Leaving the grandiose spectacle of the wondrous ancient city of Athens, we set sail that evening, arriving the next morning at Mykonos, an island Southeast of the Greek mainland. This island, nestled in the sparkling blue waters of the Aegean Sea, was a strikingly barren and rocky terrain. Its mountains and hillsides were towering granite... Continue Reading →
Our Mediterranean Adventure Part Three: On the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and an Endless Sea of Wonder
After our most memorable lunch in the village, we followed the coastal rode back north to Athens, to a special place at the heart of the city. Passing through the crowded streets and tight-packed buildings, we emerged at an opening in the middle of the city, where all else gave way and the dazzling blue... Continue Reading →
Our Mediterranean Adventure Part Two: On Athens, the Temple of Poseidon, and the Art of Enjoying a Meal
Athens is a place that almost doesn’t seem real, like the lost city of Atlantis or Mount Olympus’s home of the gods. Its reputation as a mecca in the Western political, social, cultural, and spiritual ethos makes it seem from another dimension. It is transcended by myth in the minds of all who read about... Continue Reading →
Our Mediterranean Adventure Part One: Departure and the Sea
It was finally time for our honeymoon! Our wedding had been a month prior in the springing beauty of April. The lingering emotions of that day played in our minds for weeks, slowly transforming into an exuberance for our trip that was increasing overwhelming. A 10-day Mediterranean cruise in the temperate month of May was... Continue Reading →
The Undeniable Allure of A New Place [travel blog][photos]
There is something special in the emotional unfolding of settling into a new place that I find invigorating and tantalizing. There is something in the sensational, wide-eyed nature of delving into the unknown and the unfamiliar. There is something in the mental transition from feeling lost in a foreign land to feeling the comfort and... Continue Reading →
Humphrey’s Peak: A Test of the Body, Mind, and Spirit [photos]
Humphrey’s Peak has been teasing me ever since I moved to Flagstaff, AZ a couple of months ago. I knew at one point I was going to set out to climb the mighty peak, it was just a matter of when. I have fallen in love with the area since I have been here. Flagstaff... Continue Reading →
Death Valley: Getting Wondrously Lost in the Desolation [photos]
Part of the allure of discovering new places for me is putting myself in environments that are utterly strange and hostile to my normal way of life. I think putting myself in the desolation of deserts and other forms of inhospitable landscapes gives me a unique perspective into not only the diversity of our world... Continue Reading →
My Angel’s Landing Hike: Where Danger and Marvel Collide [photos]
There are moments in nature that test your courage, condense your reality into your most immediate surroundings, and ensnare you in a world of blissful wonder all at the same time. This is how I felt this past weekend hiking Angel’s Landing trail in Zion National Park in Southern Utah. Zion is a canyon oasis... Continue Reading →
Taming the Wavering Mind: Thoughts from Bryce Canyon [photos]
I recently started talking to a therapist about my anxiety and fears through an app called Talkspace. As a side note before we get into things, Talkspace is an app that will find you a licensed therapist best suited to your situation. You can communicate with them through text, audio and video clips, and even... Continue Reading →
Trip to the Grand Canyon: A World of Spectacle and Serenity [Photos]
I live in Flagstaff, AZ now so I had to make my way to the Grand Canyon at some point, being that it is only an hour away. I had heard people talking about it in the past and they always seemed to say the same thing, “It’s indescribable. It’s beyond words.” I half-heartedly took... Continue Reading →