It's Good to be the Queen and other Travel Tips.

Sometimes when we travel, we forget to be playful and silly. One of my favorite (and rather quirky) things to do is take silly poses with objects be they a crown (as shown in the photo to the left) or with statues (as shown in the photos below). I get my entire family and unsuspecting friends too, to get in on the fun. The best part about this quirk is the reaction of those around you. The reactions of on-lookers are always positive. You might bring a smile to someone's face. You might inspire someone to do the same thing as you which is cool too. You might even get a mild-mannered traveling companion to participate in the fun as well.

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The point I am trying to make here is when you travel, (OR cook for that matter) allow for spontaneity. You may pass a scrumptious-smelling bakery that inspires your next morning pastry recipe. You may come across a chocolate or ice cream shop that inspires you to try a new dessert. Perhaps there is an artist sketching or photographing a detail you may have missed. You may even have an opportunity to be have an entire wing of the transportation section of the Smithsonian American History Museum ALL to yourself! 

Here, I had an opportunity to harvest some produce with my friend there and stretch my back after a long day of work. Maybe I will make a side dish...

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Here, this nice gentleman was kind enough to share his train tokens with me so I could ride the trolley to my next destination; in this case, dinner.

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Taking the time to notice the "little things" over my morning coffee inspired this foggy sunrise picture. A sort of 'now you see it, now you don't'  hide and seek with the Washington Monument. The Airforce National Monument was new to me since I had never visited Pentagon City. See, new sights and sounds can be found about any corner, even in a city you have visited numerous times.

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The glorious evening sky of Washington, D.C., our Nation's Capitol, offers many lovely views to savor but so do many places.

As with cooking, create a "guide" when traveling, NOT a set agenda, so you may be open to new experiences. Just like in cooking, travel with an open heart and mind. Happy experiencing!

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