My earliest travels started with visiting family in different states and assuring them that “of course I remembered them,” smiling through the lie.
Some of my fondest memories took place in my family’s favorite vacation spot – Destin, Florida – where we’d soak up the sun, walk around town at night while indulging in ice cream from Cold Stone, shop at the outlet malls with our vacation allowance (I thought I was rich!), and remind my younger brother to release the hermit crabs he always tried to bring home by the end of the trip.
As I’ve grown older, my travels have evolved to visiting friends around the country – like attending a friend’s wedding in the Amish countryside of Penn Yan, NY, a stark contrast to eating my way through New York City with her years earlier.
Traveling around North America always offers something fresh to see.
From exploring national parks like Yellowstone, riding in a hot air balloon outside of Mexico City, hiking Camelback mountain in Scottsdale, experiencing a Bavarian-inspired Christmas town in Washington state, cliff jumping in Hawaii, and even completing an escape room set at a castle in Toronto – some of my favorite adventures have started in my own (rather large) backyard.
North America has taught me that travel doesn’t have to be far away to be memorable – and I hope my adventures here encourage you to explore the beauty that surrounds you.
