A Trip to the Grocery Store

Zach’s car was still stuck in a mound of slushy ice four blocks from our house, but we still wanted to go grocery shopping. My projected dinner recipe involved hot sauce, milk, and blue cheese dressing, none of which were in our pantry. I looked out the window. Under the street lamps, the skim of ice over four inches of snow glittered like frosted glass. Aldi lay a mere 0.7 miles away, with a huge open field, connected to a cemetery, in between. 

Zach and I donned our coats, grabbed backpacks, and ventured out into the freezing air. I borrowed Zach’s hat, which buttoned under my chin. It kept my ears warm, blocked my peripheral vision and slipped down over my eyes. We strolled down the street, then took a footpath toward the cemetery, our feet crunching loudly with each step in the snow. 

The moon was almost full that night. Between it and the floodlights from the parking lot up the hill, the open field shone a soft bluish white. I glanced this scene between pushing up my hat and slipping with each step, breath steaming, body beginning to sweat. My Achilles tendons began to ache with our slow progress.

At last we crossed the field and speed-walked over the asphalt, slowing down to tread carefully over black ice. We grabbed a cart, did our shopping, packed our food into backpacks, and repeated the longer-than-usual trek over the snowy field. 

Back in the house, we stamped our shoes, stripped off our coats and sweaters, patted down our hat hair, and divided our loot between the fridge and the cupboards.

That night, I made homemade buffalo wings, following this recipe. They were delicious.

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Red Rocks, Colorado

12 Amazing Cities I've Visited, Part Three

Here is the conclusion of the matter (a continuation, as you may have guessed, from Part One and Part Two). Since the cities I’ve visited most recently are all in Europe, you’ll find a lack of American cities in this final four. Here they are!

4. Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The Rijksmuseum alone would be enough to put this city in my top 12. It was my introduction to Europe, showing me that the painstakingly-crafted historic-looking cities in the US are copies of the real thing on the other side of the Atlantic. With scenic canals, amazing museums, and a vibrant cultural life, Amsterdam is more than worth the visit. (Hostel recommendation: Shelter City proved to be safe, clean, and friendly at a bargain price— well, bargain for Amsterdam.)

3. Hamburg, Germany. The thing that impressed me about this city was the care and craftsmanship that seemed to go into every building. From the sweeping harbor views to the tucked-away cottages, this city is both grand and charming. Take a ride on the ferry for the best views of the city and harbor.

2. Nuremberg, Germany. I can’t even explain how much this city impressed and fascinated me. It is magnificent on every scale, and from the medieval castle to St. Lorenzkirche to the house of Albrecht Dürer, there is plenty to see. The city tour, along with a tour of the castle, was more than worth the euros I spent (find English-speaking tours at the nearest Tourist Information office). Be sure to try some Lebkuchen (gingerbread) and Nürnberg sausages while you’re there.

1. Salzburg, Austria. I look back on the photos I took of this city and just gape. This is a city on an epic, but distinctly European, scale. The winding streets give way to huge courtyards, massive churches, and other buildings of remarkable beauty. The whole city climbs up a hill (read: mountain), on top of which perches a castle straight out of a fairy-tale. And if that wasn’t good enough, a mildly challenging hike from the city center takes you to views of the Alps that will blow your mind. If you are ever remotely near this city, take the time to spend at least a day.

What are your favorite cities? Which should I absolutely visit before I die?

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12 Amazing Cities I've Visited, Part Two

And now, the follow-up you’ve all been waiting for! (Here’s Part One, if you missed it. Remember, I’m going in order of sequence, not favor.)

8. Sacramento, California. Take a step back into the Gold Rush era in Sacramento’s historic district, then stroll to a few blocks away to the heart of the city for a tour of the capitol building. It’s full of historic buildings, tourist activities, and cute local restaurants and stores. Plus, the downtown’s streets are laid out on a number-and-letter grid, which makes it easy to find your way around. (Hostel recommendation: Sacramento Downtown HI Hostel is a dazzling Victorian mansion, fully restored. Plus it’s a great location.)

7. Portland, Oregon. I’m not going to lie: Portland freaks me out a bit (I’ve blogged about this before). That said, Powell’s Books is enough to make this city any bibliophile’s favorite, and some of the most amazing memories of my life involve eating Voodoo Donuts in Portland’s downtown. The best part of this city, however, is Forest Park. It contains over 5,000 acres of pure Oregon woodland— which is, as any native could tell you, some of the most beautiful countryside in the world. (Also check out the Rose Garden.)

6. Tucson, Arizona. Speaking of cities that freaked me out, Tucson is high on the list. It stands in the middle of a desert and has an eerie, arid feel to it. I can’t say I actually liked Tucson that much, but I was fascinated and drawn in by it. Sometimes it pretends to be a normal city, but it’s most beautiful when it embraces the nature of the desert with thick adobe walls and bright Southwestern colors. And it has the DeGrazia Gallery, which is still the most beautiful art gallery I’ve ever seen.

5. Denver, Colorado. I debated between this and Oklahoma City, but Denver won out because I spent more time there. (Sorry, OK City— you’re still fantastic!) Some people might call Denver a generic city, but I prefer the term “well balanced:” it has a mix of tourist districts, nice apartments, bookstores, walking paths and attractions, with a spattering of urban art in between. The best part, though, is its location: you can walk just a few miles out of town and find yourself scaling the (very tall) foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

Tomorrow… the conclusion of the series (otherwise known as “the European City Blog”)!

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12 Amazing Cities I've Visited, Part One

“All cities are alike.” I have heard this from countless nomads and frequent travelers, people who spend months on the road or city-hop every other day. After a while, they say, all the cities start to blur together. 

Since I haven’t traveled as much as some people I know, I’ve been spared that jadedness. While many cities (and practically all suburbs) are generic, several of them still stand out in my mind as amazing, and unique, places. Hence, I’m creating this list.

Although I’ve often been referred to as “the world traveler” among my acquaintances, my travels have not been that extensive. While I have spent considerable time on the road the past three years, I keep on returning to the same places— namely the west coast. Bear that in mind as you read my list of 12 of my favorite cities. For instance, I’ve never been to any of the New England cities, and I haven’t visited Chicago or Atlanta for long enough to pass judgement. To avoid driving myself crazy with the order, I’m arranging them by date I visited them as a traveler, from oldest to most recent. Here goes.

12. St. Louis, Missouri. No, this isn’t cheating! Although I tell outsiders that I’m “from St. Louis,” I actually live in a separate county, so it still counts as “visiting.” It really is an amazing town. I love it for the turn-of-the-century architecture, City Museum, Forest Park, and the ridiculous amounts of free stuff (I’ve blogged about the Zoo, but the Art Museum is fantastic, too). 

11. Seattle, Washington. I fell in love with this sound-side city the moment I stepped off the plane. Breezy and glassy, it’s one of my favorite places on earth. The Pike Place Market, Space Needle, and ferry system are all worth checking out, but my favorite thing to do is just walk around the city, gawk at the architecture, chill in the library, or take a hike down the waterfront. (Hostel recommendation: The Green Tortoise is great.)

10. San Francisco, California. For all my fangirl-love of Seattle, cities really don’t get much better than San Fran. With pristine buildings, a ridiculously scenic coastline, dozens of fascinating sights around the city, and, of course, the Golden Gate Bridge, it’s a place you could stay for a week and never think of getting bored. (Hostel recommendation: Fisherman’s Wharf HI Hostel has a great location for a reasonable price.)

9. San Diego, California. Imagine a small laid-back beach town full of surfers, fishermen, and wealthy people with oceanfront homes. Turn it into a city, and that’s San Diego. This town boasts great weather and beautiful flowers all years long. Different parts of the area have different feels, from the surfer-hipster district of Ocean Beach to the wealthy golden-sand tourist trap of Coronado Island. With tidepools, great restaurants, Balboa Park, and a swingin’ downtown, this city is a place that my sister is happy to call home. (Hostel recommendation: Point Loma HI Hostel doesn’t have the best location, but it’s one of the nicest and friendliest hostels I’ve ever visited.)

Part Two of Three is coming tomorrow!

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The Difference a Desk Makes

Today, my husband moved my writing desk from our spare room (sometimes called the Tent Room because our tent is set up in there, or the Refrigerator Room because we cut off the heat in there to save on our energy bill) into our bedroom. My dad made me this desk, as a high school graduation present if I recall correctly. It’s a honey-colored quarter-circle that fits neatly into a corner. He made me a little bookshelf to go along with it: its sloping sides resemble the shape of two violins. Now I’m sitting in the corner of my (much-warmer-than-downstairs) bedroom, looking out the window at the sunset.

For some reason, the simple transfer of a piece of furniture made me feel more moved-in to this house than I have felt in months. In a fit of housewifery, I measured the windows and made notes about what kind of curtains I’m going to make. I have books on an actual shelf, a chair at my desk, and a happiness that is warming my toes.

I’m off to make supper and try out my mom’s salmon patties recipe, which I adored as a kid. But I’ll return soon enough to my desk, as I nest more and more in this lovely little house of mine.

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Travel Tip Tuesdays: Seven Helpful Travel Foods

Splurging on food is always fun on a trip, but it’s really helpful to have some extra food on hand for snacks, side dishes, and the occasional meal. Here are seven foods that have served me well on my travels:

Me eating a Clif bar at the Golden Gate
Bridge. TOTALLY an unposed shot.

Clif bars. Yes, they’re a bit expensive, but I swear by these suckers. The peanut butter flavor is my favorite. I ate nothing but Clif bars my first three days in Europe and managed to keep myself alive before I could get over jet-lag enough to eat real food.

Trail mix. This is obvious to anyone who’s traveled: nuts and fruit (and sometimes chocolate) are the best staples on the road. Try almonds and craisins, cashews and coconut, or honey-roasted peanuts and peanut m&ms.

Kale. A handful of kale gives you over 100% of your daily dose of Vitamin A and almost 70% of Vitamin C. It’s hearty for a leafy green, so you can squash it into your bag and keep it at room temperature for several hours and barely see it wilt at all. It doesn’t taste great, but it’s worth a minute of chewing and swallowing to get more nutrition than you could from downing ten heads of iceberg lettuce.

Snickers. Speaking of nutrition, Snickers are… well, not healthy. But they give you energy, have about the same amount of fat and sugar as most “healthy” energy bars, and are a lot cheaper. Plus they don’t shatter in your pack like granola bars (although they do have a tendency to melt).

Peanut butter. A small jar of no-stir peanut butter is your friend. You can spread this stuff on bread or fruit, mix it with ramen, or eat it right out of the jar. If you only take one carry-on bag when you travel, this is something to buy at your destination in case the TSA decides that it counts as a liquid.

Apples. These fruits don’t spoil quickly, can be stored at most any temperature, and deal well with being jostled around in your backpack.

Instant oatmeal. Bring a mug with you and just add hot water (available for free at gas stations and many other places) for a small but satisfying meal.

What are your favorite travel foods?

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Have a travel question? Leave a comment and I’ll answer!

Travel Quote of the Day

"Men go abroad to wonder at the heights of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of the rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motions of the stars, and they pass by themselves without wondering." ~Augustine

Sunday Photo

DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, Tucson, Arizona. I love the way the landscape inspires the building style.

Five Ways Travel Is Beneficial to Your Writing… and Three Ways It's Not

For me, writing isn’t so much a career, or even a dream, as it is a way of life. I interpret nearly everything through words and stories, and have for as long as I can remember. As a kid, after a trip to visit my grandparents in Illinois, or my other grandparents in North Carolina, I found that the stories I made up had greater flair, better settings, and more interesting characters. For anyone who writes (or creates art of any kind), here are five ways that travel can give you a boost:

The change of scenery makes you more aware of details. When I travel, I do a lot of the same things I do at home, but they have a whole new light when I’m in another state. Washing dishes, taking a walk or even reading a book take on new significance, prompting me to see them in a different way.

You get to explore new settings. From the moss-soaked forests of the Northwest to the Medieval cities of Germany, the settings I’ve experienced have brought my imagination to life. Every place you go has a new story to tell.

You gain life experience. Thanks to my travels, I know how to grow an organic garden, raise chickens and goats, stay safe in a city, and meet new people. I’ve experienced so many different things that float in the back of my mind, waiting to be transferred to paper, from bike-riding in the Netherlands to hiking in the Everglades. These experiences have helped shape who I am, and therefore how I write.

I do spend a lot of time on my computer when I'm on
the road… but that's because tutoring is my day job.

You refresh yourself. Everyone feels burnt out sometimes, and traveling is one of the best ways to help you renew your energy and focus. With the right attitude, you can return from a trip readier than ever to tackle your writing process.

You meet people who change your perspective. This is my favorite part of travel, and it has made my writing so much richer. Through my travels, I’ve met and spent time with anarchists, social evolutionists, hippies, street preachers, pot-smokers, conspiracy theorists, Mormons, world travelers, organic farmers, seafaring hippies, members of the Voluntary Human Extinction Movement, and many more. Each one of them has challenged and deepened my understanding of the world, giving me a well of experience to draw from.

On the other hand, though, travel is not a magic wand that instantly makes you able to write. In fact, when I’m on the road, my blog is the only writing I can ever manage to get done. Here are three reasons it’s better to write from home:

When you travel, you should be focusing on experience rather than writing. Whether or not you’re crunched for time, you should try to make the most of your trip. Why spend all the time and money to travel somewhere new, and then spend the whole time staring at words on your computer? Chop wood, volunteer, take a beach walk, visit a museum, share a meal, meet new people… and do the bulk of your writing when you get home.

99% of the time, the greatest trials you have to face are at home. I hiked the Angel’s Landing trail in Zion Canyon, with narrow and uncertain footing and a thousand-foot drop on each side— was this the biggest challenge I’ve ever faced? Certainly not. You know what was? When my mom was going on week four in the hospital with an unknown surgery complication that nearly took her life, I opened my eyes each morning, and then I got up. That was exponentially harder. Trips stretch you and open your mind, but it’s the nonstop trials and grief of everyday life that build wisdom.

If you don’t write now, taking a trip will not help you write. “Someday,” people say with a dreamy-eyed expression, “I’m going to go take a few months and just live in a cabin and write my novel.” That’s the kiss of death. If you aren’t writing a novel right now, you’re not going to no matter how inspiring your destination is. The routine of everyday life is the best place for art to flourish, rather than a solitary, out-of-the-ordinary existence where all you can do is sit and try to think deep thoughts. 

In short, if you can take a trip, use it to enrich your life. If you can’t, don’t use that lack of experience as an excuse not to write. As with most things, you need balance. To me, travel is all about experience— this is essential to writing, but a trip is not the only way to find it.

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