Travel

Backpacking adventures in the Wind River Range. We started and returned to the Green River Trailhead in 8 days. We camped below Square Top Mountain and climbed many passes. We ate backpacking gourmet food compliments of the Sierra Club.

My annual backpacking trip came and went. As always, I received far more than I deserved. Amazing natural beauty, good food, personal challenges and good people.

Austin Chi'lantros My daughter and I visited Austin, Texas last week and didn't stop until we landed at Chi'lantros, our favorite food truck haunt and home of the original Kimchi Fries. Now they have four brick and mortar locations throughout Austin. Although they changed their menu from a year ago, I knew exactly what I wanted, Pork Kimchi Fries, I missed them so much! Miss B was more adventurous and tried their chicken tacos with avocado.

How did I get here?

Standing in front of a reflection pool, looking down at my own reflection, I pondered the significance of this moment.

I am looking at my own reflection in a place that is built to remember the past, in the exact place that took one hundred and sixty eight lives, some of them innocent children.

A simple road trip. A tradition that many parents experience with their children every year. The semester has ended, the children come home.

Some children never come home.

Hello Venice and helllooooo Irene! What a lovely gesture our AirBNB host left for us when we arrived in Venice via train. She has a lovely apartment that we enjoyed while exploring Venice. I still remember the excitement when we arrived, VENICE!

The birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is the epicenter of northern Italy in a region known as Tuscany. Coming here is a pilgrimage for Italophiles and art enthusiasts. The museums here are plenty and top notch. Fine art to medieval technology and astronomy, something for everyone, especially you. Yes you! What is your excuse? No time, no money? A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Start pinching those pennies, get a second job, it’s worth it.

What do Amelia Earhart, Salma Hayek and the notorious Orrin Porter Rockwell have in common?

They all crossed paths, geographically, in Eureka, Utah. Three souls from different eras converged on a small mining town in the Utah dessert.

An essentials packing list for exploring the Emerald Isle. When packing keep in mind your luggage situation. It is best to travel with a carry-on rolling suitcase and a backpack. You will be surprised at how little you actually need and be much happier when transferring to planes, trains, buses and automobiles.

Who doesn’t love a great road trip that includes food? American Fork is a small town of about 37,000 people. There aren’t that many places to eat that aren’t large chains or franchises. There is a small franchise and chain on this list but the food is good, their stories are real and both started locally. Enjoy!