Somewhere between the silence and the dull brass landscape of a desolate stretch of highway in southern Wyoming, it suddenly struck me: I’m actually enjoying this. We’d been on the road for five days, the “we” in question being me and my oldest brother G*, who’d agreed to join me on a cross-country road trip when I moved to Seattle. A few months earlier, over pancakes and … [Read more...] about Throwing in the Solo Travel Towel?
Smith Tower, Secrets, and Seattle
Before the Space Needle, there was Smith Tower. Seattle's first skyscraper, Smith Tower--with its pyramid-shaped roof and 38 floors--opened in 1914 and was then the tallest building in the Seattle skyline until the construction of the Space Needle in 1962. Although many of the buildings downtown now dwarf the once-imposing edifice, the Tower's place in Seattle history make it … [Read more...] about Smith Tower, Secrets, and Seattle
Lone Cypress Letdown in Pebble Beach, California
If you want to see the famous Lone Cypress in Pebble Beach, you should know one thing: it's going to cost you. If you don't do your research and show up in search of the solitary Monterey Cypress standing sentinel on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Pacific Ocean, what sticks with you after your visit may not be the warm memories of a leisurely drive along a spectacular stretch … [Read more...] about Lone Cypress Letdown in Pebble Beach, California
Highs and Lows of Hiking Half Dome
Hiking Half Dome has been on my life list for a while now, so I was thrilled to have an opportunity to finally visit Yosemite National Park this summer. Looking up at the famous mountain from the Curry Village parking lot in Yosemite Valley, I couldn't believe how awe-inspiring it was to see it in person. The iconic granite peak that symbolizes the rugged beauty of the Sierra … [Read more...] about Highs and Lows of Hiking Half Dome
Big Sur: Natural Beauty on the California Coast
Big Sur is a big deal. Think of it: rocky cliffs with long, luscious views of the Pacific Ocean, magnificent mountains cloaked in fog and covered in evergreens, and nature in perfect harmony with itself. I sincerely can't think of a more visually captivating place than this stunning stretch of the California coast between San Simeon and Carmel. A big part of Big Sur's … [Read more...] about Big Sur: Natural Beauty on the California Coast