New Year’s Day found me doing a lot of walking, relaxing, and carb-eating in the relative warmth of the south before heading back to the cold of New England tomorrow.
Hilton Head 2025/2026: Day 3
United States
Hilton Head 2025/2026: Day 2
If you told me this morning that I would be eating dinner outside today in my winter coat, I wouldn’t have believed you. I surprised even myself with that one. I won’t be ringing in the New Year at midnight, but I did enjoy both sunrise and sunset along with some adventures in the Sea Pines Plantation today.
Hilton Head 2025/2026: Day 1
I made the 5-hour drive to Hilton Head, South Carolina yesterday afternoon after spending five days in Florida visiting my family and playing hide-and-seek and “phones” with my 2-year old niece. Hilton Head Island has been my favorite vacation destination for the last 20+ years and crossing the bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway feels like coming home.
A Day in Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island was on my summer to-do list, but I didn’t make it there until the very last weekend of official summer. I know I was in Newport years ago, but I don’t remember much about it so it felt like visiting for the first time. With blue skies and temperatures around 70 degrees, the day couldn’t have been more picture-perfect for exploring the Gilded Age mansions and rocky coastline of this small New England city.
Cape Ann in a Day
You don’t have to go far to feel like you’re on vacation. Even though I was in Gloucester (MA) just three days ago, today I was back playing tourist in my own backyard. Gloucester is about a 20 minute drive from home, but today it felt like being much further away as I explored an old castle, took a boat tour, and ate some delicious seafood.
Chicago 2025: Day 5
Picture this: a day that starts with a flight of French toast and ends with tiramisu. What could be better? That sums up my last day in Chicago, along with a visit to the zoo and a sail on Lake Michigan.
Chicago 2025: Day 4
Do you know what one million dollar bills look like? Or which four rivers in the world are the most polluted with plastic? Thanks to visiting two new-to-me Chicago museums today, I can now answer “yes” to both of those questions.
Chicago 2025: Day 3
Welcome to Chicago! As I returned my rental car at the airport this morning, I was thinking that I would just like to jump on a plane and go home. By the end of the day, I remembered why I love Chicago and am happy to be here again. I blame my desire to go home on not having had a good night’s sleep in over a week and just wanting to sleep in my own bed. Anyway, a few sprinkles didn’t keep me from wandering around Chicago, having some cider, and enjoying a delicious pizza dinner.
Chicago 2025: Days 1 and 2
After spending almost a week in Florida with my family to celebrate my niece’s second birthday (and attend a financial literacy workshop in Orlando), I’m back in one of my all-time favorite cities: Chicago. Well, technically, I’m in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, but close enough. I’m here to attend the U.S. Classic (gymnastics) for two days before I head into Chicago proper.
Boston (Summer 2025): Day 3
Day 3 of going into Boston and today I tossed tea into Boston Harbor. Well, not real tea. And not actually into the water. But I reenacted the Boston Tea Party at the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum. I also had a yummy breakfast and drank a flight of cider, all while attempting to survive the high heat and humidity in the city.
Traveling with Laura 