DC Day 2

Another great day in D.C.!  We started out the morning with more landmark site seeing.

 

We then went on to see the Holocaust Museum. Right from the start I liked that everyone got identification cards when they walked in to make it more personal.

 There was a lot of heavy reading and viewing, but it was well worth the time spent there. So many facts, so many stories, so many calls to action...

We stopped by the Newseum too! I hadn’t heard about this museum until we walked past it. I was initially drawn to it because, well, I love following the news. There are certain news stories that I get really invested in so I was naturally curious about the exhibits. We were a little hesitant going in because while many museums in D.C. are free, this one does have an admission cost. We got there an hour and a half before closing and I could have spent at least another hour there. (Maybe two!)

Here are a few examples of interesting finds:

                                This is a tribute to 9/11 with newspapers from around the globe.

                                                   Cell phone detonators and explanation.

    There were multiple examples of how communication, media, etc. has changed over the years, and, in addition to that, how it has changed the course of news over time. Really interesting stuff!!

            This is updated daily with headlines of newspapers in every state across the U.S.

Neither Mike nor myself are museum people, but we highly recommend these two museums next time you're in D.C.!

Oh! And almost forgot... after another busy day we ate at Hard Rock Cafe. On the way back to our hotel we noticed increased police presence. All of a sudden the sirens were going off... a lot of (police) motorcycles drove past us followed by a motorcade and more police vehicles!!

The secret service (!!!) weren't allowed to tell us who was in the car, but HELLO it's secret service!! They DID say that we (the public) DO know of the person who was riding in the car. I looked up the presidents schedule and he was apparently in South Carolina so we don't believe it was him, sadly. (contrary to our initial thought)... might have been the VP, perhaps? Either way, it was really neat! I even got a card from the secret service k-9!  :)

...off to our next adventure! adios, D.C.!

P.s. We’ve walked over 11 miles these past two days, which isn’t much considering we’ll be walking a whole lot more in our next continent!!

Welcome to D.C.!

Lovely first day in D.C.! We didn’t have any plans upon arrival (for tonight, anyway) but we decided to stretch our legs for a bit. The results were pretty great. :)

Our hotel is within walking distance of all major landmarks/monuments so instead of paying money for a tour, we went out and did our own thing. Not only is it free, but you get go make your own schedule and go at your own pace. Everything is online nowadays too so you’re never void of knowledge! We went at the perfect time too! It was right before sunset so we got to take some great day pics, sunset pics, and night pics! Highly recommend doing this so you’re not making two trips!

P.S. We were standing at the Lincoln Memorial when we saw fireworks going off in the distance! Such a neat experience!

The Night Before (again!)

It has become a tradition that I always have a “night before” travel post... I’ve been waiting to do this for quite sometime now!

First, let me say that I find it kind of ironic that Mike and I are going to South America for our first big trip together. Here is an actual picture of the two of us when I first told him about the plans:


^^ That's me saying, "ADVENTURE IS OUT THERE!!" :)
South America was their #travelgoals too!

What makes it even more comical is that on his (former) online dating profile Mike was asked if he would date someone who travels.  His answer was a hard “NO.”  I believe it was also marked as a question of high importance. LOL whoops.

I was joking with him the other night about it and saying how he claimed he would never date anyone that travels and now look at us... His response? "I said I wouldn't date anyone that travels. I just marry them."

That being said and all jokes aside... we are beyond thankful for this opportunity and to be able to see more of God's beautiful creation! Stay tuned for many updates, photos, and llama selfies! 

Oh! And how could I forget my other tradition?!
Here is current travel song on repeat:

Its been a while....

Its been a while because.... I GOT MARRIED!!!

My travel blog and travel instagram have been on hold for a bit, but they're about to make a comeback because in less than a month I will be traveling to continent #6!!!

I am so beyond excited to be traveling to South America with my husband and I can't wait to share the experience with all of you! The itinerary has been finalized and there's a lot, a lot, a lot of travel... whether that be via plane or shuttle. (hopefully I can keep my bouts of air sickness to a minimum!) Oh by the way! In case anyone was wondering... I passed out again getting my vaccinations for the trip. Technically, I passed out before even getting the shots...The description of the side effects for the shots was enough to do me in. (LOL!) Mike will have his hands full for sure!

I'm going to do something I typically don't do and share a list of... let's say interesting challenges I'll/we'll be facing:

1. Packing for a range of climate changes -anywhere from 30 degree weather to 90 degree weather.
2. I mentioned air sickness earlier, but people who know me know my immune system and body has low tolerance for just about everything. With all the flying, hiking, and long car rides... let's hope I can make it home without getting sick! (pretty please!)
3. Speaking of sickness again...anti-malarial pills made me quite sick last time I took them. Mike and I will both have to take them for the majority of our trip as we'll be heading to the Amazon early on. Hopefully insomnia doesn't strike us as we'll already be getting up at 4 am on some mornings for 10 mile hiking excursions! 
4. My wonderful husband who I love more than anything is... brace yourself... not a traveler. I, of course, am starting him out with a trip that entails every couple days flying somewhere else. (sometimes we'll have full days that are JUST travel... all day long) It's going to be exhausting and honestly, if I could start him out on an easier trip like NEW ZEALAND I would. ;)  There would be less hassle with vaccinations, visas, safety precautions, culture shock, etc. That being said we are both still extremely excited about the sites we're going to be seeing so hopefully I can turn him into a traveler yet!!

If you want to get some ideas on places we'll be going.... check it out:

Santiago (Chile)
Torres Del Paine National Park (Chile)
Amazon Rainforest (Peru)
Machu Picchu (Peru)
Rio de Janerio (Brazil)
Iguazu Falls (Brazil)


More updates to come! :)

Top 10 Travel Moments

These are some of my favorite travel memories and are in no particualr order. 

10. The Grand Canyon is simply stunning. Taking a nap in the park and then watching the sunset was spectacular! (And also darting around Vegas with Anna, my travel partner in crime was fun too!)

9.  Visiting a kangroo sanctuary in the outback and holding little joeys!! Also, I'd like to add that the hospitality in both Australia and New Zealand is TOP NOTCH! My favorite people groups hands down! They are all sweet as, mate! :)

8.  Ireland Day Tours. Every single one. (I did 3!) Ireland is an amazing country and this tour company got an A+ in my book! Loved getting to know the guides and experienced so many God-winks during my time there!! (refer to Ireland entries) This country is absolutely gorgeous!!

7.  Adventures with my German sister!! Who would have thought that we would meet online, travel around New Zealand for a month, and then go to Spain together the following year! We've shared so many laughs and I can't wait to do more traveling with her!!

6. On the bullet train from Kyoto to Tokyo... and all of a sudden I see this beauty:

Mt. Fuji = Majestic 

5. I'm not typically a Disney World fan... I didn't realize it at the time, but when I went there in 2012 it was the last vacation we would take as a family and that makes me sad. I miss my grandparents so much and I would do anything to go back and spend time at Disney with them. This trip will always hold a special place in my heart and I would trade any of my other trips for this one.

4.  I would get on a plane and go to Spain just for the tapas!!! Need I say more???

3. Seeing the BIG 5 in South Africa. Sabi Sabi private game reserve was luxurious and AMAZING. People who know me know I love animals so getting to be up close and personal with them was fantastic!! I also got to walk along side elephants during this trip which was really neat. 

2. Uluru (ayers rock) ... Australia was one of the first countries I ever learned about in school and I remember studying this rock and seeing pictures of it back in 1st grade. I finally got to see it on my second trip to Oz!

1.  I remember the day we were headed to the Great Wall of China. I don't think I blinked the entire car ride because of the highly anticipated GREAT WALL. My heart skipped a beat when I finally saw it out of our car window. Walking along the wall and tobogganing down the wall were also a plus!

I have a feeling I'm going to have a whole new list after October... only 5 months away until continent #6!!

Continent #6

I have partnered with GoWay Travel for my 2017 adventure and I couldn't be more thrilled!

I had originally chosen GoWay to get me to Antarctica and while they were dealing with that, they could just take care of the rest as well. Turns out there was some misinformation online and unfortunately I am not going to be able to get to Antarctica in 2017 like originally planned... instead it's South America, baby!

I am now almost a year away from this trip and it's a trip that I am over the moon for!

The itinerary:

Torres Del Paine National Park, Patagonia (Chile)
Amazon (Peru)
Machu Picchu (Peru)
Rio (Brazil)
Iguassu Falls (Brazil)

If you haven't heard of something on the list, google it because those places have me drooling!!

When I planned my Japan/China itinerary I didn't really know what I was getting myself into because I had heard of maybe three or four places, everything else was a surprise. South America has so many places I want to see and to top it all off... my best friend in the entire world is coming with me!!!!

One of the challenges about this trip though is having to pack for so many different climates. On the weather app today it's showing a range of 45 degrees to 80 degrees. At least I knocked out the outliar of -40 !

More posts to come!

St. Louis

Only a week separated Chicago from St. Louis, but I was more than happy to be traveling again!

I had never been to Missouri so I wanted to add another state to my list while doing some fun things along the way. :)

First and foremost... The Gateway Arch.

Had to go and get some shots of this beauty! 

Tip: St. Louis is ridiculously hot in the summer and the humidity makes everything worse! There were things we wanted to do outside (like the zoo) but decided against them due to the heat. Maybe the fall or spring would be a better time to visit...?

The City Museum was also on my list. City museum is a big playhouse-type museum for adults just as much as kids. (I liked the sound of that!) So much of the museum is made out of repurposed architectural and industrial objects. 

There was plenty of climbing, crawling, and exploring!

I'm a fan of hamster wheels :)

And spinny chairs 

They had a fun rope swing as well.

Last but not least... Shout out to this amazing strawberry kiwi slush! It was so refreshing after the workout we had! And very yummy!! 

I only wish I could go back and have the whole place to myself! (And a group of my friends, of course!) There was so much to do and see... I could have gotten lost in there for hours. I don't know how parents with young children do it... Too many places for kids to get lost in and too many ways to get hurt, but the best place for adults to be kids again!