Myakka State Park

Myakka River State Park is one of Florida's oldest parks! We visited in late January, and it was quite fantastic! A highlight of our time at the park was an airboat cruise. The airboat, Myakka Maiden, is the largest passenger covered airboat in the world!

I didn't take many photos on the cruise because I was on.the.edge.of.my.seat the entire time! There were gators all over the place. Below is an audio clip I captured of the introductory words of Jamie, the boat's captain. He did a phenomenal job throughout the 90 minute cruise of giving us background information and a host of facts about alligators and the local ecosystem!

Sunken Gardens

A special stop on the Florida getaway was to the Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg! It's over 100 years old. Once a personal garden, it is now owned and maintained by the city. It was a great place to explore for a couple hours. Beautiful, lush greenery and gorgeous flowering plants. A special treat in late January!

After the gardens, Justin found an awesome off-the-beaten-path coffee shop called Black Crow Coffee.

Update and Recommendations

Summertime, summertime. Oh how I love thee. It's been a summer of work and play and adventure. Back in June, while working through my Lara Casey Powersheets, I picked a word for these precious months. I picked the word SAVOR - which means "to give oneself to the enjoyment of."

So that's been the main item on my daily agenda. Savor it all. Every single drop. Work and play and breakfast and bedtime and adventures and databases and vegetables. Family and friends. Savoring all of it!

I'm trying my best to release the stuff that doesn't really matter - and focus on all the goodness with a spirit of gratitude.

Work has been wonderful lately; I don't talk about it much here or on social media. So this is a quick pause to say: I love my job and my colleagues and the folks I get to serve. The work itself is rewarding and enjoyable. It's a great gig, and I'm loving it. 2.5 years into the Director of Communications position, and I'm finding a definite sweet spot.

Now - a few recent travel recommendations! I went to see some friends in IL last Monday! It was a quick trip full of laughing and conversational bliss. A few of the stops...

Blackberry Farm in Aurora, IL

My friend, Joy, and I went here with her two little guys. It was so fun, interesting, and clean! What a grand place for kids and families. Big fan!

Flight Deck Bar and Grill in Rochelle, IL

I highly recommend the cobb salad! It's gluten-free. And it came with a side of SKYDIVERS! You can literally watch people skydiving right from the restaurant. 

H-Mart in Naperville, IL

Oh me, oh my. I was afraid this place was too out of the way, but Joy insisted because she knows me very well. And she knows that there are few places on earth that bring me as much joy as a Korean grocery store. I think H-Mart is my secondary love language. :) 

Woory Market in Schaumburg, IL

On Tuesday morning I woke up and headed into Schaumberg to see my friend, Yoojin! We hung out at the library and then stopped by another Korean grocery store. I loaded up on red bean paste and seaweed. I actually teared up at this market. I'm not sure why. I think it was happiness to be seeing Yoojin and total gratitude for the Chicago years. 

Schaumburg Township District Library in Schaumburg, IL

Awesome library with a great little cafe! Yoojin and I each had a cup of tea. 

Janesville Visitors Center in Janesville, WI

On my drive back to Stewartville, I pulled off of Interstate 90 at the Janesville exit. I'd never been there and wanted a stretch break. So I gave myself 90 minutes to explore! First top: the visitors center. GREAT stop! Very helpful recommendations, maps, brochures, and coupons! 

Rock County Historical Society in Janesville, WI

This was my primary Janesville stop, and I learned a bunch! Then I got back in the car and headed home. If you have any special interest in Abe Lincoln (he stayed overnight at the house next door) or Pickard China, then it's definitely worth a stop! 

Norman Borlaug Homestead

On my way home Saturday I stopped by the childhood home and one-room schoolhouse of Norman Borlaug.

It is well-worth a stop!

#welcatg

These are a few of my favorite things: 

-travel

-people

-social media

-writing

-hotels

-hotel towels

-southern accents

-photography

-awesome women

-adventures

-airplanes

-taxi cabs

-guided tours

EXCITING NEWS ALERT:

I'll be incorporating all of the aforementioned favorite things into my life from July 23-July 27 in Charlotte, North Carolina. I've been invited to be on the social media crew for the Ninth Triennial Gathering of the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Awesome! Yahoo! Yippee! Rejoicing! Glee! 

I'm so thrilled! This will be an amazing opportunity to participate in an inspiring event and share about it with others. All be using Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and this blog every step of the way (#welcatg). 

Wednesday, July 23 = travel day

Thursday, July 24 = touring Charlotte and enjoying dinner with the other social media folks, Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, WELCA staff, and other awesome folks 

Friday, July 25-Saturday, July 26 = the official gathering

Sunday, July 27 = worship and journey home

Highlights I'm most looking forward to:

-Hearing Susan Sparks (she's a lawyer, pastor, AND comedian!)

-Exploring Charlotte, North Carolina

-Meeting women from around the country

-Attending interesting workshops

Thank you, WELCA for this opportunity!

I am thrilled and deeply thankful. 

Explore Wisconsin

I recently had a brief, delightful trip to the lovely state of Wisconsin. Some highlights....