Are you aware of your daily movements and motions and how they impact others around you or do you more easily fall into the rhythm of your days without consciously knowing how you impact the lives of others? Do you even want to make an imprint or is your main goal to just get through the day with as little friction as possible? A few days ago I received a message from someone that I never met expressing deep words of gratitude regarding my behavior towards her daughter. She held on to her words for one entire year before finally reaching out to me to share how I positively influenced her daughter's life. I mean WOW. Tears streamed down my face as I read, and reread her message, sharing how my "kindness" affected her family. Honestly, I can't say I did anything worth mentioning to receive this message. There isn't anything notable I did that I could share with you to be worthy of her words. Something did suddenly click though; even our most basic acts of kindness and generosity make a huge impact on others. Sometimes others may express the impact made right away, sometimes they may express it one year later, and sometimes they may never express it at all, but rest assured that every move we make affects someone around us. Her message served as a powerful reminder of how crucial it is that as human beings, we think beyond ourselves and make it a habit to make reaching out to others an integral part of our daily routines. After reading her note, I knew more than ever to continue living immersed in my rooted values of letting others know that they are truly cared for, no matter how often I may feel overlooked and regardless of how regularly my gestures are unreciprocated because the biggest joys in my life have often come directly from fulfilled acts of kindness. My ten-year-old daughter was dying to share with her friends that we are moving to San Diego. I asked her to refrain from sharing the news until it was official. I didn't think she would make it and started to consider whether my request was unfair or unrealistic. Yet, she waited five whole weeks to finally release her well-contained excitement only to receive "cool" or "wow" as responses from her friends. Now, luckily she is a very well-adjusted child, and I already prepared her for the dull responses she would likely receive, which allowed her to maturely accept the lack of enthusiasm from her friends. She is totally fine with their non-reactions. It is me that spent some time deliberating their unsupportive responses. I could easily blow their reactions off as "no biggie" since they came from children. Except that I received the same responses (or lack of) from their adult parents. So then I started to wonder more deeply, why do so many of us have our head up our ass? Do we even realize that we are losing touch with a deeper purpose in our lives by floating through life? Are we aware that we are raising children who are on the path to become adults who will also one day only deeply care about their own lives? How do we change our behaviors when our intentions are so good and we all deep down do genuinely care about others? What I have learned over the years is that small gestures really do go a long way. When someone mentions their birthday is coming up, I immediately put it in my calendar with a yearly reminder so I don't forget to send birthday wishes the following years. When someone mentions an important date, I put that in my calendar too so that I can easily follow up. If someone does not have family nearby to celebrate a holiday with, I always make sure to invite them to our holiday table. If someone sends an email about a charity they are raising money for, I always donate something. If someone sends me a text or an email, I always respond. If someone posts happy news on Instagram, I always send good wishes, even if I don't know them, and especially if I do. If someone endures surgery, I send flowers. You get the point. Now, I am not in any way sharing this to prove how "wonderful" of a human being I am. I am sharing this to show you how easy it is to reach out to others and make a small impact just by showing you care. If you train yourself to immediately note in your calendar all the life circumstances people face around you, then you will never forget to spread kindness and brighten other people's lives. You will always make a positive impact. For those of you who are parents, your children will quickly take note and will follow the same path of altruism and generosity. I can attest that this will bring them much greater fulfillment and happiness than a full schedule of self-serving after-school activities. Our son once mentioned how he reaches out to all his friends on their birthdays but none of them send wishes his way on his own birthday. I reminded him that this is not a sign that they don't care about him, it is just a reminder that they are not well trained in facilitating acts of kindness nor have they been taught to think beyond their own lives. I also pointed out that although it sucks that they don't reach out to wish him a happy birthday, it is more noteworthy to focus on what an awesome friend he is to never forget theirs and that they are surely touched by his thoughtfulness. Why are we here if we don't allow ourselves to really be here? What are we teaching our children by modeling self-serving behaviors and not stressing the importance of how to care for others? Is our purpose in life really just to work hard, earn as much money as possible, raise children who will be accepted into Ivy-league schools so that they too can simply have successful careers and earn a lot of money? Is this really what we are working towards? In my heart, I know we all want a happy life and happy lives for our kids. But how many of us also want a happy life for our friends, community members, and even strangers? How far are we willing to cast our nets beyond our immediate circle? If we act out the proposition that everyone matters (a great directive by Jordan Peterson), our families will benefit, our communities will thrive, our world will prosper. But it starts with each and every one of us committing to the awareness of the positive, and negative, impacts we make through our behaviors and what we prioritize in our lives. One small act of kindness leaves a long-lasting mark. I am so grateful to the mom who sent me the beautiful message, one year later, thanking me for the most basic acts of kindness of merely making sure her daughter felt like she had our family to turn to, while she was away from hers during her first year in college. Every single day we continuously make positive, and negative, impacts on those around us. You're going to make an impact. You are making an impact each and every moment of your life. Even by choosing to sit out on a moment when you can reach out, just by choosing to put that opportunity in the back of your mind, you are making a negative impact. So, the real question is, not whether you will make an impact but what kind of impact will you choose to make this minute, this hour, this day, this week, this year? I truly hope that you choose the path of consciously making a positive impact and in return, reap the benefits of the wonderful blessings that come your way just by putting a smile on someone else's face.

A stop in San Diego during our road trip is one that truly changed our lives. We were so quickly mesmerized by the city's enchanting beauty that we instantly decided to make a permanent move here. This magical city lured us to leave our home in New York City, where we have lived for the past twenty-three years, with its sights and sounds of nature. That's how utterly powerful the beauty of San Diego is. It is a true paradise on California's southern tip that makes it almost impossible for visitors to leave. Surprisingly San Diego is huge relative to its population of 3.4 million residents. Coming from a city with 8.4 million people, mostly cramped together, the space seems endless here. There are more than enough activities, neighborhoods, encounters with nature, restaurants, etc... for everyone to enjoy without feeling overly crowded. The sky is always blue, the sun is always shining, and you can hop through many attractive and lively neighborhoods without ever leaving the coast's side. After four weeks we just couldn't peel ourselves away from this utopic city and extended our visit for two more weeks and then knowing we never wanted to leave, we decided to call it home. Below is my vetted list of the Top 23 things to do when visiting San Diego. 1. LINGER IN LA JOLLA FOR AS LONG AS YOU CAN La Jolla is the only town in San Diego that has earned its own zip code because there truly is nowhere on the continent like it. Known as "The Jewel City", this coastal city has endless sparkle with no limits on sunshine, nature, and a beautifully slow pace that comes with beachside living. There are countless activities to enjoy in this part of San Diego without ever having to leave. Tune in with Nature at La Jolla Cove for Sunset, Sea, & Seals Have you ever seen seals in the wild and heard their cacophonous communications up close and personal? Whether you have, or have not, spending time in La Jolla Cove is an experience not to be missed. This picturesque cove is surrounded by cliffs with waters that are protected by a marine reserve. You'll often spot scuba divers and swimmers entering the waters to revel in the rich marine life underneath the surface. Throughout the year there are dozens of seals perched on the rocks and cliffs of the coves playing, fighting, sleeping, and shouting out constantly. Although these mammals sure aren't quiet, they are fascinating creatures to watch. It is possible to observe them within a couple of feet but mind your manners and never try to pet them as they can be aggressive. These guys are magical any time of day but there is something extra mesmerizing about watching them as the sun sets into the horizon. Swim or Sunset Watch with the Locals at La Jolla Shores You'll find many others congregating here during each part of the day whether it's to soak in some sun, let their dogs free for frisbee catching, side-by-side walks with feet in the sand, or for a good old swim in the sea. From sand crabs to stingrays, the shore is filled with wildlife. Make sure to practice the shuffle when you enter the water to avoid those painful stingray jabs. My suggestion is to pack a blanket, some snacks, and wine, and just watch the sun's last moments of the day as she paints the sky in spectacular colors. Surrender to the Scenery at a Secret Beach Black's Beach may not be a complete secret but its difficult-to-access location keeps the crowds away. Driving down the long and steep path is only granted to residents of the La Jolla Farms community. Everyone else must park on top, along the street, and trek down the long, steep path, but it's the coming back up that's the challenge that keeps most locals heading to nearby La Jolla Shores instead. There are droves of surfers who are willing to shlep their boards up and down this difficult path to ride the waves with stunning cliffs in the backdrops. This is a little piece of heaven that's worth working towards. Pack a light picnic and plant your feet in the sand, you won't want to ever leave. This is my favorite La Jolla beach and I have a feeling you will agree. Bask in the Beautiful Flavors of Bobboi Gelato Using organic, seasonal ingredients to whip up traditional and non-traditional flavors, Bobboi rocks in the gelato flavor department. You can enjoy their creamy and creative scoops in La Jolla and Little Italy. With flavors like banana rum, salted caramel, rose almond, charcoal vanilla, and coconut chocolate chips you cannot ever make a wrong choice. They also have vegan flavors. Oh, and they are one of the few fun gelaterias that allow you to have two flavors in a small cup. I personally always love enjoying a couple of flavors at once while keeping my calorie count as low as possible. Pamper Yourself with Great Coffee in a Cozy Garden Pannikin serves perfectly brewed coffee along with a delicious menu of breakfast and lunch items to be savored in their adorable outdoor space which has been converted into a charming garden. The Wi-Fi signal is strong, and so is their coffee, so definitely head over to get some work done in their inspiring space. To top it all off, they also sell the most delicious baked goods from pastries to sourdough bread that is seriously out of this world. You'll want to make daily visits here. You'll see. Bring Out the Bohemian in You to Bird Rock Bird Rock is a quirky seaside community in La Jolla that boasts a much more laid-back, beach bum feel despite its massive waterfront homes. The homes here are striking with many of them lucky enough to have direct views of the Pacific Ocean. There are no retail chains, well, besides a CVS and a Starbucks, along the main shopping strip. The real magic awaits in the several access points to the beach where you can get lost watching the surfers connecting with the sea, scuba divers entering a world underneath the waters, and the constant crashing waves along the cliff sides. Flip flops are welcomed here along with outdoor yoga on Riffs Yoga Studio's lovely deck followed by a cup of Joe at award-winning Bird Rock Coffee Roasters where organic beans are an obvious choice. Have Fun with Fresh Food in the Farmer's Market The La Jolla Farmer's Market is held every Sunday from 9:00 am -1:00 pm and is jam-packed with locals stocking up on fresh produce for the week. There is an awesome section of food vendors serving insanely delicious bites from the best grilled-cheese sandwiches to Mexican avocado toasts. You'll want to hop from vendor to vendor and get a little bit of everything to walk over to the park where you can nibble on your selections. Some of our favorites are Casa Ocho, Chaupain Bakery, Gourmet Tamales, Grill Cheese Station, and Masala Cottage but I can't imagine you'll go wrong at any station. Oh, and make sure to pick up some berries at one of the farm stands, they are by far the best we've ever had! We bought a huge crate of strawberries each Sunday that are just the reddest, sweetest and juiciest. 2. STAY FIT WITH THE LOCALS The California sun, landscapes, and fresh produce inspire locals to stay fit and healthy. There are hundreds of gyms to choose from in the San Diego area and dozens of options in La Jolla. You'll easily find anything you fancy from private trainers to yoga studios to pilates reformers. We really enjoyed the SoulCycle in the UTC neighborhood of La Jolla. It is located in a beautiful outdoor mall, Westfield, and they have bikes set up outdoors, under a tent, so you can ride with fresh air in your face. Also, the headphones they provide allow you to adjust the volume of the music which I found helped me zone out more than usual. Another La Jolla workout favorite is BXNG CLUB, a massive facility with two boxing rings, a jiu-jitsu space, a gym with cardio and strength training equipment, a pilates studio, and every type of fitness class you can imagine on the schedule. We loved the class line-ups here, the friendly staff, and the many offerings to choose from. Our favorite was the Burn class led by Erica. She is one fierce lady who will make sure you get what you asked for: a crazy burn! Ask about their discounted one-month membership with unlimited access to the club. 3. SOUJORN BY THE SEA The Pacific Ocean is one of the biggest draws in California. San Diego has many lovely coastal towns to choose from like Del Mar and Encinitas. We chose to anchor ourselves in La Jolla because we love the hundreds of shops and restaurants along Girard Street and Prospect Street and its proximity to the sea. It is rare to find a city in California that is so pedestrian-friendly with a plethora of activities to access by foot. We got really lucky with our Airbnb rental as it was in a perfect location for our first four weeks in La Jolla. The hosts were wonderful, the house was light-filled and extremely well-stocked lacking nothing. It is an ideal fit for large families or multiple families/couples traveling together, as there are seven bedrooms, a game room, a beautiful outdoor area, and four bathrooms. Most importantly walking to the village and coast was an easy stroll making everything super convenient. I should also mention that the hosts are amazing fellow humans. Since there are so many lodging options with proximity to the sea in the San Diego area, you'll pick the one that best fits your needs and budget but pick one by the water. Having stunning beach vistas regularly during your visit will be the highlight of your trip. For our last two weeks, we rented a lovely house one block from the beach and main street of the Bird Rock neighborhood of La Jolla. We booked the four-bedroom home through 710 Vacation Rentals who have a great portfolio of rental homes in the area. The house was bright, clean, and had great ocean views with the sounds of the waves playing melodically throughout the day. Everything we ever needed was within walking distance adding to the wonderful experience of our stay here. 4. LIVE IT UP IN LITTLE ITALY I've lived in New York City for twenty-three years and have been to the city's Little Italy neighborhood maybe three times. It's ridden with tourists and has never quite delivered an authentic Italian experience for me. On the flip side, Little Italy in San Diego is a local's haven brimming with people from all over the city coming together for outstanding food, excellent espresso, and non-stop people watching. This part of town is oozing with great vibes and energy. You'll want to take a leisurely stroll through the streets, stop for a coffee at Piazza della Famiglia, and grab some great Italian grub at one of the many bustling restaurants. 5. WANDER AROUND WATERFRONT PARK This beautifully designed park was constructed with the intent of allowing San Diegans and outside visitors to lay in the green grass, under the blue skies, and in front of the aqua waters to unwind and relax. There are several waterfront restaurants and historic fishing boats, and even submarines, along the promenade. I think you'll much prefer basking in the sunshine, kicking back with your personally curated stash of snacks, and simply be reminded of how stunning this city is. 6. GET GOING TO GASMLAMP QUARTER You must make a stop in this historic district while visiting San Diego. The sidewalks are lined with restaurants filled with patrons and the music blasting from their speakers. Beautiful architecture houses a variety of well-known names, like Nobu and Sugar Factory, and many locally run establishments too. The Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation gives tours of the area ranging from ghost tours and paranormal investigations to walking tours that focus on the history of the area, one that very much includes Wyatt Earp's decade here as a local. The cobblestone streets along with the still-standing structures that were erected in the 1800s make for a great place to wander. You'll especially love the juxtapositioning of old and new buildings along with the modern San Diego skyline. In the middle of Downtown San Diego, right off the Gaslamp Quarter, you'll find Petco Park, home of the Padres. This baseball stadium is in mint condition inside a well-kept park surrounded by apartment complexes. Some lucky tenants on higher floors have access to free games during the season right out their windows! Off-season stop by to enjoy the city views, feel the energy of past games that still linger in the air, or stop by for some shade under a tree to rest those tired feet from all the walking you'll do around the downtown area. 7. GET LOST IN THE GARDENS OF BALBOA PARK This 1,200-acre park in the middle of San Diego houses several theaters, museums, gardens, walking paths, open space areas, and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. The park is extremely well kept with no litter in sight and lacks the sketchy characters that often come with city parks, at least the ones I am used to in New York City. There is so much to do here, you will need to make multiple visits to experience all the park offers. For a great, free, day at the park, I suggest visiting the stunning Balboa Park Gardens. We easily spent a couple of hours strolling through the perfectly manicured gardens, each one successfully transporting us to wonderful memories, like walks through Spain or the deserts of New Mexico, all the while never leaving the grounds of San Diego. Keep in mind, the Japanese Friendship Garden does charge an admission fee, but the others are completely accessible free of charge and full of beauty. 8. EXPLORE ENCINITAS Encinitas is another vibrant coastal town in San Diego brimming with active locals surfing, cycling, running, playing beach volleyball, and strolling along Main Street. There are tons to do in this lively city and if you have the time you might find yourself making more than one visit here. Get your zen on at the Meditation Gardens (which were unfortunately closed during our visit) but you must visit if they are open while you are in town. The gardens are a wonderful place to find inspiration or do some soul-searching among koi ponds and beach vistas. The center also offers ongoing meditation classes and spiritual retreats. Explore a lesser-known part of the coast at Stonesteps Beach, strikingly gorgeous throughout the day. There are steep stairs that lead down into the water. During low tide, you can walk along the stone-filled shore, along the large cliffs, towards Moonlight Beach, the more well-known and visited part of the coast. At high-tide you can watch the Pacific Ocean dance gracefully towards the shore, sometimes using all her might as she crashes violently. Mix in with the locals at Moonlight State Beach, a great spot to watch surfers catching some waves, fitness buffs jogging along the coast, families setting up their grills for a day of fun in the sun, friends playing a match of volleyball, and lifeguards monitoring people of all ages enjoying a swim. This is a full-service beach with restrooms and even a grassy area. Find the only two boats out of the water in the residential part of town. In 1928 Miles Minor Kellogg built two unusual homes, Encinitas Boat Houses, in the shapes of boats on a residential street out of recyclable materials. There are people currently living in them so be mindful of their privacy when you visit but it's worth a stop to see how one man's quirky artistic vision has survived almost a century later. Find inspiration in Dave's Rock Garden. In 2015 Dave decided he was tired of the unkept, city-owned lot adjacent to his property that was constantly filled with trash and weeds. He decided to clean up the land and give it a makeover by turning it into a community-loved rock garden decorated with succulents and hand-painted rocks by the thousands of visitors who have made their way. Make sure to chat with Dave when you visit, he loves sharing his story and may even invite you to paint a rock and leave behind a message. He is another example of a wonderful human being who has made a positive dent in our world. Dig into Doughnuts at Broad Street Dough Co, which is hands down the best doughnut bakery in the USA. There are so many incredible choices your head will spin. Rest assured, it is impossible to make a wrong choice here. We planned on taking our doughnuts home to enjoy later in the day but when I was handed a warm box of just-made doughnuts we grabbed a seat and dug into three of the outrageously incredible six flavors we chose: The Monmouth (vanilla & oreo), Wake and Bake (coffee & mini chocolate chips), Queen Bee (Bavarian cream, jelly, caramel & sea salt), Mulberry Street (cannoli cream & powdered sugar), Broad Street (chocolate, pretzels, peanuts & caramel), and Funky Monkey (banana & chocolate). Seriously, these doughnuts will blow your socks off. Stroll down the city's main street on S. Coast Highway for an endless stretch of retail shops and restaurants. You'll love the energy here and the notable equal mix of ages enjoying the chill vibe of this wonderful neighborhood. Everything from high-end designer retail stores to crunchy vegan restaurants and even vintage car dealers, take hold of this colorful stretch of sidewalks that are just a few steps away from the beach. Encinitas surely has its own culture of California living and it offers a beautiful lifestyle indeed. 9. GET YOUR GOAT YOGA GROOVE ON If you've never experienced goat yoga, there's no better place to have an adorable goat in your face as you dip into a downward dog than at Sugar Sweet Farm. Located in the farmlands outside of Encinitas you're guaranteed a wonderful experience on the family-run, sprawling farm. This is an activity that is great for all ages. 10. MEANDER THROUGH MISSION BEACH Mission Beach has a lovely promenade along the sea that is reminiscent of Venice, CA. Packed with runners, bikers, skateboarders, skaters, and strollers, the strip is super fun to walk on while people watching and enjoying the gorgeous views of the Pacific. While there, a stop to Belmont Park can't be missed for some good old-fashioned theme park thrills. From go-Karts to miniature golf or roller-coasters to arcades, the park appeals to all ages and thrill-seeking levels. Although it's a rather small amusement park, it definitely delivers big fun. 11. STAY CURRENT ON THE THRIVING MEXICAN CULTURE The Barrio Logan neighborhood has gone through some major changes over the years. Once known as a lesser-desired area in San Diego, the area is now booming with art and shopping thanks to the mostly Mexican populated area that fought for this area to be protected and invested in. Chicano Park, in Barrio Logan, boasts more than eighty vibrant and passionate murals over seven acres. The artists convey powerful messages of love, justice, peace, and many commemorations of those loved and lost. If you follow the path under the I-5 you will cross hundreds more of these impactful works of art. If you have time, head over to Las Cuatro Milpas for the best tacos, at least from what I hear. We arrived at 11:30 am on a Monday and there was already a line of at least forty people waiting to be served by this well-known taco stand. Unfortunately, we didn't have the patience to wait but perhaps you'd like to give it a try and let me know if it's worthy of all the buzz. 12. LINGER ON CORONADO ISLAND FOR THE DAY Just on the other side of downtown's skyline awaits a small island that will transport you for the day. Coronado Island is extremely well-maintained, bicycle and golf-cart-friendly, and boasts a stunning coastline. Plan to relax here for several hours, there is plenty to do! Within minutes of arriving you'll feel like you've been on vacation for a week. Orange Avenue is the island's main street designed with an upscale feel in mind. The strip is packed with restaurants and shops of all types. Rent a bike to explore the island at Wheel Fun Rentals. For some great laughs, rent a surrey, which is how we chose to roll through the island. Although there aren't many bike lanes, the roads are pretty empty and the rental company provides maps with the best roads to take. You can also ride along the promenade for some great views, people watching, and great vantage points of the iconic Hotel del Coronado. Really take your time on the boardwalk. The beaches here are rather spectacular. Some sections have rolling dunes, others have rocky landscapes, and some parts have the greenest grass sprouting with wildflowers growing right out of the sand. Definitely slow down the pace on this gorgeous stretch because you will certainly notice things you missed while zipping by on wheels. No sunny day by the sea would be complete without a scoop of ice-cream. MooTime Creamery seriously serves the creamiest scoop in a fun, retro space that welcomes its visitors with a statue of Elvis and a big cow. 13. DISCOVER DEL MAR BY SUNSET This coastal town cannot be missed while in San Diego. Del Mar is known as one of the city's most affluent neighborhoods, yet it is casual and unassuming. Whether you wander along the sidewalks of Camino Del Mar for some shopping inspiration in one of the many boutiques that line the street or prefer to stroll along the boardwalk of Powerhouse Park & Beach to find inspiration in nature, you will find yourself walking endlessly here as the beauty abounds everywhere. Of course, Del Mar is also famous for its horseracing, but I think it should be most famous for its epic sunset viewing at Torrey Pines State Beach or Sunset Seat. If you decide to pay homage to the sun at either park, arrive early as many others line up to salute her into the night at the end of each day. 14. SOAK IN STUNNING SOLANA BEACH Clearly, there are no shortages of attractive beach towns in San Diego. Each one has its own unique charm and you'll just love getting to know all these little coastal cities. Solana Beach is just a twenty-five-minute drive from downtown San Diego and totally worth the short trek. Fletcher Cove Beach Park is a picturesque, grassy park with basketball courts, picnic tables, and stunning ocean views. There is easy access to the sand for a barefoot stroll or you can opt to keep your shoes on and admire the scenery from the paved path above. At Cedros Design District you'll find 85 merchants showcasing their fine jewelry, one-of-a-kind curations, and unique fashion lines along with cafes, art galleries, and restaurants. This hip district is a great place to shop, play, and waste the day. The town oozes charm and charisma. Each store truly has its own personality, the streets are lined with artistic touches and vibrant colors, and the sea is just a few steps away. As far as I'm concerned, a visit to Solana Beach is a must when visiting San Diego. 15. TAKE A HIKE You'll probably need an entire year in San Diego to get through all the hiking trails in the city. Seriously, there are so many options to connect with the gorgeous surroundings, for all levels. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is one of my favorites. The park offers about ten trails all perched on top of cliffs overlooking the ocean. The views here will leave you breathless; and so will some of the paths. The Parry Grove trail takes you down (and back up) 118 steep steps while the North Grove trail is flat, easy to walk and hugs the Pacific Ocean throughout the trail. Note that admission into the park costs $15 per car giving access to parking by each trailhead. There were plenty of people who opted for free parking outside of the park and hiked their way up instead. The Beach Trail is a moderate 1.8-mile hike in Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve with lots of stairs to climb on your loop back towards the parking lot. It boasts spectacular views and the trails are less crowded than some of the other ones at the park. Walking this trail is pretty special as it allows you to grasp the varying heights of the cliffs as well as the natural formations on the surrounding rocks. There are even some wildflowers along the way! La Jolla Natural Park This hike is not easy by any means as the ascension is a non-stop one-mile climb to the top that will ultimately lead you to one of La Jolla's best-kept secrets making the difficult hike totally worth it. The sweeping views are some of the most beautiful vistas of the coastline. You'll have forty-two acres of preserved land all to yourself wishing there was someone around to pinch you because it will feel like a dream. 16. FLY LIKE A BIRD OR WATCH OTHERS SOAR THROUGH THE SKY The Torrey Pines Glideport has paragliders and hand gliders launching off the cliff, hundreds of feet over the ocean, throughout the day. Grab a drink and a bite at the Cliff Hanger Cafe and watch as the experts prep their equipment and test the winds before running into flying mode. The colors of their parachutes gliding through the bluest of skies over the neverending sea below is a sight not to be missed. Some brave newbies always join for tandem flights and it's hard not to feel butterflies of excitement while witnessing them enjoy this magical experience. Flights are coordinated with Mother Nature, there are no exact launching times or schedules. Gliders take off throughout the day but you'll need to be prepared to sit back, relax, and wait an hour or so in between wind changes. It's worth the wait and maybe in the waiting process, you'll decide to take a flight too. 17. LEAVE SAN DIEGO TO EXPLORE THE NEARBY COASTAL CITIES JUST NORTH OF IT My idea of an ideal day trip is hopping in the car and driving north of San Diego to explore the many stunning coastal cities that are within a 90-minute drive. Take a day to enjoy town hopping while stopping for strolls and bites along the way. Below are glimpses into our favorite beach towns south of Los Angeles. San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna, Balboa Island, and Newport Beach are dotted along the sea and each offers a unique character and charm. Take a day to explore these towns and soak in their vibrant flavors. Dana Point Harbor has a small shopping village along its marina that is definitely worth a visit. Musicians were singing away to the crowds that gathered, diners were happily conversing at their tables with wine in hand, and many visitors were simply enjoying a beautiful walk along the promenade. Make sure to stop in Chocolate Soldier to pop one of their "melt-aways" in your mouth for some pure bliss! You can make a quick stop in Laguna Beach as you hop the coastal towns listed above or you can indulge in an entire day spent just here (which is what we did!). Since it is only an hour and fifteen minutes away from San Diego, Laguna Beach makes for a perfect day trip to Paradise. For the quintessential beach town vibe, ridiculously gorgeous stretches of sand, and swimmable beaches, beautifully maintained parks, and promenades, visiting Laguna Beach makes the list of best things to do while in San Diego. Between a dip in the sea, a walk along Heisler Park, visits to the countless art galleries the city is known for, and a bite to eat in any of the many restaurants, you will easily spend a full day here making the hour drive well worth it. If you don't have time for a full-day excursion, include it in your drive up the coast and hop out of your car for a quick walk along Heisler Park. The sites will make a mark in your dreams for months ahead. Lunch or dinner at The Deck will get you as close to the sand as possible. With the wind in your hair, the music blasting, and the waves crashing, you will literally feel like you are worlds away from any responsibilities, troubles, or worries. No joke, the grilled cheese sandwich here is to die for. The food happens to be absolutely delicious, it is no surprise that this is one of Laguna Beach's most popular grub spots. Balboa Island exudes New England charm. This is one of my favorite towns along the sea north of San Diego. Enjoy walking along the marina and the town's sidewalks which are filled with unique boutiques and colorful shops. This place is just so charming and quirky, you'll instantly fall in love! No visit to Balboa Island would be complete without a stop at Sugar N' Spice for a custom-made frozen banana. I excitedly ordered a banana dipped in dark chocolate with salted caramel and roasted coconut. YUM, YUM, YUM. You can choose from any chocolate dipping flavor and dozens of fun toppings to create the perfect masterpiece. Newport Beach is a popular destination but in my humble opinion the city is too large and spread out to maintain a similarly charming experience as the other listed towns do. One thing we did really enjoy in Newport Beach was our delicious dinner at A Restaurant. This iconic establishment has been serving fresh, seasonal ingredients since 1926 and successfully serves mainly steak and seafood with fantastic service, presentation, and flavors. 18. LEARN ABOUT THE CITY'S HISTORY IN HISTORIC OLD TOWN SAN DIEGO A state-run park preserving the first Spanish-occupied town in San Diego with original structures still intact from the mid-1800s, Old Town San Diego is one of the city's most visited parks. The mile-long enclave is filled with restaurants, markets, live shows, and even ghost tours. Visitors can tour La Casa de Estudillo, one of the largest examples of a large Spanish- Mexican house in California. The guides are enthusiastic about sharing information on the home's history so feel free to ask as many questions as you have! There is also a blacksmith in the park who is passionate about his craft and will walk you through iron shaping. Visiting here is truly an educational experience and best of all, it's free! Make sure to make your way to Nibble Chocolate tucked behind a courtyard at the park's entrance. Their vegan, organic chocolate is outstanding. You must try their Mexican spicy truffle, it is so decadent with quite the kick to it. Their ground Peruvian hot chocolate is also delicious and a great purchase for some homemade hot chocolates. Next, head to nearby Presidio Park where the Mexicans fought the Spaniards in the 1800s and used the fort as the capital during their rule of Baja California. It's a remarkable structure that stands strong and well preserved all these years later. 19. OBSERVE THE ODDBALLS IN OCEAN BEACH Many of the folks attracted to this super laid-back beach town are odd, in the best way possible! From surfers to sidewalk musicians to hippies dancing in the park, you will find all types here. There is a sketchy and grimy element too, in a Coney-Island-kind-of- way. The characters here are a big part of the scenery and people watching lovers will find a haven in Ocean Beach. In addition to the interesting crowds, you'll find San Diego's largest pier (and boy is it long!), tons of bars and restaurants, and markets throughout the week selling anything from fresh produce to incense and beaded jewelry. Ocean Beach is very different from the other coastal towns that made my list and should not be missed to get a well-rounded feel for the different neighborhoods along the shores of San Diego and how much they vary in personality and flavor. 20. STARE INTO THE MOST SENSATIONAL SUNSET We have been fortunate enough to view many sunsets. The ones at Sunset Cliffs are unforgettable. Firstly, hundreds of people gather to pay homage to the sun. There is a spiritual uniting of folks who take time out of their day to pay tribute to the magnificent wonders of our planet. The energy in itself is magical. The sun glows extra brightly here, unobstructed, as it slowly begins to hide into the horizon. As it makes its way towards a new day, everything around it seems to glow - the earth, the sky, the sea. Bring a blanket, grab a spot, and count your blessings. Here the sun will remind you just how lucky you are. Sunset Cliffs also offers an easy 1.5-mile hike that hugs the coast. It is filled with vegetation and breathtaking views. There are plenty of spots along the cliff to find refuge from anything and anyone in the world. This is a place where nothing gets between you and the Pacific Ocean. If you're looking for added adventure, there is a narrow path along the cliff that will take you down to the sand to a secluded place on our planet that is the epitome of picturesque perfection. 21. PLEASE YOUR SENSES AT PACIFIC BEACH By 9:30 am on a Saturday this place was bustling with runners, skaters, cyclists, and surfers. In fact, there were more surfers congregated here than any other coastal communities we explored in the San Diego area. In addition to the active fitness enthusiasts moving quickly down the promenade, there was a community yoga class held with a couple of hundred yogis holding their warrior pose while facing the sea. There was also a street market with vendors selling their politics. Yup, that's right. From "recall Newsom" booths to BLM booths to pro-Trump ones, all viewpoints were covered. Seriously, this place was booming with activity. You'll easily spend a couple of hours here strolling along the sea and soaking in the surrounding beauty. Before leaving the shore, make sure to head over to The Baked Bear for customized cookie sandwiches. You'll get to pick from a huge selection of freshly baked cookies for your sandwich (you can even choose two different cookies to make your top/bottom!), then you'll choose your ice-cream flavor and toppings too! and then you get to watch them hot press your creation. Holy Moly if this doesn't bring out the kid in you, nothing will! More inland and up the hill, you'll find Kerry Sessions Park, a lovely stretch of greenery packed with soccer players, fitness buffs, unleashed dogs, and simply put, great energy. The park is rightfully known for its outstanding skyline views. Grab a blanket and a shaded spot under a tree, kick back, and enjoy the vistas! 22. PONDER OVER NATURE'S PERFECTION AT POINT LOMA On this spectacular peninsula, you will quickly grasp the magnitude of the Pacific Ocean. From the Cabrillo National Monument Visitor Center, you'll witness infinite shades of blue as the sea stretches into eternity. Watch in wonder as boats sail by with downtown San Diego in the backdrop along with the iconic Coronado Bridge in clear view. The views are epic throughout the park so just follow the paths and the sea for an extremely memorable experience. If you can, plan your visit with low-tide at the Point Loma Tide Pools where you'll be able to see the bountiful sea life up close and personal. Remember to respect Mother Nature- look but don't touch! For those of you, who like me, have a weird affinity to lighthouses, you'll love the Old Point Loma Lighthouse (make sure to read about its history on the nearby plaques). There is plenty to explore, discover and experience on this peaceful peninsula so make sure to head on over during your San Diego visit. 23. DISCOVER DELICIOUS DINING Please note that I only share the spots that I feel strongly about recommending. There were a few restaurants that we dined in during our San Diego visit that in my opinion are not worthy of a recommendation. I omitted these less-desirable spots entirely (I prefer to never write bad reviews, as reviews are only a matter of opinion and I would never want to hurt someone's business). Rest assured, that the establishments highlighted below are delicious while offering a worthy ambiance as well. Enjoy! Eddie V's, La Jolla You don't want to miss a meal at Eddie V's. Not only is their menu comprised of sensational seafood dishes, but the outdoor patio also offers magnificent panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean that are hard to beat. Years ago we were obsessed with their Kung Pao calamari and six years later we continue to be huge fans of this staple. The truffled mac & cheese is outstanding and is served with a generous portion of truffle shavings, the Brussels sprouts with peanuts and Korean glaze is divine, the yellowtail sashimi will melt in your mouth, and the parmesan-crusted sole will leave you yearning for more. Seriously, this place consistently delivers perfect dishes with fantastic views. Bernini's Bistro, La Jolla This quaint bistro is a local favorite that proudly bears its title of "top 10% restaurants in the world". Although I definitely don't agree that the food is that good, I mean top 10% in the world is no joke, I do think their pizzas and salads are delicious and memorable. Bernini's Bistro offers a large menu including pasta, seafood, and steaks but they really stand out with their woodfired pizzas topped with interesting combinations of ingredients. The Meditteranean pie topped with spinach, feta cheese, artichoke, roasted red peppers, and kalamata olives is terrific. I am not a crust fan but this place nails the art of crust making. Even their Margherita pizza stood out as really really good. You should also try their salads as we were truly impressed with their crunchy ahi tuna salad and Ceaser salad both of which were packed with crunchy, fresh veggies. For a perfect pie, this is your place. The Taco Stand, La Jolla I never knew I am capable of eating as much as I stuffed my face with at The Taco Stand. You won't be able to stop yourself from taking bite after bite of the Mexican street food made at this neighborhood favorite. There is always a line down the street with eager diners waiting to be fed. I, myself, devoured one batter-fried fish taco, one grilled fish taco, Mexican corn, and a bean and cheese burrito. I am still impressed with myself. Their hot sauces are all homemade and absolutely yummy and their handmade tortillas are exceptional. TIP: Call your order in ahead of time to avoid the long lines. Catania, La Jolla For well-prepared Italian cuisine and a beautiful view of the sun setting over La Jolla Village, head over to Catania. You'll love each bite of the traditional Italian dishes that are proudly served here. We truly enjoyed the arancini appetizer, beet and burrata salad, roasted cauliflower, gluten-free pasta, and their absolutely incredible thin crust oven-baked pizza. They have many hard to resist pizza options but we ultimately chose the Margherita, an artichoke, black olive, fontina, garlic, and smoked mozzarella pie, and the wild mushroom pizza with garlic confit, chili, and burrata cheese. We asked them to throw a couple of eggs on the latter. Can you say DELISH??? You will! Don Bravo Grill, Bird Rock (La Jolla) Californians love their tacos and there are tons of taco joints on every street. A local sent us running to Don Bravo's which we would have easily missed. At first glance, some may judge it as a "hole in the wall" but let me tell you this cantina in Bird Rock makes some seriously incredible Mexican fare and its small outdoor patio even has superb beach views. For a quintessential California experience, eating here is a must. Their fish tacos are uh-mazing, make sure to top them off with their homemade green salsa and habanero sauce too (if you like it spicy as I do). Their chicken and steak tacos are also outstanding and so are their loaded nachos and burritos. This is a no-frills place but for authentic Mexican street food at a very reasonable price, it's not to be overlooked. We couldn't resist making several return visits. Beaumont's, Bird Rock The thing that stands out most at Beaumont's is the fantastic service. The staff gives off happy vibes that set the tone for this beachy establishment which serves California cuisine on a colorful outdoor patio. The menu offers plenty of delicious veggie options along with staples like burgers and, of course, fish tacos. The mushroom kung pao was outstanding, we have never seen this creative dish on a menu before. We also really loved our halibut tacos, Beaumont's burgers, cauliflower appetizer, crispy Brussel sprouts, tofu with rice pilaf and string beans, and cauliflower steak with seasonal vegetables. Locals flock to this neighborhood institution so be sure to make a reservation in advance. Union Kitchen & Tap, Encinitas You will love the menu, service, and vibe at this lively establishment in Encinitas. The brunch dishes we ordered were a huge hit. Union Kitchen & Tap is well-loved by locals for their daily specials and happy hours. Everything we ordered was delicious. It helps that eggs are thrown onto every dish, making them so much yummier. I highly recommend their avocado toast, truffle fries, and mushroom flatbread. Wash them down with one of the great brunch cocktails on the menu. Kick back and enjoy the coastal vibe of Encinitas as you dig into delicious dishes. L'Auberge, Del Mar We have made many fond memories here watching the sunset over the Pacific Ocean while sipping cocktails by a fireplace. This is my favorite place in Del Mar, and possibly one of my favorites in all of San Diego. Unfortunately, when we arrived on this trip, their deck was under construction and the alternate patio did not offer ocean views. However, it did offer as equally incredible cocktails and bites as we remembered. The shrimp bao and spicy, fried calamari are just perfect. Coupled with a cocktail and great company under the California sky, you'll be so happy that you stopped by. Madeleine Café & Bakery, Solana Beach For a little taste of France by the Pacific Ocean, breakfast or lunch at Madeleine Café & Bakery is highly recommended in between your shopping rounds in the Cedros Design District. This casual cafe delivers authentic French fare with freshly baked croissants, sweet & savory crepes, quiches, and fantastic french fries. The owner takes your order at the counter with his thick accent which only adds to the experience of an authentically delicious French meal. Hodad's, Ocean Beach Known to serve San Diego's best hamburgers, Hodad's is an institution. This small burger joint explodes with character and brims with the eclectic decor of surfboards, license plates, and stickers galore. Once a surfer's favorite burger dive is now loved by all. I'm a vegetarian and was thrilled to see a veggie burger on the menu. I loved that they do not use the ubiquitous impossible burger patty and that they fill the bun with all the toppings you'd find on a regular burger. Sipping it down with a thick and creamy vanilla milkshake by the beach is what I call perfection! Juniper & Ivy, Little Italy When fresh ingredients presented with creative twists come together with great flavors, presentation, and service, a truly harmonious experience erupts. At Juniper & Ivy you can expect each dish to be infused with seasonal ingredients, dedicated creativity, and passion. The staff has mastered the art of juggling the fine line of being present and available without hovering or being overwhelming. The menu is designed for plates to be shared, which is the best way to experience as many dishes as possible anyway, right? Some of the major highlights of our meal included the blackened yellowtail tostadas, the caramelized madeleines with housemade pimento cheese, the halibut Crudo with pineapple and coconut snow, the beets and burrata salad with strawberries, the grilled cabbage with an Asian flair, the potato and cheddar ravioli with cured egg yolk and smoked mushrooms, and the herb gnocchi. For dessert, do not miss their Yodel which is a creative interpretation of the yodels of your childhood filled with marshmallow cream, graham crumble, strawberry puree, and smoked chocolate ganache. Simply put, you definitely want to make a reservation here. Barbusa, Little Italy You'll devour your dinner at Barbusa. Boy, this place delivers a delicious dining experience. The tempura squash blossom filled with Quattro Formaggi and apricot chili jam paired with a crisp glass of Falanghina is a match made in heaven. This starter set the tone for an incredible culinary experience ahead. The handmade plates of pasta were perfectly prepared with the most incredible sauces. Those gnocchi balls, little nuggets of love, topped with Pomodoro and burrata. Bravo! The Frutti di Mare spaghetti dish is out of this world, you'll have an extremely difficult time resisting the urge to lick your plate. The fettucini with caramelized onion topped with a farm-fresh egg. Oh my. Seriously, make sure to enjoy a meal here. Kono's Surf Club, Pacific Beach This place is an institution. By 9:00 am expect a very long line filled with eager patrons willing to wait as long as necessary to get their hands on some grub at Kono's Surf Club. You'll love the large portions of delicious breakfast items at a very reasonable cost. The five of us gobbled up five dishes and waters for under $55. The homemade tortillas used to wrap their legendary breakfast burritos are one of a kind. Stop by this casual neighborhood favorite to see what all the worthy buzz is about. Bali Hai, Shelter Island The food and beverages at Bali Hai are pretty good but the fantastic view and ambiance are the big draw here. Live music fills the air of this sprawling Polynesian restaurant that can rightfully claim access to the most stunning views of the San Diego skyline, especially during sunset when the sun's glow lights the skyscrapers in golden hues. This place will make you feel like you're a world away on an exotic vacation. It's fun, it's lively, and with the coastal breeze in your hair, you will find yourself smiling throughout your meal. We are nearing almost seven and a half months of our journey exploring the USA. We have been blessed to discover our country and develop a new, deep love for its unlimited beauty. There are such varying landscapes, people, personalities, cultures, and climates from state to state, each perfect in their own unique way. Yet, somehow San Diego had a magnetic pull on us, not letting us leave its grasp. Our road trip stop here was the most impactful one of our more than 230 days on the road. I truly hope that you will one day have the opportunity to visit and experience first-hand why this place is so special. The biggest lesson of our journey on the road is that we will never know what other opportunities are out there without exploration. Any kind of exploration, whether it be physical or spiritual, is crucial in transforming and evolving as human beings. Please take the time to explore yourselves, others, and the world, as much as you can and as deeply as you may. You will never know what is available to you without learning what is "out there" or "within you". And in order to discover this, you need to do some searching. So whether you get out and drive or go in and soul search, just explore. There's something worth discovering that you don't yet know about but it will change your life forever once you find it.

The unexpected paths this road trip has taken us on have been overwhelmingly surprising in every way. With no plan at its inception, beyond driving through the country, we headed out on July 19th not knowing where exactly life would take us. One of the biggest lessons we can extract from this journey is the importance of immersing ourselves in the present and not consuming ourselves with a destination or the abstract concept of our future. Here we are 230 days later making a big, life-changing decision to move across the country, realizing that the universe gently guided us in this direction all along. After twenty-three years living in New York City, we never imagined that embarking on our road trip would be the beginning to the end of our life in the city we called home for so long. We had absolutely no expectations or desire to leave the very place our roots were so firmly planted in. In fact, we often laughed at how we could never leave NYC because we would feel like aliens anywhere else, always standing out with our impatience of slower paces, lack of conveniences, and the obvious discomfort in the space and solitude that life outside of a big city brings. Yet, after seven months of traveling through the most breathtaking landscapes, developing a relationship with nature that is unbreakable, and fully taking the time to explore our country and our souls, we now feel that if we returned to a life in Manhattan, it is there that we would ironically find ourselves no longer fitting in. After not too much deliberation, we have decided to launch into new beginnings, new opportunities, and new experiences and create a life for ourselves in La Jolla, San Diego. In all honesty, after connecting with nature in the deepest ways possible, I cannot imagine returning to a concrete jungle, despite all the wild energy and excitement New York City brings. We absolutely love NYC and are beyond grateful for the beautiful twenty-three years we proudly called it home but one thing I have learned on this journey is that it is ok, and even healthy, to love something profoundly yet not allow that deep love to hold us back from loving something else equally. Now that we have stepped away from the social norms and lived an entire year as nomads, it suddenly feels very important to me to face change, physical and spiritual ones, in this life we get to live only once. Yes, we can easily continue a lovely life in Manhattan where we have an apartment we adore that we have lived in for twelve years, a great circle of friends, sidewalks that inevitably lead to encounters with people we know on a daily basis, incredible schools for our children, and just an overall blessed and comfortable life. We can also push ourselves beyond complacency and comfort, reinvent ourselves in new environments, and begin a new chapter in our lives that will hopefully lead us to more growth and personal evolvement. There are many fears that creep into my mind trying to desperately dissuade me from moving forward with a relocation. For one, our children are in the top schools in Manhattan. Our oldest son is in one of the top schools in the nation. This coveted spot was a hard one to relinquish. With deeper contemplation I realized, does it really matter if he goes from the 36th best school in the country to the 491st best school in the country? Isn't top 4% good enough these days? It's funny how we get so trapped in our minds by these constructs we have allowed the outside world to lure us into believing as truths. Then, came the fears of taking our children away from friends they have grown up with who they love. Were we being selfish by removing them from the comforts they have grown accustomed to? The truth is, they will make new friends and the more honest reality is that by not moving for this very reason we would actually be robbing them of so many other experiences that they just cannot get in city living, in addition to sending the message that we should always remain in our comfort zones. The fact that two of our three kids genuinely want to move to La Jolla does make the move a heck of a lot easier though. In fact, both of them expressed interest in creating a life in San Diego immediately upon arrival. Finally, and this was our biggest obstacle, the cut-throat and insane real estate market in La Jolla kept beating us down at every turn. There were only seven rental homes available on the market, in the size range we were looking for, and none of them quite spoke to us. We ultimately found two homes we would enjoy living in and they both quickly slipped through our fingers. From there every viable option seemed to fall through. Devastated and almost willing to give up, even desperately considering to snatch one of the ones we did not like, my husband cleverly pointed out that we are falling into the trap of attachment, the very thing we gloriously left behind in the city while hitting the road. Why were we becoming so glued to the idea of locking in one home for seven months until we were ready to make a purchase? Did we really want to pay an exorbitant amount of rent on something we didn't even like? We started looking at Airbnb short-term rentals with the realization that we have been extremely happy bouncing around for the last several months and that continuing to do so for just a few months longer wouldn't be disruptive in any way. Then, all our short-term options ran into obstacles as well, like owners changing their minds about summer availability because they decided to use their home during peak season. We had one rough week of constant friction. Then, ironically, the very first home we looked at when we first arrived in La Jolla, came back into our lives and worked out! Whew! Why La Jolla out of all the gorgeous places we visited on our trip? Simply put, it's magic. There is so much to see and do in this coastal city while always being in the inspirational and encouraging embrace of nature. The skies are constantly clear and the weather is just perfection. Unlike some other magnificent places we discovered along the road trip, San Diego also meets most of our requirements in places that we could live in like great schools, centrist political views, a thriving Jewish population (as minorities that continuously bear the brunt of the most directed hate crimes each year, being around other Jews is always something we have to consider), thriving industries, and an abundance of great state university options that raise the odds of my children staying nearby. In all honesty, I can't think of one reason not to move to San Diego. Ok, maybe I can: the earthquakes. But here they come again, the fears and anticipations into the future that try to impact the decisions I make in the present. In this thought process, I have to remind myself that Manhattan is due for an earthquake "soon" as well. Also, the salt in the air has been doing rather crazy things to my hair and I'm not quite sure what to do with my new, wild mane. Otherwise, San Diego is certainly my idea of paradise. So, here we are, moving across the country beginning August 1st with just our suitcases and a short-term rental lined up (through December 15th). From there, everything will just fall into place. While the unknown is exhilarating, it definitely comes with a list of reasons not to take the plunge, but one thing I have mastered on this journey is to not make any room for those creepy little bugs of fear that like to infiltrate our minds. Instead of focusing on the dozens of reasons we shouldn't move I choose to focus on the hundreds of reasons we should. Mostly, as I view my life as a movie where I am the director, I just know that my movie will be a lot more interesting with new challenges, obstacles, changes, and growths. When I look back on my movie, I want to make sure it is the most colorful and exciting one of my career. Staying in one place for the rest of my life may prevent me from the feature film I am hoping for. New York City, you have given us the best twenty-three years of my life. Roads of the USA, thank you for all the lessons along the 230 days that we have followed your lead. San Diego, here we come!

It's March. A new month has arrived, one that will lead us into Spring and if we are fully conscious and aware we may begin to notice a rebirth in ourselves along with the gardens that will begin to bloom around us. I haven't had much to write in February mainly because I was deeply immersed in setting my intentions for the seeds I hope to plant in the months ahead. In February I continued my new rituals of rising at 5:00 am to journal, meditate, and watch educational and inspirational interviews before leaving the house at 6:30 am to head to the gym. I also continued my streak of reading one book per week, which has probably been one of the most rewarding things I have done for myself throughout my journey. My February book reads include: The Fifth Agreement by Don Miguel Ruiz and Don Jose Ruiz Independent Ed by Edward Burns The Post Office, by Charles Bukowski More Myself, by Alicia Keys Exposing myself to a variety of genres and thinkers has really broadened my horizons and reshaped the ways I have been thinking of my own life. At the start of this road trip, I was so broken and badly wounded by failed relationships and my poor choices in the friends I chose to focus my energy on. Since the summer of 2019, I was spiraling into a world where everything was taken personally and my sensitivity meter was on overdrive. Here I am, nineteen months later, slowly healing. The words I have allowed to infiltrate my mind, through the books I have bonded with over the months, have definitely played a role in my recovery. The Fifth Agreement confirms my truth about being the directors of our own lives while respectfully accepting the stories others make for themselves. Independent Ed reminded me of the power of perseverance and the beauty that lies in vulnerability which is sadly a trait I shy away from (note to self: learn to be vulnerable). The Post Office offered me more than the perspective of a drunken, sexually charged post office worker. Instead, it highlighted the obstacles we all hit as humans that fatigue us and how the people we meet along the way can truly drain us. More Myself inspired me to continue searching, transforming, listening to my instincts, and being a better advocate for myself. Wrapping myself in the arms of these authors/characters has pushed me to think deeper, draft and revise my purpose, and continue being a source of light to others. When we were in Snowbird, UT in January, a friend shipped a beautifully scented candle to our hotel with a note reminding me to continue to "be the light". This candle is lit each morning during my morning rituals and is a driving force in setting my intentions for the day. I can't believe I not so long ago consciously dimmed because of a few self-centered, unaware people that crossed my path. In February, I also added some new daily pleasures into my life. I began boxing, which I adore, and met with a boxing trainer each Friday. In the ways of Wim Hof, I began ending my showers with freezing cold water - something I never ever thought I could do. He swears by the healing properties of cold water and has tons of science to back up his claim, so I thought "why not?". I must admit, the two minutes under the cold water is invigorating and rejuvenating - I literally shout and scream in a twisted delight. I make sure to spend time outdoors every single day. Being in San Diego, where the weather is perfect in February, made for easy excursions along the shore and in the sunshine. Even on those afternoons when I felt too tired, I pushed myself to get outside and never regretted the decision to do so. My biggest breakthrough in February was the realization that I wanted to give back beyond donating to charities and volunteering my time. Yes, I will definitely continue to give back in these important ways as well, but I felt a need to serve others on a more personal level. After witnessing hand gliders soaring through the skies over the Pacific Ocean, I felt a great sense of gratitude for all the freedom I have had over the past seven months. I wanted to give back and gift others with unique life experiences too. It suddenly felt important that I would help others share some of the same life-changing experiences that I enjoyed throughout the journey on our USA road trip. So, I began a monthly live drawing where I will gift one lucky winner an excursion or life experience of their choice (up to $300). The idea filled me with excitement at the prospect of being a part of helping someone else fulfill a dream. I can't imagine a better way for myself to feel fulfilled than to bring happiness and positive changes into someone else's life. Finally, in March of 2020, at the very start of the pandemic, a friend invited me to join Deepak Chopra's 21 Days of Abundance Challenge. Since we were stuck in a house, in quarantine, away from the world I figured I would join. I was a diligent listener and student. I loyally practiced the 21 days of meditations (I never meditated before) and exercises. Then when it ended, I continued with my normal life, or so I thought and didn't meditate anymore. Last month, someone on the Chopra's Challenge WhatsApp group mentioned that she wasn't able to start the 21 Days last year and wanted to give it a try one year later wondering if anyone wanted to join her. I realized that, without even noticing, those 21 Days were a catalyst of the most unexpected year ahead. From there came the idea of an unplanned, unlimited road trip which led to deep thinking and soul searching, which led to early morning rituals, which led to avid reading, which led to helping others meet their dreams, which led to... What a chain reaction! February was fantastic. March greets me patiently ready to gently nudge me into more personal and spiritual growth. I have no specific goals for March but something tells me that through continued discovery more beautiful changes are ahead. Wishing you all a wonderful end to winter and a celebratory welcoming of Spring. Here's to new beginnings and may the warmer weather ahead keep your hearts warm and your spiritual gardens blooming.

I make a batch of homemade granola every week. My kids gobble it up and I am thrilled they do since it is packed with nutrients and super easy to make. This is a staple in our house and I am excited to share it with you! Feel free to swap out the nuts and seeds below with your favorites. I have used almonds, macadamia nuts, and hazelnuts as well as chia seeds. Any combination is delicious, you can't go wrong. Ingredients: 32oz rolled oats 2/3 cup pepita seeds (unsalted) 1 cup sunflower seeds (unsalted) 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut 2/3 cup flax seeds 1 cup chopped walnuts 1 cup chopped pecans 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 cup dried cranberries 3/4 cup dark chocolate chips (I use Ghiradelli 72%) 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/3 cup sunflower oil OR canola oil 1/3 cup agave 1/2 cup orange juice Steps: pre-heat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit Add oats, seeds, coconut, nuts, salt, and cinnamon to a large baking sheet. In a separate bowl whisk together the oil, vanilla, agave, and orange juice. Pour the wet mixture over the dry mixture in the tray. Mix really well to eliminate any large, wet clumps. Make sure to mix well. Place the tray in the oven and bake for ten minutes. Remove from oven, mix granola well, and put back in the oven for another ten minutes. The granola should be nice and golden. If necessary, continue baking for a few extra minutes to establish thorough baking. Remove from the oven and immediately add the dried cranberries. Mix well. I like to do this because the heat of the granola softens the cranberries a bit. Set aside on the counter until completely cooled. Add the chocolate chips. Mix well. Place the granola in a sealed large Ziploc bag, Tupperware, or cookie jar. Any sealed storage will keep it fresh for at least a week if it makes it that long! Serving Ideas: My kids eat the granola as they would enjoy cereal and eat it out of a bowl with milk. They also love it mixed in with yogurt and honey. Enjoy!

"The haves and have nots" a common reference to the wealthy (the haves) and the poor (the have nots), in regards to financial wealth that is. Clearly one can have an abundantly wealthy life that lacks financial freedom while on the other hand, one can swim in their endless flow of money and have a poor life indeed. Since I didn't grow up with the privilege of financial security, it was always easy for me to accept my financial status throughout my entire adult life as enough. Beginning in my early twenties I always felt like whatever I earned at the time was a welcomed abundance because it was always more than what I had access to in my childhood. I truly think this constant satisfaction with whatever financial state I was in throughout the years kept me from ever wanting to keep up with the Joneses because I knew they were likely to never be satisfied. As I began to work through my professional life and started to collect successful career accomplishments, I realized more and more how financially fulfilled I was despite the potential to earn so much more. In my twenties, I worked insanely debilitating hours that certainly paid off but beginning in my thirties, just around the time I became a mom, I had this idea that working towards more time was more valuable to me than working towards more money. I didn't want to miss out on my children's early lives and was willing to earn less money to have more time with them during those precious toddler years. Now, yes, it is easy to say this when I have a financial cushion and do not have to stress about finances. I can also confidently say that most New Yorkers I know would have never stopped at the point I did because of their innate need for more money and financial success. Yet what I am also saying is that there is a way, at most financial levels, to realize that somehow we mostly have enough money (yes, most people don't realize it but they do) yet so little time to enjoy our lives. So we get tired, or fat, or depressed, or divorced, or drink ourselves to sleep, or drug ourselves into numbness. The numbers for all these ailments are staggering. Would the statistics change if everyone made the time for a daily walk, a quick read of a great book, regular quality time with their kids or spouse? I believe they would. I would even put my money on it. As we approached our mid-thirties I convinced my husband to join me in the pursuit of a life with access to more time together as a family. Had we continued to work at the pace we were working we would have easily tripled (if not more) our bank account and assets. But for what? Why do we have this need for an endless amount of cash even if it means we put our family aside, set our mental and physical health aside, move our dreams aside, and let life pass us by? Why do so many of us New York City folks willingly marry investment bankers and powerful attorneys who work endless hours signing their lives away just to own a five million dollar apartment that merely gives a taste of all the other material goods awaiting those who work their lives away? Time. Everyone's time is limited in this life but some people have the conviction to live their life fully and make the time to live their best lives while the have nots lack the ability to notice that life is whizzing by and finally realize it in their final days as they sit in front of their fireplace, in their mansion, with their doting staff around, that they spent their life working to attain recognition, materialistic accumulation, money, and respect while they have not lived at all. More, more, more. I see it all the time. The need to acquire more, purchase more, brag more, compete more... For what? Didn't Covid teach us to have a deeper purpose in our lives, to have more compassion, to have new perspectives and approaches to living? Yet so many are still not reading the signs and have not detached themselves from meaningless materialism, have not stopped associating their self-worth with their net-worth, have not realized that at some point it is more meaningful to work less even if they earn less in order to live more. Through my lens, and I know I tend to often look through unconventional lenses, but hey, looking at things differently has helped me lead quite a different life over the years, "the haves and have nots" was never a matter of wealth versus poverty to me. I always picked up on the subtle, and not so subtle, cues of how many people who seemingly had the most really had so little, and I knew I never wanted to be like them. When I listen to people speak or read their memoirs or watch their lives unfold as a friend, I never look at what they have or have not in a financial sense. Instead, I look at and listen to what they have to offer in their wisdom, experience, or life lessons. A person's financial success has never ever been of any interest to me. Living in New York City since 1998, we have met extremely financially successful people. Never, ever, ever, did I bat an eye. Because I knew that I had something most of them could never buy: time. That is, time to live my fullest and richest life before the big clock stops ticking. At a certain point in your career track, early on while you are still young, make time to enjoy your life. Assess your values and goals. Are you working your ass off to make mortgage payments each month? Sell the property. Don't be a slave to a house. Are you working endless hours to maintain your high-level title and extravagant lifestyle? Think about your title of Mom or Dad and how you play the most important role in your child's life. They grow up fast. You don't want to miss it. What's on your list of things to tackle "one day"? The only day is this day, so don't push checking off those bucket list checkboxes too long. Life is about creating memories, servicing others, transforming, evolving, impacting, experiencing... not acquiring "stuff". If you are lucky enough to gain fulfillment through your job, embrace that while also being mindful when you get stressed out and when it requires you to put the people and things that you love on hold. Check-in with yourself often and reassess. I hope that by reading this you can ask yourself if you are a have or a have not. Do you have time to enjoy the things you love? Do you have time to spend with the people you love? Do you have compassion for others? Do you have time to serve others in your community? Do you have time for adventures and new experiences that will shape you in new ways? Do you have time to do absolutely nothing so that you can figure out everything? Make time. Please, please, please make time. I am continuously baffled by how so few people have changed during the era of Covid. This pandemic is a HUGE call to change. Change your life, your perspective, your habits, your thought patterns, your gestures. Live your best life and help others live their best ones too. Start today by realizing that you have the time to do one nice thing for yourself AND one nice thing for someone else.

Charleston has always been on our list of places to visit. Now that we have the time and flexibility, we rerouted our road trip to visit this city loved by so many to find out for ourselves what all the buzz is about. Our first day was a major adjustment to the heat. It is unbearably HOT in Charleston in August. I have never been an excessive sweater, but I quickly became one after just five minutes of walking its' streets. Also, it is buggy. One thing we were happy to leave behind on St. Simons Island were the mosquitoes but they must have followed us here because we couldn't seem to escape them! Once we worked out these issues, we quickly fell in love with this picturesque city and its' architecture, people, food, and history. The people here are the nicest, warmest and friendliest folks you will ever meet. The food scene here is outstanding. The city is rich in history. If you are willing to leave the main hub there is lots to see and explore in the less known surrounding neighborhoods. The majority of people wear masks while walking around and everyone wears one while inside public spaces. Hand sanitizers are available everywhere. Social distancing guidelines are followed. They are doing a great job of keeping everyone safe. Their economy, like most, is definitely suffering. This once bustling town has barren streets and empty restaurants. If you can, head over and support this beautiful city for a long weekend. Three nights is ample time to immerse yourself in this wonderful place. Head on over, you won't regret it. Day One: Upon arrival, we checked in at The Spectator Hotel, a luxury boutique hotel that has a central location and offers the best service we have ever received from any hotel. Each room is paired with a team of butlers who within minutes fulfill any need you may have. From the moment you enter the hotel lobby, you are treated like royalty. The staff here is truly unbeatable. Along with designated butlers, guests receive complimentary welcome drinks, complimentary room service breakfast, $25 room credit to enjoy at their 1920's glam bar, a fully stocked fridge with complimentary water and soft drinks (that is always refilled), and a nice variety of snacks that are replenished whenever requested. When we checked in I asked if they had disinfecting wipes that I could use to wipe down the room after housekeeping serviced it (this sounds so bizarre, I know). Since they use a bottled concoction, a butler went to purchase wipes for me, gratis! This is the kind of stellar service you can expect here. There are no facilities besides valet, a lobby, and the hotel bar (which happens to whip up the most perfectly balanced and creative libations) but the decor is consistently sleek throughout the common areas and the rooms are beautifully decorated with great spa products and thoughtful Great Gatsby era touches. After dropping off our luggage, we headed straight for lunch at Fleet Landing. We enjoyed the water views, misting fans, great service, delicious chow, and spacious outdoor patio. They have a great selection of seafood and an extensive vegetarian and gluten-free menu. Once we refueled, we hit the sidewalks and explored Harleston Village. It was fun to pass by The College of Charleston campus, The Wentworth Hotel, Colonial Lake and admire some of the architectural gems along the way. I'm not going to lie, we weren't loving the city at this point. We were underwhelmed by how quiet it was and overwhelmed by the heat. The city felt like a complete ghost town. Charleston is a small city with only 130,000 residents, and I'm guessing we saw twenty of them on our first day in town. Maybe it was the heat or Covid or everyone getting ready for school to resume that kept everyone off the streets, but regardless, it was dead. I asked a local where everyone was and she seemed to think everything was as usual. Hmmm... After walking endlessly in the scorching heat, with not another soul in sight, we started getting pretty cranky. Luckily, we stumbled upon Christophe Artisan Chocolatier on Society Street, owned by a lovely American woman and her French husband, who is the chocolatier. I honestly can't recall a time I have passed an artisan chocolate shop without walking in for a taste or two; it's impossible to resist good chocolate! After chatting for a few minutes, and secretly stretching out the conversation to enjoy more air conditioning time, we opted for the homemade vanilla gelato push-pop and mango sorbet push-pop and boy were we in heaven! They cooled and calmed us down more quickly than they melted. We also tried some of their delicious handmade chocolates. Yum! The owner was quick to remind us that NYC is just as hot in the summer, and since we haven't experienced a summer in New York for a while, especially not while walking around all day, we started accepting the fate of the temperatures ahead. Things were starting to look better, chocolate makes everything better. Chocolate in Charleston changes everything for the best. As we made a turn on to Meeting Street, we realized Charleston was about to get a whole lot cuter. This long street is filled with restaurants, outdoor seating, bars, gelato shops, beautiful architecture, and even some people! As we headed back to the hotel to cool down and get ready for dinner, we admired the lively stretch of outdoor markets on Market Street, sprinkled with a couple of handful of tourists. It was so wonderful to see humans again! For dinner, we checked out Barsa in Cannonborough, an "up and coming" neighborhood in Charleston. Similar to Bedstuy or Bushwick in Brooklyn, this neighborhood seems to be going through some changes and several new fantastic restaurants have opened up to attract more diners and overall visitors. Barsa has a tapas-style menu and a lovely outdoor patio. We ate and ate and ate so much that with each bite we still could not stop eating despite our proclamations that"this will be the last bite". We ordered the Brussel sprouts, croquettes, cheese-stuffed red bell pepper, garlic shrimp, patata bravas, grilled octopus, champignon and cheese toast, and lamb meatballs. Barsa was a unanimous success, both the vegetarians and carnivores in our group were extremely satisfied. Following dinner, we all agreed a long walk was in order. We got lost in the streets admiring the colors and lighting of the homes that dotted the sidewalks wondering who lives in them and wishing to see more locals meandering the streets so that we can get a sense of them. We headed over to Waterfront Park enjoying the many lit up fountains under the bright moonlight. This was a true Charleston moment and a perfect way to wrap up our first day. Day Two: We heard Mt. Pleasant is a nice area to visit and that many families live there for a quieter life away from the city while still being in close proximity. Someone also compared it to Brooklyn so naturally, we were intrigued. To beat the heat, we started with outdoor activities first and started our explorations at the Mt. Pleasant Waterfront Memorial Park, a spotless park underneath the Arthur Ravenal Jr. Bridge with gorgeous water views and inviting playgrounds. These were so enticing that our two younger children finally, after months of avoiding playgrounds, couldn't resist the urge to forget about Covid for a few minutes and just be kids again! From there we drove over to walk across the Pitt Street Bridge. This was a very pretty walk that also boasts beautiful views and has a great vantage point of Sullivan Island across the way. We were curious about Sullivan Island and spontaneously drove over to visit its' main street and drive through the island's neighborhoods. We had big plans to sip on iced lattes and cool down with gelatos but those were nixed by kamikaze mosquitoes that literally attacked us by the hundreds the second our feet hit the grass. We all ran for our lives, back into the mosquito-free zone of our car, and instead, admired the small town from the safety of our car. What a shame, in our quick passing it looked like a super cute coastal town... We crossed the bridge and returned to Mt. Pleasant and passed through a neighborhood called I'on. We liked this area best due to its' close proximity to a small village with a cute vibe, its well-manicured neighborhood that exudes southern charm, and its many green public spaces. We were ready to stretch our legs and fill our bellies after driving around for quite a while and sought refuge at Crave Kitchen and Cocktails for the freshest blackened tacos loaded with aioli and coleslaw, an adorable courtyard, and award-winning macaroni and cheese. This mac & cheese dish was named "the most life-changing mac & cheese in America" by Esquire Magazine. It is nationally ranked as "the top mac & cheese in America" by Yahoo, Travel & Leisure Magazine, and other major publications and has won seven mac off competitions! Whoa! The five of us eagerly scooped up bites and agreed- it was really good, but not amazing. My kids said that the mac & cheese I make every year on Thanksgiving tastes better (insert me doing a happy dance here!). We would have probably really liked it if it wasn't hyped up. Funny how that works out... In any case, we didn't see any similarities between Mt. Pleasant and Brooklyn except that they are both outside of the city's main hub. Regardless, we always appreciate gaining a broad view of the places we travel to and expanding our wanders beyond the typical tourist map. When my fourteen-year-old son expressed interest in visiting Fort Sumter National Monument I was like, "fort what?". He learned about this fort in eighth grade when his class studied the Civil War and was excited to visit the site that he learned so much about. Fort Sumter is where the first shots of the Civil War were fired. There is too much history here to cover but I want to stress what a great excursion this is. The ferry ride was beautiful, and limited to under 30 people total despite its' three large decks and capacity for a couple of hundred folks. The monument is employed by some of the most passionate patriots you will encounter. The original cannons and rooms help the imagination jump into years of bloodshed and battle held at this very spot. If you have the time, check it out. My boys said this was their favorite memory of Charleston. After a very long day of sightseeing and covering a lot of ground, we were ready for dinner at Little Jack's Tavern in Cannonborough. They by far have the cutest, tented outdoor dining space and each table even has its' own bottle of hand sanitizer, nice touch! We gobbled up the veggie burgers, cheeseburgers, and the garlic herbed fries that we ordered but the star of the meal was the garlic knots appetizer. These rolls were perfectly buttery, soft, warm, salted, and garlicky and for an added bonus they were served with a cheese dip on the side. Drooling here. Day Three: Although Charleston started to really grow on me yesterday afternoon, by day three I fell deeply in love with the city. We continued exploring further and discovered several areas and neighborhoods that I could totally imagine living in. We began the day by walking on East Bay Street towards Rainbow Row. This stretch leads to a row of brightly colored, well-maintained homes that lead to a promenade along the bay. I love the idea of spacious homes in the middle of downtown with easy walking access around the city! Just a few more blocks south, we found another beautiful community in South Battery and on Meeting Street. These neighborhoods are all steps away from White Point Gardens whose massive oaks offer abundant shade. I started to envision walking our imaginary dogs here, reading under a two hundred year oak while sipping a local cup of Joe, jogging on the promenade, and saying "hi y'all" to the neighbors who pass me by. Charleston and I shared a special moment on day three. From South Battery, we walked towards Legare Street to further marvel at the gorgeous homes and peek through as many gates as we could to catch glimpses of the most stunning courtyards. The homes in downtown are all built in close proximity to one another but surprisingly some of them have back yards large enough for pools and al fresco dining. We continued to meander and get lost in the mesmerizing streets of colors, landscaping, and character. In this city, you will find examples of Colonial, Georgian, Classical Revival, Gothic Revival, Italianate, Victorian, and Art Deco homes. You can walk for hours and never get bored. Eventually, we hit King Street, known for its' endless stretch of high-end retail shops. I compared this to a very quiet SoHo. Eventually, we found our way back to Waterfront Park to view the Pineapple Fountain during daylight and to stroll through the park one last time. Of course, somewhere along the way, hunger kicked in and we walked quickly towards our reservation at Basic Kitchen for clean, healthy, and nutritious food. We ordered veggie burgers with pickled beet sauce and a veggie salad with free-range chicken. The biggest hit was the tempura-fried cauliflower topped with buffalo sauce. We ordered three of these as we couldn't stop gobbling them up. We were grateful for yet another delicious restaurant with a comfortable outdoor dining option that offered ample social distancing, despite the fact that not many patrons were around. Since our kids have been such troopers with all the sightseeing, we wanted to do something that was especially fun for them. They chose Escape in 60 and we happily complied. Initially, we signed up for the Ransom theme, being urged to solve the clues in time to set "our son, Little Jimmy, free from the kidnapper". We were assured it was age-appropriate and not scary but the second we were all left in that dark room to fend for ourselves, we all freaked out and pressed the exit button as quickly as we could. We are always a circus act wherever we go and I absolutely love it. The staff there were so nice and understanding and immediately switched us into the Egyptian Chamber which was well lit and we had a BIG blast. To wrap things up nicely, we even escaped nine minutes early! Go Team! Our dinner at Frannie & The Fox was the ultimate culinary experience in Charleston and the best way to start winding down our visit. The food scene in this city is amazing. We have not been disappointed once by the staff, decor or quality of food. Everything has been spot on at every restaurant we visited. Frannie & The Fox goes above and beyond by offering a menu of selected choices that are all prepared in a wood-burning fire. We wanted to try as much as we could and we opted for the blue crab fritters, charred corn, wood-roasted summer beans, heirloom tomato toast with whipped ricotta, Margherita pizza, taleggio pizza (white cheese, black pepper, and burnt honey), and wood-roasted half chicken. We were blown away by each bite and left wishing that we had one more night in Charleston. Day Four: On our last day, we set out to Avondale, West Ashley, right outside of downtown, to admire the graffiti art alley and view a slew of murals. Its' not quite Wynwood Walls, but it's a good start in that direction and a great way to support local artists. Magnolia Plantation and Gardens was next on the agenda. You can easily get lost in the 464 acres of this magnificent property that has a steep history in the Lowcountry for over three hundred years. We marveled at the breathtaking landscape with lush foliage, vast gardens, a multitude of swamps, and endless marshes. The countless rows of oaks were whispering their many secrets to those who listened, oh how much they witnessed! Slavery. Wars. Love. Passion. Death. Nevertheless, this has remained to be one of America's oldest and most beautiful public gardens preserved by one family. In addition to the infinite trails the property also has a petting zoo, which is always a big hit with the kiddos! For the grand finale we drove over to John's Island, still, technically a part of Charleston, to dive into Tattooed Moose's mind-blowing blue cheese garlic fries and a yummy outdoor lunch embraced by oaks and to then say hello to Angel Oak, a four-hundred-year-old oak tree that is projected to live five hundred more years. I have referenced ghosts in the south in past posts and have alluded to my personal belief that trees of this stature bear witness to life events that occur around them. When I read that local folklore tells stories of ghosts of former slaves appearing as angels around this tree, I don't doubt it. Secretly we hoped Charleston would lure us into calling it home. We absolutely adore the people and lifestyle in South Carolina. We changed our entire itinerary last minute with an urgency to visit this city in the event that we could possibly move there. In theory, Charleston meets every criterion we want in a place we would consider moving to. Yet, it just didn't feel like a place we could live long term. New York City is hard to compete with and I am not sure whether we could ever fall in love with another city. So, here we go again, on to the next leg of our road trip, in search of a new home or just the solid realization that there is no place like NYC, the place we have called home for the past twenty-two years.

What are the chances that three NYC families from the same building end up, unplanned, on this not-so-known island? There are many reasons this place draws folks from big cities and there are many reasons that it should remain a well-kept secret. Below are some insights on our two very special weeks on the island. When I think of St. Simons Island, I think BEACH. There is so much of it- long, dreamy stretches of endless sand along miles of the beautiful coast. The house we rented was along the ninth street entrance of East Beach, the main beach, with beautiful sand dunes that greet you as soon as you step on the sand. Each morning began with an early walk; flip flops in hand and feet in the water. Similarly, many days ended with sunset strolls admiring the coast's ever-changing colors as the day neared its' end. Depending on the clouds in the sky and the sun's mood, each walk brought a new vista and new discoveries. When I think of St. Simons Island, I think of a laid-back and super chill vibe. This beach town is so unpretentious and the people are so friendly, you can't avoid quickly falling into island time. This island truly follows its' own clock, one with no time. After our morning beach walks, we made a mad dash to Wake Up Coffee. This is probably one of the best coffee shops I have ever been to in all our travels anywhere in the world. They roast their beans onsite, the entire staff is incredibly friendly and their iced lattes are simply creamy, dreamy, and addictive. My husband was hooked on their cold brew. We will have major withdrawal symptoms for sure. On the northern tip of East Beach, you will find Gould's Inlet, a protected nature reserve where several species of birds nest their eggs, and sand bars stretch far into the sea. This is a popular spot for bird watching, fishing and just staring into the infinite blue sky and sea. We also connected with the beautiful wonders of nature through a private beach yoga session with East Beach Yoga. We hoped to have more regular sessions but there was just so much to see and do, and we, unfortunately, were unable to book additional classes. Our instructor, Chrissy, was awesome and flowing through our poses with the wind in our hair, toes in the sand, and waves crashing around us, is unforgettable. Many locals, and visitors, get around the island on golf carts, adding to its' charming appeal. We rented our cart from Golf Cart Rentals. They deliver the carts to your driveway and pick them up too. It couldn't be an easier transaction and it is the best way to explore the area. A highlight of the trip was hopping on the golf cart to search for the seven Tree Spirits around the island. These are faces carved into oak trees by artist Keith Jennings who in the '80s connected with the trees, listened to their whispers, and carved out faces representing the trees' souls. The trees spoke to him. How cool is that? There are maps outlining their locations online or at the Pier Village Visiting Center. We really loved searching for them and equally shared our enthusiasm when finding them. Since the Tree Spirits are dispersed throughout the island, this hunt led us to places we would have not seen otherwise, an added bonus! Pier Village is a popular attraction and has a very well maintained and clean promenade along the coast. Unfortunately, it gets crowded and surprisingly, no one wears a mask. The five of us, always donning our masks, stood out every time we visited, not that we cared. Not only are people unmasked, but they also refuse to give you personal space or follow social distancing guidelines. For this reason, we didn't enjoy this location as much as we normally would have despite its' close proximity to our rental house. Otherwise, we loved Sweet Shop's retro and quirky decor for delicious ice-cream treats. We also got good laughs and giggles from the handwritten anti-liberal signs posted in a local storefront. Whether we agree or not with the rants, coming from NYC we did love hearing a fresh and new perspective. The St. Simon's Lighthouse is a landmark in Pier Village and definitely adds to its' charm. At Pier Village, you can also play miniature golf, sit in a multitude of well-shaded parks, enjoy some delicious food at Barbara Jeans and even spot dolphin pods doing their dainty dance. Fort Frederica National Monument beautifully preserves a town and fort that protected the southern British colony in Georgia from Spanish invasion between 1736-1748. The ruins are very clearly marked and offer great historic context and explanations. This spacious monument is well shaded and no one was in sight during our visit. We had 284 acres all to ourselves. Perfect for social distancing! I was easily taken back to what life in this bustling town with a population of 1,000 must have been like and where the USA would be today if the Spanish made it to land. Hofwyl Broadfield Plantation is another great stop to take in some history and learn about life on a plantation that yielded over 1.5 million pounds of rice per year via the labor of almost 360 slaves. Personally, I found it important to come here, and teach our kids the history of slavery and allow them to have a visual experience of what a plantation looked like and how it operated. Important conversations were had during and after this visit. I believe that preserving these types of plantations is crucial to preserving the accuracy of their history. In terms of food, since we are still a little nervous when dining out, we really limit our visits to restaurants. While on the island over the past two weeks we dined at Coastal Kitchen and Gnats. Coastal Kitchen has an outdoor patio facing the marina and honestly serves the yummiest "dirty oysters", shrimp & grits, and crab cake Egg Benedict ever. The oysters were topped with hot sauce, cream, and caviar. Can you say YUM? This is a must-visit when in the area. Gnats is located in Fern Village, a more upscale area than Pier Village. Despite its' location, the restaurant is very laid back, with great service and a menu mainly offering fresh seafood options. The menu is simple and so is the presentation- everything is served on disposable plates- which I think works brilliantly with its adorable picnic table lined back yard. I loved my redfish sandwich, perfectly grilled and seasoned. We also ordered take out a couple of times from Barabara Jean's that we truly enjoyed. The buffalo shrimp and coleslaw have been on my brain since my last bite. The restaurant is always packed, sometimes with patrons spilling on to the sidewalk, again unmasked and unfazed by the virus. The buffalo shrimp is beyond good, but is it good enough to risk my health? Nope. Take out it is! Also, vegetarians beware: although their menu has a whole list of vegetable sides, they put pork or chicken broth in almost all of them. White rice: chicken broth. Beans: pork. Broccoli: bacon. With two vegetarian children, I know what questions to ask when ordering food, but I never expected that green beans and broccoli would not be vegetarian and not specifically noted as such on the menu. Something to keep in mind if this affects you... A couple of other cute, short explorations we made during our two-week visit that is worth mentioning are Gascoigne Bluff Park, Avenue of the Oaks, and John Gilbert Nature Trails. Gascoigne features twenty-four acres of oaks and the second-largest red cedar tree in Georgia. These trees are massive. It is also the former site of an Indian Settlement. We were so well protected by the trees that kept us impervious to the insanely high afternoon heat. This is a lovely park to have a picnic or stroll along the water under the protection of the vast oaks. John Gilbert Nature Trail is more rustic and raw. It's a cute, very short walk over a marsh with lots of crab sightings and... lots of mosquitoes! Make sure to pack that repellent! Avenue of the Oaks is one of those places that are so stunning, no picture can do it justice. We visited this perfectly manicured, endless stretch of gigantic oaks that seemingly reach for each other, creating an ongoing arch that greets you as you drive through. There is no parking here unless you are staying at The Lodge of Sea Island or enjoying the golf courses at the Sea Island Golf Club. You can drive through with your golf cart or your car, but don't expect to get out and have a stroll or a picnic. It is definitely worth a visit and will leave you, once again, speechless by nature's beauty. We loved the romantically southern environment so much, we slowly drove through on three different occasions. The homes around East Beach each have their own distinct personality but they all share a common beach vibe. We loved driving through the neighborhood, in the golf cart, and seeing the different architecture and lifestyle expressions. I will miss this little island so much! One of my favorite memories on the island is when we randomly bumped into our NYC neighbors. Literally, the very moment we drove into our driveway in our golf cart, they drove past us in their golf cart and noticed our car with a NY license plate parked in the driveway. We just couldn't believe the chances and the timing of meeting like that! The next day we went for an evening stroll at the beach and chatted non-stop for almost ninety minutes. We have been neighbors for TEN years and never have spoken for more than five minutes in passing. That's the power of St. Simons; its' energy creates beautiful connections. For the first time in months of not having any physical social contact, while on the island, we have magically connected to these neighbors, along with yet another neighbor who is staying on the island too, and my sister-in-law came to visit us for a few nights. St. Simons is magical in that way. It brings people together, opens up a whole new world where time does not exist, and forges new memories and friendships- in a place like this, these all become very easy to do.

August is a big month in our home. We celebrate our two sons' birthdays, as well as mine. Our boys eagerly await August, counting down the days several months in advance for their birthdays to arrive. I, on the other hand, have found myself crying as the month approaches knowing that another year has gone by, that my babies are growing too fast, and that with each year that passes, they are one year closer to branching out into adulthood. There have been too many nights when I panicked as I began to fall asleep, fearing that I will not wake up the next morning. I am uncertain as to whether I experienced lucid dreaming or whether I was fully conscious during these breathless episodes as the experience was always a familiar blur the next morning. I would catch myself suddenly gasping for air, whacking my husband mid-sleep as I convinced myself that I was dying, and literally fought my eyes from closing until I could no longer resist sleep. I have never been a particularly anxious person but whenever I have obsessed over time, and how quickly my little ones are growing, I was immediately struck with panic. TIME. What is time? How is it really measured? I cannot quantify it except that it is passing by at lightning speed and I can't seem to catch it despite constantly chasing it, yearning to catch it and grab it and lock it up or feed it to one of the alligators on the island. TIME. Time is one of our biggest assets and blessings, yet so many people abuse it and wake up one day to a life that has passed too fast. I have diligently been aware of this asset and have made it a point to spend my time making memories, experiencing, and learning as much as I am able to. Even with this relentless determination to grasp it and maximize it, it just keeps slipping away. As we approached August last month, my mind obsessively focused on the past four years longing more than anything in the world to have those years back. In four years my oldest son will be leaving home for college. Just four years ago he slept in my bed, had a "kid accent", drew me loving pictures. I couldn't handle the idea that time is taking my kids away from me and thrusting them towards adulthood. They are my lifeline, my purpose, my core. They are every ounce of every memory, and I can't fathom, I just can't begin to imagine, that in just four years one child will be on his way into manhood as the other two slowly follow. This thought is so heart wrenching and cruel that I literally have spent years lamenting about what is unavoidable. This August, something changed. It suddenly clicked. This is the first August I didn't weep. Not a single tear. Spending all these round the clock hours with my kids for the past five months has made me realize that I actually love that they are getting older! We hang out all day long, talk politics, work out together, plan our next trips together...we have been together non-stop since the pandemic. They have become my best friends, my peeps. They have grown into people I truly love spending time with and I seriously have spoken with them more in the past five months than I have talked to anyone my entire life. Time is a gift and if you cherish and nurture it, and if you're really lucky, then it continues to snowball into stronger relationships, more memories, endless laughs. Time used to feel like it was snowballing out of control. These days I literally visualize it collecting great shared moments as it rolls forward into the future, growing larger and fatter with more great memories and experiences one year at a time. I am totally aware that the snowball will crash one day but unlike before, I am not clenching on to thin air. They will grow. They will move out. They will fall in love. They will have their own lives. In the meantime, rather than sobbing about these realities, I will focus on the time we have now in order to further solidify the time we will hopefully have together in the future. Now, later. Yesterday, tomorrow. It's really all a blur. It also really doesn't matter when we realize that our time is limited, yet limitless. No more tears around birthdays. I will now share the same enthusiasm my kids have when they mark another year, except that I won't measure it as a year. I'll just view it as a great reason to bake a special cake.

In 1886, Jekyll Island was purchased to become an exclusive winter retreat, known as the Jekyll Island Club. It quickly became known as “the richest, the most exclusive, the most inaccessible club in the world” and evolved into a sanctuary for the uber-wealthy who enjoyed their winters on this little paradise while rubbing elbows with other prominent figures. As soon as we arrived, I was immediately drawn to this small and isolated island surrounded by sea, sun, and breathtaking landscaping. As we drove through the historic district to scope out the winter homes of the Rothschild, Goodyear, Vanderbilt, and Morgan families, I was simply transported to another era. Although the club no longer exists and instead has been converted to a five-star resort, and the historic vacation homes have been preserved as museums and landmarks, visitors can easily capture the magnetic energy that still exists on the island. (left to right: Crane Cottage, home of Richard Teller Crane Jr and Goodyear Cottage, home of Frank Henry Goodyear) (left to right: Cherokee Cottage built for Shrady Family, The Jekyll Island Club Resort, and Mistletoe Cottage, home of Henry Kirk Porter) For grub, we headed to Zachry's Riverhouse. The food was delicious but even more so I loved its' secluded location near the marina and how it is tucked into a secret nook protected by massive oaks. The outdoor seating was nice and shady. The irony of the house rules was hard to ignore. Signs were posted everywhere reminding people to keep six feet distance yet parties at the outdoor bar were seated directly near one another. We were initially seated at a table too close to others and requested to move, which they happily did which allowed us to enjoy the view and the vibe while vacationing. If you ever find yourself wondering what it would be like to be in Salvador Dali's mind then you must make a visit to Driftwood Beach on the northeast end of Jekyll Island. What you will encounter is so surreal and eerily striking you will be forced to think about life and death. You will suddenly be reminded that even in death there is a striking beauty in what is left behind. I couldn't stop snapping pictures. No matter how hard I tried, I just could not take a single shot that successfully captured this enchanting spot on our vast planet. My kids compared the beach to Iceland, which yes, I agreed. Driftwood Beach, like Iceland, is also otherworldly. Simply described, it's a graveyard of trees on the coast that evoked so many feelings in the five of us. Some trees have branches bent over, stretching long as if to clutch the earth and hang on a little bit longer as they took their last breaths. Others were twisted into works of art, sculpted by Mother Nature herself. Many were reaching towards the sun and the sky calling on the heavens. After some time digesting the scene, it occurred to me that there was so much motion left in their stillness, almost as if the hundreds of trees around us just suddenly froze in time waiting to be awakened. I still can't help but relate to the scene, to the trees. Are we frozen in time during this pandemic? Are we waiting for an awakening individually and also as a human race? Can we push ourselves even further than we already have and stretch and twist our minds and souls into ways we would normally avoid? More importantly, I was left asking myself, what can I do while still alive to leave such a beautiful legacy behind when my time is up. The beach has very large pockets of clay (left picture) buried under the sand. Other than the Dead Sea, I have never been to a beach with so much of this thick mud! The kids loved squishing it and we even molded large chunks into the shape of a head with a face and passed it along playing "hot potato". Good laughs, especially when the head hit the water and splattered us with its' mud guts. We wondered if like the clay in the Dead Sea, this mud had any health properties too. We couldn't find any information on this but we did learn that this clay is actually 40,000 years old from a salt marsh that used to stand where the beach currently is. Pretty cool! Finally, I had to share the photo on the right. If you zoom in and look very closely, you will hopefully see what I saw along the shore. As the waves rolled back to the sea, they left trails that resemble....trees! Do you see the branches? I was amazed by this. It's almost as if the ocean left behind sketches from its' vantage point and etched them into the sand. Yes, I do believe in miracles and magic. These days I have searched for them with even more eagerness. They are really all around us. To see them, you must not only believe they are there but you need to search for them. Go on a walk, get in your car, get on a plane- whatever you do, just get out and explore. And wear a mask.

The weather in Georgia has been unpredictable. The forecast constantly predicts high chances of rain and yet not a single raindrop appears when expected. These false predictions have kept us home the last two days so today, despite the forecast for a very rainy day, we took our chances and hopped in the car to check out nearby Old Town Brunswick after some locals recommended visiting the area. As anticipated, not a drop of rain ruined our plans! We began our explorations at a nameless, small park underneath the Sidney Lanier Bridge, a cable suspension bridge that spans 500 feet and connects Brunswick to Jekyll Island (and beyond). Although the bridge is truly beautiful, we did not find this to be the best vantage point to capture its beauty. About a three-minute walk from this park, near the Coast Guard Station, is a hidden entrance to Earth Day Nature Trail, a small and picturesque nature preserve that is extremely easy to hike, even in Georgia's scorching August temperatures as it is well shaded and under one mile long. The park is home to several bird species and many, many crabs. There are one million fiddler crabs per acre of marshlands in the area. There are 350,000 acres of marshland. Now you do the math but trust me when I say, there are lots of crabs! We ventured down into an accessible part of the marshes and suddenly thousands of fiddler crabs cleared the way for us. It was like witnessing the Red Sea parting! Kids and grown-ups were equally delighted by the close contact with these little crustaceans that boast an extra-large claw. If you look really close, they look like they are smiling! Next, we headed a mile or so to the Historic District of Old Town Brunswick to take in some of the Victorian architecture, Main Street and Hanover Square (one of the two large squares in Old Town Brunswick that retains its original size and shape). Hanover Square is small and quaint with an original fountain in its center surrounded by pretty landscaping. Main Street is an endearing, long stretch of shops and restaurants. Unfortunately, it was a ghost town. Literally, no one was around. We wondered why such a charming town filled with eclectic mom and pop stores, breweries, and well-rated restaurants was so utterly abandoned. Unfortunately, I think this is a result of Covid and that Main Street is just one small example of how small businesses have been severely affected by the way the virus has impacted the economy. However, just 7 miles away in St. Simons Island the streets, restaurants, and shops are packed. It is hard to understand why such a lovely, well-kept strip of shops in a city with a population of 16,000 people has no one drawing them in. Personally, I find Main Street in Old Town Brunswick much better kept and much more appealing than Mallery Street in St. Simons Island yet the former is barren while the latter location is packed. I don't get it. I do feel very sad though for all the businesses that are suffering as a result of Covid and I truly hope that Main Street bounces back to what I can easily imagine was once a sprawling, vibrant and active destination. There is more to see in Old Town Brunswick that we didn't get to during today's visit because we were worried the rain would finally catch up with us. Of course, it didn't until we hopped in the pool. Since we were already wet and have given up on dodging it we welcomed it to join us.

Fernandina Beach, on the northern part of Amelia Island, is just an hour and a half drive from St. Simons Island, GA (our home base for two weeks). We decided to get in the car and in our spirit of exploring, drove south to this coastal town in Florida. Growing up in Miami, we always had friends who vacationed at Amelia, which Conde Nast continuously rates as a top ten island destination in the US. Since we only went for the day, of which we mostly spent at sea, we were not able to fully absorb its' essence but we definitely got a taste of the charming feel of Fernandina Beach and caught a glimpse of its history filled with pirate tales and even rumors of potential treasures still waiting to be found. We began our morning by heading to the pier and meeting our captains on The Windward Sail catamaran we booked in celebration of our son's fourteenth birthday. We were greeted with warm hospitality, albeit it was an unmasked one. Although we had ample space in the front of the boat when we first embarked and sat at the dining table in the rear deck we felt too close to the captains who surprisingly did not wear masks, even when we were in close proximity. Once we took off our shoes, we quickly headed for more space to the front deck where we immediately forgot about Covid for the next three hours that we were embraced by the sea. Sailing past Cumberland Island brought lots of excitement as we spotted some of the island's 200 wild horses. Cumberland Island is part of Georgia, has no residents, can only be accessed by boats or ferries, and has just one inn, The Greyfield Inn, which was also the site of John F Kennedy and Carolyn Bessette's super-secretive wedding. All these romantic and magical vibes washed over us as we glided by admiring the landscape and wildlife. We also passed a runway, built in the water, that the US Navy uses for its monthly submarine docks back on land in the nearby Kingsbay Naval Submarine Base, one of two of the most important naval bases in the US. I was hoping to witness one of the nuclear powered (yikes!) submarines slowly emerge from the water and make its way towards its' base, but no such luck! Can you imagine living with approximately 100 other soldiers immersed hundreds, even thousands, of feet deep for sixty-ninety days at a time? No thank you! Along the way, we sighted the Pippi Longstocking house, Fort Clinch (a massive fort built in 1847), many bird species, and dolphins too. While exploring the US by road is an adventure in itself, there is nothing like getting lost at sea. I have always felt a strong connection to the ocean and find that with it my mind only wanders to gratitude and overwhelming love for nature's bountiful beauty. At sea, there is no plan or agenda. At sea, the wind blows through my hair and takes any uneasy thoughts with it. At sea, when I listen closely, I hear words of wisdom. At sea, inhaling the saltwater rejuvenates me and prepares me to trust what comes next. After disembarking the vessel, we walked over to Centre Street which is full of eclectic and independent shops. Before arriving I read that some folks compare this main street of Fernandina Beach to New England towns. I had a completely different view of it. To me, it resembles a (very well kept) scene out of a Western movie. This was once a stomping ground for pirates and although the stretch of shops is high-end and well maintained, you can easily imagine that pirates and cowboys once perused their way through these streets too. The Palace Saloon, the oldest saloon in Florida, adds to this flavor. Rumors have it that this was the last bar in the US to close during The Prohibition and that it sold ice cream during the prohibition years (that's "ice cream" of course). We had lunch at Kariboo, which was an awesome choice. They have a beautiful courtyard with ample space to social distance and lots of shade. I had a blackened mahi-mahi sandwich that I gobbled up. It was perfectly seasoned and grilled, oozing with spicy aioli sauce and topped with delicious mango salsa. Paired with a glass of well-chilled Sauvignon Blanc, well... let's just say I was one happy diner! And just when we thought it couldn't get better, dessert arrived. We opted for the key lime pie (a must when in Florida!), a chocolate pecan pie, and a strawberry cake. All homemade. All absolutely delicious. I can't believe that I spent twenty-one years of my life living in Florida and never experienced this laid back, chill, and unpretentious part of the state which is very unlike the glitzy and flashy experience I had growing up just a few hours south in Miami. Truth be told, we will never learn about "what is out there" until we get out and explore. I hope that highlighting some of these less known locations will inspire you to get into your cars and explore them as well, or even just areas closer to wherever you are that you would have not normally considered visiting. There is so much out there waiting to be discovered!