Chateau Orquevaux is located in the heart of the French countryside. The majority of my stay will be at Chateau Orquevaux, which is located in the Champaign region of France. After nearly four hours of driving from Charles de Gaulle, I pull up to the chateau just in time to attend the champaign reception. This…
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Mid-morning fog welcomed me to Charles de Gaulle International Airport in Paris, France. After exiting the aircraft, I follow my fellow passengers to baggage claim. Next, I follow the signs which direct me toward my rental car. Hopefully I wasn’t tricked into any unnecessary upgrades due to the language barrier. The language barrier is real…
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International travel looks different than it used to. Luckily, it’s not that different. International travel requirements seem to change on a daily basis so it’s important for me to focus elsewhere. My travel journal is a documentation of my personal experiences through the French countryside and beyond. My parents hug me good-bye after we pull…
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This is Red. Red has been sturgeon spearing since he was a boy in the 1950s. He hasn’t missed a single year on the ice of Lake Winnebago since then. The odds of spearing this prehistoric fish are slim, but that doesn’t deter him. The truth is, Red isn’t too concerned about spearing a sturgeon.…
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My solo travel adventures through France begin today. Chateau Orquevaux is the final destination for today, but a lot will happen between then and now. It’s important for me to begin this travel journal with a grateful heart. This solo travel experience wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for the support of my incredible family,…
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Always carrying my camera results in capturing inspiration when it hits. Art can be created anytime and anywhere even on the most mundane days. When I’m in the present moment, I notice subtleties overlooked by the casual observer. This is what I love most about creativity, it hits when you least expect it. I thrive…
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Our Lake Michigan cottage vacation was truly amazing. Fog moves in quickly, consuming us. It’s late spring, but the chill in the air makes it feel otherwise. We’re wrapped in blankets, head to toe. Able to move just enough to sip our wine and tend to the fire. Two cousins, a sister and me. Between…
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Nothing beats the nostalgia of vintage photography albums. Especially when they’re created by loved ones. While admiring my grandmother’s vintage photography, I can’t help but wonder if my passion for art and travel came from her. I’m drawn to photography because it captures a single moment in time. The photos that hang on a refrigerator…
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The process starts with abstract paintings. After fifteen years, I dust off my paints and brushes. It feels natural to paint again. With a minimal palette, I layer and blend oil paint into abstract paintings. Ironically, inspiration for my paintings comes from photography produced in the darkroom. My creative process cycles through my favorite mediums,…
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Three years ago I wrote about my dreaded life question. What do I want to be when I grow up? I realized the importance of that original blog post while attempting to edit it. That post is part of my story and I can’t change it, so why try. After reflecting on how far I’ve…
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