It’s a pretty day in Thousand Oaks, California, just outside Los Angeles, and the campus of Cal Lutheran University is open and welcoming. Set against the nearby mountains, it’s a lovely oasis in the heart of suburbia, full of green spaces, blooming flowers, and meandering pathways. But I’m not here to see the university. I…
What happens when one of my favorite cities meets one of my biggest passions as a traveler? Well, I got to experience that recently when, after years of talking about it, my sister and I finally attended Santa Cruz's Open Studios. What is Open Studios? I'm glad you asked. Imagine more than 300 incredible artists…
New Mexico. Land of Enchantment. Red rock cliffs, wide open deserts, UFO sightings, and more are all found here. But those aren't what draws me to the state. No, I am here in the tiny village of Hatch for the annual Hatch Chile Festival, the ultimate celebration of everyone's favorite spice-bearing ingredient. Arriving in Hatch,…
It is a dream and a goal of mine to travel to Japan to see the famous cherry blossoms. However, I am not the only one with such a desire, so it can be outrageously crowded and expensive. Fortunately, the city of Huntington Beach, California has emerged as an alternative for those of us who…