All Roads Lead to Home - The Best Places

Our family has a VERY full dance card this summer. We are going on a cruise, part of which is the wedding of a good friend of mine that I am blessed to be the Matron of Honor for. Our cruise ports in Key West and Cozumel, Mexico. 1 day after we return home, I am sending Taylor to sleep away camp for 2 weeks. For the duration of which we cannot be in contact. (Which she likely feels is a blessing.) After Tay spends several more days in Maine after camp ends, she will then fly down to NYC to stay with close friends of ours, where we will meet her a few days later in mid July for a long weekend as a family.

After several weeks of work (for us adults) and babysitting (for Tay) at home, we will then all go to Maine for a State Fair in August.

September ushers in birthday season, and I will also host my Sister’s Bridal Shower and Bachelorette weekend, which will take place in Key West.

So many moving parts….so many places to be. I look forward to all of the events that I get to be a part of….but all of this planning got me thinking…where are my favorite places (that I have been) on Earth?

(Note to the reader: I have not traveled extensively outside of the US, but have been to most States within the continental US)

Here are my top ten (so far,):

 Monterey, CA: This little seaside town was made famous by John Steinbeck’s Cannery Row. Now very touristy, it has retained some of its quaintness and is a less expensive alternative to its sister city to the South. I also had to proclaim this one a shout out as it was the location of my most important conception.

 San Francisco, CA: What’s not to love? The diversity, the cultures, the architecture are almost all unique to this beautiful city on the bay. Stroll through Chinatown, take a ferry to Alcatraz, amble through Pier 39. I was so happy and proud to take my personal living, breathing souvenir of ’95 back to San Fran and Monterey in the Summer of 2004.

 Cocoa Beach, FL: A gorgeous, neglected piece of Florida’s Northeast coast, it was home to me for a short time in my early 20’s. As a part of the Space Coast, it has struggled to hold its own. I was here during the first shuttle take off after the Challenger, which in this town, at the time, was a momentous occasion.

 Washington DC: Believe it or not, all of the greatest pieces of history are available to be seen at no cost. The first time I passed through here, I remember seeing the Constitution, the original document, under a thick piece of glass… and thinking, “Oh My God, I am reading the REAL Constitution!” I have since brought my daughter back to this place, once, with my Sister Lara when they also got to experience the Holocaust Museum among many other historical places and again when I sent her with her 5th Grade class.

 Chicago, IL: I visited this town for the first time as an accident. I was stuck (as I am sure many have been) on a layover in O’Hare. I spent the night many miles away from the airport in an uptown Hilton. I tried to get a slice of pizza the next day in a highly recommended Pizza place. After confirming that I was “lunch for one,” the host asked me if I wanted to have pizza. I looked around me and affirmed, “Yes, pizza for one.” He then advised that the restaurant had run out of cheese. (WTF?) One nursed beer and one HEAVY piece of Chicago pizza 2 hours later, I was one my way to the airport. I was impressed by the city, and its history…but not by it’s pizza. Too thick.

 New York City, NY: I went to this city for the first time to try to save my marriage; I was scared of everything and very young. The second time, I came when my Father was fighting for his life in Upstate NY, and he challenged me to take my Mom and my Sisters to the city, while he was having a quintuple bypass, which I did. The third time was just for me (and Tay) I was lucky enough that good friends of ours lived on the Upper East Side. My friend Deb, Taylor and I got to experience the city like locals. I am looking forward to doing it again soon,

 Bentonville, AZ: Yes, the birthplace of Wal-Mart. I found this little funky conundrum of a small town burg to be right up my alley. A mix of past and present, it contains small town living and big business all in one little cow patch. Plus, the best burger I have EVER had was in a little burger place right next door to the Wal-Mart Museum.

 Milo, ME: I was truly a fish out of water in Maine. I had zero experience with the quiet country living, but I found my husband’s hometown to be beautiful beyond words. What an amazing family he has…and I get to be part of it! What amazing New England homes. How I wanted to sneak across the street and see how THEIR home looked! (Those of you who know me know which home I am talkin’ about!) Milo has become a part of my heritage as well, and I am thankful and anticipatory. I am now also appeciative that this area will be part of Taylor’s upbringing.

 Boca Raton / Delray Beach, FL: I am a sucker for being at home. I live in paradise…and I for that I am lucky. Believe me, I never forget how beautiful my hometown is or how wonderful my life is.


 Key West, FL: This town holds my heart. I have visited endless times, I have shelves of books about it, I now know endless tales about its history and some of its more famous (and infamous) inhabitants. I now have friends and acquaintances there. I can point out and name the architecture when driving past it…Eyebrow, Bahamian, Queen Anne…all beautiful to me. There is such a sense of acceptance and love in this little island town that boasts such a great history.

Like some sort of groupie, I keep striving for even bigger stars in my travels. But, I have a feeling the all of the roads will lead me right back home.

Where are your favorite places?