I fell in love with Amsterdam today. And like Hazel falling in love with Gus in “The Fault in our Stars”, it happened slowly, and then all at once.

I fell in love with Amsterdam today. And like Hazel falling in love with Gus in “The Fault in our Stars”, it happened slowly, and then all at once.

Did you know that the city of Amsterdam was once little more than boggy marshland? What we now know as Amsterdam was created by a dam on the Amstel River and much dredging and reclamation took place centuries ago to turn Amsterdam into the bustling city it is today. Known for its miles of canals in the city center and acres of tulip fields just outside the city, Amsterdam will be my home for the next several days as I explore its history, culture, and surroundings.

Another morning, another sunrise hike. I started my last day in Sedona by hiking Sugarloaf Mountain and the Sugarloaf loop trail. I started off a little before sunrise and enjoyed watching the faint glow on the red rocks as I made my way to the Sugarloaf summit.

Standing on the rim of the Grand Canyon is a very humbling experience. This was my third visit to one of the most popular national parks in the country and I was alternately thankful I made the trip and wishing I had stayed closer to Sedona.

I put some miles on my hiking shoes today! A hike that included a climb up into a not-so-secret cave, an afternoon libation and snack, and evening pictures at Red Rock Crossing were the highlights of the day today.

“Take time to do what makes your soul happy.” That’s the quote on the wall at Wildflower Bakery in Sedona (where I ate breakfast today) and I couldn’t agree more. Being outdoors, taking pictures, and enjoying the world is what makes my soul happy and is exactly what I did today.

What is the most popular, touristy thing to do in Sedona? A Pink Jeep Tour. And what did I do today? A Pink Jeep Tour. More on that in a minute.

Air travel will never not amaze me. In a matter of just a few hours, you can be in a completely different place. This week, that different place is Sedona, Arizona.

For a day where I had absolutely nothing planned, it turned into a pretty good day, visiting the Killick coast, shopping, and indulging in some good food.


Whenever I waver about going out for sunrise at home, I remind myself that some of the best sunrises are mornings where I don’t have high expectations. Such was the case this morning when I saw a wall of clouds heading toward the horizon around 5AM. But I gamely threw on some clothes and headed to the top of Signal Hill, where I was treated to the sun lighting up that cloud deck and turning the sky a gorgeous pink. My pictures aren’t the greatest because there was too much contrast between the dark clouds and bright sun, but I’m glad I decided to go.
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