living proof of God's grace & living free to share hope, encouragement & adventures
If you've followed my blog for a while, you know I traveled a LOT in 2017, 2018, and 2019 when I was single. Back then, more of my blog posts centered on those travels. Even today, I have travel posts peppered in whenever my husband and I take a trip—so travel will always be part …
Continue reading Best Places to Travel by Category: My Travel Superlatives
Ecclesiastes 3:1 "For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven." (NLT) For three years, I had a season of solo travel. 2017, 2018, and 2019. The year before this season—2016—my life changed pretty dramatically. I recovered from a 10+ year battle with bulimia, broke up with my long-term boyfriend, and …
I never thought I'd visit Bosnia. It wasn't a destination on my bucket list, I'll be honest. My familiarity with Bosnian culture consisted of references to the 1984 Sarajevo Olympics and bleak news broadcasts about its status as a war-torn country in the 90s. Yet, there I was in 2019, planning a solo roadtrip through …
Continue reading My Solo Trip to Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
I'll never know for sure if they were angels. I'm talking about two men who seemingly came out of nowhere to help me with car trouble in Croatia. But, let's back up. My one night in Zagreb, Croatia This was November 2019. My last solo international trip. My longest solo international trip. After visiting five …
Yes. A poop story. Y'all. I waited five years to tell this story. Five years to share about an incomprehensible peace that I experienced on a solo trip to Barcelona in May 2017. Literally, a peace in God that surpassed my understanding. And I waited because, to tell it would mean talking about poop. One …
Continue reading Peace That Surpasses Understanding: A Poop Story
After seven solo international trips, I decided to spill my guts on what it’s like to travel solo. As an introvert, I rarely mind being alone. I’m also fiercely independent, good with navigation, and a cross between MacGyver and Nancy Drew when it comes to figuring stuff out on the go. Basically, I was born …
Croatia is one of those up-and-coming countries. Gaining popularity, but still not as touristed (yup, it’s a word) as Italy and other nearby European nations. At least, not yet. And that, my friends, is why I’m urging you to add Croatia to your travel bucket list ASAP if it’s not already penciled in. Better yet, …
Continue reading Is Croatia on Your Bucket List? 5 Reasons You Must Visit
Solo travel is a polarizing topic. You've either done it / want to do it / applaud folks who do. OR, you think they're crazy. And if you're in the latter group, I'm not mad. In fact, I think it does take some level of crazy to embark on a trip by yourself. Especially an …
Continue reading Why My Travel Personality Isn’t for Everyone
Grotto Falls is pretty popular. First, it’s the only waterfall in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that you can walk behind. Bam. Instant appeal. Second, it’s a short hike. Only 1.4 miles from the Trillium Gap trailhead to the falls. Minimal effort for maximum beauty. Ironically, Grotto Falls’ popularity and the short trek to …
Continue reading Grotto Falls Tennessee Hike to Brushy Mountain
Friends, I hiked eight miles to see a bunion in the Smokies. Though I don’t have bunions, they’re hereditary on my mom’s side—so I grew up quite familiar with ‘em. Outside of my family, though, it’s not often I hear much bunion talk. Maybe that’s why I was so intrigued when several Tennesseans recommended the …
adventure and the girl 