Unique digital nomad travel adventures from around the U.S.
We’ve recently written posts about how to pack for trips to cold and medium climates. To round out the advice, this post will be how to pack for packing advice for hot climates. This might seem strange considering it is mid-January, but last year at …
Travel resolutions and goals are the best in my opinion. 2017 was an incredible year for travel. I knocked off not one, but two bucket list items (Australia and the Azores), had a lovely Christmas in Europe and experienced many, many weekend adventures. I am …
A few weeks ago, we wrote about packing for cold weather destinations. We thought we’d continue along those lines and write about packing for other climates, so this post will be number two of the series and discuss packing advice for Medium Climates.
Following Goldilocks’ guidance, you are traveling to a place that isn’t too hot and isn’t too cold, it is just right. You’d think that it would be easy to pack for the ideal temperature, right? Well, not so fast. It turns out packing for medium climates can be the most challenging packing of the three. Why? Because medium places tend to be cold in the morning and then warm to that perfect temperature. At night, temperatures can drop down quite a bit, so your t-shirt just won’t cut it when the sun goes down.
And just when you think you’ve got it nailed, Mother Nature steps in and throws an unseasonably cold/warm curve ball your way, right when you are on your trip. Last October when B and I ventured to the Azores Islands, it was supposed to be in the 60s. Turns out it was much warmer than that so we had to adjust our outfits mid-trip. Using that week long trip as model, here is what we packed and will serve you well for a week in a medium climate.
The key to medium-climate packing is adaptability.
We knew hiking was going to be one of our main activities in the Azores, so we both packed a trusty pair of hiking sandals. Chacos have officially hit the mainstream (sadly, at the expense of quality…but that’s another story), but they do a very good job of combining grip and traction with a cool sandal. Cool as in not hot.
I like to mix up sandal days/non-sandal days, so I added a pair of cross trainer hikers also. There are a lot of good quality brands that offer great stability and traction without the bulk of full on hiking boots. My favorite brand is Vasque, but I am currently rocking a pair of Patagonias. These type of shoes are meant to be less rigid than a hiking boot, but it is still a good idea to break them in before you leave on your trip. Before we left, I purchased a pair of Ahnus that I thought would be good because they were waterproof. When I took them on an inaugural walk, I realized I wasn’t going to have enough time to break them in fully, so they didn’t make the bag to the Azores.
For a week-long trip you only really need three or four bottoms that you can rotate through. I like variety, so I opted for a skirt, a pair of pants I could roll up if I got hot, and a pair of shorts. Material and color are important when you are only bringing along a few items, so make sure the material is good quality and won’t start to smell and will repel dirt and stains. Lighter colors can show dirt easier, so it is safest to stick to a darker palette.
Four tops should do you on a weeklong trip. Since it isn’t going to be terribly hot, you won’t need tank tops so you can stick to four short sleeved shirts. You’ll want to pack a long sleeve for those morning hikes or evening strolls along the beach and to round things out, make sure to bring a sweatshirt or warmer long sleeved shirt in case it gets really cold. Material is especially important when it comes to tops because they have to live right next to our armpits and come away unscathed.
If you don’t feel like bringing along four shirts, you can cut this down and wash along the way. B had to use this method as she had packed for a cooler climate than what we experienced in the Azores. This wasn’t really a big deal though, because her shirts were made of quick drying material that held their shape when washed in a sink and air dried overnight. We’ve said this before, but the return on investment really is worth it to buy high quality and pricier pieces.
Part of the appeal of traveling to a place that doesn’t get cold is that you don’t have to pack a lot of outerwear. For the Azores, we left our parkas at home and instead brought light jackets and rain jackets. We also brought along rain pants, but luckily we didn’t have to bust these out and they stayed scrunched up in the bottom of our bags.
Traveling to medium climates is great! You won’t sweat or freeze and if you bring a nice mix of adaptable clothing you will be well-suited for whatever weather craziness happens.
I know not everyone loves winter or winter travel, but there are so many great winter activities! If you throw a little travel into the mix, you have got yourself one hell of a good time. You may choose to travel to a particular destination …
This week we are excited to have a guest author, my friend from grad school, Genevieve Brown. Like us, Genevieve enjoys traveling. Unlike us, she sometimes travels with a side of volunteering. We asked her to tell us a little bit more about volunteering abroad, …
Salt Lake City is not the most exotic location on the planet. However, there are plenty of fun things to do and see there. It is an especially good location to begin a trip out west. Due to its proximity to Idaho, it makes an excellent weekend getaway and we find ourselves there a couple times of year for various events (mostly concerts). Below are my five favorite things about Salt Lake City.
I go to a lot of concerts. I hesitate to put a number on it because then I will realize how much money I am spending on concerts and I would rather not go there. So I will just leave it at “a lot.” When one goes to a lot of concerts, one spends a lot of time in concert venues. I have enjoyed large events at places like the Gorge and Red Rocks as well as events at hole-in-the-wall bars that hold 15 people. Each venue comes with its own set of pros and cons.
Of all of the concert venues I have been to, the State Room is my favorite. The only con, in my opinion, is that it is not located in my hometown. I would attend events there a lot more often if it was closer. The State Room is small and intimate and even during sold-out performances, there is room to move. You can choose to sit down or stand. Either way, you will have a great view. Sometimes R and I go to concerts in Salt Lake City instead of Boise simply because of the State Room is hosting. If you get a chance to see one of your favorite bands there, do not hesitate.
The Wasatch Range, a mountain range that stretches north and south from the Idaho border to central Utah, is awfully pretty. It is also really close to Salt Lake City. Not only are you afforded gorgeous views just by looking up, but it could not be easier to go exploring in the mountains. A short drive from the city (sometimes less than 10 minutes) can find you winding through a canyon with gorgeous views of breathtaking scenery. Salt Lake City’s proximity to the mountains means easy access to skiing, hiking and camping. The people there really are spoiled with this range right in their backyard and it is wonderful perk for those of us visiting the city.
I only recently discovered Bruges Waffles and Frites on a trip for work. A coworker had tried it out and raved about it so I figured I would give it a whirl. Excellent decision on my part. From their website, it appears they have several locations. However, I went to the teeny-tiny original location in downtown. There were three places to sit and barely enough room for two people to stand. Since I was the only customer “dining in,” the cramped space did not bother me. If you have a larger party, I suggest one of the other locations.
How was the food? It was better than fine. The menu is interesting and I had a hard time deciding what to order. I finally settled on some sort of hot dog, fries and a waffle for dessert. It was all tasty, but the dipping sauce for the fries and the waffle exceeded my expectations. I was an instant fan and I cannot wait to travel to Belgium to see how it compares. I also recommend you try it out for yourself ASAP.
Okay, so this one is not exactly in Salt Lake City. It is about an hour drive north in a town called Ogden. If you are driving to or from Idaho, it is right on the way and well worth a stop. (Note: it is closed on Sundays so do not try then.) They sell just about everything at Smith and Edwards. I am serious. From clothes and tools to penny candy and kitchen gadgets, they have everything you need and several things you did not even realize you did needed. I have bought over-sized bags of Swedish Fish, kid-sized boots that fit me like a glove, garlic power and a clay pigeon launcher. Seriously. Everything.
About the only thing you cannot buy, as far as I can tell, is groceries. But there is a fast-food restaurant inside so it is not like you will go hungry. The people watching is also pretty good. I do have a couple of warnings however; be prepared to feel overwhelmed. There is a lot to see and a lot of people shopping, especially on Saturday. It is very easy to feel overwhelmed. Also, I recommend you set a spending and/or time limit. I always to seem to walk out an hour later and $100 dollars poorer. I guess that works for me, but you may want to set some stricter guidelines. I do not know of any other store like Smith and Edwards and I always enjoy the time spent meandering its vast and varied offerings.
After having visiting Salt Lake City numerous times, I rarely visit Temple Square anymore. The exception, however, is Christmas time. The hundreds of thousands of lights transform Temple Square into a winter wonderland, making it a delight to stroll around at night. It will be cold this time of year so you will want to bundle up first. And maybe grab some hot cocoa. Once fortified against the cold, you will be ready to enjoy the sights and sounds of Temple Square. It is a great way to get into the Christmas spirit.
Salt Lake City is an excellent place to visit. It just so happens to be a good example of a place in our “backyard” that we can easily visit in a weekend. So we do so often. If you have never visited before or are looking for something new to try, give one of my top five recommendations a go. Then let me know what you think.
Today is Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. It is a time for family, food and football. It is also a time for giving thanks. So today, R and I reflect, give thanks to travel and share the parts of traveling we are grateful for. Thanks …
We’ve written about how B and I scored a great deal on a trip to Europe this Christmas. It’s going to be a fantastic winter trip…emphasis on winter. Since we will be taking a trip during cold weather, our packing list is going to be …
Recently, R and I spent a day in Boston, Massachusetts. Now one day may not sound like much, but even a short amount of time in Bean Town is better than no time at all and I am going to share with you some tips on what to do in Boston based on your length of stay.
I love Boston. It is my favorite east coast city by far, and I always jump at the chance to visit. I was first introduced to the city back in high school. It was my first time to the east coast and although I have been back east many times now and have visited all of the major cities, Boston remains my favorite. And it is not just the city I love; the entire northeast is a beautiful part of this country with so much to do and see.
But back to the city itself…sometimes my visits are short, like this most recent one. Others are longer. Whether you plan to spend a couple of hours or a couple of weeks in Boston, there is no end of things to do. The city is swamped in U.S. history, great places to eat, and fascinating neighborhoods. Below are my suggestions for things to do, based on your length of stay.
If you have only got one day, make sure you do the following:
Obviously, you must walk the Freedom Trail. It is a 2.5 mile path through downtown Boston passing by 16 historic locations. It is easy to follow. Simply look for the red line, marked with either brick or paint, that runs through the city. You can buy a map at the visitor’s center and even sign up for a tour, or you can do what we did and download a self-guided tour (there are several online). Most of the sites are free, but a few will charge admission. If you are short on time, you may have to pick and choose where to spend your time. The time it will take you to walk the entire trail depends on how much time you spend at each site.
I have enjoyed the Freedom Trail many times. Every time I walk it, I learn (or relearn) something new. It is a wonderful way to experience U.S. history as well as Boston. A word of warning: there will be tourists. Sometimes there will be a lot of them lining up and standing in your way. They are unavoidable. But if you visit the trail sometime other than the middle of the day, you will have better luck. Also, check out our post on tips for dealing with tourists.
I do not visit Boston (or the surrounding area) without enjoying a bowl of New England clam chowder. I do not have a favorite place I like to go. Being from Idaho, it all tastes good to me! But there are plenty of articles out there with recommendations for the best chowder in Boston. I just recommend you get some because it tastes so darn good.
Yes, this place can be a little overwhelming. But there is always something happening at Faneuil Hall. There are shops and restaurants and you can even get a stamp in your National Parks Passport here. If you are short on time, you can find almost everything you need in this one location.
If you have got a couple of days, make sure to check off the above items, but then add on the following:
If you are lucky, the Red Sox will be playing a home game during your visit. Watching a game at Fenway Park is the ultimate Boston experience. There are also the Celtics and Bruins. Either would make for an entertaining experience, especially if the home team wins!
Boston’s neighborhoods have distinct personalities and are worth exploring. Even though I could never afford to live there and I find it a tad pretentious, I love walking around the Back Bay and poking into its shops. The North End and Beacon Hill also make me very happy. And on this most recent trip, R and I discovered Charlestown while heading to Bunker Hill Monument (not following the Freedom Trail). We both commented on the cute houses and colors. It is only by walking around and exploring that you can fully appreciate the personalities of Boston’s neighborhoods.
Touring the Samuel Adams brewery seems apropos when one visits Boston, especially if you like beer. The tour is free, but they suggest a $2 donation to benefit local charities. Obviously, you must be 21. Tours last about one hour and they do not take reservations. I would avoid Saturdays is possible.
Eating at Cheers is an incredibly touristy thing to do. But it is also a lot of fun and something I recommend you do at least once. However, try to visit the iconic Boston landmark during a slow time.
Boston’s North End, or Little Italy, hosts some of the city’s oldest buildings and is a maze of narrow streets. It almost feels like you have stepped back in time. You will walk right through it as part of the Freedom Trail, but it is worth some extra time if you have it. There are wonderful Italian restaurants, pastry shops and delis around every corner. It is one of my favorite neighborhoods in the city.
If you have a week or more, after you have accomplished everything above, you can get out of town and see the following:
It is easy to get from Boston to Cambridge—take the Red Line and ride it for 25 minutes. Harvard University is the United States’ oldest institution of higher learning. Established in 1636, this Ivy League school is one of the most well-known universities in the world. The campus in Cambridge is also really pretty. If the weather is nice, I definitely recommend a visit.
There are so many great towns just a train ride away from Boston and they make excellent day trips. Salem, Massachusetts, is one good example. Not only is the town adorable, but there is that whole witch trials event that took place there and the town features it well. Simply take the Newburyport/Rockport Line and 30 minutes later, you will be in Salem. If you want to explore a little further, stay on the Newburyport/Rockport Line and ride it to Rockport, Massachusetts. The town is surrounded on three sides by the Atlantic Ocean and hosts an array of Instagram-worthy photo opportunities. The train ride alone is worth the effort in my opinion. It will take a little over an hour, but you will move along the coast and travel through idyllic coastal towns like Manchester-by-the-Sea and Gloucester.
Whether you get out by traveling north, south or west (or east if you want to go whale watching or spend some time on the ocean), you will see some beautiful country and it will only add value to your trip to Boston.
It you have not been to Boston yet, put it on your bucket list. If you have visited Boston before, put it back on your bucket list. There is so much to see and do there, it would take a lifetime to explore it all.
A couple of minor notes:
One of the biggest impediments to travel is cost. Even though B and I have talked about how we don’t spend as much as you would think on our trips, travel still costs more money than staying at home. One way to keep travel costs …