Beaches, Brews & Beating Those Winter Blues: Southern California

March 24, 2018 by Heather Corker in Travel

Recommendations for taking it slow and easy in the sunshine of Southern California

Happiest in the air

February 10, 2018 by Heather Corker in Travel

I’m happiest when I’m flying, suspended in the air.

I know a lot of people hate travel – or, they love the destination, but it’s the getting to the destination they find troublesome. TSA, long lines, cramped seats, little to no leg room for hours on end. The crying babies, the jerky train, the expensive meals ... the list goes on. And, yes, I’ve had my fair share of screaming babies, unfortunate middle seats, too much luggage, unexpected costs and a frequency of travel that has left my eyes bloodshot, skin dry and hair flat. I’ve felt uprooted and disconnected, forever flying away from some version of home.

But what I’ve come to realize, for me, is that traveling is home.

In the Mountains of Switzerland

December 19, 2017 by Heather Corker in Travel

The mountain air was cool, with the bite of winter in the air. The area we were hiking had recently had it's first dusting of snow, covering the rocks and the yellowed grass with a layer of white which reflected the sun and caused the surrounding colors to pop as if someone had suddenly turned up the saturation; the cobalt blue of the lakes below, the deep green of the pines, even the speckled grey of the rocks. In the distance too we could hear the cowbells singling the location of the beasts from whose neck they hung, even though we could not actually see the animals through the hills.

Hidden Beaches of Majorca

September 14, 2017 by Heather Corker in Travel

There are three things I most remember about Mallorca; a beautiful wedding at a castle on a cliff overlooking the sea, laughing so hard my sides ached and cheeks suffered and hunting hidden beaches...

Paris at Midnight

August 06, 2017 by Heather Corker in Travel

Five days in the French Countryside, bookended by Paris.

Those Dixie Trees. An evening in New Orleans

June 11, 2017 by Heather Corker in Travel

New Orleans is a magical place. The dixie trees, the humidity that hugs you, the music in the air.

Earth, Wind, Fire & Iceland

April 24, 2016 by Heather Rene in Travel

The Icelandic landscapes are nothing if not dramatic. And while there was girly silliness, wonderful conversations with strangers and the discovery that shark tastes like something has rotted in your mouth, the landscapes remain most vivid in my memory.

Finding peace on the other side of the world: Australian Adventures

September 02, 2015 by Heather Rene in Travel

At the end of July I took a holiday. I went halfway around the world to Australia - a place that, to me, seemed alright enough, but which I had no desire to really go - for whatever reason. But I needed out. I needed a break. I needed to find myself again. And, the thought of place with white sand beaches and quality cafes thousands of miles away from my current reality and all that I knew, seemed, to me, like a good idea.

Patagonia

November 01, 2014 by Heather Rene in Travel

I was expecting this trip to bring me clarity. To provide answers to all the questions that had been swirling around my head about work and relationships. To give me healthy habits back. To show me the value of time, of relaxation, of taking it easy. I expected to come back having found grace for my crazy landlord. This trip was going to sort me out.

A place where "Why?" is a question you do not ask.

August 08, 2013 by Heather Rene

Russia is incredible. It is an amazing, frustrating, fascinating, inefficient and interesting place.

Its true. Andorra is NOT in Africa.

November 27, 2011 by Heather Rene

Because we can. That is basically why we went (that and the goal of one particular friend to set foot in every, single - no matter how tiny - country on our little planet of Earth). So we did.

Colors, cous cous and cat-calls

February 16, 2011 by Heather Rene

Walking through the streets of Marrakech is an adventure. With the sound of the call to prayer in the background, overshadowed by cat calls from vendors- "hello fish and chips" - one winds through the alleyways, dodging motorcycles and donkeys, careful to look at the color and wonder of everything, and nothing for fear of being dragged into a shop and leaving with something you don’t quite need and definitely didn’t want.

Latvia through a (disposable) lens

December 05, 2010 by Heather Rene

Latvia through a disposable lens

Continental Things

October 26, 2010 by Heather Rene

Its amazing how things in life always seem to come full circle. In this case, from Europe to America and back again.

I was recently reunited with two of my American friends, whom I met while studying abroad in Florence. And where did we reunite? Well, Europe of course!

When Kelly Kearns told me she would be in Paris in October, I did not hesitate to plan a weekend trip over. I mean, how often do any of the Americans I know just 'show up' in Paris? And how often is one (me) in a position to take a weekend trip to Paris? Duh - easy decision. But it gets better ...

Not long after hearing from Kelly, my former roommate in Florence, Lindsay Hallvik, told me she would be in Europe that same week and asked, "can you come and play?" Life suddenly got interesting, and exciting, once again. Of course I would come and play! A long awaited and anticipated reunion with friends, and with the continent (a favorite playground of mine) was underway.

From Paris, to Milan & the Italian Lakes, to Amsterdam. I spent 10 days with friends from various places, wandering through the familiar streets and allyways of Europe.

Oh, I could be a cynic. I could tell you of stress, delayed train journeys, unhelpful locals, and occasions of boredom (which I am tempted to do), but that is not the point. The point of this journey was the people more than the places. I am shocked at how blessed I am to know so many people in so many different places on Earth.

This is my small tribute and 'shout out' to all those I saw on my journey who made it such a wonderful time. In France - Ines & Kelly and crew; Italia - Lindsay (Lindsay and Italy are forever tied in my heart); The Netherlands - Brenda, Kim and Jeanelle (yet another 'Florentine').

Please enjoy a brief photo diary of my travels, below!

Parisian Things