World Traveler

Okay, so the title is a little misleading. I haven't traveled the world. At least, not all of this one, and not yet. I have, however, been lucky enough to see a lot of North America. Certainly more than I ever thought I would. Most recently, I just got back from a trip to Costa Rica. Whilst down there, my boyfriend, his family, and I all tried to figure out our favorite vacation spot. Which leads me to obnoxiously listing everywhere I've been. Please enjoy...

We'll start with the USA because that's where I've been the most. Michigan Lower Peninsula Upper Peninsula Mackinac Island

Yes, these are all three separate places in this one state. To this day, Mackinac Island is still my favorite place in the world. Not just as a vacation location, but as a whole different, otherworldly kind of place that heals something in my always-yearning heart. If you've never gone, it's the only place in Michigan I think you absolutely need to see. Pennsylvania

I was only there for my best friend's birthday. She was the best part of the trip. The hills there are crazy and I despise the fact that it takes fifty minutes to go ten miles.

Oklahoma

Visited a friend (a woman I consider a sister). Didn't see much of it. No comments.

Kansas

Visited the same friend/sister. Saw a little of it during a drought. Not impressed.

Washington (State, not DC)

Enumclaw

Seattle

More hills than I was expecting, but overall loved the state. But too many hills and too much traffic for me.

Oregon

Portland

Florence

I loved Oregon more than any other state. I very much considered relocating there at one point in time. Texas Dallas

Oh hell nah will I ever deal with Dallas traffic ever again!!!! I loved the heat in August (105ºF) and had a wonderful time walking around in it when no one else dared to. But a thirty minute drive turned into a two hour hell (at least our Uber driver was great) and I'll never willingly do that again. The only thing I truly loved was the aquarium the boyfriend and I found.

South Dakota

Black Hills As a Native woman, it was hard to look at the desecration of the Black Hills. But the dramatic landscape changes won me over and turned it into a fantastic motorcycle trip. The one thing that about killed me, though, was the dramatic temperature drop after dusk. I was freezing by the time we got back to the house the one night.

Illinois

Chicago

Every time I go to Chicago, whoever is driving gets lost at least once. I'm used to it at this point. Considering I'm not a city girlt, I was not a fan. Wyoming Devil's Tower

This is the only place I've been in Wyoming, but I thought it was incredible.

Nevada

Las Vegas

Not gonna lie, it's overhyped, in my opinion. I went because my family now lives in the area, so we spent Christmas together there. The best part (other than my family) were the shows. I spent more than I should for tickets to the Cirque Du Soleil show KÀ, but I was so enraptured with it and am adamant that it was worth every penny. Hands down will see every Cirque Du Soleil show I possibly can whenever opportunity presents itself. Also loved the Tournament of Kings. Freemont Street during daytime is pretty lame and feels grungy af. Never going back there. Florida

Orlando

Isla Morada

I've been to Florida more times than I care to remember. I'm a rollercoaster junky, so every time a new park opens, I'm there to critique and enjoy. That said, there's such a thing as overdoing it, and in the past couple of years, my boyfriend and I have succeeded in steering the family vacations away from such familiar ground. Also, I've dived off the east coast and dsiliked it immensely. But diving in the keys is a whole different experience and it's where I learned how wonderful it is to dive in warm water. Hawaii

My inlaws took my boyfriend and I on an island-hopper cruise and I loved it. Warm weather. Whale spotting. Dolphins following the ship. Gorgeous scenery, and a great dive. I would love to go back, but actually stay on an island in order to enjoy it more fully. Either Maui or Kauai preferably.

Canada

London, Ontario

Alberta

Technically, I've traveled through several provinces, but I didn't stay there so I won't count them. (Even if driving through Saskatchewan's flatlands is a new form of hell.) I've been in and out of Ontario most of my childhood due to relatives, but my sister being formerly of London meant that's where I spent a majority of my time. Nothing to brag about. My brother, on the other hand, has bragging rights. He lives in the Canadian Rockies and has some of the best views of the landscape all the time. I'm really sad about Jasper being lost in a wildfire last year. And my entire family has a new phrase called, "Fuck Banff" every time we hear it mentioned. Fun times.

Rocky Mountains, Alberta September 2023

Mexico

Playa Del Carmen

I loved the resort area. The trip to Tulum was incredible. I would go back in a heartbeat. That said, I wouldn't bring my nieces or nephew. Once you step foot outside of the resort area, things feel a little ... off. You definitely feel like you can't relax as you walk the local streets. Also went diving in the Gulf of Mexico and in the cenotes. Really cool dives all around.

Bonaire

This is the place you want to go to if you want to dive. Not only do the resorts cater to divers, but almost the entire perimeter of the island offers you dive sites. Most of which you can walk right in to get to. There was only one wreck my boyfriend and I wished to see, but were unable to. But we'll probably head back sometime in the future, so it's not a lost cause.

Aruba

This was last year's family vacation and the place most of us agree was the best vacation spot. Unlike Bonaire's focus on local businesses, Aruba is highly developed as a tourist destination. There are a lot of familiar brands with the perfect mix of local industry. It feels 100% safe all the time. And even if you despise roundabouts when you first arrive, you will love the expediency of them right away. Also, I got to dive a shipwreck and two plane wrecks. I can't wait to go back.

Costa Rica

Playa Potrero/Liberia area

As a family, we stayed on the west coast of Costa Rica, allowing me another Pacific Ocean dive at the Catalina Islands. The first dive of which simply hit all the marks and will forever be one of the dives I judge all others against (for good or ill). It started simply with a sea turtle that didn't mind hanging out with us. Then I saw a large eel, several starfish, different pufferfish and the normal reef life that I've come to expect. All of a sudden, we got the delight of seeing a big manta ray float past us like a shadow in the gloom. The footage of it is quite breathtaking (but too large to post here, sadly). At long last, I got to see some white-tipped reef sharks, and two more mantas. Just when I thought it was over, a school of devil rays floated past us. After that, the only excitement the second dive achieved was two more sharks that I got much closer to. Along with the excellent diving, we got to visit three incredibly gorgeous waterfalls. The third of which encompassed an unforgettable trek through the jungle and river to get to the heart of the waterfall. My only recommendation: go during the dry season. Otherwise some things become inaccessible, though the guides will still try to get you there. To add to this, I got to go ziplining over beautiful country. It was a wonderful experience and I am more than happy to plan a return trip.

Well, that's it for the places I've been. One day I hope to update it with many, many more locations. Until then, I'll return to real life and hope for better temperatures.