Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Don't Forget Your Hat!

Eric and I Discussing Hats
Ask any seasonal worker to list the top 10 things they never leave home without, and you're likely to find a hat somewhere on the list. Not only are they an article of clothing, they're incredibly practical for a number of reasons!

1. They keep your head warm

This might be obvious, but a good knit cap is indispensable because it keeps your head warm. The face, head, and chest are more sensitive to temperature change than the rest of the body, so having a good hat can make you feel more comfortable when you have to work outside.

2. They can protect you from the weather.

Cowboy hats are designed to keep sun off of both the face and neck. Baseball caps are made to shade the eyes, and knit caps cover your ears so you don't end up with frost bite. They're more than just a fashion statement; they're functional. 

3. You don't have to brush your hair.

Although hats can be functional, there's no denying that they can also be fashionable. On long trips, you might not have access to a shower for a couple of days. Throwing a hat on can hide oily hair and serve as a quick and easy way to get ready for a day of driving. 

Thursday, November 21, 2013

A Weekend in Upstate New York


I had a wonderful opportunity to visit Rochester, New York this weekend, and you wouldn't believe how many people asked if I was going to New York City. Then again, I had no idea where Rochester was located in respect to NYC, so I decided to include a map to help clear things up a bit! As you can see, Rochester is closer to Canada than it is to New York City. To be honest, the map was more to help me see where I was than to make sense to the reader (sorry). 

From garbage plates (meat on top of starch all topped with a spicy meat sauce) and the city market to Niagara Falls, it was an amazing weekend! One thing I feel foolish for not knowing, is that buffalo wings actually originated in Buffalo, New York. When I see it written out, it makes perfect sense, but growing up in a rural Midwestern town, I thought they were just named that. 

Eric and I at Niagara Falls



I was also lucky enough to learn an insider travel tip from Eric's family - Canada has the best view of the Falls. Even at night, it's easy to see why the Niagara Falls are considered to be one of North America's natural wonders, and I'm glad I packed my passport so that I could have a chance to see such a beautiful perspective.




One thing I've learned from traveling so much is that you never know when an opportunity to leave the country will present itself. You can't legally cross the border between Canada and the United States without a valid passport, and it's the same in Mexico, so it's a good idea to bring yours along whenever you travel, just in case. 

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Going to the Zoo

Wow! It's been a long time since I made a new post. Not too much has happened as of late, but I did manage to spend another summer in Alaska while continuing to work towards my publishing degree (which will be completed in May).  Currently, my boyfriend and I are planning a road trip to our new home in an undecided place in Alaska. Right now, our top two choices are Kodiak and Fairbanks, but we are still researching places like Homer and Sitka. We're pretty excited about it! 

In the mean time, Eric has decided to visit me on his vacation instead of going hunting. We've been checking out the best that Bloomington has to offer. Whenever I spend take up a long term residence, I like to take advantage of the local attractions, and Bloomington's Miller Park Zoo is a pretty neat little day trip.

Chatting with a Wallaby
My favorite part of the zoo, besides the otters, is the wallaby exhibit. The fences are really low, and the animals are really laid back. One of them was feeling rambunctious and jumping from one side of the compound to the other. It was awesome!

Miller Park Zoo also houses a tiger, two snow leopards, a Malaysian sun bear, a rainforest exhibit, a bunch of monkeys, and a reptile house. It's about $5.00 to get in, so you get a lot of bang for your buck. When you finish walking through the zoo, you can take a walk around the pond.