• alkmaar_netherlands
    Travel

    Why Alkmaar Netherlands is the Perfect Dutch Base

    November 20, 2025 - By 

    Dreaming of a trip to the Netherlands? Visions of Amsterdam’s canals, windmills, iconic houses, and liberal culture might already be top of mind. Amsterdam is undeniably vibrant and an iconic tourist destination. But there are equally lovely quieter and more affordable alternatives for your home base, just a short train ride away from the hub. Alkmaar Netherlands offers all the Dutch charm with a side of relaxation and is easier on your wallet. Swap Crowds for Charm in Alkmaar Let me introduce you to the wonderful city of Alkmaar Netherlands. Forget what you think you know about needing to be…

  • nyhavvvn_copenhagen_denmark
    Travel

    Finding Hygge in Copenhagen

    October 12, 2025 - By 

    Sweater season, leaf peeping, and pumpkin spice everything. There are two types of people in the world: those who love fall and those who, well, don’t. For most of my life, I have fallen squarely into the latter camp. The shorter days felt dreary. The chill in the air added to that feeling. The constant reminder that winter was just around the corner intensified it. But then, we experienced Denmark and finding hygge changed my feelings about the fall months. Finding Hygge in Denmark I went to Copenhagen last year with Payton, and while there we discovered hygge. What is…

  • Amsterdam
    Travel

    I Amsterdam City Card

    April 15, 2024 - By 

    I received an I Amsterdam city card in order to facilitate travel in Amsterdam. My opinion is all my own and it is truthful. When we booked a last minute adventure to Amsterdam recently saving money was high priority. Europe and saving money? Absolutely. It’s doable if you know how and where to save. Your biggest expenses are the flights, accommodations and meals when you travel, so AirBNB covers off at least two of those items. But what about transportation and attractions? I booked an affordable AirBNB in Alkmaar just outside of Amsterdam and got a fantastic deal on off…

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    Travel

    How to Spend Two Days in Lake Placid

    May 23, 2023 - By 

    We were hosted by Lake Placid Tourism while staying in the area. Accommodations and attractions were provided in exchange for media coverage. My opinion is my own and it is truthful. With an extremely walkable Main Street area and majestic mountain views, there really are no bad places to stay in Lake Placid. This past winter we had the chance to visit Lake Placid for the first time ever. While we have been to Vermont many times, nearby Lake Placid was not on our radar as a ski destination until recently. Here’s why it should be top of mind next…

  • Travel

    Gulf Coast Shrimp Dishes to Make You Swoon

    August 10, 2021 - By 

    I am the world’s biggest shrimp lover. So, if I am ever on the gulf coast or somewhere else in the world where shrimp are huge, fresh and plentiful, juicy and meaty, then I am going to order a heaping dish of shrimp. That is a given. Amazing Gulf Coast Shrimp So, when we did a 12-day girl’s getaway starting in New Orleans, stretching through Louisiana Northshore, Coastal Mississippi, Mobile Alabama and finally Gulf Shores Alabama, I was all over the shrimp dishes at each restaurant. At first, it was not intentional, but then it became purposeful and a bit…

  • Travel

    How to Simplify Your Camping Checklist Now

    May 18, 2021 - By 

    New to the camping scene? Not sure what to pack and what to leave at home? Maybe you’ve been doing this for awhile but you still have not got the packing down to a fine art. Either way, this simple camping checklist can help you save time and headache. Experienced travellers often rely on lists. It’s no different for campers. If you go camping you probably have a camping checklist. I am a list lover so I tend to write them all over the place. Occasionally, I even remember where I put them when I need the list in question.…

  • photo_canvas
    Travel

    Relive Favourite Travel Memories with a Photo Canvas

    May 3, 2021 - By 

    The Canada – US border may still be closed but I am reminded daily of my travel adventures every time I look at my new photo canvas from Photowall. While it seems like forever since we’ve been able to travel, fly or road trip, my memories of trips we’ve taken are still fresh. This post was sponsored by Photowall, which means I received product or compensation for the content. My opinion is honest and truthful. My memories of the incredible adventures we have had over the years are still strong. Some days more than others, and occasionally during this pandemic…

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    Travel

    7 Simple Minimal Impact Camping Rules to Obey

    April 26, 2021 - By 

    If you are a camper then you probably are also a wilderness lover. True nature lovers and wilderness fans embrace the outdoor lifestyle. But there’s a bit more to it than that. There’s planning of course but that’s not what I am talking about either. A true love of nature breeds awe and respect for it. It also means that you strive to live a lifestyle where exploring nature and the great outdoors is synonymous with minimal impact camping. Minimal impact camping involves planning, respect and and care. Whether it’s the sound of raindrops on a tent’s canopy, the smell…

  • campfire_fire_safety
    Travel

    Fire Safety When Camping – Tips to Stay Safe

    April 8, 2021 - By 

    Fire safety when camping is a tremendously serious topic. If you aren’t going to camp safely and respectfully then you probably shouldn’t be camping. One of our favourite things about camping is the campfire. Cooking over an open fire is relaxing in a weird way. But cooking with fire means that you also need to know how to stay safe. Safety First Camping can be a totally wonderful way to get out and away for a few days. However, a great outing can quickly turn tragic if you don’t take proper fire safety precautions. Fire safety when camping is something…

  • Travel

    Aboard a Shrimp Boat in Coastal Mississippi – All About Shrimping

    January 12, 2021 - By 

    I am feeling completely Forrest Gump as we board a shrimp boat on a sparkling sunny day in Romantic Coastal Mississippi. “There’s pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich. That — that’s about it,” Bubba (Forrest Gump) We were guests of Visit Coastal Mississippi on a media trip while in the state and received food, accommodations and excursions in exchange for story consideration here. Fresh Seafood Shrimp is my favourite fruit of the sea. There’s nothing quite like fresh seafood and the Gulf Coast has some…