Last week my family and I were on a roadtrip through Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar. As I gazed out the window at rolling hills, tiny white villages, and rocky seaside cliffs, I started thinking about all the weird and wild things that happen when you’re on the road. You enounter all kinds of wild, weirdContinue reading “Travel Merit Badges”
Tag Archives: adventure
Who Was the First Person To Go Over Niagara Falls in a Barrel?
Who was the first person to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel? Her name was Annie Edson Taylor. She was a 63-year-old school teacher from Michigan, of all the unassuming things. She was the first person to win the ultimate gamble against Niagara. She went over the falls in a barrel… and survived. Who WasContinue reading “Who Was the First Person To Go Over Niagara Falls in a Barrel?”
Sexy Camel Selfies and an Unexpected Surprise
I recently found myself in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco with my family, a Bedouin guide and me from 20 years ago – three of them, actually. Let me explain – a few weeks ago, my family and I joined a group of travelers led by a Bedouin guide for a day trip through theContinue reading “Sexy Camel Selfies and an Unexpected Surprise”
The Craziest Thing I Ever Saw
The craziest thing I ever saw happened as my husband and I were walking down a road in Railay Beach, Thailand. The sun was still high in the sky, but the rhythm of the town was already transitioning from day to night. The dilapidated road was bordered by recently closed shops on one side andContinue reading “The Craziest Thing I Ever Saw”
Call of the Wild: Somebody Left the Gate Open
Try as I might to put down roots, before I knew it, I was off and running through that open gate. What else could I do? I mean, somebody left the gate open…
Glamorous Travel
I’m sitting in the Naples, Italy airport waiting to board a yet-to-be-seen flight to Marrakech, Morocco. No one seems to know why the plane is so late or if it’s coming at all, but that’s how it goes sometimes, right? We’ve all been there, living the glamorous travel life. It’s already been a rather longContinue reading “Glamorous Travel”
An Ode To Not Knowing What the Hell Is Going On
I love traveling abroad. When you’re living daily life back home, it all becomes so rote, so predictable. It’s easy to stagnate and go on autopilot. But when you’re traveling abroad, nothing can be taken for granted. The area is new; you don’t know where anything is. The language is new; you don’t know whatContinue reading “An Ode To Not Knowing What the Hell Is Going On”
Around Here, However, We Keep Moving Forward
One of the first things my daughter said when we told her we were moving to Italy was, “Mom is going to be so bored.” At this point, I had developed somewhat of a reputation for being busy all the time; work, shuttling kids to activities, grad school, and just general life. I assured herContinue reading “Around Here, However, We Keep Moving Forward“
Tonic of Wildness
My family and I have been searching for a good swimming hole. Here in Tuscany, we’re blessed with miles of exquisite, pristine ocean beaches but we haven’t yet discovered a really good freshwater swimming spot. The Arno River runs right through Pisa, but near as I can tell, it’s a pretty industrial waterway. You don’tContinue reading “Tonic of Wildness”
Mad King Ludwig, Walt Disney and the Wild River of Inspiration
They called him “Mad King Ludwig.” Certainly, he did nothing to protest the accuracy of this cruel nickname. By the time he had reached his mid-30’s, the young king had descended into a world of fantasty, full of costumed midnight carriage rides, fairytale castles, and elaborate banquets with the ghosts of Marie Antoinette, Louis XIV,Continue reading “Mad King Ludwig, Walt Disney and the Wild River of Inspiration”
The Wabi-Sabi of Italy
Today we visited Volterra, Italy. It was breathtaking. The ancient city is a network of old stone walkways, arches and high medieval towers perched atop a wild Tuscan hilltop. It’s a rainbow of flowers exploding from balconies and window boxes. It’s a view of rolling farmland that never ends. It’s a rare place that makesContinue reading “The Wabi-Sabi of Italy”
We’ll See: An Adventure in Germany
My family and I recently embarked on a three-day adventure in Germany (living abroad is amazing – everything is so close!). We were all very excited to explore Bavaria, do lots of hiking, and see the famous Neuschwanstein Castle in person. We had the whole trip planned out. After an idyllic drive through the Alps,Continue reading “We’ll See: An Adventure in Germany”
Da Vinci Day!
Today the kids and I set out to discover the man, the myth, and the legend himself: Leonardo da Vinci. I have been in love with da Vinci since I was a budding young art student, some two decades ago. Why? Clearly, da Vinci was extraordinarily gifted, but it’s not his amazing talent that drawsContinue reading “Da Vinci Day!”
What’s the Point of Life?
What is the purpose of life? I’ve been thinking about this a great deal lately; not just since we moved to Italy but throughout the last few years – and especially during the pandemic. I think we all did, to a certain extent. Perhaps it would be better to say I’ve been thinking about theContinue reading “What’s the Point of Life?”
How to be Happy: La Dolce Vita
I am American. And, like many of my fellow Americans, I am strongly influenced by our country’s ideals of independence and productivity. After all, we are the nation of Manifest Destiny, pulling yourself up by your bootstraps, and the American Dream. This cultural baseline has resulted in untold innovations from assembly lines to air conditioning,Continue reading “How to be Happy: La Dolce Vita”