Travel Tuesday: The Great Smoky Mountains

Pretty sure this was the first trip I used pano mode on my iPhone

I've started a new feature called Travel Tuesdays. Each week I'll post photos, recommendations, or itineraries from trips I've taken or am planning to take. You can see past posts here. 

Three years ago Alex and I took a quick trip to the Smokies. It was the end of September 2012 and not quite peak fall, but we were able to see some nice color variation. I think this was my second time in the Smokies, but it was Alex's third. He went on a week-long hike with his cousin in May 2012 and was eager to show off a few spots. 

We parked at Clingmans Dome (the highest point in the Smokies) and hiked four or so miles down to our campsite along a steam. I thought I was in good shape, but this was pre-running and I was struggling. The entire first day was downhill over wet rocks and my legs and lungs were dead. When we hiked back out (all uphill) I had to stop a lot. I realized I was pretty hungry and needed some on-trail nutrition (again, something I learned to manage during running). 

Alex - he let me use his walking poles on rough terrain

Campsite! 

After our hiking trip we stayed in a fancy lodge. Alex found and booked it all by himself and it was very romantic! This was also pre-engagement so of course a friend texted, "do you think he's going to ask this weekend?!" Well I didn't, but thanks for putting that in my head!! (He didn't. And I wish they hadn't texted me because I probably would have enjoyed the trip more! So remember, don't ask anyone whose been in a relationship for a long time these kinds of questions.) 

Some truly Smoky Mountains

P.S. We did another, much longer camping trip at Mohican State Park a year later and I was in much better shape and knew how to eat properly. (I'm not kidding. Before running I ate like a weird, malnourished bird.) We hiked a hilly 10 miles the first day and I don't remember being terribly sore afterwards. 

Pittsburgh StepTrek 2015

I've started a new feature called Travel Tuesdays. Each week I'll post photos, recommendations, or itineraries from trips I've taken or am planning to take. You can see past posts here. 

The first staircase on the Black Route

Last weekend Alex and I went to Pittsburgh to visit our friend Tricia and attend Pittsburgh StepTrek in the South Side Slopes neighborhood.

The weather forecast looked pretty bleak in the week leading up to the event. Until the day of, it looked like a 90-100% chance of rain all day Saturday. We were prepared. We each wore our rain jackets, rain pants, and baseball hats. Luckily, the rain stopped around noon and we didn't have to deal with much more than a few sprinkles while we were trekking. It was a little chilly, but perfect weather for climbing.

Black Route

There are two routes to follow. We chose the Black Route. Each route was estimated to take about 90 minutes. The event program included maps for both routes, so we could always go back and do the Gold Route on our own someday. (Or just do StepTrek next year.)

Here are a few photos from our trek:

Some steps along the way

Off-roading

Thanks for the photo, Tricia!

Alex looks like he's in a sci-fi movie

One of the first vistas

Downtown behind a valley of green

This guy (or gal) was not a happy camper when we walked by.

One of the last views near the end of the walk

Overall, we walked 3.3 miles and – according to Tricia's Fitbit – climbed about 85 stories.

I'd recommend the event to anyone who likes seeing different houses, exploring a unique neighborhood, and getting in a bit of workout. I'm so happy the rain held off so we could enjoy our time.

Travel Tuesday: Indianapolis

I've started a new feature called Travel Tuesdays. Each week I'll post photos, recommendations, or itineraries from trips I've taken or am planning to take. You can see past posts here. 

Today, we're going to talk about Indianapolis. I've been a few times (once for an wintertime *NSync concert and a few times on Megabus pass-thrus), but until a few weeks ago I'd never explored the area. While we went to Indianapolis so I could run a race, we ended up taking an extra day to sightsee. We had a great time despite the overcast weather and I think we're going back next year. Here are a few areas to visit:

Downtown - Monument Circle

When we arrived Friday afternoon Monument Circle was dressed and ready for Oktoberfest. Since I had to run we skipped the beer and walked around. There was a sidewalk fest featuring games and prizes, but we had our sights set on Chipotle. Columbus is trying really hard to revive downtown, but for years everything would close at 6pm, so it was pretty amazing to see such a lively downtown in a smaller city. 

Downtown - Canal Walk

Our hotel was on the canal and it was more beautiful than I anticipated. After my race was canceled I ran 3 miles around the canal. You can rent paddle boats, walk, run, and bike along the water. There are sculptures and murals along the way. It's a hidden gem I'd recommend making time for. 

Downtown - Massachusetts Ave Arts District

When we checked into our hotel the guy at the front desk recommended Massachusetts Ave if we wanted to avoid chain restaurants and stores. (I think he thought we were hip). We had a really tasty brunch and went into a few cool gift shops, including Silver in the City which had pretty sweet stuff. This area also had the sculpture and mural above. (Kurt Vonnegut was an Indianapolis native.)

That's all for this week! Have you been to Indianapolis? Next time we go we're going to check out the art museum and surrounding gardens. Anything else we should see? 

Travel Tuesday: Alabama 2012

I've started a new feature called Travel Tuesdays. Each week I'll post photos, recommendations, or itineraries from trips I've taken or am planning to take. You can see past posts here. 

This week I'm diving into the alphabetical first state: Alabama. Alex and I went to Alabama in the spring of 2012 with our close friend Meredith. We rented a condo in Gulf Shores and explored the area before taking a quick trip to New Orleans. I was surprised by the fluffy sand dunes and the heat (even in early April). We didn't meet too many locals and didn't eat anything more exciting than crawfish, so I think my Alabama experience could have been enhanced by some backwoods wanderings. Regardless, Gulf Shores is a nice area and our condo was very quiet and outside of the touristy area. 

We arrived to a gorgeous sunset.

So of course we had to stop and take photos. This heron was hamming it up.

"Look at me, guys!"

Our condo was a little dated, but it was nice on the inside and so quiet. 

We had the pool to ourselves! It was kind of overcast this day, but still HOT.

There was something on my camera lens. It wasn't that cloudy.

Lovely view from the boardwalk outside of our unit.

We went to a kind of cheesy bar on the Florida/Alabama state line (Flora-Bama), but this group was excellent.

We went on a nature hike one day. It was very hot and we all melted.

A sunnier beach day.

Meredith collected shells. 

Annnnndddd I had red hair and posed like this. (That was a fun hair color.)

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Thanks for joining me on this quick look back at Alabama. 

Where was your last trip?

What is your next vacation? 

Travel Tuesday: Big Island Part 2

Pano from Pololu Valley

I've started a new feature called Travel Tuesdays. Each week I'll post photos, recommendations, or itineraries from trips I've taken or am planning to take. You can see past posts here. 

Alex and I visited the Big Island of Hawaii in January/February 2014 and did an entire circuit of the island over ten days. Here's a small sample of photos from the second half of the trip where we drove Saddle Road from Hilo to Waimea, explored ranch lands, finally saw white beaches, and made our way back to Kona. Part one is here. 

Waimea is surrounded by my favorite terrain; ranch land

After a bit of a walk through condos, we finally found a sandy beach

Waipio Valley

Pololu Valley - which requires a pretty tough hike to get down and back up

Looking inland on the trail back up

We "saw" a whale

The best sand beach was hidden behind a hotel/condos

We went back to Saddle Road on a clear day and could see Mauna Loa with snow!

We went on a jungle hike on our last morning. 

Our last beach

We went into a lava tube

And finally, back to Honolulu to switch planes

Where was your last trip?

What is your next vacation? 

Travel Tuesday: The Big Island Part 1

Somewhere over the Rockies

I've started a new feature called Travel Tuesdays. Each week I'll post photos, recommendations, or itineraries from trips I've taken or am planning to take. You can see past posts here. 

Alex and I visited the Big Island of Hawaii in January/February 2014. We went for our delayed honeymoon (we were married in September and wanted to travel when Ohio weather is gross). We went to Molokai in November 2011 and fell in love, so it made sense to try out a new Hawaiian island.

The Big Island has Kona and Hilo, along with some of the most affordable Hawaiian real estate. We did an entire circuit of the island over ten days. Here's a small sample of photos from the first half of the trip where we started in Kona, took the main highway around South Point to Volcano, then over to Hilo.

One of our first stops. 

The Sheraton in Kona was lovely. We used AirBnB for the rest of the trip.

Milolii Beach

Alex's favorite beach burned my feet.

Volcano National Park

Lava covering an old highway.

Hilo Bay

On the scenic road to Akaka Falls

Rainbow Falls

Saddle Road (connects Hilo to Waimea on the North side of the island)

Part 2 to come... 

Where was your last trip?

What is your next vacation?