Cano's Castle in Antonito, Colorado
by Karon -

Leaving Colorado, Finding the Unexpected

Well, the day finally came to leave Colorado. Over the past several weeks, the mountains had become part of my daily life, always there in the distance no matter where I went. I’ll miss the cool mornings, the “Christmas trees” in the landscaping, and the simple comfort of waking up to mountain views. Colorado had begun to feel like home, and I wasn’t quite ready to say goodbye.

On my way out, I decided to visit Great Sand Dunes National Park. The drive from Colorado Springs seemed incredibly long as I meandered up to a higher elevation. When I finally reached the park, it was so odd to see massive sand dunes right at the base of the mountains. A group of young people had just finished sandboarding down the dunes and were loading up their car. I can only imagine how challenging it must have been to climb the dunes multiple times. I was content just to walk in the dunes a little and take photos.

The oddness of the dunes was just the beginning of the odd sights I would see over the next 24 hours. The drive from the park took me across the San Luis Valley, which looked sandy and desert-like. Oddly enough, it is also a thriving farming and ranching region. As I drove along looking at fields of crops interspersed with fields of sand, I drove into a sandstorm that was intense enough that I had to slow down considerably just to see the road ahead.

After about an hour, I arrived at my oddly unique hotel for the night. The hotel had a very retro vibe and the exterior of the lobby looked like architecture right out of the fifties. The rooms all opened to the parking lot, and the back had large windows so that guests could watch the drive-in movie owned by the hotel. All of the rooms had a speaker so that you could hear the movie. Each room was named after a movie star. Mine was Spencer Tracy. It felt like stepping back into another era, and I couldn’t help but imagine families pulling in for the night during the heyday of American road trips.

The next morning I began my drive to Albuquerque. Along the way, I spotted a sign for Colorado’s oldest church and, on a whim, made a quick right turn. That detour led me to Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Conejos, the oldest church in Colorado. Founded in 1858, the parish began with a small adobe chapel before the current church was completed in 1863. Rising unexpectedly from the rural landscape, the church felt almost cathedral-like. The doors were open, so I stepped inside and was immediately struck by the beautiful stained glass, artwork, statues, and marble altar. I took a few quiet minutes to pray and reflect. Standing there, I found myself thinking about how many lives had intersected in this place over the past century and a half. Although a fire destroyed much of the interior in 1926, the church was rebuilt on its original site and remains an active parish today. It was an unexpected stop, but one that added a meaningful moment to my journey south.

Next to the church, I discovered a beautiful prayer labyrinth at the El Santuario de los Pobladores — the Sanctuary of the Settlers. What I first thought of as simple sculptural accents turned out to be striking bronze bas-relief panels that frame each meditation chapel. Each one represents a Mystery of the Rosary, drawing visitors into the story of Jesus’ life and ministry in a very direct, visual way. The panels are the work of three renowned Valley artists and honor the Spanish mission saints as well as the Virgin of Guadalupe, tying the space deeply to the spiritual heritage of the region. As I walked, I also noticed additional bronze sculptures placed outside the labyrinth itself, depicting mission saints and quietly extending the sense of devotion into the surrounding grounds. Each chapel I stepped into held its own artwork and atmosphere, and I found myself discovering them one by one as I moved through the space, almost like the labyrinth was unfolding the story in real time.

I drove on to the town of Antonito where I stopped to see Cano’s Castle. I was pleasantly surprised by the intricate, almost shimmering construction of the structure, built from a striking mix of stone, concrete, and layers of recycled materials. While it’s often described as being made entirely of beer cans, that only tells part of the story — sections of the castle also reveal stonework and a broader patchwork of salvaged metal, glass, and found objects, all carefully assembled into textured walls that catch the high desert light. The longer I stood there, the more I noticed hidden patterns and unexpected materials tucked into the walls.

The castle was built singlehandedly by Dominic “Cano” Espinosa, a Vietnam veteran who spent more than three decades shaping the structure as a personal act of gratitude and survival. He has described it as his way of giving thanks to God for making it through the war, and that sense of devotion is embedded in every layer of the work. What began as a private expression gradually grew into an expansive, ongoing folk-art environment — part tribute, part spiritual offering, and part lifelong creative calling.

What makes it even more compelling is the way it rises in unexpected forms and towers, each one feeling both improvised and intentional at the same time. It is less a single “castle” than an evolving work of outsider art — beautiful, slightly eccentric, and deeply expressive in the quiet landscape of the San Luis Valley.

I stopped and took a few photos in town. There always seems to be something quietly quirky in these high desert places, as if the landscape itself invites a different kind of imagination.

Not long after, I crossed into New Mexico and began noticing homes partially tucked into the earth, almost like they had grown out of the mesa rather than been built on it. Curious, I pulled over at the Earthship Visitor Center, and what I found there felt like stepping into another version of what “home” could be.

The Earthship Biotecture Visitor Center is part of the larger Greater World Earthship Community near Taos, a sprawling 600-acre-plus experiment in off-grid living created by architect Michael Reynolds, who began developing the Earthship concept in the 1970s. These homes are built into the earth using an unexpected mix of recycled and natural materials — tires, bottles, cans, adobe, and glass — designed to work with the environment rather than against it. What stood out most was how self-sufficient they are: solar and wind power, rainwater collection, greenhouse food production, and internal systems that recycle water and waste all work together to create a home that can function independently of traditional utilities. Inside, the temperature stays remarkably steady year-round, held in that quiet 60–70°F range by thick earthen walls and thermal mass.

Standing there, it felt like I had left Colorado and stepped into a different kind of story — one where sustainability, creativity, and necessity all meet in the middle of the desert. Over the past 24 hours, I had walked on towering sand dunes, weathered a sandstorm, slept beside a drive-in movie theater, wandered through a historic church and labyrinth, explored a castle built from recycled materials, and toured homes built into the earth. If this was my introduction to New Mexico, I couldn’t wait to see what came next. Farewell, Colorado and hello, New Mexico!

by Karon -

On the Road Again, Heading a Little North: Texas to Colorado Road Trip

So, I am on the road again after a three-week visit with my son and his family. I am heading out for about three months with stays in Colorado and New Mexico. I’m really excited because I haven’t been in Colorado for about 25 years and the longest I had ever stayed was about a week. This time, I will be there for five weeks! As I started out on this trip, my heart was full from time with my grandsons and the previous month with my mom.

A friend gave me this little ornament. We’ve been friends for about 25 years. She is traveling with me in spirit.

My first stop on this trip was a short visit with my sister who lives near Dallas. Time with people I love has become so precious to me. We didn’t do anything elaborate, just some shopping and lunch, and then a dinner with her and my niece. Even though the visit was brief, being with my sister feels restorative and grounding.

From there, I headed toward Palo Duro Canyon State Park to see the “Grand Canyon of Texas,” the second-largest canyon in the country. A large, dark cloud hung low in the distance and before too long, I found myself driving along the edge of it. I hoped I would get past the storm and find sunny skies, but the dark cloud faded into a sky that was completely overcast.

Driving through the flat stretch of the Texas Panhandle, everything feels wide open and almost unchanging—and then, almost without warning, the land drops away. Pulling into Palo Duro Canyon State Park, it feels like stumbling onto something unexpected. The canyon opens up in layers of red and orange, stretching out farther than you think it will. It’s quiet in a way that’s hard to describe—no rush, no noise, just space. I noticed how the canyon looked a little different every few minutes. Almost as soon as I arrived, the rain began.

What stayed with me most wasn’t just how big it is, but how steady it feels. There’s something grounding about being there, like the canyon has been doing its thing for a very long time and doesn’t need anything from you. I stood there, taking it in—the stillness, the openness, the feeling of being small in a good way. It’s the kind of place that gently reminds you to be present, without forcing it.

Then it was on to a quick stop at the Cadillac Ranch. This is something I’ve wanted to see if I were ever passing through—and here I am. I really didn’t know much about it—just that there were old Cadillacs nose down in the ground that had been painted.

Seeing it in person was even more fun than I expected. The cars are completely covered in layers upon layers of spray paint, and people were out there adding their own colors and messages, so of course I added a little paint of my own too. Even though it was 42 degrees with a light rain, there was a connection with the other visitors. We shared cans of spray paint, took photos of each other with the cars, and laughed with a group of four men on motorcycles who were out in that unexpected weather. Those brief connections with strangers make my time on the road feel a little more connected.

I later learned the installation was created back in 1974 by an art group called Ant Farm, and the Cadillacs are buried at the same angle as the pyramids of Giza, which somehow makes the whole thing even quirkier. What I liked most was that it isn’t meant to stay the same—the artwork is constantly changing with every traveler who stops by.

My day of travel ended with an overnight stay in Trinidad, Colorado, and dinner at a Tex-Mex restaurant that was a little different from the Tex-Mex I’m used to.

After a bit of sightseeing the next morning, I started the drive toward Arvada, where I’ll be staying for the next couple of weeks.

By the time I reached that stretch of the trip, it felt like this first leg had already given me more than I expected—time with people I love, a reminder to slow down, and a few moments of quiet that seem to stay with you long after you leave. Not a bad way to begin three months on the road.

by Karon -

A Slow Morning in Fredericksburg, Tx.

Some days aren’t meant for plans.
They’re meant for wandering — for walking slowly down familiar streets, noticing the things you might otherwise pass by.

This week, I found myself doing just that in Fredericksburg, letting the day unfold one small moment at a time.

The morning light hit the buildings along Main Street just right, casting long shadows across the sidewalks. The town felt quieter at this hour, as if it was still stretching awake. A few doors were just beginning to open, the soft sound of shops coming to life spilling into the street.

Walking through a small town on a sunny morning has always been one of my favorite ways to explore. Even here, in a place I’ve been many times before, everything felt a little new — as if I was seeing it again for the first time.

A small shop window stopped me in my tracks. Bunnies tucked among soft florals, pale pastels layered carefully, each detail placed with intention. It was simple, but beautiful in a way that made me pause a little longer than expected.

A few doors down, another window caught my eye — leather boots and Stetson hats. I could almost imagine the familiar scent of leather, the kind that lingers in a good boot store. Classic, unmistakably Texas.

I found a bench and sat for a while. The air still held onto the cool of the morning, but the sun was beginning to warm it. Footsteps echoed lightly along the sidewalk. A couple passed by, walking hand in hand, their pace unhurried. I caught myself wondering about them — how long they’d been together, whether this was home or just a visit, what their story might be.

More people began to appear, one or two at a time. A quiet rhythm was building.

I stopped for a chai tea and stayed longer than I had planned. It was the kind of pause that didn’t need a reason. I just sat there, people-watching. I found myself doing more of this these days — allowing space for small moments to be enough on their own.

The busyness of being a mother and teacher felt far away in moments like this.
There was space to notice. To sit. To stay.

And then, I got up and continued on — a little slower, a little more aware, carrying the quiet of the morning with me.

American Flamingo at Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center
by Karon -

A Flamingo, a Colorful Shop, and Surprises in Port Aransas

I started my day in Port Aransas walking the beach at sunrise, beachcombing for over an hour. The waves were rough, the sky heavy with clouds, and the early glow of pink from the rising sun quickly disappeared behind them. The sand was cool underfoot, and each wave left treasures along the shore. I collected a bounty of shells—mostly scallops, in shades of gray, black, orange, and white. Each one felt like a small treasure, a tiny piece of the beach’s beauty to carry with me.

From the beach, I wandered to the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, where another surprise awaited. In the shallow waters, a bright pink figure stood out—a lone flamingo, a visitor from far away who has called this sanctuary home since 2023. Believed to have arrived on the winds of Hurricane Idalia, this American Flamingo likely traveled from the Yucatan Peninsula. While flamingos are rare in Texas, locals have grown accustomed to spotting this striking visitor, who has become a star on Facebook birding groups and a favorite subject for photographers.

I had come hoping to catch a glimpse of the elegant Roseate Spoonbills, but the flamingo stole the show. I settled onto the sun-warmed bench with only my phone in hand, watching as it waded gracefully through the shallow water. Around me, the marsh was alive with birds—dozens of wintering white pelicans floated and fished, while a variety of ducks paddled quietly nearby. Their calls mingled with the gentle ripple of waves, creating a peaceful symphony of wildlife. Nearby birders shared quiet excitement, snapping photos and whispering observations.

Later, on another visit to Port Aransas, I met a woman who was equally unforgettable, though in a very different way. She owned a small shop, and her personality radiated from every corner of it. A woman of a certain age, she wore jeans that looked as if someone had graffitied them with bright words and colors, a vivid top covered in the word “love” in every hue, and bright red boots. Her shop reflected her energy—inside and out, it was a kaleidoscope of color, full of quirky details like the feet of the Wicked Witch of the West sticking out from under the front of the building. Even her car seemed to shout fun and originality. She was lively, exuberant, and unmistakably herself—much like the flamingo, a one-of-a-kind presence in this little beach town.

Both encounters reminded me of the small surprises that make life memorable. Sometimes it’s a bird carried by a hurricane that finds a new home, sometimes a person whose joy and creativity is impossible to ignore, sometimes the simple treasures of shells on the shore. All left me smiling, and all made me appreciate the unique character of Port Aransas—the way it invites visitors to notice the extraordinary in the ordinary.

Whether you’re wandering the beaches at sunrise, exploring the birding center, or stopping in the colorful shops along the streets, Port Aransas has a way of offering little moments of delight that stay with you long after you leave. The flamingo, the pelicans, the shop owner, and the colorful shells each have their own kind of brilliance, reminding me that life is richer when we pause to notice the unexpected, the vibrant, and the one-of-a-kind.

by Karon -

Wintering by the Sea: How I Got Here

I didn’t wake up one morning and decide to set out — but I had been imagining it for a long time.

Before I ever packed a bag or stepped into this season of slow, nomadic travel, there was a quieter beginning. Long before the movement, there was downsizing — sorting through years of accumulated things and thoughtfully deciding what to keep, what to release, and what no longer fit the life I was stepping into. The process took time, intention, and more emotional energy than I anticipated. In many ways, it was the first act of becoming a nomad.

Looking back, I can see how letting go of physical things created space — not just in my surroundings, but internally as well. What followed wasn’t a dramatic departure, but more of a gentle unfolding. A month of preparing and releasing gradually gave way to three months of movement, exploration, and learning how to live more lightly.

I’ve walked beaches along the Atlantic and the Gulf, dipped my toes into two of the Great Lakes, climbed lighthouses, and wandered quiet trails that encouraged me to slow down rather than rush ahead. I tasted local foods, explored without an agenda, and learned to move through places without hurrying toward the next one.

Along the way, I’ve witnessed the quiet magic of nature: manatees gliding through the water, foxes darting across my path, chipmunks and wild turkeys going about their days, and seabirds tracing graceful arcs across the sky. I’ve stood beneath brilliant fall colors, experienced a light dusting of snow, and — somewhat improbably — found myself swimming in late November.

Some of the most meaningful parts of this journey have been the people. I’ve spent time with two of my sisters, visited Amy and her family, Ryan and his family, and shared unhurried moments with my mother. I reconnected with a dear friend I had met years ago in Italy, a reminder of how deeply some connections endure across time and distance. I also spent time in person with a close friend I had once taught with in Japan, catching up in a way that felt grounding and familiar. Along the way, I was met with kindness from strangers — small gestures that lingered longer than expected.

What continues to surprise me most is how this life — outwardly full of movement — has brought a sense of inner steadiness. I’ve seen mountains, beaches, lakes, and everything in between — and more than that, I’ve learned how little I actually need to feel content. Each place, each mile has been less about change and more about alignment.

Now, as this post is published, I’ve settled into a two-month stay in a small coastal town — a sort of wintering without fully stopping. It feels like a natural pause in the movement, a chance to live a little slower while staying open to what unfolds.

This chapter isn’t about checking off destinations or collecting experiences for their own sake. It’s about paying attention — to landscapes, to people, and to myself. It’s about discovering that freedom can be both expansive and quiet at once, and that this quieter freedom is creating room to imagine what comes next.

As this journey continues, I’m holding it loosely — allowing space for rest, curiosity, and whatever unfolds in its own time. These past months have reminded me that life doesn’t always require us to know the whole path ahead. Sometimes it simply invites us to begin.

— Kari

by Karon -

Saying Yes to the Things That Scare Us

Some moments in life arrive quietly — a story we hear, a sentence that lingers, a spark that nudges us toward something braver. For me, that spark came while driving to my next stop on this journey, listening to a podcast featuring Shonda Rhimes — the brilliant creator of Grey’s Anatomy. She shared how, even after all her success, she realized she had been living small. She often said no to opportunities — interviews, speaking engagements, events — because she was shy and preferred to stay home.

Then she made a decision that changed everything: for one year, she would say yes to the things that scared her. Yes to showing up. Yes to being seen. Yes to growth. That commitment not only transformed her life but also inspired her to write her book Year of Yes. By the end of that year, she had become a different person — more confident, more open, more alive.

Listening to her story, I felt such a connection. In many ways, this new chapter in my life is my own version of saying yes. It was scary to sell nearly everything I owned, leave behind what was familiar, and begin life as a nomad — traveling full time and not knowing exactly what each next stop will bring. But it was something I had dreamed about for years.

And honestly, saying yes to the things that scare me isn’t new. I’ve carried a fear of heights for as long as I can remember — the kind that makes my stomach drop on even a third-floor balcony. Then one year, my son gave me a journal-style book all about feeling the fear and doing it anyway. It was the push I needed.

Slowly, I started choosing courage on purpose.
I went ziplining over a river in the mountains — absolutely terrifying, yet somehow exhilarating.
I drove over the “scariest bridge in America” with knuckles so tight I’m amazed the steering wheel survived.
And in Japan, I inched across a shaky rope bridge I nearly talked myself out of.

None of those moments erased my fear of heights. But each one reminded me that I’m stronger than the voice that says don’t.

I think many of us go through life doing what we’re supposed to do — checking off the boxes, following routines, and putting off the things our hearts quietly long for. We dream of adventure, creativity, or change, but fear whispers all the reasons why we shouldn’t take the leap.

For me, this journey is about courage and trust — saying yes to the unknown, yes to new places, and yes to becoming who I’m meant to be. Every time I choose to step forward instead of step back, I discover a little more freedom.

And maybe that’s the quiet beauty of saying yes: we don’t have to become fearless — we just have to become willing.

by Karon -

Catching Up in Acworth, GA — and Remembering a Summer in Italy

I recently visited Acworth, Georgia—a charming lakeside town tucked into the foothills of the North Georgia mountains. Known as “The Lake City,” Acworth sits along the banks of Lake Acworth and Lake Allatoona, with quiet water views, a historic downtown, and that unmistakable Southern warmth that makes you want to slow down and stay a while.

But my visit to Acworth wasn’t just about exploring a new place. It was about reconnecting with a friend I met years ago, in one of my favorite places in the world: Italy.

Several years ago, I spent a summer living alone in Vicenza. I didn’t know a single person when I arrived—not in the city, and not in Italy at all. The only connection I had was my work as a DODEA teacher, which allowed me base access and the chance to join excursions organized for the military community. I spent my days wandering cobblestone streets, hopping on trains to nearby cities, and studying in the base library as I finished postgraduate coursework. I had been learning Italian and tried to practice whenever I could, though many locals would kindly reply in English.

One afternoon, while out in town, I met Gail—an American whose husband was working on the base. We became instant friends, one of those rare people you click with immediately, as if you’ve known them for years. From that moment on, the summer blossomed into a series of unforgettable adventures.

We went to wine tastings tucked into hillside vineyards, lingered over meals in tiny restaurants hidden down narrow streets, and explored festivals bursting with color and music. Her husband often joined us, and the three of us shared some of the funniest and most memorable moments of my time in Italy.

There was the day we drove up the mountain to Asiago—yes, where the cheese comes from—twisting through those dramatic hair-pin turns that somehow felt equal parts exhilarating and slightly terrifying. And then there was the legendary “goat trail” incident, when the GPS insisted that a narrow path through an orchard was, in fact, the correct route to a winery. We laughed the whole way, convinced we were about to end up in the middle of someone’s field, but also fully committed to the adventure.

Those months in Italy were a gift—full of curiosity, connection, and the kind of friendship that stays with you long after the plane ride home.

Which is why seeing Gail again in Acworth felt so special. We slipped right back into that easy rhythm, sharing memories, catching up on life, and enjoying the simple joy of spending time together. Acworth made the perfect backdrop for it—peaceful lakes, mountain-framed views, and a welcoming town that encourages you to pause, breathe, and appreciate the people who matter.

Travel has taken me many places, but some of the most meaningful moments are the ones that reconnect me with the friendships formed along the way. My visit to Acworth was one of those moments—a sweet reminder that distance and time mean very little when a friendship is built on shared adventure, laughter, and the kind of connection you don’t stumble upon often.

by Karon -

Sun City Center, Florida Adventures

This week has carried me to Sun City Center, a quiet Florida town that’s turned out to be the perfect setting for my second pet-sitting adventure. The rhythm here is slow and easy—golf carts humming down the streets, neighbors waving from driveways, and mornings that seem to invite you to linger a little longer. The two pups I’m caring for are gentle and content, which has given me plenty of space to wander and explore the coastlines nearby.

One of my first beach days was at Siesta Key, where the sand is so white and soft it feels like walking through sifted flour. It’s the kind of place that urges you to pause—where the horizon stretches wide and the whole day seems to expand around you.

Turtle Beach offered a quieter contrast, with darker, grainier sand and a peacefulness that feels made for slow thinking and unhurried walks.

One of the moments that stayed with me the most happened at the Apollo Beach Manatee Viewing Center. I spotted a mother manatee gliding alongside her baby, only a few months old. Manatees have always tugged at my heart—Amy and I swam with them years ago in Crystal River—and seeing them again, even briefly, brought that same sense of awe rushing back.

Anna Maria Island has been another sweet surprise. I spent a morning at Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach, where the shoreline stretches wide, the waves roll in gently, and the free island trolley passes by with a kind of old-Florida charm. It’s one of those places that makes you want to stay until the sun begins to sink.

Later, I wandered over to Historic Bridge Street and the old pier in Bradenton Beach. Once part of the original 1920s wooden bridge that connected the island to the mainland, the pier now feels like a little pocket of history—fishermen casting lines, pelicans drifting close, families strolling between small shops and cafes. There’s something nostalgic there, even on your first visit.

After visiting the beaches and wandering the pier, I even found time to take a dip in the neighborhood pool—a surprisingly warm and refreshing treat at the end of November. It felt like a little secret slice of summer tucked into the fall, a quiet moment to linger in the sun and water before heading back to the pups.

Even though my time here is short, this corner of Florida has offered more than I expected—quiet beaches, gentle wildlife, easy mornings, and places that carry a kind of timeless charm. Sun City Center has been a calming home base between beach days, pool swims, and dog cuddles, a reminder that the best adventures don’t always have to be big or far away.

– Kari

by Karon -

St. Augustine: A Walk Through History

St. Augustine is one of those rare places where history isn’t something you read about—it’s something you walk through. Cobblestone paths, salt-touched air, centuries-old stone walls… the entire city feels like a story unfolding around you. As the oldest continuously settled city in the United States, it holds a richness that’s hard to capture in just one visit—which is probably why I’m already planning a return.

Founded in 1565 by Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, St. Augustine sits between the San Sebastian River and the Matanzas River on a slender peninsula, just inland from the Atlantic. The Spanish influence is everywhere—tile roofs, courtyards, wrought iron balconies, and thick coquina buildings that have stood through sieges, fires, and eras of change.

I began my visit at the Old City Gate, where the streets behind it open into a charming network of historic shops, galleries, and preserved homes. Some of the walkways are still brick or cobblestone, and the mix of textures—weathered wood, stone, iron—creates a feeling that’s less like sightseeing and more like gently stepping into another time.

Tucked along St. George Street near the City Gate sits the Oldest Wooden School House, a charming reminder of early colonial life. Built by 1716, it’s one of the earliest wooden structures in the city and offers a glimpse into what school life was like for children in the early 1700s. Visitors can tour the little property and imagine a day in the life of students centuries ago.

Not far from the gate stands the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, and it ended up being one of the highlights of my short visit. Sitting just off the Plaza de la Constitución, it’s the oldest Catholic parish in the United States, with roots reaching back to the city’s founding. When Pedro Menéndez landed in 1565, a priest traveling with him—Padre López de Mendoza Grajales—presented him with a cross. Menéndez kissed the base, the Spanish flag, and claimed the land for both Spain and the Church. The first Catholic Mass in the continental U.S. was celebrated that day.

The cathedral as it stands now was completed in 1797, and parts of the original coquina walls still remain. Inside, the blend of history and artistry is stunning:

  • Murals by Hugo Ohlms, installed in the 1960s, sweep across ceilings and walls.
  • Stained glass windows depict scenes from the lives of Saint Augustine and his mother, Saint Monica.
  • Hand-carved sculptures of Jesus, Saint Augustine, and Saint Peter frame the altar—where Jesus is shown in His resurrection, rather than His crucifixion.

It’s a place that feels both ancient and deeply alive.

From there, I wandered toward the Castillo de San Marcos, the massive 17th-century Spanish fort that still watches over the water. Built between 1672 and 1695, it’s the oldest masonry fort in the United States. Standing on its grounds, with the Matanzas River shimmering nearby, it’s impossible not to feel the layers of stories—pirates, soldiers, explorers, and ordinary people who lived their lives within sight of those walls.

Though I didn’t have time to visit on this trip, I also want to see the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, tied to the legend of Ponce de León’s 1513 landing. Knowing I was that close to the site of his expedition makes me even more eager to return and explore it properly.

Walking along the waterfront and wandering through the historic district, I realized how easily this city settles into you—quietly, but unmistakably. The tucked-away shops, the old stonework, the sound of church bells, the mix of Spanish and coastal southern charm—it all leaves an impression that lingers.

My visit was short, and there’s still so much I want to see. St. Augustine deserves time—time to wander, time to listen, time to let the centuries speak.

I’ll definitely be back. Some places simply ask you to return, and this is one of them.

– Kari

by Karon -

Trolls: A Field Study — A Whimsical Adventure at the North Carolina Arboretum

After my time in Hendersonville, I made a quick stop in Asheville to visit something I’ve been quietly excited about ever since I first heard the news: Trolls: A Field Study, the newest traveling exhibit by Danish recycle-artist Thomas Dambo. I’ve seen four of his giant 30-foot forest trolls on this trip — quirky, gentle giants tucked into woods across the U.S. and around the world — but this exhibit is different. These trolls are his “Baby Trolls”, standing only seven to nine feet tall… small by troll standards, but every bit as magical.

A Field Study of Us — Through Troll Eyes

The exhibit tells a story:
On the night he was born, a little troll named Taks wandered into the human world. What he saw surprised him — noisy machines, people rushing, screens glowing everywhere, and almost no one stopping to talk to the trees. When he returned to the forest, he shared his discoveries with his eleven siblings, and together they set out on a mission to study humankind.

That’s the heart of Trolls: A Field Study — twelve whimsical troll sculptures exploring the grounds of the North Carolina Arboretum from November 15, 2025 through February 17, 2026. Each troll has its own personality, posture, and curiosity. And each one is hand-built from reclaimed materials — fallen branches, pallets, twigs, and scraps that Dambo transforms into something imaginative and alive.

There’s so much joy in wandering the paths and stumbling upon them. Some lean in as if listening. Some peer through wooden binoculars. Some crouch quietly, observing. They’re playful, thoughtful, and just a little mischievous.

The Baby Trolls (And Why They’re Special)

Most of Dambo’s trolls around the world are towering, 20- to 30-foot forest guardians tucked into wild places. But these “Baby Trolls” were designed as part of an interactive, family-friendly experience. They’re still large and impressive — especially when you turn a corner and suddenly find one studying you — but they feel more approachable, as if they wandered just far enough from home to be curious.

An Unexpected Treasure Hunt

One of the most fascinating parts of this exhibit is the hidden layer of adventure woven into it. Each troll has a symbol, and if you collect all of the symbols from the twelve trolls in Asheville plus a couple of symbols from other Dambo troll locations in North Carolina, you can complete a sort of treasure map that leads to The Grandmother Tree.

I didn’t have time to do the full symbol hunt — I was only able to stop for a quick visit — but I love the idea of it. A slow-travel scavenger hunt, a bit of whimsy for adults and kids alike, and a reminder that exploration is always rewarded for those who linger a little longer. If you’re in the area for a few days (or traveling through multiple NC towns), this would be such a fun experience.

A Gentle, Playful Reminder

What I love most about Dambo’s work is that it always carries a message, and this exhibit is no exception. These trolls — made from recycled materials — invite us to see the world differently. To look up more. To wander slower. To return to the kind of curiosity we had as kids, when finding something unexpected on a trail felt like magic.

And in a world that often feels busy and fast, it felt grounding to walk among them, even briefly.

If You Go

Location:
The North Carolina Arboretum, Asheville, NC

Dates:
November 15, 2025 – February 17, 2026

What to Expect:

  • 12 Baby Troll sculptures
  • Gentle walking paths
  • Kid– and adult-friendly exploration
  • Symbol-hunting “field study” opportunity
  • Beautiful forest and garden surroundings
  • Peak whimsy

Whether you’re visiting Asheville for a day or exploring Western North Carolina for a season, Trolls: A Field Study is absolutely worth adding to your list.