The Eternal Optimist
I’ve been writing this blog on and off for a year now, and my friends and family have been very supportive (Thank you, guys!). However, I have received a very accurate criticism lately that has made me reevaluate my writing style a little bit. The criticism was that I never really talk about any challenges I face when travelling. I completely agree with this statement. I have always been hesitant to complain about anything, because I don’t want to put anyone out, or be negative. For example, my mom always likes to tell people that when I was younger, I would wait until my big toe was sticking out of my shoe before complaining that they were too tight. I guess it’s just the people-pleaser in me. So, after mulling it over, I’ve decided that if bringing up the negatives will help the lovely people who read this blog when they travel or bring a little more depth to my writing, then I’ll do it. I realize I have some catching up to do with my old blog posts, and I will edit them, I promise. But in short form, here are the Top 7 issues (and solutions!) I’ve faced this past year of traveling:
- New Orleans: My boyfriend and I travelled to New Orleans over Labor Day Weekend last year. We had so many things we wanted to do, that some of the more time sensitive things were pushed to the end of the trip. For this reason, we were not able to go to Longue Vue House or Saint Louis Cemetery, which both were very high on my must-see list.
Lesson: You don’t have to plan out your whole trip, but pay attention to operating schedules of attractions when prioritizing what you want to accomplish.
- New Orleans #2: It is very hot and muggy in NOLA in the summer months, which is a given. If you’re smart, you know that you should hydrate more when it’s hot. Especially after physical activity, like hiking through a swamp. Unfortunately, we hydrated with rum slushies and very little water one day during our trip. This resulted in an early departure from a tour and a number of stomach problems for both of us.
Lesson: Hydrate!!! - Salt Lake City: I booked this trip through Frontier Airlines during one of their (many) sales, about a month before I was to fly out. In my hurry to beat the curfew of the sale, I purchased a ticket to fly back a day later than I was supposed to (having to be back to work that day). I didn’t realize my mistake until the my last day in SLC, or so I thought, when I checked my email and noticed I didn’t have anything from Frontier to check in for my flight and I pulled up my booking summary. As a result, I spent an hour on the phone with a representative from the airline and had to pay an additional $100 to change the date of my flight. Not really a fun way to spend my last night.
Lesson: Reign in your travel excitement until the booking process is complete and correct.
- Shanghai: This one is not so much of a mistake as a cultural misstep. I was in China during Chinese New Year, which, in Chinese Culture, is typically a time to be family. For us (my coworkers and I), this translated to very large crowds in the popular areas and everything closing earlier than normal. One of my coworkers and I were trying to get something special for our managers, a task that we had thoughtlessly waited to do until Chinese New Year’s Eve. We cabbed and trained to three separate locations only to find that everybody had already closed. We got so frustrated with it all that we ended up going back to the hotel and ordering cheeseburgers from room service. Once we got over our pity party, we were finally able to go out and enjoy the rest of the celebrations.
Lesson: Know a country’s culture and traditions before travelling there and it will make your trip infinitely better.
- Starved Rock State Park: This day trip was mostly ideal, however there was one kind of major problem: multiple hours of hiking in Chuck Taylors. Yowch!! I stuck it out for a long time because the surroundings were so beautiful. However, by the end of our time there, my feet were so pinched and swollen I could hardly walk. When we got back to the car I immediately took them off and vowed never to make that mistake again.
Lesson: Wherever you go, whatever you do, bring the correct gear!
- North Carolina: Two words: Lake Lure. I was there, I walked around, I took pictures, but I didn’t swim! Why didn’t I do it?? I had my luggage, with my swimsuit and a towel, in the car with me. In my head, I was thinking “Oh, I don’t know, maybe I don’t have time. I have to check into my next hotel all the way in Black Mountain, blah blah blah…” I should not have been so worried about time constraints and just done it. Because now I regret not jumping into that gorgeous lake at least once.
Lesson: When you’re on vacation, don’t hold back from doing things that pique your interest. Do everything possible.
- Miami: Oh Miami, my solo travel before I knew how to solo travel. I never blogged about it, because it was before rebeccawanderlusting’s time. Let me first say that Miami is beautiful and vibrant, and if done right, highly entertaining. I chose to go there because I needed to be on a beach and it was a cheap flight. Overall, it was a perfectly average trip, but it could have been so much better! I was so timid about going out on my own that I spent most of my time there around my hotel. As a result, I came back feeling like a travel failure and regretted not seeing more while I was there.
Lesson: Don’t be afraid to head out on your own! Do what you want and trust your instincts.
I am very aware that if these are my worst problems when travelling, that I am very lucky. And I’m positive mistakes will keep happening, but I will continue to learn from them, I promise.
What is a travel mistake you’ve made? How did you move past it?
We walked by the Perry’s Stage, which features exclusively DJs, and dropped by long enough to feel too old to be there.
Then Tame Impala, who were so, so good. Their crowd was up and dancing and full of good vibes.
We heard there were metallic temporary tattoos at the XRT tent, and that’s just not something I could turn down.
We headed to the Sprint Stage for Brand New, making my 16 year old self’s dreams come true.
It was nearing the last few acts, so we ran over to the bar in preparation to see Metallica, a band I never thought I would enjoy as much as I did.
If you would have told me before I started this blog that someday I’d be driving solo through the mountains en route to North Carolina, I would have called you a liar for two reasons. 1.) Growing up in Small Town, IL with only rural roads did not turn me into a strong highway driver. 2.) Even now, after completing the drive (there and back again), it still seems like a daunting task. Despite those facts, I still rented a car and made my way to Asheville, North Carolina on my own. It was a beautiful drive, and with no real setbacks (minus the time I took a ramp too fast, almost flipping the car
in the process). I had rented a zippy little Kia Rio for the trip and it performed beautifully. I arrived in Asheville at 6:45pm EST and checked into Sweet Peas Hostel. The hostel suited my needs perfectly as it was located right in center of the downtown area. They set me up for my two-night stay with clean towels and bed linens in my private room, complete with double bed, sink, chair and bedside table. Once I had washed my face and changed from my road trip shirt, I set 
out to explore. From what I saw, Asheville is chock-full of unique restaurants and bars, and cute/quirky shops. Every time I turned a corner, I was sure it would lead to a boring, office-lined street, but was surprised to see yet more shops and restaurants to gawk at. The sidewalks were dotted with buskers, and there was a lingering smell of Nag Champa and cigars. I stopped in The Southern for dinner and tried their “famous” Mac n Cheese, 
with a White Zombie Ale (Catawba Brewing Co.) to wash it down. I made it my personal mission to only drink local beers whilst I was in NC. The food was good enough to satiate my post long drive hunger and the beer was delicious. Soon I was back to wandering; there was a lot to take in. I stopped in to Lexington Avenue Brewery for a 1st Gear Ale (Lexington Avenue Brewery), which was also delicious. I loved the vibe in the brewery, mostly because the music went from The Temptations, to The White Stripes and then Pixies (all my favorites). I called it an early night in order to start early the next day. I woke up sans alarm, and showered in the shared 
bathroom, which was very tidy. I decided to grab breakfast at the highly recommended Early Girl Eatery. I was not disappointed. I had the biscuits and herb gravy with a side of THE BEST BACON I HAVE EVER TASTED. And I’m somewhat of a bacon connoisseur. After I finished every last bite, I drove to the Biltmore Estate (less than 10 minutes away from downtown). The sprawling landscape was accessible after purchasing a $60 day pass, which was a little steep for me, but acceptable due to the beauty of the driveway alone. I drove along the winding road to one of the many parking lots, and took a shuttle to the mansion. I had opted out of the audio tour, and followed the sweaty crowd through the gorgeous house.
The pamphlet that was doled out to me with my day pass went in the same order of the rooms, giving brief descriptions of each one. The tour circled around through 
an indoor garden, multiple dining rooms and salons, the library, the bedrooms and lounges upstairs, and the bowling alley, pool, kitchens and employee rooms in the basement. Once the inside tour was over, I took it upon myself to tour the gardens outside. I walked out onto the patio, which gave spectacular views of the mountains. All of the 
surrounding gardens had names, like “The Italian Garden”, “The Spring Garden”, “The Azalea Garden” and so on. I meandered through a few of them, enchanted most by the walled rose garden that gave way to the Conservatory. I shuttled back to the car and drove towards the Antler Hill Village, where the winery and my free wine tastings called to me. The 
brochures recommend spending two days exploring the property and I can absolutely see why. I passed outdoor activities on all sides as I drove, including kayaking, horseback riding and biking. I enjoyed my complimentary wine tastings (I tried the White Zinfandel and the Sauvignon Blanc), and browsed the stores in Antler Hill Village. Once I returned to the hostel, I grabbed my umbrella to protect me from the sudden downpour and set off again. I found myself at aSHEVille Museum, an interactive Feminist Manifesto. The
museum featured portraits and stories from women around the world and various exhibits revering women in their accomplishments and denouncing sexism in the name of equality. I enjoyed the museum and purchased a bracelet from the wonderfully friendly store keeper. From there, I walked over to the Battery Park Book Exchange, which is in the Grove Arcade. The Book Exchange is my new favorite bar, ever. It’s a two-tiered book store with a coffee and booze bar on the first floor. You can sip your drink and browse the shelves, and even 
add a book to your tab! The shelves are spread out upstairs and down with little hidden alcoves with table and chair sets to sit and read. The staff were nice enough to help me pick a dinner spot and recommend other local eateries for later. The restaurant they spoke the highest of was closed that day, so I wound up at Bouchon, a French Restaurant. I sat at the bar and ordered Moules Frites a la Paris-Born Redneck (cooked with PBR) with a Pisgah Pale 
Ale (Pisgah Brewing Co.). So far the Asheville brewed brews were really hitting the mark. It felt very Parisian, to be sitting at the bar, eating Moules Frites and watching the rain; brooding, because as it turns out, I don’t really enjoy mussels. I did, however, enjoy the bartender there, who was also from Illinois, and advised me where to hike the next day. I walked to 5 Walnut after dinner, drawn in by their live music. The Band, Siamese Jazz Club (with Caromio), was fantastic. I downed a Mother Trucker Pale Ale (Catawba 
Brewing Co.) and enjoyed the happy atmosphere at the bar. Everyone was jamming to the band and dancing alongside their tables. From there, I moved on to The Thirsty Monk for a night cap, where I met a nice couple, who I proceeded to give Asheville Tourism advice to. Drink enough of these local brews and you’ll start to act like one, I guess. Soon, I was taking my slightly tipsy butt to bed. The next morning, I went to the famed Tupelo Honey Café for breakfast al fresco. I had their Tupelo Breakfast Plate, sans eggs and plus a biscuit, and cheese grits and bacon. The food was excellent and the weather was perfect, which lent to a wonderful dining experience. I walked around downtown 
Asheville one last time before heading back to the car and driving to Chimney Rock State Park. It wasn’t a terribly long drive, but the drive up the mountain and to the State Park entrance was a doozy. The switchbacks in the road were something I’d never handled and I took them slowly. It’s usually $15 to enter the park, but that day there was a reduced fair due to the elevator to the top being out of service. That was my first clue that I was in for a lot of stairs. I parked by the gift shop and started the hike up to Chimney Rock, which is almost 100% stairs. There were many lookouts on the way up, but I had my eye on the prize. I made it to the top, panting and wheezing, and marveled at the beautiful view. It was almost a 360 degree view of the gorgeous landscape below. I sat up there for a while, sipping my water and trying to catch my breath. Once I was ready, I overheard talk of a waterfall, and decided to do that hike too. The Hickory Nut Falls trail was back down the stairs, and then down some more stairs for good measure. The trail to the waterfall was nice and shady, and not too long.
NC. Just past the town line is a rather ominous looking roadside market that sells produce, jellies and Bat Cave t-shirts, hats and magnets. I did a U-turn on the mountain road to stop there and buy my Batman-obsessed boyfriend a Bat Cave gift. The proprietor and employees there were happy to give me some fun facts about the area, including how there is an actual Bat Cave, which is now full of snakes. Like Indiana Jones, I hate snakes, so I thanked them for their time and high-tailed it out of there. I was back en route to the Monte Vista Hotel in Black Mountain, down Highway 9, when my cell phone service turned non-existent, effectively shutting down the GPS. The serpentine roads wound through abandoned hills; I hardly passed any cars or buildings. I had a moment of p
anic thinking that I was lost without contact in the wild of North Carolina, before continuing on and eventually regaining the previously taken for granted power of GPS. I made it to the hotel, and checked into a beautiful room in the new wing of the building. To be honest, I was just happy to have my own, private bathroom. I showered and exited the hotel to explore my new surroundings. Most of the stores around Black Mountain were already closed for the evening (at 5:30pm), 
but the ones that were open featured local crafts and kitschy mountain gifts. I went to the Trailhead for dinner and their special for the day: a fried chicken salad with Gouda cheese and local blackberries and heirloom tomatoes. It was unexpectedly yummy. After I settled the bill, I waltzed over to the Black Mountain Ale House for a Black Mountain IPA (Lookout Brewing Co.). The Trivia Night promised on the sign outside never began, so I moved 
on to the White Horse Black Mountain bar down the street. It featured live Irish Music from 6:30-8:30pm and Open Mic night after that. The proprietor, Bob, was such a gentleman and put up with me asking too many questions about local beers. With his help, I chose Noble Hard Cider first and Green Man ESB second, both were so good. He also took the time to explain what ESB stood for (Extra Special Bitter) and where it originated (Great Britain). I nursed my beers and enjoyed the music, 
before leaving the cozy yet cavernous bar and heading back to the hotel. I had a glass of wine on the Monte Vista porch and wrote a bit. The summer night was balmy, but the humidity had left with the sun and the current climate was perfect. I went inside to return my wine glass at the bar, and wound up talking to the General Manager, Tony, of the hotel for a while about hotel life, Chicago, North Carolina and travel in general. It was a great way to 
end the evening. The next morning I roused myself early to catch the continental breakfast of fruit, yogurt, cereal, coffee and juice. The dining room is equal parts rustic and modern with dark wood furniture, local art on the walls and vases of wildflowers on each table. Soon it was time to check out and head home to Chicago. With road construction all along the route home, I had plenty of time to reflect on the trip. It was my first solo road trip, and I am so happy I chose Asheville. It’s friendly inhabitants
and beautiful scenery made the long drive completely worth it. There were things I missed and would happy to make the trip for again. Thanks for the hospitality NC, you were perfect.
A fun, upbeat playlist is essential to any road trip! My trip is going to be around 10 hours from Chicago to Asheville, so I’m working on the ultimate mish mosh of tunes that I can sing along to. I’ve already started on my Road Trip playlist, but it needs a lot more work to try to fill that time slot. Also, because the drive is on the longer side, I’m also playing with the idea of getting a book on tape from the library to help pass the time (any suggestions??).
I know it will be hot in Asheville, and I’ve already started to put aside some hot weather clothes to pack. I also know I will bring too much, as per usual. But, that’s part of the beauty of a road trip: no checked baggage fees! Everything that I have set to bring on this trip already is hoarded on my desk at the moment. In a couple of days I’ll have to get it together and put everything into my suitcase and backpack to be ready to go. Because I am prone to forgetting things when I pack, I always make a checklist beforehand to limit the things left behind.
I have been doing some light research on the local attractions and dining options, but I need to figure out my must see/eat places. I don’t like to go in to a trip with a completely planned out itinerary, but I do like to make a small list of things I absolutely want to accomplish while I’m there. Currently at the top of my list are The Biltmore Estate, The Orange Peel, Chimney Rock, and exploring downtown Asheville. I like to use google maps to see which attractions are close to others so I can lump them in together in one day. I am working with three days to enjoy an amazing city with a lot of activities to choose from so a girl’s gotta have priorities.
While I am fairly confident in my driving abilities, and fully confident in my ability to take care of myself, there will always be ways to limit any travel safety risks. I am putting together an emergency kit for the car, which will include: first aid supplies, jumper cables, pepper spray, and an atlas in case Google maps fails me. I also am bringing along a door stop, a tip that I stole from the 
Over the next few days, I’ll (hopefully) have a good handle on all these things. I am so excited to be on my way, and I can’t wait to tell you all about Asheville when I get back.
We go to Maiden Lake in Wisconsin every year for Independence Day, it’s a family tradition (as per my previous Lakewood, WI post). This year, I drove up with my boyfriend straight from Chicago, which was a first. We left at 6:30am on Friday, stopping for coffee first and then we were on our way. It was an easy five hour jaunt up through Milwaukee, Green Bay and straight on to Lakewood. We arrived just before noon and got ready to go on the boat 
right away. It was a perfect day to go out on the lake, warm enough to make you want to jump in the water but with a perfect breeze. We cruised around for a bit and then stopped for cocktails and snacks, which were stored in the coolers. It was a perfect afternoon of lounging out on the water. After snacks, I was talked into trying to water-ski, which was a painful failure. If I didn’t get a mouthful of lake water getting pulled directly out 
of the skis, I was flying backwards with the skis pulling my legs out to the sides. I did manage to get up halfway on the skis once, but I got so excited that I flung my hands up in the air, effectively letting go of the rope. I called it quits after that and we headed back to the cabin to tie up the boat and get ready for dinner. There are a lot of great restaurants and supper clubs around Lakewood, but because of the holiday weekend and the size of our group, it’s usually easier to make dinner at home. The end result is always delicious, and enjoyed on the porch in good company. After dinner a few of us walked from the cabin to the Maiden Lake Supper Club to enjoy a drink al fresco on their deck by the lake. The Supper Club is a Maiden Lake institution and is really the only the restaurant that’s actually on the lake.
There is always a wait to enjoy their large portioned, comfort foods and seating in the bar and on the deck is always limited. Luckily, we were able to get a table and enjoy the sun setting over the lake. On our walk back, we admired the other cabins along the lake. Some were 
newly built, and some maintained their rustic charm. My favorite had a small red box on a post with the title Maiden Lake Library on it out front. Its front window displayed an array of books, with take one leave one written under the shelves. We came home to a giant bonfire behind the house primed and ready for s’mores making. It was a perfect ending to our first day at the lake. The next day was July 4th, and I woke up early to paddle-board before the bigger boats came out. It is the most peaceful thing to be out in the middle of the perfectly-still lake on the paddle-board. After I got my fill of inner peace, we started our Independence Day celebrations early with a huge breakfast. The best part of 
lake life is that everything revolves around when we can get out on the boat. While half of us cleaned up from breakfast, the rest of our group readied the boats to take them out for the day. We set shortly after, split between two boats. I tried to ski again, and this time I was finally successful! I got up for a while and was satisfied enough to quit while I was ahead. The boats met up to anchor and so we could swim and sip cocktails in the sunshine. When we docked for the day, my boyfriend and I went to the grocery store for burger fixins and then drove down the road to Sweet Memories, an amazing candy store in Lakewood. 
contestants did not disappoint. There were Minions, Pirates, Winnie the Pooh, and even Snow White and her seven buddies showed up for the occasion. The next holiday festivity was our annual trip to the best ice cream stop in the Midwest, Northern D’Lites. They have delicious soft serve in an ever changing cycle of flavors and all the usual suspects as far 
as frozen treats go. It’s a humble pick-up window surrounded by picnic tables, complete with friendly staff and a long line of customers. After our collective sweet tooth was satiated, we drove off to find parking for the fireworks show, which we watched in the back of my uncle’s pick-up truck. The fireworks display is always great, and this year it was the same. However, the 
next day, we were assured by one of the grocery store clerks at True Value that this year was a little lean because next year is the town’s centennial, which they will go all out for. Our last day at the Cabin, my boyfriend and I spent the morning Kayaking to one of the beautiful inlets on the south side of Maiden Lake. Our whole crew had one last spin around the lake in the speed boats and one last swim before we put away all of the boating gear, took the boats out of the water, and closed up the cabin. It’s always sad leaving, but hopefully we’ll be back sooner rather than later. On our way home, my boyfriend and I stopped at two vastly different but equally important Wisconsin landmarks. The first was Bagley Rapids in Mountain, WI and the second was Mars Cheese Castle in Kenosha, WI. Bagley Rapids is a beautiful park and campground in the Nicolet National Forest.
We had to drive down a very narrow, dirt road to get to the parking lot, which was very small and perhaps the wrong parking lot. However, we finally made it down to the rapids, which we heard before they came into view. It was a gorgeous scene. We were able to take a walk along the side of the rapids before we had to get back to the car and continue on home. We drove for another three hours before reaching Kenosha, the location of the famous Mars Cheese Castle.
I’ve passed it many times without exiting the highway to visit, but this time we exited route 94 and pulled into the parking lot of the castle. It is a mecca of cheese, sausage and condiments. It is also one of the last stops on the highway to pick up some New Glarus beer, which is only available in Wisconsin and so delicious. I have to say, it was pretty expensive compared to other stops ($3 extra for a 6-pack of Spotted Cow). We purchased some cheese, sausage and beer regardless of the price and stopped in the restaurant for a bite to eat before finishing the drive to Chicago. We both had bratwursts, which were very good, but the service was slow and without a smile. The rest of the drive went smoothly, and soon we were home safe and sound. Before long, I was asleep, dreaming of being back at the lake.
rebeccawanderlusting 