Molen De Adriaan, Haarlem, NL

Don't be that girl that accidentally touches the greased part of an active windmill...unless you're me. 

Yep! I had to be one of the people who has an in-depth experience! What a klutz. 

Anyway, every year that I've traveled to Amsterdam, I've tried to make each visit different by visiting somewhere I've never been before. For my third visit, I decided that I had to visit a windmill. I mean, what kind of person goes to the Netherlands three times, and doesn't see a windmill?

The tour guide was so nice and took time to explain how a windmill works, how much flour is made at once, and what cities in the Netherlands that the flour is sent to. This one specifically, is run strictly by volunteers. There was a fire here in 1932, and it took seventy years to rebuild, reopening in 2002.

This windmill is actually an active windmill, and the tour guide explained that though it is a little more pricey, there are still people who like fresh-ground flour.

Looking out towards Haarlem city center

Also, did you know there are still 991 windmills in the Netherlands?! That means you can see one anywhere you visit within the Netherlands! In some places in the world, you can even stay in one, which I'm sure is great, but that would be a lot of stairs to climb. Maybe I should add that to my bucket list, of things I need to do.

If you're ever close in Amsterdam, Haarlem is just a train ride away, and this place is one stop that you shouldn't miss, especially if you're looking for something that is authentic within the Dutch Culture!

est. 2019

Make your own Travel Map!

Hi, everyone!
I got to thinking. I wondered if there was any way that a person could put pins on a map, for all of the places they had visited. It turns out, you can!
So here is a list of places that I've been to within the world.

Look at all the places I've been!

I started out by going with my grandparents to San Diego, CA. But even before that, we've been taking road trips for as long as I can remember, from Indiana, to Starved Rock National Park, to conservatories within the Chicago area. While in San Diego, my grandparents and I went to Tijuana, Mexico, which I did not know it to be the little scary city is is now.

Fast forward about 20 places, and I still have that same strong sense of adventure and wanderlust that I did when I was ten! It's taken me to the Netherlands twice, California more than five times, and Washington state at least three. At this rate, I'll be traveling my visit to the sun and moon, in no time!

Last bits of Chicago Summer

Brookfield ZooRunRun2019

So when I'm not pretending to be a major jetsetter, I make sure I'm traveling locally. This weekend, I went to Brookfield Zoo's "ZooRunRun" which is a 5k where you run through the zoo!
For anyone who knows me, you know I don't run, ever. But apparently, I have some pretty long legs, because I walked my way through it in 45 minutes!!

Chicago and its surrounding areas are great for 5k's, 10k's, triathlons, and so many other forms of exercise. If walking, running, or biking is your thing, here is a list of just a tiny sliver of events Chicago has to offer:

• Walk to End Alzheimer's
• Making Strides of Chicago (Breast Cancer)
• Out of the Darkess (Suicide Awareness)
• The Chicago Half Marathon
• Allstate Hot Chocolate 15k/5k Run
• Turkey Trot 13.1/10k/5k/1k

These are just some of the events coming up in fall. If you'll soon be visiting Chicago, you should check one out. The events range from those for charity and cause-awareness, to those that are just for fun, like that of the hot chocolate run. I know nothing should motivate me more than running for adult beverages, candy, colors, or even being with a crowd of people with the same costume on as you. Speaking of, I hear there's a Santa run here, too. There's pretty much a run or walk for anything and EVERYTHING!

So if these types of events are your thing and you're making a visit to Chicago soon, check one of these fun events out. What better way to get some exercise in AND help out a local charity?

[Are you planning a visit to Chicago soon and love to run? Send me a message and I'll let you know what's coming up around the time of your visit!]

Travel addict: the first step is admitting it.

It's an age-old question, that takes us so many of us to figure out: What do you want to be when you grow up? I don't mean something like a job, a 9 to 5, something that pays the bills. I mean a career, something that makes you so incredibly happy that it doesn't even feel like a job, and you'd be happy to do it even if you weren't getting paid.
I've been giving this question a lot of thought lately and I keep coming back to how much I absolutely love travel! I've been so many places that I've lost count. For me, it feels so good to get away from everyday life, see something you've never seen before or even make new memories and friends. I love the idea that oftentimes, you don't know exactly what's waiting for you once you're off the plane.
With that said, I've decided to try my hand at travel-related content, including tips, tricks and for those of you who are so inclined, advice on your next vacation. I'll be sharing places I've visited including food, entertainment, hotels and air travel.
I hope you join me on this journey to finding myself, and finding as many new experiences as I can get my hands on! It's gonna be great!!!