'The Plaza' at Evergreen Lodge, an outdoor gathering spot for meeting friends and hanging out with the family. Lovely!

This is the first in a series of posts about my stay at Evergreen Lodge located half a mile outside of the entrance to Yosemite National Park.  It was written about an hour after I arrived.  I will be posting a second review, written after my stay, as well as a dining review.

After an admittedly amazing week in San Francisco, I cannot tell you how happy I am to have come here, to Evergreen Lodge right outside of Yosemite.

One of the charming 'Vintage Cabins' original to the property, lovingly restored.

Evergreen Lodge is stunning and silent.  I’m writing this on the deck of my cabin, which looks out over an endless expanse of yes, you guessed it, evergreens.  I can hear the waterfall at Hetch Hetchy in the not so distant distance; it is less than three miles up the road.  Aside from that and the chirping of birds, that is literally all that I can hear.

Evergreen is one of the most unique places I’ve ever stayed—second only to perhaps Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (but far more beautiful.  Sorry Disney.)  The lovely people at the reception desk took me on a little tour of the facility and proudly told me of its history.  Evergreen began its life as a work camp for the people working on the damn at Hetch Hetchy.  Over the years it has been many things—a gas station, a post office—and eventually was purchased by the current owners and became this lovely lodge.

The original cooler sits behind the bar in the tavern, storing things like fresh lemongrass for the signature cocktails. Mmm!

But Evergreen isn’t really a lodge; it is more of a modern take on a campground; the landscaped grounds are dotted with cabins featuring modern bathroom facilities, large sitting areas, and private decks.  Some of the cabins are original to the property but have been lovingly restored, as are many of the main buildings. It is truly the best combination of old and new that I’ve ever seen—you get all of the charm of an old-timey campground with none of the downsides (there’s not a pit toilet in sight!) The tavern—a very important part of any lodge in my opinion—even contains an original cooler that is so old parts have to be custom made for it whenever it needs to be repaired.

But this is not to say that Evergreen is showing its age.  Even the ‘vintage’ cabins are charming and clean (and feature private baths), and newer, larger, more modern cabins have been added as well—which is the type of cabin I’ll be enjoying for the next few nights.  It’s about the size of my first apartment, with a sitting area, a mini fridge, a little gas stove for the winter and many brand new windows with screens for the summer.  The bathroom is huge and new and clean as can be, and there’s even a little mud room shelf area inside the doorway for all of your gear.  Oh—and there’s also the sliding door leading to the little private deck that I think I already mentioned.  But I’ll mention it again—there’s a little private deck with Adirondack chairs for two and a tree stump table.  My only regret is that I didn’t bring a citronella candle (I suppose I should regret not bringing my husband to enjoy it with me—but no, I’ll just take the candle thank you very much!)

The deck of my cabin at Evergreen Lodge--ahhh! This is the life!

Additionally, there’s a super-awesome little camping area for those looking for a budget lodging option.  For a very reasonable rate, solo travelers, couples, or families can rent one of the pre-set-up tents, featuring seating areas, hammocks, and extremely convenient restroom facilities (I mean, even I would be ok with this, and my camping days are long past).  It’s like the resort version of camping—everything is already there for you.  There are even little ‘room’ numbers on wooden posts.
The folks here at Evergreen have truly thought of everything.  From the general store that offers everything from locally made baked goods to bottles of wine, to the luggage wagons available to help guests transport their luggage a very short distance to their cabins, there’s nothing you could want for here.

And speaking of wanting– the things that people did want, Evergreen added.  In the past year, improvements have been made to the camping area, a guest laundry has been added, and an entire pool complex has been built.  I was fortunate enough to see this new pool area—featuring a pool bar serving drinks and light snacks—the very day it was filled for the first time and I have to say, were I visiting a few weeks from now when the weather gets warmer, I’d have a hard time leaving the grounds to enjoy the park.  Or, rather, I’d be sure to stay an extra night just to be able to enjoy a slower-paced Yosemite visit, with a little pool time thrown in after a long morning hike.  I mean come on-doesn’t that sound lovely?

The absolutely gorgeous new pool area, complete with pool bar, snack stand, restrooms and meeting space.

And speaking of lovely–a hawk just soared past my deck.  Like twenty feet from me.  And I didn’t have my camera, but that’s ok.  I’ll remember it.

After a harrowing way-too-long journey from San Francisco (it took me almost an hour just to get to the Bay Bridge in construction traffic, and I may have actually cried at one point during that portion of the drive) it took me exactly five minutes to relax here at Evergreen.  And that is truly saying something.  Additionally, it only took me another hour to get used to the fact that my phone doesn’t even try to work here.  I’m completely unplugged—and not freaking out about it (well maybe I freaked out about it a little—even though the main building does have some spotty wifi and computers available 24 hours per day.  I’m a connectivity junkie, ok?)

Overall, I’ve never had a place make such a great first impression.  And that’s impressive, coming from someone at the end of a pretty great trip.  Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a sunset to enjoy.

DISCLAIMER: The lovely people at Evergreen Lodge (and they are quite lovely) provided me one night’s stay free of charge and two additional nights at a reduced media rate in exchange for blog coverage of their facility.  Of course, all opinions are always my own.  And my opinion is—wow this place is way nicer than the website even makes it out to be!  And I’m so glad because I have to admit, I was a little scared coming all the way out here by myself.  But I’m already so glad that I did.  Stay tuned for post two—the three-nights-later verdict!

Evergreen Lodge is located seven miles down lovely Evergreen Road, right off of 120 which runs through the middle of Yosemite National Park; it is less than four miles from Hetch Hetchy and the turnoff for Evergreen road is less than a mile from the Big Oak Flat entrance to Yosemite National Park.  For more information, including details about Evergreen’s fantastic Guided Recreation Program, please visit Evergreen Lodge’s website.

Take the Metro

From the Lehigh Valley area, drive through Reading, Lancaster, and York on 222 and 30 and into Maryland on I-83 South.  Take the Baltimore beltway towards Towson, follow to 95 South, and remain on 95 South when it becomes the capitol beltway.  You’ll be on that beltway–495–for approximately 8 miles.  Get off at the New Carrollton Metro/Amtrak exit, which is 50 West.  Follow the signs to the station; you’ll get off of 50 West, drive straight to a stop light, make a left, and then turn right into a parking garage.

After parking, follow the pathway into the metro station.  The open doorway to the left is for the metro; the real doors to the right are for the Amtrak station which has restrooms and vending machines in case you are hungry or have to pee (I always have to pee–the restrooms are gross but they work).  Before you enter the turnstiles, purchase a Metro card.  I typically put $20 on one for a long weekend trip and have never had to add more; for my last trip I came home with $4 remaining.

Put your metro card in the turnstile panda-side-up, walk through and to the left up the escalators.  Don’t worry about which train to get on because New Carrolton is the end of the line; thus all trains go into the city.  You will be on the Orange Line train.  Look up your hotel and find the closest metro station on the Orange line–or, if there’s nothing near, transfer trains at L’Enfant Plaza or Metro Center, the two biggest metro stations in the city.  All stations are well marked and you will not get lost; just make sure to know which direction you are going.  If you have any questions about this, please ask in the comments below and I’d be happy to give you specific directions.

Arrive at your hotel, check in, and have a drink.  Smile.  You’re in one of our nation’s best cities.

Bid on a Hotel

I love Priceline.  No one is paying me to say this–I just really love it.  I’ve used it in New York and DC repeatedly (and, more recently, in Napa), and I’ve never had to stay anywhere gross.  In fact, my favorite DC hotel was ‘won’ via Priceline–a two night stay at Marriott Metro Center which I still maintain is the best-located hotel in the city.  But I digress.  Here are my bidding tips:

Never go below three stars; ideally never go below three and a half stars.  I typically begin bidding a week to a week and a half before my trip.  In DC, you want to start with a four star hotel and bid between $75 and $100 per night–depending upon how badly you need the room.  A $75 bid may win–I’ve stayed in a 4-star property for $65 per night–and a $100 bid will win.  Bid only in areas FIVE and FOURTEEN–Convention Center/Capitol Hill and Whitehouse/Downtown respectively.  I don’t really recommend going below 3.5 stars, but that’s a personal preference.  Enjoy your fluffy towels, room service, and granite bathrooms at rock bottom prices.

Don’t Pay to Play

DC is quite possibly the best city in the world to visit on a budget–as far as sightseeing goes, anyway (London is a close second, but it costs so much to get there and stay there that I can hardly consider it a cheap trip.  And the exchange rate stinks.)  Most museums, galleries, and attractions cost exactly zero dollars to visit.  One could spend a week just visiting the Smithsonian museums alone, not including the Smithsonian-run National Zoo–which is excellent–or the other free attractions you really need to visit, like the Capitol or the Library of Congress.

Additionally, most of these museums and attractions offer free guided tours.  How great is that?  You’ll learn something, be entertained, and pay nothing.  If you’d like tips on which places to check out based on your personal preferences, please do ask in the comments section below.  I’d love to help.

Go Out For Dinner

DC is a dining destination.  Yes, you heard me correctly.  DC is full of amazing restaurants.  If you doubt me, please click on this link, which will take you to a bunch of DC blog posts, most of which are dining reviews.  My personal favorites include Jaelo, Zatiyana, Rasika, and until it disappears in July, America Eats Tavern.  Fogo de Chao is great as well–if you like meat and haven’t ever been to one (it’s a chain, so there’s one in Philadelphia too.) I also really like the cafeteria at the Museum of the American Indian.  Yes, that’s right, I said cafeteria.  It’s really good–and educational to boot!  There are also tons of great bars, pubs, and microbreweries.  Sure, most of these restaurants are a bit pricey, but remember–you just saved money on parking, lodging, and entertainment by following my tips above.  So you can afford to splurge!

If you need a suggestion for somewhere fantastic to dine near your hotel, please ask in the comments section below.  I’d be happy to point you in the direction of a pint!

I could literally go on and on about all of the reasons to visit DC and all of the ways to make the most of your time.  But by this point you likely have questions, and I likely have answers.  So ask away!  

As is usual immediately after a longer trip, I woke up in the dark last night and didn’t know where the bathroom was in my own house.  Of course, I soon realized where I was and located the toilet–that’s the good news.  The other good news was how I felt when I realized I didn’t have to do anything the following day.  I could go back to sleep and wake up in my normal life, not compelled to bound out of bed to explore, photograph, or otherwise enjoy anything.

And then I did wake up.  And I realized that not only did I have nothing to explore, photograph, or otherwise enjoy, I also had nothing–absolutely nothing–to eat.  Enter the photo of the sad mango.

I’ve been thinking about making a salad with that sad mango–and some equally sad arugula that I’m not even going to grace with a photo–all day.  It is literally the only food option available to me right now, unless I want to venture out into the world to find something (and I don’t).  It doesn’t help that there’s a steady rain falling and everything I own that would make my hair cooperate on a day like today is still in my toiletry bag, still in my suitcase.

Yes, coming home is definitely the worst part about traveling.  And today, with the rain falling and my sad mango mocking me from the window ledge, I’m not even soothed by the fact that my next trip is exactly one month and three days from now.  Because all I really want is a meal that someone else made for me–something well balanced and healthy, on a real plate at a real table.  Or for my suitcase to unpack itself.  Or for all three thousand of my photos to edit themselves.  But none of those things are going to happen, and it just started raining harder.

Off to enjoy my puckered mango and wilted arugula salad as a combination breakfast-lunch-dinner.  Or perhaps I’ll just wait until my next trip to eat; I really don’t want to ever go to the grocery store, and I could stand to lose a few pounds anyway.  Now, where’s that wine I brought back from Napa…?  Wine has calories, right?  Right.

I’m thinking about the ideal airport because right now, I’m enjoying something that I think should be standard at every airport–a single seater booth with two outlets for your electrnoics, free wifi, and–if you didn’t bring your own–an iPad at every station.  I am not making this up.  Please see the photo at the top of this post, taken with my iPhone while it was still plugged into the outlet.

This is not a special little area reserved for the few people able to snag one–every single seating area has outlets, a desk area, and an iPad. It doesn’t really take up any more room than a standard waiting room seat, but it enables people to get work done, play Words with Friends, or watch Netflix.  It’s actually quiet in here.  Wild.

So this got me thinking–if I could design my own airport terminal, what would I include?  That is, aside from awesome little booths like this one.  Based on things I’ve seen in airports–and things I wish I’d seen but never or rarely have seen–here’s my shortlist:

A place to buy quality food. In London’s Gatwick Airport, there’s a Marks and Spencer (which, for those of you who don’t know, is by American standards a really nice gourmet grocery).  I was able to buy a bottle of wine, quinoa salad, and chocolate mousse.  That beats the heck out of the dry, likely days-old sub I just had for lunch at JFK.

A gym.  Yes, a gym.  The worst part about long travel days is all of the sitting.  After spending a long time getting to the airport–or between two long flights–wouldn’t it be nice to get some exercise?  And maybe even a shower?  I’d gladly give up room in my carry on for sneakers and sweats if I could spend a two hour layover on an ellipical rather than spending yet more time sitting on my ass.  And I’d also gladly pay for the privledge.

A Reasonable Hotel.  Again, Lodon’s Gatwick got something right.  The Yotel concept–tiny pod-style ‘hotel rooms’ that can be rented by the hour (with a minium of 4 hours I believe) are the single best airport concept I’ve ever seen.  Perfect for early morning flights or extra long layovers, they offer a cheap (ish) place to recline, nap, enjoy some crappy television, and if you’d like, shower in the in-room shower compartment. Thanks to Gatwick’s Yotel, I arrived in NYC refreshed after a super early morning flight out of London.

So there you have it–my short list of ‘things airports need to have’.  It would be a longer list, but honestly many airports have been stepping up to the challenge and providing things–like this charging station I’m  currently sitting at–that would have made the top of my list a few years ago.  Thanks airport market research people!  What would be on your list? Please share in the comments section below!

I call this shot 'fearless driving'--though there's no bridge or tunnel!

Last Monday I admitted that no matter how many trips I take, I always get nervous before I leave, and at some point during each trip there’s something that is difficult, frustrating, or scary.  However, this is not to say that traveling doesn’t get easier the more you do it.  It completely does–in several important ways.

Packing is easier

I no longer need a list when packing–which is impressive, given my obsession with list-making.  Though I suppose I do have a list–it just lives in my head, much the same way your grandmother’s chocolate cake recipe lives in hers.  It’s second nature, and I very rarely forget to add the baking soda.  Though I’m sure that because I just typed that I will forget something extremely important while packing tomorrow–but even so, I’ll know how to handle it (because really, the only two things you need when you travel are your passport or other ID and your Visa card–everything else can be purchased!)

Planning is easier

While this current trip grew and changed over the course of the planning process, the fact is that I threw it together rather quickly.  But more than that, I’ve devised planning routines and habits that have now become second nature.  Before I even hit ‘submit’ on the ‘buy this flight now’ page, I’ve already created a Google Doc to begin recording my confirmation numbers.  Each reservation that gets added to the trip is added to that document as I make it, and voila–the day before I leave I can email it to myself, copy/past it into the memo section of my iPhone, and I’m off–with every important piece of information backed up in three different places.

Getting comfortable somewhere new takes less time

I’m really good at packing, but I’m equally good at unpacking.  I can make the smallest space feel like home in under ten minutes.  Netbook on flat surface, toiletry bag near the shower, glass located for wine consumption and I’m good to go.  And by ‘go’ I mean ‘out into wherever it is that I’m visiting’.

This is the point where getting comfortable is really important.  It’s one thing to be comfortable safely ensconced in one’s hotel room–but that’s not really the point of travel, now is it?  On my trip to New Orleans, I hadn’t even checked into my room when I hit the ground running, walking for miles around and through the French Quarter, pointing my camera at things and scouting the surrounding areas for good restaurants and bars (and by ‘scouting’ I mean ‘marveling at the sheer quantity of restaurants and bars’).  I hadn’t been in town for an hour when I found my first public restroom–a very crucial find when you are Tracy-of-the-small-bladder.

Overcoming fears becomes easier

It is impossible to plan a trip around avoiding things you are afraid of.  Ok–maybe it’s not impossible, but it sure sounds difficult.  Sure, if you don’t like to fly, you can take the train.  But what if you want to go to London?  Last time I checked, a train wasn’t an option from where I live.  The good news is that travel cures you of these fears by forcing you to face them.  Sure, it can be uncomfortable at times, but it does make you a stronger–and more adventurous–person.

I used to hate dealing with people in certain situations–the hostess at a restaurant, the person manning the check-in desk.  I admit, younger-me made my husband ask for a table for two or inquire about the location of a corkscrew at the concierge desk.  Solo travel has completely cured me of that fear.  I’ll step right up to the hostess stand at the nicest restaurant in town and ask if there’s a table for one–or, better yet, space at the bar where I can dine.  I’ve checked into more hotels than I can count on two hands all by myself–and nothing bad ever happened.  It was a fear that I had to overcome–but overcome it I did.

And, shockingly, once-upon-a-time I had a gripping fear of driving on highways.  I’d have complete panic attacks just merging into traffic, and it didn’t get any better from there.  But of course, if one wants to travel as much as I do, one has to drive on highways.  One solo trip from Pennsylvania to the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina cured me of that fear.  Here’s hoping this next trip–to San Francisco, Napa, and Yosemite–cures me of my current all-consuming fear: driving over bridges and, especially, through tunnels.  The only way north out of San Francisco is on the Golden Gate Bridge, and the only way into Yosemite is through a tunnel.  Guess I get to cross two more fears off my fear list!

Do you have any travel triumphs of your own?  Fears you’ve overcome or skills you’ve learned while on the road?  Share them in the comments section below! 

My standard 'self-taken giant head photo' outside the Library of Congress.

Most people who visit Washington DC plan to visit the Lincoln Memorial, the Capitol Building, and one or more of the fabulous Smithsonian museums.  And while all of these attractions are amazing in their own right, many visitors skip the one DC landmark that I consider the most beautiful, inspiring, and historic–the Library of Congress.

Hands down, the Library of Congress is the most beautiful building in DC.  The lobby alone is a work of art, and on any given day you’ll find hoards of people gaping in awe, craning their necks to look up towards the lovely stained glass ceiling.  I dare you to visit without taking at least a few photos of the lobby alone.  I could go on and on about how beautiful the Library of Congress is.  Or I could just post a bunch of photos.

Tips for Visiting the Library of Congress

Arrive early in the day or late in the afternoon.

There are two reasons why this is tip number one.  First, the line for security can get long, particularly when school groups are visiting from late morning through mid-afternoon.  You’ll have to go through airport style security to enter most buildings in DC, and for some reason I’ve found security at the Library of Congress to be the most thorough (and thus pretty darn slow).  But more importantly, early morning and late afternoon are the most beautiful times of day at the LOC, when the sun is lower in the sky and the light streams in through the windows, the entire lobby area seems almost otherworldly.

Take a guided tour.

There’s a lot to see here, but if you just wander around unaided you may miss most of it.  Additionally, during the majority of the day, a guided tour is the only way to see the Reading Room, which is the most beautiful part of the building.  You view it from a balcony area high overhead–an amazing vantage point of an amazing space.  Honestly, I don’t know how people get any research done in there.  I’d just be staring around in awe the whole time, books splayed open on the tables, unread.

Combine your visit with a visit to the Capitol.

If you also plan to check out the Capitol and the Capitol Visitors’ center on your visit to DC–and I think you really should–there’s a very good reason to check them both out on the same day.  I don’t know why this isn’t more widely publicized, but there’s an underground passageway between the Library of Congress and the Capitol Visitor’s center.  What this means to you is that you only have to go through security once to visit both buildings.  Considering the lines for each can exceed an hour’s wait on busy days, this is a huge time saver.  In fact, I wish more people knew about this tip–it would greatly cut down on the line at both places.  And shorter lines means more time to enjoy everything Washington, DC has to offer.

Honestly, even if you don’t follow any of the tips above, do consider taking this advice: visit the Library of Congress.  I promise, you won’t regret the time you spent there.  And I’ll bet you will return.  I did.

Driving here required conquring my fear of bridges. Photo Credit: Nia Jean Ross

I don’t usually do this, but tomorrow (well, today on the east coast) I have a bonus day. That is, I don’t have any plans, I have a car, and I’m not scheduled to leave for Yosemite until the following day. It’s 10:30 pm and I still don’t know what I’m going to do–so I thought I’d ask all of you.

I feel I have two fairly good options. I shall label them in a way that allows you to make a decision even if you don’t feel like reading the descriptions. Ahem…

Option 1: Super Motivated, Go-Go-Go Option

I get up super early, check out of my hotel in San Francisco, and drive down the coast. I take route 1 slowly, stopping to take photos. I spend the afternoon in the Monterey Aquarium and the evening–around sunset–driving the 17-mile drive and taking a photo of that one famous tree on a rocky outcropping. I get a super cheap motel room somewehre near Monterey and then drive directly to Yosemite the following morning.

Option 2: Super Laid-Back, Relaxing Option

I sleep in. I go out for breakfast. I then spend the rest of the day doing things I wanted to do in San Francisco that I didn’t get to yet–likely the Japanese Tea Garden and Lands End. Maybe drive up to Twin Peaks for the view (I really like views) if I decide to spend my day exploring by car rather than by public transport. In that case, I could go to Sausilito. Or I could JUST have breakfast, go to the park, and have dinner. I maybe spend the evening doing laundry and reading my Yosemite book.

I am equally excited about both options. On the one hand, option 2 sounds great becasue I’m so tired–and because I want to be refreshed for Yosemite. I can do as little or as much as I want, and I don’t have to check out of this hotel early (I love this hotel, and it is dirt cheap). I don’t even have to move my car if I don’t want to. However, option 1 seems like the thing that I should do. After all, I’m here. I have a car. When am I ever going to get to drive down Route 1 again? Doesn’t it seem like I SHOULD do it?

Please note: Because of the cost of parking in the city, each of these options will likely end up costing about the same amount of money, even though I’d have to get another hotel for the night given option 1 (yes, parking really is that expensive here). So–thoughts? Reply quickly, because I have to make up my mind ASAP!

The dressing on this salad is made from my only souvenir from The Epic Road Trip of 2011. And it's epic-awesome!

I don’t buy souvenirs.  I hate clutter, so little figurines of stingrays made out of soapstone or Day of the Dead statues do not appeal to me.  I don’t wear t-shirts ever–they look terrible one me.  Same thing goes for hats, sweatshirts, and other various souvenir-garb.  And to be perfectly honest, I’d rather save my money to go on another trip than spend it shopping on the trip I’m currently enjoying.

But there is a way to spend little-to-no-money on a trip and still return with something that will last your whole life through.  Here are my top three tips for no-cost souvenirs, followed by one suggestion for that person that just has to spend money to be content…

Take Photos

This photo, taken in New Orleans, is my current iPhone wallpaper. A zero-dollar souvenir I enjoy daily!

My favorite souvenir from each trip I’ve taken has been a photo.  I love the photo of my husband and myself on the beach in Prince Edward Island.  I love the photo I took of myself reflected in a bar window in New Orleans–in fact, that’s my current Facebook header pic.  I love the photo I took behind my back of my husband on a Segway, the photo of the beach at Tulum, and the photo of sunflowers in front of an art studio on Monhegan Island, Maine.

In fact, that last photo is hanging on my office wall as I type this–along with a photo of one of the Flowerpot Rocks in the Bay of Fundy, Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse, the fountain at Trafalger Square, London, the Bloomenmarket in Amsterdam and Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris.  Yes, I paid to have them printed out, but that cost me pennies worth of ink.  If you want a truly no-cost option, use your photos as computer or phone wallpaper, or set your screensaver to display an album of your favorite shots.

Learn Something

Whether you take a free walking tour that teaches you the history of a town or city, visit a museum, or take a salsa dancing class, the things you learn while traveling will stay with you forever.  For example, after my trip last summer, I now know how to shuck an oyster.  I don’t know how often that skill will come in handy, but surely it is more practical than, say, and Anne of Green Gables magnet.

A tip for this tip:  if you want to remember the things you’ve learned for longer than a day or so, I strongly suggest taking notes.  If you want to remember them forever, I even more strongly suggest keeping a travel journal.  Or, even better, a blog like this one!

Replicate Meals

This one is kind of tied in with the above ‘learn something’ suggestion, but it takes it a step further–you actually have to teach yourself something and then use it.  When I visit new cities or towns, I always seek out new and interesting food.  I then come home and try to replicated that meal in my own kitchen.  I’ve had some great successes–a bolognese sauce that was the only good thing I ate in Paris–and some great failures–chorizo stuffed dates that, when prepared by the chef at Portland’s Bresca were plump, juicy, and flavorful but when prepared by me were dense, chewy, and cloyingly sweet.  But at least I try.

And don’t worry if you’re not a great–or even passable–cook.  Some of the great ‘recipe’ ideas I’ve gained during my travels have been less ‘recipes’ and more ‘ideas’.  For example, prior to my visit to a gastropub in Halifax, I never would have thought to put honey on triple creme cheese.  Now I can’t imagine living my life without that salty-sweet combination every now and then.

One Low-Cost Tip

Finally, if you must buy something, consider buying food products.  This may sound strange, but a really amazing jam picked up at a little roadside stand somewhere in Amish country will surely bring you joy far more often than a much more expensive handmade doll that will eventually just become a dust-collector.  And the jam will cost far less.  The photo in the header of this post is a photo of the lunch I made for myself today–arugula, tomatoes, and grilled chicken dressed with the olive oil and balsamic vinegar I purchased in Charlottetown this past summer.  I’m not sure what I’m going to do when I run out, but it may involve a return trip to Prince Edward Island!

Who knows where I am in this photo? Hint: it is a place similar to, yet different from, several places I'm going on this trip.

Back in the day, when The Suitcase Scholar was lowly little Blog on the Run, I would post trip plans before they happened.  You all would know exactly where I’d be and when, as somehow I had time to post such things.  Perhaps because I was traveling yearly and not monthly?

But I thought I’d take the time to let you know what you’ll be reading about in the next few weeks.  While posts about New Orleans and Washington DC, (along with travel musings in general) will continue to be posted–and while you can still read about my Disney trips over on Mouse on the Mind–I’m already off on my next adventure.  When this post publishes, I’ll be on a bus bound for NYC–or, more accurately, JFK–to board a plane for San Francisco.

You’ll note in my Travel Dreams for 2012 post, I said something like ‘I’m going to San Francisco this year, damnit’.  Well, I literally am going right now! See–this is why it is good to make travel dream lists.

Of course, to ‘just’ go to San Francisco would be terribly unlike me.  Though I swear that’s how this trip started out–a simple 7-day trip to the city; one hotel, no car, no trains, nothing insane.  It took maybe four days to balloon into what it is now–a 12-day trip to San Francisco, the Napa Valley, Yosemite…and maybe a drive down the coast to Monterey.  Ok–probably a drive down the coast to Monterey.  My mom actually coined a phrase to describe my travel planning style–scope seep.  She says my plans start out normal (or, rather, reasonable-for-me anyway) but then expand in length and depth and breadth.  As much as I hate to admit when my mother is correct about something, this might just be one of those times.  Mom–you’re totally write.  I have scope seep. And I fear it may be incurable.

Full–and long–as this trip is, it is also chock-full of awesome tours, events, and experiences that will of course be making an appearance here on The Suitcase Scholar–including a bucket-list item for me, the Napa Valley Wine Train.  I could not be more excited.  Well, I could not be more excited right now, as I type this.  As you read this and I sit on a two hour bus ride or a seven hour plane ride, I’m likely a little less psyched.  But whatever.  California, here I come!

What would you like to see me do on my California trip?  If you’ve been to any of the places I’ll be visiting (or have always wanted to visit for a specific reason) and have a suggestion for me, please feel free to add recommendations in the comments area below.  I have two totally free days–imagine that–that I can fill with anything you suggest.  

PLEASE NOTE:  Due to the uncertainty of wifi availability for the duration of this trip, any comment replies for the next two weeks may be typed using my fat thumbs on my iPhone.  So please forgive me in advance for any typos.  I’d love to hear from you, dear readers, while I’m gone–particularly because I’m traveling solo–and I will reply.  Thanks for understanding!  

ALSO:  If you’d like to follow along with me on my trip, check out my real-time travel blog, Virtual Passenger.  I’ve not used it in over a year (I’m not sure why…?) but I think I shall resurrect it on this trip.  Since I’ll be solo and have the time–in theory.

And then there’s the other side of travel–the things you are leaving behind.  Most of my trips are short-ish, at least to me.  The longest trip I took this year was three weeks long, though most were just under two weeks.  I’m leaving the day after tomorrow for twelve days.  That doesn’t seem long–until you start thinking about not seeing anyone you love or care about for twelve whole days.  And twelve days is almost three months in dog years!

Of course, the anxiety doesn’t stop as soon as I walk out the door.  In fact, if anything, it is heightened, at least for a day or two.  Traveling can be stressful.  Long days of travel combined with the effort it requires to find your way in a new city or town can be downright exhausting.  From carting around luggage to navigating unfamiliar public transportation, I definitely see why some people just choose to stay home.

The final straw on the back of my travel camel is solo travel.  I’m doing all of these things–leaving home, finding my way, adjusting to a variety of changes–and I’m doing them all by myself.  When traveling solo, you wake up in a new place each morning, and you find yourself alone.  Of course, I love to travel alone–but it can be lonely.  Typically I’m anything but lonely when I travel, but it does happen at least once on each trip I take.  I recall sitting alone in the courtyard of my hotel in New Orleans, waiting to check in and wishing I had someone to chat with.  Every morning on both solo cruises that I enjoyed, I’d have breakfast alone.  Even in Walt Disney World, I’m sometimes lonely–amidst the thousands of people swarming around me.

You would think that doing this so frequently–I’ve traveled at least once a month for all of this calendar year–I’d become accustomed to it.  You’d think I’d sling my backpack over my shoulder on Wednesday, smile, and head out the door without a care or fear in the world.  But you, my friend, would be wrong.  At least in this one instance, practice does not make perfect.

Do you have travel trepidations?  Are they the same for every trip or do they change depending upon where you are going?  And, most importantly, how do you deal with them?