Have you ever arrived at a destination only to be so surprised by the majestic beauty that you’re at a loss for words? When I walked across the bridge into the heart of Salzburg, I was in shock. Hohensalzburg Fortress hung over the city and was an awakening of the senses. Powerful and grand from a distance, the Hohensalzburg Fortress is a real eye-catcher on the high baroque towers of the city. With bells literally ringing, I stared up at the fortress walls in awe. I had to go up!
When I’m responding to other travelers, I usually sign off with, “May the world be at your doorstep” and a few days ago it arrived at mine. Continue reading
Most women love purses. They spend thousands of dollars on various colors, sizes, and 
designers. Recently, I went into a Coach store with a friend of mine and she drooled over a purse that was $3,495! I didn’t think it looked any different from my Walmart purse and it cost more than my first car, but to her it was perfection. She explained how it was THE color of the season, the design would go universally with everything she owned, and the price was reasonable since she would no longer need any other purse. To each his, or in this case her, own but I don’t understand the infatuation. I’ve never really been one for fashion though. I shop at second-hand stores and once in a while I will go all out and buy something from Old Navy or a vintage store. What the “normal” woman spends on purses and shoes, I make up for in outdoor gear and travel. Give me a versatile backpack over a purse any day. I’ve found my Coach purse of backpacks without the hefty price tag. The Mountainsmith Phantom 40 L panel loader is built with durable, lightweight high tenacity nylon and loads of ergonomic features ensuring years of fast, light, and comfortable use. It fits all of my travel needs and can easily act as a “purse” if need be. Continue reading
We’ve decided to purchase a house in Charlotte, North Carolina and make it our home. With the help of my readers, I’ve created a North Carolina Bucket List. Unlike my yearly bucket list, I didn’t put a time frame on completing this adventures, but if you know me at all, I’ll most likely complete the list within the year anyway. Once I get an idea in my mind, there’s no stopping me! I figure out how to make it happen, and I go for it. I will create a post and add a link each time I complete one of the items.
If there’s something you think I really should add, I’m still open to suggestions and I will adjust the list if needed. Continue reading
Spending time in the water has been a major part of my life. It has shaped my character 
and given me countless hours of fun, excitement, and life-lasting memories. It shouldn’t be surprising that a love of the water was a requirement for my husband. Luckily, Darren agrees that “Darling it’s better / Down where it’s wetter”. Although we both prefer the ocean to a pool, we usually bring along the waterproof camera and make the most of the warmer, less choppy waters. Our personalities are magnified under the water and life appears a little bit brighter. Continue reading
The 4th of July! The biggest party day in the USA is just around the corner. As new 
Charlotteans, we want to ring in the celebration with recently made friends and community members, but living in a small apartment while we search for a house makes it difficult to invite people into our “home”. One benefit of living on the first floor, though, is that we have access to the grounds behind our apartment. Short of pulling our dining room table outside, we didn’t really have anywhere to put our stuff. After all, I don’t think it could be a real July 4th celebration without alcohol and BBQ. Alas, we found the GoBar, a high top bar that is ultra-portable and sets up in under a minute. With 3 interchangable options for the front skirt, the GoBar is “clumsy proof” even for a new mom who hasn’t had an alcoholic beverage in over a year. Continue reading
Playing in the water, whether it be the ocean, a lake, or a pool, has been a staple in my family’s life. We’ve surrounded ourselves with it and made the best memories of our life in it. My oldest brother, Marshall, owns a pool and a regular afternoon was transformed into a day of laughter and fun by taking advantage of the pool and our love of water.
The night before we left California, we wanted to spend one last evening on Laguna Beach
and what better way to enjoy the evening than playing beach games. We chose Ladder Golf since it’s our favorite beach game and it was a huge hit. Everyone that walked by either stopped to watch us play or ask us where we bought the game. Continue reading
Laguna Beach – known internationally as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. 
With dolphins diving within view, sun caressing the sand and making the ocean sparkle, and perfect waves for surfing or boogie boarding, what’s not to love? The beauty is all encompassing, creating a burning desire to explore it more. The idea of snorkeling through such perfection was flawless. I imagined viewing colorful, tropical fish, coral, and new sea creatures. I grabbed my Promate snorkel gear and set out toward the water. Continue reading
Bucket List Publications 