Okay, no, not really. I'm still seven weeks away from needing to buy a car to replace my beloved Nitro, which I sold last November after 11 years together. What I have done is rented a car for the entirety of my stay in Panama City. Expensive? Yes. But so are tours in Panama. This … Continue reading I Got New Wheels!
Tag: nature
On the Twelfth Day of China: Not Just Cold, China Cold
Holy moly was China ever cold. So, so cold. My first day there, my tour guide looked at what I was wearing and said she didn’t think I’d be warm enough. I was wearing all the usual winter clothes: knit hat, scarf, gloves, boots, and heavy wool coat. I laughed it off. I was born … Continue reading On the Twelfth Day of China: Not Just Cold, China Cold
The Sunshine Returns And So Do I
Last Sunday's snowstorm stripped a lot of our trees well before their time this season. The dying leaves couldn't stand up to the onslaught of wet, heavy snow and ice. They fell to the ground in large clumps, robbing us of the autumn magic of slowly falling leaves that crunch happily underfoot. When the snow … Continue reading The Sunshine Returns And So Do I
Manufactured Loyalty
Caveat: This post is long and a bit of a ramble. It has a lot of ideas in it that aren't fully formed and should probably be split into several distinct posts. It's more of a thought exercise about the role of place in one's life, which is the focus of a new writing course … Continue reading Manufactured Loyalty
A Decade of Rocky Mountains
Today is my 10 year anniversary of living in Colorado! I've done so much!
Some Love for Boulder
I've said it before and I'll say it again, Boulder is the friendliest place I've ever lived. People of all ages and situations are polite and helpful and always have a smile for you. I've struck up conversations in the most random places with people I wouldn't ordinarily talk to. But why not? Doing so … Continue reading Some Love for Boulder
Eight Days in the Mid-Atlantic (Part 1)
This summer, I’m keeping my travel domestic and fulfilling some long overdue visits to friends and family. I forgot how cheap it is to vacation when you don’t have to pay for hotels and you don’t have to go out for every meal. Also, I’ve been to places I’m going this summer many times before, … Continue reading Eight Days in the Mid-Atlantic (Part 1)
Enchanting Rainforest Hideaway in Pāhoa, Hawaii (February, 2013)
While You Are There: Relax! Not all trips are about what you can go see and do. If you went all the way to Big Island only to rent this place and never step foot outside it except to go to and from the airport, it would be worthwhile. This place is magical. That said, Big … Continue reading Enchanting Rainforest Hideaway in Pāhoa, Hawaii (February, 2013)
Cuatro Ciénegas, Mexico (June, 2002)
While You Are There: Everything! Check out the Visit Mexico site for what to do in this appropriately categorized "magical" town. The protected area is the main attraction, but you could easily spend many days here and not get bored. Why It's On My List: I lived in Mexico for five months and was lucky enough to … Continue reading Cuatro Ciénegas, Mexico (June, 2002)
Bessastaðir, the Icelandic Presidential Residence (March, 2013)
While You Are There: Well, you didn't come to Iceland just to see the presidential palace, did you? Here's all the awesome stuff we crammed into a five day trip. Blue Lagoon, Northern Lights & seafood dinner tour, the penis museum, Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Reynisdrangar, Gullfoss, Geysir geothermal field, Sólheimajökull glacier, Reynisfjara, Viking horses, elves, great food, and too … Continue reading Bessastaðir, the Icelandic Presidential Residence (March, 2013)
Jennifer A Swallow 