Dear friends, Thank you so much for your kind understanding and support these past weeks... words fail at how grateful I am for your love as we have stumbled along in our grief. I have received numerous emails about the December Caravan shop and I appreciate your patience as I honestly have not felt like creating recently. Grief is a funny monster and it sometimes makes things difficult and hard to do.
Typically in the late spring I take a "creative retreat" away as we prepare to move into the cabin for the summer and prepare for the upcoming late summer, fall and holiday season. I then re-open the shop with new boutique items on June 1st. This obviously did not happen this year.
After taking a lot of time to think and pray through it I knew that my heart needs a bit more time in this process as we continue to adjust to a difficult "new normal". So I will be re-opening the shop on Saturday, July 20th.
Thank you so much for your sweet support of my shop and all my artistic creations! The shop will re-open on Saturday, July 20th and I will share about the re-opening here on the blog!
We have cozied up on the porch each evening with warm white lights, soft pillows and cozy blankets...even on the afternoons when it has stormed it always seems to break off as night approaches and this has been a beautiful blessing...to be outside, cozied up and surrounded by light and so many prayers and love... especially as evening approaches...
As I shared last week I have been struggling with intense nightmares and difficulty sleeping since my daddy died and I was starting to dread nighttime and the dark...
As I shared last week I have been struggling with intense nightmares and difficulty sleeping since my daddy died and I was starting to dread nighttime and the dark...
Robin sent the most beautiful verse last week and I just wept reading it. It was so perfect for my hurting, broken, and fearful heart. It has brought such healing.
A huge answer to prayer is being able to sleep so peacefully for several nights this week! I am so grateful for all of your prayers about this specifically (and for my health). If you are struggling through the nights in whatever you are walking through I hope and pray this verse meets you in your pain today...
The moon will be as bright as the sun...so it will be when the Lord begins to heal his people.
The moon will be as bright as the sun...so it will be when the Lord begins to heal his people.
-Isaiah 30:26-
As time has gone on and I have done more ocean and now river cruising I started compiling a list of things that I wished someone would have told me to bring on my first cruise! So if you are packed and ready to leave on your first cruise and are afraid of forgetting something- don't worry! This list below will help remind you of 15 things that most people forget to bring on their first cruise!
1. Over the Storage Shoe Organizer or Door Hanger
I shared this as my #1 suggestion in my post, 16 unexpected things to bring on every cruise, and I still say it is the #1 thing to bring. This is a great way to have dozens of small size compartments for a variety of different things and helps to add extra storage to the small staterooms that exist. I purchased THIS ONE from Amazon for less than $13 and I have now used it on the Disney Cruise, Royal Caribbean Cruise, and the Viking River Cruise and plan to use it on all future cruises!
2. White Noise/Fan
For years I have been sleeping with a fans and have loved the "white noise" that they provide as I am a very light sleeper. Sometimes the walls on a cruise ship can be exceptionally thin (even less than a typical hotel room) and a small fan or white noise machine can be very helpful, especially if you have young kiddos who go to bed before others. There are lots of different options but I have used THIS ONE from Amazon and found it incredibly helpful. You also can't beat the price for less than $15!
3. Small Umbrella
Depending on where you are traveling to and your destinations you may want to bring an umbrella. I know that for the New England/Canada cruise I took a few years ago this was incredibly helpful (especially for our day in rainy Portland)! If you forget to bring this some cruise ships do have extra umbrellas so make sure you ask at the beginning of your cruise for this! There are so many adorable ones that are available but I loved THIS ONE in Tiffany blue that I found on Amazon (it is also less than $15)!
4. Laundry Bags
Throwing in a set of laundry bags makes it incredibly easy to separate your dirty clothes at the end of each day so that when you get home everything is already in the bag and can easily be cleaned. One tip that I learned from a seasoned cruiser was to take several different laundry bags and separate them - one for whites, one for reds, one for darks, one for cleaning, etc. I personally love THIS set of laundry bags from Amazon. For less than $10 you receive 5 different bags and can separate things in a variety of ways making laundry when you return home incredibly easy.
5. OTC Medication
While it is true that you can purchase all different over the counter medication on your cruise it will cost you substantially more than if you brought it on board. Think ahead and bring some of your own. Prone to seasickness? A lot of people use Dramamine (or the patch) for motion sickness on a cruise which is a wonderful option, but ginger can be a great natural resource to help with nausea. You can read more about ginger and its health benefits by clicking HERE. I have mentioned this in several posts but I swear by THIS ginger here. For less than $8 you can save yourself a whole lot of sickness!
6. Comfortable Shoes/Sandals
I shared this in my post, 13 Must Pack Items for Your Caribbean Cruise, but it is a definite thing to remember. Pack comfortable shoes and sandals!! If you are a girly-girl like me you want to look cute and fun, but you don't want your cruise ruined by blisters either so take the time to pick out cute and comfy sandals.
7. A Watch
I was surprised to hear this suggestion from those who had cruised a lot but honestly, have now seen the value in having a watch. One of the best parts of a cruise is having the chance to take a break from the "real world" and simply enjoy the moment. But if you are like me I have grown accustomed to look at my phone for the time and frankly when I cruise I didn't want to use my phone at all so a watch is the best option. I shared in my post, 5 must pack items for a Disney Cruise, that the Disney Cruise Line has less clocks on board than any other cruise line. This is wonderful if you want to live fully in the moment, but you don't want to miss any exciting adventures on the ship either so make sure to throw in a watch and set it to ship time to keep up with all of your fun activities!
I personally have loved my FitBit Versa as it works as a watch but also tracks important health things that I am watching right now. If you are looking for a FitBit I honestly can't recommend it enough and if you are cruising with a chronic illness (see more tips HERE) this is also an excellent way to help monitor everything. A side note for those who are wanting to be connected to text messages but not their phone on cruises this also can be connected (or disconnected if you want) from and to your FitBit.
8. Extra Hangers
Depending on who you are traveling with you might want to bring extra hangers. Many cruise ships will provide more if you request them, but if you are going on a long cruise or like to hang everything instead of using the drawers you might want to consider this tip! I have heard good things about THESE but haven't tried them myself yet so let me know if you do!
2. White Noise/Fan
For years I have been sleeping with a fans and have loved the "white noise" that they provide as I am a very light sleeper. Sometimes the walls on a cruise ship can be exceptionally thin (even less than a typical hotel room) and a small fan or white noise machine can be very helpful, especially if you have young kiddos who go to bed before others. There are lots of different options but I have used THIS ONE from Amazon and found it incredibly helpful. You also can't beat the price for less than $15!
3. Small Umbrella
Depending on where you are traveling to and your destinations you may want to bring an umbrella. I know that for the New England/Canada cruise I took a few years ago this was incredibly helpful (especially for our day in rainy Portland)! If you forget to bring this some cruise ships do have extra umbrellas so make sure you ask at the beginning of your cruise for this! There are so many adorable ones that are available but I loved THIS ONE in Tiffany blue that I found on Amazon (it is also less than $15)!
4. Laundry Bags
Throwing in a set of laundry bags makes it incredibly easy to separate your dirty clothes at the end of each day so that when you get home everything is already in the bag and can easily be cleaned. One tip that I learned from a seasoned cruiser was to take several different laundry bags and separate them - one for whites, one for reds, one for darks, one for cleaning, etc. I personally love THIS set of laundry bags from Amazon. For less than $10 you receive 5 different bags and can separate things in a variety of ways making laundry when you return home incredibly easy.
5. OTC Medication
While it is true that you can purchase all different over the counter medication on your cruise it will cost you substantially more than if you brought it on board. Think ahead and bring some of your own. Prone to seasickness? A lot of people use Dramamine (or the patch) for motion sickness on a cruise which is a wonderful option, but ginger can be a great natural resource to help with nausea. You can read more about ginger and its health benefits by clicking HERE. I have mentioned this in several posts but I swear by THIS ginger here. For less than $8 you can save yourself a whole lot of sickness!
6. Comfortable Shoes/Sandals
I shared this in my post, 13 Must Pack Items for Your Caribbean Cruise, but it is a definite thing to remember. Pack comfortable shoes and sandals!! If you are a girly-girl like me you want to look cute and fun, but you don't want your cruise ruined by blisters either so take the time to pick out cute and comfy sandals.
7. A Watch
I was surprised to hear this suggestion from those who had cruised a lot but honestly, have now seen the value in having a watch. One of the best parts of a cruise is having the chance to take a break from the "real world" and simply enjoy the moment. But if you are like me I have grown accustomed to look at my phone for the time and frankly when I cruise I didn't want to use my phone at all so a watch is the best option. I shared in my post, 5 must pack items for a Disney Cruise, that the Disney Cruise Line has less clocks on board than any other cruise line. This is wonderful if you want to live fully in the moment, but you don't want to miss any exciting adventures on the ship either so make sure to throw in a watch and set it to ship time to keep up with all of your fun activities!
I personally have loved my FitBit Versa as it works as a watch but also tracks important health things that I am watching right now. If you are looking for a FitBit I honestly can't recommend it enough and if you are cruising with a chronic illness (see more tips HERE) this is also an excellent way to help monitor everything. A side note for those who are wanting to be connected to text messages but not their phone on cruises this also can be connected (or disconnected if you want) from and to your FitBit.
8. Extra Hangers
Depending on who you are traveling with you might want to bring extra hangers. Many cruise ships will provide more if you request them, but if you are going on a long cruise or like to hang everything instead of using the drawers you might want to consider this tip! I have heard good things about THESE but haven't tried them myself yet so let me know if you do!
9. Power Strip
What may come as a surprise for first-time cruisers is that there are very limited outlets in each stateroom. A power strip is incredibly helpful for short and long cruises. I purchased and have loved THIS ONE from Amazon because it comes with a surge protector and extra space between a couple of the outlets for larger items.
10. Extension Cord
I shared this in my 10 Must Pack Items for a New England and Canadian Cruise post, but it is helpful for any cruise. Having an extension cord allows you to maneuver to set up your power strip (see #9) where it is convenient for you in the room. This is a definite item that I now bring on every single cruise! I bought THIS ONE but there are literally so many you could choose from depending on what you are looking for. The one that I use (HERE) is about $5 and just stays in my suitcase (which I LOVE) for all of my travel adventures.
10. Extension Cord
I shared this in my 10 Must Pack Items for a New England and Canadian Cruise post, but it is helpful for any cruise. Having an extension cord allows you to maneuver to set up your power strip (see #9) where it is convenient for you in the room. This is a definite item that I now bring on every single cruise! I bought THIS ONE but there are literally so many you could choose from depending on what you are looking for. The one that I use (HERE) is about $5 and just stays in my suitcase (which I LOVE) for all of my travel adventures.
What about y'all? Any items that you wish that you had brought on your first cruise that you would recommend to a first-time cruiser?
Looking for more Cruising Tips? Check out the blog or click on the links below for more tips and ideas for a fabulous and cozy luxury adventure!
16 Unexpected Things to Bring on Every Cruise
Looking for more Cruising Tips? Check out the blog or click on the links below for more tips and ideas for a fabulous and cozy luxury adventure!
16 Unexpected Things to Bring on Every Cruise
Happy Tuesday friends! I hope that you are having a wonderful week! Today I am excited to share with y'all a bit more about the #ADK50falls challenge and specifically about Rice's Falls, a waterfall that I visited back in April. I mentioned and shared a picture on instagram from my visit (you can see it HERE), at the beginning of May... but with everything that has taken place it has been hard to focus and write on the adventures around that time period. I know that y'all are so supportive and understanding during this incredibly difficult time.
If you aren't familiar with the #ADK50falls challenge, you can read about the entire challenge HERE, but simply put there are 50 waterfalls that you hike and visit (5 require proof with photo that you were there) to complete the challenge. Participating in this is so fun and exciting and I am looking forward to doing this and the another challenge I will share more about in the next few weeks.
If you would like to know just basic facts about the falls please just scroll down to the bottom of the post where I will be sharing basic information to help those who want to know more specifics about each of the falls in the challenge.
Rice's Falls is located right outside of Elizabethtown on the way to Blueberry Hill Trails in upstate New York and is approximately 40 minutes east of Lake Placid and about an hour north of Lake George. The falls are about 15 feet high and are considered "narrow falls" and have an upper and lower area.
The Key "landmarks" of the area is that you are about 1 mile from the Blueberry Hill Trails. As a note of warning if you follow your GPS (like we did) and turn to go over a small bridge the GPS is leading you to Blueberry Hill Trails NOT the falls which it doesn't seem to distinguish.
While the falls are not big the history behind them is a bit fascinating as at one point Rice's Falls were used to give electricity to Elizabethtown so that they could have lights.
The top of the falls are easy to see (after you walk straight in from the dirt parking area) - but the way to get to the lower falls is a bit more tricky. To see the upstream area (above Rice's Falls) it is a short 25 feet from the pull-off parking area, but if you want to see the downstream area -where Rice's Falls is located and where this picture was taken you are in for a bit of an adventure. It's not far- I would say approx. 500 feet, but depending on when you go you in the season it could be different experiences. There was no evidence that anyone had done these falls yet & we were bushwhacking our way in. Haha!
I can't recommend a visit to Rice's Falls enough and hope that y'all will join in on this very fun challenge! PS- If you are interested in reading more about each of the waterfalls - I recommend reading Adirondack Fifty Falls (click HERE to purchase) which lays out all of the falls in a concise and easy manner. It also groups the falls in the challenge by area so that you do not have to do that research!
When I was extremely sick I used to grieve not being able to be outside in nature as much as I wanted to be and if this is where you are at due to health reasons I hope that the information I provide about each of the falls in this challenge will encourage you to explore as you are able.
.
......RICE'S FALLS INFORMATION......
......RICE'S FALLS INFORMATION......
LOCATION:
Approximately 1 mile from Elizabethtown (on the way to Blueberry Hill Trails (approx. 1 hour north of Lake George // 40 minutes east of Lake Placid)
TYPE OF FALLS:
TYPE OF FALLS:
15 foot falls
KEY LANDMARKS:
KEY LANDMARKS:
approx. 1 mile from the Blueberry Hill Trails.
COST:
Free
PARKING:
Not an official one per say- It is a dirt pull off from the road.
CROWDED?:
We spent about an hour at Rice's falls exploring and in that time we never saw anyone.
DISTANCE TO FALLS FROM PARKING AREA:
To see the upstream area (above Rice's Falls) it is a short 25 feet from the pull-off parking area, but if you want to see the downstream area -where Rice's Falls is located and where this picture was taken you are in for a bit of an adventure. It's not far- I would say approx. 500 feet, but depending on when you go you in the season it could be different experiences. There was no evidence that anyone had done these falls yet & we were bushwhacking our way in. Haha!
DISABILITY FRIENDY?:
DISABILITY FRIENDY?:
No. The parking for this waterfall is a dirt pull off & is not wheelchair friendly & the ground is very unstable & the "main path" mentioned in the guide was non-existent. This may be a discouraging & difficult waterfall to experience depending on your condition. If you are wanting to see one of the other #adk50falls in this area I would check out my page dedicated to the waterfall challenge by clicking HERE!
Thank you so much for reading today friends! Please let me know if you have any questions about the challenge or Rice's Falls! I am happy to answer and can't wait to hear about your waterfall adventures!
If you would like to read about other #adk50falls that I have written about on the blog click HERE!
Have a wonderful day!
Hello friends! I just wanted to take a moment and help spread the word about some of the parking tickets that are taking place in the Adirondack Mountains this summer due to some new rules and laws that have taken place. These are new and unfortunately have come as a surprise to many people this year and this past weekend many hikers ended their beautiful days in the mountains with expensive tickets. I don't want this to happen to y'all or anyone in this community so I wanted to pass on information from the Lake Placid Website about the notice to hikers.
Here is what the website states:
Don’t End your Hike with a Parking Ticket
To avoid congestion and potentially dangerous situations, parking on the shoulder of Route 73 between Chapel Pond and the Rooster Comb trailhead is off limits. Parking near the Cascade Mountain trailhead is limited to designated parking areas and sections of the shoulder where vehicles can park out of the lane of travel. Do not park where signs prohibit parking.
Roadside parking is also prohibited on the following roads in the town of Keene: Au Sable Road, St. Huberts Road, Market Street, Adirondack Street, and Mason Young Lane in Keene Valley.
Also note the Garden Parking Area is closed this summer, but hikers can take a shuttle bus from Marcy Field to the parking area. The shuttle costs $10 round trip and it will run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends through the end of June, after which it will run daily.
What to do if the parking areas are full
Hikers who encounter full parking areas should consider some of the region’s other mountains. Baxter Mountain, the Crows, Rocky Peak Ridgefrom Route 9N, and Owl Head Lookout. Read more about alternate hikes here.
Leave No Trace
While it's fun to explore our backcountry, it's more fun — and safer — to hit the trail prepared. Before you head out, be sure to learn more about the 7 Leave No Trace Principles.
*If you have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out and ask someone who will be happy to help!*
Happy Monday friends! I hope that you had a wonderful week! Ours was okay as we are stumbling along finding our shaky footing and we are so grateful for your prayers and support during this time.
As I mention several weeks ago, with summer quickly approaching I wanted to share some recaps from my trip to Alaska last year as I hope it encourages each of you to take a road trip in this beautiful part of the world! I am deep in preparation for our upcoming trip this summer and am so excited to see so many new things and share them with y'all on Instagram and here on the blog!
Also- please take a moment to read about the #10000in7days campaign (click HERE) that I am hosting this year as part of this trip! Thank you so much for considering donating to this!
Today I am so excited to share the first part of our trip on the Denali Highway. (If you want to watch a video of the whole Denali experience check out the YouTube Video HERE!) As I have mentioned numerous times I loved my experience on the Denali Highway. It is simply breathtaking!
The Denali Highway is something that I can't even begin to explain how incredible it was. In all honesty it was probably 5 of my favorite hours of the entire trip (hahaha- yes, yes, it was a favorite!). Words almost don't do this remote and beautiful area of Alaska justice.
After stopping briefly in Cantwell to get some gas and use the restroom (two things I definitely recommend before you take the trip on Denali Highway!), we began the drive east across the Denali Highway. It took about 5 hours of driving (partly because of the rocky and bumpy highway road, but mostly because I kept stopping to take pictures and just to explore where we were) and it was worth every single second.
The Denali Highway was so vast. So remote (no cell service at all) and perfectly wild in every single way you could imagine Alaska to be.
I had already said this several times on the trip by this point, but as I stood here overlooking this beautiful river I had no doubt that I had fully fallen in love with Alaska. The beauty is so indescribable and it sweeps you up in it in a way that is hard to put into words.
For some people, like my traveling companion, Ali, the feeling was the exact opposite. She expressed that while she appreciated the beauty, she was very anxious to return to cell service, be connected to her social media, have city life, shops and stores, and was ready to be off the highway after only a little bit of time.
As I have thought back on this trip, I realized that I learned a very big lesson in this regard. Traveling for different people looks really different. Some people love to get out of their comfort zones, fully immerse in a new culture or experience, and others don't. Whatever works for you is awesome, but you definitely want to keep that in mind for your trip plans.
I say and share that as a bit of a word of caution for those who are considering a similar road trip in Alaska, and one that includes crossing the Denali Highway. Those of you who know me well know that this would totally be my element. I LOVED every minute. And this highway- the disconnectedness from social media, the beauty, and nature aspect, etc. were all an incredible adventure that I wanted to grab hold of and not let end. Had I been with someone else I would have camped right there just to experience it for as long as possible.
But if you are more like my traveling companion, a person who likes to visit nature briefly, enjoys city life, or likes to be constantly connected to your social media, than this span of the trip may not be as enjoyable for you.
It is completely rural, completely vast and very very remote.
But I can't recommend it enough y'all. Seriously. I absolutely loved it.
But if you go, and I really really hope you do, than this area of Alaska is unforgettable. I read before the trip that they say that this is one of the most spectacular drives in the world and one you should do before you die, and I couldn't agree more.
A couple of quick practical notes about this drive:
(1) As I mentioned above the road is mostly gravel so the maximum speed limit is approximately 35-55mph in most parts. This can vary due to different road conditions, but while the Denali Highway is only 135 miles, it will take you longer than that to drive.
(2) If you are renting a car, you will need to make sure that you can drive on this road as not all rental car companies allow you to do so. Make sure that you talk with them before your trip so that this is all in order for you!
(3) This probably doesn't need to be said, but as I mentioned at the beginning it definitely is a wise idea to get gas in Cantwell as there is no gas stations along the Highway.
(4) If you are visiting Alaska in the winter, the Denali Highway closes every year from October through mid-May (depending on weather), so you wouldn't be able to travel it during this time.
(5) You can definitely do the Denali Highway in one day (as we did), but depending on your time I would recommend staying a night along the way. As I mentioned in the last post, there are plenty of places to pull off and do so, and in the future I definitely plan to do this on a trip.
(6) Depending on when you travel the highway you may only see a few dozen cars- if that. I counted about 17 total that we saw along the entire stretch (which included 2 trucks and 1 cop car that was working on an area of the road). Often times we would be passing the save RVs or cars as all of us were stopping at different points to take pictures or get out and explore. Despite this and despite the vastness and remoteness, I do want to say to girls traveling together that I felt completely safe in all of my travels in Alaska, including this highway. On this road would definitely be people who could help you if you needed it.
Thank you so much for stopping by the blog today! I hope that this introduction to the Denali Highway encourages you to start planning a trip there soon! I can't wait to go back!
PS- If you are curious about the specific details of the road trip that we took throughout Alaska or if you are planning a similar road trip (or just want to see and dream about visiting the beauty!) I hope the information below is helpful. You can read all of the posts from the trip by clicking on the links below:
// 5 Reasons You Need to Take an Alaskan Road Trip//
Chugach Mountains (Alaska 1-South Drive): // Scenic Seward Highway Drive (Turnagain Arm Drive)// Along the Matanuska River on Alaska 1-South// A Beautiful Lake Adventure Near Chickaloon// A Cloudy & Beautiful Drive on Alaska 1-South//
Chugach Mountains: // Eklutna Lake//
Cooper Landing (Kenai Peninsula): // Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge Nature Hike//
// Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge //
Denali State Park Area:// Denali Highway Video// One Last Adventure on the Denali Highway//
// The Denali Highway: Part Two // The Denali Highway: Part One//
//The Drive to Cantwell// Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge //
General Alaska Tips: // 5 Things You Must Know Before Driving in Alaska //
// Best Alaskan Books to Purchase for Your Road Trip //
// What to Pack for an Alaskan Summer Road Trip //
// Why You Should Dream About Visiting Alaska //
Girdwood: // Winner Creek Trail Video// Winner Creek Trail //
Hatcher Pass Area: // Hatcher Pass Video// Hatcher Pass // Little Susitna River //
Homer (Kenai Peninsula) Area: // Homer Video// Homer Spit// Homer Lighthouse// Bishop's Beach//
// A Brief History of Homer //
Thompson Pass Area: // Thompson Pass Area Video // Worthington Glacier Hike//
//Worthington Glacier//
// Among the Alaskan Fireweed on Alaska 4-S: A Beautiful Symbol of Hope in the Hard Seasons of Life //
// A Brief History of & Drive on Alaska 4-South of the Richardson Highway//Klutina River//
// The Beginning Drive to Thompson Pass//
Wrangell-St. Elias Park Area: //Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge //
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