Souvenirs and Stories

Tacking down moments, telling the stories behind them

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  • Parks and Passports

    There is nothing quite like visiting a National Park. The beauty of the scenery and the people you meet along the way go beyond a simple trip or vacation.

    On my trips, I always bring back mementos and souvenirs to help me remember the places I have traveled. Let’s just say I have more coffee mugs and magnets that I can count! When I started visiting National Parks, I wanted an unique way to commemorate the experiences, so I purchased a National Park Passport. I take it on every trip I embark on and it has been such a fun keepsake! Stay tuned as I flip through my park passport and reflect on past travels to these beautiful places!

    Zion National Park

    My family and I headed out West a couple of years ago to visit Zion National Park, Grand Canyon, and Las Vegas. Zion is beautiful and very scenic. We chose to go in June, the hottest month of the year, so the dry weather and I did not mix well. We only spent one day in Zion. I completed a small hike by a river and took in the views while everybody else engaged in some strenuous hiking. I admit that I did not take full advantage of the Zion experience but that is exactly what sparked my curiosity and research for visiting and experiencing other National Parks. Zion is a popular park for many people and I definitely have it on my radar to return and conquer!

    Yosemite National Park-Truly the Most Beautiful Place

    My goal for traveling to Yosemite National Park was to be more prepared than I was when I went to Zion. I bought water proof hiking boots, hiking sticks, and durable backpacks. I did my research and pumped myself up for a great adventure. The prep work paid off! I truly think about Yosemite everyday! The pictures do not do it justice! We will definitely return one day and stay longer.

    We stayed in an Air BnB in Oakhurst California, a small town about 45 minutes away from the entrance to the park. Even though it was early April, snow was still on the ground. It was cool and crisp in mornings but warm in the afternoons. The drive into Yosemite was memorable as we drove through the tunnel and anticipated the popular Tunnel View. We got there early to beat the crowds. We parked the car and sat on the overlook to take in the panoramic views! This was the perfect way to begin our day!

    We got to Yosemite Valley by 8:00 each morning and stocked up on protein and snacks from the Village Store. On the first day, I went into the Visitor Center and stamped my Park Passport. I laced up my hiking boots and we all boarded the bus that took us to each stop through Yosemite Valley.

    My favorite trail was the Lower Yosemite Falls Trail. It is quick and easy but the view of the waterfall is stunning! I stayed at the falls and took pictures while my husband climbed through the huge boulders to get the perfect video of the falls. We both agree that we could stay at that spot all day!

    We conquered the Vernal Falls trail, though the elevation made for a challenging experience. It is a very popular trail so there were a lot of people on trail, which was nice because everyone encouraged each other as we were all hunched over conquering the incline and catching our breath! Once we made it to the falls, we sat down, took a break, and were greeted by a very hungry squirrel. The trip down was much easier for sure!

    The Mirror Lake Loop is a fun trail. We had a choice to stay on the paved trail or to hike the trail through the woods. I completed the trail on the pavement while my husband continued through the woods. The lake really does mimic a mirror, showcasing the reflection of the beautiful trees and mountains.

    In the Valley, there is a place called Curry Village. We made a stop there to grab some pizza and to restock on snacks and water. I also fueled up with some coffee and took my traditional coffee picture! It was nice to walk around the campgrounds and rest before gearing up for more hiking.

    One of the most memorable views in Yosemite is, of course, El Capitan. We were hiking across a meadow when El Capitan came into view. It is crazy to think that people actually rock climb it. I will continue to enjoy the view from below, but when I return, I would like to hike part of the El Capitan Trail.

    Yosemite is magical and so beautiful. I used the pictures we took for our Christmas Card that read “Have an Adventurous New Year!” I loved capturing these moments and I am grateful for the opportunity to share a small slice of our adventure.

    The Trail’s Not Over

    Stay tuned to this page as I add more stories about my travels to National Parks. My husband and I will be traveling to Acadia National Park within a year and we have plenty more that are on our “To Travel List”.

    “Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow.”
    — Anita Desai

  • Savoring San Diego

    I am currently packing for an annual trip I take with mom. I accompany her on a summer trip each year as she attends a work conference. This is a major opportunity for me to tag along and immerse myself in some fun travels. As I plan, pack, and prepare for this year’s adventure, I am reminiscing about our trip to San Diego exactly a year ago!

    If I had to describe San Diego in one sentence, I would say, “This is the best weather I have ever encountered!” Everyday was engulfed in steady breezes and temperatures that were perfect for some sightseeing. I loved that trip and would have stayed longer if possible. So, let’s dive right in!

    Number one on my list of things to do was to go to the popular San Diego Zoo! I like to go to a zoo anytime I travel. There is just something so relaxing about walking around and watching animals.

    The San Diego Zoo was a day long activity that kept me smiling! It did not disappoint, although, my feet ached for days! It is a huge zoo, and I got to see animals I have never seen before as well as animals that I must see each time I go to a zoo. For starters, the hippos were astounding and massive. They were very active and seemed to be having a blast frolicking in the cool waters. I was most in aww by the gorillas. They were rolling around in their habitat preparing for an afternoon nap. I honestly could have watched these amazing creatures all day as they nestled under a water fall. The elephants and giraffes were entertaining, and I enjoyed watching the rhino. It amazes me how smart and adaptive these wild animals are.

    When I visit big cities, I usually take advantage of the Hop On-Hop Off Buses. It is truly the best way to see a new place. In Sand Diego, I started my bus tour in Old Town and rode through each stop. I got off of the bus in Little Italy to enjoy some sweet gelato! I also was able to see the famous “Unconditional Surrender” Statue at Port of San Diego. The statue is a must-see and now the reason I that have a small replica of the statue in my house!

    On the bus, we drove on the Coronado Bridge- a two-mile bridge that connects San Diego to Coronado Island. This bridge was very unique because of the curved shaped and the elevation. It was very windy, but the views of San Diego were breathtaking! Once we got to the other side, we got a glimpse of the beautiful California beaches and historic hotels! I definitely recommend doing a bus tour in any city that offers it!

    The award for “Best Memory in San Diego” goes to the day I went whale watching and then to a Blink-182 Concert! Yep! Quite the combo! I woke up early on our last day and took an uber to a marina. I boarded a speed boat with another family, and we rode out to the open waters of the Pacific Ocean. We passed by lighthouses, seals, and a pod of dolphins that raced our boat for quite some time. The captain of the boat came to a halt and then we waited…Waited to see the largest animal to have ever lived-The Blue Whale. I was in aww when we saw and heard the sound of water being sprayed from the whale! The massive creature swam on the surface and would deep dive into the ocean, revealing its large tail. When the blue whale does a deep dive, it takes between 10 and 15 minutes before it reappears. To challenge this fact, our captain started a timer, and he was correct. We watched the same blue whale for about 30 minutes before heading back to the marina. On the way back, the captain received a radio call of another whale sighting near us. We were fortunate to witness another blue whale swimming across the Pacific Ocean. Seeing a blue whale in a lifetime is very rare, and I am now a person who can tell the tale of the great whale!

    Now, how is Blink-182 involved with a natural outdoor experience such as whale watching? Well, when I arrived back to our hotel, my mom was at her conference, and I was starving. All I wanted was a sandwich, so I walked two blocks to Lucky’s Lunch Counter. I ordered my lunch and sat at a table outside and right next to Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres. I was sitting by myself when a mother and daughter walked up to me and asked if they could share my table since there were no more seats available. I noticed they had the same conference name tags as my mom, so I offered them seats at my table. I told them my mom was attending the same conference, and we immediately sparked a long conversation over turkey sandwiches and pasta salad. They were from Ohio and travel together each year. As we were eating, music from the stadium started playing. I mentioned that it sounded like an old Blink-182 song. The daughter replied, “Well, they are doing a hometown show tonight at the stadium so it must be their soundcheck.” (Enter shocked emoji here!)

    I want to mention too that Blink-182 is one of my favorite bands and I have seen them twice in concert. So, I did what every “bucket list” traveler must do- I looked up tickets. My mom was not interested in going to this concert, so I purchased one $20 ticket, got dressed for a rock concert in a flowery dress (I did not plan for a random rock show), and walked to the Blink-182 Concert by myself. I bought me some dinner, found my seats, and had a flashback to my high school days at my first Blink concert! I had the time of my life honestly! “Rocking out” to Feeling This and All the Small Things my last night in San Diego was not on my bingo card but it was the kind of spontaneity that was the perfect end to pretty cool trip!

    “Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.”
    — Dalai Lama

  • Hello World!

    Hello there!
    Welcome to Souvenirs and Stories — a blog where I’ll share my travels and the meaningful stories I gather along the way.

    A couple of years ago, I bought a map of the United States and pinned it to a bulletin board. It now hangs in my office at the school where I work. Every time I visit a new place, I add a thumbtack to mark the destination. This simple piece of decor has sparked countless conversations with young learners and future travelers. It’s also become a visual reminder of the people, places, and memories that have shaped my journey.

    My hope is that this blog will inspire others to embark on adventures of their own—whether near or far.

    I’m not a travel expert or a professional writer. I’m simply an educator from a small town with a deep love for storytelling, connection, and soaking in the world around me. I enjoy a mix of “touristy” stops and laid-back local experiences. No matter the destination or the company, each journey holds a special place in my heart.

    Now, I’m excited to start this blogging adventure—to leave a little mark and, hopefully, offer a spark of motivation to anyone seeking something new.

    So… bon voyage! Let’s travel this world together—one story at a time.


    “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.”
    — Saint Augustine