Travel :: Ko Lanta Sunsets

I had heard that Thailand boasted some of the most beautiful sunsets in the world, but nothing could have prepared me for the sheer magnificence we witnessed every night at 7PM. The Pimalai Resort & Spa was located on the western side of Ko Lanta, giving us a front row seat to watch the sky change colors over the Andaman Sea. Our favorite place for sunset viewing was our resort's beach beds. We'd order a fresh coconut or a Bellini, curl up together under our beach towels, and soak in nature's brilliance. The pictures don't even do it justice - it was pure bliss.

My Life :: Autumn Snapshots

Asides from these past few days, so far it has been the most gorgeous autumn in the Midwest that I can recall.  Sunny days, crisp clean air, and foliage slowly changing from vibrant greens to golden yellows and fire reds.  I've been taking full advantage of the weather - hikes with Yoda, visits to the farmer's market, dinners al fresco with Ryan - knowing all too well before we know it winter will be here.  And of course, I've been trying to capture as much of the season as I can with my trusty Nikon D5200.  So today I simply wanted to share some recent snaps in hopes that it inspires you to head outside and soak in all the beauty autumn has to offer!

Travel :: Breckenridge, CO

This past weekend we spent three days in Breckenridge, CO for the Fourth of July and my cousin's wedding...and wow, is it ever beautiful!  I don't know if I have ever breathed in air as fresh, crisp, and clean.  We stayed in a stunning cabin in the mountains and were able to get a couple of fantastic hikes in as well as spend some time exploring the adorable little town of Breckenridge.  Their Fourth of July wedding was high up the mountain at 10 Mile Station and offered phenomenal views of the surrounding Rockies.  At the end of the night as we were being shuttled back to our cabin we were able to watch the Breckenridge fireworks show {without having to deal with the usual Fourth of July crowds}.  It was a perfect getaway!

Travel :: New Mexico

As much as I love to travel abroad, there are still so many of nature's great wonders here in the US that I want to visit.  What better way to see our beautiful nation than a leisurely cross-country road trip?  While I may not have enough free time to do that in the near future, I have been day-dreaming about renting a car and exploring the Southwest...in particular the stunning landscapes of New Mexico.  Ever since I read Barbara Kingsolver's "The Bean Trees" I have been fascinated with the surreal, otherworldly beauty of New Mexico's white sands, rock formations, ancient Pueblos, and endless desert.  How amazing would it be to drive down the historic Route 66 Highway, see Shiprock Mountain from a hot air balloon, and sleep under the infinite stars?  Just another experience to add to my ever-growing bucket list...

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Wanderlust :: Patagonia, Chile

As many places as I have traveled, I still have not yet visited the Southern Hemisphere.  So when I do, I might as well head down, down, down to the tip of South America -- to the beautiful and rugged region of Patagonia, Chile.  I cannot get over how absolutely stunning the landscape is -- lush and alive yet lonely and barren, it is so remote that it has not yet been completely taken over by buses and tour groups like many other natural wonders in the world.  Adventurers go to see electric-blue lakes, massive glaciers, otherworldly sunsets, craggy mountains, and endless land unpopulated for hundreds of miles except for perhaps a lone gaucho on horseback.  When we go, I would most certainly stay at one of the amazing domes at the fully sustainable Ecocamp Patagonia {it even has a yoga dome!}  But, I'd also love to spend a few days at the award-winning eco-friendly Remota hotel -- famous for it's architecture and sweeping views of the fjord and glaciers.  It amazes me how much beauty we have on this earth and I want to see it all.  For as St. Augustine once said, "The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page."  

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