It was the morning of my third day in Utah when I realized I’d brought entirely the wrong shoes. Standing at the trailhead to Angels Landing in Zion National Park, I looked down at my once-white sneakers—now a disturbing shade…
I’ll never forget my first proper American winter experience. As someone who grew up in the tepid winters of Southern California, my understanding of “winter” was putting on a light jacket when temperatures dipped below 65°F. Then I spent a…
There’s something magical about hugging the curves of the California coastline with the windows down, salty air rushing through your hair, and the promise of unexpected adventures awaiting around every bend. After countless trips up and down Highway 1, I’ve…
I stood utterly alone at the overlook as morning light streamed through the pines above while mist ascended from the valley beneath. The area was free from selfie sticks and tour groups while no line of cars stretched into the distance. The…
Photo by Pascal Bernardon on Unsplash When big city burnout hits—and trust me, it will—there’s nothing quite like escaping to a place where nobody knows your name, yet everyone still waves hello. I discovered this truth about five years ago…
I’ve always believed that tasting is less about pretension and more about passion—a theory I test regularly, glass in hand. Last spring, while navigating a particularly memorable vineyard tour in Anderson Valley, I overheard a fellow taster confidently declare that…
There’s something about a mountain path that calls to us city-dwellers like a siren song. Maybe it’s the promise of silence broken only by birdsong, or perhaps it’s the intoxicating scent of pine and earth after a summer rain. Whatever…
There’s something about discovering a stretch of sand that doesn’t require strategic towel placement or awkward neighbor proximity that makes my soul exhale. Last summer, I found myself on a remote Oregon beach, barefoot with coffee in hand, watching the…
The ultimate guide to creating memories that will last a lifetime—without breaking the bank or your sanity. There’s something magical about watching your child’s eyes light up when they first step through the gates of a theme park. That moment…
There’s something weirdly intimate about watching someone cut into a perfectly prepared steak, steam rising as the knife reveals that blushing pink interior. The casual symphony of clattering plates and murmured conversations that form the backdrop to any memorable dining…
I still remember my first visit to New York during the holidays. Standing in Times Square, snowflakes landing on my eyelashes, I was simultaneously overwhelmed and enchanted—a sensation that I’ve now come to recognize as the quintessential New York experience.…
Look, I’ll be straight with you. New York isn’t waiting to embrace you with open arms. It’s more likely to snatch your wallet while you’re gawking at skyscrapers. But damn, is it worth it. After living here for nearly a…
