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Recent Reads: Quarantine Edition

Recent Reads: Quarantine Edition

by Natalie | May 26, 2020 | Books | 3 Comments

I've read a lot of books during quarantine. And I really do mean a lot. My recent reads include over 20 books. Some have been great, some just okay...

5 Ways to Cure Wanderlust When You Can’t Travel

5 Ways to Cure Wanderlust When You Can’t Travel

by Natalie | May 18, 2020 | Travel | 0 Comments

I know people make fun of wanderlust. They think it's a condition only suffered by beautiful, basic, privileged girls with luscious hair on...

The Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe You Need

The Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe You Need

by Natalie | Apr 29, 2020 | Food, The Blog | 0 Comments

This chocolate chip cookie recipe is a staple in our home. I actually don't even like chocolate that much, but a few months ago, when I still worked...

A New Way to Do Date Night

A New Way to Do Date Night

by Natalie | Apr 15, 2020 | Lifestyle | 8 Comments

Date nights look different right now. Heck, everything looks different right now (hello to wearing bras only every so often and getting away with...

Cinnamon Rolls During Quarantine

Cinnamon Rolls During Quarantine

by Natalie | Apr 4, 2020 | Food | 3 Comments

I’ve been baking for over 10 years now. And I feel like this is an important distinction to make because of the internet trolls who are judging...

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Jun 9

In April I did my first solo trip. It was equal pa

In April I did my first solo trip. It was equal parts awesome and hard and lonely and peaceful. And I firmly believe that every single woman should do some solo travel... especially if you're married. Here are some tips I picked up along the way.

🚶🏼‍♀️ Do a walking tour on your first day to get oriented + meet people + see major sites so you don't fee like you have to later

👏🏼 When alone you literally get to do what you want. Don't feel rushed to wake up early to do everything

🥘 Eating alone with a good book is a luxury. Enjoy it. But also don't feel forced to do it for every meal. Uber Eats with Netflix in your hotel/airbnb/hostel is just fine

👯‍♀️ Don't be scared to start a convo with a fellow solo traveler

💪🏼 Stand your ground. As a single traveler in a sea of couples, they will always take priority/push you out of sidewalks

🤠 Don't buy food that you can eat in so that you're forced to at least get out at some point. Some days I didn't feel like going anywhere because I'm lazy and was alone so no one to force me, but hunger pushed me out the door and lead me to fun adventures

🙌🏼 Say yes more than you say no

📸 Bring a lightweight tripod and don't be embarrassed about setting up your perfect shot. Sometimes I had families/couples/friend groups trying to cut in front of me in popular photo locations and I politely asked them to wait as I had been there first and already had my tripod set up. I also didn't always accept offers to take my photo as I knew exactly what I wanted and already had my tripod ready.

🧷 If you're a woman, be cautious and don't get drunk while out. No one will ever look out for you the way you look out for yourself.

Any tips you would add?

#solotravel #girltraveler #solowomentravel #travelhacks #myGLTstory #visitguimaraes

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May 20

Random post because I like this picture and becaus

Random post because I like this picture and because I like summer evenings in Michigan and because I love Doug.

Thanks for the cute pic @_jazminfranco 😍

#summerinmichigan #lakemichigan #mittenlove #puremichigan

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May 15

A beautiful weekend to celebrate my beautiful frie

A beautiful weekend to celebrate my beautiful friend’s new marriage.

Madison, thanks for hosting the chillest destination wedding in the American Alps. Can’t wait to visit you and Kyle in the UK 🇬🇧

(PS. Marble has the best BBQ restaurant Doug and I have ever eaten at. Their brisket is to die for. And the cutest Airbnb perfect for a romantic and disconnected getaway 🥺)

@madison_victoria14 #weddingweekend #therockies #destinationwedding

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May 8

Happy Mother's Day to the ultimate mother. She's s

Happy Mother's Day to the ultimate mother. She's stylish, she's fancy, she's fun and funny, and she's a coffee queen.

Thanks for being awesome, Mom!

#mothersday #bestmom #adventuremom #travelgirlsgo

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May 5

Walking into summer like . . . But seriously, I l

Walking into summer like . . .

But seriously, I love summers in Michigan. If you've been around for a while or we're IRL friends, you probably know that I don't LOOOOOVE the small town we live in. But Michigan summers are really unbeatable. They're humid and hot and sunny, the perfect cocktail for defrosting from a long winter. I'm ready for evenings at the beach and ice cream cones that melt too fast and all the car-camping and family visits and travel plans.

[Photo taken in Segovia!]

#summertravel #summergirl #visitspain #visitsegovia

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May 3

Granada was my favorite surprise in Spain. Due to

Granada was my favorite surprise in Spain. Due to a scheduling ✨misunderstanding✨, we weren't able to go inside the Alhambra. Instead, we visited the outer buildings and ate our sorrows away at a beautiful terraced cafe overlooking the summer palace.

But, due to the misunderstanding we ended up exploring more of Old Town Granada and let me tell you, it was the most pleasant surprise of our entire trip. Granada is a medieval town with a strong Moor influence as it was funded by the Arabic Naṣrid dynasty. It's rugged and mysterious and overall amazing. Also, it's one of the last places in western Europe with traditional Gitano neighborhoods with cave dwellings. If you ever make it to Granada, stay more than one day so that you can visit the Alhambra (which will take a full day) and the town itself.

MUST SEES/DO IN GRANADA:
📍 The Alhambra (outer wall pictured here! Make sure you buy your tickets months in advance)
📍 Albayzín, Granada's historic Arab quarters
📍 Granada Cathedral (second-largest in Spain!) and the Royal Chapel (where Islabella I and Ferdinand II are interred)
📍 Sacromonte (Gitano neighborhood where you can catch what I've heard is some of the best Flamenco in Spain)

#visitgranada #alhambra #travelspain #visitspain #traveldiary

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May 2

Madrid is such a fun city. The thing about Spain i

Madrid is such a fun city. The thing about Spain is that you might be expecting Europe, but what you get is totally different. Spain is a unique place, different than any other European country I've visited. As a Cuban, it felt more like home, more familiar, and Spaniards are friendly and hilarious.

We spent three days in Madrid and it wasn't enough.

MUST SEE/DO IN MADRID:
📍 Shop and eat at Plaza Mayor (extra points if you go on the day of a major soccer game because it will be very exciting)
📍 Eat churros with thick Spanish hot chocolate (note that the churros are not the sugary dessert you may be use to)
📍 Royale Palace of Madrid
📍 Book a table for the best food and Flamenco dance I've ever seen at Corral de la Morería @corralmoreria

#visitmadrid #travelspain #flamencoshow #plazamayor

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Apr 28

Segovia is an easy day trip from Madrid, and you w

Segovia is an easy day trip from Madrid, and you will NOT want to miss it. I've seen Roman aqueducts before, but these are some of the most impressive ones I've seen especially as they are right in the town. The historic town center is also beautiful, with one of the most impressive cathedrals I've seen.

MUST SEE SPOTS IN SEGOVIA:

📍 Roman Aqueduct (pictured here)
📍 Alcazar de Segovia (an amazing castle that we did not get to go inside because all tickets were sold out--buy tickets in advance!)
📍 Catedral de Segovia

SEGOVIA TIPS:
Note that the train station is outside town and buses are scarce, so you will want to take a taxi into town. BUT, taxis don't just wait outside the station so you will have to call one. If you don't have international service, ask inside the train station and they will help you.

The upside of taking a taxi is that Spaniards are friendly. They want you to ask them about their town, their traditions, points of interest. So if you know Spanish, don't be shy about chatting up your taxi driver. We took plenty of taxis all over Spain and didn't meet one who wasn't excited to talk to us. And one of our taxi drivers even chastised us for not asking more questions 😂

#segoviaspain #visitsegovia #travelspain #visitspain🇪🇸

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Apr 27

Seville is a pretty fancy city. Also sunny, so d

Seville is a pretty fancy city.

Also sunny, so don't forget your sun lotion, hat or sunglasses.

MUST SEE/DO IN SEVILLE:

📍 Royal Alcazar de Sevilla
📍 Plaza de España in Maria Luisa Park (pictured here!)
📍 Watch a Flamenco dance
📍 Get lost in Barrio Santa Cruz (Seville Old Town)

(Not pictured here: Us getting stuck in not one, not two, but FOUR Semana Santa processions later that day in the old town. Seville is famous for their Semana Santa celebrations, and we were not prepared. But once you get stuck in a Semana Santa crowd in Seville the only thing to do is just go with the flow. Literally, the flow of people will sweep you up and you'll just have to follow it until you find an escape. It took us hours just to find an open street and a taxi. And then the taxi driver spent the whole ride back to the hotel educating us on Catholicism and the Semana Santa traditions 🙃 😆 )

#semanasanta #visitseville #sevilleguide #travelspain #tourspain

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Apr 25

I heard rumors that it snowed in Michigan while I

I heard rumors that it snowed in Michigan while I was gone. But ever since I got back it's been nothing but spring and April showers.

This photo was not taken in Michigan. It was taken in Madrid, where we bought flower for the little apartment we stayed at. My dad said, "We'll be there for three days, let's go ahead and get some flowers."

That's my new motto for spring and summer: "Let's go ahead and get some flowers."

#madridspain #visitmadrid #springflowers #colorfulstreets #itsspring

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Apr 22

It's hard to believe my time in Spain and Portugal

It's hard to believe my time in Spain and Portugal has come to an end. The past two weeks have been amazing. Exhausting. Refreshing.

Traveling alone, even if just for a week, reinforced things I already knew about myself but needed to be reminded of. And now, I can't wait to jump into Doug's arms. Is there any greater joy in life than to know that you are truly loved by your best friend?

P.S. Keep an eye out for Spain and Portugal photos and reels in the next few weeks 😍

#travelportugal #visitporto #visitportugal #solotravel #girltraveldiary

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Apr 19

There’s a peace in being in a foreign country al

There’s a peace in being in a foreign country alone. Also discomfort. A sense of expectation. And maybe a little anxiety too? Loneliness and contented aloneness coexisting.

The first morning I woke up in Porto alone I didn’t feel like going anywhere. I suddenly realized I was actually alone. Thousands of miles from home and in a country where I don’t speak the language.

I forced myself to roll out of bed. Took advil for my sore foot. Grabbed my bag and walked out the door. At my walking tour I met some wonderful ladies also traveling alone. Had lunch with them (and some nice solo guy travelers who were also on the tour). Booked a spot at a coworking desk that’s a grueling four story climb up stairs but rewards with the coziest and most wonderful views of the river and Porto bridges.

Then I had dinner alone seated in a booth next to two adorable couples. Me and my book.

Today I woke up late and hiked to a cafe (when the city is on a hill everything is a hike) for coffee and writing and thoughts. Maybe later I’ll meet up with some of the ladies for a drink. Or maybe I’ll wander some of the narrow, ancient Porto streets alone.

I don’t feel rushed to see anything or do anything other than exactly what I want, which may be nothing or everything.

I wouldn’t trade my life with my husband for anything in the world. But I am gladly drinking in this week of newness and aloneness and quiet wonder.

Likely the knowledge that I have a warm home where I’m never alone to go back to makes this week all the more enjoyable.

#travelthoughts #porto #visitportugal #travelporto #solotravels

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Apr 17

Just a couple of cuties strolling the streets of M

Just a couple of cuties strolling the streets of Madrid. 💃🏼

It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to make memories with family. I can’t say that traveling with my grandma doesn’t have moments of frustration, but it is overwhelmingly a beautiful and satisfying experience.

Said goodbye to the crew today (grandma and parents) and headed to Porto for a few days of remote work and solo adventures. Can’t wait to see Doug on Friday but looking forward to a nice and relaxing week.

#portoportugal #porto #familytravels #madridspain #visitmadrid

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Mar 8

I love being a woman. Business owner. Traveler. Wi

I love being a woman. Business owner. Traveler. Wife. Daughter of immigrants. Bi-lingual Latina.

And I wouldn't be the woman I am without the strong and brave women who came before me. Someday, I hope other women can look at my life and say the same.

#internationalwomensday #yaywomen

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Mar 7

Maui blog is live! In case you haven't been arou

Maui blog is live!

In case you haven't been around for the last 10 days, it's been tough. One of my clients is a humanitarian organization that is at the front lines of responding to the humanitarian crisis that developed from the war in Ukraine, and we've all been putting in long hours and an overwhelming amount of mental and emotional energy into that. And of course, I'm also managing my other clients.

It's a lot. And even though my Maui blog has technically been live for two weeks now, I didn't have the energy, and it also didn't feel right, to talk about Maui.

The crisis in Ukraine is ongoing, and I'm still finding my balance, but I'm ready to share this blog, which I put a lot of work into.

This is our ultimate (but simple) guide to Maui. The first place you'll want to look when planning your Maui trip. I included our favorite stops, eats, a link to the Hana blog, and of course some budget tips.

Check it out in the link in bio!

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Feb 21

I did a little chat in stories today about what th

I did a little chat in stories today about what the Simple Love blog means to me.

We moved overseas when I was 12, and before that I lived in the same house, in the same city, attended the same church and went to school with a lot of the same people I went to church with.

But moving to South Korea was one of the most uncomfortable and best things that happened to our family, and to me. It made us rely on and trust each other, taught us to eat foods we would have never tried previously, and forced us to form friendships with people we would have never crossed paths with back home.

It changed me fundamentally, and I am forever grateful for that.

Doug and I are not luxury travelers. We don't make money from our trips. We aren't rich or even close to it. We're just regular people, who love people and cultures and cherish the opportunity to learn from them.

And I hope that through Simple Love, you're inspired to get out of your comfort zone. It doesn't have to be complex or expensive. That's why I called it Simple Love. Because it can be as simple as being a tourist in your own city and seeing people and places you didn't even know where right next door.

But whatever travel means to you, or whatever kind of travel is accessible to you right now, I hope that you take it as an opportunity to realize to learn and love. I hope you realize that at our core, we're all simply the same. And I hope that knowledge grows your love for your neighbor.

Simple Love.

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Feb 18

My guide to the Road to Hana is live! In case yo

My guide to the Road to Hana is live!

In case you haven't been following along, we love Maui. and Our favorite thing to do in Maui is drive the Road to Hana. We always drive it all the way around, taking the backside of Haleakala to get back, which is a full day trip full of jungle and waterfalls and wild coast.

10/10 recommend. Check out the blog in the link in bio 🌊🌴 ✨

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Feb 17

Story Time! [[Swipe for pics.]] I once almost got

Story Time! [[Swipe for pics.]]

I once almost got kidnapped. Probably one of the wildest things that's happened to me while traveling.

When I was in Mago Village in Tanzania, in the middle of the Kipengere mountain range, we walked to the local market with the girls from the school we lived at. About a 10 kilometer walk through the mountains, hot, sunny, and wonderful. Market only happened once every couple of weeks and it was a Big Deal because we got to leave the village and eat snacks like sugar cane and Chips Mayai (french fries omelet with spicy ketchup).

In a market in the middle of a small Tanzanian town I was noticeable. I'm very white, with very red hair. Honestly, I stick out in most places. Except for like, Scandinavia.

I was exploring the vendor stalls with the other two girls I lived with when a man walked up to us and started saying something in Swahili. We assumed he was a vendor trying to sell to us, so we smiled politely and made the universal "no thanks" signal.

But instead of leaving, he grabbed my arm. Not just grabbed me to get my attention, but actually grabbed me and started pulling me away.

At first I was just shocked, and really thought he wanted to show me something to sell. But when I tried to pull away he grabbed harder and yanked me away.

And then, I panicked. I started screaming as loud as I could. The girls I was with grabbed my other arm, and I suddenly I turned into a rope in a game of tug of war.

The man was strong, though, and even with my friends pulling he was dragging me away. He kept insisting that they should let go because he didn't want them.

I wasn't flattered.

Finally, one of the girls from the school heard us and came running over. She said something to him in Swahili, he responded aggressively, and she spoke again more assertively than I'd ever heard her speak.

He yanked me even harder.

And then, the student reached out and slapped his wrist. We were all surprised, including him because he loosened his grip.

I took that opportunity to yank my arm away and we all took off running and jumped on a truck heading in the direction of home.

And thats the story of how I almost got kidnapped.

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Feb 1

Remember how I told you guys that United lost our

Remember how I told you guys that United lost our bag for 9 days?! Well, catch me on Twitter telling the story of how we got the full $1,500 compensation from them for the delay.

Airlines never want to pay up, but their websites are usually pretty clear on what kind of compensation you're eligible for. You just have to do your research and be persistent.

I've said this a lot but, when it comes to airlines, GET YOUR MONEY. Honestly, we pay them a lot of money with very few benefits (I swear these carry-on restrictions get worse every year), so I have no shame with pinching pennies when it comes to them. But also, $1,500 is not pennies.

Get the full scoop in stories! And let's do a hot gos session (I love good gossip), share a story of when you GOT YOUR MONEY from an airline. Or just share your wildest airport/airline story.

Pic of me pre-foot surgery living life on Maui.

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Dec 13

Just a quick photo because I love this pic of us.

Just a quick photo because I love this pic of us. And I love how a random Sunday can turn into a sweet adventure when I’m with Doug. And mostly, I just love Doug. ❤️

Sometimes I wish I wasn’t always forgetting my tripod so that we could have adorable couple shots. But I can barely remember my wallet, so my expectations are set low for ever remembering the tripod. Instead, you’ll likely keep seeing travel selfies of us and the occasional photo a stranger agrees to take for us.

#thetravelgirl #travelpatna

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Nov 29

A week with the family photo dump. I love traveli

A week with the family photo dump.

I love traveling, live to explore, but nothing is more grounding than time with the people who make me me.

Also, I turned 27 on Friday. It was a beautiful day full of baby snuggles and toddler kisses and good food and too many laughs to count.

#HappiestofBirthdays #MyPeople

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Nov 11

The budget blog is finally live! And, I'm giving y

The budget blog is finally live! And, I'm giving you guys a ✨ gift ✨.

Honestly, this feels a little vulnerable for me? Everyone budgets differently, and I feel like sharing with you guys how we budget leaves me exposed to criticism. But also, I wish someone had shared more with me about budgeting when I was younger, and how budgeting doesn't mean just saying "no" all the time.

It's more about prioritizing what fulfills us, and balancing that with responsible decisions (like, you know, saving for retirement). And now that we budget, our money goes SO MUCH FURTHER. Before, we'd blow it all on fun and friends and trips. We weren't paying any debt, and we honestly had very little clue as to where our money was going. Now, we still have fun and go out with friends and travel, but we also paid down $15,000 of debt. Win, win.

Check out the blog in the link in bio (and grab your free monthly budgeting template!).

#BudgetTravel #MonthlyBudget

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Nov 9

Not my prettiest picture, but a very happy one. I

Not my prettiest picture, but a very happy one. I can't wait to be reunited with my two favorite squishes on Thanksgiving. Being an aunt is the best job in the world.

#AuntLife #FamilyIsEverything

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Nov 4

This week is always a hard week for me. Six years

This week is always a hard week for me. Six years ago on November 2, my grandfather was involved in an accident with a drunk and high driver. He passed away 9 days later.

Often times I'll talk about substance abuse (especially alcohol and weed) on my social media. Why? Because these substances, that many of us take for granted as a daily part of our lives, are not without consequences. How many times when I was in college did someone get in a car after having too many drinks at a party? How many times did I know that friends smoked then got behind the wheel? How many girls in my travel groups go missing and show up days later injured or worse after a night of partying?

Just this week a former NFL Raiders player killed a young woman because he drove drunk.

It's all for fun, until it's not.

I am not a teetotaler and believe that marijuana should be legalized and has some great medicinal uses. When traveling, I don't shy away from any experience, and always enjoy trying the local beverage of choice.

But after all, I believe that sobriety is the best way to do life. I'm always the most alive, the most awake, the most joyful when I'm fully present, in mind and spirit. And I hope that all my travel friends on here know that substance and fun, or substance and travel, don't have to go hand in hand. The world was meant to be experienced with all our senses, all our minds, completely present.

#travelsober #dontdrinkanddrive

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Nov 1

Look at that cheesy smile. Drake said, "I'm here

Look at that cheesy smile.

Drake said, "I'm here for a good time, not a long time." In marriage, we're here for a long time. But it can also be a good time. The thing about being married to Doug is, I don't just love him, I'm not just committed to him, I like him. I like doing new things with him, I like exploring with him, I like sitting on the couch next to him and bickering over what we should watch next.

Travel is one of those things that keeps our marriage fresh. Every time we see something new, or experience a different place, or come together to problem-solve, we're renewed and refreshed and reminded that we're partners and friends. And that we're definitely here for a good time and a long time.

Thanks for being my #travelpatnah

(if you haven't already, check out our Tunnel of Trees blog post in the link in bio!)

#SimplyLovingMichigan #TheTravelCouple

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Oct 29

Northwest Michigan is one of the most charming pla

Northwest Michigan is one of the most charming places I've been to. It rivals New England with its small coastal towns, abundance of lighthouses and canopied forests. The Tunnel of Trees route is hands-down one of our favorite Michigan road trips. We've done it twice in the past five months, and we live over four hours away!. It's quirky (I'm looking at you, Legs Inn) and delightful (hi, Harbor Springs) and so unique (anyone interested in a mushroom house?).

And I say this in the blog, but if you make it all the way up there DO NOT MISS FISH TOWN.

Read the blog for more on planning the perfect Tunnel of Trees road trip! (link in bio)

#travelmichigan #puremichigan #legsinn

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Oct 23

Out here making sure little Blue recognizes my voi

Out here making sure little Blue recognizes my voice when they enter the world 🫐

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Oct 19

Disney budget blog is now live! This blog is for

Disney budget blog is now live!

This blog is for anyone who is scared of doing Disney because it's so darn expensive. Disney is magical, I firmly believe everyone should go at least once in their lives, and it doesn't have to break the bank.

Check out the blog (link in bio) for 4 Disney budget tips that will make Disney possible for you ✨

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Oct 18

Road-tripping with you is one of my favorite year-

Road-tripping with you is one of my favorite year-round activities ❤️

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Oct 16

Last weekend we spent a day exploring the Heritage

Last weekend we spent a day exploring the Heritage Trail in Indiana. It's a driving trail about 40 minutes from our house with stops all along the way that takes you through large Amish communities. If you stop by the Elkhart, IN, visitor's center before heading out on the trail, you can grab a free CD that talks you through the history of the area and Amish culture and traditions.

We stopped by a creamery, several Amish shops, a delicious Amish-style restaurant, and this charming old grain mill.

Bonneyville Mill is the oldest, continuously operating grist mill in Indiana. It's full of walking trails with hidden ponds and meadows. Sometimes all we need to refresh the spirit is a short Saturday trip.

(swipe to see my cute mom.)

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