Quintana Roo, Mexico

The palm tree shadows showed as designs on my legs. The dry sandy path leading me to the cenote left white specs of sand on my sandal-laden feet. The surrounding area was a swamp-like forest.

Our destination was a cenote, a natural pool of water that is caused by collapsed bedrock thereby exposing ground water from beneath.

My friend and I were told the cenote was closed. It was our last day in Mexico so that wouldn’t do. We convinced the gatekeepers to let us in early so we could meet back up with our fellow bachelorette-celebrating friends to catch out flight.

As we reached the mangrove-surrounded cenote, we saw we were not alone. Three locals, two men and a woman, were also enjoying an early morning swim. The men sat on a low hanging tree branch, surrounding a cooler of beer.

My eyes fell on the woman who was fully submerged in the water. She seemed out of place, fully clothed in jeans and a long sleeve shirt instead of a bathing suit.

She looked on curiously as we debated whether to jump in.

Our question was whether there was anything in the depths of the dark water that might try to eat us. The woman appeared carefree. I put my trust in her confidence and followed suit by jumping in.

A few joint cannonball sessions and we were taking photographs together.

Cannonballing into the mangrove-surrounded cenote.

The gatekeeper joined…

Five days earlier, seven of us had met at the Cancun airport to celebrate our friend’s last days of singledom. It was my first time in Mexico and a much-anticipated trip after another New England winter.

Our first stop was Playa del Carmen, a seaside city in the Gulf of Mexico, approximately thirty minutes from the Cancun airport. The stretch of beach is lined with restaurants and hotels. The city has lots of nightlife options.

A pathway from the beach to downtown.

On our second day, we took a ferry to the island of Cozumel for an active day of snorkeling and exploring the beaches on the far side of the island.

On a rooftop, looking out at the colorful and palm tree-lined main street in Cozumel.

Waves crashing on the far-side of the island.

Lifeguard stand surrounded by rock and greenery.

Beach bug.

Snorkel session.

After experiencing the nightlife, and surviving a barefoot walk on the cracked pavement, we headed to Tulum, a yoga retreat town. This laid back beach town provides words of wisdom from street signs to inviting beach signs.

Self-explanatory.

Tulum also offers Mayan ruins, which are strategically placed on a dramatic cliff that plunges into the ocean.

View from the ruins.

The essentials: hydration, transportation, and readiness for the beach.

We rented bicycles to explore the ins and outs of Tulum.

Beach bungalow.

Overall, the coastal Mexican towns of Playa del Carmen and Tulum make for a fun tropical getaway. With warm turquoise waters, fantastic tacos, historic ruins, and colorfully sewn fabrics you can’t go wrong. These areas are touristy for good reason.

Hiking Yosemite National Park

Amid alpines and clear skies, I sat on a granite rock and looked out toward Half Dome, a Yosemite National Park landmark. The rock formation’s name is derived from its appearance of being a dome cut in half. One side is a steep 90 degree angle while the other three are rounded.

I was on the John Muir trail, a 210.4-mile trail according to the United States Geological Survey. Unlike some hikers traveling the whole distance, I was only climbing a portion of the trail for a day trip. My group started at 6am to get in as much isolation as possible on the popular Mist Trail. With motivating views in store, getting up early on this vacation was easy.

We began our steep ascent from Happy Isle Bridge, the prelude hike to the Mist and John Muir Trail junction. We shed multiple layers of clothing quickly. Gorgeous views of valleys rewarded us. When we reached the junction, we refilled our water bottles at the water-stop and forged on to Mist Trail.

Mist Trail runs along a river and keeps up a steady incline. As we reached the top of the waterfall, we found flatter terrain to perch upon. We listened to the thundering water and looked below at the colorful speckles of people climbing toward us.

Proceeding further, we scouted views of a second waterfall, Nevada Falls, off in the distance. We navigated our way back to the John Muir Trail. This would loop us back to where we began. I looked toward Half Dome, squinting to see if I could spot anyone scaling the side.

As we continued our descent, we dropped to the so-called “Ice Cut,” or Panarama Cliff, which gets its name from the dangerous winter conditions.

Those eager to continue along John Muir Trail have Kings Canyon, Sequoia National Park and breathtaking views in the Sierra Nevada to look forward to. The footpath links up with the Pacific Crest Trail for about 100 miles. A majority of the trail is in high elevation, around 8,000-10,000 feet.

The John Muir Trail is named after naturalist John Muir who was an early supporter in the preservation of the United States wilderness and creator of the Sierra Club. As an activist, he petitioned Congress to designate Yosemite as a national park. You can read his books, essays, and letters which reflect upon the spiritual connection between nature and people.

Yosemite is a refreshing experience that allows you to disconnect from daily life and be in  awe of the world’s natural beauty. In celebration of National Park’s centennial birthday, consider taking a trip to one of the 58 national parks. Enjoy a new perspective, challenge your body to adjust to new heights, and disconnect from technology for a quiet moment in nature. I extended my trip by a week so I could dive into all things San Francisco. Read my San Francisco restaurant and activity recommendations here!

A Ride Through Koh Kong

Join me on the back of a motorcycle, traveling through the streets of Koh Kong, Cambodia!

San Francisco: Recommendations Around the City

Weaving through the streets of San Francisco’s flattest district, the Mission, I sauntered casually past cyclists and down graffiti alleyways. I stood before Bernal Heights hill. Unlike most hills in San Francisco, it is undeveloped besides the radio tower at the crest. I climbed the steep dirt path surrounded by straw-colored grasses, the California state flower, California poppy, and joined dog walkers. Atop are expansive views of the city. I oriented myself, noting places I had already visited and created a mental map of the city for later use. I could have used google maps, but sometimes getting lost allows you to find unforeseen treasures. Read on for some of those jewels, including restaurant, museum, shopping, and activity recommendations.

Restaurants

Blue Plate, 3218 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110, blueplatesf.com

This eatery boasts American new dishes with a Mediterranean twist. Each dish is strategically laid out on the plate with artistic grace. It won my affection for the most impressive restaurant I ate at on my trip. Unique pairings from locally-sourced farms were mouth-watering, such as artichoke soup with raspberries and chopped peanuts sprinkled on top. My friend and I opted to eat tapas-style and sampled several dishes. The atmosphere was cozy and rustic with an open kitchen. Divided into three main rooms, we sat in the middle, where we enjoyed a glass of red wine and relished in flavorful moments.

Cinderella Bakery & Cafe, 436 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94118, http://cinderellabakery.com/home.html

Moving from Blue plate’s innovative take on American, Cinderella’s slides in with traditional done right. I stumbled upon this Russian Bakery & Café while seeking out completely different food. My friend, who lived in Korea for some time, tipped me off about a great Korean place located by the Conservatory of Flowers, a botanical garden in Golden Gate Park.

As I came to a halt in front of Muguboka, the Korean restaurant, it was dark. I found a sign confirming my suspicion it was closed on Tuesdays. I looked across the street and saw a bakery with wood-paneled outdoor seating surrounded by an oasis of succulents. I darted toward it, eager to find a place to recharge my camera and review my photographs of rare flowers from the Conservatory. As I entered, a waft of savory meat lay in the air. I realized this would not be a quick stop for a camera charge. Instead, my eyes scanned the Russian menu of meat pies and sandwiches.

This Russian gem on Balboa Street has homey foods that could conjure late Tsars from their graves by its sheer smell of alluring sweet and savory treats. Adding to it’s gravitational pull is its proximity to museums of interest, such as the deYoung Museum https://deyoung.famsf.org/, Academy of Science http://www.calacademy.org/, Japanese Tea Garden http://japaneseteagardensf.com/, and San Francisco Botanical Garden http://www.sfbotanicalgarden.org/.

El Techo, 2516 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110, http://eltechosf.com/

This Latin American rooftop restaurant has sweeping city views. It lies above its sister restaurant, Lolinda http://lolindasf.com/. Wait in line, proceed past the beautiful attendant, who manages to pull off a buzz cut, and ride an elevator to the top floor. There seems like a lot of waiting involved, but it’s worth the unobscured city views and delicious small plates, featuring Argentine grilled meats. Dim lights, city views, and a young crowd chatting away under heat lamps on chillier nights make this place memorable.

Dandelion, 740 Valencia St., San Francisco, CA 94110, https://www.dandelionchocolate.com/

Chocolate lovers: you’ll be in heaven. No milk chocolate is served at this chocolate factory and café on Valencia Street in the Mission district. This small batch chocolate maker sells only 70% cocoa and higher. Chocolate is made on site with two ingredients: cocoa beans and sugar.

Activities

• Bike over Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito and Tiberon. Take the ferry back to the city.

• Meander through city districts.

• Climb Bernal Heights hill for superb city views.

• See and be seen at Mission Delores Park.

• Take a side trip to breath-taking Yosemite National Park.

Shopping

You’ll find uniquely curated stores on the streets listed below with clothing, home goods, antiques, and plenty of restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. Each street has its own character, giving off funky, chic, and lively vibes.

• Valencia Street-for the hipster-leaning folk
• Hayes Street-for chic individuals
• Linden Street-for Hayes Street’s on-trend sibling
• Haight-Ashbury-for a trip back to the 60’s
• Castro Street-everyone’s welcome!

San Francisco’s neighborhoods are interesting to walk through when you’re not in a rush. Each area is full of artistic delights, good coffee, and varied museums. If you’re visiting the city, check out Blue Plate for American new, Cinderella’s for Russian, El Techo for Latin American, and Dandelion for desert.  Of the museums I visited, Academy of Science was my favorite because of the wide array of sea creatures and because I went to adult night, which featured an outdoor rock concert. The art museum I enjoyed most, not mentioned above, was Legion of Honor for its collection of Auguste Rodin’s sculptures and the mummies and medicine exhibition. Get out there and start exploring!

 

Free Entry To U.S. National Parks

Today is one of the few days during the year that U.S. National Parks are free. For a complete list of no-fee entry days, click here. In the spirit of exploring parks, I thought it appropriate to review my recent hiking trip to the White Mountains in New Hampshire.

Granite Cliff in the White Mountains.

Overview

Location: Woodstock, Lincoln, and Sanbornton, New Hampshire

What: Hiking

Accommodations: Grandma’s House (a.k.a Airbnb) or, if you’re in the mood for luxury, Omni Mount Washington Resort

Season: Fall

Transportation: Car

Lesson Learned: It is possible to make pancakes without oil and not burn them. This makes them a little healthier, yet still delicious. We stumbled upon this cooking method out of necessity when we realized we did not buy cooking oil. We went with it, and hoped for the best.

Looking up at the colorful canopy.

I was traveling with an international group of friends. It was a girls’ weekend made up of two friends from the Netherlands, one from Norway, and another from the U.S.

We piled bags full of hiking gear into my car on a Friday evening in late October and headed toward our Airbnb house in Woodstock, NH.

View from Mt. Pemigewasset Trail.

The town of Woodstock is filled with forests with great hiking trails. Hiking areas include a section of The Appalachian Trail, a portion of the White Mountains, Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, and Lost River Reservation.

The fact that Hubbard Brook is an “experimental forest” caught my interest. What exactly makes a forest “experimental”? It turns out this forest is an outdoor laboratory for ecological studies. Some areas of research at the experimental forest are hydrology, tree growth, acid rain, the effects of pollution on minerals, deforestation, and reproductive health in birds in relation to environmental changes.

Prior to arriving, we made a pit stop at the famous NH State Liquor Store (tax free, people!). We purchased red wine. My favorite was Casillero del Diablo, a cabernet sauvignon from Chile. Read a 2014 review of this wine in the Telegraph here.

Upon seeing our Airbnb, we dubbed it “Grandma’s House” because it was like stepping into the 1950’s. Flowered curtains hung from every window, light wood-paneled cabinets made up the kitchen, and the TV and radio were extremely large. The TV would have required an army of people to help move it to a different location.

The house was laid out in an open air format, yet it felt cozy at the same time. It also had a ski lodge theme to it with paintings of snow-covered mountains dotted with skiers. While the décor needed updating, it was a perfect fit for the five of us.

Backyard of “Grandma’s House”.

We opted for a day exploring two trails: Mt. Pemigewasset Trail and Artist’s Bluff. For my review on hiking the nearby Falling Waters Trail, read “When in New Hampshire…”.

Falling Waters Trail.

Mt. Pemigewasset Trail was the longer of the two trails, which took about 2 hours to complete. The hike had little foot traffic, giving us free reign over the trail. In preparation for winter, the leaves were in colorful transition due to their chlorophyll breaking down. The hike was moderately difficult. We had to navigate our footing around large roots.

Mt. Pemigewasset Trail.

The pinnacle of this hike is reaching a granite cliff overlook. If you walk to the edge, do not lose your balance because you will fall to your death. We watched as two people posed for photos with scary proximity to the edge.

Overlook at Mt. Pemigewasset Trail.

The second hike at Artist’s Bluff was a short drive from the first trail. It was a tiny distance in comparison to our first hike, however it provided beautiful views of Lake Echo and the surrounding mountains.

View of Lake Echo from Artist’s Bluff.

A day of two hikes did not tire us out, so we continued to Mt. Washington. The top was closed due to inclement weather. Instead, we enjoyed hot chocolate and view from the Omni Mount Washington Resort. The Omni is quite a luxurious hotel in comparison to “Grandma’s House”. Then again, Grandma has more character and is arguable more interesting.

We topped off our leaf peeping trip with a stop in Sanbornton at Surowiec Farm to purchase in-season produce. We enjoyed hot apple cider donuts, a view behind a horse stall, and admired the interesting shapes of gourds and pumpkins.

Surowiec Farm

Take your pick.

Warts and all.

Pumpkins and gourds galore.

Overall, I recommend Woodstock as a basecamp for hiking the White Mountains. Falling Waters trail is a must if you are in good health and love waterfalls. Mt. Pemigewasset trail is a good half-day hike with an excellent view. Artist’s Bluff is an easy add-on to any trip as you can quickly reach a pleasing view of Lake Echo. Surowiec Farm is a great pit stop to grab healthy ingredients and is very picturesque. We had a wonderful weekend in the White Mountains full of friendship and nature.

Now, get out there and create your own adventure! Save money by planning your next trip in coordination with free entry to U.S. National Parks.

A Walk In A Dark and Ominous Forest

It’s those casual and carefree Saturdays when you are going with the flow…

And then suddenly you find yourself in a mysterious forest.

This dominating tree stands tall and strong. Its leaves don’t just hang; they extend all the way to the bottom where it’s roots began. It is as if it were stretching after a long run: fingertips to toes.

If I had a book I might have nestled in between the large labyrinth of roots.

As it turns out, across the street from this peaceful canopied lair you will find the Edward Gorey House. Edward Gorey was an author and illustrator with a flair for the dark and ominous. His often spooky Victorian and Edwardian-looking illustrations were crafted with pen and ink. Some of his works include The Wuggly Ump and The Doubtful Guest.

If Edward Gorey were to make a film today, it would probably be Tim Burtonesque because they both have lust for dark and gothic tones.

Gorey was also an award-winning set designer. He worked on both small Cape Cod plays and large Broadway shows. He won best costume design for Dracula on Broadway. His own style was eccentric: he might have made a great indie rock musician or stylist. He once had a thing for fur coats, tennis shoes, and jewelry, but later cast aside his fur coat to become an avid animal rights advocate.

Playful and imaginative, Gorey’s sense of humor can be seen from his pen names, all of which were anagrams of his own name, like Ogdred Weary.

Quite the creative dark dreamer, his style has become iconic in goth subculture.

Keep on dreaming until next time.

Summertime Destinations: Martha’s Vineyard

Celebrities, musicians, and presidents’ vacation on an island off the coast of Massachusetts, only accessible by boat and air. Among the long list of well known vacationers are President Obama, the Clintons, Carly Simon, James Taylor, Diane Sawyer, and Ted Danson. The late Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Ted Kennedy, and Walter Cronkite all had ties to the Vineyard as well.

Driftwood Flower Box

Beautiful beaches, restaurants, and nature trails line the island. Locally made artisan goods are sold at outdoor flea markets. Farm fresh eggs and local produce can be found at road-side stands. Combined, the six towns that make up Martha’s Vineyard have a lot to offer.

Dog Boarding

Originally populated by the Wampanoag American Indian tribe, the Vineyard is now known as an affluent summer destination. Martha’s Vineyard was the name given to a small island south of the main island in 1602 by English explorer Bartholomew Gosnold. Later, the main island took the name Martha’s Vineyard. Martha is thought to have been Gosnold’s mother-in-law or his second child.

Great Rock Bight

English settlers joined the Wampanoag tribe in populating the island when Thomas Mayhew purchased the island from English “owners”, along with neighboring Nantucket and the Elizabeth Islands. Mayhew honored the native’s land rights and therefore they were friendly with one another.

Martha’s Vineyard is made up of six towns; Tisbury (which includes Vineyard Haven and West Chop), West Tisbury, Oak Bluffs (incuding East Chop), Edgartown (inducing islands Chappaquidick, or “Chappy”, and Katama), Chilmark (including Menemsha), and Aquinnah (where the Wampanoag tribe is located).

Menemsha

Each town has a unique offering. In Oak Bluffs, where the Flying Horses Carousel is located, children can try their chance at receiving a free ride if they catch the brass ring.

Another notable feature of Oak Bluffs is the community of multicolored gingerbread cottages. The best time to enjoy the cottages is on Grand Illumination Night, when all the gingerbread houses decorate with colorful Chinese and Japanese lanterns and bands play at the Tabernacle.

Lantern in my Aunt’s garden, which reminds me of Illumination Night.

My favorite activity in Aquinnah is to walk along Moshup Beach and admire the dramatic red, orange, white, and beige clay cliffs. There is also a lighthouse to explore, fantastic views, and tribal stores.

In Chilmark, as you pass by mailboxes bearing names like “Chillhead,” you eventually find the cozy fishing village of Menemsha, where you can walk out on the jetty and take in a sunset. Chilmark also has Great Rock Bight, a preserve you can hike to get to a rocky beach with rock sculptures.

If you need a break from the beach, check out locally made goods at the flea market, which provide such treasures as sea glass necklaces or framed photographs of the island.

In the largest town, Edgartown, you can catch some waves at Katama/South Beach or do some shopping downtown.

Explore and you shall find…

Sometimes, though, it is the seclusion that makes the vineyard special. Tucked away, down a dirt road in the middle of the woods, I find my aunt and uncle’s house. Here, I can peacefully lie in a hammock, wander through their exquisite garden, or walk the back trails by a horse farm and admire a tiny pond most vacationers will never see. I can rummage through old records in their basement then dance to them in the kitchen while preparing a meal of island-grown produce.

Yes, please.

Among the Trees

On this particular morning, I woke up and decided to wander out the front door with a bowl to pick berries to add to my breakfast. As I approach the blackberry briar, I hear some rustling to my right. I look up to see a deer bounding from the blueberry patch into the forest.

Blueberries, blackberries, and huckleberries from the yard.

Focusing on which berries to pick prior to a deer bounding past.

After collecting berries, I sit on the deck with my coffee, breakfast spread, and a good book.

Fresh Picked From the Front Yard

There is so much more to share about the vineyard, but for now, I leave you with a list of some of my favorite beaches:

1. Best beach/pond combination (so you can have the juxtaposition of wild ocean and calm pond water): Long Point Wildlife Refuge, West Tisbury

Long Point Wildlife Refuge

2. Best social scene/off roading beach: Katama/South Beach, Edgartown

3. Best hiking beach: Great Rock Bight, Chilmark

4. Most scenic beach: Moshup Beach, Aquinnah

Clay Cliffs at Moshup Beach in Aquinnah

Multi-colored clay along Moshup Beach

5. Best Private/Most obscure rock creation beach: Lucy Vincent, Chilmark

Lucy Vincent – Chilmark resident only beach

Interesting Rock formations on Lucy Vincent

6. Best boardwalk run/bike then jump in ocean off a bridge beach: Joseph Sylvia State Beach, Oak Bluffs

7. Best lobster dinner while watching sunset beach: Menemsha Town Beach

Nature Connectedness & Wellbeing

There is healing in the trees for tired minds and for our overburdened spirits, there is strength in the hills, if only we will lift up our eyes. Remember that nature is your great restorer.
-Calvin Coolidge

I am alone in an open field under a tall oak tree. The verdant field has an abundance of wild flowers sprinkled about. My senses are heightened as I lay back in the grass.

While I love people and crave connection with them, I also greatly value time to be alone and reflect. I could reflect anywhere, but I choose to come to nature, where I can slow down and feel closer to the earth.

Any worry I may have had falls away. I disconnect with technology to reconnect with nature. A feeling of gratefulness overcomes me.

I rest my hands behind my head and cross one foot over the other. I close my eyes and listen to sounds, giving way to a certain level of meditation.

After a while, a warm breeze drifts past, making me more aware of my body. I open my eyes. My surroundings have a renewed vibrancy to them.

I think of how small I am in this universe. Life is busy and sometimes it is easy to get caught up in daily obstacles. Taking a moment to consider how lucky you are can be very powerful in helping achieve a positive mindset.

So, does the connection I just described increase my overall happiness? Can being in nature restore our minds like Calvin Coolidge stated?

According to a recent study published in the Journal Spirituality in Clinical Practice, being grateful may lead to a healthier heart and reduced cardiac risk. The study found a link between a grateful outlook and better heart health markers. Both mental and physical health is improved.

Indeed, nature calms me down. Even when I am going for an active hike, I feel more serene after. The combination of feeling grateful while being in nature, then, could improve overall health. Perhaps, doctor’s should start prescribing exercise in nature.

A Psychology Today article, “Does Nature Make Us Happy?” reports “…our connections with nature could just be the best medicine for people of all ages—improving our health, happiness, and well-being.” The article details John Zelenski and Elizabeth Nisbet’s experiments. They found:

• Our emotional connectedness to the natural world is distinct from other psychological connections in our lives.
• Nature relatedness often predicts happiness regardless of other psychological factors.
• Psychological connections with nature have the capacity to facilitate sustainable attitudes, and may be an important tool in preserving our environment.

Furthermore, emotional affinity toward nature has even led to the development of a new field, Ecopsychology, which combines “the efforts of ecologists, psychologists, spiritualists, philosophers, and others” to explore “the synergistic relation between personal health and well-being and the health and well-being of our home, the Earth.”

Overall, a link between nature connectedness and better health has been observed and is being studied. Gratitude also contributes to improved psychological and cardiac health. So, get outside and start exploring! It just might help your heart, both physically and spiritually.

To what degree do you feel connected to nature?