I’m going to do two travel-themed Ask Away Fridays, as well as a whole post dedicated to answering your questions from Wednesday’s post. Today, I’m swapping travel and vacation-themed questions with Cascia of Talbert Zoo and The Healthy Moms Magazine. She certainly has her hands full with these two blogs and her five kids! I read all of her posts, in fact.
#AskAwayFriday was created by the amazing Penny from Real Housewife of Caroline County and Amber from Bold Fit Mom, as a way to connect with other bloggers with a great Q & A session of 10 questions and 10 answers, between two bloggers! This is a wonderful opportunity to get to know others while allowing others to get to know you and of course there is also the added bonus of making great friends along the way which is one of the best parts of this online world! Ask me if you want to swap!
We are sad to be losing Amber as one of our amazing co-hosts, as she is working to pursue other business ventures and focusing her attentions on her fitness ventures. We wish her nothing but the best, and hope for her thriving success!
When one door closes, another one opens…and we would like to give a huge Ask Away Friday welcome to a brand new co-host…drum roll please…Welcome Echo from The Mad Mommy! She is both a friend and a fellow blogger. I dig her.
Tiffany from Mrs. Tee Love Life Laughter,
Christy from Uplifting Families,
Stacey from This Momma’s Ramblings
and
Echo from The Mad Mommy
To see Cascia’s answers to my questions, go HERE. And here are my answers to her questions:
1. What is the best time of year to go on vacation and why?
I think it depends on where you’re going. I do think it’s really great for New Englanders to travel somewhere warm in January or February – the polar vortex months. I may go beyond “great” and say that it’s vital. On the other hand, going to the mountains of Alaska to see moose, or going to the Pacific Ocean to track whale migrations.. are best done between July – September. And the best time to stay HERE, or to visit us in New England (you’re ALL invited!) is in October. Seriously.
2. Have you ever traveled outside of the United States? If so, what countries have you visited?
I have only been to Canada, coast to coast but not much in the middle. And I’ve been to many US states, but there are still several to go. I’d still like to explore more of it all – here, there, everywhere. In the sky too.
3. What country would you love to visit someday? Why?
There are quite a few on my list, but I’d like to start with England, because of the Doctor Who attractions!
4. How many states have you visited?
Last time I counted, it was 34 out of 50!
5. What state would you love to visit someday? Why?
I know I say this a lot, but my number one dream is to go to Alaska. I’d just go insane there with all of the wonders!
6. Describe your dream vacation.
Alaska with the family! I’d love to do a pretty widespread trip to Alaska – seeing moose, wolves, whales, cities, towns, mountains, glaciers, more mountains, more glaciers, more moose, and maybe some more mountains too. For good measure.
7. What was the worst thing that has happened to you while traveling or on vacation?
This is actually a story I’m trying to submit/share in another venue, but I can share the end point of it. It involved flying from Vermont to New York City and then a second flight from New York to San Francisco. In a blizzard. And we had to first get off a mountain in a PT Cruiser (PT Loser). The flight was so bumpy and even dizzying that people couldn’t hold their lunch. Luckily, I was in my self-isolating unit of really loud headphones so I missed the vomit sounds. I mean: Luckily, we arrived safely.
8. Describe your most memorable vacation and why it was so memorable.
It’s hard to narrow down vacations, because so many are outstanding, but for me it’s about not wanting to go home. Not even at the end. I’ve always been so tender-hearted and homesick and slightly anxious, that sometimes when something is really big and wonderful and epic and life-altering, I tend to want to hide away or go home. Not my best trait, but it’s me. So my best vacation was exactly a year to the day after we left San Francisco to move east. The vacation was back to San Francisco, after a year apart. We had a newborn baby girl. We were there for a wedding, and we went all over our favorite city – visiting our old home, our old restaurants and parks, our old coffee shops. We visited our old favorite inns and workplaces. It was such an experience that I’m nearly tearing up writing about it. I remember that feeling. It was like coming home, but being away from home just the same. I’ll always feel that way. It’s my bi-coastal disorder. I’m in love with two places. So far..
9. Would you prefer to relax on the beach or tour a big city? Why?
In this day and age, I’d prefer to relax on a beach. I can’t wait to do that in St. Augustine soon!
10. If you could travel with a celebrity who would it be and why?
I don’t even know how to answer this! Do I want someone sexy? Someone to make me laugh? Someone to take pictures with? Someone with enough fame and fortune to get me anywhere I wanted to go? All of the above? Let’s just say Tim Curry.
Be sure to check out our Facebook page “AskAwayFriday” for a great place to meet up and send out a #BuddyRequest if you need a partner to swap with or to just talk about anything #AskAwayFriday!
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Ok, totally jealous of the beach on January as it is freezing and Polar Vortex here right now and you already know my thoughts on that, but still can’t wait to hear all about your upcoming trip and excited for you, too 🙂
I was just telling someone else that our friends are in Florida right now and they’re completely bundled up. There’s a cold front there! Here’s hoping in two weeks that won’t be the case.
I’d love to join you in Alaska. For some reason, going seems really intriguing… although it’s cold, so I don’t know if I’ll be able to coax my husband into going. Maybe GIRL TRIP!
Wouldn’t that be great? Maybe I could make it a tax write off by making it an Alaskan photography course. I think I’m dreaming here.
Wow, 34 out of 50 is pretty darn amazing, Tamara! I’d love to be able to travel more and hope to visit friends in other states and countries eventually. And like you, I’d love to visit England, especially with it being the setting of so many books and movies!
Someone on here has been to 40 of the states. I think someone else said nearly all of them. I hope to get that way one day! Plus England!
Have so much fun on your trip!
Melanie @ meandmr.com
Thank you! It’s so easy to be excited for it when the weather here is so frightful.
There’s been chatter of going to Alaska this summer to visit a friend who moved there. But there’s also chatter about Puerto Rico & Singapore (we’re all over the place), so who knows. I do hope you make it to Alaska soon!
I could not agree with you more on question #1. At this rate I don’t think we’ll be going anywhere this January or February, but it really is a good time to get away. Last year Sam had a business trip in Atlanta in February and it was so nice to go somewhere warm for a few days, especially since Eve was so little. And New England in October? The best!
Wow. That is some fun chatter. Same with Singapore, though!
And wow, I remember when you went to Georgia. I can’t believe that was almost a year ago!
Hope you have fun on your vacation – I always want to go somewhere warm not matter what time of year – lol
I am trying to think of a celebrity – in a perfect world I would pick Matt Damon – ha-ha
He is still sexy, isn’t he? I haven’t seen him in anything in awhile!
I’d love to go to Alaska someday too. A beach vacation is welcome any time of year in my opinion. Us Midwesterners like to vacation where it is warmer in the winter too. I enjoyed reading your answers! Sorry my answers to your questions are pretty long. This just being my second week participating in Ask Away Friday, I haven’t figured out how to write shorter answers yet. Thanks for being my buddy this week! Have a terrific weekend.
I can’t wait to read your answers! I’ve been looking forward to it all day. Thanks for a great swap!
Bumpy flights scare the crap out of me. On our flight home from Hawaii, it was awful. We’d just drop and I’d squeeze Tom’s hand and panic. Meanwhile, he’s sitting calmly…
We lived in England for 3 years but didn’t travel much since Tommy was so hyper. A loud American child in a castle would have been frowned upon. So I want to go back and go on a Henry VIII tour.
I can’t believe you lived there! I’m obsessed with getting candy in England and Canada.
England is a wonderful place to visit. So much history, beauty and pop culture – you would definitely have a blast taking pictures.
I am not particularly fond of bumpy flights. The turbulence really pushes me to the edge. My husband and daughter embrace the ups and downs on a flight like they are sitting not the world’s greatest roller coaster. Me, not so much.
That’s awesome that they can have fun with it. I could see my husband doing the same thing just to protect my kids from feeling nervous. Not sure I would be able to do the same.
I’m totally with you on Alaska. I absolutely HAVE to go there one day because not only does it look stunningly beautiful, it’s also the only state I haven’t been to. Once I go there I can officially say I’ve been to all 50 states! I also really, really, really want to travel to both England and Ireland. Those are my dream destinations!
Wow, you have been to 49? You might be the winner here. Some people think 34 is a lot, but I know it’s not the best.
Not that I’m correcting you…but if you really want to see Doctor Who stuff, you’re best to go to Wales to the Doctor Who experience. I can’t believe you left us hanging on your worst vacation ever…now I’ll have to stay on my toes watching for it…and OMG – Scarlet is the cutest baby I’ve ever seen. All that hair!!
No I really love being corrected! It helps me to plan my dreams. As for the story, I’ll let you know soon enough.
Not that I’m correcting you – but the best place to see Doctor Who stuff is in Wales at the Doctor Who Experience. Unless you’re interested in seeing the landmarks…which you’d get fantastic pictures of…
Tim Curry? Really? Huh.
I can’t believe you left us hanging on the worst vacation story. Now I’ll have to stalk you until it comes out. More than I already do anyway. OK…maybe not any more than I normally do. Still frustrating.
And Scarlet is the cutest baby ever! Look at all that hair!
Oh! That last one was you. It said anonymous but I felt like it was you.
I have always loved Tim Curry. It’s just a thing. You don’t have to stalk me about the vacation story! I can let you know what it is and why I can’t tell you yet. I’m submitting it somewhere.
Hahaha!! It saved my first comment. Stupid tech.
Well I loved it. I can delete it if need be.
No worries Tamara. And if you do head to Wales or London let me know…I want to know about every moment.
I will definitely let you know! I doubt it will be anytime soon, unless money suddenly materializes.
Alaska is one of my dream trips too! So much to see in one state! I have never been to Canada, even though I am only a few hours away. I have , however, walked across the border from Nogales, Arizona into Nogales, Mexico. That is the extend of my “visiting another country”. We stayed in Mexico for 15 minutes, lol. I am so excited at the prospect of visit New England in the fall! I can’t wait for the things that are happening this year!
By the way, I have a feeling that anytime with Tim Curry would be a good time.
I agree! Although he had a stroke recently and I don’t know if he’s in the best health. I had heard he had recovered. I haven’t seen him in anything in ages.
I just checked. Looks like voice work still.
Wow! I have been stopped by the border police in Arizona. Does that count? I guess not because it was the American border police. And I never went to Mexico. I am honestly so neurotic that I think about whether the water is unsafe to drink the second you cross into it. Well what about if you’re on the border on the American side? Water magically safe to drink? See, I’m insane.
October really is a fabulous month here in Nova Scotia, too. I don’t know which celebrity I would choose – that is a hard question. Probably someone who would make me laugh, because that is super-important when you are traveling. Gotta not take things too seriously.
Nova Scotia is actually a dream of mine. I remember that I got invited to a wedding right after Des was born in Nova Scotia but I couldn’t go. He was just too young and I had no idea what to do about Scarlet or getting a passport for an infant. Anyway, I heard a story once about people helping a moose out of a well in Nova Scotia. Those are my kind of people.
Wow you have been to a lot of states Tamara! That’s very cool. Alaska is on my list to see one day as well. Hearing about that flight from NYC to SF absolutely terrifies me! I am not comfortable with bumpy flights and just reading about it makes me clench.Happy Weekend to you!
I honestly don’t know what they were thinking with not canceling the flight. It was a smaller plane to New York City. From New York City, we were on a larger plane and it was smooth for the six hours, although I was in the middle seat!
Oh, I’m so excited about your vacation (also YAY for JetBlue!). St. Augustine was one of my favorite cities; I haven’t been back in ages, but it’s GORGEOUS. I can understand about leaving your heart in one place, but how lovely you and your hubby were able to revisit CA with your newborn 🙂 Awww, love that picture–you all look so happy! And wow–you’ve been to a lot of states, missy! XOXO and have a wonderful weekend, my sweet.
I’m so excited because I’d never even heard of St. Augustine until my in-laws booked a house there for the entire month of January. And they are having a blast! Soon enough, we will join them.
I’ve never been on a cruise but it is my dream to go on an Alaskan cruise to have the opportunity to see the beauty from the sea and also on land via excursions. A girl can dream, right? I’m with you on the England thing. While I love the mental challenge of languages, there is something easy about a trip to England when you only have to worry about looking the right way before crossing the street.
Oh that’s funny! And you’re right about looking the right way.
My dad surprised my mom with an Alaskan cruise for her 50th birthday. They had such a good time and my mom does not like cruises.
I think Alaska would be a GREAT place to visit. I have many friends who have gone, but just don’t go during their winter. Brrr. 34 out of 50 states is awesome! I will have to count mine…it’s probably close to 40.
Well 40 is pretty awesome! Is Massachusetts on that list?
Oh Tim Curry, absolutely! LOL! The farthest I have been is the Caribbean islands…I would very much like to do that again, especially since it is 13 degrees outside right now! LOL! Of course, England is a definite…maybe in the summer, when it is just rain to deal with! I like rain. 🙂 Have a great weekend, my friend!
I really don’t like rain! I wish I did.
And I’ve never been to the Caribbean islands. It’s always been a dream of mine. I’ll have to ask Tim Curry what he’s doing next winter.
I’m dreaming of someplace warm right now! I can’t even escape to my house because it’s cold there too! I guess I’ll be curled up on the couch this weekend with a blanket and a good book. Can’t complain too much, there!
That sounds nice! I’m thinking of asking Cassidy to take the kids somewhere all day tomorrow. So I can just lie down on the couch all day. I’m not sure how I’m going to swing that, but maybe he will want to.
Say wuuuut? 34 out of 50 states???? Show off!!
Ha! There are some other show offs on this post who have been to 40 or more states. Somebody was even at 49!
Oh dear Lord that story about the plane almost made me lose MY lunch!! Luckily, I was distracted by all your beautiful pictures. Can’t wait to see the sun from your lens in Florida 🙂
I know! It was such a bad flight. Luckily I missed most of it. And I didn’t get motion sick. Just afraid for my life. I’m not sure what’s worse!
I hope that Texas is one of the states you’ve been to – it’s a good one!!!
So excited that soon you will be on a relaxing beach – not jealous or anything:)
Chris has been to Alaska several times (as well as over 30 countries) – good to be a military pilot!!
I have been to Texas! Just Houston and its outlying areas. I’ve been twice! Both times it was a business trip so I lived it up with room service.
Ugh, people vomiting on the plane. Now that is terrible! I think at this point in my life I don’t need to travel with a celebrity, but it would be nice to have their entourage that takes care of everything!
I hear you. That’s what excited me more than the actual celebrity. I just thought about private planes and not having to worry about money the whole time.
LOL, I loved your Doctor Who answer… Can you believe I only RECENTLY watched Doctor Who?! Hubby finally made me, lol… http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
What a good husband! What episode did you start with? Or what Doctor, rather?
I’m super impressed you’ve visited so many states. That’s awesome. I’d also love to see Alaska one day!! Imagine the photos! And ewww about all the vomit around ya on that flight!
Well I remembered it as being bad. Even though I had my headphones on, I saw Cassidy looking at me and he knows I’m phobic so I figured it must’ve been bad. I actually asked him the other day about it and he said it was only like one person getting sick! Whew. And it might have been out of fear. It was really scary.
My goodness, you have no idea how I missed being here! I wanna read all your previous posts now, haha! Nice theme you have this week. I guess I can understand the feeling of being back to a place that you consider home. Like you just want to relive all the moments there.
Also, our flight back last Monday was a bumpy and cloudy ride too but it was just an hour so I’m glad there were no tantrums from Reiko. I love that you’ve visited so many states already. And oh Alaska, I always remember The Proposal! They featured it really nicely.
I totally watched The Proposal for that! And they have a Samoyed – my favorite type of dog – in the movie.
So glad you’re back and refreshed!
YAY for Echo joining you – she’s the bombdiggity! And did I ever tell you that my sister lives in Alaska? We should go at the same time.
Yes! How about right now?
Well. Ok. Maybe in a few months.
Does she see moose constantly?
January or February does sound like a great time for people in the Northeast to take a vacation. I’ve been watching the news and I can’t even imagine how cold in feels up north. The high has been in the 30’s here for the past couple days and I have not left the house because it’s just too cold for me.
Your worst travel story sounds like it’s going to be a good one 🙂
It was 30 today and felt warm in comparison to what it had been! Brrr…
The travel story sure is nutty!
I can feel how excited you are to get to Florida. My sister’s going on a Disney cruise in February and she’s counting down the days. I need something to count down to! Love the pairing of newborn Scarlett and then the family picture last summer. You look the same! Same beautiful smile 🙂
Aw! I didn’t even notice the pairing of old and new family photos. I love it.
Do you have any trips on the horizon at all?
ohmygosh that travel story sounds horrendous! I can’t even imagine. Thank goodness for your headphones! It IS vital to escape to someplace warm during the winter months. We were hoping to do so this year but not sure it’s going to work out. I’m excited for you and your trip to Florida!
The story was bad but I was pretty ok in my blanket over my face and loud music in my ears!
Best way to travel.
Alaska would be amazing and is on my must visit list too! I love the excitement of big cities but nothing beats a beach vacation!!
It’s true. A beach vacation is often just what the doctor ordered. Although you could always have a beach vacation in a big city. Best of everything.
A friend of mine went to Alaska with her kids this past summer, and the whole time she was telling me about it I was thinking about how much you would love it. Me too, I think. And I would travel with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler – how fun would they be?
That would be so much fun! I would love to travel with all three of you. To Alaska.
I would definitely follow you to Alaska! oh my gosh… the glorious all spread out before you!! just imagine.
and since I am fickle fangirl, I am taking all my favourite Super Heroes. You know, because bears. 🙂
Definitely. I could think of nothing better than to travel with you, your camera, and your superheroes.
I would travel with Ellen Degeneres, because she would make me laugh, and I love to laugh, especially on vacation! My husband has been to Alaska so many times, and I’ve never gone with him. I need to remedy that soon – it would make him so happy!
Not only would she make you laugh, but she’s totally awesome! It would probably become a philanthropy trip. I love her.
Stunning pictures, Tamara! I have no idea why I didn’t think to leave the polar vortex (Chicagoland) during January or February, I did leave once in December to Texas and it was COLD!
Who would I travel with, that’s a good question, I need to think on that. I do like Lana’s answer though 🙂
XOXO
I once went TO Chicago during January. My stars, I thought I was going to die. Literally. It was a little rough. I guess you get used to it?
Lana’s answer is awesome!
I keep thinking about her answer. How awesome it would be to travel with Ellen.
34 states? That’s pretty impressive! And I would LOVE to see the beautiful shots you would capture on a vacation to Alaska!
I was just talking about it with my banking manager, of all people! I don’t even have lenses for that kind of splendor but I suppose if I could afford a trip to Alaska, I could afford a lens or too!
Alaska is certainly on my list too!!! I’ve heard a cruise is spectacular! Glad you are getting off to Florida!! It’s such a great place to go with young kids. A little bit of everything for everyone:)
You just made me so excited about it! Yes, a little bit for everyone. Even me.
My parents went on an Alaskan cruise for my mom’s 50th birthday. My dad surprised her, and with her loved ones! (but not her kids..sob)
Tim Curry! That made me laugh, and I should have seen it coming. As you know, Alaska is one of my favorite places to go! When you plan your trip, be sure to ask me what you should do and where you should go! It is not always cold in Alaska. 😉
I should have seen Tim Curry coming too, because I didn’t even know I was going to write that until I did!
I love to hear Alaska stories! And I plan to go one summer. And I keep Anchorage and Nome on my iPhone weather bug (as well as many places) and it’s been warmer than here for the last week or so.
Your description of a perfect vacation is almost exactly how I feel. And I’m a homebody too, so I’m not sure it would ever really happen except when I’m visiting somewhere that has been home to me in the past. But second runner up has to be the Rocky Mountains — it’s the total stereotypical Missourian’s summer vacation — close enough to drive, much cooler weather — but I’ve been there enough that I have favorite restaurants and hiking trails. And there’s just something about being on top of a mountain!
To me that sounds so wild and exotic, just because I’m not a Missourian so.. wow. And being on a mountain – yes. We don’t have very high mountains on the east coast. The highest one is Mt. Washington in NH and it’s only about 3-4 hours from here and I have stood at the top.
And. Wow.
Great and interesting Ask Away Friday!
I would love to go to Alaska too and it’s closer (distance-wise) to me than you… so it might actually be doable.
I am terrified of flying Tamara. A rocky flight would not only have me sick but bawling my eyes out. Although I haven’t been on a plane for 8 years… so maybe I’ve outgrown my fear?!
I’ve traveled to a few places in Canada and then Hawaii. I would love to go overseas. Paris is my dream vacation (mostly because I’m of French heritage and I would love to see places that my ancestors lived).
Thanks for sharing.
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
I used to be very afraid to fly. These days I’m not so much. I don’t love it, but I can tolerate it. I wonder what changed.
Visiting England and Alaska are on my list, too! And, Tim Curry would be an awesome traveling companion. We’d sing along to Spamalot and Muppet Treasure Island and play Clue a lot 🙂
Yes! I went to see Spamalot in New York. It was a lot of fun. I even waited outside to meet him but he didn’t come out. Boo!
I finally got to Africa as an adult! It happens!
Yes, it’s important to keep those dreams alive!
You may not have left this continent, but you’ve been to a LOT of states! And I’ve heard so many wonderful things about visiting Alaska…well about visiting Alaska in the summertime. I’m pretty sure winter is just c-c-c-cold!
It’s pretty dark there. Maybe Anchorage is different, but some of Alaska experiences very limited sunlight. Although I have Anchorage and Nome on my weather bug and both of those places are warmer than here!
Alaska does seem like a land of wonder! I would love to visit. And with these dreary winter months I would love to be at the beach! It’s been so cold and rainy!
My mother-in-law just sent me a photo of a beach bird where they are staying. And where we will be in a week!
1. I’ve always wanted to pack a backpack and take a train through some European countries. I want to visit soccer clubs and watch them train, and then go to the best places to eat.
2. So, that would probably be my dream vacation. I always envisioned going by myself, but …
3. I’ve decided that I will invite Jessica Chastain to go along with me.
I hope you get that trip. And I hope you ask her and she says yes!
I can definitely live without a sexy celebrity if they’re funny because I love laughing. Unless they cant turn it off, then they’re obnoxious. It’s a fine balance lol.
Your hair in your return-home SF trip (yes, it’s home you california girl) is AMAZING. GIVE ME THAT HEALTHY THICK HAIR OF YOURS ASAP.
I’m so happy you’re submitting your work. What else is a writer supposed to do with memorable experiences?
<3!
My hair would only be fun for so long. I fear I will have to color it in the next several years. So sad!
I’m STOKED about your upcoming vacation!!! 1. Beach time. YES. 2. Disney World. Duh. I think it’d be a toss up of going with a celeb that could get me in anywhere but that has a great body guard so no one bothers us OR someone who knows a ton about the place so they can tell me all the juicy info. Also, I want to talk Disney with you if you have time before you go. If not, after. I have tips and I want tips for our trip in Sept. 😉 Send me a message if you want to chat before.
I will have to write myself a reminder to email you! I would love to talk Disney. We do things a little differently, only in that we never stay in the resort because we have so many relatives around there. And it’s a huge money saver. It’s possible we may be able to get free tickets, but if not, I have to weigh all the options. Buying a single day ticket seems like the worst deal!
After England, come to Malaysia, you’ll be halfway anyway!
Then we can finally hit that party that was in my dream ages ago!
I love all of your pretty photos.
I would love to visit Alaska too. I have heard it is a beautiful place.
Thanks!
Yes, to me Alaska is everything I want to see more of.