The Great Salt Lake

Good news! Lauren and I (the authors behind this here blog) were able to have some adventures together last week! She came to stay with me and we had a blast. One of my favorite adventures was our trip to see THE Great Salt Lake.

(enjoy this obvious song choice to go with the post. i'm not sure what the video has to do with SLC though...)

We arrived as the sun was setting- one of the best times to visit a lake. The sun glistened off the water and cast stunning flares over the west mountain.

The views around the lake are incredible. Mountains in the distance and salt flats for miles.

It's a pretty dry area considering there's a lake. I am sure there are better times of year to visit, times when the lake is more full. But no matter when you visit, be prepared for the smell... Oh ya, it stinks. You kind of get used to it until you get in the car and realize it's sorta stuck around.

I haven't been out to Antelope Island yet, but that is on my goal list. But just visiting the marina is a good time and a great place for photos.

Be aware that this isn't a lake you go to swim in, or fish, or lay on the beach... This is more of a- look how pretty it is but don't touch anything and plug your nose- kind of trip... Ok, doesn't sound appealing when I put it that way, but trust me, it's worth seeing. I guess we didn't visit the right spot, further north is the place to be- apparently.

Some fun facts about The Great Salt Lake:
- It's the largest lake West of the Mississippi, it's 75 miles long and 35 miles wide
- It has the highest salt content next to the Dead Sea, it's salty because it doesn't have an outlet
- You can float in the GSL because of all the salt
- If you head about an hour north of SLC you can visit the Spiral Jetty (I'll try to do a post on that soon)
- There used to be lots of fun things to do at the GSL, including a roller coaster
- The GSL is the remnant of Lake Bonneville, a great ice age lake

Reaching the lake from Downtown SLC only takes about 20 minutes, unless you're looking for more of a recreational beach. Then it'll take longer.

I fully plan on returning to the lake and getting the full experience. Maybe one day I'll be brave enough to test the waters (to see what it's like to float without trying)... Or maybe I'll just take everyone's word for it.

Stone Mountain

This last February I was able to visit my sister and her family in Atlanta, GA. One morning, my sister, oldest niece, and I went out to hike Stone Mountain.

This is an easy hike that almost anyone could do. The hardest part is at the end where it gets steep. But they do have handrails to make it easier. My sister (pictured below) is climbing without the handrails and was 5 months pregnant with her 4th child. She's a champ.

The view is amazing. It's pretty much the only spot IN Atlanta where you can have a view like this. 

I know, I know, we're awesome.

I loved being able to see the city and then on the opposite side you could see the Appalachians through the clouds.

Stone Mountain is a great hike for those visiting Atlanta who want to get away from the city, plus I know there's a lot of other things to do inside the park as well.

Waialua Bakery

Ya ok, I know what you are thinking. "another Hawaii post?". But let's be real here..you aren't even mad. The answer to your other question is.. Yes I am trying to convince all of you to move to Hawaii.
So I figure I can win you all over with food. I know it would work for me.
This bakery is well..scrumptious. The sandwiches are as big as your face {as shown in the picture above}. They are fresh and amazing and well lets just say I will not eat all day so that I can finish the entire thing.

As you can see...the fam agrees! When we go to Maui we even say we would fly over to Oahu just for a sandwich!

Oh and then once you have eaten your weight in delicious goodness...you of course have to "force" down one of their homemade ice cream sandwiches. I mean you really just have no choice in the matter once you get a look at them.

So you are gonna meet me there right? I figured! Oahu -> Haleiwa -> Waialua Bakery -> Heaven on earth.

Bon appetite! 

Gaston's Tavern

Disney World (as many of you know) has been expanding their "Fantasyland". They've added some new things and as far as I know, haven't finished! I was able to visit WDW this last February with my sister and her family. We had a blast and enjoyed every minute.

One of our favorite stops in the new Fantasyland was Gaston's Tavern. They serve pork shanks, gooey cinnamon rolls, and their signature "La Fou's Brew". This is supposed to be what the characters are drinking in the movie (we all know what it REALLY was). It's an apple cider- toasted marshmallow mixture with a passion fruit foam on top.

I plan on trying some recipes to see if I can come up with something similar. It was amazing! I will let you know if I can perfect it!

Haleakala Crater

Haleakala Crater is located on the island of Maui. (Surprised? I didn't think so.)
The sunrise on top of this volcano is a MUST see. Even though you have to wake up and get going at the butt crack of dawn...it's totally worth every chilly, yawning moment. Seriously. Worth. It.

The very highest point of the crater measures in at 10, 023 feet tall. It's so insane to look out and see the clouds beneath you. And then you catch a teeny tiny glimpse of light and all the sudden the sun is coming up. It is amazing.

This sunrise will absolutely and instantly be at the top of the list of any sunrise you have ever seen. 

You'll want to be prepared so you can enjoy every minute of it so here's what you need to take with you:

wear- warm pants, warm shirt and light but warm jacket. It's chilly up there! It's mighty early and the sun is not out AND you are above the clouds. It's cold. Also wear comfy running or hiking shoes so you can be sure to make it up to the very top!

Bring some snacks and water with you so you can stay up there for a while and enjoy it!

&

DO NOT forget your camera! This is an obvious must but could be forgotten in your sleep drunken state of mind at 2:30 am. So maybe pack it up the night before.

So who is up for a trip to Maui just so you can see this sunrise? I thought so. See you there!

Travel In Style

I feel so lucky that Megan is able to guest post for us today. I've loved and followed her blog for a long time now and she's always been one of the nicest. She has great style so it's no wonder we asked her to help us learn how to travel in style.

Hi! I am Meg and I am the blogger behind Across The Pond.

I was asked to share my tips on how to travel in style with limited space.

I actually don't think I am the most stylish traveler out there,

but I have picked up some tricks along the way for the rookie traveler wanting to be cute and practical.

Most of us expats will tell you the trick is to pack clothes that can easily be layered.

It is spring in Europe right now,

except up until a day or two ago,

you would have thought it was the dead of winter.

So just because life tells you it is spring in April,

does not mean that is the reality of the weather,

especially in places throughout Europe.

1. Always pack a coat (lightweight for spring/summer/fall and a heavy down coat for winter) 

my trick: wear the coat on the plane so you dont have to pack it and take up room. Plus it seconds for a blanket or pillow ;)

2. Thermal tights are gods greatest gift. They don't take up much space, and they are a great way to transition from day to night when the temperature drops. 

my trick: wear them under leggings during the colder months

3. One pair of heels, either black or nude. This is for the fancy dinner out where you want to leave the flats at home and feel sexy

my trick: bring a large purse and stowe a pair of flats in it for walking around before and after dinner. When traveling you are probably walking a lot and taking public transportation, so bring a back that can carry an extra pair of comfy shoes for when you decide to ditch the heels

4. A classic black dress, or in my case a jumpsuit.

5. A Blazer or leather jacket for when you dont need an actual coat but want something cute to keep the chill at bay or cover yourself with. Doesn't take up much room and an easy layering tool

my trick:  layering jackets

6. Comfy basic sweater: to cozy up in at night or during cold days

7. basic tees. white, gray, black

8. one statement piece: a colorful skirt, top etc

9.  Accessories to dress up a basic outfit: hat, sunglasses, jewelry.

10. And lastly, of course, comfy shoes to walk around all day in. I have found the shoe brand, Naturalizers, to be the best thing to happen to my feet, and to my back. They are not always the cutest, but they are basic and so comfortable.

And that is all I've got.
Again, these are tips for traveling throughout Europe :)

Happy Traveling!

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Exit Glacier

One of my favorite spots in Alaska was Seward, and just outside of there is Exit Glacier. There's a specific trail that leads right up to the glacier, the hike has a few difficult spots/ a few spots where you want to hold the hands of little ones, but overall it's a hike that most people could do.

There are little signs along the trail that teach you about Exit Glacier and glaciers in general, which makes the hike interactive for kids.

Then after you've hiked to the glacier, there's just a short drive back to town where they have restaurants and other things to do.

It's about a 2 hour drive from Anchorage, but completely worth it if you have the time.