Travel Withdrawals: Dreaming of Palm Trees, Sea Breeze, and Life Beyond a Deep Freeze
“Blessed are the curious, for they shall have adventures.” ― Lovelle Drachman
I’m writing this from the place I call home, the frigid tundra of northern Minnesota where it was -36 degrees this morning. That’s not just the windchill friends; that’s a legit 36 degrees BELOW zero. And it’s been BELOW zero for a week now. Don’t get me wrong, I love my little town and the beauty, comfort, and peace it brings — but it’s usually January and February when I try to escape on a trip or two. Unfortunately, that’s not happening this year since we’re choosing to stay in our COVID-free, albeit freezing bubble, so here I am reminiscing on six of the places I’ve been until I can travel again.
Los Angeles
I spent most of my younger years wishing I lived in SoCal. Not only do the sun, sand, and surf speak to me, but the excitement of Hollywood and the magic of the movie industry does as well. The backlot of a movie studio is one of my favorite places to visit. I’ve seen the Central Perk set a handful of times and I’m willing to bet it’ll always bring me to tears. To see something you’ve grown up watching, something that has brought so much joy, something that makes you feel at home — come to life in front of you is pretty darn magical.
Everything that’s created there and the amount of people it touches is something I’ve always wanted to be a part of. Watching live tapings and fancy nights out with friends in Hollywood are fantastic and fun escapes! There’s nothing like seeing how the other half lives; trying to play it cool and failing miserably when an A-list actor walks by. That’s right Russel Crowe, we see you.
Kauai
Ah, the Land of Aloha. To say this place is magical is an understatement if there ever was one. Everything on this island smells heavenly; it’s all open-air living, and everything is green. You might only understand this if you live in a white winter wonderland, but sometimes all it takes is green foliage to make one feel better in February. Kauai is called the Garden Isle because it’s basically a tropical rainforest. No joke, it’s pretty much Jurassic Park or Avatar come to life.
One of the most magnificent things I’ve ever seen is the jagged and breathtakingly beautiful Na Pali Coastline. My Dad and I took a catamaran boat tour for a dazzling front-row view. We ate snacks off seashells, watched for whales in the distance, got soaked by the wake of the boat, and loved every minute of it. The dramatic green cliffs look like something created by CGI. Waterfalls flow into the ocean, rainbows appear, sea turtles swim by… it’s nothing short of spectacular. We watched the sun set over the horizon and journeyed back on the water under the stars.
Paris
Audrey Hepburn was right, “Paris is always a good idea.” To immerse myself in a city I’ve only seen in movies is an experience I’ll forever cherish. Walking along the Champs-Élysées — past the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, and Notre-Dame was like walking through a painting. Just taking a day to explore, eat, listen, and breathe in the City of Lights with a friend felt like walking back in time. Listening to a violinist play “La Vie En Rose” on a bridge over the Seine was one of those moments I wish I could relive repeatedly.
There’s such a beauty and elegance to so many of the old European cities. Where in one place something may look unkempt and dilapidated, there it looks lovely and charming. They take such care in preserving their history, enjoying their surroundings, and keeping them beautiful. Flowers and trees line the balconies and rooftops. Café’s all have chairs facing out to the sidewalks to watch the world go by. And the sparkling Eiffel Tower goes down as one of the most stunning sights of my life.
Washington D.C.
For someone who’s known to be obsessed with shows like The West Wing, Madam Secretary, and NCIS, getting a real-life look at the inner workings of Washington D.C. is fascinating. I had gone there in high school, but my crappy memory didn’t retain much, so my Mom and I visited years later.
We went on a tour of the Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery, the Capitol, Mount Vernon, and my favorite — The White House. We ate dinner in Georgetown where JFK is thought to have proposed to Jackie O and took in a show at the Kennedy Center. We went to the Smithsonian, saw the monuments, and got caught in the traffic of Dupont Circle. Thinking about the history of this city and those who once walked the same halls that we did was incredible. You can’t help but feel a patriotic pride visiting these landmarks. A bonus: Secret Service agents are hunky.
Florida’s East Coast
Last year right before the onset of COVID, my Dad and I visited Florida for some much-needed vitamin D and downtime. We went to the Kennedy Space Center where we stood under the Space Shuttle Atlantis and stared up at the Saturn V. We were driven past the iconic Vehicle Assembly Building and shown the launchpads where so many missions began. Being on the grounds of this NASA facility and walking the same paths as astronauts is an experience that leaves you wanting to contribute more to the world.
Next, we visited an amazing sea turtle hospital that rehabilitates injured turtles until they are ready to swim in the sea again. We were lucky enough to be able to watch a sea turtle get released back into the ocean; there must have been over a hundred people gathered on the beach to cheer this guy on. It was incredibly heartwarming to see so many people united for such an awesome cause.
Rome
Talk about traveling back in time. In Rome, you can walk by an ancient column and a McDonald’s in the same breath. To have a bustling modern metropolis quite literally on top of an ancient city is like something I’ve never seen before. It looks like a movie set come to life — each landmark more impressive than the last. My friend and I visited the Vatican, the Colosseum, and the Pantheon. We threw coins in the Trevi Fountain and climbed the Spanish Steps.
The architecture, food, music, and energy of this city are contagious. We ate pizza & pasta, drank wine & Aperol Spritz and of course had plenty of gelato. The way they protect their history while embracing modern life is enchanting. On our last night there we watched the sun set over the ruins of the Roman Forum. When the sun went down the ruins were lit up to glow while video projections played on their facades. It’s out of this world.
Some of my fondest memories have come from the vacations I’ve taken. Being surrounded by a new environment, exploring and experiencing new things makes me feel more alive and connected to this great big world. I’m forever grateful for the experiences I’ve had and for finding the means to do so. Whether it’s Florida, France, or Fiji — boy, am I looking forward to my next adventure. Until then, I’m going to await my vaccine and enjoy a cozy spring at home — dreaming of palm trees, sea breeze, and life beyond a deep freeze.
