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Travel Blog

Get an inside look into the world of travel by following Amber around the world. Read about her latest trips and insights, learn tips and tricks, get new ideas, and be inspired to hit the road!

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11/14/2008    Let the travel blog begin!

Several years ago, I read a paper called “Why We Blog,” by Professor Nardi of the University of California, Irvine. In it, she claims that “bloggers are driven to document their lives, provide commentary and opinions, express deeply felt emotions, articulate ideas through writing, and form and maintain community forums.” read more »

11/14/2008    I'm not lost. I'm just roving!

Today is the start of my latest travel adventure: 6-12 months exploring the United States, looking for the next great place to call home and discovering the amazing country that is my own backyard. Having grown up in the western part of the U.S., I often don’t think of this read more »

11/15/2008    The journey of a thousand miles begins here...

The first stop on my adventure is the small coastal town of Cambria, California. Smaller than I expected, Cambria is a little slice of paradise. Approximately 7,500 people, Cambria thrives on tourism, and rightly so. The scenery, the quaint downtown scene, the ocean and idyllic temperatures make this a perfect read more »

11/17/2008    So much wine, so little time!

As I work my way up the California coast, my next stop is “wine country.” This is an area I’ve always wanted to visit, but it has somehow eluded me all these years. I found a great vacation rental in Cotati, which is smack-dab in the middle of the culinary read more »

11/21/2008    Get out of your comfort zone!

At this point in my trip, I’ve finally “settled” into being on the road and have had a little time to reflect on where I’ve been and what’s ahead.

Sometimes the hardest part of any trip is the first day or two when you get out of
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11/23/2008    Could this be it?

When I returned from Switzerland for the first time, I sent an e-mail to friends and family saying that it must be the most beautiful place on earth. Well, this week, I’ve found the U.S. version of what might be the most beautiful place on earth: the Oregon coast.
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11/30/2008    Pearls, perches and Portland, oh my!

Thanksgiving took me to Utah to visit family. I flew out of Portland, which is approximately three hours from Newport, my new home for about a month. When I returned from Utah, I stayed overnight in Portland to check out the area a little. During my travels, people have raved read more »

12/13/2008    It's raining, it's pouring!

My home for the last few weeks has been in Newport, Oregon: http://discovernewport.com/. The most recognizable structure in Newport is a large green bridge located at the south entrance of town. My current vacation rental overlooks this bridge and the Yaquina Bay, and it’s been a real treat read more »

12/20/2008    Even the best-laid plans…

The next leg of my trip takes me to Port Orchard, Washington, approximately six hours from Newport, Oregon. The weather forecast has been grim, and as I set out on my trip, it turns grimmer. The Northwest has been hit by a harsh storm this weekend, complete with snow, freezing read more »

12/21/2008    Power outages and preparedness

After a long, snowy journey, I finally arrived in Port Orchard, WA today (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Orchard,_Wa). The drive from Olympia was somewhat better than yesterday, as the snow had let up, and the freeway was fairly well plowed. The side streets, however, are still packed with snow, and my vacation read more »