Bird Watching in Port Aransas

One of my favorite things we did while in Port Aransas was going bird watching at the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center. Yes, I know how lame that sounds, but besides the fact that we were probably the only under-sixty, non-binocular-wearing visitors there, it was actually pretty fun. It gave me an opportunity to practice a new kind of photography and break out of my “scenery photos” habit.

I was amazed at the variety of birds that inhabited the birding center. But there weren’t only birds; we even spotted a few alligators. There was a chart detailing the predator/prey relationships between the animals in this kind of environment. The alligators eat the

Port Aransas Beach Daze

Today we left Port Aransas, a small beach town on Padre Island, after five blissful days on the beach. We passed the time exploring the beach, lying out on the sand with books and country music, floating in the Gulf waves on our boogie boards, exploring the natural wonders that Padre Island offers, and cozying up inside for Friends marathons during the few splashes of misty weather. It was spring break at its finest.

Spending time on the beach was my favorite part. We stayed in a condo just a short walk from the beach in a community of beach houses. There was plenty to explore on the beach.

A Morning in Austin, TX

Before the rodeo Saturday night, we spent the morning in Austin, exploring downtown and eating at a quirky restaurant by the river.

Austin is home to the Texas State Capitol, and it’s absolutely beautiful. We visited early in the morning and snapped pictures of the seemingly empty building. But as we drove back past it later in the day, it’s lawn was filled with families and picnickers enjoying a beautiful day. 

On the Road Again: My Top Road-Trip Essentials

In writing my last post, I might have implied that I was not going anywhere for spring break. But plans change, and here I find myself planning the last few details of our spring break road trip to Texas only a week before we leave. We will be driving from Minnesota to southern Texas, a 22 hour drive. Although there will be stops along the way (Kansas City and Austin), we will definitely be spending more time in the car than not before arriving at our final destination: Port Aransas, Texas, a small beach town on Padre Island.

Road trips are a fickle thing. With the right people, the driving can be almost more fun than the destination. I like to think that I’ll be ridding with the “right people” on this trip.

How to Plan Your Perfect Spring Break Stay-Cation

You know those people who go somewhere like the Mexico or the Virgin Islands every spring? Well, I’m here to break it to you that you don’t have to take a plane to a tropical destination to enjoy your spring break. If you’re going to be home this spring break, a stay-cation can be just as fun as any other trip! Maybe you’ll even check some things off your bucket list!

If you’re blanking on ideas and can’t think of anything worth doing near you to fill your days off, here’s a (hopefully) foolproof 4-step plan to help you craft your perfect stay-cation this spring. 

Food of Italy

Pizza, gelato, expressos, open-air markets and fancy antipasti… What more could a girl need?

Last summer I spent a month in Italy with my family, and one of my biggest regrets, blog-wise, was that I didn’t post more about the food. Sure, the sights were amazing and the country side gorgeous, but what really made the trip was sinking your teeth into a messy bite of lasagna, or feeling melted gelato ooze down your chin. Letting your eyes wander the vast outdoor produce markets, asking yourself what that odd, pointy vegetable could be. Tasting the sweet, fresh taste of a cherry tomato on pizza, wondering why the tomatoes

Montreal: A Cultural Paradise

Montreal is a very cool city; we visited for a few days in the fall of 2014. It’s located in the only truly French-speaking province of Canada, Quebec, a legacy left behind from the days of European colonization. That’s what initially drew me to the city; its blend of French and English language, of European and North American culture. And from the moment I stepped out of the airport, I was captivated by this complex and lively city. I loved its rich history, its stunning architecture, its contrast of nature and city life, its delicious food, and most of all, its incredibly unique culture.

Frostbitten in Uptown

Today, my sister and I decided to brave the 8 degree weather and spend the afternoon exploring Uptown, a quirky neighborhood in Minneapolis. In my opinion, Uptown has the best coffee shops in the whole city. It also has amazing thrift shops, restaurants, and book stores.

We started off at Magers & Quinn Booksellers. It sold all kinds of books, old and new, and had such an “urban-quirky-bookstore” vibe. My sister and I spent a good half hour there, browsing books and sneaking around people that were there to actually find books to take

9 Ways to Travel Without Leaving Your House

This winter, I don’t have much travel planned. But the world awaits, and with a spectacular little resource called the internet, there are more ways than ever before to learn about other cultures and see other places, all within the comfort of your home. Of course, websites and books couldn’t even start to compare to real travel, but they’re better than being cooped up all winter, waiting for the weather to warm up. Here are some ways to experience the world without leaving the comfort of your home.

My Favorite Travel Photos

Photography has come to be the backbone of my blog. Of course the writing is important, but it seems like the bulk of each of my posts is made up of pictures! When I first started blogging, I never would have imagined that photos would become so vital to my blog; I thought my main focus would be writing. But alas, I’ve come to love photography and can’t imagine the direction my blog would have gone without it!

Since I have no travel planned for the near future, I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite pictures that I’ve taken on past trips. I’ve written posts on many of these places, and many of these pictures have appeared on my blog. However, there are a few