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Showing posts sorted by date for query travel diary. Sort by relevance Show all posts

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

TRAVEL DIARY: DESTINATION DENVER | CHAPTER 1 - FACING REALITY


HAPPY MID-WEEK, EVERYONE!

I HOPE YOU ARE ALL HAVING A LOVELY AND PRODUCTIVE WEEK SO FAR.

I'M BACK WITH AN ADDITION TO MY TRAVEL DIARY SERIES. in it, INSTEAD OF SHARING A TRIP WITH YOU, I WILL BE DOCUMENTING MY UPCOMING MOVE to COLORADO IN A SUB-SERIES OF TRAVEL DIARY POSTS TITLED DESTINATION DENVER.

THEY WILL EXPLORE MY THOUGHTS, ANXIETIES AND EXCITEMENTS, AS WELL AS affordable MOVING TIPS, apartment hunting AND PICTURES OF THE PROCESS - BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER.

these posts will include THE FUN AND UNEXPECTED MOMENTS, AS WELL AS THE SURE TO BE MISHAPS ALONG THE WAY. ALL IN HOPES OF LANDING ON MY FEET.

I HOPE YOU'LL CHOOSE TO JOIN ME AND SEE WHAT AWAITS or at least enjoy the pictures and perhaps gain bits of inspiration! ❤

DRESS: FOREVER 21

⤷ just me twirling about, like Julie Andrews in "The Sound of Music."

location: Aspen, Colorado - SUMMER 2016

necklace: TJ MAXX


chapter 1   |   facing reality



It looks as though a new adventure is upon me and a move to Colorado is on the horizon. After spending the summer in Aspen with family the state left its mark, and as much as I'd love to live in Aspen, the Mile High City of Denver appears to be the best, most logical, next step.

This is a true leap, as I only know a handful of people in the area, similar to my situation before moving to Los Angeles after college. Yet, I know what my heart is looking for in this life, though it has yet to find me, and it makes sense to expand my blog and business in a more affordable area.

Truth be told, I’ve always been a "big city" girl, having lived in London, Adu Dhabi, Los Angeles and New York City. In fact, I left a huge part of my heart in NYC after my last 3 years living there for the 2nd time.

Honestly, if I could afford to continue following my creative passion and growing my business on my own from there, I’d move back to Manhattan in a heartbeat. I know the city so well, from transportation to areas and restaurants, don't need a car, and have my closest childhood friends nearby.

Speaking of, they are the very friends I’m still not sure I’m going to be able to cope with not being near in my new chapter.  Yet, I also know I'll be able to set more money aside to visit a few times a year.

That said, each of them, and pretty much every other good friend I have, and have had in life, is now engaged or married with families of their own. My parents are selling my childhood home and moving to Arizona, and both my sisters have been married with kids and on their own path for years now.

Each of these factors has contributed to my thoroughly researching places that might be best suited for me, myself and I in my current situation. At my age, I feel I need to be smarter about it all, and a move to good size, but smaller, city might be the right thing at this stage of my life. 

As a single gal in my mid-late 30's, even if most everyone guesses I’m about 25, reality sets in a little harder. You have to plan accordingly, keep your head up, believe things happen for a reason and try to find your way and place - no matter how long that journey may take.  I thank my lucky stars, daily, that I have the incredible support of my family to help me through.

So, as things unfold, I plan to document them here in my Travel Diary series titled Destination Denver. This feature also creates the perfect writing outlet for me to express myself and get some of my inner feelings out.

For now, I’ll end chapter 1 with a little inspiration from my fortune cookie last night. It is rather relatable and quite fitting on a few fronts.

"A calm sea does not make a skilled sailor." 



Ultimately, we must ride out the rougher, sometimes unclear, path and direction in order to find our way, reach our true potential and discover lasting happiness in life - at least that's what I'm hoping. 

Until next time . . . 

Monday, October 3, 2016

TRAVEL DIARY: 72 HOURS IN DENVER, CO AND RAY LAMONTAGNE AT RED ROCKS


Happy Monday, Everyone!

First off, I want to wish my younger sister and awesome brother-in-law a Happy 7th Anniversary!
Their weeding was such a beautiful and magical celebration of love, and I look forward to many more years of happiness ahead!

Now, what better way to start the week than by looking back at my recent 72 hour extended weekend adventure in Denver, Colorado.  It was an incredible trip filled with endless, non-stop, fun-filled adventures around a beautiful city.  
Most of that is all thanks to the best tour guide a girl could have for the time I was there.  We packed so much into such a short time that I feel as though I really made the most of my time there and got a full experience filled with memories I'll never forget!  I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss my time there already.

We had the best time...
•  Exploring local breweries, like Station 28 Brewing Co, and the fun Octoberfest celebrations. 
•  Taking the Light Rail and sight seeing around downtown Denver, Larimer SquareUnion Station and it's beautiful terminal.
•  Visiting a number of delicious restaurants and bars, like Euclid Hall Bar & Kitchen, and trying late night fabulous food and cozy cocktails at Cart-Driver. 
•  Driving up in the mountains to see the aspen trees starting to change into their lovely golden yellow and walking around peaceful Summit Lake on a beautiful day.  
•  Seeing Ray LaMontagne in 6th row dead center at the beautiful Red Rocks Amphitheater on a gorgeous night, pure perfection!
•  Walking around Cherry Creek at sunset.  
•  Enjoying delish ramen outside at Uncle and so much more! 
Denver was am unplanned stop and trip that I'm glad I took a chance on and booked.  Yet another reminder to say, "yes" to opportunity and adventure whenever you find it before you in life.  

Plus, I got to see my friend Erin, whom I grew up with in Abu Dhabi.  We caught up over a yummy lunch at Sushi Den after 7 years of not seeing each other  So, it was a true win-win trip all around!

It's safe to say that Colorado has taken a piece of my heart, starting with my 2 weeks in Aspen, and I'm looking forward to all that may be ahead.  Until then, let's get to some pictures! 
Station 28 Brewing Co in Denver, Colorado.
Sampling some of Station 28 Brewing Company's great beers,
I chose the Octoberfest to go with the event.
Larimer Square in Downtown Denver.
Appetizer and drinks at Euclid Hall in downtown Denver, Colorado.
We got a local draft beer, Monte Castillo Tempranillo and Pickled Sampler.
Beautiful Terminal at Union Station in downtown Denver Colorado.
Late night Happy Hour and dinner specials at Cart-Driver in downtown Denver, Colorado.
We got their Happy Hour Perfect Manhattans, Daisy Pizza and Sardines & Toast.
Exploring the beautiful mountains in Denver on a pretty day.
Walking around peaceful Summit Lake in the mountains of Denver, Colorado.
Seeing the gorgeous Aspen Trees turing golden yellow up in the mountains.
Magical Red Rock Amphitheater
Photo Credit: Brian Stowell via Ray LaMontagne's Instagram

The above image is not mine, but I ove how this captures the magical night
and it's fun that I'm in the picture dead center.
Ray LaMontagne Ouroboros Tour 2016 at Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Photo Credit: Andrew Coonan

Walking around stunning Cherry Creek at sunset.
Photo Credit: Andrew Coonan
Yummy ramen dinner outside at Uncle in Denver, Colorado.  

We got the Pork Belly Buns, Garlic Edamame, Kimchi Ramen, Veggie Ramen, Saki,
Asian Pacific "Tiger" Lager and Trapiche Broquel Malbec. 
Veggie Ramen with the egg.
Early morning pre-flight wake-up and my first Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season.
Gorgeous sunrise at Denver International Airport and having mixed emotions about leaving.

ALL of the above images by Liesl Ehardt unless otherwise noted.

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In September 2017, a year after I posted this blog, I am officially moving to the Mile High City from the Big Apple!  You can follow my adventures, move, apartment hunt and more in my Destination Denver series! 





Monday, September 26, 2016

TRAVEL DIARY: DAY IN SEDONA, ARIZONA ON A RED ROCKS ADVENTURE


Happy Monday, Blogland!

Visiting Sedona, Arizona has been on my Ladder List, my name for a Bucket List, for some time and this summer I got to do just that.  While visiting my best friend from college for a few days, we took a road trip to Sedona for a fun day trip!

It truly was a beautiful trip and such a charming area.  The Red Rocks are far more vivid than I had imagined and although it was hot, it was still such a great place to explore.

Our adventure included walking through the town, enjoying a quick lunch with a view, taking a trolly tour of the red rocks, visiting a beautiful church on the hill and a refreshing smoothie before calling it a day.

Without further ado, I present our Sedona adventure Travel Diary!
My best friend from college and take a road trip to Sedona for a fun adventure.
Quick lunch stop for a tasty burrito bowl from the Chipotle in Sedona with bar seating overlooking the Red Rocks.
Pretty church up on the hill amongst the Red Rocks with a beautiful view.
Walking through the Red Rocks, such a pretty area! :)
Yummy strawberry banana smoothie from Pink Java Café in Sedona.

ALL of the above images by Liesl Ehardt unless otherwise noted.
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by Liesl Ehardt