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2023: A Year in Review
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2023: A Year in Review

Well, here we are again. Another Year in Review. I just had a glance back at last year’s recap and remembered how I had proclaimed that 2022 was one of the best year’s of my life… and now that I’m reflecting on 2023… I’m pretty sure it got even better. I mean not out there in the world; the world is basically a hellscape of political upheaval, war, genocide, the raging climate crisis, unaffordability and so on… but for me, in my little corner, I have a whole lot to be grateful for. I have a great job, great partner, great friends and family. My mental health is finally under control and I feel settled in a way that I don’t think I ever truly have before. I know who I am. I know what I stand for (and what I don’t). I know what makes me happy and that my best years might even still be ahead of me. I know what gives me energy and fills my cup. And I know that there is no time like the present. So with that in mind, I did a whole lot of living in 2023 and travelled with nearly all of the most special people in my life. I visited places I’ve been dreaming of for decades and places that I’ve loved for just as long. I returned to people and places that made me who I am and remind me of what’s important. 2023 was good to me. Cheers!

Seattle, WA (January)

Visiting the famous Pike Place public market

2023 began exactly the way I like it… travelling. It wasn’t the first time I rung in the New Year in Seattle but it was the chillest. Visiting the city with my cousin Teri-Lynn and her family meant an evening on the couch drinking champagne which honestly, was quite a delight after the two previous years hibernating at home. On the first day of the year, I also got to show my crew my favourite spots in the city – the Chihuly Glass museum and the view from Kerry Park. There are few things I enjoy more than playing tour guide.

Blaine, WA (January)

Book club girls getaway!

I have to say it but my book club is better than yours. lol. We have created a bit of a tradition of scheduling getaways about twice per year and this year we hopped across the border for a one night stay at the Semiahmoo Resort. We enjoyed spring-like weather (IN JANUARY!), massages at the spa, and some brief book chats in the hot tub.

Chile (March)

The view from Terraza Bellavista in Santiago

The first of two new countries in 2023 with my best travel bud, Megan. We started off our whirlwind 8-day South America trip in Santiago, Chile were we had two nights and essentially one full day to explore the city. We took in the main sights of the town and got in a ton of steps (as per usual) feeling very accomplished before we set off for the focus of the trip – the Atacama Desert. We started out in the cute tourist town of San Pedro de Atacama where we explored salt lagoons and the otherworldly landscapes that looked more like scenes from Mars than anywhere on Earth. After adjusting to the altitude of 2400m we set off for the main event… in Bolivia.

Bolivia (March)

Fun and games on the Salt Flats

Our South America trip continued across the border into Bolivia where our private driver, Mario (absolute legend) picked us up for 3 days of exploring the most unbelievable places I’ve ever seen – volcanoes, pink lakes filled with flamingoes, islands covered in cacti, geysers, hot springs, and the largest salt flat in the world. I still need to document this trip in full because it was a massive check off the ole bucket list, but I’m so glad we finally made it happen. Megan and I had been talking about this specific trip since we met in 2014 and had even planned and cancelled it once back in 2019. While it wasn’t glamourous and the road was certainly bumpy (understatement of the century) – it was worth every challenge. The world is so incredible.

Portland, OR (April)

Peak bloom

For the Easter long weekend, we finally made it back down to Portland after a nearly 5-year hiatus. This trip was truly focused on catching up with family but the timing also allowed us to check out peak bloom at the Japanese American Historical Plaza in downtown Portland’s Waterfront Park. One hundred perfectly aligned cherry blossom trees line this stretch of the park next to the Steel Bridge and I was beyond giddy!

Leavenworth, WA (April)

Bavaria in our own backyard

On our way home from Portland, we decided to take the scenic way home through Hood River so that we could stop in Leavenworth for a night. I had been hearing about this quirky, Bavarian styled village in the Cascade Mountains for years, and even though I knew what was coming, I still couldn’t believe my eyes. It was just like walking around a small German town complete and it was a delightful way to break up a long drive.

Ottawa, ON (April)

Parliament Hill in Canada’s capital

The last time I was in Ottawa was February 2020, right before the world shut down. It was the last flight. The last trip. The last time that I saw my brother and his family in person for years. The last time that life felt normal. Being back here, 3 years later, was powerful in a way that I couldn’t have expected. It was just a quick work trip but it closed the loop on a period of immense, turbulent growth. After immeasurable loss and pain and suffering… I returned to this city with a new lease on life. Healed. Whole. Fulfilled.

Bowen Island, BC (April)

Surprise weekend courtesy of Guess Where Trips

I’m deeply attached to my identity as a planner. I love planning. It brings me joy and helps me fight my anxiety. But unfortunately, I also love surprises. So when I learned about a way that I could plan a surprise for myself – I couldn’t feel more seen! Enter Guess Where Trips – a company that plans the trip for you. I was excited about the opportunity for a night away and a surprise itinerary. We knew we were going to Bowen and we lucked out with delightful weather. The company sent us little envelopes that told us where to go and what to do for 5 different stops along the way. It was fun and definitely took us to some spots on the island that we probably wouldn’t have visited otherwise.

Whidbey Island, WA (April)

Girls Weekend!

Our first of two girls weekends this year was a screaming success! Our dear Rachel flew out from Edmonton and we hit the road for Whidbey Island in Washington. After we all went overboard at Trader Joes, we stopped at the iconic Deception Pass on the way to our cozy coastal cottage at the South end of the island. We followed up a great first day with a self-guided wine tour where we made fast friends with an older couple celebrating a birthday and proceeded to hit up all the same wineries sort of by accident but maybe on purpose? We even had the chance to visit Coupeville, the setting up the cult classic, Practical Magic, which we made sure to watch together too. Time with these ladies is always deeply restorative. Through so many seasons of life – from university, to marriage and babies, moving to new cities, surviving a pandemic, and navigating all the ups and downs of life from early 20s to mid 30s – these women are always there.

Sunshine Coast, BC (May)

Quiet weekend on the coast

Nothing chills me out like the Sunshine Coast. This visit saw us joining my friend Joy and her sweet fam for a weekend in Halfmoon Bay. Coastal Walks. Patio Breweries. Puzzles and Chess. It was exactly my kind of cozy weekend away.

Naramata, BC (May)

Annual wine pilgrimage to the Okanagan

This year we finally gave up our dreams of visiting the Okanagan in the smoky, fire-plagued summer and decided to visit in May. The weather gods decided to shower us in rain but we made the best of it, frequently many of our reliable favourites and some new-to-us wineries too. After years of visiting, it still feels like we’ve barely scratched the surface of the wine available. Fortunately, that means we have many years of spring sipping ahead of us.

Northern Italy (June)

This trip! One of the first things that Markus and I bonded over when we started dating was our shared love of travel and especially Italy. We’d both been before and dreamed of returning together. Finally the timing and stars aligned for two unforgettable weeks in June. We crafted a “new to us” itinerary focused on Northern Italy with just the right mix of relaxation and exploration. We toured vineyards, wandered cobblestone streets, swam in lakes, and ate our pasta loving hearts out. La dolce vita strikes again… and I know we’ll be back!

Oregon (July)

I didn’t expect to be making a second trip to Oregon but when my travel buddy Megan reached out about one last pre-baby trip… I couldn’t say no. She flew into Portland and I drove down to pick her up from the airport. We actually already explored Portland together back in 2015 so we took off to hit the open road – as we so often do. We headed straight to the Coast spending a whole day exploring every beach and look out we spotted and eating our body weight in Tillamook cheese along the way. Next we veered inland to spend a day hiking in Crater Lake National Park where we edged out the crowds by arriving early in the day. And to cap off the trip we hit up some lovely sights in Bend – Smith Rock State Park, Tumalo Falls, and the very last Blockbuster on earth.

Seattle, WA (July)

In our Eras Era

In July it was back to Seattle for a very special reason. TAYLOR ALISON SWIFT! I’ve been a die-hard Swiftie since I first heard Love Story back in 2008 and I have been living my best life since she’s been back in the limelight. My absolute queen of a sister-in-law managed to beat the odds and score VIP tickets to the Eras Tour in Seattle so we donned our best costumes – from Red and 1989 – to dance and scream sing the night away. It was truly one of the best nights of my life… so good that I’m aiming to recreate the magic when she comes to Vancouver in late 2024.

Tofino, BC (August)

This trip had been in the works for years and was de-railed many times to do the dreaded c-word but everything finally came together for a couples trip with one of my oldest friends. We stayed at our favourite spot – the Shoreline Tofino – which has a dreamy barrel hot tub and sauna with views of the harbour. While we ended up getting fogged in for most of the trip – something I definitely hadn’t clued in about even though it’s super common in August – we still had a lovely time. We felt like we had the town to ourselves in many ways, assuming that the hectic road construction had scared most of the tourists away. And let me tell you, Tofino without the crowds is everything!

Los Angeles, California (October)

Another long awaited trip that finally came together in 2023 was to celebrate Markus’ sister’s 30th birthday in California with a trip to Disneyland. We were nearly two years overdue but we finally made it and managed to extend the trip to include 3 nights in LA and 3 nights in Anaheim. Shockingly, in all my trips to California over the years, I’ve never seen more of LA than the airport. Since this was our first time, we made sure to do all the most touristy things: Hollywood Walk of Fame, Griffith Observatory, Venice Beach, Santa Monica Pier, and Universal Studios. And then capping it off with the grand finale of two jam-packed days at both Disneyland and California Adventure where we hit nearly 30,000 steps a day. Exhausting doesn’t even begin to cover it, but it was also magical and Star Wars land lived up to every bit of the hype.

Winnipeg, MB (November)

My last official trip of the year was a quick weekend trip to visit my cousin Teri-Lynn and her sweet new baby, Annie. At just 6 weeks old, the weekend was filled with baby snuggles and naps. But, I always find a way to see some new things in the Peg, and this time I got to check out the updated Village at Pineridge Hollow and enjoy some tropical temperatures in The Leaf at Assiniboine Park – both fabulous additions to attractions outside the downtown core. And as a bonus, we got to kick off the holiday season at the Winnipeg Santa Claus Parade. We got so lucky with above average temperatures and clear skies – it was such a fun activity to do with the family. Thanks again Winnipeg – I know I’ll be back again soon.

2023: By the Numbers

Countries Visited: 4 (2 new ones!) – USA / Chile / Bolivia / Italy

States Visited: 3 – Washington / Oregon / California

Provinces Visited: 3 – British Columbia / Ontario / Manitoba

Plane Rides Taken: 10 one way flights (I count a flight as a flight regardless of how many segments or layovers it has).

Ferries Taken: 10

Airports Visited: 12 (YVR, MSP, ATL, SCL, CJC, SEA, YOW, LHR, VCE, MXP, LAX, YWG)

Kilometres Flown in 2023: 56,678

Beds Slept In: 29. Of those, 20 were hotels, 3 were vacation rentals, 2 were cabins, 2 were staying with friends/family, 1 was a winery, and one was my own bed!

Gone Country? New Year’s Eve in Nashville
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Gone Country? New Year’s Eve in Nashville

Hello again friends! Did you miss me? It’s already half way through 2018 and I’m just now getting to the long overdue retelling of my most recent New Year’s Eve festivities. Despite the shameful lack of blogging, I have been to some amazing destinations this year and I’m ready to make up for lost time.

I kicked off 2018, with my favourite travel tradition of celebrating the start of the year in a new city. Five years in and still going strong! In 2014, I set the bar high with a fun-filled night on the streets of New Orleans. In 2015, I partied Catalan style at the Plaza de España in Barcelona. I danced my way into 2016 at a glitzy party under the Seattle Space Needle. And last year, I used my one “cheat” year to celebrate in my beloved Vancouver, where I’d actually never spent NYE.

This year, I ventured to a new city and even a new state… Nashville, Tennessee. Now, it’s no secret that I’m not much of a country girl, but even I was drawn in by the allure of Music City. When my friend Joy suggested it as a possible option, I jumped at the chance to join her for 5 days of bar hopping, thrift shopping, and BBQ eating. Sounds tough right?

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Our timing was not ideal because we happened to catch Nashville in the middle of a ridiculous cold snap, which hit lows of -17°C. My poor West Coast body struggled to deal with the harsh conditions meaning that we whimped out big time on the outdoor NYE party we’d planned to attend. Lucky for us, our back up was my 13 year old self’s dream come true, a Y2K themed party with an amazing house band playing hits from the early 2000s. It was like high school all over again but without the friend drama or homework.

 

We also managed to check out some touristy attractions like the Country Music Hall of Fame. While still not exactly my cup of tea, I did geek out over the Shania Twain exhibit. I still remember all of her over-the-top costumes from watching every single music video she ever made.

The best meal we had was a family style lunch at Monell’s in Germantown. We joined a table full of strangers for an all you can eat Southern meal complete with fried catfish, chicken fried steak, okra, grits, green beans, cornbread, biscuits, sweet tea, lemonade, and peach cobbler for dessert. My mouth is watering just thinking of those delicious calories.

Other highlights include watching a movie at a theatre with reclining seats, snagging the last table at a secret Absinthe bar, and attending Sunday morning gospel hour at famed honky tonk, Robert’s Western World.

If you get the chance to visit Nashville, I promise that there’s something for everyone. The people are friendly. The food is delicious. And the music will have you tapping your feet to songs you never thought you’d enjoy.

 

Bucket List: An Arizona Road Trip
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Bucket List: An Arizona Road Trip

Why it took me so long to explore Arizona… I’ll never know! This has to be the most underrated state in America. I know that’s a big claim, but I’ve seen some very impressive sights and I still found myself awestruck and truly at a loss for words. I was completely blown away by the natural wonders we saw on our four day road trip. I really just can’t say enough good things and if you call North America home – then this absolutely must be on your 2018 travel list.

As per usual, I crammed as much activity as humanly possible into my long weekend getaway. Joined by one of my tried and true travel buddies, Megan, we were on a mission to do some major bucket list checking.

Phoenix

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We started off in Phoenix, somewhere that I had actually been once before as a child. Megan had some work obligations, which she quickly wrapped up so that we could “play” in the desert. I’m definitely a Pacific Northwest girl through and through and prefer the evergreen trees and mountains to the cactus and red sand of the Southwest. That being said, I truly love seeing a landscape that is so unlike what I’m used to… and the palm trees never cease to make me smile. We visited two parks in our one afternoon – Papago to check out the famed Hole in the Rock and the Sonoran Preserve to see some massive cacti up close and personal.

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Sedona

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Our second day was as perfect a travel day as any I could have dreamed. We left our Phoenix hotel bright and early at 7am to make the two(ish) hour drive to Sedona, which ended up being one of my new favourite places on earth. The photos don’t do it justice, but the scenery is jaw dropping and the town could not be more adorable with its coordinated terracotta buildings. Our main activity was to hike Devil’s Bridge, a fun and easy hike with a major pay off. My phone is still full of photos that I refuse to delete.

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Grand Canyon

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After Sedona, I could have gone home and called the trip a success but we still had the biggest bucket list item yet to come. We ate a delicious patio lunch and then got back on the road to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. We arrived at 4pm and quickly started our rim walk, trying to soak up as much daylight as possible. This place was so magnificent that I couldn’t fully comprehend what my eyes were seeing. We were also thrilled that most of the rim was unfenced, allowing us to crawl out onto every cliff we dared. I’d really do almost anything for a good photo.

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Lake Powell

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After watching the sun set over the Grand Canyon (pinch me!) we still had to drive several hours up to the Utah Border and the little town of Page. Arriving in pitch black, we were thrilled to wake up to the beautiful Lake Powell. Our resort was a little oasis in the middle of nowhere and the perfect launching pad to explore a couple more big-time sights.

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Horseshoe Bend

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Again, we had trouble photographing the incredible Horseshoe Bend but we had a great time scrambling around just the same. I’d love to come back with a drone someday…

Antelope Canyon

After Horseshoe Bend we made our way to Upper Antelope Canyon for a guided tour, which is required as the canyon is on Navajo land. I have to be honest that the tour was not a pleasant or comfortable experience. We were herded like cattle through the tight walkways and yelled at almost continually to keep moving. We were instructed that we could take photo (no videos) on the way in only and on the way out we would be made to put our cameras away. Megan and I were highly stressed trying to capture photos with people everywhere and the pressure of constantly having to keep moving. Not exactly an experience I’d like to repeat. That being said, we got some epic photos and the canyon was stunning. I can’t imagine what it was like fifteen years ago before social media and the Internet turned it into what it is today.

Our last day was spent making the five hour drive back down to Phoenix with a couple rest stops along the way, that also proved to be quite scenic. It was a weekend that I won’t soon forget. If you haven’t taken the time to explore Arizona yet, make it a priority. It is the most high value trip I’ve taken yet – affordable and worthy of any highlight reel.

A Weekenders Guide to Chicago
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A Weekenders Guide to Chicago

“My first day in Chicago, September 4, 1983. I set foot in this city, and just walking down the street, it was like roots, like the motherland. I knew I belonged here.” — Oprah Winfrey

I’ve had the Windy City in my sights for several years now. When I announced that I had finally booked a trip to the architectural mecca, friends, colleagues, and casual acquaintances couldn’t stop singing its praises. As my wish list of food, sights and shows continued to grow with every passing conversation my only concern was how to fit it all in.

With merely a long weekend to spare, my trusty travel partner, Mindy, and I wasted no time in hitting as many of the cultural and foodie hot spots as possible. Good thing I’m basically an expert at the weekend getaway by now.

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We landed at O’Hare International on Saturday morning after a red-eye flight and made a bee-line for the famed Millennium Park with a brief detour past Navy Pier. On our way we passed by Giordano’s and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to finally try the much anticipated Chicago-style deep dish pizza.

We ordered a small cheese and pepperoni stuffed deep dish, which was intended to serve 1-2 people. We were hungry and barely finished half. This stuff is no joke. It was delicious but also not something I’m prepared to eat again anytime soon. Sorry Chicago, but I still prefer New York style.

Next on our agenda was the world-famous Chicago Bean. I’ve been to my fair share of monuments and tourist sites over the years and I was dumb-struck by the sheer magnitude of the crowd. In retrospect, visiting on a sunny, Saturday afternoon on a long weekend in summer probably wasn’t the best strategy for people-free photos. The public sculpture is actually titled Cloud Gate and certainly earns its popularity with its very cool reflective and distorting abilities.

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After visiting the bean, we decided to continue exploring Millenium park. We ended up stumbling across Buckingham fountain which I had never heard of before but turned out to be one of the most impressive fountains I’ve seen. And unlike the bean, it was nearly devoid of crowds while offering both stunning lake views and skyline vistas. My favourite surprise of the trip!

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From there the only place to top what we’d already seen was to shoot for the sky. So that’s exactly what we did at the Observation deck on the 94th Floor of 360 Chicago. The adrenaline junkie in me couldn’t resist trying out the TILT which essentially involves standing in a window that tilts outwards over the skyline. It wasn’t nearly as scary as the squealing girls riding beside would have you believe. But, if heights aren’t your thing then consider yourself warned.

We also made sure to time our visit so that we would be able to take in golden hour and sunset and even splurged for cocktails – now that’s what I call Happy Hour!

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Believe it or not, we managed to fit all of those activities into Day 1 after a red-eye flight. Needless to say, we were ready to call it a night by 9:00pm. We woke up well-rested and ready to take on another jam-packed day.

We kicked off round two with the much touted Architecture Boat Tour. Nearly every single person I spoke with about my upcoming trip to Chicago recommended this tour specifically so we knew that it needed to happen. The people were not wrong. After boarding our open air vessel and toasting with a morning mimosa, we spent the next 90 minutes in the very good hands of the Chicago Architecture Foundation. The tour expertly guided us down all three branches of the Chicago river showcasing more than 50 skyscrapers, bascule bridges, and historic sites along the way. Informative and stunning – this was a trip highlight.

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Our next foodie goal was sampling an authentic Chicago-style hot dog. Our vendor of choice was Portillo’s which is known for the local delicacy. This “restaurant” could not be more American if it was located in the White House itself. The americana memorabilia and frenzy of calorie consumption was almost too much to handle but we soldiered on. I wasn’t sure if I could truly enjoy a hot dog without ketchup but the Chicago-original delivered.

In case you’re curious, the ingredients of this particular style dog include yellow mustard, chopped white onions, relish, dill pickle spear, sliced tomato, pickled peppers, a dash of celery salt on a poppy seed bun.

We had just enough time to Uber from downtown to Old Town to see a show by the legendary improv company – Second City. This is the same place where famed comedians Bill Murray, Tina Fey, and Steve Carrell got their starts. The performers we saw had some very big shoes to fill and they delivered a fantastic show of sketch and improv that lived up to its title Fast, Loud, and Funny. 

We took the scenic way home along the beach to dip our toes in Lake Michigan. I still can’t believe that it’s a lake and not the ocean. This is a seriously photogenic city and so much more than just the home of Oprah and Obama.

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As the weekend drew to a close we knew we hadn’t seen it all. With more time I would have loved to check out a jazz club and taken in a Cubs game at Wrigley field. But, I always like to leave a few activities still on the table because then I know I’ll have to come back again. I’m not finished with the Windy City yet.

 

Back to California: The San Diego Obsession
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Back to California: The San Diego Obsession

Contrary to popular belief… I am not moving to San Diego, as much as I may wish otherwise. After my annual pilgrimage to America’s Finest City last month, I reflected once again on why I fall more in love with California living each time I visit.

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There are some very obvious advantages: Near constant sunshine, + 25 ºC weather in February, an abundance of delicious Mexican food (mmm… fish tacos!), palm trees and beaches as far as the eye can see… I could go on and on.

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I love the laid back lifestyle and I love that after six visits, I am still discovering (and re-discovering) favourite places, eateries, and activities.

Balboa Park

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I can’t believe that it’s taken me this long to finally explore Balboa Park. If you want to get technical, I did visit the famous San Diego Zoo back in 2009 which is located in the area of Balboa Park. But, I have never spent time touring the park itself, which is gigantic and lovely. I could have easily spent the entire day marveling at the Spanish architecture, watching street performers, and admiring the manicured gardens. I’m already itching to return.

Pacific Beach Boardwalk

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There is something so lovely about returning to the same familiar spot year after year. My best friend Jennie just so happens to live in Pacific Beach, and the first thing we do every time I visit is take a walk down to the PB Boardwalk. This area is quintessential California. You’ve got surfers, roller skaters, cyclists, and everyone from retirees to families on vacation. I love the endless beach, the waves crashing on the outstretched pier, the palm tree lined sidewalks… This never gets old.

La Jolla

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No trip to San Diego would be complete without brunch and a stroll along the cliffs in La Jolla. There’s always a new place to sample or an angle that I haven’t photographed yet (although that seems impossible!). There’s just something soothing and revitalizing about this seaside community that instantly relaxes me. These are the moments that I store up and savour to keep me going long after I’ve returned home.

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 Do you have a favourite state?

Do you ever return to the same place again and again?

 

 

Trip Journal: A Whirlwind Weekend in San Francisco!
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Trip Journal: A Whirlwind Weekend in San Francisco!

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about my last trip (okay – my only trip) to San Francisco in August 2008. I’m thinking about heading back before the end of the year so I thought it might be the perfect opportunity to revisit a place that steals so many hearts around the world.

I definitely wouldn’t call myself an expert when it comes to the city by the bay – but I do know how to jam pack a lot of activity into a weekend getaway. And, that’s exactly what I did when I decided to take my mom on a mother/daughter birthday trip. Don’t go handing out daughter of the year awards just yet (unless you feel compelled of course)… I really just wanted an excuse to go away and to see the Full House in person ;)

FRIDAY

I found us some insanely cheap flights (If I remember correctly, we both flew round trip for less than $100) on Allegiant Air departing from Bellingham, WA direct to San Fran. I am going to take a gamble and say that 75% of the flyers out of that airport are actually Canadian because it saves us SO much money. We arrived in the late afternoon and took the easy and convenient BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) from the airport straight downtown to our swanky hotel in the financial district. At the time I was working at a travel agency and scored us a really good rate. So why not stay at the 4 star Hyatt Regency?

Now that's what I call a lobby!!

Now that’s what I call a lobby!!

After checking in, we set off to find the oldest restaurant in San Francisco, the Tadich Grill! First started during the Gold Rush in 1849, this restaurant mainly known for its seafood (mmm…) is one of the city’s top restaurants. We agree!

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We wrapped up our first night with an evening walk along the Embarcadero to get some lovely views of the Bay Bridge. I wasn’t quite prepared for August in San Francisco… the weather is crazy! Among major U.S. cities, San Francisco has the coldest daily mean, maximum, and minimum temperatures for June, July, and August… not exactly the California heat I was expecting. During the summer, rising hot air in California’s interior valleys creates a low pressure area that draws winds from the North Pacific High through the Golden Gate, which creates the city’s famous fog. A popular quote (incorrectly attributed to Mark Twain) explains it well. “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.” I couldn’t agree more… whoever you are.

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Brr… I can’t feel my toes…

SATURDAY

We woke up bright and early Saturday morning after a restful night on our Grand Hyatt beds and set off to explore the city with a bus tour of the very unique neighbourhoods. I think we saw nine in total but some of our favourites (or the ones I can remember) were China Town, Nob Hill, Union square, and North Beach. We made three stops during the tour… all places that you should definitely take the time to visit.

Stop #1 – Golden Gate Bridge

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Obviously I don’t need to say much about this one but I will because blog. The Golden Gate Bridge is arguably the most famous bridge in the world and heralded as one of the top ten construction achievements of the 20th Century. Other adjectives used to describe it… most beautiful, most photographed… basically you should see it and walk across it too if you have the time.

Stop #2 – Twin Peaks

The Twin Peaks are two hills near the center of the city that provide great views of San Fran and the bay area. Frankly, I was just happy to get above the fog and feel the sun on my skin. Did I mention that San Francisco is chilly in summer?

Look mom... the sky is still blue above the fog!

Look mom… the sky is still blue above the fog!

Stop #3 – The Painted Ladies

Everywhere you look, Everywhere you go...

Everywhere you look, Everywhere you go…

You will recognize these well-known Victorian houses from the opening credits of the widely popular 90s television series Full House and numerous other media programs. Built in the late 1800s, these colorful homes across from Alamo Park are also often referred to as “Postcard Row.” I waited around for a while, but it was next to impossible to get a photo without any people in it… so I ended up buying a postcard as well.

We left our bus at Pier 33 where we quickly jumped on a ferry to Alcatraz Island. I normally love ferry rides and the views were certainly beautiful, but I was not (I repeat NOT) dressed warm enough for the open air seating. I’m starting to sound like a broken record here but seriously wear lots of layers.

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We spent about two hours in total touring “The Rock” and the abandoned prison site, which also includes the oldest operating lighthouse on the West Coast, a military fort, and lots of wildlife. The isolated island was the perfect spot to house war prisoners and was eventually used as a federal penitentiary for 29 years. Most of the prisoners were notorious bank robbers and murderers, even housing some of the most famous criminals in history such as Al Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelly, and James “Whitey” Bulger, to name a few.

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It was a very interesting trip and admittedly a bit creepy stepping inside those cells. I shutter to think about being incarcerated way out there, but I have to say, those prisoners had some prime real estate with vistas like this…

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We ended our very busy day at Pier 39, a famous shopping centre and tourist attraction located at the edge of Fisherman’s Wharf. It was a really fun spot to people watch, enjoy street entertainers, stock up on souvenirs, and grab a bite to eat. We stuck with our seafood theme and dined at the Crab House. When in San Fran…

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SUNDAY

On our last day we decided to relax a bit and basically spent the whole day shopping in Union Square and enjoying the sights and sounds of downtown.

We didn’t have time to accomplish everything on my list, like riding a cable car or taking a stroll in Golden Gate park, but I was sure I’d be back again someday. And hopefully that day is soon! The chilly temperatures won’t keep me away… I’ll just bring a warmer jacket next time.

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by

The Happiest Place on Earth

What could possibly be better than visiting the happiest place on earth at the most wonderful time of the year?

After 15+ years since my last Disneyland adventure, I eagerly coerced my new SoCal resident, best friend into a day trip to remember!

Early on a mid-November morning we made the 75ish minute drive from San Diego to Anaheim. Upon arrival we quickly parked our car (FREE), stored our bags (FREE) and loaded up at the breakfast buffet (FREE) at our awesome hotel, the Residence Inn Anaheim Maingate, conveniently located just across the street from the park. We were off to a great start!

After the mandatory photo-stop at the entrance we quickly joined the throngs of people lining the sidelines of Main Street, U.S.A. for the filming of the Disneyland Christmas Parade special, which airs Christmas Day on ABC. It was great to see the park all decked out for the holidays, but the filming meant that the Parade was not running like normal. Sorry to burst your bubble, but Disney magic takes a lot of rehearsing, resetting, and rewinding. Instead of waiting around all day, we opted to take advantage of the minimal crowds and cross off a few of the big name attractions: Splash Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Indiana Jones, and the Haunted Mansion (with a spooktacular Nightmare Before Christmas dressing)!

For lunch we enjoyed a sit-down meal in New Orleans square – preparation for my upcoming trip to the Big Easy this December! The jambalaya was good, but I’m sure the real deal will taste even better.

The afternoon crowds were a bit bigger but we still managed to spot one of my childhood icons, Joey Fatone of N’Sync fame! A trip to California wouldn’t be complete without spotting at least one celebrity. We also managed to squeeze in a holiday cruise on the iconic it’s a small world ride, followed by the Storybook Canal ride where our tour operator sounded so robotic in her high-pitched Disney voice that I thought her head might explode. Kudos to all the ride operators at Disneyland for performing such a monotonous job while wearing those ridiculous fun costumes in the hot sun every day.

We capped off the day with the Matterhorn (my first time in 3 visits!) and my personal favourite Space Mountain. By 4:00pm we were ready for some adult time at the bar in Downtown Disney – something I certainly couldn’t have enjoyed 15 years ago. All in all it was an enjoyable day if not slightly less magical as an adult. The rides seemed less impressive while the attention to detail surpassed my previous recollection. November truly is a great time to visit – the weather was perfect and the crowds, totally manageable. I wish I could say that I’m dying to go back, but I think this travelista has come to appreciate a more mature way of travel. And, I hope this evolution takes me to some far off corner of the globe in the very near future.

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