Question, re: February 2026 - is this going to work out?
I know that January has been tough, and maybe the most difficult month any of us has had in a long while. I just wonder how February is going to roll, especially as we travel to precarious places.
This year started off rough, I think we can all agree to that. It’s been difficult to get myself back to my computer to share my thoughts and experiences because life in the USA is just so intense right now. As a parent with kids in public schools I wonder what they’re hearing, or how specific events are being discussed in classes like human geography or history. It’s just so much if you are paying even the smallest bit of attention. And if you’re a parent or involved with schools, it’s extra heavy. If the current events and news cycle are beating you down, I get it. And you should know that it’s intentional.
I like to use my newsletter to share a little about what’s happening in our world and mostly talk about our travels, and today I do have a lot of fun travel stuff to share, but I wanted to touch on one thing real quick: resilience and resistance is going to look different for everyone right now. For people close to the tragedies and locations where the government is focusing action, they are in the streets and being loud and visible. For those of us further away, we’re speaking up and not letting our guard down as actual textbook fascism takes hold around us. I can’t believe that all the books I read in high school and college finally are paying off, but in a way I never wanted them to.
Thank you for tuning in while I share both what’s weighing on me and what’s keeping us going. I appreciate that you have taken a few minutes to read what I share.
Current state: Wading through the News
So yeah, like, what in the heck. We all knew in 2016 that things were going to be weird and likely some bad things would go down, but even with my deep understanding of how bad of a person DJT was 10 years ago, I still didn’t think America would let me run our government into fascism and that we’d lose our place in the world. And yes, when my mom yelled at me and asked if she was deplorable too and I said yes back in 2016 I meant it then and I mean it now. EVERYONE knew he was a very bad person surrounded by bad people and still, “He’s the only one that will save the unborn” was the line that was the most important to everyone.
And now here we are. Regular people are being killed in the streets, which no matter what the government says they were doing, we all saw with our own eyes that they were not endangering ICE officers and even so, you don’t get to be judge/jury/executioner just because you signed up to be a part of the fascist police.
And then journalists who accurately report the news were arrested. ARRESTED. Wait no, the DOJ couldn’t actually get a judge to sign off on warrants, so four journalists were kidnapped as a distraction while more HORRIFYING files were release. I’m really glad the journalists have been released, but who’s to say that next time this happens they will be.
The point to sharing all this and rehashing some of it is to say that things really ARE NOT OKAY in the states and we are really in the depths of tyranny. Yes, we are all having to continue to go about our lives and earn a living and raise kids, but it’s so much to cut through each day just to function. I read something in a library group where somebody called out that during WWII when things were escalating in Europe, everyone was still having to make sandwiches and do their laundry, even though they knew the world was burning. That’s what it feels like right now.
PS: in the middle of all this we also had our first bone-break in the family, so that’s been something else to deal with too.
Traveling for Joy and Perspective
Something I have been reminded of in the last month is how narrow my own perspective is when I’m just at home and we’re in our routine. I get the news and social media and that’s what colors my perceptions. When I actually leave our little town and see what’s really happening in the world, it’s a welcome perspective. Living in a small Florida beach town, people are pretty unconcerned on the outside about everything that’s happening, and it’s like a whole world of disassociation (even though there is only maybe 5% of the visible Trump support of what it used to be) where the problems of the world don’t exist. Head to anywhere else and you see it.
I was just in New York City and it was amazing to see people with signs and shirts and action to raise awareness about what’s happening. Talking to people and hearing that they too are stunned by the current state and what they’re doing at home to fight fascism was amazing. The news cycle makes you think that people are just going along with the government turning rotten and hurting Americans, but that’s not the case. People are fighting hard and loud all over the country. That was some encouraging perspective I needed. And NYC was fun.
I was talking with a friend in New York and she reminded me that travel and finding joy are acts of resistance. It may seem obtuse or selfish to take a vacation or do something fun, but those actions energize us and allow us to continue to stand up and fight. Seeing the world beyond our door is a good reminder that we are part of a bigger community and others are out there sacrificing their comfort and now even their lives to ensure that people they don’t know are safe and have a chance at life. Even if it seems no okay to plan a trip for fun, it IS okay and I would even say it’s valuable right now so that we don’t crumble under the weight of fascism.
Newest Blog Features - FUN and Things to Look Forward To
So yeah, we’ve had some great trips lately and I’m so thankful that it’s a part of my work because, like I said, even with everything happening we still have to make sandwiches and do laundry. Travel as a huge part of my work is what’s holding me together, and I know my family feels it too. So, here’s what you may have missed!
Anchorage, Alaska Winter Trip
You know we love getting to spend time in Alaska and with each visit I miss living there more and more. We got to enjoy nearly our whole winter break including Christmas and New Years in Anchorage and Palmer, and it was so much fun. Yes, it was dark from 4:00 pm to 9:30 am, but we made the most of our twilight hours and sunshine. Read all about Anchorage in Winter here!
Favorite activities and guides for a winter trip:
Outbound Heli Adventures - glaciers and moose from the air
Alaska Backcountry Adventures - Glacier exploring via UTV
Adventures by True North AK - winter kayaking & sauna and cold plunge (OMG)
Skeetawk Ski Area in Hatcher Pass - easy skiing for us mellow skiers
Florida Keys and the Everglades
I’m so thankful that we get to visit the Florida Keys often. This trip was all about doing things we hadn’t done before. We’re usually on the go go go, so we took it easy and only did a few scheduled activities. We even got to have a night out without the kids. Thank you to the Blue Flamingo Resort who we’ve worked with before for asking us to come back and see their renovation. It was a great reason to visit the Keys again. Read all about this Keys trip here!
Here are some of the highlights from this trip:
Dolphin Life Key Largo - this gave me a completely new view of dolphin encounters
Treasure Harbor Resort - staying on a houseboat in Islamorada
Marathon Mermaid - really fun day on the sandbar
New York City
Every January I go back to NYC and the last few times I’ve brought a kiddo with me. This year I went just with a friend (and then I had my conference too). We did some really cool activities that we hadn’t done before including visiting Roosevelt Island via the tram, we did a Chinatown walking tour with Tours by Locals that was really fascinating, went to the Metropolitan Opera and saw Madama Butterfly, and so much more. Read all about Visiting NYC in Winter here!
Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley
I always love getting to visit Palm Springs, and this trip was just as wonderful as every other one, but it was also different. I got to attend the IGLTA World Conference focused on inclusivity in travel. It was really inspiring to hear from people from all around the world who are doing important work to educate travel partners and governments about LGBTQ issues, acceptance and safety. Add to this getting to spend a week with other writer friends exploring Joshua Tree NP, the Coachella Valley and the history of Palm Springs… It was unforgettable. Read all about Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley here!
Upcoming Travel We’re Looking Forward To
Again, I’m thankful my job is all about travel so I always have something to look forward to, even in tough times. 2026 is going to take us all around the USA and Caribbean, and maybe to Europe, but that’s kind of on hold while we sort out our comfort with the current state of the world. Some fun projects we’ll be sharing include Maine in Winter (skiing and winter sports), some new Florida destinations, sailing in Alaska with the Boat Company (very niche travel) and of course, getting to head back to Hawaii for a few projects.
I look forward to sharing it all and providing some inspiration for YOU to take a break and recharge.
That’s all for now. In the meantime, stay heathy, stay safe, have hard conversations, and take time to let yourself find a little joy. I hope February is a better month that January. Until next time…
I am so glad to hear that you are doing well. ✨