On our last day together in Virginia, we packed a picnic lunch, and had a delightful afternoon wandering through the gardens at Maymont. It reminded me of being in Europe. The day was delightful, and the gardens were beautiful. It was the perfect way to spend our last day.
Obviously, high on the list when we decided we were going to Hawaii was making a stop at Pearl Harbor. Just like when I walked the beaches of Normandy, as I looked at where a fleet of American ships were docked on a peaceful Sunday morning in 1941, I found myself wishing I knew more of their stories. More of the history behind what happened. And so very grateful that throughout the years, men have bled and died so I can live in a free country.
The beaches we went to were so beautiful. The water was crystal clear, and changed colors with the color of the sky. My favorite was the North Shore – 7 miles of gorgeous beach front.
You know those places that everyone talks about? Either because they’ve been, or because they’d like to go? Hawaii is definitely one of those places. With all the hype it gets, I wondered if maybe it was overrated. Public Service Announcement: it’s not. When we were stuck in Ecuador last summer, my friend Lydia and I started plotting our annual winter adventure. She threw out Hawaii as an idea, and we ran with it. It was so much fun to explore this beautiful state for a few days.
Over Christmas break the whole family + my friend Katie, drove up to Minnesota’s North Shore for a weekend of skiing. We rented a cabin for the weekend, and it was perfect. We had some fresh powder and fabulous skiing. Whenever we can all be together is my favorite time.
We visited Split Rock Lighthouse – a Minnesota icon – on our drive home
Venice had been on my bucket list ever since I had a bucket list. A city with water ways instead of streets and boats instead of cars? I’m in. I think that Venice was the best way we could have ended our adventure, because we literally had nothing on our agenda but to get lost wandering. Gelato and the most beautiful pastries are for sale at every street corner. String quartets fill Saint Mark’s Square with music. Laundry hangs out of windows. White haired couples stroll hand in hand. Artists find inspiration at every turn. Fog rolls off the water by lunch everyday. Venice is idyllic.
