Six things I miss about HOME when I’m traveling

January 23, 2015 by Beth Shepherd

I love to travel. Even when I long for the comfort of home, I always feel a little sad when we’re about to board that plane and head back. Here are six things I miss when I’m away from home:

1. My cat*: I think about her all the time when I’m on the road. Traveling without her makes me feel like I’ve left a family member behind. Because I have.

2. My bed: Even though I’ve slept in some very interesting beds–a straw bed in an Austrian B&B, and a rock hard Tibetan bed come to mind–in several really cool places, there is nothing like your own bed, your own pillow and being asleep in your own familiar bedroom. And yes, there she is again, that cute cat.* I can’t think about my bed without thinking about my cat. She’s slept by my, and now our, side for nearly 20 years. My bed always feels a bit empty when I’m traveling and she’s not in it.

3. My shower: Occasionally I’ve enjoyed an incredible shower when traveling. I remember some of those to this day! Showering nude with Little Bird in the outdoor shower on Kauai, large dual shower heads at the Oregon B&B in a silo. However, more often than not, I’ve had showers I’d like to forget, where there was no hot water–or no water at all. I still remember some of those to this day too (like not being able to take a shower the morning we left Armenia for our 36 hour adventure bringing home Little Bird). Plus, at home we have an awesome old claw-foot tub…and the best shower assistant, aka Maggie, the cat,* a family could want. She is always on the rug whenever someone is taking a bath or a shower.

4. My garden: I’ve had the good fortune to visit some amazing gardens and sit in adorable pocket-sized city parks. But in my garden, no one tells me I can’t walk on the grass (even though we have none) — I’m talking about you parks in Paris. I don’t have to worry about being propositioned while sitting on a park bench (Athens) or seeing some guy, or two guys on the same day in two separate parks enjoying himself (Athens, again). If I need a little respite, I can sit and watch the plants grow, listen to the birds tweet (I love those birdies!), dig my fingers in the soil, or grab a bite of fresh-grown veggies if I’m hungry. Maggie* likes the garden too, lounging in the sunshine, savoring a bit of catnip.

5. Water straight from the tap and fresh vegetables: This only applies when traveling abroad in certain destinations. When we visited China and Tibet nearly a month, and on our longer trips to Armenia, I really missed drinking fresh water that didn’t come from a bottle. I missed ice cubes too. And brushing my teeth with water that flowed freely from the tap. We always try to be super careful and–knock on wood–so far have not gotten sick (at least from water or food).

Not being able to drink water straight from the tap also means not eating any fresh veggies that may have been washed with water. Not being able to eat fresh vegetables really bums me out because I love them and would like to try some of unique fresh veggies I’ve encountered in far-flung locations. But I’ve heard stories from fellow travelers who did indulge, and they weren’t pretty. I’m not sure how to tie this into my cat,* other than she also enjoys water straight from the tap. And asparagus.

6. Being in one spot: Exciting as travel is, and as much as I wish I could travel quite a bit more than I currently do, being on the road and living out of a suitcase can get old. There is nothing like the security of familiar surroundings, sights and smells.

There is no place like home. With a cat.*

*And this is not a post about my cat. Well, maybe just a bit.

Take the road less traveled, Beth

Five things I miss about TRAVEL when I’m home

January 22, 2015 by Beth Shepherd

The road less traveled is the road I’d like to be on. I miss traveling and wish I could take trips more often. Remembering places we’ve been makes me happy, and dreaming about the places I’d like to go stirs my imagination. And I love hearing friends tell stories of their journeys, envious though I might be.

Here are a few things–and there are many more–I miss about travel:

1. Adventure: Hearing monks chant in Tibet and seeing the Mt. Everest are the types of adventures I wish I could have more of. Finding myself in unfamiliar settings, being surrounded by people speaking another language, not knowing what surprises might lie around the corner–I love it all. I’ve probably been to more places than the average person, but far fewer than many travelers I know. After all, this blog is hosted on a travel website! It’s hard not to feel envious when I scan blog posts and read travel memoirs. So when people ask why we chose to adopt from Armenia well, for one–duh–travel!

2. Trying new food! Whether it’s yak lung in Tibet or Lahmajun in Armenia (oh Lahmajun, how I miss thee), enjoying unfamiliar cuisine is thrilling to me. Shave ice in Hawaii, Gouda cheese in Amsterdam, champagne in Epernay. Stinky tofu might not go down in the record books as a food I’d try again, but telling the story of Big Papa’s memorable stinky tofu encounter always makes me laugh. Or remembering our lunch with a lama–and being served hot water instead of tea. Even the Parisien waiter who stiffed us by giving us change in foreign currency from around the world, not Euros, on our first trip together to France–I’ve filed him in my travel memories under food.

3. Meeting people: I have met some really fabulous people while traveling, like Sergei, our favorite Armenian painter whose artwork is on the wall in nearly every room of our house. Or my dear friend Hripsime who lives in the city where my daughter was born. Even fleeting encounters have turned into longer correspondence, like Karla–the incredible photographer I met while whale watching in Baja. And I still think about how lucky I was to run into two female Swedish travelers while camping in Matala, Greece. They were my companions for only a few days, but I got to see and do things I otherwise might not have traveling solo on a Greek island.

4. Stepping out of my comfort zone: Shop at the same grocery store, drive familiar routes–the habits and rhythm of my days at home, while enjoyable, don”t deviate much. When I’m traveling, every day is a new opportunity to do something different, see something I’ve never seen before, get lost, haggle, discover something–about a new place or about myself. It’s fun to shake things up a bit, good for the brain and good for the soul. If we hadn’t turned left at that corner, we never would have found the perfect little park for having lunch. If we’d stopped before the last switch on that trail, we would have missed the mind-blowing view.

5. Disconnecting: In our uber-connected first world lives, we are always in touch. Sure there’s something comforting about knowing I can see a familiar face on Facebook with one click on my keyboard, but when I travel I find it freeing to be “out of touch.” I can’t check my email at 17,00 feet in Tibet and you know what, I don’t even want to. It’s a relief to put the news aside for a few days, a few weeks, and not feel compelled, compulsive even, about checking in on social media. My senses awaken and suddenly I’m in touch with so much more–the world outside.

Take the road less traveled, Beth

The scent of spring

January 20, 2015 by Beth Shepherd

What was that heady scent, I wondered, as I stepped out onto our back deck? And then I remembered: the Sarcococca confusa (also known as Sweetbox) I replanted at the base of our stairs. A gardener friend had encouraged me to plant it in a spot we’d walk by on a regular basis. She promised that just when I’d had enough of winter, I’d find my Sarcococca in bloom, and its intoxicating fragrance would whisper, “Spring is in the air.”

Most of the year, the Sarcococoa is not a noteworthy plant, except that it thrives in locations where other plants wither, namely shade. It is frequently overlooked which is many a garden’s loss, because how many plants are shade-loving, winter blooming and fragrant? I’m so glad I moved it. For the next few months, whenever I’m feeling those Seattle rainy day blues, all I have to do is open my back door and inhale! Spring is on its way.

Sweetly breathing , vernal air,
That with kind warmth doth repair
Winter’s ruins; from whose breast
All the gums and spice of the East
Borrow their perfumes; whose eye
Gilds the morn, and clears the sky.
~ Thomas Carew, 1595 – 1645

Take the road less traveled, Beth

Three iconic Seattle sites by twilight

January 14, 2015 by Beth Shepherd

When I think of Seattle–my city by the Sound–surrounded by mountains and water, three images always spring to mind: Mt. Rainer, The Space Needle, and ferries. This trifecta is always iconic and, by twilight, spectacular.

Mt. Rainier

Mt. Rainier, with a summit elevation of 14, 410 feet is the highest mountain in both the state of Washington and the Cascade Range of the Pacific Northwest. An active volcano, Mt. Rainier is also the most glaciated peak in the contiguous United States.

The Space Needle

Built in 1962 for the World’s Fair, the Space Needle defines the north end of Seattle’s skyline. At 605 feet, it was once the tallest structure west of the Mississippi River.

Ferry lights

The Washington State ferry system is the fourth largest ferry system in the world. 22 auto-passenger ferries crisscross Puget Sound taking travelers to islands near and far.

Take the road less traveled, Beth

Oh the places we’ll go: A decade ago I boarded a ferry

January 9, 2015 by Beth Shepherd

A decade ago, I boarded a ferry. On a cold day in January, I headed to Bainbridge Island…with a man I’d never met before.

We went on a first date that nearly wasn’t. “Why waste a perfectly good Sunday afternoon on a date that won’t go anywhere?” is what Big Papa thought some ten years ago. But in fact, we did go somewhere.

On that snowy Sunday, we took a ferry to Bainbridge. We drove to the Bainbridge Island Winery for a wine tasting. Afterwards we headed to Fay Bainbridge State Park, and froze our booties sitting on a picnic bench at the park. Then, back in Seattle, we went to Coastal Kitchen for dinner. As first dates go, ours was a trip.

We’ve been going places ever since. Some of our destinations have been actual locations: Beijing, Tibet, Armenia, Paris, London, Amsterdam, Baja, Hawaii, and Colorado. And, just as frequently, we’ve traveled to places–metaphorically–that aren’t a place at all. Adoptive parenthood for one which, as most of my readers know, was the literal and figurative mother of all journeys. We’ve traversed family illnesses and passages, transformations of our home and garden, our lives.

In the grand scheme of things, ten years isn’t that long. But when I look back on our many adventures (and misadventures), it’s hard to believe a mere decade could hold them all. These days, while we might not be traveling to distant exotic locales–at least as much as this travel blogger would like to–more often than not we still seem to find ourselves on the road less traveled.

Happy ten year anniversary, Big Papa!

Oh the places we’ve been–and the places we’ll go.

Take the road less traveled, Beth

Merry Armenian Christmas

January 5, 2015 by Beth Shepherd

To my friends here in the U.S., and overseas, who celebrate Armenian Christmas on January 6: Շնորհավոր Ամանոր և Սուրբ Ծնունդ (Shnorhavor Amanor yev Surb Tznund).

Whether you celebrate holidays the Armenian way or with your own cultural and seasonal flair:

Merry Christmas

and

Happy New Year from Pampers and Pakhlava

Take the road less traveled, Beth

2015 takes flight

January 2, 2015 by Beth Shepherd

True hope is swift, and flies with swallow’s wings.

~Shakespeare

2015 began with a flat tire (and a grumpy toddler). Not exactly an auspicious start to the new year. Nonetheless, we managed to get ourselves to the Washington Park Arboretum for our annual New Year’s Day walk.

The air was crisp and the sky bright blue as we wound our way through the mile-long marsh trail. The trail meanders over a series of boardwalks and bridges along the north edge of Foster Island. These wetlands are a bird-lover’s paradise, filled with quacking ducks, diving cormorants, swooping swallows, buzzing hummingbirds and the sweet songs of sparrows (and, unfortunately, the ever constant hum of Highway 520 bridge traffic).

My spirit always feels renewed whenever I am near the water. There is something undeniably soul soothing about the sound of of the waves, birds bobbing in the water, and endless pools of blues.

Bottoms up to 2015

Take the road less traveled, Beth

Discovery Park: A winter walk to end the year

December 31, 2014 by Beth Shepherd

As the year winds down, Big Papa and I had the rare opportunity to go for a hike, sans child, in Discovery Park. Once Fort Lawton, a military facility, this city park is now the largest in Seattle. 534 acres of tidal beaches, meadow lands, sea cliffs, forest groves, sand dunes, thickets, streams, and an array of trails gives city folks–like us–a chance to escape.

Perched on Magnolia Bluff, the park offers breathtaking views of Puget Sound, which was one of our stops as we made our way along the 2.8 mile Loop Trail. The Loop Trail always amazes me, because as you hike the perimeter of the park, you find yourself in so many beautiful settings: beach, woods, and meadow.

Even in late December, with many of the trees and bushes stripped of their leaves, and few plants in bloom, there is so much color to be found. From chartreuse moss covering downed tree branches.

And Kelly green hanging ferns.

To the bright pop of burgundy on a dogwood.

Or clusters of tiny rose hip jewels.

Majestic shades of blue on wide-open Puget Sound.

And blue-gray mushrooms intimately nestled against a tree stump in the forest.

Our trip to the Discovery Park was made even more special–for Beth the bird lover–when we spotted a Pileated Woodpecker, decked out in his red cap and handlebar mustache. An uncommon siting for urban dwellers, watching him find an afternoon snack was a treat.

A winter walk was the perfect way to usher out the year. Farewell 2014.

Take the road less traveled, Beth

Twas the Afternoon Before Christmas

December 24, 2014 by Beth Shepherd

Twas the afternoon before Christmas.

And all through the house, not a creature was stirring (or so we thought).

The child was nestled all snug in her bed (as it turns out, not so much).

And mamma in her apron with Big Papa by her side,
had just settled our brains (because it had been one of those sorts of days).

When in the next room there arose such a clatter, we sprang from the kitchen to see what was the matter.

May your holidays be filled with peace–and maybe even quiet.

Take the road less traveled, Beth

Backstage at PNB’s Nutcracker

December 23, 2014 by Beth Shepherd

2014 is the swan song for PNB’s distinctive Nutcracker. After 31 years, the brainchild of Founding Director Kent Stowell and beloved children’s author and illustrator Maurice Sendak, bids adieu to northwest audiences. Next year there will be a new take on Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Nutcracker.

I hadn’t been to a performance for many years, and though sad to see Stowell and Sendak’s Nutracker move on, I really wanted one last parting visit. So a babysitter was secured, tickets were purchased, and Big Papa and I made our way across town on a quintessentially rainy December Seattle night.

Our evening was going to be noteworthy for one other special reason: we were going to have a backstage tour care of our cousin Lauren, who works for PNB. This opportunity was extremely exciting for me, because one of the unique things about PNB’s Nutcracker are the fantastical sets and costumes designed by Maurice Sendak.

Lauren met us at the stage side door and off we went…past the canons that, when fired during the show, always make me jump a foot off my seat. The Mouse King’s tail hung on a hook, looking more like a fire hose than the hindquarters of a rat.

We made our way by the ropes and pulleys–112 of them to be exact–that allow stage hands to position pieces of the set on stage, some weighing hundreds of pounds. Each rope had a label with its specific function, like operating the “snow bags” which send a flurry of faux flakes onto the stage at key moments to give the impression of winter.

Next we headed up the stage elevator to the loading gallery. Exiting the elevator we were asked if either of us was afraid of heights. I said no. Big Papa paused for a moment, and echoed my no.

Then we took a look over the edge. It was a long way down to the stage below. Emphasis on long way.

The ropes and wires reminded me of the rigging on a sailing ship. When you take into account how each piece of the set has to move in and out, up and down, you realize that what you see on stage, as a member of the audience, is just the tip of the iceberg.

Back at stage level, we took a closer look at all things Nutcracker, like Clara’s famous bed, which looks pretty uncomfortable, a fact confirmed by our lovely tour guide. Or the trusty steeds ridden by young boys. I picked one up and estimate it weighed at least 40 pounds, which is a lot of weight to carry if you intend to prance about on a stage.

We wandered by exquisite masks, and the aforementioned snow. The myriad details that seamlessly fall into place during the show.

There was the birdcage, the dollhouse, toy guns and swords, an enormous Christmas tree that unfolds at the strike of midnight, growing taller and taller to dizzying heights.

Waves of amazement washed over me as we meandered past each piece of the set, all the individual elements that–when put together–tell E.T. A. Hoffman’s story of young girl, Clara, who, on Christmas Eve, falls asleep after a party at her home and dreams herself into a world where toys become larger than life. Her beloved Nutcracker, a gift from her godfather, comes to life to defend her from the evil Mouse King, and then is turned into a prince after Clara saves his life.

Finally we made our way back to our seats and settled ourselves to watch the performance. When the curtain rose, I was in awe. Having had a rare glimpse of the Herculean efforts and minutia of coordination that happen behind the scenes, the performance seemed even more spectacular. I had wondered if knowing a few secrets of the set might spoil the mystery of our theater experience. It did not. If anything, it made our evening at PNB’s Nutcraker even more magical!

PNB’s Nutcracker continues through December 28. Catch a show while you still can!

Take the road less traveled, Beth

And a huge thank you to Lauren for a wonderfully memorable tour!