italian adventures || 4

MOUNTAIN CLIMBING. Yesterday my brother, dad, and I went exploring up in the Alps for the day. Cliff note version since I'm falling asleep: we went through 30 caves/tunnels and we got pretty high up and had to stop once the next tunnel was blocked by a wall of snow. There was also a LOUD crumbling noise that came from the other side so we played the safe card and made our way back since we didn't have any proper gear on us. It was definitely challenging and strenuous, but worth it because that view never got old. When we got back down the mountain we headed straight to the bar and celebrated with a pint -- later we went out for gelato with the kids + much later we went to a bar called The Drunken Duck where the guys recognized my dad and needless to say we drank for free. Go figure.

breathe.

Trying to remind myself of how lucky I am for the little things tonight.  I have good health, a job, an education, food on the table, somewhere to call home, and sweet friends + family. Not to mention I have a lot to look forward to in the upcoming months. But finding happiness in the present moment is something I'm struggling with. I find that I have to constantly tell myself to take a deep breath and slow down. Focus on what's important. Focus on what matters now, and deal with everything else as it comes instead of letting it overwhelm me. Be thankful for today. I truly am a lucky girl, but sometimes I wander off my path and fail to realize everything I have rather than the things I can't yet reach. I'll get there...until then, just breathe.

It's the little things that make life big.

*photo taken in Fort Collins, CO

run away with me.

I've been saving these pictures for quite a while... my wanderlust is out of control. And now that I'm stuck indoors due to the polar vortex sweeping through the Midwest, I thought it was time to share these travel-inspiring photos. All I want to do is explore; I want to roam around and marvel at the world and all of it's extraordinary wonders (all seven of them). I grew up travelling with my family: camping, fishing, hiking, climbing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, sight-seeing, all of it. And now that my brother and I are adults, family trips have been few and far between. I'm making sure this year I take advantage of every opportunity to get away, and going out of my way to make time for my own trips.

I am in love with each photo and I frequently daydream about being part of all of those adventures. I am especially in love with the photos shot from the point of view of waking up in the back of the car to amazing scenery. I've added that to my bucket list- to go on a cross-country road trip, falling asleep in the trunk of the car, and waking up in a new location every morning to a new, breath-taking view. This is one item I'm eager to scratch off in the very near future...but until then, I'll keep dreaming.

I've been obsessing over this song for a few weeks now. Even though I've kept it on repeat, I don't think I'll ever get tired of it. The Goo Goo Dolls are a forever favorite.

"Life is a journey, not a destination."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson