Mission San Juan Capistrano was the home to California’s very first vineyard–one of the other way Spanish missionaries left their mark on North America besides Smallpox. The mission itself dates back to the 1700s. Time, power shifts, and an earthquake have colored its walls, creating a backdrop for artists to showcase through film, literature, and…
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Holy Smokes, did I love walking the streets of Santa Barbara! The Spanish architecture, ginormous palms, and wealth of succulents, all framed by the Santa Ynez Mountains and the sea are enough to make anyone swoon, really. Where did all this Spanish flair come from, you ask? Well, I’ll tell ya! We have proof that…
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I’ve never spent time in Hollywood, until now. It’s funny to visit a place you’ve seen countless times in TV and in movies: the Walk of Fame, the Chinese Theater, and the sign posted clearly in the hills just in case you forget the name of the joint. I have to admit, it’s dirtier than…
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To the west of Los Angeles lies the vibrant beachfront neighborhood of Venice. For many years, it was an independent city–until merging with LA in the 1920s. Today, it’s home to many artists, mystics, performers, and folks hoping to live close to the city center. It’s eclectic and terrifically odd. Walking the promenade along the…
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Nuremberg is a sweet little German town, surrounded by an old city gate and a few rivers. Perhaps I shouldn’t say little because it happens to be the second largest city in Bavaria, just after Munich. It dates back to the Middle Ages, 1050 to be exact. It’s been ravaged by the plague and home to…
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Maybe you remember that I was in Munich for Oktoberfest. Well, I got to go back and spend a little more time in the beautiful city. Of course, I made my way to the original Hofbrauhaus. It dates back to the 16th century and smelled a bit of barf, understandably so. There are plenty of…
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Amsterdam is one of Europe’s most popular travel destinations. You can see why in my previous posts about the beautiful city (here, here, and here). What most people don’t know is that there is a beautiful place in South Holland, only 40 minutes away from Amsterdam by train, that has much to offer as well.…
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Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands, is one of the most unique cities I’ve seen to date. The canal system leaves a beautiful footprint that people have creatively filled with homes, an abundance of art museums, and coffeshops aplenty. I love seeing cities that continue to thrive amidst their historical foundations–believe it or not, this place has…
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The Gateway Arch in St. Louis is the world’s tallest arch. Isn’t that nuts?! They built this sucker in the mid 60s and plopped it right on the edge of the Mississipi River. Back then it cost $13 million to construct. That’s equivalent to $180 million these days. When I finally saw the arch in…
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I just got back from a quick trip tp Syracuse, New York. Not too much to report. It’s a small-feeling town surrounded by a good bit of nature. A few fall leaves were still hanging around, but for the most part, winter has already taken its first breath. I’ve been scouring the internet trying to…
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for the love of nike 