Each year since 2010, Allianz Travel Insurance has conducted a survey called the Vacation Confidence Index to determine how likely people will travel each summer. This year produced some interesting results. They found that more Americans will take a vacation this summer but will spend less money on their travels. (Vacation is defined as a Read More…
All the Rest
Surfing Maui
Back in April, I had the chance to go to Maui (my first time there!) for a retreat with my fellow Expedia Viewfinder bloggers. We took writing, video and photography workshops, had business meetings and spent time experiencing some of Maui’s best activities. Oh, and we ate. A lot. Jon was able to tag along Read More…
Inspiration from The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
As someone who has traveled to India a number of times, I adored The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. And I couldn’t resist the chance to be among the first to see its sequel, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Last night, I got a sneak preview! The same characters are back (with a bonus appearance Read More…
Whale Watching in Cabo San Lucas
The last time I went whale watching was more than 15 years ago in Alaska. We spent four hours following several pods of orca (killer) whales as they breached and taunted us to follow them. It was one of the most thrilling experiences of my life but was a memory I had tucked away and Read More…
Valentine’s Day Romance ~ A Long Cabo Weekend
I travel A LOT. And until nearly two years ago when Jon was working more than full time as the CTO of a technology company based in California, he was working A LOT. Like 60 hours a week (more when he was with Amazon prior to that CTO gig). Now he consults and mentors on Read More…
2015 ~ The Year Ahead
I just went back to the post I wrote around this time last year. I had completely forgotten about it and found it really refreshing. I had approached 2014 with few expectations. I had some New Year’s Resolutions and in looking over the list on New Year’s Day this year, I realized I accomplished many Read More…
My White House Visit
A couple of weeks ago I made a little visit to the White House. Yeah, the White House. I didn’t meet or even see the President or First Lady but I may have seen the motorcade that carried Prince William. 🙂 The invitation came from Fran Holuba, Global Engagement Directorate for the National Security Council. Read More…
Road Tripping in New Mexico
This post is a bit late in coming as I was in New Mexico earlier this summer. Still, I wanted to make some time for one of my very favorite destinations. Though I make Seattle my home, my heart always gets pulled back to The Land of Enchantment. If I didn’t feel the need to Read More…
USA Today’s Best Budget Travel Blogger ~ Me?
Yes, I totally get the irony in the fact that I was nominated USA Today’s Best Budget Travel Blogger while traveling in Papua New Guinea, one of the most expensive countries on the planet. And yes, I do hate these popularity contests that are really about driving traffic to a website (in this case USA Read More…
Road Signs in Europe
Here’s a smattering of road signs in Europe. It’s ones like these that help keep our roads safe. 🙂 Oh how this policeman loves his white sheetrock… While this one finds it quite heavy… This guy? Not so much. Looks like you’ll end up in a guillotine by going down this road… Need a wash? Read More…
