I figured it was high time I let you in on the spring and summer travel plans we have planned. You know, considering I’m leaving tomorrow.
So here it goes:
1. Baja California Sur – Mexico
Until quite recently, I had never heard of Loreto, Mexico. This little town in the state of Baja California Sur is on the east side of the peninsula, bordering the Sea of Cortés [Google map]. This little town has a big history in Las Californias, as home to the first Jesuit mission and capital of the Spanish territories on the Baja Peninsula and present-day California for over a century.
A few weeks ago, I read that the region was looking for California-based writers interested in visiting the town on a press trip, so I put my name in for consideration. A few days later I got an email inviting me to join the trip.
I’m leaving tomorrow, visiting as a guest of the Villa de Palmar, Loreto. I’ll spend four days exploring the Loreto area, visiting the historic mission, touring some of the protected islands off the coast, and snorkeling to see the rich marine diversity in the National Marine Park of Loreto Bay. When the organized trip ends on Saturday, I opted to stay a few days to explore independently, perhaps visiting another part of the state. The riverside town of Mulegé (1.5 hours north by bus) looks interesting, and a verdant contrast to Loreto’s arid ecosystem.
Kevin’s not coming on this trip and I’ll miss him, but I’m excited nonetheless. I’ve traveled extensively through Mexico in years past, but I haven’t yet made it to southern Baja. Loreto is only two-hours away from many California travelers (via direct flights out of LAX), so I’m eager to learn more about this relatively unknown, but easily accessible destination.
2. Toronto, Ontario – Canada
Less than a week after I return from Baja, we’ll leave for Toronto. We’re attending TBEX travel blogging conference for the second time and we’re excited to see some our blogger friends and no doubt make many more — there are over 1,000 attendees this year!
We’re flying in to Buffalo and driving north from there. I’m hoping to stop at Niagara Falls on the way. The Falls were a family vacation destination when I was young so I have good memories of the place, but Kevin has never been. In the days before the conference, we are taking some time to explore Toronto and are doing a culinary tour of nearby Stratford, Ontario, where we plan to gorge ourselves on locally produced chocolate, bacon, beer and cheese. (Photo: Steph Spencer)
3. Mendocino County, California
Over the Fourth of July weekend, we’re going camping with some good friends in year two of what I hope will be an annual tradition. Last year we went up to see the great Humboldt Redwoods on the Avenue of the Giants, but this year we are staying in another region we know and love, Mendocino County. Mendocino has lots of things to do with your dog, so we’re excited about doing more with the pups, who had to stay in the car for one of our hikes through a sensitive area last year.
We’ll also be really close to Boonville, which is home to only about 12 people who speak a dying local language called Boontling. I’m fascinated by this regional dialect and I hope to get the opportunity to speak to someone about it. Check out this recent video from the San Francisco Chronicle:
4. Cape May, New Jersey
Later in July, we are heading to this quaint seaside town for my sister’s wedding. It’ll be a relatively quick trip as I’ll spent two days driving my mother from Western Pennsylvania and back, but I’m hoping to get some time in at the beach before the big day. Either way, it will be great to see family members I don’t see often and celebrate with my two favorite lovebirds. (Photo: daveinmaine)
I am in Baja California right now too 🙂 But in Los Cabos! Nice plans and see you at TBEX 🙂
Oh, great! I’ve never been down to Cabo but I’ve been hearing a lot about it here in Loreto, curious to hear what you think! I thought about going down for a night or two but it’s just too far, I’m heading back to California on Wednesday. Looking forward to meeting you at TBEX!
Bummer I’ll miss you two in Toronto. Not making it this year.
Looks like you’re doing a good job hopping across the continent though 🙂
I’m really disappointed we won’t see you either, my friend! Kevin told me he was disappointed you weren’t coming, he was looking forward to seeing you! He doesn’t get the social media time with you — but that’s his own damn fault for avoiding it all 🙂
What are your plans, you’re still in Germany, right?
Wheeee! Sounds like you have an action-packed adventure ahead! Congrats on landing the press trip and thanks for including my photo. Can’t wait to see you both at TBEX! Wish we could hang out beforehand but I’ll be at BlogHouse most of the time.
Thanks, Steph! We’ll find a time to meet up, BlogHouse sounds really fun, I’m glad you’re doing that. Did I ask if you are going to the Travel Massive event on Thursday? I can’t remember. Excited to see you, at some point!
Isn’t that always the way—TBEX has never been anywhere near us, and now that we’re actually off on our trip, of course it’s being held in Toronto, which is our home base! I can’t believe how many cool people will be inundating my hometown, only for me not to be there to meet any of you! Gah!
Wait, what??? I thought you guys were from Tennessee? I thought that’s what I read somewhere. I was way off! But bah, traveling the world is way better than hanging out with fools like us to TALK about traveling 🙂 You’ll catch up with the bloggers you want to somewhere, someday! Have any tips for TO for us? We’re staying near Kensington Market for the first few days, then off to a friend’s house in the West part of the city (can’t remember the neighborhood)
Totally sounds like you guys are going to have a great summer! We are bummed too that we won’t be making it to TBEX Toronto! As we are in Ireland at the moment, we are hoping we can making it back to Dublin for TBEX. Have fun in Mexico! 🙂
I hope so! Actually traveling is way better than going to a silly travel conference 🙂 I’m glad you guys liked Ireland so much and hope you can make it back there. I’ve never been but really want to go. Unfortunately, we booked Toronto before learning about the Dublin conference 🙁
Sounds like you have great trips ahead of you! At this time, I’m planning on attending TBEX Ireland and hope things don’t change. We’re having lots of company this summer so I’m not sure if we’ll get to escape or wait until Fall.
That’s great, Debbie! I really wanted to go to that but had already planned Toronto. Oh well, I’ll make it to Ireland one day! Having guests is fun. For me it always leads to doing lots of local things that I wouldn’t normally do, so perhaps you’ll have opportunity to go on some adventures with your guests?
Sounds awesome, especially the writing opportunity!
Thanks, Vee! I’m having a great time in Baja right now and remembering our adventures in Mexico 🙂
Boontling!!! who knew?
I know, right? I read something about it last time we were up there, as some of the Anderson Valley Brewing Company beers are named after words in Boontling but I didn’t realize there were still some people who speak it! We’ll have to look into that when we are there!
‘locally produced chocolate, bacon, beer and cheese.’ — this is possibly the best possible combination of words in the English language. But it all sounds fun! I’d never heard of Boontling, but I love learning about disappearing languages and dialects.
That’s what I was thinking! The organized trip is called something like “Savor Stratford” but I think something like the “chocolate, bacon, beer, and cheese adventure” is a much better name 🙂 And yes, me too–I hate to think of languages dying. You can learn so much about a culture through its language, and there are thoughts that can be expressed amy other way. Cultures are changing so fast and we are losing so much!
Ooh, how was Villa del Palmar? I’m headed there in July. What kind of activities did you enjoy?
Also, super jealous of your summer plans! I’ll probably be traveling through Southern California with a possible jaunt to Seattle.
Hi Marissa, Villa del Palmar is a great place! It’s quite far from downtown, but there is a lot to do on site. Beautiful grounds and pools, snorkel/kayaks/stand up paddleboards available to use on the beach, and some hiking trails to great vistas right on site. And we went on day trips to San Javier mission and to Isla Coronado (which has many of the same animals I went to the Galapagos to see last year!) You’ll have a great time!
And I love SoCal, lived there for several years so let me know if you have any questions. And let me know if you are ever in the SF Bay Area 🙂