Sunrise In A New City

06/08/2019

The Florida Keys are full of all kinds of off the beaten path craziness. Apparently, the strangeness also presents itself in the wildlife! Listen to this blue jay meow!! 🐱

04/08/2019

The friendly manatee at our little boat dock!

23/06/2019

First official weekend of summer! I’d swear we were in the Bahamas but we are just by our home. How are you kicking off your summer?

08/06/2019

Who makes the cuter couple?! Free admission Friday’s and Saturday’s plus live music too. Kids enjoyed “discussing” and “sharing” their opinions on the modern art. And they had no idea what the sculpture was in the second photo. Do you know what it is??? @ West Palm Beach, Florida

16/03/2019

The Alcázar of Córdoba was rebuilt by King Alfonso XI in 1327. Exploring the medieval castle and gardens is great for kids and adults. I love seeing the extravagant and historic churches in Europe but I find I need a break from that kind of sightseeing after a bit. It might be my Game of Thrones obsession that fuels my interest in castles but there’s something about a medieval castle that just brings out my child-like imagination. @ Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos

14/03/2019

So visiting the bull fighting ring and museum in Sevilla gave me a really weird feeling. I have a better understanding of it now but I still don’t agree with the idea at all. Just the opinion of this person from the other side of the world. @ Real Maestranza De Caballeria De Sevilla

13/03/2019

Only from the heart can you touch the Sky — Rumi
Gorgeous rooftop views of the Giralda is one of the things I will miss most about Sevilla. @ Giralda

11/03/2019

“It’s up to us to choose contentment and thankfulness now—and to stop imagining that we have to have everything perfect before we’ll be happy.” Joanna Gaines
Be happy! Be grateful! I love this quote and I love this picture! Wishing you all a beautiful week! 💗 🙏

08/03/2019

Happy International Women’s Day! I have been so lucky to spend a week with these wonderful, smart, funny and kind young ladies who will one day soon, take over the world! I have no doubt about it! A special note to this pic: we are missing our “Reina” de España - Olivia - sorry you actually had to be in classes!

05/03/2019

Twinning with Jace. Completely unexpected but very serendipitous! Not sure if a 19 year old daughter agrees tho! LOL

04/03/2019

04/03/2019

This is a wonderful day, I have never seen this one before - - Maya Angelou
Falling asleep on an airplane and waking up in the beautiful city of Sevilla, Spain is highly recommended. So is powering through your first day abroad to reduce jet lag.
Built in the 16th century, Casa de Pilatos is a great representation of Italian Renaissance, Spanish Mudejar and Baroque styles. Plus lots of great photo ops with all the mosaic tiles!

03/03/2019

09/02/2019

The Eternal City - Rome
We are a family of “warriors”. Of course this city of history and gladiators would be a favorite. The list of movies and stories of warriors, fighters, good guys overcoming the odds to reach victory are a constant theme in our entertainment choices. Our kids often dressed as gladiators and knights and pretend sword fights were the norm. Wrestling too. The true story of the Colosseum is not so fun and quite grizzly. Built by slaves, the Colosseum could hold 50,000 people. It’s brutal history includes gladiatorial combat, animal hunts and naval ship battles! Numerous trap doors were built into the floor for special effects. The events were free to attend. Our tour was not - - but was worth every penny to skip the lines, avoid crowds and to get a “backstage” experience.
Our daytime tour with of the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palantine Hill included all restricted areas of the Colosseum as well as the Arena Floor, Underground and “nosebleed” sections - with spectacular views of Rome. The Roman Guy is a top notch tour company and we also used them for a tour of the Vatican. I highly recommend!!

02/02/2019

Il Gigante
The Giant

The smell of the sea and the salt in the air is strong here. We wanted to swim in the Ligurian Sea and spend some time at the beach in Monterosso al Mare. There are few beaches on this rugged cliff-lined coastline of northwest Italy - 2 in Monterosso - with the others mostly pebbles and rocks. Of course when we heard there was a giant carved along the cliffs at the far end of Monterosso we knew we had to go to that beach. So down the mountain, through the tunnel and along the promenade, finally we made it there. It’s actually a sculpture of Neptune that was built from concrete in 1910. It has suffered damage - mostly from allied bombings in World War II. The tide was high and rough and we could not get any closer. But we found a few pebbles and stones smoothed from the sea to take home as souvenirs. I keep them in a pretty glass bottle on my dresser - It makes me smile every time I see them. 😊

02/02/2019

⭐️⭐️ Cinque Terre ⭐️⭐️
Gelato Challenge
—————————————
Are you up to the challenge?? Do you have the fortitude and stamina? There are 5 villages in the Cinque Terre - in one day you must travel to each village and in each village you must eat a gelato! 🍦
This was my son Jackson’s plan. He created the Challenge and was determined to indulge in a cup or cone of gelato in every village and city we visited in Italy. We stayed in the village of Monterosso of the Cinque Terre for a few days but branched out to the other 4 villages in one day. They are connected by train, boat or hike and are relatively close enough to explore all the villages in one day. Here they are in order from north to south:
1. Monterosso
2. Vernazza
3. Corniglia
4. Manorola
5. Riomaggiore
So - - - we made it to village #5, Riomaggiore. By this point we are pretty exhausted from hiking and climbing countless stairs. Jackson was intent on finishing the Challenge and was already pretty full of gelato. But a teenager’s fortitude - when it comes to sweets - is pretty tough. 😋 He was determined and ordered a gelato....
Let’s just say he did officially complete the Challenge but I don’t think he ate for another 24 hours!! 😝
Let me know if you take us up on the Challenge - I want to hear how you do!! 🍦 🍦 🇮🇹 🍦 🍦 @ Corniglia, Liguria, Italy

26/01/2019

I’ve been daydreaming about our trip to Cinque Terre on the Ligurian coast of Italy. We could not get over the beauty of this region and all the photo opportunities. It is absolutely gorgeous and unforgettable. Cinque Terre is a series of 5 small villages connected by train, boat or by hiking. This photo was taken on our hike from Monterosso to Vernazza. Monterosso is the northernmost of the five villages and where we stayed at the Hotel Villa Steno. 🇮🇹
You can read about our trip to Italy and check out some awesome photos too on my blog! Check it out! Link in bio ☝🏻☝🏻☝🏻 @ Vernazza Cinque Terre

23/01/2019

Nature
Beach
Pizza
Loves to fish
Collegiate athlete
Avid reader
Traveler
Gator
Daughter
There are many, many more adjectives to describe this young woman I have had the privilege of raising. I’m glad she still likes to share adventures with us. ♥️♥️♥️

21/01/2019

We don’t always agree where our next adventure will be. I have planned so many trips - probably hundreds - that we didn’t take. My thing is planning (and dreaming) of new destinations and interesting things to do. His thing is bringing me back to reality. We’re a pretty good mix. But without those dreams and what if’s where would we be? Don’t have what if’s! DO!!!
Don’t be afraid to dream big dreams. Those dreams are yours and only yours! And your life is your adventure!

19/01/2019

🤔
Another photo that I am not sure what’s happening.....
Do your kids crack you up? I am honestly surprised at times with the things they come up with. Sure, they always try to push my buttons, change my music in the car, leave dirty clothing and dirty dishes around and pretend they don’t hear what I am saying (I could keep going here) but most of all I enjoy them for who they are. How they are smart, funny, caring, curious, off color and off beat. I love this crazy crew!!!! ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️

19/01/2019

You might look at this photo and think - - are they jewel thieves? Hiking ninjas? Or just two friends who think alike - even when it comes to hiking attire?!
Cheers to great minds! 😉😂

18/01/2019

Jayci made a new friend on our trip to the mountains. Shiloh, the friendly neighbor dog, came around every day looking for treats. Usually he was waiting at the front door of our cabin every morning waiting for us to wake up and notice him!! 🐶 🦴
Do you like meeting new people when you are on vacation? I am always chatting everyone up - - from shopkeepers and hotel staff to locals and fellow travelers. They always have something interesting to add to our travels, usually have great recommendations and awesome insight into our destination. Sometimes I do make a new friend or two or even just a Facebook friend. Sometimes that friend turns out to be four-legged!

17/01/2019

You have got to get to the Smoky Mountains -- Start planning a trip for the spring or summer now! Read my newest blog post for lots of vacation ideas and tips for the mountains of North Carolina. There is fun to be had by all ages. We started taking our kids to NC as toddlers and now they are older teens and we have not run out of things to do!

A cozy cabin, great friends, fall colors, warm drinks by the fire, beautiful scenery and fun hikes - the perfect combination for a weekend in the Smoky Mountains.

16/01/2019

Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us, or find it not. 🌳 🌅
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
This photo was taken with my iPhone (no filter and no editing) as my son and I drove home from his basketball game. They lost. As the old saying goes - you win some, you lose some - - but this night really was a win with that sunset on fire! WOW! 😍 Also, that steal Jackson had in the 4th quarter was pretty sweet too!

13/01/2019

Our kids are old enough now that when we are on trips we can leave them at the hotel (or cabin) and do a little exploring on our own. I love our family time but sometimes our accommodations can be very close and we all can use a break from our “togetherness”!
Deep Creek in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is very accessible and fun! This trip we decided to hit all the waterfall trails and enjoy the quiet solitude. Late afternoon hikes are the perfect time to find yourself alone on the trail!

09/01/2019

I’m not sure why Jayci is so happy in this photo but don’t you just love to see your kid’s smile?! 😊

Let’s just focus on that joy for a moment..... Ahhh..... ♥️

Honestly, I think she is full of joy from escaping college classes, homework and projects even for a weekend. We picked her and a friend up from college and hit the road for a weekend in the Smoky Mountains. And we had such fun - good memories for sure - read my newest blog post “A Weekend in the Smoky Mountains” for some great vacation ideas in North Carolina.
www.sunriseinanewcity.com

06/01/2019

Nothing to do but whittle sticks and happy about it! I love it when I can get my kids to disconnect. Take me back to the mountains, surrounded by beautiful scenery when our biggest concern was keeping the campfire going and wondering which hike to take next! We did a few hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park - our favorite hike was Alum Cave Trail - see all the great pics on my newest blog post.
www.sunriseinanewcity.com

05/01/2019

New year, new adventures! 🎉🎆
Have you started planning any getaways? Recently we were in North Carolina and visited Great Smoky Mountains National Park watching the sunrise and all the glorious colors. ☀️ ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
You can read all about it in my newest blog post - link in bio ^^^^^^^^^^^^
Check it out - North Carolina and it’s mountains have been a favorite vacation spot for my family for years.

22/12/2018

New post up on the blog! Check it out! ☀️😊 🌃 🏔 ❄️ ⛄️ 🎁

What do all these things have in common - professional sports, outdoor adventure, gluten free eats, a modern hotel? You can do it all in one day in Denver!

22/12/2018

Beam me up, JoJo! 😂 I am pretty sure that chair is going to take flight! .
While the kiddos checked their phones back in the room, Joe and I enjoyed the FIRE Lounge in all it’s ultra cool style and fancy, shmancy cocktails. 🍸 Even the Christmas decorations were crazy cool. We loved our time in Denver and I’ve just put up a new blog post about our time there and our stay at
The Art, a hotel. ^^^^ Link in bio ^^^^