travel.explore.share.

Me at Point Reyes National Seashore. Mount Saint Helena in the far right background! Not many folks know this, but I am a California Girl. I was born in San Luis Obipso, but left about a week after being born, so I claim Eastern NC as home. I've been back to California several times: San Diego, LA and San Fran and let me tell you, California is an amazing state that has so much history, culture, and self identity in each region. My friend Becca asked if I wanted to tag along to with her to San Fran to visit her bestie, Brooke. Once I found out that I had some miles that needed to be used and my flight would be discounted $250.00, it seemed silly not to go. I often get asked how I afford this "lavish lifestyle". Well, for starters, it is not lavish. It is prioritizing and planning. Another big money saver is I travel where I have a free place to stay, that will save hundreds! Most of my trips are planned several months in advance and once they are, I take it upon

Driving into the mts Looking for mountain wedding perfection? Linville, NC should be on the top of your list. Emily & Will, wonderful people and friends of ours were recently married here. I'd been to surrounding areas, Boone & Blowing Rock, but never spent anytime in Linville. From Em & Will's description  I knew to expect beauty but not much else. I was more than pleasantly surprised. View from front porch View from front porch Email threads of where to stay, what to eat and things to do started months before the big day. After expansive world wide web searches, what seems like hundreds of emails, and a final # a house was booked. The house I was in was appropriately called the Nut House . If one is ever in need of a simple mountain cabin for the allowed 6 (or the actual 10-13 or so we had), this without doubt is your place. It was everything we needed and wanted (minus a few beds). The view was wonderful (from the front porch).  We had zero neigh