Stephenie Harrison

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Steph39

A Return to Form… in Colombia

From surprise reciprocity fees to our bank card being blocked to incorrect directions to our hostel, our first day traveling in Colombia (after 6 months of easy living in Playa del Carmen, Mexico) was a trial-by-fire that put our dusty backpacking skills to the test!
ColombiaMexicoMusings
Steph38

When 2 Become 1: Lessons Learned Traveling Solo in California

I’ve always considered myself a fairly independent person. Moreover, as an unabashed introvert, the prospect of spending a lot of time on my own is kind of thrilling rather than unnerving. And yet, as I think back, I realize that apart from a few conferences I attended back in...
GalleriesMusingsUSA
Steph29

Finding Home in Playa del Carmen

For most people, heading to the beach when you’re in Mexico is a no brainer. But for us, our recent decision to make the long trek down to the sandy tourist town of Playa del Carmen was definitely a gamble.
Mexico
Steph60

Three Years Later: Reinventing Travel & Rediscovering our Tribe

Three years ago today, Tony & I stepped onto a plane in LA and disembarked many hours later in Tokyo, Japan. It’s safe to say that things haven’t been the same since.
Musings
Steph73

Why Morelia is The Most Beautiful City in Mexico…that Nobody Visits

I almost titled this post “Is Morelia the Most Beautiful City in Mexico That Nobody Visits?”, but then I decided that there wasn’t any point in pretending this was a topic that was up for debate because the answer is so obviously yes.
Mexico
Steph14

Driving the Tequila Trail

If there is one certainty in life, it’s that drinking and driving don’t mix. And yet, when in Mexico—especially when tequila country is practically on your door step—all the rules seem to go out the window...
AdventuresFoodMexico
Steph15

Where to Eat in Tlaquepaque

We arrived in Tlaquepaque excited for vibrant food scene, preferably one with more than just meat wrapped in corn tortillas on offer. After a month in La Peñita, we were pretty burnt out on tacos and the limited flavor profiles we had experienced thus far and were ready to...
FoodMexico
Steph21

Haters Gonna Hate, But Guadalajara’s Great!

Guadalajara is the birthplace of mariachi music, tequila, and several other quintessential pieces of Mexican culture. So why don't more people visit?
Mexico
Steph17

Channeling our Inner Sexagenarians at Ajijic & Lake Chapala

Despite appearances, Tony & I are not actually one of those couples in their 30s who have managed to retire and gallivant about the globe. When we first set out on our RTW, our trip was funded by years of savings, and we always knew there would come a...
Mexico
Steph26

Three Months in Mexico

There’s an old piece of advice about getting big things done that asks you, “How do you eat an elephant?” The answer: One bite at a time. In a similar way, if you ask us, “How have you made it through three months in Mexico?” you’ll find the answer...
MexicoMusings
Steph11

Stonewalled by Sedona

Have you ever arrived somewhere and immediately wanted to leave? That was pretty much Sedona, Arizona in a nutshell for us.
USA
Steph36

On Grand Expectations & Grand Canyons

I’ve always been one of those people for whom the anticipation of things is something I enjoy nearly as much as the object or activity in question. I love planning and I love dreaming, and for me, by drawing out the build up to something good, I’m able to...
AdventuresUSA
Steph22

Unexpectedly Awesome Page, Arizona or: How I Learned to Stop Planning So Much & Love Motel 6

As I have mentioned MANY times on this blog, I wear my planner’s cap with pride and love to research the heck out of destinations and draft up overly ambitious itineraries so as to maximize our time and get the most out of any place we should find ourselves....
USA
Steph12

Two Nonbelievers in Zion

“Why did it take us so long to visit Utah?” It’s a question Tony & I asked one another repeatedly and incredulously during our four days roadtripping and national park hopping through the state. Each time one of us asked it, the other would shrug and guiltily mumble the...
USA
Steph38

¿Say “Qué”? Adventures in Learning Spanish in Mexico

I am pretty sure that taking Spanish lessons is a rite of passage (akin to a freshman hazing) that every long-term traveler in Latin America goes through. It seems like every blogger I know who has spent any chunk of time in this part of the world has wound...
AdventuresMexicoMusings