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This horseshoe-shaped island is 57 square miles of green paradise with curvaceous shorelines to explore. Winding hilly roads take you through forests and past picturesque fields dotted by barns and orchards. It's as if you could get lost and hopefully never be found in its beauty as you wander between settlements. You'll wonder if you've slipped into a wonderland off the coast of the world.
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Home has taken on a new meaning now. It’s wherever we are. And, that has been quite a few places recently. In the past 9 months, we have lived on busy downtown streets and snowy mountaintops. Our neighbors have been million dollar homes with manicured lawns and converted school buses with solar-paneled rooftops
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Victoria is one of those cities where life is lived a little slower. Oh, sure there's all the amenities of a busy city and definitely all the restaurants. But, coffeeshops close early and many businesses are closed on Sunday. The secret, I think, is an appreciation for nature, the outdoors, and history...
Read MoreDowntown Medford is made for strolling where local cafes and boutiques still believe in outdoor awnings. Nostalgia lingers here in ghost signs on historic buildings and marquee's on vintage theaters. Medford is guaranteed to grab your interest with 104 buildings on the National Register of Historic Buildings and a culinary scene complimented by local wine and craft brews...
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Victorian style architecture
Golden Gate Bridge
Land's End
Sunset on Ocean Drive
When I dream of blue skies, I dream of San Francisco. The city of a thousand views captivates in many ways. My love of walking endlessly from neighborhood to neighborhood began here. My love of wandering from stall to stall at farmer’s markets began here. There are 260 sunny days in the city and this guide takes full advantage of that.
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The best retreats are the ones with the least distractions and the least options for coming or going. If you ask people from Washington, even nearby Seattle, they have no idea that Anderson Island exists in the Puget Sound. This was a hair-kinky-from-a-swim-flying-in-the-wind type of summer. This was the summer in the Sound...
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Here's a list of ways to travel with pets so you can stop making excuses. We use a combination of them. There are pros and cons for each option that will depend on personal preferences. We just want you to know that the possibility is there...
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We heard it was a non-profit restaurant. Images of soup kitchens popped into my head. We heard people pay what they can and its ran by volunteers. We heard its locally sourced and they use as much organic ingredients as possible. Well, that was all we needed to hear to know we had to visit.
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The yellow-bellied harbinger of Spring tilted his head back and told a tune of how happy he was to see the tall grasses grow again. His notes echoed off the ground through my feet and out of me. Then, he flew away...
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The Portabello Sandwich at Sugarfire Smokehouse
Eat Like A Local is a series on locally owned and operated restaurants in various cities. The best of several food categories are feaured such as best pizza, best burgers, and/ or best coffee.
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So, you're about to be cramped up in a car seat for how long?
Going on a road trip to the beach? Or, maybe you're relocating as a full-time traveler? Either way, the time you spend sitting can leave you a little tight and cranky. We’ve all been there. The excitement fades as you squirm in your seat, anxious for a good stretch. Every bump in the road seems to annoy you whether literal or some travel obstacle you didn't plan for.
Well, there's a yoga for that! A combination of hip openers, spinal twists, and backbends loosen the area affected most by sitting in the same position for a long time. Taking a few more minutes to practice pranayama (controlled breathing exercises) help to calm the body and focus the mind. Typical travel stressors seem less intense with a clear mind and open body.
If you're subscribed to Yogaglo I suggest Jo Tastula's Pre Travel Yoga class. 30 minutes of Jo's soothing voice will flow you right into your road trip.
If you're not subscribed to Yogaglo, I do recommend it. Luckily, Youtube has an alternative that will get you ready for the long drive ahead.
Now that your body is warmed up you'll notice less squirming on the road. To focus your mind and become less agitated throughout the trip, follow this step by step guide on sama vritti pranayama (equal ratio breathing). This breathing exercise stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, creating balance within. Stopping at a gas station that is out of service when you're gas tank is so close to empty probably wont result in a temper tantrum this time.
“Sama Vritti Pranayama
1. Come to sit in a comfortable, cross-legged position such as easy pose, taking padding under your seat as necessary. If sitting on the floor isn’t possible, lie on your back.
2. Close your eyes and begin to notice your natural breath, not changing anything at first. Give yourself a good five breaths or so.
3. Begin to slowly count to four as you inhale. Take a moment at the top of your inhale with the lungs full of air. Then also count to four as you exhale. Again take a moment to feel empty. Then inhale again to another count of four. Continue this pattern. The exercise is to match the lengths of your inhales and exhales.
4. You may experiment with changing the number you count to, just make sure your inhale and exhale stay the same length.
5. Continue breathing this way for several minutes.”
I know your road trip checklist has enough things on it already. Adding in this pre travel routine will help you flow like water through it all.
