Suspended bridges, countless waterfalls, relaxing hot springs, looming volcanoes and mountains, trails to hike, and more! Ecuador is the place to visit in South America! The answer to many questions: YESSSS Ecuador is safe for tourists to visit! Never once did we feel unsafe or uncomfortable. The Ecuadorian locals and culture is warming and inviting. They appreciate tourists because it brings money into their economy. Did you know that South America is budget friendly to Americans? Switch up the annual trip to Florida and check out Ecuador! Our round trip flight was only around $400. Read more about Ecuador and how you can afford to go! Middle of the World There is a ton of activities at the Middle of the World - Mital Del Mundo! The Middle of the World is most known for the monument dedicated to the equator. Walk through the Ancestral Housing area to learn about the history of a few local cultural groups. Climb the Equatorial Monument to get a full view of the surrounding area and volcanoes in the distance! Pop into some of the shops - visit the Beer Museum and the Cocoa Square. Visit the cultural pavilions to learn scientific equator facts - you can also find out how eggs can balance upright at this location! Click here to read more Located: San Antonio, Quito, Ecuador Termas Papallacta Full body massages, wine body wraps, several different hot spring baths to jump into while surrounded by stunning volcanoes?? It doesn't get much better! It was under $30 to get into the hot springs area which gives you access to the spa grounds. If you want to get massages or specialty treatments like a wine or mud wrap, then you can pay extra! I would highly recommend getting a massage. I got my first massage at Papallacta and I was over the moon happy afterwards! The hot springs are warmed by the volcano...pretty cool right??? Located: Baeza, Papallacta, Ecuador - Right outside of Banos Banos Banos (in Spanish Banos means in which to bathe) is known for having multiple jaw dropping waterfalls to check out and hotsprings to bathe in. For tourists, Banos is a hotspot for their hot springs and adventurous activities such as white water rafting and hiking. For Ecuadorian locals, Banos is one of the most industrialized areas to go shopping at on the weekends. Locals come from all around the mountains to go shopping for food and other necessities on the weekend. Banos also has a very popular Sanctuary that has locals lined along the street just to attend. Hike to the viewpoints at Pailon Del Diablo to see one of the most remarkable waterfalls I have ever seen. Bring a water and a raincoat with you on this hike! Did I mention it was only $2???? Located: Banos, Ecuador Swing at the End of the World Banos is also known for having the ginormous treehouse that hangs the Swing at the End of the World. It only costs $1 to swing on this. The guys working jump SOOO high just to see how excited you get flying through the air. Do it if you dare...do it BECAUSE it scares you! Located: Casa del Arbol, Banos, Ecuador Pailon Del Diablo Tibetan & Suspension Bridge Walk on the suspension bridge ORRR go on the tibetan bridge if you are feeling up to it! Only $15 to walk across a gorge strapped into a harness! Located: Banos de Santa Agua, Ecuador Cascada el Manto de la Novia Ride a on a cable car that take you straight overtop of the gorge and a waterfall! There are a handful of different spots near Banos that you can ride a cable car at. Each one takes you on a quick and swift ride through the popular Ecuadorian waterfall destinations. If you are in love with chasing waterfalls and want to experience them all, do it! We only paid $2 a person to ride it! Located: Banos de Sante Agua, Ecuador The Avenue of the Volcanoes Take the Avenue of the Volcanos scenic route on your way to Banos! Depending on the weather, you can see up to eight snow-capped volcanoes. There are spots along the road for you to hop out safely and get some pictures. The Avenue of the Volcanoes completely free...obviously unless you paid for a local tour guide to drive you, paid for an uber, or rented a car yourself. If you want to read more about the Avenue of the Volcanos, read here! This article will help you plan your trip to see all of the volcanoes along the road. Ecuadorian Food!!!!! One of my favorite parts about traveling to new countries is getting to try new foods. I highly suggest eating local dishes. I always find it unique and intriguing how different countries use natural spices and grown goods to prepare for customers! Things I noticed in Ecuador: Pesto is used most of the time to season meat dishes! BBQ or Steak sauce isn't a "norm" there. The meat is seasoned using naturally grown spices. Salad doesn't come with dressing! I am usually the type of person that lovesssss to douse my salad in dressing, but the freshness of the vegetables and fruits on the salad made it taste perfect without the dressing. When we asked the first night, they made a homemade pesto & olive oil mix. The fruit is MUCH fresher in Ecuador than it is in the United States. The fruits served with breakfast were picked literally within walking distance. The main dishes consist of a type of meat, a potato or rice side, salad, and fresh vegetables/fruits. You can buy 50-60 mandarins on the side of the road for only $5! Along with mandarins, the city streets are lined with vendors selling their produce or handmade items. A popular favorite is the fruit stands and the shops with homemade taffy! Lastly, another Ecuadorian favorite is the fruit popsicles sold literally on the side of the road. We bought our popsicles in line paying for a car toll (see last picture below)! Fast food restaurants, such as McDonald's, are considered a place to go and eat on special occasions. Fast food is still expensive for the Ecuadorian locals to afford. How to Get Around Ecuador There are local taxis and tour guides all throughout Ecuador, and even Ubers in parts of the country. Some suggestions: If you go the route of taking a local taxi: check on your Uber app (if you have service). The taxi company may charge a bit higher, but they will match the cost of an Uber. If you go the route of wanting to use Ubers: keep in mind that Ubers aren't accessible in every city like in the United States. Service and access to internet can also be tricky. If you plan to take an Uber, make sure you have talked to your phone carrier for International cellular deals/packages. I would 1003752672% recommend reaching out to the most AMAZING tour guide below: Angel Rea Driverguide - you can find him on Trip Advisor The reason why I would LOVE it if you went with a local tour guide, is because that is his main source of income for his family of 5 and he absolutely enjoys showing people around his beautiful country. Taking a local tour guide can save you a lot of money because the individuals trips taken by Taxi or Uber can REALLY add up. Local tour guides know all of the hot spots and the MUST SEES in Ecuador. Angel (pronounced Anhel) has a lot of connections with the tourist attractions and can quickly help you communicate through Spanish with the locals. He even taught us some phrases in Spanish to help us out with communication! Angel stopped every single time we wanted photo opportunity. That type of service is extremely hard to get when taking taxis or Ubers. Where to Stay in Ecuador: Where you will sleep at is totally dependant on your plans for the trip. There are plenty of hotels and local AirBnbs that you can rent out by the night - just like in the United States. We stayed at the Holiday Inn - Quito Airport. You may be thinking: why did they travel all the way to Ecuador and stay at a Holiday Inn??? Here is why: The global pandemic instilled the requirement of having a negative PCR Covid test prior to flying back to the United States. The airport gives roughly $40 Covid tests and will get the results before you depart. The Holiday Inn offers free shuttles to and from the airport. We used the hotel shuttle to get us to the airport and back to the hotel for free! Keep in mind that your health insurance may not be accepted in foreign countries. I work at a healthcare software company and have great medical and health insurance...but its not accepted here! I still had to pay for the $40 covid test. The hotel was under $90 a night for the 3 of us to stay. The hotel was only 6 months old at the time we visited. The staff was extremely friendly and accomodating! They even let us have a late checkout free of charge. I hope you enjoyed reading about Ecuador and some of the fun activities the country has to offer! Keep in mind that there are SEVERAL other spots to visit if you are in Ecuador long enough. Beaches, trails to hike, white water rafting, plenty of spas or hot springs to soak in, museums and chapels to fall in love with, and more! Always do your research before going to another country. Couple things we noticed in Ecuador: Wearing a mask is a MUST in Ecuador. The culture finds it strange or even disrespectful to others if you are not wearing a mask. Average income is between $500-$1000 a month. Be cautious with your money and how you flaunt it. Never once did I feel like I was going to get robbed or pick-pocketed, but keep in mind that American citizens are financially better off than a majority of individuals in Ecuador. Be respectful. Everyone in Ecuador speaks Spanish. Only some speak English, but you are in good hands with the folks that know English as they will help you if you ask. I brought a Spanish to English book with me to help!

Looming mountains surrounding you everywhere you look, cozy cabins, and lots of small town coffee shops, local stores, and more! Westcliffe, Colorado is the perfect spot for a wedding getaway! If you want wedding pictures with your dress flying in the wind and the most stunning mountains in the background, this is the place for you! My sister and her beautiful wife eloped in Westcliffe. Read more about planning a wedding here or even visiting on a vacation! What to See/Do in Westcliffe, CO: The Bluff: This spot is where you can take your breathtaking wedding photos with the mountains striking in the background. Get coffee at a cute local coffee shop. Below are some spots we stopped at! Candy’s Coffee, Tumbleweed Coffee House & Sugar Lump Explore the downtown area - there are a ton of cute little shops here. Get your cake ordered from the local grocery store and pick up your flowers from a local florist shop! Check out Frontier Pathways Byway (Scenic view) Venable Lakes in Sangre De Cristo Mountains (hiking spot) Lake of Clouds (hiking spot) Places to eat in Westcliffe: Chappy’s Mountain View Bar and Grill Tony’s Mountain Pizza - we shared pizza and a salad….delicious! Rocky Mountain Gourmet Grill Silver Dome Saloon and Music Hall Stage Stop Ice Cream Sugar and Spice Mountain Bakery Colorado Springs is not TOO far from Westcliffe, CO. If you have some extra time to explore the area, here are some spots to check out: Garden of the Gods Painted Mines - click here to read more! Cave of the Winds Mountain Park Red Rock Canyon Bishops Castle - click here to read more! This castle is completely free to visit and has a lot of history. Desert Reef Beach Hot Spring Seven Bridges Trail Pikes Peak and Pikes Peak Highway Manitou Cliff Dwellings Royal Gorge Train Excursion - click here to read more! The Great Sand Dunes National Park is around 2 hours away, but totally worth the trip if you have the time. Click here to read more! Tips for sand dune boarding: DRESS WARM and cover all parts of your body. When the wind blows, the sand can sting. Ladies: wear a hat so that sand doesn’t cover every inch of your hair. I would highly recommend bringing some skiing goggles (or any goggles for that matter). The sand can sting your eyes. Keep your eyes protected so that you can enjoy your time! You can bring your own boards to sled on. If you aren’t able to pack a board, you can rent one at the closest town! If you plan on being here all day, I would recommend bringing some snacks or a packed lunch Plan to take lots of pictures :D

Destin, Florida is a HOT SPOT to visit in Florida, anytime of the year. Incredibly soft sand, teeny tiny bikinis, sand volleyball, sandy cheeks and toes, and the cleanest water...all of these items combined make for THE PERFECT spot to spend your time. Destin is a great beach town to visit for a family vacation, a birthday party, bachelorette or bachelor party, and even a wedding! We went to Destin for my 25th birthday party and it did NOT disappoint. Watch the YouTube video below to see all of the fun! Destin Recommendations: Walk along the Destin Harbor Boardwalk - there are a lot of shops to step into and restaurants to try out! We spent a lot of time watching fishermen feed the pelicans their freshly caught and cut fish, we bought some drinks at some of the bars alongside the water, and also watched live music and entertainment. There truly is something for everybody to do there. Watch the video above to see what the boardwalk looks like! Take a sunset dolphin tour! You can hop onto one of these dolphin tours on the Destin Harbor Boardwalk. They provided Frito's to throw to the seagulls off the back of the boat - some would swoop down and pick the Frito out of your fingers while holding it up! Click this link to book your tickets! Spend your time at the beach....DUH!!!! Play sand volleyball, swim in the water, or get your tan on! There are several activities to do in Destin! Here are a few to list: Go snorkeling in the blue water Parasail Tiki Sunset Cruise - if we had extra time, we would have totally done this! You pictured it exactly: a floating tiki boat. Go on a fishing charter Rent a jet ski or boat for the group! Go out and enjoy the nightlife! There are several bars to visit in Destin. We really enjoyed going to Coyote Ugly (which is right near the Destin Harbor Boardwalk). I am a big fan of staying at AirBnB's instead of hotels. I like to be frugal while traveling so I don't "ball out" at one spot . I book AirBnB's when traveling within the United States and even other countries! Staying at AirBnB's saves me money, but they can add a unique experience or spin to your vacation (instead of staying at a generic hotel). Where to Eat: I have no shame in over-eating on my vacations. One of my obsessions is ordering an appetizer along with my meal...I have to try as much as possible, right??? See below for our top choices to eat at while in Destin! Pepitos Mexican Restaurant - I know what you may be thinking....a Mexican restaurant next to the beach instead of seafood??? Come on folks....you should know by now that I am OBSESSED with Mexican food. Crab Trap Destin Pompano Joe's Seafood House - arguably the best place to get seafood in Destin AJ's Seafood and Oyster Bar - stop here while you are walking on the boardwalk! Shrimp Basket Destin

Does touring rundown buildings , searching for ghosts or paranormal activity, learning about gas chambers, or standing in the pit of the basement in complete darkness listening to stories about murders and death sound interesting??? Touring the Missouri State Penitentiary might be the right experience for you! Located in Jefferson City, Missouri, you can tour one of the oldest prisons west of the Mississippi. Here are some facts: "The prison housed inmates for 168 years and was the oldest continually operating prison west of the Mississippi until it was decommissioned in 2004." The prison housed notorious inmates such as James Earl Ray (who assassinated Dr. Martin Luther King), Charles Arthur "Pretty Boy" Floyd, and John B. "FireBug" Johnson (who set the large fire at the prison and later wrote the book "Buried Alive for 18 Years in the Missouri Penitentiary" after legitimately being in the dungeon for 18 years. Click here to read more about their infamous inmates! The riot in the prison in 1954 caused damages estimated around $5 million dollars, 4 inmates slaughtered, 50 inmates injured, one prisoner attempted suicide, and caused 4 guard injuries. There were several escapes: through a sewer pipe, through the Missouri River, through underground passages, and even by train. Some of the doors use to be so short that the inmates had to bow to come out of their cell, showing a sign of obedience (see picture near the end). We went on the 2 hour Ghost & Paranormal Tour that was from 8:00-10:00 PM. We learned a tonnnn about the history of this prison, especially about when they started to integrate women. On a family vacation, I once visited the Alcatraz prison in San Francisco and it was an eerie setting. I would highly recommend visiting Alcatraz. Seeing the mainland from the prison would be pure torture for someone. Although Alcatraz was totally cool, there was just something about the Missouri State Penitentiary that seemed more spooky and full of hidden precenses. There were a few other tours that you could choose from such as history tours and photography tours. (Personally, I think that social studies teachers should bring their students to the prison! ) See here for optional tours! Jefferson City - Spots to Eat: If you are looking for some spots to eat at while you are there, here are my suggestions: Prison Brews - this is a perfect spot to visit before you go on your prison tour! The prison and jail vibes inside of the restaurant will put you in the perfect mood. Our large table ordered a bunch of different appetizers. The loaded fries are spectacularly delicious (so is the prison themed beers on draft hehe). Sapphire at the DoubleTree - I know it may sound crazy to go to a hotel to eat dinner...but the view of Jeff City is beautiful and the food is delicious! Sawadee Thai Cuisine - this spot lets you pick your spice level...from 1 - 100! (PS - the Crab Rangoon appetizer is a MUST TRY) Central Dairy - This ice cream spot is a staple! I always recommend visiting Central Dairy when in Jefferson City, Missouri because of the history behind it. The Ice Cream Factory is also another popular ice cream spot to try out! Canterbury Hill Winery & Restaurant: Last but not least is the Canterbury Hill Winery & Restaurant! I felt like I had walked into California and was no longer in Jefferson City, Missouri! I'm a picky wine drinker (only because I love trying new wines) and I fell in love with my choice. I chose Red Towers, which is a semi-dry red served in a chilled glass. I also ordered an 8oz sirloin with their homemade mashed potatoes. The references used in the article came directly from the Missouri State Penitentiary website - click on the link for more information and to book YOUR tour today!

One second you are driving through the country in Colorado and the next second you are standing at the bottom of ginormous dunes of sand. It feels like you are completely walking in a different country! Growing up in Missouri, I wasn't surrounded by a lot of sand. Walking through the Great Sand Dunes National Park is surreal. It looks as if someone took a large hammer to a mountain and it completely crumbled into the finest pieces. We rented one sand board and one sand sled between the five of us. We rented our boards from Kristi Mountain Sports in Alamosa, Colorado - about 25 minutes away. I even bought some cute ski goggles! (Hint: I would recommend wearing goggle or sunglasses if it is pretty windy out the day that you visit - the wind throws sand into your eyes.) Another tip is tp bring a waterproof phone case with a strap to keep the sand out of your phone while taking pictures or videos. Having your phone attached to a phone case with a strap is a great idea as well because sandy wind can be a little tricky to see through at some point. I had never been sand-duning, but I felt like I was going to be good at it! I was good at skiing on snow the first time that I went....so of course I thought I would be good at sand-duning....nope! Sand dune boarding is not as easy as it may look. Falling on sand isn't as fun or fluffy than falling on snow... Regardless, our bachelorette party had a blast walking through the vast space covered in sandy peaks. Bring your kids to go sledding! There were some folks that looked like they were professionals at boarding and some looked like amateurs (or first timers like us). I even saw people with their dogs walking up the dunes. If you like to get a good workout in, see if you can make it to the top...I definitely gave up. On your way to the National Park, make sure to stop at the UFO Watchtower in Saguache County, Colorado. Read more here! That's all I have for now folks! Thank you for reading! Read other Colorado related posts - Experience the Royal Gorge - Train Style Have Aliens Landed in Colorado??? Out of This World: Painted Mines Interpretive Park Christmas Time in Breckenridge, CO Wedding in Westcliffe, CO #throughbecsspecs #thetravelgal

Do you think we have friends in space? Do you question what surrounds us?? Check out this unique spot on your way to the Great Sand Dune National Park! Visit the UFO Watchtower in Saguache County, Colorado, to learn about our potential friends in space, aliens! For only $2 a person, or $5 a car, you can walk around the most bizarre place in Colorado. You will be bewildered the entire time walking through the grounds. You can even camp for $15 a night if you want to experience a "spooky" evening sleeping near an opening of a 'Parallel Universe'. About the Garden: "Since opening the UFO Watchtower in 2000, over 25 psychics have visited and told the same story....there are two large Vortexes located on the east side of the Tower. A Vortex is described as an opening to a Parallel Universe which is full of energy. Once of the Vortexes spins clockwise and the other spins counter clockwise. As you walk through the Garden pay attention to your body as your can feel the energy from the Vortexes. We encourage visitors to leave something in The Garden to get their energy there as well. PLEASE do not move ore remove anything in The Garden...bad, bad Karma if you do". Visit The Garden to learn more! We were on our way to go sand-dune boarding at the Great Sand Dune National Park when we saw the signs with aliens lining the road....of course we had to stop! We had an entire day dedicated to the NP, so a little stop was not going to hurt our itenerary. Since everyone from around the World leaves items at this spot, the trinkets you can find are quite random! Two decades worth of items have been left at the UFO Watchtower. We left a few pennies in The Garden to leave some of my energy there as well. It seems like you can leave just about anything! If I had known about this place, I would have tried to leave an item with more of a personal value, but a penny is all I had. Consider bringing something personal! (Some people even left their business pens behind - personal and a great marketing technique!) A lot of time and energy has gone into The Garden and the UFO Watchtower. There are a few different aliens and UFO shaped structures located in The Garden. You could spend an hour here if you wanted to look at everything and take pictures! Whether you believe in the extraterrestrial or not, the UFO Watchtower is a "Must See Stop" on your way to the Sand Dunes. Still don't believe it's true?? Check out the link here to read about some of the alien sightings at the UFO Watchtower. That's all I have for today! Thank you for reading! Read other Colorado related posts - Experience the Royal Gorge - Train Style Shredding Sand at the Great Sand Dunes National Park Out of This World: Painted Mines Interpretive Park Christmas Time in Breckenridge, CO Wedding in Westcliffe, CO #throughbecsspecs #thetravelgal

Choo choo! All aboard The Royal Gorge Route Railroad. This trip is perfect for any type of vacation: - Kids love to look at the scenery through the windows and on the deck - Bachelorette and Bachelor parties are a hit because of the onboard adult beverage service - This is a perfect spot for a date and the food is delicious - Celebrate your birthday with friends! The views are stunning for group photos - Families get to spend time with each other while exploring new destinations - They even host holiday events! We spent a weekend in Westcliffe, Colorado for my sister's elopement/wedding party. Our schedule was packed with loads of fun each day! One of the days on the trip, we visited a soothing hot spring and then hopped on the two hour train ride. Hot spring and a train ride through the mountains in Colorado??? Can it get better than that?? While on the train, we ordered some adult beverages (the daiquiri was delightful) and food (you MUST try the nachos). The train ride cost was roughly $55 a person (packages here) when we went. The food and beverages on the train are available at additional costs (they have a menu just like if you were at a restaurant), but the prices are relatively fair! You can go outside on the open-air observation cart. The view is spectacular! Everyone is clamoring to take pictures on the observation cart...don't get me wrong....I was doing it, too. Take a couple of shots out there and then put the phone away in your pocket to just take a couple seconds to breathe! The overall experience is thrilling yet relaxing. (Hint: Make sure to pack a coat or hat just in case! The wind on the train can be quite chilling near the water.) Next time you plan a trip to Colorado, make sure you hop on the train! That's all I have for now folks! Stay tuned for more articles regarding the fun activities on our Westcliffe, Colorado adventure! Read other Colorado related posts - Shredding Sand at the Great Sand Dunes National Park Have Aliens Landed in Colorado??? Out of This World: Painted Mines Interpretive Park Christmas Time in Breckenridge, CO Wedding in Westcliffe, CO #throughbecsspecs #travel #travelblogger #thetravelgal

Who says you still have to be a kid to go to Disney?? Aren't we all kids at heart? My best friend was turning 25 and she wanted to spend her birthday at the Happiest Place on Earth. Who wouldn't??? There are many parks underneath the Disney umbrella. If you have money to spend, I would recommend hitting up as many Disney spots as possible! Here are some things to do/see if you are planning an Adult Disney Trip! Disney Magic Kingdom Since we were "Ballin on a Budget", we went to the main attraction: The Disney Magic Kingdom. Even at 24 years old, I think that the Disney Magic Kingdom is so beautiful and dreamy. I felt like a little girl full of excitement and giddy standing in front of the majestic castle. The lines are long but worth the wait! My favorite ride was Space Mountain. You feel like you are flying and whipping through space and stars. Thunder Mountain came in as a close second as my favorite ride. You can see so much of the park from this rollercoaster. If you are a kiddo or a weenie and don't like going upside down...this park is a great spot for you! For adults (like myself) that enjoy a cold alcoholic beverage from time to time, you are in luck! Grab a cool beer at one of the many restaurants. Once you are ready to walk around, get some ice cream or popcorn from one of the stands and enjoy the wait in the lines (lol). Disney Springs I am not the richest person on the planet, but if you have money burning a hole in your travel pants, go to Disney Springs and spend loads of money at the shopping stores! If you are like me (a penny pincher), visit Disney Springs to simply look at everything you can buy, get some food and walk around, and try new things! My favorite spot at Disney Springs was the Coca Cola Store. We purchased the Coca Cola Around the World platter and had so much fun taste-testing all the Cokes! Who would've thought Kimche Cola would be quite delightful??? I'm also HUGEEE on food truck delicacies. There are some food trucks that post up by the waterfront. If it's there, you've GOT to stop at the Mac & Cheese truck. International Drive If you have an entire day to do whatever, I would suggest spending a day on International Drive. You can spend hours walking up and down the strip and never run out of things to do. Go inside the Ripley's Believe it Or Not Museum or the WonderWorks Museum to enjoy some ~trippy~ fun. If you love to golf like I do, visit Pirate's Cove Adventure or Top Golf to get some green time. You can also get an amazing view of Orlando from the spinning Wheel (an observation wheel) at ICON Park. There is a TONNNN of delicious places to eat and the night life is poppin' on International Drive. You will never run out of places to grab a drink! Just to name a few: Howl at the Moon, ICEBAR Orlando, The Pub Orlando, Senor Frogs, Red Coconut Club, Pat O'Briens', and plenty of sports bars. Florida Natural Springs A lot of people don't think of exploring nature when they are planning out a vacation to Orlando. Did you know Orlando is surrounded by many natural springs? I didn't either...until I got there. Some popular natural springs are Three Sisters Springs, Rainbow Springs State Park, Kelly Springs, and Blue Springs State Park. We went to Wekiwa Springs State Park. The park only costs $6 per car to get in which is a total snag because your entire family can spend all day soaking in the natural water. If you like to kayak, it was only $30 for two of us for two hours. We had a blast strolling through the southern marsh! P.S. - if you visit Orlando...PLEASE go to Hot n Juicy Crawfish. I am obsesssssssed with eating shrimp. This place nailed it. This is all I have for today folks! If this post inspires you to go to Orlando, I hope you enjoy your adult vacay. Cheers :) Read other Florida posts: Weekend in Clearwater Beach, Florida

I always called this spot the wild horse beach. I would see pictures of this National Park on social media and would think…when will I ever get the chance to go to Maryland?? What would I even do there?? Well....here we go! It just so happened that I had a friend that lived in Maryland near Ocean City and Assateague Island. I went and visited her between weekends I was traveling for work in New York. (the lucky gal just recently moved to Florida…poor thing!! *wink wink*) The first place I wanted to visit was the beach to see the beautiful horses. We saw a few grazing alongside of the road driving though the park. Fun fact: you can download the app so you can track the horses. I didn't get to see TOOOO many horses because I didn't have the app downloaded. Another little piece of education you can tuck away in your travel pants: the horses on this island have bloated bellies because...well...there isn't a ton of access to fresh water! They have slightly bloated bellies because of the salt water that they ingest. There was a family on the beach that needed someone to take their picture, so I happily pulled out my I-Phone photo taking skills. Ironically enough, they had lived in my hometown of Kansas City for quite a few years! The little boy on the beach told me his favorite horse was named Chip. He also showed me a lot of Horseshoe Crab shells lying along the beach. *Random fact: Kids stop me and chat with me everywhere I go. I've been told by some youngsters it's because I look like a fairy??? Idk....moving on!* We also visited a poppin' place along the beach called Ocean City. Kid and adult friendly...there is something for everyone to do here! Rent a jeep and drive on beach dunes, play in a very large arcade, ride the ferris wheel at the carnival, win some prizes along the boardwalk, or buy some little trinkets at the gift shops. You MUST get hot french fries from Thrashers. The lines are long, but there is a reason for that! I also grabbed some popcorn and ice-cream (don't judge me!!!). After a long walk on the boardwalk, we grabbed drinks at Seacrets. Seacrets is quite the "hot" spot if you are on the hunt for a cutie! **insert winky face** Wanting to grab a drink from a local bar? Try out the Greene Turtle! I had some fried pickles, loaded tator' tots, and the signature Old Bay spiced boneless wings (again...don't judge me!!! lol) Bad Monkey for brunch is a hot spot. The view from the back patio is a great place to relax and drink some spiked coffee or mimosas. I mean....does it get better than free Monkey Bread as an appetizer??? I didn't think so... Well folks...that's all I have for today! I hope this post will help you out on your next trip to Maryland! #horsinaroundonassateagueisland

Growing up in Missouri, you are surrounded by rolling pastures, crops that stretch for miles, and wooded areas full of wildlife. Residents of the Show-Me State don't always get a view of rocky regions and I love mountains! So, going to states like Arizona, Colorado, and Utah often blow my mind with their polar opposite geography. It doesn’t even compare to where I’m from. The Painted Mines Interpretative Park is unlike anything I have ever seen before and that comment is from the girl who has stood on the Cliffs of Moher and rode mules to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. I had seen a few other travel bloggers visit there and knew it was a place to visit, so it was added to my “list.” While visiting my best friend in Colorado Springs this fall, I realized that Painted Mines was only a “short drive.” Of course, my mind went: “why not??” I still wasn’t prepared for how “big and pretty” this place was going to be. The short walking trail from the parking lot to the Painted Mines was simply beautiful. The land is infinitely open and free. As you keep walking along the trail, you eventually run right into the strangest spot! My bestie and I had worn simple sundresses for the day and wondered if we’d be too dressed up. We weren’t in hiking gear, no hiking shoes, etc. We were completely wrong. We saw some folks in what appeared to be Star Wars outfits taking pictures, we saw swimsuit models, wedding dress models, and other travel bloggers as well! I felt like I was among a bunch of famous people while walking around in the park! A very fun and cool vibe. The walls of the canyon are splattered with pinks, purples and golds. It looks like someone came out and dumped paint buckets along the walls! The shapes and curves of the Painted Mines will leave you standing there turning in circles, your eyes just taking the view in and your mind is just overwhelmed with art. My travel gal and I would have spent more of our day there, but the sun was setting on us. If you are planning a trip to Colorado Springs, you MUST stop at the Painted Mines! My suggestion for an itinerary is below---it’s what we did that day: Garden of the Gods Manitou Cliff Dwellings Museum Appetizers and Drinks at Manitou Brewing CO Painted Mines Read other Colorado related posts - Experience the Royal Gorge - Train Style Shredding Sand at the Great Sand Dunes National Park Have Aliens Landed in Colorado??? Christmas Time in Breckenridge, CO Wedding in Westcliffe, CO

Lancaster, Pennsylvania is home to the country's largest Amish population. Right outside of Lancaster, you can take a scenic drive through some of the most beautiful homes in the US. The countryside is littered with perfect white homes, colorful flowers, happy animals, and healthy crops. Looking to take a vacation with a cultural twist? Visit Lancaster, PA! High on your “Must Do” list, has to be visiting The Amish Farm and House, which is a tour company offering countryside bus tours, Amish house tours, and a 15 acre farm visit. For only $30, I took a 90-minute countryside bus tour, visited an Amish dairy farm, an Amish furniture and artisanal/food shop, a self tour on a farm full of education and animals, and an Amish house tour. You can even feed the goats and go on a fun corn maze. Talk about at score! Their slogan hits the nail on the head with : "Where Today Touches History". When you visit the Amish country in Lancaster, make sure to purchase some Amish delicacies and products to fully immerse yourself into learning their culture! I actually grew up close to an Amish community in Missouri so I had a familiar background with the Amish culture and world. The astonishing looks on the other members of my tour groups' faces when the guide said "no electricity" was comical. However, some farms are allowed to use electricity but to only comply with food rules and regulations. The diary farm pictured above has electricity ONLY in their barn to keep the fresh milk at a refrigerated temperature. My top takeaways from the tour: A majority of Amish households must do other activities outside of farming to pay the bills. This is why a lot of Amish houses have gift shops, sell produce, make furniture, or sell canned goodies or quilts. Kids will go to school up until 8th grade. Each area has their own school! There is no "central church". Different households host “church” and there is a rotation as to whom will host next. Tobacco is the top cash crop for the Amish community. Pictured below - you can see how they hang the tobacco up to dry out before stripping the leaves. The vast majority of the tobacco grown by the Amish in Pennsylvania is used to make cigars. The wedding season is in the fall, once the summer farming is over, but yet the food is plentiful. The Amish do not allow photographs of their faces, as the Bible mentions “man” is not to make graven images. Each community has their own rules for certain clothing requirements (color, length of brim, etc.). Make sure you stop at the Lancaster Central Market downtown. Visit early on Saturday morning to grab some coffee to start the day off. You will not leave empty handed with all the options to shop for including herbs, spices, beautiful bouquets, Amish candy and produce, toasted bagels with creamy spreads, fresh seafood, steak, homemade bread and sweets, dried meats, and so much more. The Lancaster Central Market is one of the oldest yet fully operating markets in the United States!

For only $20...that's right only $20 a person...you can experience a boat ride of a lifetime! We were lucky enough to book our tickets during a special but the tours are usually $30 for adults. We booked our tour through Cajun Pride Swamp Tours. This alligator and swamp tour was my third experience and it never gets old! I had previously gone through Cajun Encounters for the last two tours but I was blown away by Cajun Pride Tours. I have never seen so many alligators and other creatures! The alligators float up out of nowhere! I would hate to fall in... Our tour guide, Nolan, was extremely educated with alligators, the history of the swamp, Hurricane Katrina, and even Cajun culture. He was the sweetest tour guide ever and provided so many alligator facts! Mind. Blown. Random Facts: - Alligators can have roughly 80 eggs but only 2% survive - The temperature during the incubation period determines what the sex of the alligator will be. The warmer the temperature, the higher the chance that the egg will hatch to be a female. - Most alligators are female. For every 15 females, there is 1 male. - Alligators have a larger snout that Crocodiles. There are many differences between the two! When a crocodile closes its' mouth the teeth show whereas alligator teeth don't show when they close their mouth - Alligators can eat once a week! They can go for long periods without eating - Alligators don't eat in the Winter or when the water temperature reaches 70 degrees. They go into hibernation and can go 5 months without eating - The really large alligators may look like they are only 7 or 8 years but they are actually in their 40's! The little alligator that the tour lets you hold is 2 years old! We thought that the alligator was a baby and only a few months old but we were way wrong - They can typically live to the age of 40-45. At that age the alligators are roughly 7 or more feet. - Alligators live off of meat...and marshmallows (LOL) Suggestions: - Book ahead of time to secure your spot on the tour. - Call online to ask about deals. We called and they were offering a discount via phone. - Bring a water bottle! You can bring some water on the trip. - Check out the gift shop!! - Dana and I wore a dress but we had plans after. Wear some comfortable clothes because the swamp is hot and muggy. - It's easy to want to take pictures and videos the whole time. I was taking so many pictures and videos that I didn't catch as much information that our amazing tour guide, Nolan, was telling us. Take a few pictures and then enjoy the excursion! - Keep your hands in the boat! I know this seems like a DUHHHH tip...but you would be surprised... I hope you enjoyed the post and I can't wait to see pictures if you decide to go on an alligator excursion!