Personal Stories
Travel isn't all itineraries, guides, packing lists, and tips/hacks.
I have some thoughts and experiences that don't fit squarely into the mold of this site, and I share them here. Read on to learn about my travel goals, my thoughts about travel, and more..
Scroll down to see them all.
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My Yearly Mantra for Writing, Travel & Life in 2022
As we mark the beginning of a new year, I'm back to share the latest word I'll be focusing on for the coming 12 months. Will you share your word with me?
2021 in Review: A Year of Home, Travel & Writing
Here's looking back on 2021, a weird and wonderful year.
California Photo Journal: Four Years of Exploring the Golden State
As we start a new chapter in our lives, I look back on four years of living in California and all of the adventures we've had.
A Yearly Mantra for Writing, Travel & Life in 2021
Well thank goodness that year is over, right? I mean, I’m not saying it was all bad. I know many of us had small and large joys and celebrations and successes (Mr. V and I got married in July!). But we also had a really crappy year for humankind, and have so much work left to do. Normally I’m excited to celebrate the New Year and set goals and such. This year, it seems even more important. So many people didn’t make it to this new year, or lost someone they love last year. Being here at the start of a new year is a gift, and I’m very grateful…
2020 in Review: A Year of Home, Family & (a little) Travel
What. A. Year. When I sat down to start this year’s annual recap – something I do every year (here’s 2016, 2018, 2019) – I didn’t even know where to begin. I didn’t know if I wanted to begin. I can’t pretend that it wasn’t one of the most devastating years of my life – of our lives, as a species. It’s hard to look back on the year we’ve had, even when I’m trying to create a fair appraisal and highlight reel of my own year and the travels I’ve had. But I want to have this record because I will look back on 2020 in the future and try to…
A Yearly Mantra for Writing, Travel & Life in 2020
Every year on New Year’s Day, Mr. V and I make our way to the coast, and go for a walk. We spend that time discussing our personal and professional goals – and this year we’ve added marriage goals to the list since we’ll be tying the knot in July 2020. I love using January 1st as a chance to look back on the year that has passed, and to reset my intentions and goals for the coming year. 2019 is officially over, and 2020 is off to its start. Heck, it’s the start of a new decade – that surely imbues the new year with extra meaning! What will…
2019 in Review: A Year of Travel, Stories & Life
Twenty nineteen. What a year. What a long year. With political, social, and environmental issues at the forefront under a constant barrage of headlines and the 24/7 newscycle, it’s a little hard to look back on the year as a whole. But if we don’t look back – on society as a society and on ourselves as individuals, we can’t appreciate how far we’ve come or learn from our missteps. That’s why I write an annual recap each year. It’s tying a bow on the year, making a mark that this time is over, and the next chapter is about to begin. By the numbers, 2019 included: Visits to 6 countries…
One Year On: How Bourdain’s Death Changed My Life
It's been one year since Tony Bourdain died, and my life is completely different. I wanted to share why that happened.
Announcing Dark Skies: A Practical Guide to Astrotourism
Curious what it takes to write a book for Lonely Planet? Learn about Dark Skies: A Practical Guide for Astrotourism, the book I wrote and how it came to be.