As I dip my toes into the cold, clear blue water, and walk along the hot grainy, white sand - a cooling sea breeze washes over me, and I’m reminded how oh so lucky I am to have the ability to travel once again! As Americans get vaccinated and venture out, Summer is earning its rightful name as “Shot Girl Summer” - or so the girls in my office tell me, and I am ready and anxious to get back out there (safely) - never taking for granted the adventures this world has to offer.
The last year and half has been a tumultuous one, and the hospitality industry which I have dedicated my life to, has experienced total devastation. Staying in place was difficult, but I was incredibly impressed with the creativity of the industry, the innovation, and immense determination, that fostered new ways to keep us all involved and connected. But, the real deal was truly missed. I am curious to watch the next few months unfold as we come out of our shells and socialize again - as we interact and experience this new, post-pandemic era. I am hopeful, the important lessons in patience and an appreciation of the small beauties in our day to day lives is something that we all carry with us as we move forward.
Although I recently caught a flight to Alys Beach in Florida, a pandemic ritual that I will use in my summer traveling is my road bike. Feeling restless, I bought a bike several months back to help fulfill my exercise routine which had been disrupted by COVID, and it has been one of the best things I ever did. The places you can get to on a bike are incredible. I have explored parts of the DMV that I never knew of even after living here for over 20 years and I would have never otherwise been able to experience. Aside from giving me peace each morning, riding my bike helps get all those creative juices flowing, with ideas for my life, my businesses and my clients, and new projects I want to explore. Weekends now sometimes include 20 to 30 mile bike rides, traveling along different trails, avoiding the cicadas, and discovering a new haven!
As I kick off my summer, I know I am ready to experience destinations in a new way, their rich cultural histories, their unique communities, and the not so shiny and new under the radar restaurants, like the mom and pop places that are deserving of our business - which ultimately aid in telling the story of a city. Some of my bucket list trips include a visit to London to see my niece Aimee and a voyage to the African continent to visit places like Cape Town, Zimbabwe, and Egypt to share in my family’s history - which I plan to set off on sooner rather than later, because if the last year has taught us anything - it’s that time is precious! Big dreams aside, I am also looking forward to visiting my favorite locations more frequently once again. Whether it's enjoying a chilled glass of wine in the chic coastal town of Easton, Maryland, appreciating cultural discoveries in San Antonio, Texas, biting into the rich food scene of my native New Orleans, the ritual girlfriends trip get-a-way to Nantucket, or the limitless smaller journeys that I can take while riding my bike - I am ready to travel. Here’s to a summer of exploration, enjoying the outdoors, and going with the flow of the new!