Emma @ theweekendabroad.com

A Weekend in Chico, California and Beyond

A Weekend in Chico, California and Beyond

Chico, California is certainly not a top travel destination in California, and admittedly not somewhere I had considered visiting before. However, Roger had a workshop at Chico State University this spring so we decided to make a weekend trip out of it! The college town, located an hour north of Sacramento, completely took me by surprise with its quaint downtown area and outdoorsy offerings. Hands down, the highlight of our stay was the few hours we spent at sprawling Bidwell Park. A trek to the surrounding towns proved very worthwhile as well with nearby Table Mountain providing one of the most breathtaking views I’ve ever seen. Here is a look into our weekend in Chico (and beyond!).

Mouthwatering BBQ, Ramen, SUPing and More: A Weekend in Austin

Mouthwatering BBQ, Ramen, SUPing and More: A Weekend in Austin

My most recent long weekend trip took me to another toasty destination – the big state of Texas! And more specifically, the very hip and colorful town of Austin, which I knew mostly from being known as Portland, Oregon’s unofficial sister city (they both have the same slogan!). With the exception of a layover in Houston once, this was my first taste of Texas. And I do mean that literally – food was definitely the highlight of our stay. What I would do for more of that BBQ… Alas, all I have now are photos and memories of those glistening slabs of meat. Anyway, I digress. I highly recommend Austin at this time of year for its hot-but-not-too-hot weather, delicious food, outdoorsy offerings, art, and local shops! Here are the basics of our trip and what I recommend doing on your weekend in Austin, Texas!

Long Weekend Getaway: Things to Do in Palm Springs (and Joshua Tree National Park!)

Long Weekend Getaway: Things to Do in Palm Springs (and Joshua Tree National Park!)

My childhood friend and Wizarding World buddy, Katie, and I reunited again last week in the relaxing desert oasis of Palm Springs. Her parents rent a condo there every year and are generous enough to invite me along for part of their “spring break” retreat. I was also fortunate enough to stay with them a couple years back so this post will encompass some of the fun things we got to do then as well.

The Best Things to Do in Vancouver (and Beyond!)

The Best Things to Do in Vancouver (and Beyond!)

Have you found that you took the place you grew up for granted until you moved away? That’s the experience I had when I moved from Vancouver to Northern California. Not that California isn’t an incredible place to live, but I only noticed how truly stunning Vancouver’s topography, landscape, and overall livability is once I started becoming a “visitor” of the city. Daily viewings of snowcapped mountains towering over shiny buildings and the Burrard Inlet just seemed like the norm growing up.