Up North, Maiden Lake, WI, RebeccaWanderlusting

Up North: A Photo Blog

On July 5, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn US Travel, Wisconsin6 Comments

Of all the places I have traveled, my favorite place of all can be found Up North. A tiny town on a beautiful lake, hours on the boat spent with family, home cooked meals, what more could a girl ask for? I’ve written about Maiden Lake before, but this time I will let the photos do (most of) the talking.

Picture this: A gravel driveway leads to a picturesque cabin perched on a hill overlooking a beautiful lake. The front door leads to a homey kitchen flanked by a bedroom, bathroom and living room, all of which are cozy as can be. At the back of the first floor is a fairly new screened in porch, perfect for catching a glimpse of the true blue lake below or snagging a quick cat nap. Above and below the first floor are more beds to sleep the multitude of house guests that flock to this Midwest Paradise.

From the porch, a thin stone-lined path leads down to a semi-private cove of Maiden Lake; the trees swaying in the light breeze flash views of the cobalt water as you move down the path. Once at the shoreline, the lazy waves from the speedboats racing by lap at the rocks, creating a unique melody.

In the early morning, before the speed boats are allowed to create a wake, the lake is perfect for kayaking, paddle boarding, or swimming across. The water is calm and it’s glassy surface perfectly reflects the sky above. You could paddle into the center of the lake and almost feel like you’re the only person around.

Once the boat is loaded with all the chips, dips, snacks and booze it can carry,we cruise around the lake, tubing and water-skiing. This was the first year ever that I was able to get up on the skis and take a few turns around the lake. It was exhausting and so gratifying.

In the middle of the day, when the sun is especially hot, we anchor on an edge of the lake to mix the cocktails and go for a swim. The water in Maiden Lake is as clean and cool as they come. The neighbors’ boats circle around the lake as we watch, riding out the waves they make while we talk and laugh and dive into the water to cool off.

The evening activities typically include wine by the lake, sunset cruising, delicious meals, boat parades and perhaps some fireworks. Whatever we choose to do, it is always relaxing and revolves around enjoying the cabin and the lake.

Every year that we make the trip Up North, it seems that I want to stay longer and longer. You can’t beat the peacefulness, the fresh air, the hours spent out on the water… I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again, I can’t wait until next year.

Top Five Ways to Explore Your City, Rebecca Wanderlusting

Top Five Friday #14

On July 1, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Top Five Friday1 Comment

Top Five Ways to Explore Your City

With all of the great destinations in the world, it may be easy to forget the one right outside your door. While it may or may not be a tourist hot spot or a large city, your hometown is sure to have its merits. I grew up in the teeny, tiny Midwest town of Johnsburg, IL (any Tom Waites fans out there??). Despite the lack of things to do there , I remember writing an article for our high school newspaper on how to have a staycation spring break, which is pretty similar to this here blog. It was fun to research and, even then, I was compelled by the idea that anywhere can be a vacation spot with some research, positivity, and maybe a little imagination. When researching how to make Johnsburg a fun staycation destination, I believe we walked to the Mobile Gas Station for candy, stopped into Video Villa for a movie, and walked over to the public library to check out the selection. I remember it as being a pretty solid day. Anyways, the point of the matter is this: not everyone has the resources to travel each instance they get their hands on some vacation time, but it’s important not to overlook the beautiful place you live if you’re in need of an escape. Here are my five best tips to explore your city:

Plan a stay at a local hotel – See your hometown as a visitor would by planning a little staycation at a hotel that interests you. Look on Tripadvisor to find one that matches your needs and budget. Go all out and pair it with a night on the town, or stay in and enjoy the hotel amenities. Either way, you’ll get to see a different side of your city that you wouldn’t get to witness inside your apartment.
Check Pinterest – The world wide web is obviously full of information, and Pinterest gives you a concentrated selection of the points of interest that are in your city. The attractions others found there might be things that never would have occurred to you. Furthermore, it may direct you to websites dedicated to events and festivities near you that you may have been completely unaware of.
Take a tour – “Take a tour of my own city?? That’s crazy” you might be saying to yourself right about now. But, think about it, when you first moved to your particular corner of the globe, did you bother looking into tours of places that interested you? No? I certainly didn’t. And in this day in age, there are so many independent tour companies out there, that you’re sure to find one in your city that is centered around your interests. For example, the walking cupcake tour of Chicago is something I’d definitely like to try.
Pick a Neighborhood and go for a stroll – Within your hometown, choose a neighborhood or area that you have yet to explore and take a walk. Sometimes the best coffee shops/restaurants/stores are ones that you’ve stumbled upon randomly. Better yet, stop into each restaurant that catches your interest and have an appetizer, drink or dessert there to create your own personal food tour.
Attend an Event or Festival – This may seem like a given, but not everyone takes advantage of these opportunities. There can be a ton of possibilities that suit all interests in terms of fests and events, especially during this time of year. For example, during the summertime in Chicago, there is an art fair, music festival or street fest happening almost every single weekend. Choose one and discover a new neighborhood, new restaurant or new side of your hometown.

What is your favorite way to explore your own city? How often do you try new things in your hometown?

Adventures in Gatlinburg, Part 2

On June 28, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Tennessee, US Travel1 Comment

We started off our last day in Gatlinburg, TN started off at The Pancake Pantry, the oldest pancake house in Gatlinburg. This is an impressive title considering how many breakfast joints there are just in Downtown Gatlinburg alone. Somehow, we beat the breakfast rush and got seated right away, just as the line was starting to form. They had a HUGE selection of crepes and pancakes; I chose the mountain blueberry pancakes. They came with a delightful blueberry syrup and were absolutely delicious.

The coffee here was also very good, and the service was great and fast. We all really enjoyed the family atmosphere of the Pancake Pantry, especially having the baby with us. From breakfast, we headed to a different entrance to the Smoky Mountains National Park than the day before to hike the Grotto Falls trail. Unfortunately, when we got there, the trail was closed for a couple of hours while they did maintenance, so we occupied ourselves at the Ogle Farm Houses until it reopened. The houses have been there since the 1800’s and are empty save for the tourists snapping pictures in their open rooms. The grounds surrounding the houses are gorgeous, with a small stream running behind them and the trees stretching up above.

Once we were able to get to the trail it was already a little crowded, but we’d find out later on that we actually beat most of the crowd. Even so, the parking lot was full, so we were forced to park along the one way street heading out of the lot. The hike was a little less than three miles to Grotto Falls and back. The trail was riddled with rocks and knotty roots, and it crossed small streams that snaked their way down the mountains. There were some steep drop-offs coupled with beautiful views. Clumsy me tripped just about a hundred times because I was so distracted by the gorgeous scenery.

As we got closer to the falls, the path became rocky and tad treacherous and the bugs became a little more prevalent. Grotto Falls itself was absolutely gorgeous. You can walk behind the waterfall, but be prepared to wait in line behind hikers wanting photo ops. The trail was crowded with hikers, with more and more coming up the path. The Falls pooled in a few separate places, which spread the crowd out a bit. We were able to get one to ourselves to stick our sweaty feet into without too much trouble.

The water was very cold and refreshing. On our way back down, we picked up the pace due to some thunder rumbling close by. We ended up being safe from the storm for a while, so we drove the scenic route around the park, driving by more waterfalls, across wooden bridges and alongside beautiful creeks. I won’t lie, I made everyone stop a couple of times so i could get out of the car and take pictures, but the photos are certainly worth it. We had another picnic lunch, which is really the only option if you’re spending the day in the Park.

After lunch, we drove to the Arts and Crafts Community, which is a neighborhood of stores featuring local artisans. There were quilters, weavers, glass blowers, candle makers and more. It was fun to look around, but prepare to spend some time here if you go because you have to drive between small groups of the shops to find the good stuff. It is very possible to find some unique souvenirs and treasures here.

Close to the Arts and Crafts Community is Gray Hawk Enterprises, where you can find hand woven blankets and rugs, handmade dream catchers, and beautiful turquoise jewelry. Mike and I got a rug for home, which we still have yet to put out, but it is very pretty! Our plan for our last night in Tennessee was to make dinner and hang out enjoying the amazing cabin. We were celebrating my parents’ 36^th Anniversary, so us kids were in charge of cooking. While Mike and my brother-in-law, David, went to grab the ingredients, my sister, niece and parents and I made good use of the game room.

We played pool and Centipede and Pacman, and while it would have been silly to sit inside playing games amongst all this natural beauty… it was really fun. Soon after the boys came back, dark clouds started rolling in over the Smoky Mountains. It looked like something out of Lord of the Rings; it was beautiful and a little frightening. We sat out on the porch for a bit to watch, until it started pouring. We were grilling for dinner, so we took turns running out into the rain to check on the steaks. And then the power went out.

Everyone had to scramble around to find our phones and flashlights and attempted to figure out how to continue cooking. Before we could even begin to Macgyver our way to a cooked dinner, the power came back. The storm rumbled on as we sat down at the huge dining room table to enjoy our steaks, baked potatoes, grilled onions, asparagus, and salad. It turned out to be an amazing dinner, which we followed up with some rummy and wine. The next morning we had breakfast at the cabin and finished packing up to go our separate ways. All in all, it was a perfect Smoky Mountain vacation. I wouldn’t change a single thing we did. The scenery was beautiful, the hikes were solid, and my family was amazing as always.

Have you ever been to Smoky Mountains National Park? Which was your favorite hike?

**A special thank you to my very generous Mom and Dad, who gifted us this trip for Christmas. Love you guys!**

Smoky Mountains, Tennessee, RebeccaWanderlusting

Adventures in Gatlinburg, Part 1

On June 24, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Tennessee, US Travel5 Comments

The day we drove to Gatlinburg from Chattanooga was beautiful and sunny. It was a two and a half hour drive that took us through the mountains and through the technicolor nightmare that is Pigeon Forge. We stopped at the Visitor Center to get some Smoky Mountain maps and check out the gift shop before moving on to get groceries for the cabin.

The closest grocery store was Food City in Gatlinburg, so we loaded up on supplies there. Our cabin was up a winding, one way road into the mountains. The drive was a little bit scary with the hairpin turns and steep drops, but the destination was so worth it. It was absolutely stunning; a log cabin perched on a peak with a perfect view of The Great Smoky Mountains.

The cabin had three levels, three bedrooms, three balconies, four bathrooms, a game room and a huge kitchen. We ate a lunch of grilled bratwurst and chips out on the porch and relaxed, all in awe of the view. Once we felt we had memorized every nuanced ridge and treetop, we drove to downtown Gatlinburg to explore and eventually get some dinner. The drive downtown was about 20 minutes each way from our cabin.

There is a parking garage right on the edge of downtown, on the corner of routes 321 and 441 that only charges a maximum of $6 that we utilized frequently (we usually paid less than the max). It’s an easy walk to the main drag from there. Downtown Gatlinburg is an interesting, kitschy city; the street is lined with places with names like Sweet Fanny Adams Theater, Cooters Dukes of Hazard Museum, Doc Collier’s Moonshine, Beef Jerky Outlet, Donut Friar, All Sauced Up Kitchen Fixins, Earthquake the Ride, and an unprecedented amount of Old Tyme Photos. We navigated the streets among the other tourists, feeling like we had been transported to a different world.

We were planning on checking out the Smoky Mountain Brewery, however as a party of six and a half, the wait was 45+ minutes. We walked next door to Cherokee Grille instead. Luckily, we were able to order some Smoky Mountain draft beers there. We ordered a variety of entrees. I had the barbecue grilled chicken with rice and broccoli. The beer was great, the food was good. The service was friendly but a little frantic. After dinner, we strolled back down the parkway, taking in the street performers and sights. That evening, we sat out on the porch in the rocking chairs with a glass of wine. It was heavenly.

The next morning, we ate breakfast at the cabin and headed straight to Smoky Mountain National Park. The drive there took us right through downtown and then into the wilderness. Each drive we took through the park was prettier than the last. Our first stop was the Laurel Falls trail, which was a paved, two and a half mile hike. It had beautiful views but was very crowded. We walked in a single file line behind other hikers, past other hikers and with other hikers behind us; it felt a little like an assembly line.

Once we reached Laurel Falls, it was easy to see what drew in all these people, and, as such, it was hard to take a photo without anyone else in it. Either way, it was a pretty hike. We drove onward to the Chimney Tops picnic area to have our sandwiches. Right next to the multiple picnic tables are some gorgeous rapids to dip your feet into. The water is chilly and the rocks are prime for climbing across to get a better view of the scenery.

You can walk along the rapids a ways, but we moved on to our next hike, Clingman’s Dome, up the mountains. The drive up is lined with many scenic overlooks, which is good because the view is too pretty to put into words. Clingman’s Dome is the highest point in the park, so you have to drive quite a ways to get to the parking there. From the parking lot, it’s a half mile hike straight uphill to get to the dome. What’s cool about this hike is that it crosses the Appalachian Trail towards the top.

There is a lazy spiral ramp that leads to the dome, where you can see a 360 degree of the mountains. It is absolutely stunning and I took approximately 100 photos. The way down from the dome was a lot easier than the way up as long as you don’t stop to admire the view.

We stopped at a few other spots to take pictures on the way down, including the state line between Tennessee and North Carolina. Because we had all been craving margaritas all day, we met back in Gatlinburg for dinner at No Way Jose’s. The margaritas there did not disappoint and the food was good too, albeit pretty typical Tex-Mex fare.

I will say that their homemade salsa that they plunk down on the table just as soon as you sit down is out-of-this-world good. After dinner we walked down to the Sky Lift, which my mom and I had spotted the night before and vowed to try out. It was $16.50 a person for a round trip ticket to head up the mountain in a ski lift bench to the scenic overlook, cafe, and gift shop at the top and back down.

The ride was pretty slow but provided a spectacular view, and the view from the top, of Gatlinburg and the surrounding mountains, was gorgeous. We gave in and bought the professional photo they took of us on the way up as a souvenir. Our last stop of the evening was Maddog’s Ice Cream and Donuts for a treat before heading back to the cabin. It was a cute, roadside shop with homemade donuts, soft serve, and ice cream. They had some interesting statues outside, along with some picnic tables. We took our ice cream to go and went back to our beautiful view at the cabin, looking forward to another full of hiking.

Happy Father’s Day!

On June 19, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Travel TipsLeave a comment

An Ode to My Dad, The Adventurer

My Dad influences me in a lot of ways. He’s just the epitome of what a dad should be: honest and hard-working, encouraging, adventurous and fun. He has always been an excellent role model. Of course one of the biggest ways he has influenced my life is instilling a love of travel in me. Growing up, as I’ve said before, we traveled a lot, usually going to National Parks and doing outdoorsy things. My Dad was always the one climbing over fences and across rivers, waving at us from a place we couldn’t quite reach, adventuring further in the wild than the National Parks typically allowed and then coming back with a huge, trouble-maker grin on his face. To me, he’s the original adventurer. While we were in Tennessee this past week, we sat in rocking chairs on the porch of our cabin in Gatlinburg and talked about travel and how it has influenced his life.

RW: What generally inspires you to pick the destinations that you travel to?

“What there is to do outdoors, like golf, kayak, explore outside. National Parks are big for us.”

My mom sat out there with us, sipping coffee and chiming in when needed. When I had asked how they chose where they took us when we were kids, she explained that it was such a treat for her parents to take her to Disney world when she was young, so they took us there twice within the span of a few years. After the second time, my dad had had enough and explained that he did not want to see animatronic animals and hear canned music, he wanted to go somewhere real. This is how our trips to National Parks started. This first one we went to was Yellowstone, and we road-tripped there just as my dad had done when he was young.

What did you like most about going to the National Parks when you were a kid?

“I always liked the hikes. Sometimes we would go on guided hikes with a ranger, sometimes on our own. They would always have a movie in the outdoor theater area where they’d show movies at night. We’d always go to those. They were nature movies about birds or about wherever we were, about the park.”

My dad’s parents would take him, his three brothers and two sisters on road trips out west to National Parks and they would camp wherever they went.

Did you take us to the same parks to relive those memories?

“No, we took you there because they’re beautiful, they’re a part of the big wide world. I think everyone should see them.”

Did we influence where we went on the trips?

“Well, obviously we did things that you would be able to do. We didn’t go on ten mile hikes…well, yes we did sometimes. But we tried to gear it towards you kids and not do something you couldn’t do.”

While I do love those hikes now, I remember liking those long hikes as a kid ONLY if we could go to the gift shop at the end of them.

Why do you think it was important to take us on trips when we were kids?

“I don’t know, it was just ingrained. My parents took us on trips. I think it makes you appreciate things better.”

What motivates you to travel now?

“There’s still places on the list that we want to see. It’s never going to be empty. We look forward to our trips. We don’t need to take big trips either, you know, we take little trips on the weekend. We take off for a day or overnight or whatever. If we aren’t tied to the house for whatever reason, for chores or managing life, then we’re going somewhere.”

I think it’s also important to note that during this trip, my parents towed a trailer all the way to Tennessee and beyond that contained their motorcycle, kayaks and golf clubs. They moved on to Asheville after the rest of us went home to have a few more adventures. If that doesn’t sum it up, I don’t know what else could.

Which destination has been your favorite so far?

“Italy, by far.”

My parents took a trip to Italy in 2010 for their thirtieth anniversary. While there, they traveled to Rome, Tuscany and The Amalfi Coast, right on the Mediterranean.

What was your favorite part about Italy?

“A big part of that was being some place new, a new culture, but also to see things that are so old, so important in history.”

What would be your dream destination right now?

“I don’t think I can pin one down, there’s still so many things we want to see.”

Just pick one.

“I’d love to go to New Zealand. It’s supposed to be beautiful for motorcycling. I think because my dad was stationed there in the service (The Navy). The other one that comes to mind is not very exotic, but your mom and I want to go soon: The Southwest National Parks: Zion, Bryce and the Arches.”

What is your best travel advice?

“Be patient. Enjoy the moment, it’s so easy to get caught up with getting from one point to another point, you get frustrated. It’s an old statement, but it’s not about getting from point A to point B, it’s the whole thing. That’s true. I’ve been guilty of getting caught up in the destination part.”

“Just get out there and do it. There’s too much world to see, don’t be a hermit crab.”

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY TO ALL THE DADS OUT THERE! Especially mine. Thanks for everything, Dad – keep on exploring.

Trip Planning: Traverse City, MI, RebeccaWanderlusting

Chattanooga, TN Reunion

On June 16, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Tennessee, US Travel2 Comments

We left Chicago at 6:20am after it took me the usual 20 minutes to leave the house (double checking the doors were locking, unplugging every little thing and grabbing a last minute jacket that I never once needed in the 90 degree heat). The drive took about 10 hours with stopping for gas and lunch and the accidental detour we took through historic Downtown Louisville, KY. I like what I saw there though! I wouldn’t mind returning there to explore for a weekend. Once we got towards the Tennessee border, the GPS took us down a rural highway past sprawling farmlands and green topped mountains. Scenic route, indeed.

We stayed in a Comfort Inn and Suites (remember last time?), in Hixson, TN, which is right near Chattanooga. We dropped off our bags, changed clothes, and headed to dinner at the Lakeshore Grille in Chattanooga. My cousin Leslie and her husband, Mike, met us there, and we all sat out on their porch for a drink and some casual fare. The food took quite a while to come out, but they kept us from getting too hungry with plates of homemade potato chips slathered with chipotle ranch.

It was really nice to be able to catch up with our southern kin. We all ordered burgers, which were really good and worth the wait. After dinner, we went back to the hotel and I passed out almost immediately. The next morning, we grabbed something from the little continental breakfast at the hotel and then headed to Falling Water, the small town where our Tennessee family lives. We spent some time chit chatting before going for a walk through the neighborhood.

The significance of this place is that my mom’s father grew up here, and this is where he and my grandma lived when they were first married. His side of the family is still here and we try and come visit as often as we can. Not only because they are so wonderful, but it’s also nice to be able to remember my grandparents through this place they used to live. We walked past the pretty little church they go to, and to the cemetery at the top of a hill, where relatives I never knew are buried. It may sound a little morbid, but it’s actually a really beautiful sunlit clearing.

From there, we walked down the lane to the end, passing farm houses, chickens, and gardens, all farmed in front of the mountains. The natural beauty of this place is almost surreal. After our walk, we made our way to Leslie’s house for a huge, Southern, barbecue lunch of pulled pork, baked beans, coleslaw, sweet corn casserole, pasta salad, potato casserole and key lime pie.

We ate out on the porch despite the heat, and everyone went back for seconds. The whole meal was just perfect, and put all of our favorite barbecue joints in Chicago to shame. After lunch, we jumped into their pool to cool off and had a couple of pain killer cocktails poolside (pineapple juice, rum, coconut milk and nutmeg). We lounged by the pool for a while, the heat made us a bit lethargic.

Soon enough, we got our act together and Mike and I split off from the group to check out Downtown Chattanooga. Our first stop was Mean Mug Coffeehouse on the south side of Chattanooga. It was a hip spot with local art on the walls and excellent espresso. We also ordered a blackberry scone as a last minute decision and it was such a good one. It was a perfect crumbly yet soft texture and drizzled with icing. I will have dreams about that scone, I know it.

From there, we went to Frazier Street to check out the cute shops and the pedestrian walkway. We liked Luxe Boutique for its cute clothes and accessories and Winder Binder for its amazing collection of books and records for very reasonable prices.

We walked halfway across the pedestrian walkway to the sounds of the River Bend music festival. The walkway offered gorgeous views of the city, Tennessee River and the mountains beyond. To be honest, with what little we saw of it, Chattanooga charmed the pants off of us.

We went back to Falling Water for a solid last visit with my Aunt Sue, Leslie and her husband. We had leftover barbecue for dinner because, yes, it was just that good. We left them with promises to visit again soon, which I fully intend to keep. Mike and I then went back to Chattanooga for a cocktail at Stir, which Leslie had recommended. It was very close to Mean Mug, and we were able to park on the street and walk over. Stir was housed in a beautiful old brick building, with twinkling lights inside and a nice porch outside, which is where we sat.

Stir is known for their “artisanal ice” which means that their drinks all come with interestingly shaped ice. My delicious Elderflower Sour came with a large rectangular cube in it. The drinks were good and the service was wonderful. It definitely ended the Chattanooga leg of our trip on a high note. The next morning we hit the road again on our way to Gatlinburg, TN.

8 Books to Read This Summer

On June 9, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Travel Books2 Comments

Is there anything better than sitting in the sun, glass of wine in hand, with a good book? Probably not. It’s no secret that I’m a bit of a bookworm, and I firmly believe that reading and vacations go hand in hand. What’s a plane/train/bus ride without a good book to while away the hours? The only problem is that there are just so many out there to choose from. I enjoy a pretty wide range of books; old, new, non-fiction, science fiction, I will read pretty much anything that catches my interest. If you’re like me in this regard, consider adding a few of these to your reading bucket list. Some are older classics, some are new, some are genres you might not typically choose, but all of them are worth a read, I promise.

“Something Wicked This Way Comes” by Ray Bradbury: This has to be one of my favorite books of all time. I love the way Mr. Bradbury writes; it’s captivatingly lyrical. This creative thriller will have you hooked from the very first page. “Something Wicked This Way Comes” is a tale of a carnival and its effect on a small town, told from the perspective of two boys. Read if: you like science fiction and you’ve always thought that there was something mystical and creepy about carnivals.
“The Regulators” by Richard Bachman (Stephen King): I love most of Stephen King’s books, but this one is my favorite. It’s a good summer read because it is equal parts terrifying and weirdly entertaining. This story follows the odd happenings on a single street in the suburbs when one child’s favorite characters start to terrorize the neighborhood. Read if: you’re ready to be sufficiently creeped out and enthralled all at once.
“Play it as it Lays” by Joan Didion: This novel is a slice of 60’s Hollywood life from the view of a less than sane actress, Maria. The story is a little bit of an emotional rollercoaster, but, as always, Joan Didion does not disappoint. She is the epitome of cool and this novel radiates her sophisticated demeanor. Read if: you like your summer reads to be a little heavier than the average romance novel.
“Why Not Me” by Mindy Kaling: First of all, Mindy Kaling is always a good idea. This book is hilarious and makes the perfect pick for a lighthearted summer read. It’s chock-full of essays that range in topic from being dumped by a girlfriend to an explanation behind her soup snake relationship. This one is sure to make you laugh obnoxiously enough that your fellow travelers will stare. Read if: You’re ready to get a good ab workout in while you read!
“In The Woods” by Tana French: This novel is insanely hard to put down. The plot sucks you in, makes you think you know what’s happening, and then turns that on its head. The story revolves around two Dublin detectives taking on a case that is eerily similar to an event from one of their pasts. Read if: You’re ready to get involved in a chilling mystery/thriller and have plenty of time on your hands to finish the book in one sitting.
“The Rum Diary” by Hunter S. Thompson: Thompson’s books are always a wild ride, and “The Rum Diary” is no exception. Follow his Gonzo Journalistic exploits in San Juan, Puerto Rico from one stumbling drunk adventure to the next. There’s just enough drama to keep it interesting, but not enough that it overtakes the fantastic prose. Read if: You have a Mai Tai in hand and wish you were going to the tropics.
“Hold Still” by Sally Mann: This autobiography details Sally Mann’s life as a photographer in Lynchburg, Virginia. Her relatable anecdotes and fascinating artistic tales are easy to get addicted to. Her love of the American South is clear throughout the book, and the photos that accompany the writing are stunning. I didn’t want it to end! Read if: You’re interested in photography and ready to be totally convinced to visit rural Virginia.
“Jaws” by Peter Benchley: “Jaws” is a classic, there’s no doubt about it. If you can believe it, the book is even more thrilling than the movie, with its love affairs and mob activity added in with the ever-present killer shark. It has all the ingredients of a great beach read, just so long as it doesn’t scare you out of getting in the water. Read if: You like your monster stories with a little romantic drama on the side.

What books are on your summer reading list?

Top Five Friday #13

On June 3, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Top Five Friday, Travel Tips3 Comments

Lessons From Traveling as a Couple

I remember the first trip Mike and I ever took together like it was yesterday. It was actually in August, 2014, and we had only been dating for four months at the time. We made the fourteen hour drive to New Orleans and spent three amazing days there. We had stormy afternoons, drunken nights, ran out of money, dealt with some car issues and endured what turned out to be an eighteen hour drive home. In short, we really tested our fairly new relationship. And I’m so glad we did. That trip meant a lot to both of us and we still talk about it frequently; comparing all other vacations to that first perfect trip to NOLA (even despite the bumps in the road). Traveling as a couple can make or break a relationship, but when it’s done right, it can really bring you closer together. Each trip Mike and I take together teaches us something new, whether about each other or how we travel as a couple. We’ve finally gotten a good rhythm. For example, I know not to drag him around to different attractions when he is hungry, and he knows to be patient with me when I am trying to take pictures, and so on. Though I do enjoy traveling solo, Mike will always be my favorite travel buddy. Here are our best tips for couple’s travel so far:

Always discuss the activities and attractions you want to visit beforehand: You would be hard-pressed to find a significant other that enjoys all the exact same things you do. That’s a good thing though, right? Opposites attract! When talking about what you want to do while you’re on vacation, make a list together and make sure both of your interests are equally represented. You will both be much happier to do these things together when you know it was a joint decision.
Stay hydrated and fed to avoid nonsense fights: This might be the most important tip I could give. I cannot tell you how many times Mike and I have bickered over nothing, just because one or both of us was hungry. It seems like such a small thing, but it will save you a lot of grief along the way, I swear.
Plan the financial aspects ahead of time: There is nothing that will sour your vacation together faster than arguing over who will pay for what. If you are splitting the costs, decide who is paying for what before you even leave. Make a list of potential costs and split it up however you want: pay for alternate meals, split the hotel bill at checkout, however you want to divide it up. Just stick with the plan to avoid awkwardness on the road.
Split the responsibilities: Whether it’s dividing the driving hours for a road trip, carrying the backpack, or being in charge of the map, don’t make one person take all of the responsibility. Splitting it equally means that you both have equal amounts of fun. I do not really enjoy driving, but I will take my turn so Mike can rest and enjoy the scenery too.
Always have a Plan B: No matter how much you plan or how evenly you split your costs, there’s bound to be something that doesn’t go exactly as planned. Always have a Plan B to get you through. For example, when Mike and I had planned to go to Toronto earlier this year, we ran into some unforeseen circumstances and had to cancel the trip. Fortunately, we bounced back and went to Grand Rapids instead. Things fall through, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be for the better.

What are your best tips for traveling as a couple? Where was your favorite trip together?

For further reading, here are all of the trips Mike and I have gone on together: New Orleans, New York, Milwaukee River, Dubuque, Memphis, San Francisco, and Grand Rapids.

Day Trips from Jordan by Gracie Barrie, RebeccaWanderlusting

Jordan Day Trips to Petra and Wadi Rum

On June 1, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn International Travel, Jordan2 Comments

The following guide to Jordan Day Trips is brought to you by
Ms. Gracie Barrie, check her out on Instagram: @standbyflygirl

We had one more big event planned for our time in Jordan and that was a visit to the Southern part of the country, to Petra and Wadi Rum. Petra is an ancient city built into the red rock faces of the desert. It is hailed as one of the wonders of archaeology and had been hidden to the outside world until 1812. The drive to Petra from Amman took about 3.5 hours. We didn’t have as much time as the visit deserves so we took a donkey carriage from the entrance to the treasury, the first major site of the city. I would love to one day walk the trail (instead of ride a carriage) as one of the most beautiful elements of the site is the cavernous walls that border the path to the city. It feels like you’re approaching something out of an Indiana Jones movie, suddenly you round a corner and the treasury peeks through the rocks. The city is huge. If you’re adventurous you’ll want to take the hike up to the monastery (and allow extra time, the way up takes about 40 minutes), but others will get just as much of a kick from walking through ancient tombs and amongst old houses. The Bedouin people used to control Petra but were moved by the government in the 80s. They still live nearby and control pretty much all tourist amenities inside the site including camel rides, coffee stands, and tours. Since it was the off season and we were with Zara they often stopped asking if we wanted a “Bedouin Taxi” or camel ride after one or two tries and then just hung out with us while we explored. One man, Eagle of the Desert, as he introduced himself to us, showed us how Bedouin women used to wear makeup from the walls of the rocks and waxed poetic on the beauties of the desert and Bedouin tea. He was an exceptional part of our visit to Petra.

When the sun started to go down we got back to our car and made our way to Wadi Rum, the expansive desert in the southern part of the country. Wadi Rum has long been the subject of literature and artists, most recently it was featured as the landscape for Mars in the movie The Martian. The drive to our camp from Petra was about 2 hours long so we arrived well past dark. It was like driving through outer space, every once in a while being able to make out the outline of a massive rock formation in the moonlight. Bedouins live throughout Wadi Rum and run camps for tourists to stay in. These range from luxurious, queen-sized bed and indoor plumbing, to rugged, sleeping on the floor and outdoor toilets. Upon arrival we ate an absurd amount of food once again and retired to bed early after some incredible star-gazing as we had planned a sunrise adventure into the desert.

At 5am we met our tour guide, a local Bedouin man with kind eyes and a calm demeanor. We hopped in the back of his pick-up truck and he drove us to the perfect place to watch the sunrise over the alien landscape. It was like nothing I had ever seen in my life. That morning was one of my favorite moments of the trip. It was peaceful and endless. The eye never had the chance to rest, always taking in more and more different spectacles. Our guide drove us from secret site to site, from friend’s camps to the place where the famed Lawrence of Arabia had once sat. Also if you’re looking to ride a camel, Wadi Rum is the place to do it. The Bedouins are expert camel owners so you can rest easy knowing these animals probably have a pretty good life out there. It’s about 5 dinar for a 2 minute ride which may seem steep but to be honest that is probably the maximum amount of time you want to spend on a camel. They are not the most comfortable beast. We had tea at two different Bedouin camps, the most delicious, sweet tea made even better the fact that it was positively freezing in the back of that truck.

If you go anytime that isn’t the middle of July, be sure to bring warm, warm clothes to wear. Bring more than you think. Desert cold is bone rattling. And be sure to bring some sort of lotion and sunscreen, by the end our wind-chapped faces where pink and dry, but very smiley. It was one of the most incredible mornings of my life full of exploration, wonder, and humility. Meeting the Bedouins who call the desert home reminds you of what is most beautiful about this life and this earth. They hold the utmost respect for their home, our guide spoke often about how much love he held in his heart for the desert. He knew how to read the sand and the sky and understood what the land was telling him. He was so considerate he seemed almost otherworldly. He wanted to help us see what was most beautiful about his home and why we needed to protect it. Every Bedouin I met was kind and engaging regardless of a language barrier. The tour of the desert took half the day, we arrived back at the camp at noon, had some lunch and returned to Amman, a 4 hour drive.

To read more about Gracie’s travels in Jordan, click here and here.

Trip Planning: Tennessee

On May 29, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Tennessee, Travel Tips, Trip Planning, US TravelLeave a comment

In less than two weeks, I will be heading to Chattanooga, Tennessee for a few days, and then moving on to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Mike and I will be driving the nine hours to meet up with my parents, sister, brother-in-law and niece there. We are spending two nights in Chattanooga to visit with my mom’s side of the family that lives there. I’ve been to Chattanooga a couple times before, so I’m excited to go back to this beautiful city! From there, our three-car caravan will drive three hours up to Gatlinburg, to a cabin near the Smokey Mountains. The gorgeous log cabin that we’re staying in has three bedrooms, an idyllic porch with a mountain view, a hot tub, and a pool table. I have purposefully not planned anything for while we’re in Tennessee, mostly because I don’t want to drive my family crazy with my overambitious to-do lists. I am so excited to get away from the city for a few days to relax, hike and enjoy the outdoors. This will also be my first trip with this camera, so I’m hoping to get some good photos of the scenery. It’s been a long time since we’ve been on a family vacation, and I couldn’t be happier that we’re finally making up for lost time. Tennessee here we come!

Here is what I’m packing:

Clothing: