Is there any better feeling than those first few weeks of sunshine after a long, wet winter?
While I enjoyed rekindling my love for all things snow related over winter, the time has come to be reunited with my old pal Vitamin D.
Spring is the time for day-long adventures. Ducking into a café because you actually want a coffee – not out of the necessity to shelter and thaw out. I see long bike rides, mountain hikes and plenty of al fresco dining in my future!
Sister Adventures through Boston and NYC!
April’s Expat Escapades saw my first visit to the East Coast since I moved to the USA in August last year. My reason for the trip? To meet my little sis!
I hadn’t seen Hailee since July last year, just before Tom and I left Australia. To say I was crazy excited would be a crazy understatement.
Together, we spent 10 days exploring Boston and New York City. I got the opportunity to revisit some of my favourite places, check out some new attractions, and eat my way through two fabulous cities. Of course, the highlight was spending more time in West Village – the true gem of NYC.
Tulips in Skagit Valley
Closer to home, I frolicked and photographed the beautiful bright tulips of Skagit Valley. The festival has a huge following, with photographers, artists and floral enthusiasts travelling from all over the country to visit. I’m now a total flower person.
Anacortes springs to life!
The burst of warm weather this month marked the beginning of outdoor dining season! Given Anacortes is a coastal town on Washington’s Banana Belt, there are a number of great places where you can enjoy the sunshine while you eat.
The cream of the crop? Rooftop cocktails at The Majestic, fresh seafood and bocce at the new Cabana at Anthony’s, and happy hour on the deck at Secret Cove. I know I’ll be spending a lot of time at these spots over the next few months. And of course, plenty of picnics and outdoor work sessions from Washington Park!
Camping on Lopez Island
Ever have one of those weekends where you kind of want to escape it all? Had I known how much fun I would have on Lopez Island, I would have escaped there a long time ago!
I don’t know if I’ve ever seen such an idyllic place in all my days. A small rural island in the San Juans group, Lopez Island strikes a beautiful contrast between lush green farmland and clifftop coastal walks. It’s the perfect destination for cyclists and is a nature-lovers dream. Throughout the weekend we spotted seals, dolphins, deer, rabbits, bald eagles, goats, cows and sheep. Given how excitable I become at the mere presence of a squirrel, you can imagine I was pretty stoked.
The San Juan Islands archipelago is such a spectacular region to explore. You’ll definitely be hearing more about Lopez Island from me!
Win a CityWalks guide!
I’ve recently partnered up with the folks at GPSmyCity to giveaway 20 free City Walks guides to LiveRecklessly readers!
This app is so incredibly handy when exploring a new city. It features detailed self-guided walking tours around exciting neighbourhoods, off-the-beaten path adventures, popular attractions and dining hotspots.
My favourite part? The app works offline, so there’s no need for WiFi or a data connection while you wander.
To enter, check out this post and subscribe to my newsletter.
What’s Up Next?
May is going to be full on – but in the most fun way possible. Coming up this weekend is an action-packed weekend in Seattle, before I jet off to LA to reunite with Hailee. The two of us will then road trip back up the coast to Seattle, via beachside cities and stunning national parks. Full details coming soon!
To keep up with my adventures in real-time, add me on Snapchat (live-recklessly) and Instagram (live.recklessly)!
Catch up on my latest posts:
• Friday Harbor Dining: total food and wine indulgence
• Snowshoeing in Olympic National Park: the art of trying new things
• Tulip time in Skagit Valley, Washington
Expat Escapades is a new series here at Live Recklessly. Each month I’ll recap my latest adventures in the USA, new Seattle favourites in food/drink/culture/activities, and uncover more of Anacortes and the Pacific Northwest region.
If you have any suggestions of where I should visit, let me know in the comments below!
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