The places we've been

  • Tokyo Marathon Finishers Medal in front of a cherry blossom tree

    Running the Tokyo Marathon

    As this year’s Tokyo Marathon is ALMOST here, we thought we’d share a little more about our time in Japan. We visited grand toriis and drank sake in a roof top igloo. We played with snow monkeys and rode on fast trains. But by far the MOST interesting experience has to be what happened RIGHT before the race. Let’s unpack the “collision at the crevice” and running the Tokyo Marathon. First…the Collision at the Crevice In case you missed it, let me recap. Our hotel room in Tokyo was small. How small was it? If it were any smaller, the bidet could have doubled as a shower. It was so…

  • Red faced snow monkey in a hot spring

    What Could be Better Than Hot Tubs and Snow Monkeys

    If you’re heading to Tokyo for the Marathon this March, let us let you in on a little secret. You will be just a train ride away from one of the most unique experiences on the planet. This week, let’s find the answer to this important question, “what could be better than hot tubs and snow monkeys?”. Faster than a Speeding Bullet? The first thing you’ll need to do is take a bullet train from Tokyo to Nagano. Though they aren’t quite as fast as a speeding bullet, you’ll still cover the 140 miles in less than 2 hours. And the train is rather posh, sort of like first class…

  • Buddhist temple with red pillars and a tall gray, tiled roof surrounded by a lane of red buildings on either side

    What You Won’t Want to Miss in Tokyo

    In 2023, we undertook an amazing adventure through the Land of the Rising Sun. We stayed for almost 3 weeks and shared with you the highlights of each out our days. Since there are just SO many GREAT places to see, we thought we’d make a City Guide for you so you’ll know what you won’t want to miss in Tokyo. If you want to do a deeper dive in Japan – check out our Japan collection. And if you’re a person who loves headlines, this article is for you! First, let’s talk food…Where to Eat? Oh my gosh! There hasn’t been a place I’ve visited where I’ve liked the…

  • View of the tall buildings in Melbourne from the Sky Deck

    Tall Buildings, Graffiti Lanes, and Beetlejuice

    This week, let’s go back to the land down unda and head to the big city of Melbourne. We’ll see tall buildings, graffiti lanes and Beetlejuice! Just be sure NOT to say that out loud 3 times. Getting there As the Great Ocean Road faded into our rear view, the tall buildings of Melbourne came into view. Though Stephen felt pretty confident driving on the left on a two lane road, this city was something else all together. I honestly felt like some of the roads were built on a diagonal. Queen Victoria Market Our first stop of the day was the Queen Victoria Market that has indoor and outdoor…

  • Street lit by Christmas lights, leading to a clock tower

    It’s Like Christmas in a Time Machine

    Since way back in the aughts, there is one place I’ve always wanted to visit for my birthday. I’m sure some ladies would choose a spa weekend, or maybe somewhere glamourous with a beach. But if you know me at all, you know that I love history – thanks to my pop. Also, I can be VERY nostalgic – thanks to my mom. And that I was born in December – thanks to both! So when the commercial for Holiday Nights at Greenfield Village came on the radio last year, I couldn’t help but say out loud, “I’ve ALWAYS wanted to do that. It’s like Christmas in a Time Machine!!”…

  • Two stone monoliths of the shore of the Great Ocean Road

    Cruising the Great Ocean Road

    This past August, we flew to Sydney, Australia so Stephen could run the marathon. By completing this feet, he’d become the first living kidney donor to finish 7 World Major Marathons. While this was all well and good, we asked ourselves, “Since we’re going all that way…what ELSE there to see?” And the number one response? You NEED to see the Great Ocean Road. So join us this week as we see some of the the MOST AMAZING sites on the continent. You’ll peep iconic beaches, stunning cliffs, and amazing rock formations as we go cruising the Great Ocean Road. Making the Plans Since we like the oceans and AMAZING…

  • The Magical Land of Uluru

    Last year, Abbott announced that Sydney would join Boston, Chicago, New York, London, Berlin and Tokyo, as the newest World Marathon Major. Since our world-famous kidney donor athlete had already conquered the original six, off to Australia we went! Stephen asked me what I wanted to see there and my very first answer was…the magical land of Uluru. Join us this week for a walk about in the land down under! Getting There We lucked in to two Delta One seats on our way from LA to Australia. The trip from Sydney to Uluru, however, was a touch LESS glamorous. And really, other than the leg room, we found Jetstar…

  • Cell block at Alcatraz. Shows two levels and the lights in the ceiling.

    Is Alcatraz Really the Most Haunted Place in America?

    San Francisco Bay is BEAUTIFUL. There is just something special about the blue of the bay and the deep orange of the bridge. This leads to an important question. Why build a prison here? Was it just for the extra cruelty of making the inmates look at it and know they could never cross it? What does it do to a person – being locked up on a cold rock in the middle of paradise? Join us as we unpack our bags in San Francisco and attempt find out the answer to this question: is Alcatraz REALLY the most haunted place in America? The History Originally created as a fort,…

  • Stone tomb of the Couch family in Lincoln Park, Chicago

    Some Dark History Built Over an Old Cemetery

    You know the trope. Weird things happen. People behave in ways they NEVER would ordinarily. And then it’s discovered. The house was built over an old cemetery!! ~Bum, bum, bummmmmm.~ (That’s the scary reveal music, FYI.) This week I got visit the Chicago History Museum. If you’re into some dark history, built over an old cemetery, this one’s for you! (However if this isn’t your jam, check out our Ferris Bueller-like tour of the Chicago Art Museum instead.) About The Museum The museum began back in 1856, just 19 years after Chicago became a city. It was relocated to this spot after the Great Fire of 1871. (You can read…

  • Exterior of a Victorian Style building that is the abandoned William Hamilton Funeral Home in Detroit

    Get Your Ghost On

    While at the airport lounge in Detroit, or “my favorite haunt”, I got an unexpected email. Seems someone came across our “How to Spend the Perfect Day in Boston” article. And they wondered if we’d like to take a tour to write about our experience. I KNOW! I told everyone in the bar area all about it and they were SO excited too! (Looking back, it may have been more “AMUSEMENT” then excitement. Sort of like when you’re at a 4 year old’s birthday party and they open THE toy they’ve been wanting ALL THEIR LIFE.) But never the less, I responded immediately and checked my email ALL weekend for…