Oysterville, Washington is a quaint little town on the northern end of the Washington State Peninsula. It looks like something out of a Better Homes and Garden magazine. Perfectly preserved homes from the 1800s line a sleepy street next to the stunning beauty of Willapa Bay, and beautifully designed gardens decorate the landscape. It’s like…
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Ever since I went to the 2018 Seattle Pride Festival last weekend, I’ve been getting a lot of questions and sideways glances. Why did I go? Wasn’t I uncomfortable? Am I gay? I’m not a big fan of labels, and who I sleep with isn’t anyone’s business but my own. The fact is, you don’t…
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There’s something special about the joy of small-town summertime festivals, and the Garlic Festival near Long Beach, Washington is no exception. It’s one of many fun annual events in Pacific County, but if you’re a garlic lover, there’s nothing quite like it! From roasted garlic to whipped garlic, garlic fries, and even garlic flavored ice…
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I’ve pretty much stopped taking friend requests from single men on Facebook. As a travel blogger and entrepreneur trying to grow my freelance writing business, it’s wise to increase my following on social media. So, generally I accept new friend requests unless the person looks like a total freak. However, lately I’ve been rethinking that…
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There’s a new buzz-word in the travel industry, “voluntourism.” Voluntourism is gaining in popularity. Lots of people who are eager to help and seeking adventure around the world are signing up. They’re paying big bucks for the opportunity to make a difference in the global community, but some of these people are coming home feeling…
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According to a 2014 study of the self-improvement market by Marketdata Enterprises, Americans spend over $500 million a year on self-help books. That doesn’t even include classes, workshops, and seminars. Self-help is a gigantic industry, but there seems to be an equally popular counter movement. When I was in Rishikesh, India I saw several people reading…
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Somewhere right now there is a little boy in an impoverished country feeling lost and forgotten. He is fortunate that he has the basics in life: shelter, food, and water; but his young life is still a struggle. He has to work long days helping his parents in the little café they own in Bali.…
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I only spent 24 hours on the island of Hvar, Croatia, but I’ll never forget it. A magical energy on the island pulses through you when you step onto her rocky shores. The turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea embrace the isle like a long-lost lover, and you find yourself lost in the beauty, daydreaming about never leaving. I’m so glad I experienced Hvar, Croatia’s lovely tranquility, stunning beauty, and rich history.
The charming town of Jelsa is home to only a few thousand lucky residents, which is probably why it’s so quiet. The only interruption to the tranquility is the regular sound of ringing church bells, which is common throughout Europe. Jelsa is nestled between the two highest mountain peaks on the island, with Hum to the east and St. Nicolas to the west. It has a lovely protected harbor, perfect for escaping storms and taking refuge.
If you follow my blog you know I rarely have expectations when visiting a new country. The wonderful thing about my approach is that I’m never really disappointed, plus I can share with you my experiences so you have an idea of what you might encounter on your own trip to the country. I hadn’t…
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Montenegro is only a few hours away from Croatia, and since I had a week to kill I thought it would be fun to go on a road trip to see Montenegro, along with Bosnia and Herzegovina, and wow, I’m so glad I did! These are three reasons why Montenegro is now one of my new favorite countries.