I think COVID has a lot of us questioning our creativity these days. Obviously, myself included. I had started this blog in 2018 after winning a travel scholarship from an architecture competition. To be honest, the point of the blog was so my friends and family could follow my travels. But I kind of missedContinue reading “Hello, it’s me, your blog.”
Author Archives: Melanie Whedon
all good things take time.
Just enjoy the ride already, will you? “It’s fine,” I said, “I’m just going to gravitate towards the things that interest me.” (How zen of me.) I said, “I’ll just try this yoga teacher training, who cares how it ends up.” Of course, I care how it’s going to end up. Before I even approachedContinue reading “all good things take time.”
life can be funny
Life can be funny. I started wearing an Om pendant ring on my thumb when I was 18. I don’t know that I could’ve told you why when I started, other than I don’t know, I like the yogi lifestyle. Seven years later, ring still on my thumb, I’m living in Philadelphia working as anContinue reading “life can be funny”
TRAVEL SKETCHES
While travelling, I had to sketch daily as a part of the travel scholarship. I posted some of the sketches while I was on the road, but had difficulty sharing most of my sketches. I finally put together a digital sketchbook after scanning in all of my sketches. Flip through the book below to lookContinue reading “TRAVEL SKETCHES”
OSAKA & NAOSHIMA: ART, ARCHITECTURE, & INSPIRATION
And finally, the last stop of the trip: Osaka. Out of all of the places I’ve been to so far on my little Asia tour, Osaka has felt the most like home. I’m not sure if I’m just getting that comfortable, or if it’s that Osaka actually reminds me a bit of Philadelphia. I thinkContinue reading “OSAKA & NAOSHIMA: ART, ARCHITECTURE, & INSPIRATION”
LOVELY, LOVELY KYOTO
Once I got to Japan, I realized I was just a tad too early this year for cherry blossom season. But honestly, I think it all worked out in my favor. Most people I talked to said Kyoto is just crazy with tourists once April hits – so crazy, you can’t even use public transportationContinue reading “LOVELY, LOVELY KYOTO”
MOUNT FUJI IS A LADY, & SHE’S FIESTY
No matter what website you read, receptionist you talk to, or blog post you scroll through – everyone refers to Mount Fuji as a lady, and one with a bit of a temperament. Mount Fuji is easily the most iconic landscape in all of Japan, and notably even in the world. So of course thereContinue reading “MOUNT FUJI IS A LADY, & SHE’S FIESTY”
THE DENSE, YET CALM CITY OF TOKYO
To be honest, I was a little overwhelmed by the idea of Tokyo before I even got there. I kept overthinking it’s unfathomable scale, arguing with myself that I’m just not a big city person and it’s too much for me to handle. Before my trip, someone who has stayed in Tokyo calmed me downContinue reading “THE DENSE, YET CALM CITY OF TOKYO”
A WEEK IN CHIANG RAI
When you talk to people who go to Northern Thailand, more often than not they go to Chiang Mai (translating literally to New City). However, when planning out my week up North, I wound up in Chiang Rai (translating literally into Old City). Really this only happened because I chose to volunteer for the week,Continue reading “A WEEK IN CHIANG RAI”
EXPLORING KHAO SOK NATIONAL PARK
Honestly, I was quite excited to leave the city of Bangkok to explore southern Thailand’s landscape, and Khao Sok National Park certainly did not disappoint. I stayed at Anurak Community Lodge, a small eco-lodge within the park. It was amazing. I splurged on my own little bungalow, and the lodge offered a wide variety ofContinue reading “EXPLORING KHAO SOK NATIONAL PARK”
WATS & FIRST TASTE OF BANGKOK, THAILAND
After 22 hours of travel, 18 hours air time and two back-to-back red eyes, I finally arrived in Bangkok, Thailand early Monday morning, feeling only mildly jetlagged. With my first two days in Bangkok, I wanted to focus on the Wats (temples) throughout the city. I managed to visit four these first few days, stayingContinue reading “WATS & FIRST TASTE OF BANGKOK, THAILAND”
COLORFUL YELLOWSTONE & THE GRANDEST GRAND TETON
Driving through the potato state, Idaho, was worth it for the amazing beauty of Northwest Wyoming, the home of Yellowstone and Grand Teton. This was our first time finding trouble camping. Getting to Grand Teton late in the day, all campsites within the park were full. Our best hope was dispersed camping within a nationalContinue reading “COLORFUL YELLOWSTONE & THE GRANDEST GRAND TETON”
BEAUTIFUL BEND, OREGON
Someone recently told me they didn’t like actually reading the blog posts, they just looked through the pictures (thanks, Mike). So with that, here’s a super quick look at our amazing stay in Bend, Oregon. First up, I checked out Tumalo Falls, just minutes outside Bend! After one intense waterfall, there were multiple smaller onesContinue reading “BEAUTIFUL BEND, OREGON”
PORTLAND, OREGON; THE CITY OF NICKNAMES
Next up on the grand tour: Portland, Oregon. We definitely had high hopes and maybe too rigid of expectations, but the city of roses (nickname #1) did not disappoint. 1. City of Roses We came at the right time – said so many people in Portland, because the roses are in full bloom. And true toContinue reading “PORTLAND, OREGON; THE CITY OF NICKNAMES”
REDWOODS & THE CALIFORNIA COAST
And the time has come to start heading north. From San Francisco, we decided to take the less-than-direct route 1, which glides along the coast. All of those sharp 15 mph switchback roads were worth it for the beautiful views. First stop, Fort Bragg Halfway between San Francisco and the Redwood National Park, Fort BraggContinue reading “REDWOODS & THE CALIFORNIA COAST”
SUNNY SAN FRANCISCO
We’ve finally made it coast to coast, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from Philly to San Francisco. This city has something to offer for everyone. Extreme sports fanatics, designers, techies, foodies…you name it. Our time here was spent with a friend from school, in beautiful sunny (and a little windy) weather. Let’s talk aboutContinue reading “SUNNY SAN FRANCISCO”
THWARTED BY SNOW; OFF TO TAHOE WE GO
From Zion, we drove through Nevada to Mammoth Lakes, a great town to the east of Yosemite. (On the side: the drive through Nevada was our least favorite part of the drive yet. Although scenic, a straight road through the desert with rest stops every 100 miles which had little food but did always includeContinue reading “THWARTED BY SNOW; OFF TO TAHOE WE GO”
ZION & REDEMPTION AT ANGEL’S LANDING
And alas, we reached our first stop where we planned on spending a few days: Zion National Park in southwest Utah. Without a doubt, Zion is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever had the luck to see in person. The colors of the mountains towering over you are a rich mix of redContinue reading “ZION & REDEMPTION AT ANGEL’S LANDING”
BEAUTIFUL BRYCE CANYON
Driving from Moab to Zion in a day, Bryce Canyon was a convenient stop to enjoy more of Utah’s landscape. We were only able to stop in Bryce Canyon for a few hours, but the Canyon definitely left a lasting impression. We took the Navajo Loop, which started out fairly packed but thinned out asContinue reading “BEAUTIFUL BRYCE CANYON”
PICTURES CAN’T CAPTURE THE BEAUTY OF MOAB
Next stop on the tour: Moab, Utah. We drove I-70 into west Colorado for about 4-5 hours. This drive alone was breath taking; between driving through the Rocky’s gorges along the river to getting sneak peaks of the beautiful colorful red and green mountains coming our way. And of course, we pulled off so KyleContinue reading “PICTURES CAN’T CAPTURE THE BEAUTY OF MOAB”
oh, infinite world 