WYOMING

If you are a fan of wildlife, definitely go to Wyoming. Land of Amazing ranches that is home of wildlife. An amazing place to hunt, any hunter should definitely take the opportunity to get out into the wild of Wyoming.

I have mainly driven through Wyoming. It's one GORGEOUS place to drive through. Living in the flat, farmland of the midwest can make for boring drives when you take a drive through Wyoming. My husband has a huge desire to travel to Wyoming, therefore I will be going back with a more detailed trip planned. Like I said, most of my times in Wyoming were spent in the car traveling. I have stayed in Wyoming, but plan to blog on Wyoming again after we take another trip there.

I love the mountains, I love the West, I love wildlife, and most definitely love Wyoming!

OREGON

I have yet to make it to Portland, but Oregon is a gorgeous state. Actually I take that back- I think I have been to Portland but I was so young that I do not recall Portland.

Oregon reminds me of greenery, trees, hills, and lots of wildlife.

I remember driving through Oregon to visit some family and thinking about how relaxing the trip was. The scenery is amazing. I can't say a lot for this state as I probably should get back there one day to learn more.

I can say if you love the outdoors, hiking, wildlife, forests, that Oregon is definitely a great place to visit.

I might have to come back to this one after another trip!

WASHINGTON

Enough of the not so touristy states, lets go back to the West Coast!

Another one of my favorite states is Washington. I've been all over the state. Mainly, you're going to fly into Seattle and drive from there.

Seattle is an awesome city to visit. The famous needle is there, as well as some great coffee with local bands. The views around you are amazing, however there are tons of rainy days.

I spent some time in Seattle when I was in high school. I visited family and friends. We have family up in Whidbey Island. In order to get there you must take a boat. Ferry boats go every hour, you drive onto the boat, and I think your ride is a good 40 minutes. There on the island you will find beaches, and gorgeous views.

Another area is Spokane- lots of wildlife, lots of mountains, and plenty of college fun to go around. While in Spokane I was visiting WSU. What a crazy campus! It was a good visit. I might have actually gone there if only they had my major at that time.

You can go whale watching out in Washington, since they are up in the northwest corner of the United States, the state is based off the Pacific Ocean. Nice and cold for the big whales to swim.

If you love to ski, love to hike, love to kayak, love the woods, love the outdoors, love the mountains.... love Starbucks- Washington is most definitely the state for you!

INDIANA

Indiana is another state you often wont find tourists visiting, in my opinion. It's another plain farmland country type state. Although there is good old INDY where you can find some March Madness.

Indiana has some fun lakes to visit, but what state doesn't? Lets be honest, I am not a fan of this state, but in honor of my blog I want to discuss every state I've visited.

My husband and I enjoy traveling to Purdue the most when going to Indiana. He's an alumni, going back for him is a blast. He visits his frat house, tailgates, and cheers on the boilermakers while I drink and eat the day away and enjoy the party. His family moved from Illinois right over the border to Dyer, Indiana where they lived while he and his sister attended Purdue. thank god for residency tuition right? While we were dating, there was plenty of traveling to Dyer.

I've always found Indianapolis to be a city of peace. It has a lot going for it, but at the same time it's peaceful. I've gone to a couple concerts there, and sports events. Eh but I live in Chicago. It's hard to talk about the fun of Indiana.

The one thing I know is I'm in that state constantly. Nearly once a month I am in Indiana. After all I have family that lives there.

WISCONSIN

In honor of the holiday weekend I want to discuss my travels to the cheesiest state, Wisconsin.

Wisconsin is not known for tourists from all over. It is farm land like non other! It is known as the cheeseland. You can find amazing cheese and sausage while visiting Wisconsin. You can also find the Dells and Door County.

The Dells is like a children's Las Vegas. It has one solid strip full of themed hotels, resorts, with tons of put put golf, water parks, and shopping. Little kids will LOVE it! My husband and I took our first trip together while we were dating to the Wisconsin Dells and as 2 adults, we LOVED it!

I have yet to make it to Door County- that is on my list for future travels.

Another thing in Wisconsin is that it's famous for lakehouses. Many Chicago people have lakehomes, campers, or trailers on a lake in Wisconsin where they retreat nearly every weekend in the summertime. I personally know many who do this very thing.

When I was growing up we had a lakehouse we'd retreat to every 4th of July with the family, it was a blast. Fishing, swimming, boating, fireworks, grilling, relaxing... ahh the lakehouse fun.

Wisconsin is a fun place to go. This year, we're headed back up to Phantom Lake for the holiday. I'll post pictures when we return!

Happy 4th of July!!

xoxo,

L

IDAHO

Idaho is one of the most unique names for a state, I think. I remember growing up and looking at maps of the United States and just loving Idaho. I have always preferred to be as unique as possible, that being said Idaho was by far my favorite state. All because of it's name.

Conveniently, the program I first wanted to study when I chose my major was Diagnostic Medical Sonography, aka baby ultrasound machines. Boise State University had a great 4 year program, so I applied and got in! Nothing more exciting than to get your college acceptance letter. Go Broncos!

I moved in 2002 to Boise, Idaho to begin my studies.

While in Idaho I went to Idaho Falls, a city in the southeast part of the state. Plenty of land, plenty of wild animals to go around for everyone. The peace of Idaho was great. The views are amazing- seriously its like a movie set background, only real.

McCall, Idaho is so high up in the mountains. I just love McCall. I remember driving through McCall and seeing nothing but fog, all I could think was OMG if this truck slips, we are going down the mountain, and I will be dead. Not cool. But I still love this place.

If you're a skier, snowboarder, hunter, fishermen, fire fighter, or if you are seeking a super laid back place and can get anywhere in the city within 10 minutes, then Boise if by far the place for you!

As unique and akward as the name 'Idaho' seems, it's one amazing place to visit!

CALIFORNIA

One of my most favorite states is California. I have been there many times, mostly SoCal, but I have also been to Northern Cali as well.

SoCAL

I have family in San Diego and LA. When I was young I spent many summers in San Diego with my cousins. The weather there is amazing. It's basically a perfect 70 degrees everyday. As a young girl it was my dream to move to San Diego. The lovely view of the hills,, mountains, and you can't forget the ocean. Shamu also lives in San Diego. I've been to see him quite a few times. The San Diego Zoo is also one of the BEST zoo's, scratch that- the BEST zoo in the USA. There is also great beaches and little towns in SoCal. The shopping is awesome, the beaches are full of surfers- in fact surfing is on my bucket list! That means another trip back to San Diego is in order!

In LA I have more family, lots of cousins! I also have a new aunt and uncle by marriage living in LA. LA is a great place...to visit. I'm not sure how I would feel about living there. I live in Chicago now and feel the high energy everyday which is great. In LA it seems most people move there to become rich and famous. Sunset blvd, Hollywood blvd, Hollywood Hills, etc etc

Home to all of the stars! When we were in LA, we became the tourists every celeb hates! We rented a mustang convertible, bought a map of the stars and headed into the hills visiting each celebs home. It was a blast! I'd love to do that again.

Most recently I was in Sacramento visiting one of my girlfriends from college. Its very suburbany- reminds me of home.... except there is an In and Out Burger on every corner of every street (In and Out Burger is AMAZING btw) If you dont stop for In and Out Burger in Cali- you have missed out! I also suggest eating at Tony Roma's... also another amazing place.

My girlfriend and I drove up to San Francisco for a long weekend of fun. San Francisco is another gorgeous city. If you plan to walk get ready for major inclines. It's quite the hilly place. Even when you drive you nearly roll backwards if you're at a red light on a hill. They are so steep! San Francisco has the famous Golden Gate Bridge, Victorian homes, Ghiradelli Square, and the Wharf. Shopping and eating in the Wharf is awesome. The city is walkable...is that a word?

I have not had the opportunity to visit Alcatraz yet. I will return to do that tour. Alcatraz, where the famous Al Capone served time. I also want to ride on a cable car. But walking would probably burn more calories from the amazing food during San Francisco's happy hour. Super Friendly people are in San Fran as well.

I'd like to get up to Wine country and out to Catalina Island on future trips to Cali. Oh how I love that state!

Traveling- My Favorite Hobby!

One of my favorite hobbies is traveling. I LOVE to travel. I've done A LOT of traveling by myself as well as with my husband, family, and friends. In fact my wedding reception theme was traveling! I gave each guest a boarding pass 'place card' that directed them to the destination city or state that we have traveled to before we got married. It was quite the hit!

My dream is to see the entire world with my husband, and all our friends and family. I decided to start a blog about my traveling adventures to share experiences, pictures, advice, and get the same from all of you!

First and foremost my traveling dream begins in my home country the United States. I have had the opportunity to travel to many states, but not all and my goal is all of them! In my upcoming blogs I will talk about where I've been, but first the states where I want to go in order by desire:

1. Hawaii

2. Alaska

3. The Carolinas

4. Maine

5. New Jersey

6. New Hampshire

7. Rhode Island

8. Montana

9. Colorado

10. New Mexico

11. The Dakota's

12. Minnesota