Over the past few months, there has been a lot of self-reflection on my end. Who am I? Who do I want to be? What are my shortcomings? What is keeping me guarded and refrained? In my new mission towards self-love, I delve deep while beginning the process of slowly untangling myself from the suffocating, self-imposed webs that are distancing me from myself. I have spent my adult life caring way too much about what others think of me, allowing their perspectives and behaviors to get in the way of me fully loving myself. I am convinced that my purpose in this lifetime is to allow my soul to transcend to a more forgiving place so that it can release all the pain, hurt and negative attachments it clings to and then pour out the love, laughter, and light it has been thwarting for so long. I know this is my soul's purpose because it is my biggest challenge. The happiness is there waiting to flow once I can open the dam and forgive myself for not being perfect and shedding the idea that I need other's approval of me to help shape my idea of myself. In the midst of isolating myself from people who do not necessarily make me think or feel my best, I still find myself questioning the decision to remove them from my life. Am I overreacting? Am I being too harsh? Too intolerant? I just can't seem to drop these thoughts even when I have dropped the relationships. Over the past week, I received two hurtful, but insightful, feedbacks from friends. The first friend sent me a painful text in response to me being honest about why a rift has been made in our friendship. She wrote, "U needed me to give a shit during a pandemic while you're getting to travel the globe?". She further wrote "I love you but u honestly have no clue what it's like for people who have two full working parents. I couldn't be happier for you that you get to travel the world but most people including me don't have this luxury". (It is important to note that this friend is a successful and financially sound woman. If she chose to, she could also "travel the world"). This week I reached out to a friend who suddenly stopped speaking to me a year or two ago. I asked her for her honest feedback as to why our friendship so abruptly ended. She was willing to be forthcoming with an authentic response stating "you are a fun, smart, successful, secure, caring woman. You're strong. Too strong for me, I guess. You're an Alfa woman and being disappointed is something that really hurts you. What I've learned with time is that you don't like to be disappointed... unfortunately with you I often feel afraid to be myself". As you can imagine, these are a lot of words to digest and I am definitely still chewing on them. I am grappling with how the person I strive to be gets lost in translation versus not giving a shit and accepting that not everyone is a healthy presence in my life. The problem is, once I have a history with someone, it is so hard for me to let go of the relationship. Instead, I search obsessively for the ways that I am responsible for a dent in a friendship even when I am not to blame. Yes, I am a Leo and I am strong. My strong personality has been a gift yielding many successful experiences in my life. My convictions have allowed me to be persistent, goal-oriented, and to focus on my dreams with hawk eyes. Yet, I like to think there is a softness to me too. I do think I am one of the most thoughtful, caring, generous, loyal persons you'll meet and these very traits do often lead me to be hurt and disappointed when I feel like the gestures are not reciprocated. I come as a package deal and if I chip away at one trait the house of cards tumbles. So, where do I give in and where do I hold back? Am I supposed to feel bad about "traveling the world during a pandemic"? These words are true daggers as they reveal the true feelings of a good friend who should be happy for me that I have embarked on this journey but instead harbors obvious feelings of resentment. Am I offending others by sharing my journey? Clearly, there are those who think I am flaunting my experiences. But dozens of people have reached out to me expressing how much I am inspiring them. In fact, one family has embarked on a year-long journey as a direct result of me sharing our adventures. I also now know three other families who are taking shorter road trips also because, as they pointed out, I have inspired them to do so. So do I soften up the Alpha messaging in hopes of not raising envy in others or do I continue to share our travels hoping to inspire others to get in their cars and out of their lockdowns? Yes, my old friend is right. I do get disappointed easily. This is an area I do need to focus on. There have just been some behaviors that I cannot fathom or excuse even if it means that certain people feel like they are afraid to be themselves around me. I hold a mirror in other's faces, my husband often jokes. Very few people have held themselves accountable for their poor behavior towards me, and others I presume, by just saying "I'm sorry" so instead they raise their shields and allow their true feelings to surface with blows of harsh words. When you know 100% that someone is just wrong, and they not only deny it but instead turn it around and make it about you, well, at what point do you say enough? At what point will I love myself enough to stop desperately searching for how I am responsible for something that I actually play no role in? As I shed the bandages of past wounds, I do realize that it is no longer my job to confront others when they are not behaving in their best ways. On the other hand, I do need to give myself the freedom to decide who enhances my life and who holds me back from fully loving myself. In this process, I also mostly need to stop caring so much about making others happy as this approach has been a sure setup for disappointment for all parties involved. I guess that over time I have surrounded myself with too many people which has just led to too many shared opinions over how I am viewed by them. In return, my mind is clouded with trying to figure out what I need to change about myself to conform to what they need of me. It is time that I just accept myself through my lens of who I am and not the lens of others. Figuring how to do this is not an easy task. There are three big mistakes that I have made in my life ( obviously there are many more but three that are specifically related to friendships). One error I made is that in loving a full house, throwing lots of parties, having a large social circle, etc. I let too many people into my life who diluted the meaningfulness that should come from true friendships. Secondly, in my struggle to please those who just cannot be pleased I have refrained from fully loving the many people who do genuinely love me. I always have in the back of my mind that one day, they too will deeply disappoint me or share their true, hurtful views about me and so to preempt a further damaged heart, I keep the walls around it layered in concrete allowing limited love to seep through in a controlled manner. Finally, because I always hold myself to such high standards, extremely high ones (not being so hard on myself is another thing I am working on), I often hold the people I love to similar standards. My struggle now is to figure out what standards that I hold others to are acceptable and which ones are just unfair. Similarly, how do I maintain all my positive traits and values while not holding myself to these high standards? CNN published an article yesterday: "The pandemic has destroyed friendships and divided families". Although I am sad to see how people are reacting to the pandemic by projecting their own inner struggles onto others during a time they should be empathetic, I was somewhat relieved that I am not the only one bearing the brunt of pandemic drama in my circle of friends. A friend shared the article with me. A friend who knew about the harsh texts I received that are shared earlier in this rant. Just when I was about to blame myself, again, for being the source of the problem in a friendship, I received this article, a gift, reminding me that what I really need to work on is loving myself more and removing those in my life who don't love me enough, just the way I am. There is no conclusive idea to this rant as figuring it all out is a process, a goal in progress. Sharing my thoughts and giving them life through words is a step towards understanding myself, and others, better. I do want more than anything to remain a human being who cares so deeply about others while also not giving a shit. Since I don't see how this is possible I just have to keep chiseling away at this thing called life and find that happy place where there is a harmonious balance of fully loving myself, deeply loving others, and willing to accept being loved in return. https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/15/us/pandemic-rift-friendships-wellness-trnd/index.html

Yesterday I spoke with a friend that I have known for over twenty years. The years often get in the way and we lose touch but we always find each other again, bouncing in like no time ever passed. In 2020 she lost three family members in extremely tragic, non-related deaths. She could have easily allowed herself to fall into a trap of depression, victimization and rightfully claim that "2020 sucks". Instead, with the pain that came her way, she decided to make improvements in her own life. She now practices yoga daily, meditates once to twice a day, prays each morning, seeks the help of a therapist, and gets her hands on as many self-help-type books as possible. These are activities she would have normally never engaged in. She is a beautiful, radiant soul. She made the best of 2020 despite the wrath it released on her family. We can all focus on the horrible changes and circumstances that 2020 brought our way or hopefully we can try to find the lessons and moments of growth that came along with it. Since the pandemic erupted, I have committed to finding the light in what many are calling the darkest year yet. Personally, I don't think 2021 will be any better, or worse per se, so I am diving into the new year with even stronger convictions to make it as bright as possible. Hopefully, you can all join me in finding the positives that came out of a year that turned many of our lives upside down. I am extremely thankful for the following things that only 2020 could have brought my way: Attitude of Gratitude. I am naturally a pretty grateful human being but 2020 taught me to pause hundreds of times throughout the day to notice all the blessings around me- my children's splendidly large feet, the sound of their laughter, our continuous conversations, and inability to ever run out of things to talk about, the fact that my heart beats, my acceptance of change and new willingness to be flexible with change and surrender to it rather than resist it, the miraculous fact that my eyes open each morning after a deep slumber, the list goes on and on... This epic road trip. Had the virus not hit, in turn encouraging schools to teach remotely, we would have on no occasion embarked on a several-month-long journey together as a family. The past five-plus months on the road, traveling through the United States of America has been the most awesome adventure of my life. Social distancing. Yes, I am thankful for the social distancing that came with 2020's new rules and regulations. Had I not been forced into distancing myself from certain friendships, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to reflect from a distance and do some much-needed housekeeping in my relationship department. Random acts of kindness. I have always been the one to pilot random acts of kindness but on our road trip somehow the tables have turned and I have been the recipient of such warmth and goodness from complete strangers. Some examples: Through Instagram, I "met" locals in Portland who went above and beyond to send me the most detailed itinerary for our visit to Oregon. I'm talking a megillah's worth of information and recommendations. The time she took into sharing her favorite locations, answering my many questions, and supporting our travels along the way really warmed my heart and I will always remember this thoughtful gesture. Our Airbnb hostess in Coeur d'Alene was simply unbelievable. To have a stranger check in on you so often, welcome you so warmly, and approach you with such love is not so common. I guess this is how we strangers quickly became friends. When Feedspot contacted me to let me know they selected my blog as Top 25 Road Trip Blogs of 2020, well... I couldn't imagine anything more kindhearted from people I have never met. Somewhere, across the globe in Ukraine, is another mother of three children who has reached out to me with such sweet words, an authentic heart, words of encouragement, and oddly has read my mind a few times. I have learned that there are hundreds of strangers around us on a regular basis that are ready to make a mark on our lives. If we are open to others and approach them with a warm heart, it is remarkable how much tenderness comes back our way. Although I have always believed in this theory, 2020 has emphasized this idea even more in my daily life. Since I am a chatty one, I find myself speaking to random people more than ever, especially since we are mostly around strangers on our road trip, bringing me to the conclusion that most people are pretty awesome. An extra year with my kids. 2020 gifted me an entire year spent with my kids. Just as I began to cry at how quickly the years have flown by and how soon they would be leaving the house, Covid hit, blessing us with having our children by our side from morning till night for an entire school year. Only 2020 could have made this happen and I am so deeply grateful for this outcome. A hubby that brings me coffee to bed. Before I open both eyes each morning, I have a wonderful husband who brings me a freshly roasted cup of coffee to bed. I mean, this new 2020 custom is by far my favorite new tradition. More opportunities to read. Usually, reading is reserved for summers because I just can't consistently fit reading into my normal daily schedule. Nowadays, with "normal schedules" out the window, I have been able to read on an ongoing basis for the past several months. I have read such fantastic books and my desire to read only continues to grow. Bigger dreams, fewer fears. 2020 taught me that anything can change at any moment. It has also shown me a way of living in the present by forcefully removing any ability to make future plans. Learning how easily anything can change or be taken away has taught me to face my fears and have new experiences I would have never ever engaged in previously. Nowadays, I think to myself "I'm going to die, I may as well try X before I do". I grasp on to life even more tightly than ever by experiencing as much as I can both inside and outside my comfort zone. 2020 pushed me outside my comfort zone more than ever. Unapologetic perspective. I am no longer apologetic for people's asinine behavior nor am I apologetic for my own. 2020 has taught me that I thrive best with people who are on the same frequency as I am and that it's best to tune out those who are not. It also taught me to stop being so hard on myself. Survival. We survived 2020. Holy Moly, it was an uphill battle, one that made us warriors and showed us what we can and cannot handle. It was rough but like a Spartan race that kicks you in the ass like no other, it feels so good to get through the finish line stronger and more ready to take on another challenge than ever before. In 2021 things won't be back to normal. But what is normal? Where we are now in our own lives is our new normal. Whether the upcoming year will be good or bad is really up to how we perceive it. Many people actually had an extraordinary 2020 and that's because these people committed to making the best of a situation (and please don't say "that's because they have a trust-fund or no kids/more freedom" or some other ridiculous comment that is self-victimizing and will never get you out of your rut). With the right mindset and willingness to accept what the year ahead throws our way, good and bad, it will also be equally possible to have an incredible 2021. Wishing you all the deepest findings and lessons about yourselves, many adventures, the conquering of your fears, the courage to love others, and most importantly lots of health and happiness. Please share with me what the Coronacoaster of 2020 has taught you and if you think it was a wonderful or horrible year!

It's been 169 days of driving through the USA discovering some truly incredible places in a country that I have newly fallen madly in love with. Becoming a student of the USA roads has also transformed me into a student of life. There are a few valuable lessons I picked up over the past five months on the road that have helped me navigate my own personal journey. Below, I share them with you. 1) Time goes by, really fast. Yes, we all know this cliche all too well. I hoped that by slowing down and eliminating some time-consuming factors in our lives that time would pass more slowly. This certainly is not the case. Five months have passed in the blink of an eye and we have now been traveling for three seasons. What I have learned is that it doesn't matter how much or how little you do on a daily basis, time slips by all the same. Rather than fall victim to its pace, view your time as an asset, and invest in it well. If you do, twenty years from now will yield you a great return of warm memories and wonderful experiences. Also, don't push off the things you want to accomplish because the only guarantee you have is the time you have right now. Beyond this, there are no promises. 2) Material things are a nuisance. Our apartment in Manhattan has been sitting empty since March with closets jam-packed with clothes that haven't been worn for nine months along with countless storage bins, cabinets that hold collections of items purchased over travels, and sentimental trinkets we have held onto that abound in various nooks. And then there is all the furniture; beds unslept in, chairs cold from lack of contact, shelves with hundreds of books untouched for almost one year... Yet for over five months we have been traveling with just a suitcase each and have somehow had everything we need. When I think about possibly leaving New York City I cringe at the thought of how much we have accumulated and how much we'd need to pack or get rid of. Stuff doesn't matter. At all. If anything, "things" often cause attachments and hold people back from fulfilling their potential. Before you buy something, ask yourself why you are making that purchase. Of course, sometimes it is nice to treat ourselves to something that we fancy or buy a gift for someone we love but more often than not we overbuy, overconsume and overspend on stuff. Trust me, in the end, it just weighs you down. Spend your money on making memories that will last a lifetime. 3) You won't change just because you change your environment. Whether I am in Milan or Marfa or Montana I am still faced with the same triggers. My kids will say something that sets me off and I have the same reactions as I did five months ago in New York City as I have today in Jackson Hole. We'd like to believe that a lengthy getaway will miraculously make all our internal strifes disappear but that's not the case. There is a temporary relief of these burdens when traveling but permanent progress requires a lot of work and has nothing to do with where you are in the world. A change in environment can change your perspectives or inspire you to try new things but it won't change those deep routed patterns of thought that take a lot of effort, patience, and time to work through and are no easier to mend in Tahiti than they would be in your living room. 4) The more you allow yourself to dream the more likely it is that your dreams will come true. Once I got over my initial fears of taking this road trip, I began to allow my mind to wander with vivid imagery of where in the United States I'd love to visit. The more I visualized us visiting a city or a site, the stronger the connection with that place became, and therefore the likelihood of arriving there increased. I never ever thought we would embark on an epic road trip until I began to truly visualize it into reality. 5) Money certainly helps, but it isn't everything. It is so easy to fall into the trap of saving. Saving for a downpayment on a house, saving for a rainy day, saving for college funds, saving for a vacation, etc. We are conditioned to save and save and save while we spend our lives away saving for a moment in time that doesn't even exist yet. I'm not saying to blow all our money away, I'm suggesting that you stop worrying about saving for later so that you can start focusing on enjoying life now. So maybe we are saving a lot less this year and not investing as much in our kids' college funds but we are using our money to live our best lives now. Who knows if colleges will even exist by the time our kids are due to apply? 6) Saying sorry goes a long way. I've been making a huge effort to connect with the people I interact with throughout this road trip journey. I can honestly say I have been a pleasant company to the folks I've been meeting. However, when we arrived in Jackson, tired after a very long day, I had a not-so-little attitude with the receptionist who messed up our booking. I felt really bad for losing my cool and later made an effort to find her in the lobby to apologize. Saying "I'm sorry" was such an incredibly easy way to free me of my guilt over my bad behavior while also bringing a smile to her face. Two words. Use them more often. 7) Nature is healing. So much of the personal healing I have done has been a direct result of connecting with nature which taught me firsthand the art of humility, the infinite miracles all around us, and the divine intelligence that makes our earth a wondrous place. As a city girl, the closest I got to nature was seeing the Hudson River out my window. Nowadays, I can't imagine not having a stroll on the beach or a walk through a forest or a hike on a mountain in my life regularly. Get outside more and connect with nature. She has a hell of a lot more valuable lessons to share than I do. 8) Praying works magic. Once you regularly witness the miracles around you it's impossible not to take a few moments out of the day to recount those miracles and connect with the energy source that creates them. Whether you call it G-d, divine intelligence, the energy of the universe...whatever you call it, acknowledge it often. I've experienced firsthand how when I acknowledge the blessings around me with profound gratitude, the more they come my way and to the world around me. 9) Change is good. Really good. Many people are scared of change but I personally believe it is one of the most important criteria we should strive for in life. Change helps us evolve as human beings. Change forces us to learn how to adapt to new situations. Change ensures we don't grow stagnant and complacent. Make sure you include a change of environment, job, perspectives, and people in your lives. Don't stay the same, no matter how awesome you are because we can always get even better, learn more skills, travel to more places, meet more people... 10) Be in the moment. This helps the time go a tiny bit slower. When we're not using our present time to plan for our future we are able to be more connected to the current moment and not be preoccupied with a point in time that does not even exist yet. Covid-19 has really taught me to think one month at a time, anything beyond that has no room in my planning bandwidth. Not thinking so far ahead also has helped ease any anxiety I've had around the future (i.e. unknown). Knowing that I can't control what happens one year from now helps me shape more delicately what I can control right now. I look forward to looking back on this post five months from now to see what other lessons await me in the months ahead. What important lessons have you learned recently? Shoot me an email or a chat message, I'd love to learn from you (and with you).

Luck: Success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one's own action (google dictionary). Luck. Let's together be more aware of how we use this word to define ourselves and others. Am I extra lucky to have embarked on this once-in-a-lifetime traveling adventure? Or perhaps I was destined to do so? Is it possible that I played a direct role in the outcome of how my family chose to handle the pandemic? Is it feasible that this grand experience was left to chance? Filled with gratitude, I have been wondering for days, how or why some are so "lucky" while others seem to get the raw end of the stick. Robert De Niro famously said, "the talent is in the choices". I have come to the conclusion that the choices we make are the ones that ultimately carry us to the places that we end up. But those good choices are best made when we act on instinct and listen to our intuition, which is how I think G-d communicates with us. (I don't want to scare anyone off with the semantics here, so I will use G-d, the universe, and the supreme energy source interchangeably because, in my opinion, they all are the same exact thing.) When I got married at the young age of twenty-one, my husband wanted to leave Miami and move to New York City. Initially, I said no. I was afraid to leave home, I was afraid of the unknown, and I was afraid of how we would survive in the notoriously difficult city with no money or income. For the next few months, my attention kept being pulled back to relocating but was always quickly shushed loudly by my trepidations. I continued to toss the idea until I finally realized that my intuition was sending me strong signals to make the move. And so we did. So, were we lucky to have made a life for ourselves in New York City? Was it the ability to tune in with the messages that the universe was sending me that allowed us to take a big risk and jump into the unknown with only a leap of faith? How would our lives have turned out if I listened to my fearful voices and not the calling of the energy source that was pulling me to the northeast? Similarly, when I first suggested taking this road trip to my husband, I never thought he'd jump on the idea. As soon as I realized that he seriously wanted to pursue months on the road, I started to pull back. More fears. How much would this cost us? How would this affect the kids? What if we catch Covid-19 because one of the hotels or homes we would rent wasn't thoroughly sanitized? What if we got stuck in a big city during more riots? What if the country ran out of toilet paper again and we'd be far from the safety stash we were storing at home? The anxiety kept creeping into my ability to clearly see what an incredible opportunity we could create for our family. Once more, I ultimately listened to my gut. My inner voice told me to trust in the universe and follow its leads. And so we did. These are only two examples of thousands more where I almost didn't move forward with something which ended up being a huge blessing. On the other hand, there are also thousands of bad decisions I have made over the years that have carried repercussions with them because I acted on impulse and didn't sit still long enough to connect with my intuition. In either scenario, I don't think I was lucky or unlucky. Instead, I think I either made good or poor decisions. If we keep allowing those fears and negative voices to dominate our lives and clout our abilities to think optimally and make good choices, then we are not unlucky- we are just making poor decisions and as a result, we perpetuate a cycle of bad outcomes for ourselves. I have always taught my children that humans are born with a real superpower, one that is as awesome as the ones their favorite superheroes have: you guessed it, we are born with the superpower of intuition. Everyone has it, everyone. Some just listen to it more than others. Some have ignored their gut so long it rarely speaks up anticipating being ignored once more. Many have even shared with me that they can't recognize whether their voice of fear is actually derived from the fear itself or from their intuition telling them to avoid the thing in question and as a result, they feel lost. An ability to relent is crucial. When trusting that the universe has the best intentions for us we place ourselves in a vulnerable position. But when we let go of the thoughts, the ones that want to hold us back from accomplishing so much, and we tune in to the source of energy within us, we begin to realize that we have choices to make that impact our lives. We need to let go of control and trust that our positive energy will attract the positive energy of the universe. If we want the decisions to yield successful results we need to trust our inner voices and thank G-d/the universe/the supreme energy source etc that it speaks to us, promise to follow its lead, and thank it each and every day for guiding us to where we are and where we are headed. This is probably the most important relationship we can nurture in our lives. Think about your brain as a computer. Whatever you input affects the outcome. If we keep telling ourselves we can't, well then...we won't. We can't then revert to convincing ourselves that we are unlucky because the things we hope for never manifest. We consciously make the choice to hinder ourselves by telling ourselves that we cannot access a goal, a dream, a desire. The vicious cycle begins once we persuade ourselves of our seemingly bad fortune which places us in the role of victimhood again and again and again. Consider the people you personally know who are perpetuating specific patterns through their choices. There are some who thrive on the drama in their lives. Somehow, they can't see that they are choosing to have friction in their lives by not making the choice to remove themselves from these dramatic situations. Are they unlucky to have so much conflict around them or have they made bad choices that continuously allow drama to surround them? What about those who have convinced themselves they cannot splurge on superfluous luxuries that they think they cannot afford because they have become so trapped in the idea of saving money? Are they unlucky or have they made the choice to save for the future rather than enjoy the present moment? We all know folks who have convinced themselves they have no money and therefore are bound to a life full of struggle. I personally know people who may not have enough money to get them through the next month but they are still happy, see the blessings they do have, and are able to enjoy their lives fully. Even with financial struggles, they choose to be happy and so they are. We all are familiar with others who are examples of those who make intentional, or unintentional, choices to continue specific cycles in their lives. But what about ourselves? It is crucial that we find the patterns that we have created in our own lives, good and bad, and make the deliberate choice to break free from the ones that hold us back from reaching our potential and fulfilling our dreams. There have been many strifes in my life along with the many blessings. Three c-sections, two knee surgeries, a very difficult pregnancy, thyroid nodules that won't stop growing, friends who have taken ridiculous advantage of me... but I insist that these circumstances played out the way the universe planned them to. Rather than dwell on the heartache I choose to see the positives in these difficult situations as well. My c-sections gave me three beautiful children, my tragic pregnancy brought me a daughter I may not have had otherwise, my knee surgeries give me an excuse to opt out of skiing allowing me time for myself while my family enjoys the slopes, my thyroid nodules force me to focus on my health, and the realization of letting bad people into my life pushed me to clean up my circle of friends. There are way more extreme cases that I grapple with understanding: children born with diseases, people born into circumstances that seemingly have no hope, etc. There are horrible life events that are difficult to fathom but I still don't believe they are merely a result of chance. Unfair, yes. Unlucky, I am not so sure. There is a greater force, an energy, that propels us into certain circumstances that test us, and even end us, when its been decided that our time has come to an end. It is hard to work through those negative voices that perpetuate in our minds but we must remember that they are separate from our true essence. When they enter we must simply politely invite them to leave so that we can stay connected to our ultimate truth. I guess it is easy to reference luck if we have no authentic connection to the laws of the universe and the power of the divine energy around us. But, for those who do have a spiritual connection to the greater power, I hope by sharing this you can see that there is no way luck exists when you truly believe in a greater force that ultimately responds to the way we respond to it. Do you believe in luck? Please drop me a note, I'd love to hear others' perspectives!

Admittedly, Idaho was never on our radar. Ignorantly, we thought it was just a place where potatoes grow on never-ending farmland and as a result, we just never had it on our list as a travel destination. If it weren't for this road trip we would have missed this place entirely. During winter, Coeur d'Alene is a winter wonderland. The scenery is striking with snow-kissed trees reflecting on Lake Coeur d'Alene and a town center that is festively lit up for the holidays. If you're looking for a place with lots of shopping, a solid culinary scene, and ample outdoor adventures, then Coeur d'Alene is a perfect destination for you! On another note, coming here from our last road trip stop in Seattle, where composting is strongly encouraged, we were sad to see that there are not even basic recycling laws in Coeur d'Alene. This was the first town we have visited where our rental home did not offer a separate trash can for recyclable items nor was an outdoor bin for garbage removal designated for recycling. Implementing recycling into trash removal is such a simple way to help our earth and I find it to be pretty irresponsible of the city's leadership to not take on this initiative. I must also point out that if we didn't contract Covid-19 in Idaho, I don't think we ever will catch the crazy little critter. Idaho is a special place in our country that blatantly denies, or resists, the fact that there is an extremely contagious virus floating around. By far, this sweet lake town, along with some other nearby cities in Idaho that I note below, is the biggest culprit of ignoring Covid safety guidelines. Throughout our road trip, even in the laxest cities, we have yet to encounter a city where the employees are unmasked along with the customers. We were shocked to walk into so many places to find an entire society of unmasked people openly denouncing the current state of affairs in our country. In fact, one of the locals told me that most places in Idaho will not let folks in until they remove their masks. Can you imagine? As our kids said, "this doesn't make any sense!!"We often felt uncomfortable in our surroundings and found ourselves canceling plans and reservations that we made because we just didn't want to risk catching anything. Look, we're not scared of dying from the virus per se. Statistically, it just doesn't make sense to walk around fearing death by Coronavirus but who wants to get sick while they're traveling? I don't want any of us dealing with even a slight fever while we are trying to enjoy our road trip and so, therefore, I just won't put my family at risk by placing them around a bunch of people who deny the contagiousness of this nasty little virus. All this aside, Coeur d'Alene beautifully captures a small American town feel while boasting a gorgeous lake and snow-capped mountain peaks. Idahoans are warm, friendly, bubbly people; probably one of the friendliest folks we have encountered throughout the country. If we enjoyed it this much in the winter, I can only imagine how fun it is over the summer when the lake opens up to water sports, swimming, and even more visitors. Don't underestimate Idaho, we haven't seen one potato in our two weeks here. Below are the eight top places to visit while in the area: 1- Downtown Coeur d'Alene 2- The Coeur d'Alene Resort 3- Beverly's 4- Leavenworth, WA 5- Schweitzer Mountain 6- Sandpoint 7- Spokane, WA 8- Tubbs Hill Trail Downtown Coeur d'Alene This vibrant downtown, festively lit for the holiday season and bustling with folks strolling its sidewalks, lures visitors with its charming stores and dozens of restaurants. Murals and sculptures are woven into the streets along with five sculptures along the Mudgy Moose Trail celebrating the "Mudgy & Millie" children's book written by a local. Along with the thoughtfully curated shops, cafes, and artistic flare, there is an inviting boardwalk along the water. At night downtown lights up and creates an entirely different, but equally attractive, atmosphere. Day or night, this is a wonderfully clean and well-preserved downtown with lots to see, eat and enjoy! Surprisingly, Coeur D'Alene has a pretty fantastic food scene. The town center and surrounding areas have many well-reviewed restaurants to choose from. The problem we faced was finding the food establishments where the service staff wore masks and health safety measures were implemented. Crafted Tap House & Kitchen (I do not recommend dining here during the pandemic) For $80 diners can rent a private, outdoor, heated igloo to enjoy their dinner in. I thought this would be a fun dining experience while ensuring we were in our own space to eat worry-free. We were undeterred when the hostess who escorted us to our igloo was not wearing her mask as we were distracted by our cute igloo which was set up with a little fireplace, Christmas tree, and festive lights. After admiring our environment, and wiping down the table/menus/silverware, we started reviewing the menu which offers plenty of creative vegan options in addition to dozens of meat-based items with catchy titles like "hey, lama, hey, how about a little something, you know, for the effort, you know?". Yup, this is the name for their impossible burger dish, which two in my party ordered except they just said "I'll have an impossible burger". We were enjoying reading through the many enticing options when our waiter came into our enclosed, circulation-free igloo unmasked! Robotically, all five of us pulled out our masks and put them on as fast as we could. It has been months since we have been in such close, unmasked proximity with someone outside our crew of five. We were really appalled by the restaurant's lack of concern to keep its patrons safe and just could not believe what we were experiencing. To make matters worse, as if being exposed to two maskless people in our enclosed space wasn't enough, we had two other serves come in, also mask-free, to help deliver our food. For the first time during our travels, I felt unsafe, and like I placed my family in a dangerous situation. Finally, I couldn't bite my tongue any longer and asked the server not to come in again until we are all done eating so that we can eat peacefully without having to put on our masks continuously due to the non-stop foot traffic. He was understanding and for the rest of his interactions he kept a far distance from us but he never put his mask on. Such a shame we could not fully enjoy our dinner because the food was actually really delicious and the igloo was adorable. It's just hard to enjoy yourself when you realize you are directly exposing yourself and your family to a virus that you have so carefully been keeping away from. In retrospect, we should have just left once we realized what was going on. Although we did not walk out, moving forward I called each restaurant that I made reservations at to find out what safety measures they implement. Doing so ensured that we would not be thrown off guard again and would allow us to cancel reservations at any establishment that is living in a Covid-free la la land in their mind. Bardenay (I do not recommend dining here during the pandemic) Bardenay is the nation's first restaurant distillery. Their distillery equipment is proudly encased in a glass viewing area as guests enter the restaurant. The staff was attentive and friendly and the food was really good. My sweet potato and black bean chimichanga was actually delicious and inspired me to play with this combination of ingredients in my own kitchen. The restaurant was very lively during lunch and the tables were well distanced. My only qualm was that our waiter wore his mask half-ass with his nose fully exposed the entire time. Overall, this is a solid lunch option while scoping out the area but check it out once we all move past this virus or when the restaurant better trains their staff on proper safety guidelines. The Coeur D'Alene Resort This upscale hotel overlooking the town's alpine lake is an extremely popular lodging choice for those visiting the area who want dazzling views, an easy walk to downtown Coeur D'Alene and a full-service hotel. When we visited, the resort was elegantly decorated for the holiday season. The hotel is well-known for its annual holiday light show ceremony which was canceled this year due to the rampant virus. Despite not having a large ceremony this year, the spectacular lights continued to light up the grounds of the property drawing in many visitors. The lobby is modern and quite striking with ample seating areas, many by a roaring fire. It was crowded when we arrived. Most visitors were dutifully wearing their masks, but not all. There is a thermal scanner station that checks the temperature of all those who enter the hotel which we noted and appreciated. The check-in desks were pretty hopping proving once more that many are opting to continue traveling despite the health crisis. They have an extremely attractive outdoor area with plastic igloos for those who would like to dine privately overlooking the lit-up lake. Really, the hotel is simply put a great option for lodging, dining, or sipping cocktails during happy hour in one of their many bars. Beverly's On the seventh floor of the hotel awaits an elegant, fine dining restaurant with great fare, service, and views. We were seated at a spacious booth overlooking the lake. On the pricey side, the restaurant draws many who come to celebrate a milestone. There were three parties celebrating a birthday during our visit. The restaurant helps celebrate by bringing out a huge, roll of blue cotton candy topped with a sparkling candle. Underneath the sugar ball is a scoop of vanilla ice-cream. I kinda wished it was my birthday too! The large dining room was pretty packed on an early Thursday evening making me sad for my fellow New Yorkers who own restaurants that were never given a chance to survive with all the restrictions imposed on them during 2020. People are clearly out, looking for ways to enjoy their lives, and are willing to spend some cash in the process. It makes me happy to see that businesses are able to continue to thrive in certain parts of the country. In terms of safety measures, the staff at Beverly's were all masked, hand sanitizers were available at each table, and there was naturally enough distancing between each table. We all thoroughly enjoyed the ahi poke, fried calamari, Caesar salad, truffle fries, mushroom risotto, and burgers that we ordered. Definitely add this to your list of restaurants to dine in while in the area. Leavenworth, WA If you suddenly get the itch for a Bavarian village with alpine-style architecture, great beer, and Cascade Mountain vistas, head to Leavenworth. Less than an hour's drive from Coeur d'Alene will transport you to as authentic of a Germanic town as you could ever dream of while neighboring Idaho. Apparently, many others in the vicinity longed for a taste of Germany too as the town was packed the day we visited. People were jamming the closed-off streets waiting in lines for bear claws and schnitzels. The Bavarian village was a great escape from the crazy politics that have been dominating American lives and championed a distraction from this raucous with a lively atmosphere, great food options, street-lined markets, and outdoor music. You really will feel a world away here. Schweitzer Mountain This endearing mountain resort is just a ninety-minute drive from Coeur D'Alene and what a stunning drive up the mountain it is! Since the snowy scene by the lake was washed away by recent rain we were thrilled to visit a mountain blanketed in snow that presented a magnificent winter wonderland. Although we didn't ski, we definitely enjoyed the views and a delicious hot chocolate at Gourmandie, an adorable gourmet coffee and wine shop with great service in the village. The village is quite small compared to other resorts and lacks the restaurants, bars, and fun shops you would normally find at other ski towns but regardless, the views and energy of the eager skiers were worthy of a visit. We noted that the mountain had large signs stating that masks and social distancing were required upon entering yet once again, in true Idaho fashion, people were cramped in a long line waiting for the ski lifts. Staff members, like the parking attendants, didn't wear their masks either. I sure hope that the ski destinations we are soon visiting will prove to be more responsible and aware than the ones in the state of Idaho. Sandpoint Just one hour away from Coeur D'Alene lies a town that is known as "the most beautiful small town in America". Just steps from Lake Pend Oreille, which in the summer is known as Sandpoint City Beach Park, and with mountain views throughout, this town offers dozens of locally owned artisan shops with alluringly decorated storefronts. Cedar Street Bridge Public Market is one example of the town's willingness to embrace and support artists by showcasing many of their creations in an enclosed market. We didn't enter because as I've already mentioned, the majority of folks in Idaho insist on leaving their masks at home. However, we were able to enjoy some great art at the outdoor Galaxy Gallery, an entire alleyway decorated with striking murals drawn by local high school students. Since the town is rather large we still found it enjoyable to stroll its sidewalks and admire the festive decorations even if we couldn't actually enter the stores to admire the goods firsthand. For lunch, we made a reservation at Trinity at City Beach. We were hesitant to book a table at a restaurant in a Best Western Hotel as they aren't exactly known for their food scenes. The reviews were the best in the area and we were quite pleased with the service, exquisite views, and surprisingly delicious food! In all, for those who love to shop and get lost in a leisurely wander, Sandpoint will surely have their expectations met. In fact, we could have easily spent a few hours in this town if it weren't for all the folks refusing to don their masks which kept us out of the many enticing shops that make up the unique character and charm of this place. Spokane, WA Only thirty minutes away, Spokane is a must-visit while in Coeur D'Alene. Although its downtown shopping area is nothing to write home about, its waterfront park and uber food scene make this a wonderful city for a day trip. In 2019 Spokane was ranked as the top ten new foodie cities and has attracted many creative chefs to boost its culinary scene. There are also plentiful hiking trails just outside of downtown for those choosing to bond with nature. Don't get deterred by the commercialized overload on Main Street in downtown. Instead, just drive right past it and enjoy the other wonderful offerings the city has to share! Huntington Park is a delightful waterfront park in the heart of downtown with wonderful views of the Spokane Falls running through the Monroe Street Bridge as gondolas scurry in and out of the bridge's arches. A five-minute walk from Huntington Park is Riverfront Park which is probably one of the nicer parks we have yet to see in a large city. The park has a large ice skating rink, lots of art sculptures, fantastic views of the Spokane River and the city's many bridges, free horse-drawn carriage rides, holiday festive décor, and many well-kept paths to wander and explore. Most of the restaurants in town were closed as we visited on the afternoon of Christmas Eve. Luckily, we found Yards open and eager to serve their all-day brunch menu which was incredibly delicious. My huevos rancheros were so scrumptious that my son and husband couldn't keep their forks off it despite the fact that they gobbled up their chicken po boy and fried chicken waffle entrees. I definitely recommend a meal here while in town. Across the street from Yards is a family-operated winery with a classy interior that offers outdoor seating along the Spokane River. Maryhill Winery grows its grapes in the Willamette Valley (see my Portland, OR post for more on this region) and brings a tasting room to the heart of Spokane. We purchased two of their award-winning bottles: a 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon and a 2017 Maker's Red (a blend of Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc). The striking notes in each were easily noted and truly appreciated, especially while we sipped them by a blaring fire at home. Nine miles outside of the downtown area makes for an easy escape from city life and into instant serenity mode on the trails of River Side Park. We opted for the two-mile loop on the Bowl & Pitcher Trail which I momentarily second-guessed when we learned that the only way to get to it is by crossing a wooden suspension bridge. Quickly shedding my normal fears of wobbly bridges at tall heights, I made my way across and even stopped to admire the breathtaking views of the Spokane River flowing below me as it fiercely crashed into the rocks that were in its way. The trail is easy, well-marked, and truly offers stunning views, mainly on the loop back as it hugs the river along the way. 7- Tubbs Hill Trail We had the best time hiking the Tubbs Hill Trail just outside downtown. The two-mile hike loop, although moderate with a 400-foot incline that is extra difficult to drudge through in snow, was breathtaking from start to finish. Along the way, we shared the trail with a chicken, a turkey, and pretty epic views of Lake Coeur d'Alene. It's easy to imagine that this hike is stunning in every season. Airbnb We spent a lot of time in this house listed on Airbnb as "Safe Private waterfront! Close to 4 ski stations" (gosh I wish Airbnb just had property ID numbers for reference sake!). After lots of running around, we needed a place where we could rejuvenate and relax during the holiday season and this was the perfect choice as the house was packed with charm, attention to detail, and gorgeous lake views. As an added bonus the home was festively decorated adding to its coziness. The hostess, Katherine, is a wonderful woman who left a delicious welcome spread by a lit fire to greet us as we checked in. She and I quickly connected at the time of booking, months before we even arrived. We chatted via text often and fortunately had the opportunity to meet in person as well. I can now say that I have a friend in Idaho - one that made our stay extra special and one I hope to keep in touch with. Meeting kindred spirits along our road trip journey has been a gift I cherish deeply; a gift that truly adds to the beautiful memories we make along the way. I included more pictures than usual of this home because we spent an unusual amount of time being home. This lakehouse served us well and met all our needs as a restful, relaxing retreat to reenergize. Unexpectedly, this may be one of our favorite road trip home rentals since we unwound, sipped on hot chocolates by the fire, played family games, and engaged in a ton of cooking and baking like nowhere else on this trip. Cooking Oh how much cooking and baking took place in this Idaho kitchen! With two fireplaces going, and panoramic snowy white landscapes, all we could think about is food. Since cooking is one of my favorite hobbies, I enjoyed more than ever preparing countless meals in our gorgeous surroundings. Most cities we have visited offered Instacart delivery making grocery shopping super convenient. There were only a couple of places we visited, like St. George and Gold Beach, that did not provide this service. I was surprised that a small town like Coeur D'Alene would have grocery delivery. With the snowy and rainy weather, the delivery service made our culinary lives that much easier. It's so true that winter naturally packs on the pounds. For the first time, I have welcomed them on my body knowing they are not just a result of sustenance, they are now here to keep my body warm and my palate pleased while also preparing my body for the colder temperatures that lie ahead as we sfurther venture into winter destinations. One of the many aspects I am most grateful for during our road trip is the opportunity to share hundreds of meals with my family over the past several months. Never would it have been an option in our lives to sit at a table together to share multiple meals a day. I cherish all the moments we shared huddled around a table, chewing, conversating, and just spending as much time together as possible. Nikko Some of our favorite memories in Idaho were comprised of the unpredictable times Nikko would show up at our door. As soon as we heard his bark declaring that he has arrived we all ran to the door welcoming him in to shower him with love and snacks. We have no idea who this collared dog belongs to or where he came from but we have made so many wonderful memories around his visits. Each day we awaited his arrival with much anticipation and were disappointed when he did not make an appearance. We found ourselves wondering a lot about the life of this sweet dog but mostly we found ourselves wondering if he would show up on our door on a given day. When he did come by we were all just smitten by his presence. It's funny how when you're on the road for months on end moving around at a swift pace that staying put for just sixteen days feels like an eternity. I appreciated the needed downtime but I admit, I am itching to get back on the road to continue our explorations of this magical country. If it were up to me, I would move through cities at a quicker pace or if we hunker down for longer, I need warmer weather and more sun. Although I enjoyed the cooking, baking, reading, and captivating landscapes out our windows, I am clearly not a homebody. Through this road trip, I have discovered how adventurous I really am and how much I truly crave discovering new places and connecting with nature; all new realizations I would have never learned about myself had we just stayed back in New York City. I mean, really, who would have ever, ever thought we'd end up in Idaho for two weeks? Once you get a taste of what is available, it is hard to pass on the opportunities to devour more experiences. There is no way to know what is available though without getting out there. Thank you, Idaho for teaching us how much more you have to offer than just potatoes.

Jackson Hole is flowing with energy, even in the deepest of winter. I am obsessed with the rhythm of this town - it's insane food scene on par with New York City's delicious culinary culture, its even-keeled "purple" political climate, its unavoidable immersion in nature with mountain peaks at every turn, the large snowflakes that never cease falling from the blue skies, and the fit lifestyle embedded into the daily routines of the extremely friendly locals who are always outdoors. A population of 20,000 people seems to be the sweet spot of happy living with enough people to create a harmonious balance of ample social scenes yet enough space to find solitude. Everyone here complies with mask-wearing rules, everyone. We never felt unsafe due to a lack of safety measures as they were implemented wherever we went - indoors and outdoors. Although skiing is the biggest draw here in the winter, there is still so much to explore beyond the mountain sport. I don't ski and found myself always yearning to explore more than I was able to. Below is my carefully selected summary of what to see and do in Jackson, where to eat and lodge in Jackson, and just an overall perspective of life in Jackson Hole in my eight short days here. Skiing in Jackson Hole: There are two main mountains in Jackson Hole: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and Snow King. The former is in Teton Village, approximately fifteen miles outside of downtown Jackson and is the more popular ski/snowboard destination offering 133 glorious trails to shred. The latter is conveniently located in downtown Jackson, offering night skiing, tubing, and the steepest vertical run in North America, alluring to advanced skiers, but only offers thirty-two trails. At the summit's 10,500 altitude level, Jackson Hole Mountain has the most gorgeous views available. On a clear day, you can view mountain ranges for miles ahead, including the omnipotent Grand Teton Range. The snow was always perfectly powdery during our stay making for ideal skiing. My family raved about the views, trails, and conditions during the five days they hit the slopes. Teton Village, where Jackson Hole Mountain is located, is small and unimpressive. Despite the easy access to the slopes, I personally do not recommend staying in Teton as downtown Jackson has so much more to offer and is where all the action is. Teton has your basic ski gear shops, a couple of cafes, and The Four Seasons Hotel, which is the biggest draw here outside of the slopes. There really isn't much else to do in the area and you will find yourself venturing into downtown Jackson often. The Four Seasons does have a great bar, The Handle Bar, that has an overflowing patio with space heaters. Even in the dead of winter, the outdoor seating was packed with a long wait time for seating. Instead, we sat at the indoor bar where the bartender prepared a magnificent mezcal margarita to enjoy along with one of the best nachos we ever dug into. Should you decide to stay in Teton Village, I definitely recommend lodging at The Four Seasons. The hotel masters the exclusivity here that it is known for in its other locations. Although The Handle Bar has a crowd mainly comprised of non-hotel guests, you will find a very serene space in the other areas of the hotel where you won't have to share the space with hundreds of others who have nothing else to do in Teton. If you aren't visiting with your own ski gear, make sure to rent your equipment through Black Tie Ski Rentals of Jackson Hole. They make life super easy by meeting you at your hotel/home for a fitting and drop off of the equipment and will also pick up the gear from your location at a time that is most convenient for you. The owner of the Jackson Hole location, Scott, is extremely helpful and fun to chat with. We hired this company in Big Sky as well and have been very pleased with the professional service they deliver. Best Nature Excursions in Jackson Hole: 1) You MUST book a Wildlife Adventure tour with Ecotours Adventures. Our outstanding guide, Verlin, picked us up at our hotel and greeted us with a basket filled with delicious snacks and a pair of professional binoculars for each of us. We drove for hours through Teton National Park spotting beavers, bald eagles, bighorn sheep, elks, bison, and moose through the most majestic winter landscape. I seriously felt like we were in a magical snowglobe with creatures that only exist in fairytales sharing our mythical space each time the globe was shaken. Verlin got us as close as possible to the miraculous creatures that appeared before us and when some were further out of view his awesome scope made us feel just a few feet away. Even more fun were the hatches in the van that let us pop out of the roof on a whim to catch an animal that spontaneously appeared. As a bonus when we arrived at Jenny Lake we met the nicest couple who shared their sled with us so the kids can sled down steep hills right into the frozen lake. What a memorable adventure this tour was! 2) On a clear day, which is often the case in Jackson Hole, hop in your car and drive over to Teton Lookout Point, approximately 40 minutes outside of Jackson. The ride will delight you with spectacular views of The Grand Tetons the entire way. Seeing them so vividly was extremely exhilarating and profoundly moving. There aren't enough words to describe their beauty. Go see them for yourselves and you will understand the natural high they will bring into your life. 3) Elk Refuge Road, ten minutes outside Jackson, guarantees encounters with bighorn sheep. On both visits, we got cozy with these local beauties who so delicately make their way grazing through the greens along the road. They are comfortable around humans but don't get too close, they are wild animals after all. Respect their space and admire them from a few feet away. They are incredible to watch in their natural habitat. Jackson: So, what is the difference between Jackson and Jackson Hole? People usually refer to the general area as Jackson Hole, which technically includes the entire area of Teton, Wilson, and downtown Jackson. Jackson is the main hub surrounding the downtown area. Now, you can correctly refer to these specific places like a true local! I can totally imagine living in Jackson and never getting bored. The town is my favorite ski resort destination by far. It's honestly impossible not to fall in love with all it offers. Downtown's architecture is quaint and beautifully lit up at night. There are always people out, window shopping, and strolling through the streets. Upon entering the many upscale shops and galleries I instantly recognized a Manhattan chicness to them, learning later that there are many New York transplants here. The stores are all designed and curated so well I got lost browsing through their shelves. Also, downtown has dozens of incredible restaurants. All of this is available while being surrounded by mountain ranges which I found quite humbling as I perused mittens that were a couple of hundred bucks. It's always nice to have nature put you in check and remind you to put your wallet away and get your hiking boots out. The vistas, as you roam the sidewalks, are truly outstanding, and invite you to stop shopping and start hiking. I really love this place. It's a year-round destination that draws more than 2.5 million visitors each year. I already have it in mind for a summer visit soon so that we can explore all it has to offer in warmer weather. One day, when the kids are off to college, I and my husband will spend a few months here when we live our best nomadic lives. We will be back. The main strip of town, on Broadway, and its surrounding streets are packed with unique retail shops that required me to exercise my will power. I could list dozens of stores that retained my attention. Instead, I will share two that really stood out. Pearls by Sari exhudes priciness but I was really surprised by the $80 price tag of the bracelet I was eyeing and ultimately purchased. Don't be deterred by its expensive looking image. They sell great items for very reasonable prices that will allow you to take a piece of Jackson home with you. Mountain Trails Galleries stands out amongst the many galleries that line the town square for several reasons. Firstly, they have a mesmerizing display of outdoor sculptures that immediately draw in passerbys. Secondly, their showroom is gigantic and will mostly lure lovers of Native American and nature themed art. Lastly, the salesperson was incredibly sweet, patient, informative and never balked one moment when we entered the space with three kids. She even let me touch a pre-casted life size mountain lion in its full clay form before being bronzed. I needed to touch this sculpture and she allowed me to fulfill my wishes. Lodging: As already mentioned, book your hotel in Jackson, not Teton Village. Doing so will give you great access to all the restaurants and shopping available downtown. If we didn't need to book multiple rooms so that our kids had their own space for remote learning, we would have totally splurged on The Wort Hotel which is ideally located in the heart of downtown with everything at its doorstep. Since we had to be more budget-conscious we booked a less central hotel although truly well-appointed and highly recommended. The Wyoming Inn at Jackson Hole is one mile outside of downtown but otherwise has nicely decorated rooms, a western ski lodge feel with an enormous fireplace in its lobby, an extremely popular restaurant (The Whistling Grizzly) that gets booked out for dinner far in advance, a friendly staff, and a great gym where I rode my first peloton. We were extremely happy here during our seven-night stay. Best Restaurants in Jackson Hole (in the order we visited): The culinary culture here is out of control. Countless restaurants take pride in serving creative cuisine that will blow your socks off. I had a hard time choosing where to reserve but after lots of research and thought (yes, I put a lot of thought into where we eat, great food is an essential part of our travels!) I truly think I made the best decisions to help me narrow down the best restaurants in Jackson Hole. Reservations are an absolute necessity here so make sure to book in advance. 1) The Kitchen delivers perfectly prepared dishes with an Asian flair to the table. It is immediately obvious how much attention to detail is put into the plates which arrive as masterpieces too beautiful to eat. The menu offers unique dishes with a few vegan options as well. We were overwhelmed by all the incredible choices so we decided to order a bunch of dishes to get a taste of as much as we could. We immediately embarked on a culinary experience like no other. On the tasting agenda: tuna tostadas, Peruvian ceviche, latkes with salmon and caviar, green papaya salad, luxury shrimp, vegan meatloaf, diver scallops, and two orders of the vegan buckwheat soba. The chefs at this restaurant are gastronomic geniuses. Even the bartenders hit the nail with one of the most flawless old fashions I have sipped on that I was able to snag for half the price during their happy hour. What a steal! 2) Binn 22 brilliantly brings an innovative concept of a large retail wine shop at the front of the space with a tiny tapas bar in its rear. But make no mistake, this small restaurant delivers BIG results. Each of us was enthralled by each bite of the several Spanish dishes we ordered. Some were so ridiculously delicious we had to order a double dose. Like The Kitchen, Binn 22 has a happy hour from 4:00 pm-6:00 pm with half off all drinks. My Spanish red was a lovely addition to balance my meal which was comprised of grilled octopus, fried mozzarella, beet salad, roasted cauliflower, patatas bravas, and mushroom crostini. Every single bite awakened our palate into a maximum state of pleasure. Surprisingly, unlike the other restaurants on my list, at Binn 22 we didn't break the bank. We were pleasantly surprised by the very reasonable bill and would have been happy to pay more than it cost because it was just that good. Reservations are not taken here and there is always a wait so I strongly suggest arriving as close to their opening time as possible. 3) Calico is located ten minutes outside of downtown Jackson, in the town of Wilson, and is certainly worth the quick drive for some incredibly delicious pizza. Otherwise, don't order anything else on the overpriced menu that offers food nowhere near as good as their wood oven pizza. Two of my kids ordered a plane spaghetti dish topped with a ladle full of marinara sauce that came with a $20 price tag and the garlic bread's preparation was uninspiring. We also ordered a bowl of locally grown heirloom mushrooms in a creamy rosemary chevre with toasted focaccia which was good but not great. My husband did like his chicken parmesan, which I can't vouch for since I do not eat poultry. BUT I can speak for the thin-crusted pizzas we ordered that really stood out and saved the meal. We opted for one pie with alfredo sauce, cheese, artichoke hearts, and roasted tomatoes and another pie with goat cheese sauce, portobello mushrooms, roasted tomatoes, arugula, and mozzarella. The exceptional ingredient combinations really stand out here and for a great pie, this is the place to satiate your craving. 4) Coelette is one of those sexy spots that you just can't get enough of. From the moment I entered it was love at first sight. Everything is attractive and seductive at this restaurant. The sleekly modern furniture, the roaring fireplace, the individual brass lamps placed on each table, the masterfully presented palette of colors on each dish, and even the personalized hand sanitizer that is placed on each table looks like an expensive vile of lipgloss. The owner, who we think we overheard saying that he is from New York, is friendly and stops by each table to make sure his guests are happy. I cannot imagine anyone being unhappy here. Just looking at the pictures of our meal releases high levels of endorphins in my brain. Although not a vegetarian restaurant we were able to order nine vegetarian dishes that consistently blew us away. Even the bread and butter, which sounds so simple, was so fresh and warm to the touch. In addition, we ordered a charred cabbage with horseradish skyr, a sauerkraut pancake with lion's mane, soba with Tokyo negi, beets in persimmon cream topped with pistachios, yam sprinkled with black sesame maple and white truffle, sweet leaf salad with squash and blueberries, and a wagyu beef short rib for the two carnivores in our group. Just for fun, click on their link to read the more detailed version of their menu. No joke, the menu makes for a great read, and having the opportunity to order off of it makes for a great life experience. 5) Westbank Grill at The Four Seasons in Teton Village delivers impeccable service, presentation, and preparation. As soon as the valet greeted us in our car we were showered with such a sincere welcome that carried through our entire dining experience. In true Four Season's fashion, the interior decor of the restaurant is sleek, elegant, and modern with a formal atmosphere that is laid back and not overly stuffy. I can't stress enough how incredibly memorable our meal was here and I dare to say that dinner here was probably one of the top twenty dinners we have ever enjoyed. Considering that we are from New York City and travel a bunch, this ranking says a lot about how utterly delicious each bite was. On the tasting agenda was the wild salmon perfectly cooked with sunchokes, artichokes, and fennel; the Korean BBQ octopus prepared with kimchee, fresno chilis, and crispy shallots; the spaghetti & wild mushroom with black truffle, cauliflower mousse, and pecorino. My spicy cucumber margarita was equally delectable and the banana foster souffle we ended our meal with was probably devoured under a minute. Oh gosh, it was so good. Since two of our kids are vegetarian the only option that appealed to them was the macaroni and cheese on the kids' menu. However, being quite the food snobs at their young age (hey, they are from NYC!) they didn't want a mac and cheese made with velveeta cheese (yuck!). The chef prepared a special dish just for them using four freshly grated kinds of cheese executing what they both kept repeating was the best mac & cheese of their lives. Seriously, don't miss the opportunity to dine here. 6) Snake River Grill is a Jackson institution that will appear on your searches of the best places to dine over and over again. The interior is so Jackson. It's warm, cozy, and dripping with beautiful touches everywhere you look. From ceilings adorned with wooden beams and hand-painted murals to fresh flowers in clay pots and most notably a roaring fire located in the center of the dining hall, this restaurant is the place to be and was by far the busiest establishments we visited. The large space was filled with locals enjoying a romantic atmosphere along with their dinner. The space masters the kind of ambiance that makes you want to stay for hours on end. In terms of the food, had we had our first dinner in Jackson here, I am sure we would have absolutely loved it. However, after having so many other fantastic meals Snake River Grill just didn't overly impress us with its flavors. Don't get me wrong, the food is solid. Very solid. Coupled with the beautiful space, it makes for a great dinner choice. It's just that the other restaurants noted will leave you dreaming of their concoctions for days on end. As always, we sampled several items on the menu: SRG potato pancakes with smoked salmon, butternut squash soup, green chili onion rings with two dipping sauces, lamb tortellini, mushroom pappardelle with leek pistou, seared trout with sunchokes and cauliflower risotto, caesar salad, and a peanut butter torte with chocolate ganache and blueberry jam. 7) Dinner at Glorietta was a wonderful ending to our stay in Jackson Hole. Located downtown, this cozy Italian bistro serves incredibly delicious dishes that are packed with flavor. Their cocktails are equally memorable. Upon entering we were greeted with the tantalizing scents of authentic Italian cuisine and were eager to place our order and connect our senses of taste and scent. As expected our senses melodically worked together leading to a beautiful meal. For drinks we sipped on "tower three", a smoky combination of mezcal, campari, vermouth, and sage as well as an "easy does it" mixing together vodka, vermouth, red bell pepper, and sesame chili oil. How creative, huh? For our meal, we relished in bites of arancini, mozzarella fritto, spaghetti pomodoro, the night's special of a spicy seafood stew, and the ultimate dish of ravioli d'ouvo topped with an extremely generous shaving of truffles. For the grande finale, we dove into the homemade cinnamon honey gelato and apple torte with whipped mascarpone. The space is unpretentious and rather simple in design allowing for a committed focus on service and food preparation. We loved our dinner here. Grazie mille Glorietta! Best Cafes in Jackson Hole: 1) Cowboy Coffee opens at 6:00 am for those who, like me, are up at the crack of dawn and require a great cup of joe as a prerequisite to their day. I'm not quite sure how the staff is so smiley and chipper so early in the morning, but they are and as a result, you'll be smiling earlier than you are used to. Their lattes and drip coffee are amazing. They also have a wide range of breakfast menu items and pastries. Their smoothies are made with fresh fruit, which we all loved beginning our mornings with. For those who want to linger, Cowboy Coffee has a warm and cozy space with welcoming couches and tables. This is the kind of coffee shop I wish I had in my own neighborhood back home. 2) Persephone instantly lures its customers with its freshly baked goods, French appeal, and adorable decor. We arrived at the opening hour of 7:00 am, and by 7:05 there was already a line out the door. My only qualm with the bakery/cafe is that their pastries are baked offsite and didn't arrive until around 7:20 am. Keep this in mind if you are craving one of their fantastically flaky croissants to down with a creamy latte. It's worth the wait for sure, but if you're like me and get cranky when waiting, head over closer to 7:30 am. Besides the wait time, I fell in love with this place. No detail is overlooked from the dainty logos on each cup to the whimsical food wrapping that goes around your to-go order to the charming decor. Persephone is a happy place that captivates its customers from the moment they enter. 3) Silverdollar Bar & Grill at The Wort Hotel has a lovely ambiance and a large, interesting breakfast menu. They have a range of breakfast skillet dishes that instantly appealed to us. I opted for the vegetarian skillet which was stuffed with hashbrowns, red bell pepper, asparagus, and two eggs over medium. I have several individual-sized skillets at home that I usually make tapas in and left Silverdollar inspired to make individual breakfast skillets next time I host a brunch back home. My husband had the "Wild Game Skillet" with elk and bison tossed in and raved about how delicious it was. Breakfast here is highly recommended followed by a quick stroll through the hotel's halls and lobby to admire historic photographs and the upscale lodge environment. 4) CocoLove is a dream come true for chocoholics like me. As a former owner of a couple of chocolate shops in New York City, I am always drawn to how other cocoaphiles execute their chocolate visions. CocoLove does a wonderful job of showcasing stunning chocolate creations behind a simple glass enclosure while incorporating a more elaborate seating section with brightly lit, red walls. Of course, I couldn't resist trying a variety of their products, in the name of research, of course. Firstly, their Mexican hot chocolate was out of this world mainly because of the right amount of cardamon used in the recipe. For those who like an extra kick, chili can be added by request. For the chocolates, I selected Yuzu Extreme Dark, Vanilla Saffron, Dark Passion Fruit, Caramel Sea Salt, and Orange Salted Caramel. They are like little jewels, shiny and alluring, waiting to be enjoyed. Of course, we couldn't wait long and the unanimous consensus was YUM. Finally, for later noshing we added dark chocolate powdered hazelnuts and mendiants with nuts. These I'll save for our next destination to help me feel closer to Jackson when I long to be with it again. 5) Cafe Genevieve appeals to those who want brunch for lunch (really, who doesn't want brunch all day long?). Their all-day brunch menu is served in a homey, unpretentious environment in the heart of Jackson. I am a big fan of huevos rancheros and I can say their innovative spin on the recipe is hands down one of the best versions out there. The green chili is the dominant ingredient in the dish, which results in a not-so-mild kick in the heat department. The chili is served on top of a generous amount of mashed black beans and the triumphant trio is completed with runny eggs on the top layer. The excitement that came when the yolk poured over the dish was hard to contain. Make sure to head on over to this cute cafe while you are in town. There are no places on this planet with actual winters that I could dream of living in year-round. No matter how beautiful the location, I just have zero desire to move to another city that requires me to be bundled up at least three months out of the year. I've had enough of this the last twenty-two years in Manhattan. Then I met Jackson. Here, I can envision myself cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking through the snowy terrain, dining outdoors under space heaters, and walking through town during snowfall. Even at frigid temperatures, the weather is oddly inviting and never feels too cold. The sunny, blue skies add to the magical spark this small city manages so well. Never in my life did I have any pull to visit this little land and yet here I am completely in love with it. Jackson has my heart and I do envision reuniting with it one day soon.

Montana has always felt unattainable yet the state continuously held a spot on my bucket list for reasons unknown to me beyond an unexplainable connection to this place without knowing or hearing much about it. I just knew that we had to make it to any part of Montana during our road trip. As you can imagine, when we crossed the state border I was giddy with joy that not only did we arrive at a place I have always dreamt of visiting but we did so by driving across the country to reach it. To me, making it to Big Sky, Montana proved that big dreams do come true. Our experience in Montana exceeded all our hopes and expectations. The folks here are super friendly and hospitable. Everyone wears a mask. Everyone. We felt extremely safe and comfortable our entire stay here, which was a big relief after our Covid-19 exposure scares in Idaho. In terms of weather, I was surprised on a daily basis by how warm a high of twenty degrees could feel. I am not a fan of cold weather yet somehow it never felt too cold during our stay in spite of the low temperatures. In addition, the food scene here is incredible. We seriously had some mind-blowing meals in Big Sky. Big Sky is aptly named as the blue skies here are endless, bright and even in the dead of winter, they are SUNNY. It felt so good to bask in the sunshine again. It has been over a month since we have been exposed to the sun regularly and the feeling of reconnecting was tremendous. The vistas here are stunning, the snow is as pure, powdery, and perfect as snow can be and the resort village, while small, explodes with charm. Our five nights here were heavenly. Make your way over as soon as you can! Below are my insider's tips of where to stay, shop, and dine while in Big Sky. Where to Stay: The Village Center is a ski-in/out resort that lacks the crowded lobbies of The Huntley or The Summit (the other two ski-in/out properties in the ski village). I specifically chose this resort because I did not want a full-service hotel that offers people a reason to congregate. Village Center is more exclusive and literally in the heart of Big Sky Resort. While there is no bar or restaurant on the property, guests can order room service, enjoy the onsite gym and outdoor pool, walk a few steps to several dining options, and be tended to by the most welcoming staff. For our family of five, we booked two studio suites which both utilized the space brilliantly. The couch in the living area is a sleeper sofa and there is a queen-sized, very comfortable murphy bed. They were also able to add a rollaway into the kids' room so that all three could sleep comfortably. Each room had a small kitchenette equipped with a dishwasher, microwave, and fridge. Most notable were the beautiful views outside the rooms' windows. As an added bonus breakfast at The Huntley's Chet Bar & Grill is included in the rate. For a much quieter and more relaxing experience, I highly recommend this smaller property that offers easy access to the slopes, a tastefully appointed rustic décor, fantastic service, and a more serene environment. Skiing Obviously, the biggest draw to Big Sky Resort is the roughly 300 powdery trails beckoning snowboarders and skiers of all levels to hit the slopes. Due to its remote location, Big Sky Resort does not get as crowded as other popular ski destinations. Even during winter break, which was the time we visited, the crowds were not overwhelming. In addition, we found the resort to be extremely well managed with a high staff to guest ratio. Especially fun was utilizing their brand new state-of-the-art lift. "The Swifty" quickly carries six passengers up 1,700 feet and is now the fastest ski lift in North America. Last ski season the mountain introduced the "Ramcharger" with heated seats, leg rests, and a drop-down shield on windy days. With two of the country's most advanced ski lifts, great weather (seriously, even at seven degrees it doesn't feel too cold here), perfect snow conditions, and a super laid-back vibe, it's a surprise more people don't make their way out here. The staff shared that they considered the mountain to be as busy as ever. Yet for us, it was a dreamy, harmonious balance between a plethora of trails and just the right amount of visitors to create lively energy without overwhelming the experience. Apparently, the resort purposefully keeps its crowds small by refusing to build more lodging to accommodate more people and by keeping its marketing budget small. They've created something pretty magical in doing so. Big Sky Resort should honestly remain a big secret. Black Tie Ski Rental This VIP ski gear rental service is a lifesaver. We pre-booked a time for them to deliver all our gear directly to our hotel room upon arrival. Their friendly staff was punctual and quick in getting everyone properly fitted. The gear stayed with us until we checked out at which point Black Tie staff returned to our hotel to pick up the rentals. No lines. No stress. No headaches. Brilliant. The Five Best Places to Eat in Big Sky: 1) Pizza Works. Let's just say that our kids swear this was the best pizza they ever had and immediately planted a request for a future order. Seems like everyone on the mountain agrees as it took us over an hour to get our pies but it was sure worth the wait. The Margherita Pizza and Three Cheese Pizza (with artichokes and mushrooms that we added) were truly delectable as was the extra creamy and crunchy Caesar Salad. This establishment is take-out only but make sure to experience a pie or two here at least once. 2) Michaelangelo's Big Sky. This restaurant is a MUST visit while in town. Although it is fifteen minutes outside the resort, in the lovely town of Gallatin, it is absolutely worth the drive. They offer a very creative Italian menu that will leave you longing for more, and more, and more. In addition, their safety protocols are outstanding; they booked out less than half of their capacity which allowed us to kick back and devour our delicious meals worry-free. For starters, we dove into the sautéed squid cooked in roasted tomato, garlic, and Pinot Grigio reduction along with an herb polenta topped with grilled portabella mushroom doused in drunken goat cheese. For our mains, we selected ricotta and black truffle stuffed pasta in black tartufata cream sauce, gnocchi in hazelnut pesto sauce, a ricotta cavatelli, elk chops, and a bison filet. Honestly, I think this is the first time in a long while that we literally licked our plates clean. The modern décor, excellent service, perfectly implemented Covid safety protocols and insanely delicious meals make this one of our most memorable dining experiences during our five months exploring the USA. 3) Olive B's Big Sky Bistro. Also in Gallatin, a quick fifteen-minute drive from the resort, this restaurant offers fantastically fresh fare. The night's special ahi tuna dish was a creamy dream and the bison wellington, lamb chops, potato leek soup, beet salad, mashed potatoes, and Caesar salads were an equal delight and enjoyed by all. In fact, my husband couldn't stop raving about the bison wellington. The rustic interior with an open kitchen creates a warm atmosphere that ultimately delivers a delicious dinner. The only drawback is that although our meal started with ample spacing between tables, a table was seated adjacent to us during our last bites causing us to quickly finish a meal we would have liked to savor. Nevertheless, we had an outstanding meal here. 4) Peaks restaurant in the Summit Hotel offers delicious New American cuisine and is known for their perfectly prepared steaks. As soon as we entered this elegantly appointed establishment we were greeted by a warm waiter who took meticulous care to ensure that we were extremely satisfied during our entire visit. And we certainly were. The food at Peaks is fantastic. My older son literally groaned with delight as he bit into his wagyu steak and my husband vouched that the rib eye he ordered was incredible. Despite their focus on appealing mainly to carnivores, the restaurant offers some vegetarians dishes on their menu too. I ordered the squash bisque which was so flavorful I almost ordered a second bowl. We also enjoyed some salads and my younger two devoured their cheesy, dreamy, creamy macaroni and cheese dishes. Oh, and the tuna carpaccio was also so fresh, thinly cut, and beautifully seasoned. The restaurant is on the formal side, but not stuffy, and while many dressed up for their dinner there were also others who fit right in with their casual attire. If you ever feel like getting glammed up while on the resort, you can feel right at home doing so at Peaks. 5) Horn & Cantle at Lone Mountain Ranch, seven minutes outside the resort, provides an authentic mid-western ranch experience on their sprawling property where wildlife roam freely. On an especially snowy day, we all felt like we were dining in a snow globe as the pure, white landscape outside the windows was otherworldly. The property's restaurant, Horn & Cantle, offers an outstanding breakfast with interesting menu items prepared with the freshest ingredients. They take their utmost care to even perfectly present their beverages. My cappuccino's foam was perfection and the kids shrieked with delight when their hot chocolates arrived topped with marshmallows. As expected our entrees were incredible. We ordered three chilaquiles and two avocado toasts and all were beautifully presented by a delightful server. We left with overly pleased palates. Do not leave town without a meal here. We also had dinner reservations at Cabin Bar & Grill, which did not make our list of favorite restaurants in Big Sky. Located on the third floor of the Arrowhead Mall on the resort, the rustic design of the restaurant is inviting and cozy but does not deliver meals worth their price point. A vegetable quinoa salad is $33 (we did not order it) and a so-so wild salmon special was over-priced at $45. My husband liked his bison meatballs but was not blown away by the preparation as he was in the previously mentioned restaurants. Similarly, our son enjoyed his elk tenderloin but not in an overwhelmingly satisfying way that he experienced at other Big Sky dining establishments and definitely not in a way that a $46 dish warrants. I'd say come here for lunch for a burger and beer or for apres-ski cocktails but otherwise despite the wonderful service, and convenient location on the resort property, it just isn't worth the costly dinner bill. Although not the largest resort town, Big Sky Resort offers several restaurant options, an indoor food court, a couple of bars, and some great shopping. There was enough to keep me busy and entertained while my crew was shredding the slopes. 4 Best Shops in the Resort Village: 1) Hungry Moose. This local market, located in Vista Hall, comes in handy when stocking up on basics like snacks, toiletries, wine, and milk. They had a small selection of everything we needed and even things we didn't need but couldn't resist purchasing (like Montana Huckleberry Honey). Tip: go late morning once everyone is on the mountain or late evening. 4:00pm-6:00pm is packed with shoppers. 2) Provisions & Pendleton. Located in the upper lobby of The Summit Hotel, this well-curated shop sells high-end clothing for both men and women. They offer amazing brands that you may not find everywhere like Skhoop and Krimson Klover. It was difficult to resist the urge to shop but with our suitcases filled to the brim, I just couldn't risk pushing our luggage's capacity. 3) Big Sky Sports. Located in Vista Hall this one-stop shop has everything ski-related that you'll need for a great time on the mountain. From skis to coats to buffs Big Sky Sports has it all. 4) J.P. Woolies. Also located in Vista Hall this is the ultimate shop for a unique collection of Big Sky gear that isn't tourist tacky. In fact, I purchased my new favorite cap here (see below). I can't wait to walk around Manhattan with my Montana paraphernalia! J.P. Woolies also sells really special gift items that you aren't likely to find anywhere else. I guarantee you won't walk out their door without making a purchase. Five nights was just the right amount of time to soak in Big Sky's winter wonderland. My older son and I repeated ourselves often saying "I can't believe we are in Montana". Although technically, Washington is further from New York and we did travel there, Montana just seems more exotic to us. Because I am not a skier I would unlikely have ever planned a trip out here in the winter. That being said, I now crave a visit to Montana in the summer season (shhh, I may be conjuring up another excuse for road trip USA version 2). That's the really cool thing about a road trip and surrendering to the unknown; if you keep your tank full and your heart open to opportunities you will end up in places you would have least expected and then suddenly everything begins to feel possible.

Shakshuka is my favorite go-to recipe when I need to make a healthy meal quickly. This recipe is so easy to make, packed with flavor and protein, and can take on so many ingredients to transform to your every mood. The recipe is equally delicious the next day. Be creative and add ingredients that you'd enjoy. Sometimes I add spinach or kale. You can't go wrong. Almost everything goes with eggs! Also, I like to serve this meal with pita, tahini, Israeli pickles and homemade baked herbed fries. Ingredients (serves 5-6 people): 4 large cloves garlic- minced 3 tablespoons oil half a bunch cilantro- chopped fine (remove stems) one dozen eggs one small can tomato paste sliced jalapeno (if you like it spicy) 1/2 tsp cumin 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp pepper 1/2 tsp paprika Using a large pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and mix quickly. Immediately after mixing, so garlic doesn't burn, add the tomato paste and 1/2 cup of water. Continue to stir thoroughly until a somewhat thick, but not too thick, consistency emerges. You can add more water as needed. The consistency should be similar to let's say... a marinara sauce. Once you have reached your desired consistency add the salt, pepper, cumin and paprika. Stir again. Carefully crack each egg over the sauce. Don't overlap the eggs- give them each their own prime real estate in the pan. Cover the pan and cook on medium-low for about 20 minutes. You can touch your egg yolk mid-cooking to see how well its cooked. If you like your eggs runny (I do!) then stop cooking when the egg whites have cooked through. If you prefer your eggs well-done, then keep cooking until the yolks are hard when touched. Once the cooking is completed, sprinkle with the cilantro and serve, eat and enjoy!

This is probably the easiest recipe I can share with you. It can be prepared and served in under twenty minutes and will be devoured within sixty seconds. My family loves when I whip up a hot bowl of hearty chili garnished with cheese, sour cream and tortilla chips for dipping. It is delicious year round but extra yummy in the winter! Ingredients (yields six large bowls): 2 x 15oz cans of black beans 1 x 15oz can red kidney beans 1 x 15oz can chick peas 1 x 28oz can crushed tomatoes 3/4 - 1 cup x frozen corn kernels (add more or less depending on your preference) 4 x carrots peeled and diced 3/4 cup water or vegetable broth oil (canola, vegetable or even olive oil if that is all you have handy) 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp oregano 3 x bay leaves 1/4 tsp chili powder 3/4 tsp cumin 1 tsp paprika sour cream for garnish shredded cheddar cheese for garnish tortilla chips for garnish **Sometimes I may not have oregano so I will add garlic powder or onion powder instead. Sometimes I will add both even if I have oregano. Spruce it up based on the seasoning you like! If you like it spicy, add more chili powder, etc.** In a large pot heat 2 tablespoons oil. Add the diced carrots and lower heat to medium. Stir the carrots occasionally over five-seven minutes. In the meantime, empty out the four cans of beans into a colander and rinse well with water. Add the beans to the carrots along with the crushed tomatoes. Add the water/vegetable broth (feel free to add more liquid based on the consistency you like. I aim for a more chunky/hearty chili). Add the corn. Season. Cook on medium heat for about 10 minutes, until carrots soften. Stir a couple of times during cooking. Taste for seasoning. Feel free to be creative with this recipe. You can add spinach to the pot. I have also added Morningstar Crumbles vegetarian meat to the recipe. Diced onion and minced garlic are also nice additions. There are many variations that will yield an equally delicious pot of chili. I am sharing the basic version of my recipe, which I use most often, and once in a while I add ingredients for a change in flavors. In the picture below, I made homemade tortilla chips because we didn't have bagged ones on hand. To make these follow an online recipe for flour tortillas. Make as directed. Then, cut the tortillas into triangle wedges and lightly fry them. Plate your chili into a bowl and garnish with a dollop of sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese. Place tortilla chips around the rim of the bowl. Voila! Enjoy!

People are always very impressed that I regularly make fresh, homemade bagels for Sunday brunch. They are not as difficult to make as you'd think and yet they are so incredibly delicious. Imagine, hot bagels straight out of the oven still steaming as you slice through them. These never feel redundant no matter how often I make them and they are always received with much excitement and glee. I use THIS recipe which I find to be easy to follow and has yielded consistently delicious bagels. Below are some additional tips: I prepare the dough the night before and place it in a bowl, covered, in the fridge. This frees up the morning with less preparation and rising time. In the morning I remove the dough from the fridge, punch it to release air, and let it sit on the counter for 30-45 minutes before continuing with dividing the dough into eight pieces as noted in the recipe. When I do not have everything bagel seasoning on hand, I make my own by mixing minced garlic, poppy seeds, sesame seeds (white and black if possible), salt and pepper. Feel free to create your own mix of seasonings! Don't worry if your bagels don't roll into perfectly smooth balls. Mine often have cracks on the bottom. It's OK! Seriously, once in a while the dough does not cooperate and looks kinda funky but once they bake they work themselves out and no one ever cares if they are not perfect. I opt to boil them two minutes on each side, Siri helps me keep track of time. Half way through baking, I flip them over to make sure both sides get nice and crispy. Once they are golden (about 25 minutes of baking time), remove and let sit at least 10 minutes before cutting through. They are still baking. In our eagerness to dive right in we have found unbaked dough in the center. Patience, although difficult, is key. Exercise your will power! Be creative, you can add chocolate chips to the dough when you prepare it in step one. You can add more savory flavors like cumin seeds or keep them sweeter with raisins, cinnamon and honey. Really, just use the dough as a base and add any seasoning or ingredients to it as you mix it. I'd love to hear from you. Let me know how yours turned out. Did you make up your own seasoning combination? Did you try a new dough flavor? Enjoy. And you're welcome!

We almost cancelled our stay in Yosemite because we wanted to extend our stay in Carmel by two more nights. Fortunately we convinced ourselves to stick to the original plan of visiting this popular national park. In a way, the mountainous environment with cool, brisk temperatures was a welcomed change from the coast that has been in our field of vision for the past few weeks. Yosemite National Park is probably the busiest destination we have been to yet. We were completely blocked out of one of the trailheads on our list due to full parking lots, despite trying several times throughout the day to snatch a spot. There were swarms of people enjoying the breathtaking landscape along with us everywhere we went. Although we found some nooks of solitude, overall the national park was meant to be shared with the thousands of others who came to connect with nature as well. The highlight of our visit here, and maybe the biggest adventure of our entire road trip to date, was when a black bear just ran into the windy streets of the park dodging our car by less than an inch. We all couldn't believe what we just witnessed. Major kudos are in order for my hubby who calmly hit the breaks in the nick of time! In addition to a bear we also came in contact with deer, a fox and a salamander. Two nights embraced by nature surrounded by the Sierra Nevada Mountains is one of the best weekend escapes I can think of for those who live nearby. El Capitan The vertical rock formation dominates the southern sites of Yosemite National Park. The 3,000 foot boulder is a popular rock climbing site. Recently, a world record was broken for the fastest female to climb to the summit. Although El Capitan is seen throughout the area from different vantage points, my favorite viewing spot was from a random, less known Yosemite Valley lookout point that only three others discovered to share the magnificent views with us. Seriously, if you head to Yosemite don't get trapped by the marked stops. Keep driving and you will find secluded areas to soak in the beauty. The top row of pictures are from The Tunnel View Lookout. There were droves of visitors all trying to snatch a great shot along with us. The second row of images, and in my opinion the much better ones, are from the undiscovered lookout point just a few miles away. Sentinel Bridge To get to this bridge visitors follow a long path along a meadow that offers great views of Half Dome, which at 8,800 feet tall is an iconic landmark at Yosemite. I especially enjoyed the peaceful views from the bridge, which we pretty much had to ourselves since everyone else was so wrapped up in photographing Half Dome (second row, middle photo) from the meadow. Curry Village A well-known affordable retreat with epic views of Half Dome that offers a great location at the base of Glacier Point, Curry Village has withstood the tests of time and has been a destination in Yosemite since 1899. Unfortunately, due to Covid, the entire grounds were closed. Regardless, it was fun to stroll through the endless rows of tents that have housed visitors for over a century and see the property that hosts Half Dome Village which normally is filled with stores, restaurants, events and wandering souls who have great travel stories to share. Bridalveil Fall There are many lookout points to enjoy the Bridalveil Fall. Once again we were lucky enough to find a nook where we not only enjoyed unobstructed views of the fall without hundreds of other tourists in sight, but we also found a lookout point that had a beautiful, pristine creek in the forefront. When you visit Yosemite, be patient. Trust that past the masses parked along well-known stops, you will find something even more majestic and serene, and less discovered just under a mile away. Merced River On the very start of the Mist Trail in Yosemite is a stunning trail along the Merced River. The waters are the clearest waters we have ever passed and the overall landscape kept us speechless. The trail itself was very busy with hundreds of people pouring into its path. Take the road less traveled. Just look for a small trail along the water and you will have it all to yourself. Tenaya Lodge I'm so happy that we selected Tenaya Lodge for our lodging during our stay in Yosemite. The Explorer Family Cabins are immaculate and modern while still providing a slightly chic, rustic feel. Each family cabin has two bedrooms, living area, bathroom, a small kitchen area and a private patio. Small groups of cabins share a large, outdoor fire pit for those nights that call for making smores. The main lodge is beautifully appointed with warm, country-esque décor and was eagerly decorated for the holidays during our stay. Because of the current pandemic many of the amenities that would normally be offered were not available, like archery and room service. However, the hotel did continue to offer great programs like flashlight stargazing walks which we signed up for immediately! We had a great guide who walked us deep into the woods with only the minimal illumination of our flashlights. We learned some great wilderness facts, spotted a salamander and gazed at a star studded sky. What a night! Overall, this is a wonderful choice when staying in the area. Jackalope's Tenaya Lodge's main restaurant has a beautiful ambience and great service but serves very mediocre food. We were really disappointed with our breakfast and made sure to avoid dining here for future meals. Cocktails by the outdoor fireplaces on their patio would be lovely. Otherwise, don't have high expectations for low quality food at high resort prices. The Ahwahnee Hotel After reading Small Fry, a memoir written by Steve Job's daughter, Lisa Brennan-Jobs, I wanted to visit the hotel famous for hosting his wedding. In true Job's fashion, the hotel is understated in a very alluring way. I was very unimpressed when we first entered the hotel lobby but after roaming the various halls and closely paying attention to the details in the interior decorating, I quickly fell in love with the space. We ate lunch at the dining hall which was self-seating with food ordered at a counter (due to Covid regulations). The food was ok but the grandiose and bright room made up for it. Although our homemade pretzel was not as good as the menu promised it to be, I enjoyed having its smiley face staring at me while I sipped my curry sweet potato soup. Ducey's Bar & Grill This lakeside restaurant is part of the Ducey's on the Lake property in a town called Bass Lake 20 minutes outside of Yosemite. It is one of those establishments that make you really happy to support and proud to be a patronize. The staff, from the moment we entered, was so friendly, eager to please and hard working. Our breakfast was delicious and we especially loved the lake views from their outdoor patio with warmth radiating from the heating lamps. I definitely recommend making the short drive over to experience pretty views and a great meal. Overall, Yosemite National Park was a great and memorable choice for a road trip stop. We cannot believe how insanely busy the park was and similarly, beginning Saturday evening, how many people were checking into our hotel. The line to check in literally wrapped around the spacious lobby. There is no sign of Newsom's restrictions here. No pandemic in the world will keep people away from this specific park. Our guide mentioned that summer brings more than quadruple the amount of visitors than this time of year. If you are planning a visit, I suggest visiting in October through beginning of November to beat the high season crowds. Unless you are an avid hiker, I think two nights is a great amount of time to visit. Of course, it is easy to linger here longer and just breath in the mountain air for as long as possible. My connection with Nature has grown fonder and stronger over the past several months. She has given me a sense of peace and confidence in her embrace that I have never experienced. Normally I am the gal who stays out of the woods yet months later I am walking into the woods in pitch darkness. I have learned to trust that the massive power of our Universe/Mother Nature/G-d (they all really are the same driving force in my opinion) is the greatest force that exists and so these days I have humbly just followed wherever I am being called even if it leads me to the most unexpected places.

Portland surprised us with how much it has to offer. This little city in the Pacific Northwest packs a rather big punch. It provides abundant opportunities to connect with nature, is just a short drive to the coast, has easy access to Washington's many sites, boasts mild temperatures year round (by New York's standards), celebrates a thriving culinary scene and bursts with lots of character. Really, if it weren't for the 221 sunless days per year, super far left leaning folks who threaten to destroy the city, and the inundation of homeless people we would have placed this city at the top of our list. Ha! In all seriousness, I can totally imagine living here despite its flaws. Although the neighborhoods we visited were very quiet, most likely due to the pandemic, we could easily imagine how bustling and lively this city normally is. There are restaurants, bars, food trucks and anything food related you could hope for at every turn. The casual, laid back vibe of the city really has something for everyone's taste and the people here make it very clear that everyone is welcome. Throughout the city there are authentic reminders to be loving and kind citizens usually through beautifully painted murals. There is a tone that is set here: be a good person. The City of Bridges earns its name from the twelve bridges that cross the Willamette River. Each bridge has its own distinct character and some of them, like the newer Tilikum Bridge, even light up at night further beautifying the skyline. Portland has an industrial feel to it. The city itself is not a beautiful one per se but it does have a lot of charm and personality. The weather here is unpredictable forcing us to cancel a few of our sightseeing plans. As we drove to Silver Falls State Park suddenly a thick, white, paste-like looming fog made visibility of even just one inch in front of us impossible. We were just seven minutes away from the falls (after over an hour of driving to reach them) but were forced to turn around by the blinding whiteness that surrounded us. There is also rain. A lot of it. Yet without fail, the sun comes out everyday to say her hellos even if just momentarily. Due to the weather in Portland we relaxed a lot and indulged in three full home days which we relished after so much sightseeing the week before. I never thought I would end up in Portland and honestly I kept pinching myself while here- was I really here? Did we really drive all the way across the country to Portland? If it weren't for this road trip, I would have likely missed this city entirely. I am so happy we spent a week here to experience firsthand how special this place is. The Pittock Mansion Perched on a hill, this historic chateau in the West Hills of Portland offers private tours, forty-six acres of walking trails and the most incredible views of the city with Mount Hood dominating the horizon. We were really lucky to see the mountains on a clear day. Often, they are hidden by fog and clouds. What a stunning view! Beaverton Our house in Beaverton, Portland was the perfect retreat. We were nestled in nine acres of forested land allowing us to rest, recover and relax from a pretty vigorous schedule while we were in Gold Beach, OR. You can find this property on VRBO, ID# 7907348. The house is well stocked, spacious, immaculate and very comfortable. When our kids could not get a strong WiFi signal in their downstairs bedrooms the host immediately brought us an extender ensuring that they were capable to log into their school meetings during the week. Just last year I would have been petrified by the idea of sleeping in a large home in a forest. So much has changed. This city girl is slowly adapting to nature and sleeps like a baby while tucked in the woods. Alberta Arts District Alberta Street, in Northeast Portland, is packed with colorful murals, galleries, restaurants, bars and retail shops. I loved the vibrant vibe here even while its sidewalks were barren. With no one in site, the lively energy of the neighborhood seemed to seep through the buildings. It's just waiting, not-so-patiently, to serve the thousands of locals and tourists who frequent the area. Every single shop in this neighborhood, 100% of them, proudly posts a BLM sign on their window- many storefronts displaying other messages for justice along with it. When we pass through communities where all members participate in this movement I wonder how many of them are just dutifully following along versus how many of them fear the repercussions of not posting what is expected of them. This is definitely the part of Portland that earns the city's far left reputation. We spoke to a couple of locals who have lived in Portland for many years and they said that the people residing in this neighborhood are the people who are destroying their city and its values. Since we were lucky enough to spend a week in the city, I saw firsthand that most of Portland is not a loud, screaming group of people who threaten to cancel you from society if you don't succumb to their ideals by proving you do through visual representations. The majority of the folks here truly are very accepting of all walks of life, and don't need you, nor themselves, to post a sign to prove it. As we travel the country, we are finding that these neighborhoods with very loud voices are actually the smallest in numbers and are not as harmful as the media portrays. With all its political tones and quirks, I couldn't stop photographing this high-spirited neighborhood. Salt & Straw Salt & Straw is the most talked about ice-cream shop in Portland famous for its unique flavors (think honey lavender and olive oil ice cream). Of course, a visit here was on our agenda. I have never witnessed our children face such difficulty selecting an ice cream flavor- there truly are too many tempting ones to choose from! Finally we settled on eggnog (for me!) and three chocolate gooey brownie scoops. The flavors live up to their name, we all agreed these were some seriously unforgettable scoops. Mississippi Avenue Mississippi Avenue, in North Portland, is another example of a Portland neighborhood full of personality. Once one of the worst neighborhoods in the city, it has now claimed its stake as one of the trendiest. There is a hurtful history here of laws prohibiting the sale of property to blacks and Asians who were eventually displaced by gentrification. For a city that prides itself in social justice issues, I found it hard to believe that this piece of history was so quickly swept under the rug to make room for new, mostly White tenants and bars that cater to the hipsters in the area. Like most popular neighborhoods in the city, Mississippi Avenue is lined with local shops, restaurants, bars and food truck clusters. Similarly this historic avenue lacked the locals to stream down its sidewalks. We could only imagine how hopping Portland is under normal circumstances but unfortunately it has been marred by the pandemic keeping its folks presumably either indoors or with nature. Voodoo Doughnut No visit to Portland is complete without a stop in this doughnut shop that has a cult following. They offer sixty of the most creative flavor combinations that are playful and simply irresistible. We made a stop in their Old Town location where Voodoo was born. This area of the city is probably the worst impacted by the homelessness crisis. So much so that my younger kids didn't want to get out of the car, even with the promise of the best doughnut they may ever have waiting for them just a few feet away. The very pink, friendly storefront eased their nerves and ultimately they couldn't resist entering the bakery to see these beauties in person. One thing about Portland that I've noticed is that the hype never disappoints. You know how sometimes people rave about something- a food, a movie, etc...- and then you check it out and are like "eh"? Everything that is highly praised in this city lives up to the expectations. These doughnuts were everything we hoped for and more. Everyone ecstatically recommends the bacon maple bar but since three of us don't eat meat, we avoided this tip. Instead we sampled the School Daze, Marshall Mathers, Portland Cream and Sprinkle Cake. Yes, the voodoo worked, we were smitten with the sugary sweetness intertwined with the perfectly yeasted dough. Powell's City of Books When I learned that the world's largest independent book store is in Portland, I quickly added this stop to our itinerary. Four of us are avid readers and visiting a book store is as equally exciting to us as visiting a chocolate shop. The store takes up an entire city block and sells one million books throughout its 68,000 square feet and 3,500 sections. This is a bibliophile's fantasy land! The biggest challenge was not allowing the kids to purchase the books they eyed as they got lost strolling in the sections of the genres they like most. We took careful notes of their choices, the holidays are around the corner! I felt bad taking them to such an incredible store and not allowing them to purchase books, kind of torturous really, but our space is so limited with our suitcases exploding and they'll just have to wait until the holidays. The thing is, my kids are pretty awesome. They totally agreed that we have no space, even for books. I can't wait to surprise them. Mill's End Park Portland is known for its quirky and weird character, its part of the appeal here. The weirder the better. They even have a Freakybuttrue Peculiarium Museum which features all things bizarre (note: closed during Covid). Those in search of the strange can also visit Paxton Gate and pick up a jar of a cow fetus in formaldehyde (yup, this is true. We spent a solid amount of time balking at the unusual items for sale in the storefront display). Then there's Mill's End Park, the smallest park in the world measuring at two feet in diameter. I can't help but love the eccentricity of this town! Cartopia Food trucks are as ubiquitous as bridges in Portland and are woven into the culinary culture of the city. In fact, many food cart purveyors went on to open successful brick and mortar locations. Unlike Austin and New York City where mostly mobile trucks line up along street curbs to serve its hungry visitors, the trucks in Portland are clustered together in these food truck communities closed off from the main street. The pods of trucks create their own atmosphere with music, fire pits and communal seating (closed during the pandemic). We headed over to Cartopia, in Southeast Portland, and couldn't resist ordering several orders of vegetarian gravy doused poutine at Potato Champion. Delicious and spicy, I loved every bite which took me back to December of 2019 where we munched on poutine in its homeland of Canada. Once again, Cartopia was quiet, we were the only ones in site. In fact, several of the trucks were closed. It's so sad to see firsthand how some cities are completely affected by the pandemic while others seem to have avoided an economic crash entirely. Portland, second to Memphis, is one of the most visibly affected cities that we have visited during the pandemic. The governor has ordered a no dine-in restriction, allowing restaurants to only serve take out. Not seeing sidewalk patios packed with diners as we have seen in other large cities really impacts the overall feel here. Willamette Valley There are endless activities to enjoy outside of Portland from hikes, whitewater rafting, and skiing to beaches and vineyards. Willamette Valley, approximately an hour away, takes you to another world of grape vines, green valleys and breathtaking vineyards. Bethel Heights The hostess of this lovely vineyard invited us in to explore the property while kindly reminding us that she is unable to serve us a wine tasting. Under Oregon Covid restrictions the vineyards can only sell wine bottles to go. She shared with us how much the pandemic has financially impacted their sales. She also shared that this time last year her terrace was filled with visitors. My heart truly breaks for the business owners who are suffering so greatly during these times. During our travels I have become actively conscious of how our purchases are helping boost the livelihood of others. It actually feels good to spend money these days. I loved our chat with the hostess here. I tend to chat with everyone along our journey enjoying their perspectives and insight which have greatly shaped my own. The estate bottle of pinot noir was thoroughly enjoyed by our fireplace later that evening as we contemplated all that is taking place in our country and world. Cannon Beach Less than ninety minutes away, an entirely different landscape along the coast awaits for the city folks who yearn for the seaside. We spent a couple of afternoons exploring the beautiful towns and sites along the northern Oregon coast. See my separate post on Northern Oregon Coast for more pictures and details. Here is a little taste for now. Columbia River Gorge Approximately forty five minutes outside Portland a windy, scenic drive awaits all those on a waterfall chasing adventure. None of the falls listed below require any extensive hiking. In fact, besides Bridal Veil Falls they are all right off the main road. I met locals via Instagram who were extremely helpful in making great suggestions. They, like us, are from New York but said they moved to Oregon just three months after their visit here and that the Columbia River Gorge is what pulled them to this side of the country. It truly is that spectacular of an area. I can totally relate to why they fell madly in love with Oregon after a day embraced by waterfalls. There are over ninety waterfalls just on the Oregon side of the river. Ninety waterfalls?! Vista House At a whopping $100,000 construction fee (in 1917!) this outhouse was termed by locals as "Oregons most expensive bathroom". Over one hundred years later, the lovely structure welcomes visitors as they enter the gorge while boasting incredible views of the Columbia River. I read that this is the windiest part of the gorge but in no way did I imagine that I may face my death here or put my children in harms way. The wind was so strong and powerful that me and two of my kids were literally being blown around when wind came through. At one point my daughter was struck with panic as she held on for her dear life to the railings that guard the Vista House. We were stuck holding on for what seemed like eternity waiting for a hurricane strength wind gust to pass so we could make a run for our car where my husband and other son were waiting (they were deterred by the wind when they first attempted to leave the car). Seeing our panic and sensing that we were in danger my amazing husband came to rescue us while he too struggled to stay standing. If the drop into the river wasn't so high, maybe the experience would have been much calmer but boy did I have a moment of strongly regretting coming here. Latourelle Falls Bridal Veil Falls Horsetail Falls Multnomah Falls There was so much more to see and explore around the Portland area. The list of activities is honestly endless. We were so comfortable in the home we rented and the overcast skies encouraged us to stay put and relax more than we planned to. Traveling here, across the country has really felt like we have crossed the world. It is easy to stay complacent and comfortable in the places we feel safest or make up many excuses to not push through the norms we have accepted in our lives. However, it is only when we leave these comfort zones that we can directly experience the many blessings our earth has granted us and to connect with people and souls who teach us new perspectives. Through physical journeys we slowly begin to embark on spiritual ones as well. There have been many times over the last hundred and thirty-seven days of our road trip when my husband and I have wanted to cancel something on our itinerary because mostly we were being lazy and just wanted to stay home. We have noted each time how happy we were that we didn't let these voices dictate our decision because we would have missed out on an incredible experience. Pushing through is difficult, in all aspects of our lives. It would have been so easy to stay home and do nothing, but how much we would have missed if we didn't dare to wander? Too much to type...