Areas to Gain Perspective In (and then do something about)
I know things are crazy and it's hard to both stay informed and stay functional, but there are some ways you can recharge and gain some perspective. I have ideas, and some hope to share.
So this month has really been something. For me it’s been a mix of fun, shock, sadness and hope. Yes, my whirlwind brain has been trying to process all of whatever is happening while still enjoying both home and work life. The mental balance is tough, but it is what it is. Hopefully as you read on what I share can provide a little inspiration or simply a new perspective to move forward through this insane timeline.
Thank you for tuning in and following along here and on the blog and social media stuff. While I would rather just be writing about travel all the time, the events of the world and the weight of being a parent to humans throws my brain into some intense spirals and I just have to share my observations about the current state of things. I know a lot of people have tried to disassociate from the news cycle and pretend like they’re not affected by “politics” but seriously, we all are and ignoring it only gives leverage to the bad guys. Yes, there are actually bad guys, and that’s what I want to share about today.
BUT FIRST… here’s what’s new on the blogs, because even with world events and school and a frost that killed 80% of our garden (including palm trees), work still must continue.
Travel Ideas for a Fresh Perspective
This month I’ve really been focusing on winter travel and finding joy in the bitter cold. If you know me in real life, you know that I function best in 84 degree weather wearing only swim shorts, not -5 F dressed like a seven layer dip of wool and fleece. Well, work and family fun has immersed me in the extreme cold and now I can appreciate it and really love it, so that’s what’s new!
2TravelDads.com - This month I got to spend a week enjoying Maine in winter, and specifically visiting places we’ve enjoyed in the summer, but now completely snowed in. My bff and I got to visit my favorite place in Maine, the New England Outdoor Center (more on that below) to enjoy cross country skiing, snowshoeing, fat tire biking and snowmobiling in the shadow of Katahdin (the Great Mountain). From there we headed up to Carrabassett Valley to Sugarloaf for a few days of downhill and more cross country skiing, as well as some ice skating. We wrapped it up with a couple of days in Augusta at the Senator Inn & Spa, because if you’re not used to winter sports, your body really feels it after a few days. Plan your own Winter Sports Trip to Maine here!
One other new piece on 2TD is all about Florida. Listen, I know it’s a mess here and that our state government is a mess and actively trying to destroy our communities, but also our actual cities and towns are great and full of wonderful people and awesome things to do. It’s hard living in a place that people are continually harping on (even though it’s absolutely deserved), so I put together a big list of great places to visit in Florida and what makes them special… just in case you want to give us another chance. Check out our Favorite Places to Visit in Florida here!
MaineExplored.com - I mentioned that the New England Outdoor Center is my favorite place in Maine (it’s beautiful, tons of things to do, epic views and wildlife, Baxter State Park…), so I dug into all the fun things you can do here in winter. NEOC is an amazing destination with cabins and so much outdoor recreation. It can be a full Maine trip on its own. Check out our NEOC Winter Escape here!
We also got to have a few days at Sugarloaf Mountain, the largest ski area on the East Coast and the highest ski resort in Maine. It was awesome! From the great slopes to the ski village and getting to just have fun while working, it was an epic break from reality. And yes, freaking freezing and wonderful. Read all about Sugarloaf Mountain skiing here!
One more element of our Maine trip was taking time for relaxation and recovery. Whether it’s everyday life or vacation, we rarely take time to let our bodies catch up to the physicality we put them through. Kelly and I spent two days at the Senator Inn & Spa in Augusta, doing saunas and swimming, doing a few spa treatments for our wind-burnt skin and snow-smashed bodies, and just rejuvenating ourselves before returning to our families and responsibilities. This was such a treat and not something I typically allow myself, and it was remarkable. See why a spa day is a good use of your travel time here!
MyAlaskaTrip.com - I’ve really tried to focus on lodging on the Alaska site this month. It’s the biggest travel cost and can absolutely make or break a trip, so I’ve written about each of the places we’ve stayed across our different trips with my thought on where the value is with each one. From our winter trip to Anchorage and Palmer, I’ve been writing up each of our accommodations and whaddya know, they’re all available for summer travel too!:
Peak Lodging Cabins - Palmer, Hatcher Pass; this is my favorite from our last trip and I would like to come back here for a summertime stay
Wildbirch Hotel - downtown Anchorage, it’s part of the Hyatt JdV brand and I do think it’s the coolest hotel in Anchorage at the moment
Historic Anchorage Hotel - downtown Anchorage, said to be haunted, really cool saloon area and big rooms
Hotel Captain Cook - downtown Anchorage, it’s vintage and is iconic in the ANC skyline; the best feature is the AMAZING fitness center
Hopefully this week I’ll get caught up on everything else I’ve been working on, including some great travel plans for the Florida Keys, some National Park itineraries and some great suggestions for upcoming spring break trips.
Fresh Perspective on What’s Happening in the USA
If you’re one of the people I mentioned who have been actively disassociating from the news, whether it’s because you think it doesn’t impact you or because you need to guard your peace or something, lemme tell you something: you DO need to be paying attention to what’s going on right now for a few reasons. Reading that, you may be thinking “It’s just politics and both sides are the same",” NOPE, we’re not in that territory anymore. It’s time that we all have a new perspective.
I used to kind of nod and be like “Okay, yeah, both sides are bad so the lesser of two evils…” but it’s not like that for me today. Sure, both of the American political parties have not great people, but seriously, the GOP people in power are legit evil. I don’t believe in spiritual things or gods or anything, but if ever there were a group of people functioning like actual demons it is the current administration that is actively terrorizing the people of our country, citizens and non alike. From k*lling people in the streets to building actual concentration camps (under a different name), from using AI and facial recognition to silencing and coercing journalists, seriously, it’s bad. And I haven’t even mentioned the Trumpstein Files.
Many people are trying to not listen to the news or read about what’s in the files, but it’s important that you know what’s in there for several reasons. First of all, the people in power actively did and likely still are trafficking children and abusing them in ways I cannot type out. The administration is ACTIVELY shielding the prez and MANY people in power from answering for their pure-evil wrongs. And this is where the “both sides are the same” argument goes out the window. People, if there are democrats involved in things, we want them to be prosecuted in the same way we want republicans to serve time. And if somebody is still saying they think 45/47 is a good prez and they stand by the administration’s actions, they are NOT GOOD PEOPLE. Literally protecting ped0files and standing behind those who do. And if you don’t believe all the evidence that’s been released and the international news about things, consider the actions taking against US citizens in the streets on MN. If that doesn’t break your commitment to the GOP without considering the Files, I don’t know what to say.
As a parent, I cannot imagine being okay with our current government and what they are doing to our country, what they’ve done to countless children for decades (again, not going to type out the atrocities), or what they’re doing now to our wallets (just in case you’re only focused on money and not humans). I think about our kids and the world their growing up into and it’s terrible. We talk in filtered terms about what’s happening and our little dudes know it’s not okay. They have the empathy to understand that no matter where you come from, you shouldn’t be endangered by the government and they understand free press and why it’s scary what’s happening.
If none of this rings true with you, I don’t know what to say except that you need to wake up, pay attention and be ready to stand up for those around you when the treachery of the current administration comes to your neighborhood, because it will spread if it’s not checked.
Some Hope to Get Us Through
Since our government is fumbling to help Americans and to prosecute the evil at the core, I’m thankful to see through foreign media that things are happening outside the USA. From the UK, France and beyond there are investigations, raids, arrests, trials and more happening directly connected to the Epst3in Files (yes, meaningful typo). Also, there are active investigations going on both in the USA and abroad regarding election tampering… and whaddya know, they’ve found it in Georgia and there are investigations in other swing states too. Y’all, Trump and Musk both openly stated that they messed with the election and nobody did anything at the time. Well, things are happening now and I AM HOLDING MY BREATH for something good to happen.
Anyways, you can discount my hope and the news from around the world, but I think little glimmers like this are important. If we break, that’s what they want because then we cannot resist as both federal and state governments continue to harm Americans. Keep the hope and find the joy!
I have so much more to say, but I’ll keep it short for now. I hope you can stay informed and yet also save some space in your mind and heart for the good things. Plan a trip, go to a community meeting, plant a garden, watch PBS news, hang out with your neighbors and get to know them. Get some fresh perspective from the people around you and finish the month of February knowing that good will come out on top eventually, but we all have to help it.
Stay healthy and safe, and if you ever need any travel ideas or advice, you know where to find me!