It's almost impossible to peel away from Santa Fe. The sights and colors here connect me to the earth with every breath I take. There is a level of spirituality that is piqued here, as if the soul transcends to new heights and intentions by the way of the land. One can't help but feel closer to God here. The stunning landscapes are a constant reminder of the universe's ominous power and how small we are in the grand scheme of things. Yet I was constantly propelled to ponder on my own big purpose in this realm and how to progress it into a more meaningful one. At 7,500 feet high this capital in "The Land of Enchantment" will literally take your breath away. For some, this shortness of breath will be due to the height of the city and for others the shallow breathing and fastening heartbeats will arise from the overwhelming beauty that awaits at every turn. Luckily, none of us got struck with altitude sickness. I attribute this avoidance to driving over, allowing our bodies to slowly acclimate to the increasing altitudes. On a daily basis we were mesmerized by art galleries, outdoor sculptures, chili peppers, adobe homes, friendly faces and a consistent perfectly blue sky, all surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Calling Santa Fe picturesque would be a disservice. Enchanting is totally acceptable. Santa Fe Plaza The Plaza, known as the heart of the city, is a National Historic Landmark in downtown Santa Fe. The Plaza, as it did four hundred years ago, hosts Spanish and Native American markets with artisans showcasing their handmade crafts. Unlike other cities, like NYC, where there is often a divide between Latinos and Whites, Santa Fe authentically embeds Spanish and Native American cultures and traditions into its' every being from architecture to food and everything in between. The embracing of the cultures is part of what gives this city so much flavor and beauty. You can get lost strolling around for hours in The Plaza's many stores, restaurants, and galleries. The Rainbow Man While The Plaza has an infinite variety of note worthy galleries and shops that are strikingly beautiful, The Rainbow Man's store especially caught my eye. From the moment I entered this space, my mind wandered into imaginative desires of redecorating our home back in New York City. Everything is thoughtfully laid out from start to finish. The large, colorful courtyard is the highlight of the space. We spent quite some time out there admiring the selection. I couldn't resist buying something to ship back home but unfortunately the shipping was outrageously priced and the salesperson made it a point to mention that they don't cover any damage in transition. Bummer. This was the first place on our entire road trip that made me want to actually buy something and spend money on materialistic goods. For our accommodations, we rented Hacienda Rose through the Two Casitas rental agency. We couldn't be happier in this bright, well-stocked, stone throw away from Canyon Road, adobe home. Every day I noticed a new detail that added to the charm and comfort of this beautiful home. No corner was overlooked with authentic Santa Fe touches. Our middle child loved having his own, private casita a few steps away from the main house. During these two weeks he lived like a little bachelor with his own bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and even a private courtyard. As a middle child he rarely gets privacy so this was the ultimate experience for him. We were absolutely in love with the neighborhood and have had serious discussions about relocating here. There is a bit more research to do about what daily life is like here for locals, and still a lot to experience on our road trip, but Santa Fe has us contemplating a completely new life filled with nature, art, amazing food, gorgeous adobe homes, interesting people and an overall slower and more simplistic lifestyle. Canyon Road Santa Fe has the highest concentration of artists and Ph.D.'s. Almost 40% of its' economy is derived from culture and the arts. These statistics are obvious as you walk down Canyon Road, a small stretch jam packed with galleries that showcase talent for all to admire along sidewalks and outdoor patios. You'll never get bored roaming this road. We walked it as a family, I walked it with my children, I walked it with my daughter, I walked it with my son, I walked it alone. Each walk brought a new discovery and a higher level of creative inspiration. Galleries The interior spaces of the galleries are beyond captivating. They are filled with vibrant collections of mostly local artists and are staffed by the warmest and most informative art collectors who were not thrown off by three young kids entering their space. In fact, they welcomed our children and engaged them with conversation and insights. Below are shots from GiacobbeFritz, Santa Klim, and Winterowd Fine Art, some of my favorite galleries on Canyon Road. Santa Fe Railyard Every Tuesday and Saturday morning the Santa Fe Railyard transforms into a farmers market with farmers showcasing their harvests. Rows of tables are filled with produce, baked goods and fresh flowers in this developing neighborhood that will soon be filled with shops and restaurants. There is a small movie theater in place and a great coffee shop, Sky Coffee, that is also up and running. This neighborhood will soon be one of Santa Fe's trendiest zip codes. Nature/Outdoor Activities Aspen Trail 10,000 feet high in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains lies the Aspen Trail in the Santa Fe National Forest. Just once a year, in autumn, the Aspen Tree turns the brightest yellows and golds lighting up the mountains and never ending vistas. There are many trails here, some as long as eleven miles. We hiked for three miles and enjoyed breathtaking views, small creeks, and lookout points with Santa Fe in our field of vision, just 20 minutes away and 2,500 feet below us. Bandelier National Monument This national park does a wonderful job preserving hundreds of acres of land where the Pueblo people lived 600 years ago. Tucked into the Frijoles Canyons are several trails available for all levels. We opted for the 1.5 mile Pueblo Trail and added on the additional half mile to the Alcove Trail, totaling four miles. We mostly loved the engaging and interactive nature of this park. Visitors are able to climb ladders into "cavates", small hole like shelters dug into the side of the mountains, to get a small glimpse of what daily life was life for the Native Americans who called this area home. A highlight was ascending 140 feet via four sets of extremely steep ladders that ultimately lead to "The Alcove", once used as a ceremonial hall. I was especially proud of myself for conquering my fear of heights as I climbed these tall ladders. This hike is not only extremely educational but we found it to be thoroughly exhilarating as well. Abiquiu Lake Just over an hour drive from the city, lies a heavenly oasis smack in the middle of the New Mexico desert. The water is strikingly green with the most gorgeous backdrop of mountains and canyons surrounding the lake. We spent a solid forty-five minutes here just admiring this beautiful gift nature left for us to enjoy. Hyde Memorial State Park I was so proud of our kiddos for completing this four mile hike loaded with 855 feet of ascension. The Borrego-Bear Wallow-Winsor Triangle Trail is definitely not for beginners but the rewards are plentiful for all that are willing to push through. The terrain is a constant change of gorgeous scenery and hiking challenges with Little Tesuque Creek hugging along the paths and several narrow trails which will suddenly remind you of how high you are climbing. Dale Ball Trails The trails around Santa Fe never get repetitive, each offering a unique terrain and vantage point. We opted for the three mile trail enjoying the clay dirt shuffling beneath our feet while surrounded by cacti and stunning views of Santa Fe and the endless mountains in its' horizons. I was surprised to see signs that black bears live in the area. Those who know me know that bears are one of my biggest fears and that I stay away from anywhere they may roam. Oddly, I felt unaffected knowing they were lurking somewhere nearby. The soothing ways of Santa Fe worked its magic once again. Daily Walks Something about the crisp morning air and natural surroundings of Santa Fe got me up and active again. Each morning I took a 3.5 mile walk soaking in the attractive sights around me. I often got lost as I took many detours following the roads that called to me. Thank goodness for GPS! Restaurants Following my walks I'd head over to The Tea House for a caffeine fix and some solitude by a nearby stream. This is a great, local café with a cute patio, great service and extensive menu. It's also a wonderful spot to take the kids for a treat and some one-on-one bonding time. Their Italian iced chocolate drink is to die for and the chocolate chip cookies are as large as your face, perfect for sharing! Other perks of this local favorite are the galleries you pass leading you to the host stand. There is always an artist, with his guitar, painting away blissfully right next door. The food scene in Santa Fe is unbelievable. In our neighborhood alone there are dozens of well reviewed restaurants, many of which are run by award winning chefs. Every type of cuisine is available in this city but the typical Santa Fe cuisine is Mexican inspired and doused with chili peppers - just the way I love it! Pink Adobe This restaurant was recently voted as second best in Sant Fe. Boasting a spacious patio in the converted 350 year old adobe house, this is a great spot for authentic Santa Fe cuisine. Clafoutis I am not quite sure how it took us a week to discover this bakery but once we did, we were hooked. The boulangerie is straight out of France with every patisserie you could ever dream of. Their lattes are perfect and their baked goods are heavenly. The French speaking staff adds to the charm and authenticity of this neighborhood favorite. I began each morning with a flaky, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth pain au chocolat and a creamy latte. Oh how I will miss this place. El Farol El Farol is a delicious tapas restaurant on Canyon Road serving a variety of dishes with a Spanish twist. We opted for cheese croquettes, grilled artichoke, cauliflower bites, brussel sprouts, patatas bravas, vegetable paella and a grilled chicken dish. We devoured each and every bite, ordering some of the dishes for a second round. They have plenty of heaters for patio diners. The service is impeccable. The owner even stopped by to thank us for dining at his establishment. Gabriel's Zagat considers Gabriel's as one of the best restaurants in America. From the moment we made the drive over, we knew something special was awaiting. This delectable, authentic Southwestern restaurant is a twenty minute drive from Santa Fe and took us through the most beautiful mountain views along the way that definitely piqued our appetites. The drive is a highlight in itself. Then we took our first bite, and the oohing and aahing began. Our son kept asking for a second visit here. The Shed I added this establishment to our list as soon as I read that they serve the second best burrito in the country (who holds title for number one?). This busy restaurant has a great outdoor space and a wonderful menu selection. Of course, I ordered their infamous green chili burrito and can vouch that it is worthy of its' grand title. Stuffed with pinto beans and grilled onions and drenched in homemade green chili sauce, this monster sized burrito has earned it's accolades. Santa Fe is truly a city that has everything you can ever ask for. It's population of roughly 85,000 people is a diverse one which mostly celebrates a lifestyle that is rich in culture and diversity, love of the outdoors, appreciation of a slower pace and a love for natural aesthetics that are woven into daily life. The age demographics tend to lean towards the older, post-retiree group with fewer families than other cities. Surprisingly, Santa Fe is also considered one of the most dangerous cities in the USA and noted as safer than only 6% of other US cities. I spoke to locals about this and they confirmed that while there is a lot of crime, it does not exist in the main hub or nearby beautiful "burbs" in the mountainous outskirts. It is hard to believe that somewhere outside this utopic haven exists a crime-ridden world. Our second time here and I have fallen even more deeply and madly in love with this special place in our magical country. Something tells me that we will be here again. See you later Santa Fe.

My husband and I have lived in NYC for the past twenty-two years. Our three kids, now 14, 12 and 10, were born and raised in the city. They all attend public schools.  When the pandemic hit, like many others, we began to question whether we'd like to continue living in Manhattan. Personally, we are extremely disappointed with the way the mayor is running his town and did not want to stay in the city while a hotel was converted into a homeless shelter right next door and crime was soaring through the roof. We couldn't think of where we'd like to go but we knew we had to step away for a while. The Hamptons seemed so cliché. When remote schooling was confirmed to be an option we decided to pack up our things and take an indefinite road trip through the USA in hopes of giving our children a strong lesson in patriotism, knowing they would fall in love with our beautiful country. Most importantly, we decided to maximize our time by making some wonderful memories. We have been on the road for two and a half months now. We have hit Hilton Head, Charleston, Kiawah Island, St. Simons Island, Asheville, Smoky Mountains, Nashville, Memphis, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, Marfa, and Santa Fe (to name a few). Our plan is to continue heading west. We've witnessed firsthand how other cities are dealing with the pandemic. While some cities like Memphis are clearly suffering, others like Austin seem to be thriving. We also quickly learned that the media is feeding incorrect messages to its' viewers and readers. "Blue states" do not all wear masks and "red states" are not all unmasked. In fact, Asheville, a "blue city", was the biggest violator of unmasking with large scenes of unmasked crowds in downtown not practicing social distancing guidelines. Yet most towns in "red" Texas wore their masks dutifully. Our kids are also learning that they hold onto many false assumptions based on what they hear, read and learn. When we arrived in Texas, our oldest son expressed that he expected everyone to be walking around armed. They are also realizing that people in mostly Republican leaning states are actually nice, "normal" people. Seeing banners supporting Trump in front of homes and businesses no longer makes them feel uncomfortable. They are no longer freaked out by Republicans and are beginning to have more conservative viewpoints. My husband and I quickly understood that all these years we have wrongly boasted about how incredibly diverse their upbringing in NYC has been. While they have been exposed to a diversity of cultures, ethnicities and sexual orientations they have also been shielded from diversity of political thinking and values. Through their teachers and friends a not-so-subtle, deep rooted bias against Republicans and Trump supporters was brewing. It honestly hasn't been so difficult moving through the different states and their varying political points of view. We have been respectful of other people's political perspectives and they have been respectful of ours. How can we be rioting for equality when we can't genuinely accept others for who they are regardless of color, sex, and political preferences? The latest color war is now blue vs red. We even have purples. Can’t we stop pinning people against one another based on color? Being on the road has been quite a journey. Our plan is to safely travel as long as school remains remote, until crime rates go down back home or until we absolutely fall in love with another place enough to relocate to. As of now, NYC is still our favorite place to call home - or at least NYC pre-pandemic. Further fueling the fire, De Blasio just approved plans for the Radisson Hotel in FiDi, our home, to be converted into a shelter for men with criminal backgrounds. Can our mayor please come out of his coma so we can come home soon? When we return, we hope we come back to a safer city and a more tolerant one. During the election we'd like to find a cave somewhere in the desert that is wired with Netflix and WiFi. We are purposefully planning to avoid any big cities when the new President is elected. Sadly, it seems like too many large cities have succumbed to chaos, riots and intolerance as they claim to hide behind a move towards equality. The best way to really love and accept others is by getting out there and interacting with them (masked and distanced of course!). Take a weekend trip to a city that is opposite of your own political stance and talk to the locals. Really listen to them and consider that they have their best intentions to be good human beings and the best citizens they can be. There can be different ways to arrive at similar solutions. Mostly, a USA that is strong, united, proud and healing. For now, my family is focused on learning how to take a deep breath, shutting off the news when the sensationalism begins, listening and learning from others and sanitizing the heck out of everything we touch. We are cherishing this epic journey and all the lessons that come with the breathtaking landscapes, foods and people we encounter. What comes next, we just don't know. We'll just sit tight and hope the color wars will end soon and that we can all begin to live a life where the only colors we see are the ones that abound in nature. After three months on the road, totally immersed in the outdoors, I am beginning to wonder if people got out more to obtain their fix of nature-gifted colors, perhaps they wouldn't be so fixated on the abstract and artificial colors they have created for themselves.

Earlier this week a family friend suddenly passed away. I have known her and her family since I was a child. Let me tell you, this family has suffered all along. Like Kennedy curse style. When I was in seventh grade her brother, a very good looking and popular ninth grader, committed suicide while my parents were socializing in his home with his parents. You can imagine the trauma that ensued for everyone involved, especially his younger sister who adored her big brother. This scarred her for life. I remember speaking with her years later and she shared how this huge loss affected her in the worst ways. Not so long ago, her father, my father's best friend, died of heart surgery complications. His death completely devastated her and ripped her soul apart. Her daddy was her everything. This loss sparked a love affair with prescription meds to help battle her depression, anxiety and to numb a whole menu of expected emotions when losing the two men she has loved most in life. A few years after, and simply unfathomable, her husband died of cancer. This beautiful woman, a mother of three, had no chance of recovering from a broken heart that life just wanted to shatter into unrepairable pieces. She struggled for years, pain gripping at her every move and thought. Unfortunately, she heavily relied on meds just to get through the daily tasks that life demands of all of us, but are too difficult for someone whose world has been turned upside down. Her brother, her father, her husband - all dead before she even turned forty. Three mornings ago her daughter found her in bed unresponsive. No one knows why. Did she overdose? Did she commit suicide? Did she have a heart attack from the frequent drug usage? Everyone is speculating, but does it really matter how she died? She died of a broken heart and that is crystal clear. I was privy to some recent texts she wrote to a mutual friend just a couple of months ago. The texts were clearly a cry for help expressing pain, difficulty pulling it together, feelings of loneliness and despair. In retrospect, my friend feels horrible that she did not read in between the lines. She dutifully responded with loving texts encouraging her to be strong and sending loving words her way. But was she really listening to the cries of despair? Are we really listening or are we always acting with good intentions while fulfilling our responsibilities with the minimal efforts required to our friends and people in our community? What good does it do to cry and regret how we handle things in retrospect? It does nothing. All around me, I too see people in my life approaching me with minimal dutiful efforts to maintain our friendship. So many texts, so few calls. So much talking about their own lives, so few asking about mine. Luckily I am of fairly sound mind and solid mental health and can survive the hypocrisy, bullshit and selfishness that exudes through the pores of so many that I personally know. I can handle it. I also know that anyone who knows me can attest to the fact that I pick up the phone and call others, I truly listen with interest about the lives of others, I open up my home to strangers and friends, I show up when someone needs a friend, I celebrate my friends' milestones with love and happiness. I have no regrets about the type of friend I am or have ever been. Am I perfect? Absolutely not. I know that the Leo in me comes across too strong and that along with my zodiac sign comes a lack of tact. I am working on all my flaws. But what if I wasn't mentally sound? What if I was dealing with real deep issues? How would I survive if no one would listen? If no one would call? If no one would stop by for a cup of coffee? I often think of what would happen to me if my husband dies before me. I would be completely unable to function. I, like my childhood friend, would wither into nothingness while all my friends texted me loving thoughts and told me about their busy weekends. Are we really listening? Let's make a pact. From now on, when we ask the mundane question of "how are you?" let's really listen for a response and to the response. It's so obvious we are full of shit when we skirt over the question or end up talking about ourselves. My heart is aching for my deceased friend's mother. She lost her son, her (ex) husband, and now her daughter. Her entire family wiped away. She will now be the primary caretaker of three children who are left with no parents. I haven't spoken to her since her (ex) husband died, about six years ago or so. I haven't texted her yet to send her my condolences. You better believe that I will pick up the phone and call her, as soon as my tears don't continuously erupt so that I can support her with strength and not be a sobbing mess, and I will absolutely let her do all the talking.

This art mecca is one of my favorite road trip stops yet. Knowing that we are part of a very small group of people that are lucky enough to visit this city makes the experience all the better. Situated more than two hundred miles from civilization, Marfa is an art packed oasis with delicious restaurants, art installations, beautiful architecture, a young crowd and more than twenty art galleries that appeal to all art lovers. Creative freedom oozes through the streets and is easily noted by the unique shops and restaurants that line the small town. When planning your vacation here, note that most restaurants and sites are mostly open only on Fridays and Saturdays. This is a weekend destination. Marfa's hard to reach location sanctifies the pilgrimage; what awaits you is truly remarkable. Considering the town's small size there are many lodging options available here to accommodate the growing tourist population. We opted for the Saint George Hotel, originally built in 1886 and recently renovated into a ultra modern boutique hotel. This hip hotel is centrally located offering a Brooklyn vibe, a great pool scene and a delicious restaurant. We appreciated the complimentary alcohol wipes left in each room, the strict mask wearing rules and the ample hand sanitation dispensers throughout the property. We also loved eavesdropping on the friendly hotel guests and listening to their trekking stories. Marfa unites a pretty interesting group of people, mostly from Texas but definitely others who make the journey from a far greater distance. The Chinati Foundation Contemporary artist, Donald Judd, put Marfa on the map when he built this art museum in 1986. In 1978 the artist purchased a sprawling 340 acres of land that once housed Fort D.A. Russell, a former military site. He spent the next eleven years pouring his heart into refurbishing the army barracks and halls for artistic usage while also building his infamous fifteen untitled concrete pieces that took over four years to complete. The mathematical precision of these structures yield to an overwhelmingly breathtaking path of installations that are perfectly situated to transform with the sun's every move. This is one of Marfa's biggest attractions. Tickets must be purchased in advanced and are very limited as self-guided tours are only available Thursday- Saturday from 8:00am-11:00am. The property is 1.6 miles long allowing visitors to relish the exhibit in it's natural desert setting, surrounded by peeking mountains along the horizon. Add this to your bucket list. Prada, Valentine TX If you blink, you may miss this iconic structure that stands in complete isolation twenty-six miles outside of Marfa. You'll know you are approaching when you pass through the teeniest, tiniest town you'll likely ever see in Valentine, TX. James Dean and Elizabeth Taylor will greet you as you make your approach. Pull over to say hello, get out of the car, and get the full aspect of this engaging installation that incorporates sights and sound while brightening up the desert landscape with its' brilliant colors. Back to Prada, it's hard not to love the creative irony in building a Prada shop in the middle of nowhere. Of course, this is not a fully operating store. The doors are sealed and unsupervised, no real shopping takes place but the eye candy is gloriously humorous. As you roam the main hub of town expect to find eclectic and attractive shops like Esperanza Vintage & Art. They had two racks filled with really cute vintage clothing for under $20! I personally loved the aesthetics of this shop. I was totally tempted to buy a pair of boots. Oddly enough, I have done zero shopping on this road trip. Two and half months on the road, exploring the cutest shops with such unique inventory and yet I have not been tempted even once to buy a thing. I wonder if I will ever go back to my shopaholic tendencies? The most simplistic backdrops become stunningly beautiful in Marfa's exceptional lighting. The skies here are such a sharp blue during the day and transform into lavender in the evening. I could have easily stayed an extra two nights trying to capture the ways the sun sprinkles her magic at all hours of the day. Restaurants Surprisingly, Marfa offers many dining options for the town's size and they all delivered consistently great meals. We had the best burritos ever at Marfa's Burritos. The tortillas were so fresh and all the ingredients stuffed inside the warm shell just melted in our mouths as they fell apart in our hands. I couldn't get the tantalizing flavor out of my mouth and longed for more as soon as we left. Sadly, they are closed on Sundays so we couldn't get a second fix in. I would trek back to Marfa just for another meal here! Their walls are filled with pictures of celebrities like Mark Ruffalo, Anthony Bourdain, and Matthew McConaughey who have shared this unforgettable dining experience with us. Seriously, it's worth visiting Marfa for these burritos alone! The Water Stop Delicious food, fresh ingredients and an adorable patio await you at this popular restaurant. I especially loved my quinoa and rice bowl packed with pickled veggies and nuts. Their cold brew is extremely memorable as well. Frama Frama serves super hot brewed coffee, just the way I like it! They also serve ice cream. Clearly, we stopped by more than once. We appreciated their online ordering method and option to pay your bill via Venmo, pretty cool. Jett's at The Hotel Paisano Hotel Paisano is an institution in Marfa dating back to the 1930s. We wanted to check out the courtyard and hotel lobby and decided to book a reservation at Jett's Grill to get a feel for the hotel. The food was just "ok" but the service and ambiance definitely made up for it. Marfa Mystery Lights Nine miles outside of Marfa lies an observation deck where, if you're one of the lucky few, you will be able to spot the Marfa Mystery Lights that have been observed since the 1830s. Two hundred years later and still no one knows what these lights are, when they will appear or where they are appearing from. We went in skeptically, knowing that our chances of spotting the lights were low. Not only did we witness shooting stars and a sky glistening with stars, we also spotted the lights! Yeah baby! All five of us observed what appeared to be a spinning circular aircraft hovering in the air for a few moments and then voosh, it just vanished! A few moments later three red lights appeared taking turns flashing their lights. The middle picture below shows the sky over us on this remarkable evening, through an app we use (sky safari) that names the stars, constellations and planets when you line up your phone camera with the sky. My son, asked an interesting question during the extraterrestrial experience. He wondered if human beings on earth can return as aliens on another planet in their after life. Well... I don't see why not! The voyage of getting to Marfa, now drawing over 45,000 tourists each year, is part of the thrill and experience of the town. Its unbelievable to see what has grown in the middle of the desert due to one man's artistic vision. When we headed over to the hotel pool one afternoon my children commented on how they were the only kids there. I reminded them that since they were toddlers they were usually the only kids at many of the destinations we brought them along on. I am so grateful that not only did I get to experience this mystical town in the desert, but I was able to enjoy the journey with my kids who are likely never going to forget this unforgettable town, its' aliens, art and amazing burritos.

Austin is ranked as the number one best place to live in the USA. We were extremely curious to check out the city that so many are flocking to. I spent time in Austin a few years ago for SXSW. I must admit the city didn't resonate with me then and although we loved vacationing here, I still don't get the appeal of moving here the second time around either. Our home base in Austin was in the outskirts, an hour outside of "Austin proper" on a lake called Lake Travis. After a couple of weeks of moving around a lot this was a perfect spot for us to settle down in a serene setting. The Point Venture part of the lake is quiet and secluded and we happily gave in to our surrounding by spending most of our time in the lake or in the house enjoying the lake views and gorgeous sunsets. There is a bar/restaurant one mile away at the marina but we turned around as soon as we arrived because it was very crowded and everyone was unmasked. Otherwise, there really isn't much to do here. The nearest grocery store is a thirty minute drive and Starbucks is fifteen minutes away. For those looking for a true retreat on a pristine lake, Lake Travis is a wonderful choice. This is not a place for people who want a coffee shop around the corner, Instacart delivery or a plethora of great restaurants nearby. Enjoying spectacular sunsets every evening was a true treat. The weather was perfect for our entire stay except for a bout of three consecutive rainy days. Clear and sunny skies, a warm lake and the fluffiest white clouds I have ever seen. Pure bliss. We rented a house called "The Santana" on Airbnb. The owner, Flip, was super responsive to all our questions and needs. The home is brand new with the scent of fresh paint still lingering. We chose this home for it's modern touches, high tech wiring, spacious living and most of all the breathtaking views. If you're ok with being in the boondocks, I highly recommend staying here. There are plenty of ways to connect with nature around Austin. I would imagine that the accessibility to many trails, lakes, springs and water falls are one of the main appeals to living here. However, the main hub of the city just doesn't jive with me. It's hard to explain, but everyone just seems to be on a different frequency. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, it just is (at least in my experience). There is a sprinkle of an arrogant, hipster mentality that I just don't connect with. One thing I really did admire about the city though is the permeance of mom and pop shops throughout. There are many creative stores, styled in quirky decor that offer an abundance of unique and interesting items. A strong element of creativity is definitely appreciated and nurtured here. Overall Austinites comply with Covid guidelines pretty well. Very few people did not wear their masks, most notably on the trendy and popular S. Congress Street. It is also the most bustling city we have visited during the pandemic. Our friends who live here noted that it feels much quieter than pre-Covid but compared to other cities we visited, Austin seems pretty full and vibrant to us. The folks here love their tacos and coffee. There are coffee shops and tacos everywhere you turn. We stopped at Quickie Pick for a coffee and got a chuckle out of this bodega style one stop shop where you can pick up toilet paper, tacos, coffee and wine all in one place! East Austin surrounds the University of Texas, home to a whopping 50,000 students. We drove through the campus and admired how tucked in and contained it was. There is some beautifully preserved architecture there as well. The main drag called "The Drag" reminded us of Miami's art deco vibe. Zilker Park was a nice stop as well. It was filled with people and their dogs having picnics, playing frisbee and volleyball, and just enjoying a beautiful afternoon. We met a friend at the park who we haven't seen in thirteen years! This was a great location to meet and catch up with lots of space to social distance (although I have to say, I'm having a hard time hearing people these days with all the space between us!). The Umlauf Sculpture Garden is well worth a visit. This picturesque garden is filled with dozens of bronze and stone pieces, many of which are very moving. It's a sweet little oasis in the city and a great place to get lost in your thoughts and in the art pieces themselves. The homeless population has gotten pretty bad in Austin. Our friends complained about the mayor's decision to allow the homeless to pitch tents throughout downtown. They were mainly in clusters in specific spots, like under highways, but many were also dotted along a popular waterfront promenade. Other than this sticky situation, downtown was pretty well maintained and also the least trafficked area in the city. The food in Austin is fairly good and there are plenty of restaurants to choose from. However, the service is lacking. Everyone seems stuck in some sort of robotic trance complying to COVID laws which have stripped them of normal human interactions and behaviors. For example, we were excited to have coffee and pastries at Hillside Farmacy. Their signage literally says "coffee and pastries" yet when we asked which kinds of pastries they have they said "we don't serve pastries". Hmmmm. We also disliked their "minimal contact" ordering plan. We had to download an app that wouldn't let us order basic things like hot chocolate or a glass of milk. We had to get up, go inside, and ask how to place the order. We were told to order a coffee on the app and come back in to give them a heads up that we'd like hot chocolate instead. We were slowly getting more annoyed. Instead of pastries I opted for the biscuits and wanted jam and butter along with them. There was no way to request this in the app either. This is a full service restaurant, I just wanted a server to speak to but no one was willing to help. When the hostess walked by we told her we were having a hard time ordering and she looked at us blankly and said "this is our minimal contact way of ordering things". Minimal contact led to minimal customer service so we got up and left. Too bad, they had a cute patio with yellow umbrellas (my favorite color) but their service sucked. For brunch we headed over to Better Half Coffee & Cocktails. They have the largest outdoor patio we have ever been to, a really terrific outdoor space! Service was again a little bland. I can't put my finger on it but everyone we interacted with in Austin just seems to have their head up their ass. Luckily the food was satisfying and left us ready to explore more of the city. Tiny Pies has the most delicious mini pies EVER! We picked up a banana cream pie, coconut cream pie, chocolate cream pie, turtle pecan pie and Texas two step pie to go. As soon as I took a bite I regretted not stocking up on these. As mentioned, the outskirts are beautiful so locals have an easy reprieve from city life when needed. From my understanding, Austin folks tend to gravitate to the bountiful nature around them as much as possible. After dealing with the less smiley crowd in the hub we were thrilled to encounter friendly deer back by the lake. Deer are as common as birds on Lake Travis. We easily spotted dozens of these beauties every day. Overall, Austin has character, personality and its' own unique charm. Although locals think otherwise, the pandemic didn't seem to affect them as much as other cities we have visited. It is surrounded by beautiful landscapes and terrain making outdoor trips easily accessible and they are readily embedded into daily routines. The culture is not one I personally connect with. If I had to be brutally honest and blunt I'd say the people here just don't seem happy. We were really rooting for Austin too! Second time around and it just didn't click. That's ok though. There is no judgement. Clearly many have had a totally different experience and have fallen in love with this city. If anything, this is a lesson on how different we all are and how our past experiences shape our current ones ensuring that it is impossible for everyone to have similar perspectives. We don't all have to have the same opinions and we certainly won't. Sometimes we just have to agree to disagree. We certainly won't have any opinions with strong foundations if we don't get out an explore the world or conversate with people from different states and countries. So, that's a second lesson here, get out and discover your own feelings towards other places by visiting them or by listening really well to people who come from other places. Don't assume that because others rave and love a place that you automatically will too. Allow yourself to have a different point of view and don't get upset with those who don't agree with that perspective. I'm really learning to embrace differences rather than striving to find similarities. We have been surprised a multitude of times by how we thought we would feel about a city versus how we ended up feeling about it when experiencing it ourselves. Sometimes we just need to getaway, connect with nature and allow ourselves to think a bit to come to new realizations.

When we first made the decision to hit the road for an indefinite amount of time the idea of what to pack was extremely daunting. I took a deep, deliberate breath and quickly devised a strategy of how and what to pack. The most important aspect of a packing plan was focusing on what we really would need along the way. - When the pandemic hit things like disinfectant cleaners, toilet paper, flour, yeast, etc... were hard to come by. In fear of a second surge, and limited supplies hitting stores again, I packed two huge fresh direct bags stuffed with toilet paper, hand sanitizers, surgical masks, flour, yeast, clorox wipes, and disinfectant cleaning supplies along with some of my favorite cooking condiments that are not always easy to find. These bags take up a lot of space and have become a nuisance but they certainly make me feel safe and prepared if we encounter limited supplies again. - Two saxophones. It was important to us that our boys continue with their instrument practice while we are away so these were considered significant items to pack. Too bad we couldn't throw a piano into the trunk for our daughter! - A backpack that stores a basketball. We have definitely shot some hoops along the journey and the backpack is part of our daily routine storing our water bottles, hand sanitizers and disinfectant wipes while we are out and about exploring. - A medium sized duffel bag filled with our vitamins, a garlic press (I really hate using other people's garlic presses they never seem to be cleaned correctly), a pastry brush ( dislike sharing these too), items needed for Shabbat (siddur, challah cover, candles, etc...), a menorah for Hanukkah, red string from Rachel's Tomb (we need as much protection as we can get as we travel during 2020's path of insanity), Halloween cupcake liners (I had a bunch at home so I brought them along) and pastry bags with tips for those fun baking projects. - Each child packed their own carry on and back pack filled with their summer clothes, toiletries, and books. In their luggage, they were encouraged to pack five outfits, two pajamas, and seven socks/underwear, flip flops, a hat and two bathing suits. If they had any extra room they were allowed to add whatever else they wanted. They all chose to add their sleeping doll buddies that they've had since birth and have traveled with everywhere we've been, two of the kiddos chose to include their gumball machines, one added a baseball mitt and baseballs, and our daughter packed two dance uniforms which came in handy since we signed her up for virtual dance classes. I loved seeing what was important to them and what they chose as essential items to pack. In their backpacks they were asked to pack as many books as possible. Except for my hubby, we are all devout readers so books are definitely essential items we cannot live without. - For myself, I packed a large suitcase filled with seven summer dresses, sneakers, two pairs of sandals, flip flops, three pajamas, light cardigans, three bathing suits and cover ups and four workout outfits. This has gotten me through two months on the road easily. In fact, I may have even overpacked! The rest of the real estate in my large suitcase was reserved for several of my books, a journal, one large toiletry bag, two smaller toiletry bags, and whatever my husband couldn't fit in his duffel bag, like his large toiletry bag. - My husband packed a medium sized duffel bag. So easy. Did we overpack? It's amazing how little we really need to be comfortable. I think of all the clothes and shoes in my closet back home and get nauseous at the superlatively of it all. Despite the relatively light packing we managed, there are things we didn't need at all. Like our sons portable baseball net and baseball tee stand. I knew this was a bad idea but he begged me to bring it along and promised me he would use it. In two months he has maybe used it six times. This takes up lots of space under their feet and we may just have to leave it behind. I probably didn't need my gym outfits. Sadly, I haven't been working out but I do like having them nearby just in case I catch my fitness bug again soon. Summer is over, so what to wear next? Since we didn't know how long we would be traveling for, I prepacked clearly marked boxes according to seasons so that our incredibly helpful doorman can send us the boxes we need when we need them. There are four boxes waiting to be shipped along the way: Fall clothes, Winter clothes, Ski Gear, and a box with more books and a printer. Next week we will have our Fall clothes and books/printer sent to us and we will in return ship our summer clothes and all the books we have already read over the past two months. I'm excited for the swap and even more excited to see what I packed two months ago. I have a feeling that what I considered essential then is not what I consider essential any longer. Overall, less is really more. On this trip I have truly learned that all we really need is to be healthy, surrounded by people we love, great adventures, a laundry machine and excellent WiFi. COVID has taught me that everything else is insignificant. Packing eight more outfits and three more pairs of shoes would not have enhanced our experience in any way. On the contrary, more "stuff" would have just bogged us down. Keeping this in mind, when you pack for your next journey remember that the only thing you'll need is a full heart, an open mind and a few pairs of clean underwear.

How many of us are still locked down even though the government lock downs have been lifted? Has the pandemic changed you and most of the people you personally know or are you/they in a continued mental lock down? Personally it feels like many I converse with are on the same self-imposed mental lock down they were in previous to the pandemic. Over the past few months I have been more aware of the patterns and behaviors in those around me. I have always been conscious of the trends people gravitate towards but lately I have been examining them more closely. School pods. Moving to Hamptons during pandemic. Posting BLM and RBG references on Instagram, at the same exact time everyone else does. What makes us need to follow others rhythms rather than creating our own? I am not a sociologist and will have a rather simplistic analysis compared to someone who studies human behaviors would, but I would love to share some of my thoughts and how these realizations have helped me in my personal journey. When Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed last night, everyone immediately took to Instagram to pay tribute to the iconic Supreme Court Justice. I found myself wondering why this was happening. Why didn't anyone, at least on my feed, ever post wonderful things about her while she was alive? Similarly, everyone took to their social media when the BLM campaign reached new heights. Beforehand, no one I personally follow, ever expressed anything regarding how blacks are mistreated in our society. I never even heard of BLM until then and would argue that many posters didn't either. There are many organizations that raise awareness against inequity, but we all jumped on the same bandwagon and didn't take the time to research other equally important organizations. We just supported the one everyone else did. Do these people truly care about BLM and RBG or do they care more about how they themselves are perceived if they stand apart from the trends around them? Would there ever be trends if people weren't so locked down in the way they think they should behave?How would our communities be if they were comprised of big thinkers with individual minds that are not clouted and locked down by a deep routed need to conform? I would have loved to see posts on my feed over the years commending Ginsburg's important work. Instead there was silence until the silence was broken only after she died and then somehow that triggered a need for everyone to suddenly praise her work at.the.same.exact.time. There is an obvious significance in raising awareness collectively but I wonder why people don't take time to think about important people and movements individually and express their thoughts along the way, not only as part of a movement. I am not sure what all this means, I'm just ranting and pointing it out. Similarly, with NYC schools going mostly remote, many families decided to create pods for their students. This too is a new trend. Someone started a pod and then everyone wanted one too. People are spending up to $12,000 for their child to be taught by a teacher for four hours a day over twelve weeks with seven other kids who join the pod too. It's like a mini private school designed by the parents. I am trying to understand why these parents, who have financial freedom and flexible work schedules which allow them to work remotely, are all locked in to this pod idea. There is so much they can do and experience with their financial security and ability to work from anywhere but instead, they follow the trend and the patterns and create a pod for their kids and their friends. To be clear, I am speaking specifically of people who can afford to travel, pay for these pricey pods AND can work remotely while paying for a babysitter to assist. I am very aware that most Americans don't have this luxury. I just grapple with why the ones who do, choose the trend over the endless possibilities they have at their disposal. Voices in numbers are definitely crucial in confronting changes that need to be made. There are plenty of people who speak against racial biases and advocate for equal rights among races and genders on a regular basis. The majority of people who I know though, do not. They only do so when they get the cue, on their Instagram feed, that it is time to do so. I am not discounting the impact of their support or judging their posts with the masses, I am sincerely trying to gain a deeper understanding of how we think and behave. So why are we locked in? What tethers us to conformity and patterns? How would we all be different if we reflected on our own patterns and their authenticity? What potential do we have waiting to be unlocked if we did not lock ourselves down by others and the ways we think we are expected to behave within social pressures of patterns and trends? Are we even aware of these patterns and expectations in our lives or do we think we are controlling our own choices and decisions of how and when to respond? I know that while I lived in NYC, pre-Covid, I was locked into a pattern of business. Busy, busy, busy! Everyone around me was busy so I had to be busy too. I was also locked down by materialism adding to my Valentino shoe collection at every opportunity. My shoes and bags are now all locked in my closet in my unoccupied apartment. Things I once believed I needed, I realize I never needed at all. In retrospect, I definitely succumbed to the influences and patterns around me and ran around life in my expensive shoes and just found myself exhausted at the end of the day with achy feet. I have been so uninspired lately. Oddly enough, I am most inspired by my sundaystrolling Instagram feed where I get lost in the way people live their lives breaking the norms and living their fullest lives through travel. No pod posts. No RBG posts. No BLM posts. Just inspirational posts of people who visit places I have never even heard of effecting my mind to imagine an infinite world waiting to be discovered. There are no rules - from luxury hotels to tents in the desert, from a trip to Philadelphia to a stay in Indonesia, its a bunch of people who are doing what they want, when they want, in a way they can afford and making it work without any sense of competition or judgement in where or how they travel. I am sure there are many, many groups like this on social media; ones that push the envelope and break the trends outside of travel but in a way that matters to them. Individually they inspire a common thread. They are not though affected by imposed collective patterns. How are we living our best lives if we are really living out a scripted one? What could we really achieve individually and collectively if we followed our own rhythms? If we weren't chained to the ideas of how we should live, how would we really live? Could we randomly post an anti-bias message when no one else is? Could we take Disney up on its teacher led classrooms at their resorts? Could we move to Costa Rica and live in the jungle while our kids learn remotely with the help of a Spanish speaking sitter and maybe learn a new language? Is it possible to live our most authentic lives without caring at all how others judge our comments, movements, decisions...etc.? I don't know about you, but I am certainly going to try to move forward, in my own life, with a microscopic lens inspecting each decision I make and why it is made. Moving forward I hope to be as genuine as possible and truly dig deep into why and how I make my choices and to be aware of the choices I think I make versus the ones that are actually made for me by external influences. For now, I will try to march to the beat of my own drum and see how that feels for a while. Who knows, I might just end up missing the band or maybe I'll learn that a solo gig isn't too shabby.

If you're looking for a more authentic cowboy/girl experience while in Texas, head on over to Fort Worth! This small city definitely has a big personality! Four hours gave us a nice glimpse into the city's vibe and what is available to its' residents and visitors. The neighborhoods below are listed in the order we visited them. They are not walking distance from one another but you can easily walk through each one. Fort Worth Stockyard Historical District For the most bona fide western experience Fort Worth Stockyard District is a must! You are welcomed by the town's original signage hung one hundred years ago and lured to enter its' path comprised of a long row of saloons, restaurants, an active rodeo colosseum and even a herding ranch where you can view real cowboys in action! We were blown away that places like this still exist! Next time we'll be sure to visit in our cowboy/girl hats and boots! Fort Worth Water Gardens The Water Gardens are an oasis in downtown Fort Worth boasting three pools that tantalize the senses. They are perfectly designed for those seeking a quiet moment or two in a beautifully relaxing landscape. Sundance Square As soon as we walked into the main square my daughter thought of an Italian piazza. It is reminiscent of a town square in Milan but once you veer off you are guided into perfectly maintained streets filled with high-end stores and restaurants. It is truly a beautiful area to stroll and get lost in for the afternoon. HG Sply For grub we headed to HG Sply for yummy, clean food in a vibrant atmosphere. The outdoor seating area is on a river adding to a lovely experience. The menu has an abundance of vegetarian and gluten free options and each and every bite was relished by all of us! Although Fort Worth is much smaller than Dallas it has a lot to offer and is an easy forty five minute drive from the big city. It is definitely worth a stop to explore its' various neighborhoods and all they have to offer.

I did not have high expectations of Dallas but I was immediately won over and blown away by the city's abundance of beauty and the many alluring neighborhoods that it is comprised of. Seriously, I knew this was a special place as soon as we drove towards its skyline. Dallas was an unexpected stop on our itinerary. We were originally heading to New Orleans but found out at 10:00 pm the night before that they were under a hurricane watch. Dallas was our Plan B and I am thrilled that fate connected us! Dallas has one of the most impeccably clean downtowns we have ever visited and the cheerful folks here live up to the state's "friendship state" motto. People care about their community and wear masks, keep social distance guidelines and everywhere we went there was a plenitude of hand sanitizer. Dallas was love at first sight and continued to impress us as we dove deeper into the city. Historic Downtown This neighborhood reminds me of Tribeca in NYC with its vast streets dotted with converted warehouses and trendy corner restaurants. There are historic points throughout this area as well, including the site John F. Kennedy was assassinated and where Oswald found his place to shoot from the sixth floor of the Dallas County Administration Building. Art District Dallas has developed the nation's largest art district encompassing sixty-eight acres of city streets. From a symphony center and an opera house to a museum of art and a sculpture center, art lovers will get lost in the district's twenty square blocks that are all sparkling clean, well maintained and pedestrian friendly. There is a lot of construction going on in Dallas. It is obvious that the city is preparing for a growth in population and that there is a demand for new, luxury buildings throughout the downtown area. What I particularly loved is the juxtaposition of old architecture preserved alongside new developments, a building plan that definitely adds to the allure and charm of the city. Four Seasons, Las Colinas After exploring the several downtown areas in big cities that we have visited, we decided to choose a hotel outside of the main hub of Dallas since downtowns have proven to be barren or ridden by the homeless populations. The Four Seasons is a twenty minute drive from downtown Dallas and is a stunning resort property with a golf course and all the amenities you could dream of. One of the biggest perks of traveling off season and during the pandemic are the lower than usual rates and very low capacities at many luxury properties. In addition to a great rate, the hotel also upgraded our rooms to their villa suites which are spacious, more secluded, and have large balconies overlooking the golf course. Suite! Oops, I mean sweet! As expected, The Four Seasons offers top notch facilities and service with no detail overlooked. This is a gorgeous property that I highly recommend when visiting the Dallas area. Toyota Music Factory in Irving This is a huge entertainment and eating complex in Irving, just a five minute drive from the hotel. We were exhausted after our long drive from Memphis and we opted for a nearby establishment that offered a plethora of restaurant options. We chose Yard House for its' great reviews and outdoor seating availability. When we arrived, I was skeptical since it seemed like a typical sports bar but boy was I wrong. The nachos were one of the best we ever noshed on, my son's vegetarian burger was incredible, my hubby loved his pineapple chicken and my oldest son gobbled up his steak tacos. This is not your typical sports bar menu. Yard House is a perfect spot to watch a game while enjoying great food. Ellen's Ellen's Downtown location served us the most incredible breakfast on the cutest patio nestled in the Historic Downtown District. We loved every bite from start to finish. Highland Park Just outside the West Village lies a beautiful neighborhood called Highland Park. The roads leading to it are windy, lined with trees and even have some hills making it a unique neighborhood in comparison the mostly flat terrain around Dallas. If we were to move to Dallas, this would be my choice of neighborhood because it is well kept, in close proximity to a couple of charming neighborhoods and also seems to be pretty open-minded politically allowing residents to feel free to post pro- Trump and pro-Biden signs outside their doors without worry of conflict. One thing I am learning about NYC is how narrow minded the city is when it comes to politics; many people are shut down if they do not share the overall liberal point of view expected of them. While NYC strongly encourages diversity of cultures and nationalities, I am quickly learning that it shuns on diversity of political thinking. West Village This uptown neighborhood spans several blocks of high end retail shops, boutique stores and a bunch of restaurants with outdoor seating. There is a young family vibe here with many parents pushing strollers through the sidewalks. A major perk of living here is not needing a car as the main hub has everything you'd need on a daily basis. Bishop Arts District I was "wow'ed" by the character, charm, vibrancy and charm of this neighborhood whose outskirts are clearly gentrifying. There are huge, new developments being built in the area. It is easy to see why people would want to live in this chill, laid back location filled with trendy shops and delicious restaurants. Bishop Arts is approximately a thirty minute drive from Downtown, Dallas making for an easy commute for those who work there but want to live outside of the city's main hub. If we were to move to Dallas, I probably wouldn't live here (only because I would not want to do apartment living again) but I would definitely make this my weekend hang out spot. The streets are filled with art, good vibes and pops of color throughout. This is truly a special place. Taco Y Vino We seriously could not stop ordering tacos at this Bishop Art District establishment. We ate the best tacos we have had in a very long time, with great service, and an adorable patio. The funny thing is, the recipes are not so unique or complicated but the ingredients are so fresh and the tortillas are perfection. Taco Y Vino will be a memorable restaurant always! There are many other areas of Dallas that we were unable to explore. This city takes the lead as number one place we would relocate to, if we ever leave NYC. There is an energy here that is hard to describe. Simply put, it is a thriving city anticipating a big boom around the large business growth it is experiencing, there are an endless list of things to do and see here, people are extremely friendly, the skies are clear and overall it is just aesthetically pleasing all around. Adding to this, Grapevine Lake is just twenty miles outside of the city allowing for a less "landlocked" feel and offers local a huge lake filled with water sports and swimming as a reprieve on hot days. Ya'll, trust me- this place is magic!

I'm not going to lie. We did not connect with Memphis. At all. The city is a run down ghost town with very little that appealed to us. In fact, we opted to drive through the three main streets, rather than walking them, as we did not feel safe or inspired enough to get out of the car and explore the city. Our hotel concierge recommended we head over to Broad Street and have lunch at The Liquor Shop. After a three hour drive from Nashville we were hungry and ready to eat. Upon arrival we quickly decided to leave. We did not like the restaurant's location, crowd, service or lack of cleanliness. We drove further down Broad Street hoping to understand why this is a popular destination area. There is a cluster of cute retail shops, a yoga center, a Krav Maga site and a delicious looking bakery. However, even this well-kept cluster was not enticing enough for us to get out of the car. Next we headed to Beale Street, a street known for its' vibrant music scene. The strip is small and in the middle of a sketchy part of town so we opted to continue our tour of Memphis inside our vehicle. Finally, we drove towards the downtown area along N. Main Street and S. Maine Street. The buildings are not well kept, there was NO ONE around besides a few homeless stragglers and the area just gave us all the creeps. I was beginning to regret our decision to make a stop in Memphis. Luckily, I booked our hotel stay at The River Inn in Harbor Town instead of The Peabody in downtown. I actually was torn between these two well-rated hotels and do not regret my choice one bit as we would have been very unhappy in downtown. Harbor Town is an upscale, newly developed neighborhood over a bridge, on Mud Island, just a couple of minutes away from downtown but felt like we were transported to a whole new planet. As soon as we pulled up to Harbor Town, we all let out a huge sigh of relief. We were back in a happy place. Famished, we ran into the local market, grabbed grub and had a picnic along the Mississippi River. The River Inn has received many accolades and has won many notable awards like "Best Hotel in the South" by Conde Naste Traveler. This boutique hotel offers pampering touches for all hotel guests to relish like welcome drinks upon arrival, port and truffles at turn down, fresh coffee brewed each morning on every floor and a full breakfast at either one of the hotel's restaurants or delivered in room. While they don't have connecting rooms, they happily accommodated us by keeping our rooms directly near one another in a private little wing. Its' location is safe and beautiful. They also have three restaurants including award-winning Paulette's and The Terrace, a rooftop bar with views of the Hernando de Soto Bridge's nightly light show. Ironically, until we got to Mud Island our experience in Memphis was a murky one. This hotel was a lifesaver to what could have turned out to be a not-so-fun leg of the trip. Paulette's This was our first time dining indoors since Covid hit. We originally requested outdoor dining but due to a rain forecast we needed a plan B. Although they were fully booked for the evening the manager arranged a private seating area by the bar to rest my nerves. However, guests were walking into the "private" bar area, unmasked. We asked to have our table moved to a more isolated one. We were moved to the main dining hall with plenty of space between tables but I was not relaxed, especially with a nearby patron having loud coughing fits. Lucky for us the food was so scrumptious, we were easily distracted. We started with spicy, fried cauliflower bites and mushrooms stuffed with crab meat. Both instantly devoured. For mains we had lamb chops, vegetable gnocchi, and herb crusted salmon. Everything was extremely well prepared and the service was wonderful. After dinner we walked across the street to witness the most spectacular sunset over The Mississippi River and the nightly light show that runs from sunset until 10:00 pm. This was definitely a perfect way to end the evening. To be fair, Memphis has clearly been impacted by the pandemic. If more businesses were open causing more people be walking around, we could have had an entirely different experience. Of all the cities we have visited thus far, this one is by far the most visibly impacted. I have heard wonderful things about Memphis and I am quite aware that the timing of our visit was just not an ideal one. If you've been to Memphis, I would love to hear your experience.

If you listen closely while perusing the photos of downtown below you might just hear the blaring live country music oozing out of every venue on Broadway, an active street in downtown loved by all booze and music enthusiasts. It was so fun to sing along to the tunes spilling out of each bar we passed. While downtown was generally very quiet, Broadway was filled with folks looking to have a great time. Architecturally, Nashville is reminiscent of NYC with tall, modern buildings entangled with late eighteen hundreds structures. The city does an excellent job of marking historic sites with large informative plaques that recall its' role in how cruelly blacks were treated in the late eighteen hundreds to the mid nineteen hundreds in the state. There were over two hundred lynchings in Tennessee alone during this period. To their credit, the city is doing a fantastic job taking responsibility for its' past rather than shying away from it. You'll also find The Parthenon in Nashville. Yup. It's a full scale replica of the Greek original built for Tennessee's Centennial Exposition in 1897. Boots, country music, rowdy drunks, beautiful architecture and southern charm. This is Nashville. We absolutely loved it! Ya'll have to check it out for a fun weekend getaway! Downtown: Dinner at Liberty Common We unanimously enjoyed a delicious, southern inspired menu on an adorable outdoor patio overlooking the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge. We couldn't resist the many wonderful options and once again settled on trying everything that caught our eyes: macaroni and cheese, crispy Brussels sprouts, fried pickles, buffalo cauliflower bites, oysters, watermelon and feta salads, a grilled local trout with cheese grits, waffles and chicken with maple syrup, and a chicken sandwich that my hubby claimed is the best he ever had. Each bite was gobbled up and savored. The Hermitage Hotel A glamorous and romantic hotel indeed. The lobby is grand and beautifully appointed. The rooms are immaculate, spacious and some of them offer beautiful views of the State Capitol. The staff was easily able to connect a double Queen room with roll away bed to a King room, making it an extremely comfortable stay for our group of five. The Hermitage also just celebrated a 100 years since women won the right to vote; this hotel was at the epicenter of The Women's Suffrage Movement. Great vibes, although there are some who say the hotel is haunted. Luckily, we were only haunted by luxury and positive energy lurking from the great historical moments that occurred here. This was a perfect choice for our one night stay in Nashville. 12 South About a five minute drive from downtown lies this trendy little neighborhood bustling with stylish boutiques and fine dining restaurants. There was a young and vibrant crowd most likely comprised of the local college students. The main stretch, 12th Avenue South, is surrounded by a quiet neighborhood lined with cute bungalow style homes and felt very safe to explore at night. We passed an unattended/closed for the day farmer's market finding it remarkable that all the produce (squash and pumpkins) was left out overnight! A few steps down a college student was playing her violin on a street corner for those on their evening stroll. This neighborhood has a special charm and a distinct local town feel that will definitely appeal to most. Overall, Nashville won us over. Our oldest son has added it to his dream cities for college locations. We certainly will look forward to visiting him in such a wonderful city and embarrass the heck out of him by riding past his dorm on the ubiquitous pedal pub tours!

How is it possible that I never heard of Gatlinburg, Tennessee before? There are so many hidden gems in our beautiful country just waiting to be discovered! The main hub is a Disney-like stretch of tourist traps like Ripley's Believe it or Not, World of Illusion, suspension bridges, cable cars, trams, thrill rides, miniature golf, Dollywood and everything else you could hope for in great family getaway. Stores have very religious, Christian slants as well as some disappointingly deep rooted Confederate angles. Gatlinburg has provided the most culturally rich southern experience yet. It's definitely a quirky little place. All of this personality is tucked in a valley with sweeping views of the Smoky Mountains. This small city draws nine million tourists a year. With all it offers, I am not surprised. What was surprising is that here, even employees in stores do not wear masks. This is essentially a mask free zone during the pandemic. Also surprising was how packed the town was post Labor Day season on a week day. There is a great investment opportunity here as it is a year round destination and when we tried to extend our stay we were out of luck as all the homes we liked were booked through December! We didn't explore much in Gatlinburg. We were too comfortable in the amazing chalet we rented, Majestic View Lodge through Mountain Laurel Chalets. One of the perks of traveling off season are the great rates on incredible properties. This house had the most breathtaking views with wrap around decks on each level and unique amenities including an indoor home theater. We never wanted to leave and we barely did. But for those who want to venture out there are plenty of hiking trails, towns and scenic drives in the area. It was difficult to part ways with the the sprawling mountain ranges, great weather, luxury accommodations and peaceful environment. We found solace in knowing that there are many more special places to be discovered and off we went!