Tag: Independence Day

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Happy Independence Day!

IMG_4764Thousands of people spend the day on the Capitol Mall on July 4th enjoying a concert and waiting for sunset for the fireworks to begin. I celebrated July 4 with my young children about 20 years ago–we ate hot dogs and watched the fireworks from the rooftop of the Department of Interior building.

IMG_4761This year I planned my vacation so I could be in Washington DC when my friend Nyasha from Auckland was going to be in Alexandria at the Virginia Theological Seminary. We enjoyed barbecue with Carole, Gary, Guy, Karly and Holly at Stephanie and Ron’s house on Capitol Hill. Then we walked to the Library of Congress steps to watch the fireworks. It was a very traditional Independence Day celebration except the fireworks were beyond amazing.

If you are in the USA, I wish you a safe and fun Independence Day.

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Happy 4th of July with AWAY!

IMG_1915Today I opened my new AWAY luggage. I have been hearing about this luggage on the Satellite Sisters podcast, so I used the $20 discount and ordered the regular sized carry -on model.

IMG_1916The box was waiting on my porch when I got home from a road trip to the coast. My AWAY luggage is beautifully packed.

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The bag is wrapped in this cotton sack and it will make a great dirty clothes bag when I travel.

IMG_1918One of the great features of AWAY luggage is the security system. I set my own combination and lock the toggles into place. The Carry-On also features a charging station for your phone.

 

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You may not be able to tell the bag is navy blue.

After a miserable experience dragging my largest suitcase around Copenhagen and England, I am ready to go back to traveling light. My go to carry-on is worn out and my Rick Steves suitcase/backpack was destroyed by airport baggage handlers. I’ll give a try making it my only bag for my New York- Maine trip in August.

It is Independence Day in the USA and I am celebrating my travel independence with my AWAY bag.

 

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Celebrate US National Parks on Independence Day!

Ahh Yosemite! The park that I grew up with and adore.
Ahh Yosemite! The park that I grew up with and adore.

The best travel bargain is the yearly pass to the National Park system. I bought my pass June 2014 for $80. I used it for 3 days in Yosemite ($20 a day per car = $60), then I used it in Zion (+$20) and then Grand Canyon (+$20). So I ended ahead. I ended ahead from day one, because it is a bargain to have access to such beauty in nature for just $20 a day.

Red steep canyon walls are the backdrop pretty much everywhere along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.
Red steep canyon walls are the backdrop pretty much everywhere along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.

So get off the couch or pool lounge chair and grab your car keys.

The sunrise illuminates an already gorgeous canyon to new heights of breathtaking.
The sunrise illuminates an already gorgeous canyon to new heights of breathtaking.

Go take a hike at one of our National Parks.