South Korea | Week 16
Durning the weeks, we spend the days doing all the things – school, soccer, baseball, swim, Awana. I even recorded a haul from a Korean grocery store! But on Saturday, we hopped on a bus from my husband’s work and headed up to spend the weekend in Seoul. We’ve been to Seoul several times, but […]
Almabtrieb
Cows, flowers, alpine mountains, bier, trachten, roast chickens, Steakbrötchen, folk bands… In September and October of every year in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, local cow farmers guide their cows down from the alpine pastures before winter hits. The celebration when the cows come down the mountain to lower pastures is called a almetreib, and the experience is […]
South Korea | Week 14
The past few weeks have been dominated by school starting back up! Both of the boys attend a DODEA (Department of Defense) school here too, but their school is one of two (and they’re building a third) elementary schools on base and is about three times the size of their previous school. It’s been an […]
The Island of Jeju
We groggily and warily climbed into the car around three forty-five. Part of the wariness was the early morning hour, part of it was the reservation that I made for our family and our car on a Korean ferry. Making the reservation required at least twenty translated screenshots, including the translation of our Ford Explorer […]
South Korea | Weeks 8 and 9
Have you really been to Korea if you haven’t experienced sweating so much that your sweat falls and hits your toes?!? I asked a local Korean if it would get cooler in September, and she said “Usually, yes. But all over the world is so hot, who knows.” It does look like it’s hot everywhere, […]
South Korea | Week 7
And just like that, the monsoons are over and it’s now H O T. I mean, hot! I looked up what a comparable state in the States would be, and I’d probably say Florida – but without the coastal breezes. It is just a sweatfest as soon as you step outside. We lived in Colorado […]
South Korea | Weeks 4, 5 and 6
WEEK 4 We had a pre-4th of July celebration with friends at their neighborhood, which was filled with good fried chicken, a great band, a little karaoke, and drinks. We’ve had fried chicken a few times already, and I am definitely a fan. It’s little fried boneless pieces of chicken, usually with a sweet and […]
A Walk Around Our South Korean House
One of the things that I loved about where we lived in Bavaria was all the fields and farms surrounding us. It was so beautiful, immaculately manicured, and a joy to do an evening walk through. Maybe not so ironically, where we live in South Korea is considered the country and the house that we picked is […]
The ‘Three Dog Days of Summer’
Sambok 삼복 refers to the days that are considered to be the three hottest days of summer! Sam 삼 mean three and bok 복 referring to a Chinese character of a dog lying down due to the hot weather. The three days are Chobok 초복 , Jungbok 중복, and Malbok 말복. On these days, tradition says to eat […]
South Korea | Weeks 2 and 3
weeks two and three in South Korea
South Korea | Week 1
We made it! We landed in Incheon International Airport (Seoul) on a Saturday morning and stumbled our way through filling out the health assessment form and entry form. We were picked up from the airport and driven to Camp Humphreys – the base we’re assigned to. It’s all slightly hazy – both figuratively and literally – […]
It’s Been A Few Years… So We’re Moving!
I’ve been holding onto this a bit of information since before Christmas…Considering the US military still owns our lives, it shouldn’t be a surprise that we’re moving! Again! For the eighth time in thirteen years. It’s taken a little bit to feel confident in sharing this information because the Army has been epically delayed in officializing orders. Yes, I […]
2022
a glimpse at our 2022 adventures
Our Roadtrip to Istanbul and Back
We did it! We drove to Istanbul, Turkey this summer AND BACK. If you read my newsletter, I shared all the countries that were going to before we took on this adventure. But if you missed it, this was the plan: Belgrade, Serbia | two nights Plovdiv, Bulgaria | one night Istanbul, Turkey | three […]
A Fall Hike Around Hintersee, Germany
an easy family hike around a beautiful lake
Lauterbrunnen + A Train Ride to Murren
the most magical valley
A Family Hike in Cinque Terre
when in doubt, hike it out
Visiting the Magical Cinque Terre, Italy
come for the magic, stay for the lemon spritz
A day at beautiful Burano
take all the pictures and eat all the pasta
A Date Night In Venice, Italy
we went on a date in VENICE, ITALY
Six Months of Living Abroad
grüß Gott. Ich bin neu hier.
Venezia, Italia
the most romantic city around, and we brought our kids
Belvedere Palace
flowy pants + a palace
Wein, Österreich
...When will you realize, Vienna waits for you?
Willkommen in meinem Deutschen Haus | Welcome to my German House
Hallo! Sprechen sie Deutsch?
Exploring an Ice Castle
let it go, let it go
Surf Hotel in Buena Vista, CO
no surfing involved
Labor Day Lift Off
the only time hot air is magical
Camping in Deckers, Colorado
this was not glamping, but still fun
Packing for A Long Weekend in the Mountains
When there’s a long weekend coming – like the one we just had – if you live near the mountains, well, they call! One of my favorite ways to spend a long weekend is up in the mountains – especially in September, October and November. You’ll get color, actual fall-ness, and all the good things […]
Hiking in the Paint Mines Interpretive Park
pink rocks... need I say more?
Road Tripping Through Monument Valley + Arches National Park
If you happen to be planning a trip to Arches National Park, add to that plan, a day to drive around and through Monument Valley. We drove from the Grand Canyon to Arches and made sure that we drove right through Monument Valley, and it was an incredible drive. I can only image how beautiful a sunrise or sunset would be; seeing the sun peak around those rock formations... truly magnificent.
Arizona | 36 Hours in the Grand Canyon
On our road trip from California to Colorado, we made a point to stop at the Grand Canyon. Because I had never been, and what's a few hours out of the way. To be fair, the Grand Canyon is always out of the way, but completely worth it - in my opinion. We made the choice to stay two nights with the plans of catching a sunrise. I'm laughing even as I write that.. sunrise, me? But as plans often do, they changed and we caught a sunset. It was incredible!
Here’s to You, California
I feel like I'm always leaving a piece of my heart behind, with every move. I think that's why I don't feel like I've gotten any better at moving... it's always hard. It's always hard. But having a positive outlook and being open to letting the new experience be what it may has made a world of difference.
PA | Visiting Gettysburg
The Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center is where you want to start. The current film - A New Birth of Freedom narrated by Morgan Freeman - is incredible, and the Cyclorama painting is legit. You can find a map for the tour that takes you to all the Gettysburg battle spots (we've always driven). And, if you schedule your visit right, you can see living history program.
Sunset at Asilomar State Beach
I remember when we first got to Monterey, one of the first place I was so taken with was Asilomar State Beach. I couldn't get over how beautiful it was. It was definitely a different backdrop than what I was used to seeing on a daily basis, but clearly, beautiful.
A Day Trip to Avila Beach
A two and a half hour road trip from Monterey will land you at Avila Beach! Just outside of San Luis Obispo, it's a tiny little beach community and just where we go when we want a real beach experience. I say real beach because it's hot enough there to wear a swimsuit...
Lake Tahoe for the Weekend
Guys, I love this place. One afternoon after we hiked, we drove around Lake Tahoe. Yes, the whole lake. It’s 71 miles of shoreline and usually broken up into North Tahoe and South Tahoe. I’m not 100% where Incline Village falls (whether North or South -I’d guess North) but regardless, it’s stunning. Arguably one of […]
California | visiting Glass Beach
Glass Beach came about because Fort Bragg used to use a few sites along the coastline as dumps back in the early 1900's. When they stopped, the waves took the glass and pottery dumped there and turned that sections of coast in a beach filled with sea glass.
California | Hiking in Point Reyes
A family outing hiking in Point Reyes National Seashore, just north of San Francisco. Video included!
California | Fern Canyon
Exploring the Fern Canyon locating in the Redwoods National Park along the Northern California coast.
New Mexico | Hiking in Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument
A day hike in the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument located in New Mexico.
Monterey | Pacific Grove | Carmel
A guide of things to do and places to eat in Monterey, Pacific Grove, and Carmel.
California | Pescadero
Just south of Half Moon Bay, CA is this tiny, tiny little town called Pescadero. The downtown is about a block long, and features a coffee shop, a few restaurants and all the quaintness one might want; which is probably why there were Zipcar's everywhere
California | Natural Bridges State Beach
Earlier this year, we headed up to spend a morning at the Natural Bridges State Park. It was one of the first times exploring Santa Cruz, and we had a great time just hanging out on this beach.
California | Yosemite National Park, No.2
In all honesty, I could fill a few posts up with Yosemite. And we were only there for three days, so the amount of places we could have parked for a picnic and some rock throwing (from Ajax, obviously) is loads.
California | Yosemite National Park, No. 1
The mountains were calling, and we had to go.The rad thing about Yosemite, is that while you were up (some parts are 8000 feet above sea level) there were still views around you. It seems there way always something higher off in the horizon, and I dig that.
Packing for Yosemite (with the family)
We’re headed to Yosemite soon, and I’m looking forwards to some WOODS. I’ve heard the hikes (and the views!) are legit. I’ve got to get my Colorado vibes somehow! And while I love a good cabin, we opted to stay at a resort this time around. Can you say happy hour at the family hot […]
California | McWay Falls
Maybe because I know where we live, it’s not permanent, not for the next few moves anyway. But that makes me want to see and experience as much as we can, where we live. So between my husband and I, we usually create a list of places to go and restaurants to try so that […]
California | Point Lobos
Back on Father's Day, it's become our tradition to get diner pancakes and go on a hike. Our hike last year is still a favorite! And while I'm not the papa, I was more than excited to hike around Point Lobos!
The Royal Gorge Railroad’s Santa Express
the best Christmas experience around
Christmas Cards
Thanks to a very sweet friend, and helping hands from one of her friends… my Christmas card should be in my mailbox today! It’s gotten to the point where it takes a village to get our Christmas card photo, so I have to take it early. Also, my Christmas tree had been up since mid-November […]
New Mexico | ABQ International Balloon Fiesta
We did it! We made it to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta! If you didn't know, with almost 600 balloons, it is the largest ballooning event and the most photographed event on earth. It's a pretty big deal.
Colorado | Balloon Classic
A few weekends ago, Colorado Springs had their Balloon Classic and I was determined to be there for the send off on Saturday morning. Yes, it meant heading out the door before six am, but I was determined.
Colorado | Maroon Bells
I have to say, my expectations were pretty high for Maroon Bells. Not just because of everything that I had heard about it, but something about being in Aspen twice before and trying to see Maroon Bells both times without actually being able to get there upped the ante.
Colorado | Hanging Lake + Thoughts on Hiking
Hanging Lake was one of the places way up at the top on my list of things to do this summer in Colorado. To be honest, I didn't really know anything about the hike to get to there, I just knew at the end was Hanging Lake and that's what I wanted to see.
Exploring the Great Sand Dunes
Since moving to Colorado, my husband has had a list of 'Colorado Things' to do. This past weekend, he got to check one off his list. I knew about the Great Sand Dunes, but never looked up anything about them, so I didn't really know what to expect.