Do you find yourself reflecting on the positive at the end of the day? Or do you instead dwell on the struggles and stresses?
I’ve been feeling overwhelmed and unsettled for some time now. It’s a combination of factors, but more often than not it leads to me getting into bed focusing on the troubles over the triumphs. When I try to think of a plan to make things better, I end up overwhelming myself more and just feeling…stuck.
Anyone else relate?
Today, I’m trying to change that narrative. I got home earlier than usual from work, and used that time to be productive instead of doing my usual zone-out-and-dwell-on-my-exhaustion. I created a Link Tree and made an Amazon Storefront as part of my plan to create a more streamlined and organized teach.explore.repeat brand.
But one thing I realized when I created the Link Tree…if I was going to put this site up on it, I’d better get an updated post on here! Before today, the last post that I had was in November, as part of a failed attempt to write every day during the annual Gratitude Challenge that I participate in. When that didn’t work out, I got frustrated and turned away from the blog, using the excuse that I wouldn’t have the time to write in it daily. As more time passed, thoughts of it lingered in the back of my mind, but I just didn’t know how to begin again.
Today, I’m glad I finally showed back up. This website was the first thing that I set up after creating @teach.explore.repeat, but I have not been a faithful writer. That needs to change. While I think setting the goal of writing daily is unrealistic at the moment, there’s no reason why I can’t write at least weekly, if not bi-weekly.
So, in short, this entry was the best thing to happen to me today! Here’s hoping it kick-starts some writing consistency. Drop a comment below or DM me on Instagram to let me know what you want me to write about in the future!
This year, the familiar adage “April showers bring May flowers” has seemed to ring true. April brought warmer temperatures (yay!), but with that came a number of those rainy days so characteristic of early spring.
I don’t mind a good rainy day here and there. I tend to use them as an excuse to be a little less active than I typically am- those who know me well know that sitting still isn’t my forte, so I welcome rainy days as much-needed lazy time. Plus, on one recent rainy day, I got the bonus of getting to see this gorgeous rainbow come out over Sunken Meadow State Park:
Honestly, this was incredible to witness. Plus, it didn’t fade quickly- it lingered, which made the whole showing even more impressive
So no, the rain hasn’t been bad. On the contrary, it’s resulted in some pretty powerful messages of hope (and it’s allowed for more Gilmore Girls binging. Nope, still not done yet. Not even through Season 3 yet…I’m a slow TV binger.).
But, now that we’re only a month and a half away from summer, I’m getting more and more antsy for consistently warmer and sunnier days- and that’s especially true today, when the Northeast has been experiencing record lows. It’s snowing on Long Island. SNOWING.
Today is clearly an anomaly (at least I really hope so), and there actually have been a few of those warm and sunny days over the last couple weeks. I’ve been doing my best to take advantage of them by going on scenic drives- my own mini social distance road trips.
Many of these drives have taken me east, to Long Island’s North Fork. Exploration right now is limited, but the North Fork offers seemingly endless opportunities for following social distance guidelines while still enjoying the beauty that makes up the east end of Long Island.
At first, I wasn’t sure how to approach these trips. By driving all the way out along the North Fork, I would reach Orient Point- the northeastern end of Long Island. Though Orient was the end goal (no pun intended), I didn’t just want to drive straight there and back. I wanted to take advantage of the lack of crowds and find places along the way that I wouldn’t normally have stopped at.
To try to reach those “off the beaten path” spots, I ended up doing a combination of planning ahead and winging it. Before driving, I researched lesser-known spots on the North Fork and kept a list of the places that seemed most intriguing. While on the drives, I went to those bookmarked places, but I also used my phone’s map to find other parks, overlooks, and beaches that seemed intriguing. Then, I’d just head in their direction, and hope for the best.
And guess what? It worked! I came across many spots that I never knew existed, and relished the opportunities to spend time outside, surrounded by the natural beauty of these places.
Take Peconic Bay Park in Laurel/Mattituck:
Between the beach grass and the perfect bay-side house, Peconic Bay Park presented beautiful scenery
This park offers serene views of Peconic Bay and the Peconic River, framed by fringes of beach grass. Plus, just across the street is the Husing Pond Preserve, which offers a nature trail and views of an osprey nest built into the surrounding pond:
A playground, gazebo, and a shoreline dotted with houses that I would move into in a heartbeat (when I win the lottery) are some of the defining features of South Jamesport Beach. This spot in Jamesport quickly became a favorite stop of mine. Though there were only a few people scattered around when I visited, it was easy to see how this could be a great location for families to spend a lazy summer afternoon. There are also tennis and basketball courts in the nearby park for those who’d rather work up a sweat than work on their tans.
Another spot worth mentioning is Truman’s Beach, just west of Orient Point. Though not off the beaten path- it’s located right off of Main Rd./Route 25 and is popular with local fishermen- it stood out to me because of the history attached to it. At this spot, Commodore Stephen Decatur, an American war hero from the War of 1812, dropped anchor while on his way to New York City. Earlier that year, Decatur and his ship, the USS United States, had encountered the British ship HMS Macedonian while en route to Madeira, Portugal. There, in the Atlantic Ocean, the two ships battled, with Decatur and the United States ultimately claiming victory. Decatur returned home with the United States, as well as the Macedonian– his prize for defeating it. These ships, along with others that had helped to defeat the Macedonian, took part in a victory tour, which took them along the Long Island coast and Truman’s Beach as they made their way to NYC.
Coastal history at Truman’s Beach. Anyone else a sucker for a historical marker, like me?
When taking a social distancing road trip, keep in mind the businesses along the way (if you’re comfortable with it, and able to do so). There were many local places open along my North Fork drives that offered safe ways to provide support. I can’t write about these trips out east and not shout out to Main Road Biscuit Co. in Jamesport. I hope some of you hear me when I say that biscuits are a lifestyle. There’s something about that buttery, flaky lump of grain that just makes me happy. So, when I first had biscuits from Main Road last summer, I was ecstatic to find that they deliver on their biscuit game in every way. Currently, they are open for pick-up orders on the weekends, which gave me an opportunity to support a local business AND to satisfy my biscuit indulgence. $10 gets you four generously sized biscuits, plus an assortment of butters and fruit preserves on the side (their honey butter is incredible). If you’re not craving biscuits, chances are that you’ll still find something crave-worthy on their menu. On one of my trips, I tried the House Made Granola Bowl, which is made with a delicious maple-coconut granola. Like the biscuits, it did not disappoint.
Take out from Main Road Biscuit Co. seems to taste even better when enjoyed in Greenport Village
In my last post, I wrote about pushing back when you started feeling overwhelmed during quarantine. If you’re looking for ways to push back while also supporting local, one goal you can set is to try to improve your green thumb. Lavender-by-the-Bay in East Marion offers that chance- show up with your mask on, socially distance yourself from any other customers who may be there, and take home your own lavender baby. They offer lavender plants in a variety of sizes, for both indoors and outdoors. They also have an array of other lavender-based products available, from sachets to essential oils. You can view a complete list of their products for sale here, and even order online if you’re not able to get out to the farm. I took an outdoor plant home and am already seeing little purple buds sprouting on it!
Lavender-by-the-Bay has set up shop outdoors to be able to still sell during quarantine
More important than anything else, planning and taking these mini road trips is FUN. With a whole list of things that we aren’t able to do right now, it’s easy to feel like having fun has also been cancelled. I don’t know if it’s just me, but there are times that I have to remind myself that fun can- and should– still continue, even if that means finding new ways to do so. It’s really just another way to push back the negative during these uncertain times.
Have you taken any social distancing road trips? If so, what did you like or dislike? Let me know in the comments below!
“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger- something better, pushing right back.”
-Albert Camus
I know…it’s not winter. But we’re in some bleak times right now, and this quote has been popping into my mind frequently over the last month and a half. I gratefully count myself amongst the lucky ones- healthy, teaching from home, communicating with loved ones- and I still find myself having that middle-of-winter-gloom feeling more often than I’d like.
It’s been difficult to go this long without knowing when we can make definitive plans again. So, this is where I’m doing my best to turn back to that Camus quote. Yes, things are definitely pushing against all of us right now- some feeling heavier pressure than others.
But that’s exactly when we need to continue to push back and not let the weight of what’s going on consume us. Pushing back can mean whatever you want: trying out a new recipe once a week. Dedicating an hour (or even a half hour) each day to reading a new bestseller- or rereading an old favorite. Establishing some sort of workout routine- whether it’s walking, running, taking advantage of free online classes (check out Alvin Ailey’s dance classes here), or getting creative at home with strength training (for me, that means Netflix-binging Gilmore Girls– for the first time- when it’s time for an arm workout. I know, I can’t believe I’ve never seen Gilmore Girls before, either).
I’m gonna be honest with you- some days, pushing back is really difficult for me. On those days, doing so might simply be “I cleaned up a few things around the place, and that’s about all I can do today.” Having days like that is nothing to be disappointed or ashamed about. Just try to pick yourself back up the next day and continue to move forward.
One of the ways that I’m pushing back is by starting to plan out a pretty epic post-quarantine road trip that I’m hoping to make happen this year. Even if timing doesn’t work out and the trip has to take place at a later date, taking the time to plan this trip has been my way of bringing that travel rush back, and getting excited for brighter days to come.
HERE’S MY PLAN!
(Nerd alert ahead. My true history nerd colors are about to come out with this trip idea, so just know that you were warned…)
A road trip re-tracing Lewis and Clark’s journey.
See?! Hear me out with it, though!
In 1803, then-President Thomas Jefferson asked Meriwether Lewis & William Clark to explore the new territory that the U.S. had just bought from France. The Louisiana Territory was a massive piece of land- it doubled the size of the country. So, L&C had a pretty intense task. Their round-trip journey spanned two years (1804-1806). It took them from their starting point, just outside St. Louis, Missouri, all the way to the Pacific Ocean, near Astoria, Oregon (already on my short list because of its Goonies fame. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, please do yourself a favor and make watching The Goonies one of your easier ways to push back one day). On the way, they encountered and recorded plants and animals unknown to Americans at the time, as well as incredible scenery that they wrote about in their journals.
Road trip from St. Louis to the Pacific Coast? Sign me up. PLUS, I teach about L&C every year, so what better way to bring those lessons alive than to share some adventures with my students?
Planning a road trip can get overwhelming quickly- the possibilities of what you can do on any given route are immense- so my advice is to narrow down at least a basic list of objectives that you want to get out of your trip. I’m not saying to throw spontaneity out the window- far from it, but you need a sense of direction so that you don’t get completely lost, both literally and figuratively.
For this particular trip, I’m focusing on the history of the places that I stop at. I also want to plan opportunities to enjoy the scenery and present-day culture that the states I drive through have to offer. As I plan, I’m making sure that the stops I choose feature these objectives. I’m not even halfway done with planning yet, but I’m looking forward to continuing my research and, one day, being able to share the results with you.
The fact that this trip ends in Oregon is an added bonus. I’ve been to Oregon once before, about five years ago, and have wanted to return ever since. I can honestly say that during that trip, I really felt like I was in that invincible summer that Camus describes. Maybe it’s the laid-back attitude that Oregonians have (although, please don’t make the mistake that my group did and call it “Ore-gone”. We learned very quickly that we’d been mispronouncing it our whole lives). It could be the fresh mountain air around Mt. Hood, or the crisp Pacific air when you get to the coast. Regardless, it’s a state that I cannot wait to get back to.
Cape Kiwanda, Pacific City, ORshowing off those classic, rugged Pacific coastlines
A few Oregon highlights worth mentioning:
Portland, OR: Though not the capital of Oregon, Portland is one of the state’s most well-known cities. It’s a smaller city that is very walker friendly, and on this trip, our group spent an entire day walking around to get a feel for it. Its motto, “Keep Portland Weird,” shows up in the quirky characteristics of the city. For example, Portland has an insanely awesome collection of food trucks stationed throughout the city. Over 600 trucks, located in groups, or pods, on various blocks, provide a fix for whatever you’re craving at the moment. For me, it was gourmet grilled cheese and crepes. Recommend the combo 100%.
Seriously gorgeous floral displays at the Oregon Garden
The Oregon Garden/The Oregon Garden Resort, Silverton, OR: An hour outside of Portland, Silverton is home to the Oregon Garden: a stunning 80-acre botanical garden. The Oregon Garden Resort is located on the botanical garden grounds. Hands down, it is one of the most enjoyable places I have ever stayed. Its serene atmosphere evokes an inviting, lodge-like feel, which continues into each guest room, as all are equipped with gas fireplaces and private patios. At night, we went to the Resort’s Fireside Lounge, where live music, a well-stocked bar, and board game-playing by the fireplace is encouraged. After, as we walked back to our rooms, we were reminded to take a moment to stop and look up at the sky. The display of stars was breathtaking, and it was here that I saw my first shooting star one night, followed by about a dozen more. Icing on the cake? The room rate cannot be beat (check out their website for more information).
Cape Kiwanda, Pacific City, OR: An hour and a half drive from the Oregon Garden Resort brings you to the famed Highway 101 and Pacific City, a coastal town that is home to Cape Kiwanda. We spent a day out here climbing and surfing down the sand dunes on the cape, as well as exploring the nearby hiking trails, which offered a lot of natural beauty. When we got hungry, we grabbed a bite at Pelican Pub & Brewery, which offered beach views along with their own line of fantastic craft beer. Fun fact: Their website has a live webcam of Pacific City, so you can see the beauty of the beach with its iconic rock formation jutting out of the ocean for yourself.
You really can’t dream up this scenery. Plus, the hiking trails also feature gravity-defying trees adorned with a variety of bottles.
In addition to future-trip planning, writing this blog is another way for me to push back during this time of uncertainty. I’m encouraging you all to find whatever it is that keeps you moving forward.
One final note: I can’t close this post without shouting out a major THANK YOU to everyone who continues to work outside of their homes on the front lines, doing all that they can to keep us protected. Sending love and prayers your way. Here’s hoping that you get your invincible summers soon- you more than deserve it. Stay safe.
It’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment that I fell in love with travel. I didn’t grow up in a family that traveled a lot, but when we made our annual Disney World/visiting-family-in-Florida pilgrimage that’s become so familiar to many Long Island kids, there was nothing I was more excited for. I remember the rush of adrenaline I got when I stepped onto a Disney-bound plane for the first time when I was five years old. Twenty-seven years later, that travel rush hasn’t just stayed with me- it’s grown stronger as I’ve gotten older and more travel opportunities have made themselves available.
I’m sure many of you have felt that travel rush and, like me, try to find the time and budget (this would be so much easier if money wasn’t involved, but alas…) to create opportunities to catch that rush again. I know it’s not always easy to do- as a teacher, I’m bound to a specific schedule that travel and airline companies are all too well aware of- but I also know that it’s worth the effort.
In this blog, I want to share that travel rush with you. There’s a hell of a lot of small towns, big cities, and everything in between that I need to check off my travel list, and I plan to share those experiences here. Planning a trip can be overwhelming, so I’m hopeful that the experiences shared in this blog can help you out in some small way. Be prepared for some history as I come across it- after all, what kind of social studies teacher would I be if I DIDN’T share my historical finds with you?
I want to hear about your experiences, too. Tell me what worked for you and what didn’t; what you recommend doing or where you recommend traveling next. I promise I’ll be honest with you- what was great, what (in my opinion) wasn’t worth a second visit. You may agree wholeheartedly, you may be conflicted, or you may disagree and scream obscenities at your screen- and that’s fine (I guess). No matter what, I hope we both come out of this with a continued desire to chase that travel rush.
