” How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains” - John Muir

Throughout my life I always had this weird recurring dream where I was in an unfamiliar house and I had to climb and crawl through tight secret passages. Each passage led to another dimension. After visiting Meow Wolf in Santa Fe, New Mexico, I wondered if this was a common dream others have, much like those dreams where you're naked in public. Because this house was a physical embodiment of those dreams I have from time to time.

Waking up on a cold September morning, the valley of Post Mills, Vermont was socked in with thick, late-summer fog. Michael Libby, a visiting artist from Maine, and I rose with a purpose and trudged out to prep “The Uncle Sally,” a 14-foot, baby blue, experimentally built steamboat. The curious name is a wink and a nod to Samuel Morey, a local Vermont legend, whose boat “The Aunt Sally,” featured the first internal combustion engine to be used on a watercraft in the early 19th century.

Portsmouth usually attracts a certain type of tourist. They are seekers of picturesque sunsets, salted air, ice cream, a quaint town square, maybe a boat ride up the Piscataqua. And it's easy to see why. Portsmouth has all of this in spades and if you were to just spend your time downtown and staring at the water, you'd have a pretty good time. But you're not coming just for sunsets. I know you're not. You know you're not. You want the bar that slings the best cocktails, the townie dive that hosts shameless karaoke, maybe a game of pickup sand volleyball and a sunset hike. You're an adventurer, a young, open eyed traveler who knows that behind corners and down side streets is where the real party is. Any seaside town that's been around for almost 400 years has some serious layers to it. Let's explore some of them right now.

My actual words when my cousin from out of town (Jamaica to be exact) visited me in D.C and asked if we could swing by the Washington Monument;

Every city in this world has a unique vibe. Some have history. Some have fashion. Some have nature. Some have food. What if a city has an exceptionally extraordinary nightlife? And, what if you are a part of that imaginary night? Some cities in the world are splendid for the way its night rises in the sky. You can find the best drinks, alive and energetic nights, fun people, rocking dance floors, crazy music, bizarre crowd, overall, and an ultimate experience of life. You can forget about all the odds and live to the fullest amidst the cheering crowds and loud sounds.

Hi, my name is Ellie. The photo above is me waiting eagerly for one of my aunties (pictured right) to take me on a regularly scheduled stroll/detailed evaluation of their surrounding territory. They are very special to me, so whenever my parents bring me by their place in Pasadena, CA to check on them I am always sure to not leave any patch of grass un-sniffed nor any errant cats un-warned. Both my aunties and my parents call their house “the Unicorn” and talk about how special it is all the time. While it’s great and I really enjoy my time here, they tend to forget about the rest of the neighborhood, which I actually think is much more special.

You roll into Birmingham at Grand Central Station. It’s busy and crowds move in different directions. You’ve got the day ahead to explore and all you know is that you’re in the city of the Peaky Blinders, where do you go? Well, as a seasoned vet in these ends, I know where to direct you, for the best adventure you didn’t even know required.

One doesn't just go to West Newton, Pennsylvania. It's not this great, glitzy, trendy city for the kids, nor is it a bustling job hub for movers and shakers. In fact, most of the inhabitants travel elsewhere for work and entertainment (hint: West Newton is about 55 minutes south of Pittsburgh). No, it seems that the only claim to fame that this pioneer town that was founded in 1788 has is the Youghiogheny Bike Trail, which is one of the smaller trails that are part of the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP). You had heard cool things about this trail, and decided to look it up.

How to explain a city that is a feeling? Where do you start? I guess starting with one of its natives is as good of a beginning as any. I was born in Madrid and I lived there for 20 years, the first 20 years of my life. The city shaped me, but I thought I was oh-so independent from it. No attachment to the city I was born in or the place I went to school. To the winding streets of its city centre or the massive parks, new and old, the city’s struggle against the dry heat in summer and the dry cold in winter.

Calgary, Alberta is known for the Calgary Stampede, millions of people go there every year and enjoy near-death experiences on rides and eat odd deep-fried food. However, there are other small attractions in Calgary that many people do not know too much about. I will admit even I have not visited these places, but they are the hidden gems of Calgary.

Most people think downtowns are such a bad place to be. An ugly place. You know, some actually are scary to walk around but mine is an absolutely beautiful one. No matter what time of the day or year, the view will never get old. I am proud to be living in Cincinnati. Their teams may let me down, but the view will never. The pictures I took above is a span of one day. I was on a restaurant on the water for a yearly WEBN fireworks. One of the best places to go for that event! WEBN is a radio station that hosts fireworks for the end of the year coming. People camp, boat, get hotels, sit in their cars and like me, book a restaurant for front view. The river gets packed with all kinds of boats, it is crazy! So what my restaurant does is that they will serve you a buffet of many many different kinds of foods! Sushi, steak, chicken, vegan ect. You get there a couple hours earlier and have all the food. My family brings card games to play at the table while we wait as well. Right across the street is a little group of different kinds of food trucks that you can buy food and bring back to the restaurant. There are also a lot of people selling light up toys and things that blow out bubbles. The first picture I took is when I first sat down. And the last is obvious, when it started. So throughout the time I was there I would take a picture in the same exact spot I did earlier to have a cool affect. During the fireworks they play songs so that the fireworks go along with the beat. In my experience, I have seen a lot of people have mistakes with these shows. But never this show. The fireworks are controlled electronically so no one has to be on the boat with the fireworks just in case something happens. Because I remember one time I was watching a show and I’m not sure if someone was on the boat or not, but there was this show and it was amazing until some of the fireworks exploded right on the boat which made other ones go off when they were not supposed to in the wrong direction. It was just crazy. But the WEBN fireworks have never had a mistake. People come from all over to see them and I think more people should come! You have to book ahead of time, like a couple months since it is so popular. This is one of my favorite events to look forward to. They do different songs and themes every year so you can’t ever get tired of it. And I mean the view is breathtaking with the water right next to it all. It is amazing that a place could be so simple yet so pretty to look at. It is a good family day for people that want to do more. You can even meet new people who’s tables sit near you. You can have a big group or a small group, you will always find room. You have the choice to sit inside or outside. Of course we always pick outside. It is the best way to see the it but there is a tv inside. It is also a very good place to take any pictures! Including selfies! The water behind you is just breathtaking. It is only January and I am already excited for the fireworks at the end of this year.