One Year Anniversary: Photo Essay
Fall Feels
Autumn is a wonderful time of year; the air is brisk, the colors are vibrant and the clothes are cozy as can be. This weekend truly felt like fall with my loved ones.
Witches Night Out
My parents live where I grew up (Fenton, Michigan) and recently moved into the oldest home downtown. On Friday night, we dressed up as witches and spent the night shopping, drinking and dining in costume!
Pumpkin Patch
My little sister and I went to a giant pumpkin patch in Saginaw. Aniya and I escaped from the corn maze in 40 minutes (our new record!) and had lots of hot cider on such a cold and windy day!
Brunch in Downtown Flint
Say what you want about Flint, but their downtown is booming and better than ever. The Flint Crepe Co. never disappoints, especially when you can order all of the gluten-free goodness your heart desires. The company didn’t hurt either, because my best friend Danielle always has me crying from laughter! There’s even some new murals downtown.
Apple Orchard
Nothing screams fall more than visiting an apple orchard, getting some donuts and strolling around with your mom and pup!
I hope you’re enjoying autumn as much as we are!
Fun in Fenton
I hated Fenton in high school: there was “nothing to do,” no diversity and I couldn’t wait to get the heck out of there! With that said, however, I always enjoy my time in Fenton now.
I think this has something to do with the people. A lot of my close friends live in the area, including Donna. No matter what kind of mood I’m in or what stresses the week threw my way, I can count on her for a good time and great conversation! Plus there’s so much to do in downtown Fenton now, it’s unreal. Of course it became fun once I left…
Even my pup loves it!
In all honesty, I appreciate Fenton more than ever now. I have made amazing friendships there, and visiting always feels like home.
Going Places with your Pup
If you’re anything like my husband and me, you have a difficult time doing anything without your dog. After all, dogs are part of the family!
Here are some tips for traveling with your pup:
- Do your research before you go. Bring Fido and other apps like Trip Advisor are great resources. You need to know where pets are allowed and what activities you can do with the entire family!
- Bring a bag for your pup! Juan and I had more gear for Linley than we did for ourselves, especially when hiking in northern Michigan. Bring food, water, toys, treats, gear and worst-case-scenario items for your furry friend.
- Travel safely at all times. Whether you’re driving a long distance, walking in your neighborhood or visiting a new place, you need to be aware of your surroundings and consider your dog’s safety at all times. Also take breaks for rest, food, etc. into consideration.
Linley is definitely part of the family, and we’re very excited to take him on more adventures! 🙂
Snorkeling with Sea Lions
During our last full day in the Galápagos, Juan and I rented snorkels and headed to the “hotspot” for animal watching. We were greeted by sea lions who wanted to swim and play with us!
Pro tip: buy an underwater camera before you visit the islands. I instantly regretted not having one…
San Cristóbal’s Secret Lagoon
Manolo, our beloved taxi driver “turned best tour guide ever,” took Juan and me to a secret lagoon with volcanic views. The only visitors were the three of us and one other couple…
A Treehouse Tucked Away…
During our time on San Cristobal Island in the Galapagos, Juan befriended a local taxi driver named Manolo. Of course, the two of them had a lot in common: Spanish is their native language, they grew up in Ecuador and they seemed to laugh at the same things (probably at me)!
Kidding aside, Manolo was one of the coolest locals we met on the island. Why do I say this? Not only was he a “salt-of-the-earth” kind of dude, but he became our private chauffeur and took us to some unique places.
Our first stop on our “non-touristy” tour of San Cristobal Island was an eco-friendly treehouse. A family generated this treehouse – as well as other rooms on the property – from 100% recycled and sustainable materials! The hippie in me loved this and never would’ve known about it had we taken another taxi…
Have you ever befriended a kind stranger while traveling? And if so, do you still keep in touch? 🙂
