Biking in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park

It is almost Christmas here in Alberta, Canada, and the snow is piled high on the ground. I have escaped the confines of my home, where I am trapped indoors with my two energetic and stir-crazy toddlers, to the local library which features a very popular train table and of course, lots of fun books for the kids to occupy themselves with.

Fontainebleau Miami Beach: The Glitz and Glam of Miami Beach

In October of 2016, my husband and I had the opportunity to stay in a five-star hotel resort in Miami, Florida during Joey's annual work AGM. We would probably never have had the chance to stay in such a swanky place on our own, so I was incredibly excited for the occasion to explore a hotel of that rating. (Thank you, MNP, for the amazing work retreat! It was fabulous!)

Stroll the Grounds of Villa Vizcaya in Miami

Miami might be most famously known for its neon lights, wild nightlife, and sandy beaches. But those features only scratch the surface of what the city of Miami has to offer. An amazing variety of art instalments, historical buildings, and unique architecture can be found both in the mainland portion of the city and on the various islands, or 'keys', around the area.

Stop to Smell the Flowers in the Fairchild Botanical Gardens of Miami, Florida

In late October of 2016, my husband and I had the chance to stay in sunny Miami for a week or so. This was mainly achieved because Joey’s company was holding their annual general meeting, or AGM, down there for three days, and spouses were invited to tag along. (Even if we hadn’t been invited, there was no way Joey was going without me!) So for three of the days I was in Miami, Joey was unable to explore the city with me due to the AGM, leaving me to check off items from my list on my own.

Explore Miami's "Little Havana" Neighborhood

Miami, Florida is geographically very close to Cuba. So naturally, the city of Miami has a strong Cuban community and culture. Wet met a ton of people from Cuba or with strong Cuban heritage: my Uber driver, my hotel waiter, and the server at Subway were all from Cuba and proud of it.

Alligators and Air Boats: Touring Florida's Everglades

Right now, at this very moment, I am sitting in a fuzzy white hotel robe, snuggled into a queen-sized bed of my very own, sipping wine from a water glass and very much enjoying my life. My husband's company is holding their annual AGM in Miami, Florida this year, and I got to tag along. We arrived a couple of days before the AGM began so that we could do a little exploring of this vibrant city and its surrounding areas, and explore we did! Today we spent the morning touring the Florida Everglades, which is an excursion you cannot skip if you find yourself in Miami.

Aquarium of the Bay: San Francisco's Underwater Adventure

When I traveled to Seattle in the summer of 2011, I declined a visit to the city's aquarium. Looking back on that decision, I regret it, because the aquarium looks very pretty when I see photos of it online. I vowed not to make the same mistake again when I took a holiday to San Francisco last month. The "Aquarium of the Bay" is a small aquarium compared to most, but it promised a lot from what I saw on good ol' Pinterest, and I am happy to report that it did NOT fail to deliver!

Baker Beach: The Perfect San Francisco View

When I visited San Francisco in late September, I arrived in town with a giant list of things I wanted to see and do. Some items on that list were of your typical tourist fare, such as crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, but some were a little less glamorous. Dipping my feet in the Pacific Ocean from the sandy shores of Baker Beach was one of those items. And even though poking my toes into cold sand on a windy beach might not sound that fantastic, it was worth it completely!

The Beauty of California's Muir Woods

One of the places I was most excited to visit during my trip to San Francisco was Muir Woods. Technically titled Muir Woods National Monument, this majestic forest is part of the U.S. National Park Service for a good reason: it contains amazing, gigantic, and OLD redwood trees. I couldn't wait to wrap my arms around one.

What to do at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco

Sparkling waters, lazy sea lions, the smell of fried fish and garlic wafting through the air. Laughter, pigeons, wooden planks, and fresh sea breezes. A two-story carousel, and world-famous sour dough. Welcome to Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco!

Walking the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco

Perhaps the most iconic landmark in the city of San Francisco is the majestic Golden Gate Bridge. Magnets, T-shirts, calendars, and all other variety of tourist souvenirs feature the bridge predominantly. It has been called the "most beautiful, certainly the most photographed, bridge in the world" by Frommer's, and I agree (I thought it was beautiful, and I DID take several photographs).

Return Holidays: Why You Can't Discount a Repeat Trip

I believe I can speak for all travel junkies out there when I say that traveling to new and previously unexplored places is addicting. The thrill of seeing something amazing for the first time, or undergoing a totally new experience, gives those of us who love travel something equivalent to an adrenaline rush. The anticipation of an adventure somewhere new is almost as exciting as the journey itself.

Strolling the Banks of Lovely Lake Louise in Alberta

While I have lived in Alberta, Canada all of my life, I freely admit that I have not yet explored every nook and cranny of my province's various natural regions. It is a big province with much to offer, so there's no shame in admitting that I have a lot left to discover. I AM a little embarrased to reveal, however, that I have never laid my eyes first-hand on one of our most famous gems: Lake Louise.

Jurassic Forest: Go Back in Time in Edmonton, Alberta

Imagine you are walking through a thick mass of poplar and pine trees, ferns and grasses brushing your legs, sunlight dappling the path before you. Bees and dragonflies buzz through the muggy air, humid after a fresh spring rain. Suddenly, you see movement through the trees ahead, and hear a low, moaning call being answered by a similar cry. As you push apart a curtain of Saskatoon bushes, you are stunned to see a life-sized Parasaurolophus hovering above you, protecting its young. It hollers at you to back off, shaking its head menacingly from side to side.

What to Expect on a Road Trip Around Scotland

When my husband and I planned our Scotland trip in 2012, we knew we wanted to get out of the cities and explore the country's many castles and cathedrals. However, we did not want to be trapped in a tour bus, seeing the beauty of the Scottish countryside out of a window. So we decided to rent a vehicle, and read up on driving in Scotland. It was a fantastic way to see some of Scotland's sights, but a huge learning experience for us regarding European driving. Some things research just can't prepare you for!

Foodie Bucket List: Learn to Make Sushi

"A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there." ~ Anonymous

This is one of my favourite quotes, and I apply it to my travel philosophy all the time. Try new things. Experience new places. Meet new people. Get out there and make the most of your life instead of wrapping yourself in the comforts and safety of your own home. At least, when you have the time and money!

10 Things For People With Itchy Feet To Do When They CAN'T Travel

If you are like me, you are addicted to traveling. Your daydreams are all about discovering new places and experiencing everything the world has to offer. Your home decor revolves around fitting in knick-knacks from all corners of the Earth. Your feet are perpetually itching to move.

Making Memory Lane: Digital Scrapbooking with "Mixbook"

Since I began my perpetual maternity leave in January of 2014, I have felt quite out of the loop regarding my old job. My life used to revolve around constant learning: the content I taught my students, pedagogical changes and updates to the education sector, child psychology, advances in technology, etc. There was always something new to soak in. Over the last two years, life has certainly changed. I'm not saying you don't learn new things as a mother - because oh, you do! - it is just a whole different ballgame. (I can read the contents of a diaper like a fortune teller can read tea leaves, and you don't learn that at conferences...)

Sinclair Canyon: Gateway to Beauty

For eight years now, my husband's immediate family and my own little clan have been vacationing in British Columbia for a week each summer. This little getaway enables us to enjoy precious family time surrounded by the beauty of the Rocky Mountains, with its deep valleys, towering peaks, and glistening rivers.

Athabasca Falls of Jasper, Alberta

The Jasper area of Alberta's Rocky Mountains is often overlooked in favor of the more popular tourist destination of Banff. I myself, a resident of Alberta, Canada, am guilty of choosing to visit Banff over Jasper in the past. However, a quick trip in May of 2015 with my family convinced me that Jasper has a lot to offer, and is often times more appealing to visit. It is beautiful, clean, and not as busy as the more touted Banff region.

Monteverde Coffee Farm Tour: Life Monteverde

Well, this post was a long time coming. Life is beginning to settle (a little) with my two kidlets. Avy is almost two and Parker is almost seven months old - I can hardly believe how fast they are growing! I am hoping that 2016 will see a return to our travels as the kids are now accustomed to each other, and both are quite good travelers, other than the fact that Avy gets car sick every now and then. I would relish any advice on car sickness in children, because I'd like to do a road trip this summer with them down into the United States to check out some parks.