FAQ: Traveling Full Time (E1)

As many of you may know, since March 2024, I have been full time traveling around the world, and doing it a bit more slowly, generally one month at a time in one place. I will fill in shorter gaps with 4 days to a week somewhere from time to time, and I also will add stints of hiking or active adventures. 

One month in Antalya Türkiye 

My (our!) friend Elisabeth just announced that she and her family are moving to Europe for a few months next year and she had a few questions for me. She and I talked about most of them already, but I thought I would put some of them here and also add some of the other ones that I have been asked a lot by other people in case they will be helpful to anyone. 

How do I find a long term furnished rental (and get the best deal)? 

Airbnb and Booking.com give a discount for a 28 day stay, so I usually just book my stays through one of them. You could book through a more local provider, but that will require a little extra work and will also be different per country, so for ease, especially if you are just starting out, one of them will probably work just fine. 

Pros of Airbnb: better communication with check in procedure etc., better messaging system, better conflict resolution (as long as you communicate on their app), much better review system (aka renter is also rated, does not show rating until both people rate)

Cons of Airbnb: no loyalty program, usually you pay full amount up front which can add up fast, often less cancellable options, have heard that some reviews may be removed (inaccurate ratings?)

Pros of Booking: loyalty program, can pay later or at least closer to reservation date, often properties that are not cancellable on Airbnb are cancellable on Booking

Cons of Booking: communication is inconsistent, sometimes only cash is accepted for payment, conflict resolution does not seem good

What does the Schengen or the "Schengen shuffle" mean?

The Schengen is a set of countries in Europe that have an agreement, and because of this, they have open borders and essentially for visa purposes act as the same entity. Think of it like the US; you can fly into New York, travel around, and leave from San Francisco, but you don't get to reset your visa time just because you crossed a state border. The same goes for the Schengen, but with country borders. You only get to stay for 90 days out of the last 180 days, so you look back each time at those 180 days, count your days and you must not have more than 90 or you may get barred from coming back. 

The Schengen shuffle usually consists of traveling in the Schengen zone for roughly 90 (or less!) days, then going to a non-Schengen country for 90 (or more!) days before going back to the Schengen zone. However, this is getting harder, as each year more countries get added to the Schengen zone. Currently you can stay in the Europe area, but not be in the Schengen zone if you go to: the UK, Ireland, Serbia, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina, N. Macedonia or Kosovo (or the nearby countries of Türkiye, Georgia & Armenia). 

As of 2025

How do I use my phone while abroad (and get the best deal)? 

This is a two step process. 

For your usual phone number, which is needed for two factor authentication (2FA): You will need to port your number to a internet based provider. For US you can port to Google Voice, which costs about $30 one time fee, or Tello, which costs about $5 per month to maintain your US number. For Canadians, you can do the same with Fongo, which has a $25 transfer fee and plans that start at around $10 per month. 

For data: You can buy an e-SIM depending on which country or region you are going to. I use the company Airalo, but there are several options. You will need to download the app, buy the e-SIM you need, and install it over WiFi before you go into the new region/country.  Some examples of prices include: Europe region 90 days + 50 GB = $100, or 30 days + 20 GB = $49. Personally I usually use WiFi for about 99% of my data, and I download things like maps and info for offline use, so I only need 1-2 GB per month. So in my case, 30 days + 3 GB = $13.00. 

Examples for the Europe Region e-SIM

Tip: don't forget to check sites like Rakuten for cash back opportunities; right now they are doing 4% back on Airalo. Also there are often coupons. I got my last e-SIM, which was one year and 20GB worldwide for about $30 after discounts and cash back! Also FYI, even if you are not traveling abroad, this may be a good workaround for in country phone use too! Tello has US data plans or if you use Airalo they range from $9-$45 a month, depending on data use (5 GB - 50 GB in this example). 

How do I get health insurance while traveling? 

There are nomad insurance plans and depending on your health and age etc. you can get them for a fairly low cost. I use Genki's basic plan, which cost about 74 euros per month. It does not cover preventative care, but often that is not very expensive when abroad. For example, I got a dental cleaning for about $60 in Georgia. Also medication can be a lot less expensive abroad, and often in Europe, things that are prescription in the US are over the counter, or you can get them after talking to the pharmacist (no doctor appointment needed).

Genki has a 50 euro deductible and the basic plan covers treatment for any new issues or injuries. There are some restrictions, namely that coverage in Canada and the USA is limited to the first 7 days of each stay and only includes medical emergencies. Coverage in your home country is always limited to the first 6 weeks of each stay and only includes medical emergencies. The higher coverage plan has additional items. 

You can also get a global health plan, like Cigna Global for example. I had this when I was in the US and Canada, and it cost about $250 per month. 

How do you budget and/or how much do you budget? 

I budget $2,500 per month. I started by looking at what I normally spent each year and then adjusted each category with estimates. The most expensive thing for me (about 50% of my monthly spend) is accommodation, so I went on Airbnb to find out what I would pay for a month by doing the following: 

Add guests. Select the following: washer (do not select dryer), kitchen, wifi, TV, Entire Home, #bed/bedroom, #bathroom + any others that are must haves. I also prefer self check in, as it saves you having to coordinate, but that is a personal preference, and sometime coordinating is unavoidable. 

Choose a price around what you would really be excited to get something for (low end). For example, I put in max $1,400 just to see what would come up. You can always go up higher later if needed. I also said 2 BR, 2 bath, 3 beds. 

Optional clicks: guest favorites, if possible cancellation option (ideal if it is cancellable), then click "show X homes" even if it says zero. Zoom out on the map and zoom into the area you want. Then see how much you can get them for. 

As you can see there are options, but you need to dig in a bit to be sure they are close enough to transport, have a couch and a workstation etc. Ones I have messed up on are: no couch, no table to work on (sometimes the counter works, but if you are there for a month you don't really want to do that forever), no oven (if you care), no coffee maker, no microwave (if you care) or no AC (if you care).  If any of them do work, you can then use that number as your accommodation budget! Like I said, for me it is about 50% so I would just double that for myself and know that I would likely come in somewhere around there for a total. Obviously if you already know exactly where you want to go, you can put in a location instead. 

What things are "must brings" from home (aka you can't buy them abroad)?

Not a lot. Literally, your passport and phone is all that you really need. But...some countries have weird rules, like in Poland you can't get ibuprofen over the counter, so if there is a medication you need, you may want to bring a few of them. However, often they are much better, like in the UK they have a magic potion called Lemsip (is a powder you add to hot water for cold/flu) that beats Theraflu in a heartbeat. In some countries you may not find your normal brand of running shoe, but really there is not much that you cannot buy when you are on the road, or maybe just do without. 

What apps are helpful? 

Trainline -- for looking at all countries, all companies of train schedules and prices (then I usually buy the ticket on the actual app, but it is not always cheaper, so you CAN buy them on Trainline as well.)

Organic Maps -- offline maps, has streets AND trails, and it is FREE to download any region or country offline. This is a crowdsourced app, so it also has toilets, water fountains and other items notated. You can route a walking route from A to B and see the elevation gain, all offline. 

Moveit -- in some countries (Turkiye, the Balkans, etc.) Google maps is okay for public transit, but often it does not update the realtime. Moveit shows which buses are coming to the stop where you are waiting and when, and has realtime departures for the line you are trying to catch. Also depending on where you are, Yandex Go also can be helpful for the same thing (Armenia, Georgia etc.) 

Google Translate --  you've heard it before. Moving on. No, but really, if you don't already know, you can set it to translate (real time) your audio conversation, or you can type in and translate, or you can hold it up to menus, strange things in the grocery store, etc. to read any text you need to translate. Pro tip: Download the language offline so you can use it without using data!  

How do you fit everything in a carry on? 

One bite at a time. No wait, that is an elephant. One word: layers! Also clothing that matches everything else, so you can easily mix and match. I basically carry one week worth of clothing for no matter how long I am traveling for, and for some things, like undies, I carry even less. These items can easily be handwashed, or if you really are in a bind, there are clothing shops everywhere. I also only carry two pairs of shoes; trail runners, which double as hiking shoes, walking shoes, and fancy dinner shoes (who am I kidding; there are no fancy dinners!) and one pair of sandals (which would actually be the fancy dinner shoes). 

I also carry 8 shirts (4 tank, 4 short sleeved), 3 pants (jeans, joggers, capris), 1 shorts, 1 running outfit, 1 sweater, 1 zip hoodie, 1 puffy, 1 rain jacket, 2 socks, 5 undies (the latter two get handwashed most days), a beanie, gloves and a pashmina (can use as scarf or to cover your head or legs in church/mosque/temple). I've talked about merino before, but a merino blend shirt is a good purchase, as it is more durable than 100% merino, it wicks moisture (so it is not hot in the summer) and it magically doesn't stink, so you may not even need to do laundry once a week after all. I also like merino socks for this reason, and have had luck with Darn Tough and Mammut. 

You can see my full packing list with photos in this post.  

The last tip is to leave your toiletries like shampoo or soap behind. Often the Airbnb will have products (and a hairdryer) or you can buy them once you assess the situation abroad. Or you can bring bar versions which don't take up as much space or weight. 

What other things are important to have? 

A VPN, which helps with security, which is important when you are using public wifi all the time, but it also allows you to set your location as your home country so that you can do easier banking, watch your normal streaming shows (they differ by country) and other things that require you to be in your home country (or are just easier if you are in your home country).  I use NordVPN, which I have been happy with so far. 

My portable charger has saved my butt a few times, when I was out longer than anticipated, taking too many photos, or needing to use maps which drain the battery faster.  

An adapter/converter with multiple USBs and input/output prongs. I like this Tessan one, which has three USB A and one USB C so I can charge everything (and use my computer) all at once. 

A collapsible backpack. I use this Osprey model and it has been great. It packs up into a tiny cube and takes up little space, but when folded out, I can easily do a day hike with it or use it to carry groceries. Speaking of groceries, I also carry a collapsible shopping bag. I have used Chico bags forever, so that is what I use, but there are several options available. 

What other things are important to know? 

If you book your train more than 30 days in advance, you often get a good discount. For example, when I went from Frankfurt to Strasbourg, I paid about $65 for a ticket on the day of travel, but would have paid around $30 had a bought it earlier.

You can also put many of the train tickets in your Apple or Google Wallet so you don't have to have a bunch of different train company apps on your phone. 

If you can get an ATM card that refunds ATM fees, do it. Two I know of are the Schwab card (I used this for my very first long journey) and the Fidelity Cash Management Account card. I chose the latter this time around because the interest rate for the cash sitting there was better. Plus if you want you can invest it (but you do not have to!)

Always download maps for offline use (and/or use Organic Maps). I also will often take a screenshot of a train ticket or put it in my Google Wallet so that I can access it if there is no service for some reason. 

 If you can get a travel rewards credit card of some kind, this helps offset the costs of your travel and may even afford you a few nights or so in a swanky hotel. For general travel I like the Chase Sapphire Preferred; for hotel brands I like the IHG card. Just the two sign up bonuses alone for those two cards would get you 1-2 round trip flights and 4-7 days in a hotel. 

I am sure there are some things that I am missing, so I will likely be back at some point with a part II! 

Any questions? Have you ever done a multi month trip to a different place than where you are from? 

Twenty Questions (E10): Aye, I Speak Scottish

After hanging with my friends and their kids in Scotland recently, it reminded me of the first time I heard some Scottish words and wondered what the heck they were saying. My first recollection is the song Loch Lomond, as my Mom sang it to me. If you haven't heard it, the chorus goes: 

O ye'll tak' the high road, and I'll tak' the low road,
And I'll be in Scotland afore ye,
But me and my true love will never meet again,
On the bonnie, bonnie banks o' Loch Lomond.

So my first Scottish word was probably bonnie, but over the years I learned many more. It is funny though as the different regions also have different accents and the people from Glasgow seem to have the hardest one to understand. So sometimes if they are drunk or I don't know they are talking to me, I don't even understand what they are saying at all! 

Highland cow

Some of these are ones I learned long ago and others are ones I talked about recently with my friend. It would be fun if you copy and paste them into the comments and then just guess what they mean! I will put a link to the answer key at the bottom so you can see how many you got right or close (and you can post again your number if you want to!) Good luck, or should I say lang may yer lum reek (long may your chimney smoke)!!

(To copy, highlight the list, click CTRL-C; to paste, click into the comment box, click CTRL-V)

1. oose
2. hoachin
3. give it laldy
4. crabbit
5. haud yer wheesht
6. peelly wally
7. wean
8. bairn
9. eejit
10. coorie in
11. bluttered
12. steamin
13. piece
14. wee
15. numpty
16. ned
17. jobby
18. manky
19. nick
20. braw

Have fun! Here is the key for when you are done. If you are unable to access it, please email me and I can reshare it with you. 

What I Learned, Looking Forward, Looking Back: October 2025

As I mentioned in my last post, I was out of cell and internet service for most of October because I was walking the Scottish highlands, and when I wasn't out of service, I was either looking at the weather or my next route on a trail, or I was spending time with friends. My friend has two kids and we spent hours talking about the different ways to say something in Scottish vs. American English. It was loads of fun. Mostly it was them making fun of me, but in a very loving way. For example, they thought it was hilarious that I say trash instead of rubbish, candy instead of sweets, store instead of shops, or gah-rahge instead of gare-idge (garage). 

We had a long talk about the difference between squash (concentrated fruit "juice" that you add water to before drinking), soda (and how people in the US also call it pop or coke), and fizzy drink, which is what they call soda. Also, their favorite, and something I learned from their Mom (or Mum as they say) about 20 years ago, our pants are their trousers, and their pants are our underwear. So if you tell someone you are not wearing pants, you may get a "wee giggle" from them! 

Please copy and paste the questions at the end and add your answers to the mix! 

Where was I? Scotland and England

1. What is the name of your last month's chapter or the theme of your last month if you prefer that? 

January: Baguettes and Many Steps

February: In Like Minnesota; Out Like Hawaii

March: Wet and Wild

April: My Life is in Ruins, and Beaches Too

May: Al Fresco 

June: Tales as Old as Time: The Christianity and Wine Versions

July: Quick and Dirty: the Baltics and the Balkans Adventure

August: The Dark Tourist

September: Recharging The Batteries

October: Blown Away

2. What did you learn last month? 

I had a marvelous time at the (free) Highland Museum in Fort William, which had a nice display about the Jacobite Rising and Bonnie Prince Charlie. It is still a bit confusing figuring out the royals (like James, who was Catholic and ended up being King of both Scotland and England, but in Scotland he was James VI and in England he was James I, because they were still ruled separately at the time). Anyway, Bonnie Prince Charlie was grandson of James VII (who was grandson to James VI, are you still following this?) who was the last Catholic ruler in Scotland, but had been banished to France when the protestants took over the throne. Bonnie Prince Charlie fought to win the throne back, but lost. Hence no Catholic leader. While hiking, I also got to go past some areas where battles were fought, which tied it all in nicely. Plus despite being a lot of sex and kilts, Outlander does talk a bit about some of this history (side note: I have not seen the show, but I did see some of the places it was filmed apparently).

Blackburn Castle (apparently in Outlander)

3. What was the weather like where you are? 

It came in like a lion and out like a bobcat. The month started off with Hurricane Amy and gale force winds and rain. I think in some of the western islands, the winds were supposed to be 60-90 mph! However, I was in the highlands for that, and I would guess they were in the 30-50 mph range where I was. I did have a few wet and windy days, but after that blew away, I had a couple of basically nice fall weeks! I was pleasantly surprised as I had steeled myself for rain every day. I would say in the 31 days, it probably rained all day maybe 5 of them, rained a bit maybe 10 of them, but the rest were pretty nice (about 2-12 degrees C most days / ~ 35 - 55 F)! I call that a win. 

4. What event last month was your favorite?

Spending time with the kids was fun. We played games, talked about fruits vs. vegetables, learned about mammals, did quizzes and just had fun hanging out. Of course it was great to see my friends too, who I haven't seen since 2009. 16 years is too long between visits!   

And also this! I got to see the "Harry Potter bridge" where they fly the car under it. 

Glenfinnan Viaduct

5. What was the best thing you read, listened to or watched last month?  

Book: The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb. This book is a little disturbing as it starts off with a tragedy. However, I couldn't help but relate to all of the characters, even when they were not necessarily aligned. If you read it, tell me, what do you think about Corby, the main character? Do you want him to be forgiven? 

Movie/Show: I had a lot of fun watching the show Traitors with my friends. It is kind of silly, but it is like the game Murderer that maybe you played when you were a kid. There is one or more Traitors and the other people are Faithful and they all have to try to figure out who the traitors are before they get killed. I only watched one episode, but it was entertaining. 

Podcast: Do you like true crime podcasts? You might like Paradise! It's about an English couple who turn up dead in the water off the shore of Guatemala. Who killed them? Listen to find out?

6. Tell us one funny recent story. 

I don't know if this is funny, or just fun. As I was walking over a creek on a bridge, I saw a blue heron down below so I stopped to film him and all of a sudden he flew and then landed in the water and was flapping around. I thought he had gone mental until I saw he had a fish in his beak. The fish must have been about a foot long and they thrashed about a bit before he let the fish go in a small pool of water then sat pecking at it a bit. I think he was waiting for me to go to eat it, so I left. But I got it all on film! It was the coolest thing, and I was telling the kids that I feel a bit like David Attenborough! 

Sorry about the quality - screenshot from video

7. What are you looking forward to this month?

I am looking forward to a few things! Time to catch up after being out of touch all month, visits with friends, maybe a bike ride (?) if the weather holds up, and also, I will start to slowly make my way back home at the end of the month! More on that later! 

Your turn! To copy/paste, highlight the text below and click CTRL-C, then put the cursor in the comment box and click CTRL-V.

OCTOBER:

1. What is the name of your last month's chapter or the theme of your last month if you prefer that? 

2. What did you learn last month? 

3. What was the weather like where you are? 

4. What event last month was your favorite?

5. What was the best thing you read, listened to or watched last month?  

6. Tell us one funny recent story. 

NOVEMBER: 

7. What are you looking forward to this month?

Bonus question! Have you ever seen a bird catch a fish? Or any other strange David Attenborough moments? 

The Cool Bloggers Walking Club: October 2025

Happy Halloween! As you may know, every April and October, Elisabeth invites us to join her in walking at least 10 minutes every day of the month. She also kindly compiles and summarizes everyone's walks each week! Here are her recaps if you have not seen them. She does a really great job keeping up with it all! Go Time, Week One, Week Two, Week Three and...Week Four and Final Recap coming soon!

In October, I love looking at the fall colors that everyone is posting around the world. Last year, if you recall, I was actually in Canada with Elisabeth for a while and then in Washington after that, and in both places, the colors were great! I can't believe that it has already been a year since then. 

This year, I was inspired to do some hiking in a place I have been considering for quite a while and that was...Scotland. You may recall me talking about the midges? And not wanting to hike in August in the Highlands because of them? Well, I decided to wait until they were gone. However, you never know what weather you are going to get when you are in Scotland, especially in October! I did experience Hurricane Amy, where the winds were anywhere from 40-90 mph depending on where you were, and actually I was out hiking and was going to camp but I got the cutest little glamping pod instead (not that it would save me if a tree came down, but I felt more secure!) and I am happy to report that I survived the night. 

YES that is MPH not Km! 
(if you can't see it, it says...one sec...)

81 MPH! (I don't think it got that bad where I was)

                                    

Drying out in my pod!

So, without further ado, here are the stats and photos from a month of hiking in Scotland (and a little bit of the Lakes District at the very end). 

1. Linlithgow
2. Great Glen Way
3. A Wee Frog
4. Drumnadrochit cows
5. Huge Shroom
6. Affric Kintail Way

1. Loch Beag
2. Trotternish Ridge, Isle of Skye
3. Cape Wrath Trail
4. The bogs and the fog (near Lochan a'Mhain)
5. Post Box near Shiel Bridge
6. Old Man of Storr, Isle of Skye

Various Views along the West Highland Way

1. Dollar Castle
2. St. Giles Cathedral
3. Lake District
4. Glasgow
5. John Muir Way
6. My 2024 Mantra (Glasgow)

Walk at least 10 minutes per day: ✔

Daily steps average: 29,000

Daily miles average: 11

Trails walked: Great Glen Way (partial), Affric Kintail (full), Skye (partial), Cape Wrath (partial), West Highland Way (full)

Have you ever been to Scotland? Have you ever done a walking holiday? Where was the most interesting place that you walked in October? 

Twenty Questions (E9): A Book For Everyone

TBR?

Where would we be without books? I remember sitting on the couch with my Dad as a child, as he read to me from Treasure Island. My parents had a wall of books, including the Funk and Wagner Dictionary, Agatha Christie, Louis Lamour, Enders Game, Clan of the Cave Bear, and much, much more. From books I learned about Greek Mythology and romance; I learned about history and war; I learned about religion and food. Because of books, when a British person says that they are knackered, I know what they mean. I learned about travel and dreamed about going to the worlds shown in the pages of the Encyclopedia Britannica that my aunt had at her house. When I went abroad for the first time, I nearly had an entire suitcase full of paper books. I mean, do people in France have books in English? I did not know and did not want to take the risk that they wouldn't! 

I guess what I am saying is that I love books. Over the years there have been some good ones and today I have twenty that if you haven't read, you may want to. Below I will give you the "what you can learn about if" you read the following books (FYI: not all are non-fiction!). I also have a Bookshelf Page if you are looking for more recommendations! 

Let me know which ones you have read, what you thought and of course, what few books over your life have been your favorites! 

1. Early Onset Dementia: Still Alice by Lisa Genova. This book will make you want to hug your loved ones and start working on your list of dreams. 

2. Becoming Financially Independent and/or Retiring Early: Quit Like a Millionaire by Kristy Shen. If you want to find out an easy way to save, invest and travel, read this. 

3. Apartheid / Mixed Race Household: Born a Crime by Trevor Noah. A first hand story of growing up in Africa with a Black mother and white father during apartheid. 

4. The War on Opiates: Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefe. An interesting insight into big pharma and how the US war on opiates began. 

5. Eating Local/Surviving off the Land: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. A family decides to try to live off the land and eat local for one year. 

6. Introverts: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain. Introverts are not lacking personality; they just recharge differently. 

7. The Donner Party (+ Cannibalism): The Indifferent Stars Above by Daniel James Brown. An attempt to get to California in a covered wagon before winter sets in goes horribly wrong. 

8. Immortality: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab. Would you like to be immortal? This book may help you decide. 

9. Plagiarism: The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz. An author passes off someone else's work as his own. Will he get away with it? 

10. The Tudors & Henry VIII: The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory. Henry the Eighth had a lot of wives, but not many of them survived! Learn more here! 

11. Native American Oppression in the US: This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger. Native American children are ripped from their parents and sent to boarding schools to learn to behave. Will it work? 

12. Orthodox Jewish Women: Unorthodox by Deborah Feldman. A woman struggling with the Orthodox community tries to decide whether it's worth staying or not, because if she leaves she may be ostracized. 

13: Cancer (From a Neurosurgeon Perspective): When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi. A neurosurgeon gets lung cancer and tells his personal story from a doctor's perspective. 

14: Vietnam: The Mountains Sing by Phan Quế Mai Nguyễn. A story about multiple generations of a Vietnamese family and their struggles before, during and after the Vietnam war. 

15: The Far North of Canada: The River by Peter Heller. Two men go on a canoeing trip in the far north of Canada and a fire breaks out. Will they survive? 

And because I particularly love learning about WWII, I have five for this category. 

16. Resistance Women in France: The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah

17. Women Spies: The Alice Network by Kate Quinn (or any book by Kate Quinn!)

18. Japanese Living in the US: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

19. Greece: Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres

20. England: The Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

Have you read any of the above and if so, what did you think? What is the most interesting thing you have learned from a book? What are a few of the best books you have read over the years? 

Twenty Questions (E8): Better Than, When Walking/Hiking

I thought I'd stay on the walking and hiking theme in honor of the Cool Bloggers Walking Club! Speaking of, in October, I've been out hiking this month and have been out of service for most of the time, so I've been a bit absent in the old blogosphere! I promise to come back in November and tell you all about it. 

Actually, speaking of November, as I've been away, I haven't kept up with the NoBloPoMo current events, but will say for sure that I will not be taking part in it this year! However, I will be checking on y'all's blogs at least once a week during the event! However, this November I'll be doing some visiting, more hiking and other travel and I just can't commit to being present and engaged for it this year. 

You can see other posts in the Twenty Questions series here. Also, if you want to be featured in a future list, don't forget to fill out --> THE QUESTIONNAIRE!

Without further ado, here are 20 things about hiking and walking that I think are better than their alternative. Chime in at the bottom: which do you prefer and why?? 

                     Photo: Sawtooth Mountains, ID

1. Walking/hiking uphill > Walking/hiking downhill

2. Dry feet > wet feet

3. Dirt path > paved path

4. Forest > desert

5. A bit too cold > a bit too hot

6. Trail runners > hiking boots

7. Wool socks > cotton socks

8. Starting early in the morning > finishing late at night

9. Snow > rain

10. Cold feet > cold hands

11. Flies (non biting) > ticks > mosquitoes

12. Camping under a tree > camping in a meadow

13. Swimming in a freezing Alpine lake > no shower/bath

14. No underwear > wet underwear 

15. Battery died in camera > battery died in phone 

16. Falling going uphill > falling going downhill

17. Lost toenail > multiple blisters

18. Wearing sunscreen hoodie > putting on sunscreen 

19. Warm meal in morning > warm meal at night

20. Trail mix (GORP) > most other hiking snacks

Which do you prefer and why?? Or what are some that I've missed where you think that one thing is better than another!? 

Twenty Questions (E7): Best Places to Walk or Hike

Since it is October, it is Cool Bloggers Walking Club month! So, without further ado, I thought I would make this list about some of our favorite walking and running places! If you are looking for inspiration for your next walking holiday, here are some ideas! As always, crowd participation is welcomed so don't forget to let us know where your favorite walk or run is! 

You can see other posts in the Twenty Questions series here. Also, if you want to be featured in a future list, don't forget to fill out --> THE QUESTIONNAIRE!

1. Lisa (MN) said: I love to run around Lake Harriet! [I've done this!]

2. Ernie (IL) said: Hmm- I usually walk in my neighborhood and the neighboring subdivisions. But coach and I took the little girls to Starved Rock and that was really cool. That’s about an hour away. [Wow, those rock formations are crazy!]
 

3. Melissa (AU) said: Ferny Creek [this looks nice!]

4.  Diane (VA) said: Sligo Creek Trail because it is close, a 1/4 mile from my house.  For views, Great Falls National Park.  Or the Tidal Basin during Cherry Blossom season.  Though only on weekdays because it gets really crowded at night.  [I have been to the Tidal Basin, but not the other two!]

5. Nance (OH) said: I love to walk my neighbourhood and see the small changes each day and each season. And give biscuits to the dogs. [I love this!]

6. Tobia (Germany) said: Tough... not sure I have a favorite since I don't do nearly enough to have it. However I always liked this one where we went a few time as a child. A couple years ago I wanted to share it with my friend and her kids but they rebelled because of the mosquitos. [I also am not a fan of mosquitoes, but that park looks nice!]

7. San (CA) said: American River Parkway [I used to run there!]

8. Stephany said: Walsingham Park [Looks fun, and there is canoeing!]

9. Kat (VA) said: The Custis Trail in Arlington, VA… I’ve since moved further away but I used to live down the street and I walked/ran probably 10,000 miles on it between 2020-2024… “I see you out here more than I see myself!” someone said to me as I passed by once lol. It’s an urban/commuter trail so not the most beautiful/serene, but it was such a comfort to me during the pandemic that I’ll always feel sentimental about it. [I know that feeling! I did one of those "run every street" projects in 2020 and I covered a lot of ground!]

10. Suzanne said: I love walking in the park near my old house! It's a beautiful little oasis of greenery in the middle of a bustling suburb and I find it endlessly fascinating to watch it change across seasons and years. [Do you still go back now that you have moved?]

11. Nicole said: Every day Rex and I walk the Mission Creek Greenway, but in not-summer we like to go up Knox Mountain. [I love the greenway! And there is cycling! And Knox Mountain has pickleball!]

Thanks ladies!!...and now, here is a random list of some places I like to walk and hike! Excuse the formatting for the photos; I'm doing this from my phone and I sometimes get huge and/or random justification...so, sorry in advance! 

12. The Marin headlands, North of San Francisco. Not only can you get here in less than a half and hour from the city, but you will be treated to views of the ocean, redwoods, and the rolling golden hills. People from San Francisco used to have "summer homes" in Marin county, and it wasn't until after the 1906 earthquake that some of them were made into more permanent residences. However, the Golden Gate bridge was not built until roughly 30 years later. (Seen below: Stinson Beach)

13. The Via Transilvanica, Romania. This is a 1,400 km / 870 mile trail from east to west through the small villages of Romania. Like the more well known Camino, you can easily hike it without needing a tent, and you can easily walk a section of one or two or three days, using public transit to get from one end to another and seeing lots of cool tiny towns along the way. (Seen below: Biertan, Romania)

14. Forest Park, Portland, Oregon. I've talked about this one before but it's a great park right near downtown and you feel like you're all alone I'm within about two minutes of starting the trail! 

15. Stanley Park, Vancouver, BC. This is similar to Forest Park, where although you're still in the city, it doesn't feel like it! Plus there's a good bike and running late around the perimeter/seawall and I do love a good run along the sea! 

16. The Quiraing, Isle of Skye, Scotland. Big rocks! I love them! The formations here are wild and you can get to them within a mile or so from the car park! (Seen below: The Prison)

17. Bansko, Bulgaria. This is such a fun mountain town. Whether you just want to explore town, or get out into the trails, or tackle several summits, you will have your chance here! There is also mountain biking and skiing, so no matter the season, you will not be bored! (seen below: downtown Bansko)

18. The San Juan mountains, Colorado. The colors are stunning and it's basically head on a swivel the entire time. I especially love this area in September when the fall colors are popping! 

19. Emigrant Wilderness, California. Yosemite's lesser know little cousin, this stretch of wilderness sits just north of it's popular big cousin, and has rocks and lakes and beautiful views galore. Also, only a self submitted permit is needed rather than the more difficult lottery process for some of the more popular trails. (Seen below: Bugsy near Big Lake)

20. The PCT, aka there's no place like home. You may have heard of it!? It's roughly 2,600 miles long, but you don't have to do it all! There are some great day hikes along the length of it, and it crosses some highways so you can access it easily. Unfortunately much of the surrounding areas were burned but I still love going home and doing my regular out and back! (Seen below: home sweet home)

Your turn! Have you walked or hiked any of the places we mentioned? Where is your favorite walking or hiking place? Or tell me, where are you walking this month!? 

What I Learned, Looking Forward, Looking Back: September 2025

September was a great month. In fact, September may be close to May in being one of my favorites. I love the not so hot weather, lack of big crowds and bugs, cooler nights and quiet days. I was happy to spend most of the month in a mountain town and I really got to recharge my batteries after a couple of months of more planning and being on the go. 

Please copy and paste the questions at the end and add your answers to the mix! 

Where was I? Bulgaria

1. What is the name of your last month's chapter or the theme of your last month if you prefer that? 

January: Baguettes and Many Steps

February: In Like Minnesota; Out Like Hawaii

March: Wet and Wild

April: My Life is in Ruins, and Beaches Too

May: Al Fresco 

June: Tales as Old as Time: The Christianity and Wine Versions

July: Quick and Dirty: the Baltics and the Balkans Adventure

August: The Dark Tourist

September: Recharging The Batteries

2. What did you learn last month? 

I learned how to mail myself something in Bulgaria, which may sound easy, but it is not what I expected. You do not get things mailed to your address (and the addresses are not always what they say they are either); instead you have it mailed to a central company, which is not the post office, but is instead privately owned. I guess it is similar to living in a rural place, as in the area I grew up in, the UPS driver may not know where to leave a package if you put in your address; instead, most people get things mailed to a PO Box, which is kind of a pain when you need to get something send via UPS or Fed Ex, as they do not mail to PO Boxes. However, in Bulgaria, I still am not sure how the private mail company makes money, as I went to pick up my stuff and I didn't have to pay any sort of service fee. Maybe the sender pays them? This I have not yet learned. 

3. What was the weather like where you are? 

It was GREAT! The highest high was around 70 and the lowest low was maybe around 40 and the days were clear and the sky was blue and I skipped and pranced all around, whistling a happy tune all month. 

4. What event last month was your favorite?

Skipping and prancing and whistling a happy tune, of course! No really though, I met up with some people for a hike, some different people for dinner, went bike riding with a friend, met a running buddy, and went to the big city to sleep on a friend's couch and visit. It was a good month socially, outdoors-wise, weather-wise, and everything. Plus I got some future travel plans booked! It was a productive month. 

5. What was the best thing you read, listened to or watched last month?  

Book: It was a rough reading month. I only read eight books and DNFed two books in September. None of them were FABULOUS!, but the best one I read was Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping on a Dead Man. You can't help but get annoyed by, and love Vera, all at the same time. 

Movie/Show: I finally watched The Pianist! Having been to Warsaw recently, it really helped cement some of the details of the uprising in my mind. 

Podcast: I started listening to a new one called Backpacker Radio, as I wanted some inspiration, but I am not really sure how I feel about it yet. 

6. Tell us one funny recent story. 

I can't really think of one! Your turn! 

7. What are you looking forward to this month?

The Cool Bloggers Walking Club, obviously! :) 

Your turn! To copy/paste, highlight the text below and click CTRL-C, then put the cursor in the comment box and click CTRL-V.

SEPTEMBER:

1. What is the name of your last month's chapter or the theme of your last month if you prefer that? 

2. What did you learn last month? 

3. What was the weather like where you are? 

4. What event last month was your favorite?

5. What was the best thing you read, listened to or watched last month?  

6. Tell us one funny recent story. 

OCTOBER: 

7. What are you looking forward to this month?

Bonus question! Can you get packages delivered to your front door? If not, where do you went them? 

Twenty Questions (E6): Never Have I Ever

I know you have been waiting for this, but I wanted to add some of the answers you had provided to this list, so I was waiting for content! So, without further ado, here are twenty things that some of you and I have never done. As always, crowd participation is welcomed and I have pasted the list at the bottom so you can copy and paste and answer them yourself! 

You can see other posts in the Twenty Questions series here. Also, if you want to be featured in a future list, don't forget to fill out --> THE QUESTIONNAIRE!

Bungy NZ -- 134 m / 442 ft

1. Lisa and Nicole said: Gotten a tattoo. [guilty!]

2. Ernie said: Hmm- so many things. Never sky dived or zip lined or taken a cruise or visited Vegas. [I have never ziplined or taken a cruise!]

3. Melissa said: Skydiving [guilty!]

4.  Diane said: So many things!  One big one is I've never gone sky diving.  One small one is I've never gotten my ears pierced. [guilty x 2!]

5. Nance said: I've never learned to swim. [I can't even remember learning to swim. My Dad jokes that they just threw me in the water when I was a baby and let me struggle to shore on my own.]

6. Tobia said: Traveling in a water plane. [I have never done this but would love to! I hope to do it when I visit some of the National Parks in Alaska one day]

7. San said: Smoked a cigarette. [guilty (you're not missing anything!)]

8. Stephany said: Traveled solo! [guilty, of course!]

9. Kat said: Run a marathon… two halfs showed me that was definitely my limit and I am fine with that! [I've done this!]

10. Suzanne said: One thing I've never done but want to do: Travel outside of North America/Europe/Scandinavia. One thing I've never done but never want to do: High-risk adrenaline sports like BASE jumping, sky diving, or bungee jumping. NO THANK YOU. [I have never gone base jumping and would like to try it!]

Thanks ladies!!...and now, here are some of mine. 

11. Ridden a horse bareback (I have ridden a horse with a saddle and have gotten some major saddle sores though!) 

12. Bought a new car (actually I have only ever bought one car, and it was used)

13. Had a car payment (I paid cash for my used car)

14. Been to Ohio (sorry Birchie and Nance, you are on my list!) 

15. Been on a multiday kayak trip (I would love to do this, but just haven't made it a priority)

16. Played an internet game (like Minecraft) (I was pretty good at Mario Bros back in the day though!)

17. Eaten at a Michelin starred restaurant outside of the US (I probably would not do this by myself, as part of the fun of these kinds of things is sharing it with someone)

18. Waxed a body part (Oh Kelly Clarkson!)

19. Lived in a high rise building (I have stayed for a month or so when traveling but never lived in one for good)

20. Gone kite surfing (it's on my list though!)

Your turn! Which of these have you done? Also, did any of the above answers surprise you? 

1. Gotten a tattoo

2. Ziplined / gone on a cruise

3. Skydived

4. Had your ears pierced

5. Learned to swim

6. Traveled in a water plane

7. Smoked a cigarette

8. Traveled solo

9. Run a marathon

10. Traveled to a different continent than North America or Europe

11. Ridden a horse bareback

12. Bought a new car

13. Had a car payment

14. Been to Ohio (sorry Birchie and Nance, you are on my list!) 

15. Been on a multiday kayak trip

16. Played an internet game

17. Eaten at a Michelin starred restaurant outside of the US

18. Waxed a body part

19. Lived in a high rise building

20. Gone kite surfing

Looking Back: Books

Belgrade, Serbia

I did a hike at the end of July for eight days, and on that hike I read at least a book a day. During the day, I'd listen to an audiobook, and at night, after setting up camp and eating, I could easily read half of a book. However, I won't lie; since then, I have been in a bit of a reading slump, so to speak. In the third quarter of 2025, I DNFed at least five books, and there were at least three more that I only got a few minutes into and just didn't feel interested, but did not give them DNF credit since I barely even started them. 

The other thing is that I started a book that was 1,200 pages long and although interesting, it was SO LONG, and it kept me from starting another, so it definitely impeded my progress. However, I finished it finally, and it ended up providing a lot of interesting information after all was said and done (it was this book: The Eighth Life, recommended by Tobia, about multiple generations of the same family, set in the country of Georgia).

Despite some hiccups, there have been a few good reads in the last few months! But, instead of just listing the good ones, I will give you three good, and three I wanted to like but didn't. 

THESE WERE GOOD! 

Heartwood by Amity Gaige. I don't really need to say much here, as this book has been praised by many (Lisa, Birchie, etc.) already. TLDR: Appalachian hiker goes missing, police woman starts looking for her. We love all the characters, and we want them to win. (5 stars)

The Nine: The True Story of a Band of Women Who Survived the Worst of Nazi Germany by Gwen Straus. The title says it all. I am fascinated by this part of history and the fact that this was (a) true, (b) about women, and (c) an interesting take (told by the great niece of one of the women, who is not a writer, but wanted to get this part of history in the books). (5 stars)

The Beauty of Your Face by Sahar Mustafah. This is about a woman born of Palestinian parents who is living in the US and is a teacher in a school that gets shot at by a radicalized alt right. It is a moving story about her journey into Islam, her struggles with living surrounded by people who judge her for her hijab, including some of those close to her, and how she copes with it all. (5 stars)

Don't worry; there were other good ones, but you will be hearing about them in my yearly book wrap up! I can't give away ALL the spoilers at once! 

I WANTED TO LIKE THESE BUT DIDN'T

The Crash by Freida McFadden. Not her best work. I am usually entertained by her stories, but this one was a bit rote and just did not do it for me. If you want a better one, try The Teacher or The Inmate. (2 stars)

The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton. I tried. I tried again. I did it for Elisabeth. But I just could not get into it! I liked her other books (Forgotten Garden, Secret Keeper, The Lake House) so maybe I was just not in the right mind space? Anyway, I DNFed it in the end. 

Radical Candor by Kim Malone Scott. It's a female boss, who is large and in charge, and successful. One who has tips so that we can all be large, in charge and successful. Who doesn't love reading about that? Well, just add a bit too much name dropping, and company name dropping, and it starts to remind me of some of the bros I worked with in the finance  industry. Did you know that she worked for Apple, and for Google, or that she just happened to be talking to Steve, you know Steve, right? Steve Jobs? and Sheryl? Sandburg? DNF. 

So, tell me, what is one great book you read this month (or quarter) and one that you wanted to like but didn't? 

Twenty Questions (E5): Travel Inspiration

Are you looking for travel ideas? When I asked readers for their input on the question, "what is your favorite travel destination and why?" I got so many fun responses! So for this post, it will be twofold! First I will go over some of their answers, and next I will talk about some of my own! Don't forget to add your answer to the comments below! 

You can see other posts in the Twenty Questions series here. Also, if you want to be featured in a future list, don't forget to fill out --> THE QUESTIONNAIRE!

1. Lisa said: Paris! It’s a gorgeous city with excellent food and there are direct flight options. Domestically, anywhere with mountains/hiking. [I agree! Paris is a classic and I am always down for mountains/hiking too!]

2. Ernie said: Vancouver- only been once but loved it. So much to see and it had everything- city and outdoorsy stuff like mountains and ferry rides to islands and whale watching. Went there for Irish dancing national champs and turned it into a vacation. [I agree! I love a place with city and outdoor all in one!]

3. Melissa said: Tasmania, has such outstanding nature scapes, history and food in a tiny landmass and is only a 1 hr flight away. [I have never been! Added to my list!]

4. Nicole said: I have had so many and they change throughout my life, depending on what stage I'm in. Currently I'm going to say Italy, but ask me this time next year as I have a few different continents that I will have travelled to. [I totally agree; how can you pick a "favorite!?" But I will ask you again next year!]

5. Nance said: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada. Fantastic wineries/wines. We go frequently and have made so many friends there. We've learned about the terroir, the wine-making, the wines. We know so many winemakers personally. Now, when we open a bottle of wine from NotL, we experience a visit all over again. [I have never been! I biked past it last year but did not have a chance to stop. It's on the list!]

6. Tobia said: Everywhere I have not yet been ;-). Nordic countries over Southern. [I also have a long list and it keeps getting longer!]

7. San said: Dolomites. I grew up skiing there every year. [I have only been in summer time and loved the area.]

8. Stephany said: A cruise ship! Okay, not a destination but my favorite way to travel. I love that everything is included, I love that I can REALLY disconnect and feel like I'm in a whole different world, and I love not worry about the logistics of getting from place to place. [I have not tried cruising yet but have plans to try it soon!]

9. Kat said: Amsterdam; I went on my first (and only thus far) solo European trip there and spent three days walking the city, touring museums, going on a boat ride, visiting parks and markets, and going to the symphony. It felt so special and magical to do something like that, on my own no less (even though I was 36! But an inexperienced and anxious traveler overall so it was a big deal for me.). And it was a beautiful and welcoming place. [I agree; it is beautiful and the Dutch speak perfect English so it is super easy to get around.]

10. Suzanne said: Big Sky Montana: 1. I've been skiing at Big Sky since I was two, so it has decades of sentimental feeling and good memories built into it. 2. It's one of the most beautiful places on earth, especially when it's a-glitter with snow and sunshine. 3. The skiing is better in Big Sky than anywhere else. [I have never skied in MT or been to Big Sky!]

------

Thanks everyone for chiming in! Here are some of mine. Keep in mind, my "favorites" list is very long, so there are a lot more where these come from, and as always, I will avoid mentioning the obvious ones like London or Rio, since you all already have heard of these already! I will also exclude any US locations for this post.  

11. Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Over a year ago, I chose this destination as an answer to a question in an interview with Elisabeth about somewhere I had on my travel list, and I finally made it there! It is not only beautiful but there is so much history to be learned; I highly recommend it! It is easy to get to from Sarajevo, plus the train ride itself is a beautiful experience! 

Mostar

12. Vilnius, Lithuania. Not somewhere that you probably have at the top of your list, but move it up! The town itself is charming, has a lot of history, plenty of green spaces and good food, and easy day trips to places like Trakai or Kaunus, where you can see castles and drink beer. I also rented a bike, went swimming and had a great time perusing the thrift shops for 1 euro finds! Oh, and of course, don't forget about the quark bars! 

Vilnius

13. Ushuaia, Argentina. The bottom of the world (almost)! You can do a boat trip to see penguins and birds, do plenty of hiking, or if you have the means, get a ship to Antarctica from here (I have not done the latter yet, but I have it on my list!)

14. Lençóis Maranhenses, Brazil. Sand dunes for days! It is a little hard to get to but it is well worth it and you can take a jeep trip along the dunes, or even swim in some of the little dune pools if you so desire! 

Lençóis Maranhenses

15. Mestia, Georgia. Mountains, food, hiking, good views and small town charm. What more could you ask for? 

Mestia

16. Biarritz, France. Food, beaches, waves and cliff walks! It is the ideal spot for a vacation, although be careful because the surf is strong! This is also the first place that I went topless on the beach, which as a modest person, was actually quite freeing!  

17. Kaş, Türkiye. You may have heard of Turkish beach towns like Antalya or Izmir or Fethiye, but there are plenty of smaller gems that sit right on the Turquoise coast, and Kaş is one of them. I also like it because you can hike into the hills straight from town and in a mere few minutes you will have outstanding views. Also, Turkish food is excellent and coastal Turkish food is even better! 

Kaş

18. Fernie, BC, Canada. You are probably seeing a theme here, but I do love small mountain towns! From Fernie, you can hike, bike or ski depending on the season, without even needing a car for the most part. Also there are a couple of breweries, lots of camping spots (and hotels for those of you who want a warm bed and a shower) and some swimming holes, so it is the perfect place to go for a summer outing! 

Fernie

19. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany. It's touristy, but its a cute medieval town to walk around for a few hours! I went in early January and maybe because of the cold, it was not too busy, but pro tip, get a dinner reservation early because we tried to do a walk in and were shut down! I don't think you need more than a day here, and there are lots of other fun towns to visit in Germany nearby so you can easily do a loop to a few different places in the same trip! 

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

20. Tijuana, Mexico. Of course, you must visit Mexico City; however, I was pleasantly surprised by Tijuana. I thought it was going to be dirty and gross and full of drunk 18 year olds from the US, but I found it to be walkable in some cases, easy to get an Uber in others, and the food was delicious. Also, it is close enough to mountains and beaches to do a day trip from there! If you go, you must visit Tacos El Franc. Note: Upon getting the link for this, I noticed that they recently got noticed on a Netflix series so they are probably going to be busy! I was lucky to go there before that. However, I thought it was delicious, so hopefully they haven't changed due to fame! 

Now, my questions to you are: have you ever been to any of the places on this list and if so, what did you think? If not, are you adding any to your bucket list? And of course, tell us, what is your favorite travel destination and why!