirm that it was delicious! There are so many restaurants to choose from, but I don't think you can go wrong with any choice in Chinatown. Fifth Stop-Land's End-Coastal Trail Land's End is a hidden gem in San Francisco. It is not one of the more obvious attractions, but is certainly one of the most beautiful! The Coastal Trail at Land's End is a hike that takes you along the rugged coastline, weaving in and out of cypress forests. There are great views of the ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance. It is generally an easy hike, but there are portions where there are increases in elevation that are moderately challenging. You can make it as easy or hard as you like. Even a short walk along the flat part of the trail will give you breathtaking views. If you are a photography buff, be sure to bring your equipment because there are numerous spots to take amazing photos! Below are some examples of the different shots you can get at different spots on the Trail. (Disclaimer: I am a novice photographer so imagine the pictures you can get if you are an expert!) If you go a decent distance on the Coastal Trail, out and back will probably take one to two hours depending on how far you go and how often you stop to take selfies! In my opinion this is a "MUST SEE" when you go to San Francisco. Helpful hint: There is a visitor center with restrooms by the parking lot nearest to the old Cliff House. I would park there and visit the restroom before you head out. Sixth (And Final!) Stop-Golden Gate Bridge Park After the busy day of sight seeing we had, it was time to head out to Sonoma/Napa Valley for the next stop on our California Coastal journey, but before we actually drove over the Golden Gate Bridge on our way out of town, we stopped at the Golden Gate Bridge Park at the base of the Bridge. Here you can get the "up close and personal" shot of the Bridge (like the one at the beginning of this blog). There is also a visitor center area with restrooms, information, souvenirs of the Bridge and food. If you walk down a path past those buildings, you come to a nice little spot to grab the perfect Golden Gate Bridge selfie. So there you have it, how to explore San Francisco in ONE day! If you can stay longer, I would definitely recommend it, but it can be done if timing only permits a short stay. Some Additional San Francisco Tips Here are some other general tips for traveling to San Francisco: Mark Twain once said "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco." Just because it is in California, doesn't mean it is warm! September is the warmest month in San Francisco, so that may be the best time to visit if you have flexibility. Otherwise, be sure to pack clothes for cooler temperatures or at least throw a jacket and a pair of jeans into your suitcase. Along the same line as necessary apparel to pack, be sure to pack comfortable walking shoes. You will be walking around a lot! You will also be walking up STEEP hills, this is guaranteed no matter what direction you are heading. Although San Francisco is a trendy town and you may be inspired to wear those cute, stylish sandals, you will be regretting that choice pretty quickly. In this case it is better to feel good then to look cute. Save those cute shoes for Napa! Don't be alarmed by the fog you will wake up to every morning. San Francisco is known for its fog, but it generally burns off by mid-day (but this doesn't mean it will be warmer...see above!). You will hear this over and over when you visit San Francisco, but do NOT leave any valuables in your car whenever you are parked. Car break-ins are rampant. Even with all the warnings, I overheard a couple of different people talking about getting their car broken into and their things stolen. They are not joking when they warn you about this problem. If you can't take it with you, try to leave everything else in your hotel or at the very least in the trunk out of sight. Stay away from the Tenderloin District. This is an area of high concentration of homeless and is known for being dangerous. As in a lot of other places, the pandemic has hit San Francisco pretty hard and has increased their already large homeless population. I didn't see an extraordinary increase from my prior visits, but just be aware that this is a problem in some areas, particularly the Tenderloin District. We didn't do it on this day due to time constraints, but I highly recommend a tour of Alcatraz if your agenda allows. You take a ferry over from Fisherman's Wharf and can tour the famous prison. It is very interesting (not to mention the amazing views of the San Francisco skyline you can get while on the ferry!). Another thing we didn't do this time that I have done in the past is a ferry over to Sausalito for the day. Sausalito is a quaint little town with cute boutiques and many restaurants. It gives you the opportunity to get out on the water and enjoy all the coastal views while also letting you see a different location. I hope this blog inspires you to plan your visit to the City by the Bay (hopefully with a few more days to explore!). I highly recommend a trip to San Francisco if you haven't been yet. As you can see, there is so much to see and do! I welcome any other tips or suggestions from your travels to San Francisco as I definitely hope to go back again!

You don't have to go to London to see a crown jewel (and you can get in a hike at the same time)! Point Lobos State Natural Reserve has often been referred to as the Crown Jewel of the California State Park System and it is just as gorgeous as the Queen's Crown Jewels. This beautiful area is only minutes from nearby towns Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea and has a network of well-maintained trails that provide the perfect opportunity to get moving and enjoy the scenery! About Point Lobos Natural Reserve Point Lobos got its name from offshore rocks at Punta de los Lobos Marinos ("Point of the Sea Wolves") where the sound of sea lions carries inland. Part of the California Park System, Point Lobos is actually designated as a natural reserve. This designation affords it the highest level of protection in order to forever preserve the area's unique beauty and ecological significance. This makes Point Lobos an especially great destination for nature lovers and conservationists. There are numerous hikes in the Natural Reserve that can take you along the coastline, through headlands, coves and rolling meadows. As a natural reserve, there is always plenty to observe no matter what time of year you visit. There are rare plant communities, endangered archeological sites, unique geological formations, and rich flora and fauna of both land and sea. You may also catch glimpses of many different forms of wildlife such as seals, sea lions, sea otters and migrating gray whales (December - May). You will most definitely observe many different seabirds, including pelicans. It is amazing to watch these birds soar across the sky and then dip down and skim along the ocean for their food. The Nitty Gritty Details About Visiting Point Lobos Natural Reserve Getting there: Point Lobos Natural Reserve is located right off of Highway 1 about three miles south of Carmel-by-the-Sea. You will see signs for the Reserve entrance from Highway 1. Hours: The Reserve opens at 8:00 am and currently closes at 7:00 pm (with last visitor entry allowed at 6:30 pm). All guests, including walk-in guests must exit the Reserve by the posted closing time. Cost: You must purchase a day pass if you drive in to the Reserve. A general day pass for most vehicles is $10.00, but it drops to $9.00 if you have a senior citizen in the car. There are additional charges for vans and small coaches or buses. Parking: There is parking available at the Reserve, but there is only enough parking for 75 vehicles. Once that fills up, visitors must park on the shoulder of Highway 1 (which can add 1/2 of a mile to a mile extra distance to your hike before you even get to the scenery!). Point Lobos is a very popular destination during the summer months or on holiday weekends. Therefore, if you want to secure one of the 75 parking spots, you should plan to arrive before 9:30 am or after 3:00 pm. Temperature: Even though you are in California, don't expect the temperatures to be extremely warm at Point Lobos. Due to the geographical location, the temperatures in this area remain fairly cool. Temperatures generally range from 57-65 degrees. In the summer months, mornings often have a foggy marine layer blanketing the coastline which burns off by afternoon. You can experience slightly warmer temperatures if you postpone your visit until September. In any event, it is usually breezy by the coastline, so always make sure to dress in layers so you can remain comfortable whenever you visit. Where to Hike: As noted above, Point Lobos has a network of well-maintained hiking trails. There are many different hikes to take depending on the time you have, the ability levels of the people you are traveling with and what you want to see. There are also specific options for those visitors with disabilities. You can start with the Point Lobos website to get a feel for the different options at www.pointlobos.org/plan-your-visit/suggestions . Additionally, you can find many different hiking options at alltrails.com/parks/us/California/point-lobos-natural-reserve . We chose to do the Point Lobos Loop Trail which is 6.7 miles in length and listed as "moderate" in difficulty. I would say that the Loop Trail is generally pretty easy, but the moderate rating probably comes from a few locations where there is an increase in elevation to get to vistas for great views. If you have time, I would highly recommend the Loop Trail because you really get to see it all. We saw stunning rocky coastlines, beautiful inland forests of Monterey Pines and Cypress groves, tide pools, serene meadows filled with wildflowers (it was still spring) and a variety of wildlife habitats. Because we kept stopping to observe things or take pictures, it probably took us a good 3-4 hours to do the complete loop, but it was totally worth it! Look at these shots: A few things we missed on our visit to Point Lobos: There are free docent-led public walks daily. This allows visitors to see the Reserve through experienced eyes and gain insight that you would miss going it alone. These docent-led hikes are usually less than a mile in length so you could take advantage of this opportunity and still have time to explore on your own (with some additional knowledge under your belt!). There is a mobile phone tour and app that you can use on your hike. You can find it at pointlobos.org/media/cell-phone-tour . I wasn't aware of this when we visited, but I probably would have enjoyed getting a little more background and information on the sights we were seeing! I am pointing this out so you won't have to miss this wonderful opportunity to learn more about the Reserve! If you go and try it out, let me know how it is! We did not dive while we were there (primarily due to the fact that I do not dive), but did see a group of divers, probably from the California State Parks or CSU Monterey Bay, doing some research in the area. The Reserve is one of the richest marine habitats in California so there is a lot of research of the marine ecosystem in order to support a healthy coast and ocean and sustain the California Marine Protected Areas. Visitor diving is only allowed at Whalers and Bluefish Coves. Proof of certification is required. If you wish to dive in this amazing ecosystem, you will get permission upon entering the Reserve. Reservations are recommended and a must for weekends and holidays. If you are looking to get active during your visit to the Monterey/Carmel area, look no further then the Point Lobos Natural Reserve. You can go for an hour or the day, you can jog or you can hike, you can take selfies with incredible backdrops or paint pictures of the scenery, you can picnic or you can dive. The choices are endless and the experience is priceless!

When I received my itinerary for my recent Go Ahead Tours trip through the Alps, I noticed that one of the stops on our way to Austria was a place called Liechtenstein. I had never heard of this place and really didn't know much about it. It was in the middle of the Alps, so I had no doubt it would be beautiful. I was pleasantly surprised to discover this little hidden gem of a country that is fiercely proud of its independence and culture. If you plan a trip through the Alps, make sure to include Liechtenstein on your itinerary! Interesting Facts About Liechtenstein The Principality of Liechtenstein is located in Western Europe between Switzerland and Austria, making it one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world! The total area of Liechtenstein is 62 square miles, about the same geographic size of Washington D.C. The resident population of Liechtenstein is roughly 39,000. The Capital of Liechtenstein is Valduz. German is the official language of Liechtenstein. How to Spend an Afternoon in Liechtenstein As the capital, of course Valduz is the center of activity in Liechtenstein. We took a trolley tour through Valduz which showed us all the sights and gave us some history of this quaint little country. The trolley took us up the hillside through the charming neighborhoods with backyard vineyards and full flower boxes. We caught several views of the hillside palace of the current Reigning Prince and were informed that as all flags were raised that indicated that the Prince and his family were in residence. The trolley also takes you through the center of town where there are plenty of stores for browsing, restaurants to grab a meal and beautiful art work scattered throughout. There are also several museums to tour (including the National Museum of Liechtenstein that explains the history of this unique independent country). After you complete the trolley tour, you can pay 3 Euros to get your Liechtenstein passport stamp! Something unique that not many people will have! While Liechtenstein may not be one of those areas that you hear people talking about all the time, it is definitely worth a stop if you find yourself in the region. I am so glad that Go Ahead Tours included it on their itinerary and helped me discover a beautiful hidden gem that I can share with you!