Category Archives: On The Run

From the Mountains to the Magic: A Weekend in the Carolinas

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We’re wrapping up an unforgettable weekend adventure through Asheville and Banner Elk before heading back to Florida for a quick visit to Disney.

While Asheville served mostly as a stopover on our way to and from the mountains, it never fails to capture my heart. There’s something magical about that city—its energy, its people, its quiet beauty tucked into the Appalachians. I’ll take any excuse to return.

This visit, however, carried a heavier weight. The region is still reeling from the devastation left by Hurricane Helene. While I didn’t take photos out of respect, the destruction was impossible to ignore—homes leveled, roads washed away, rivers reshaped, lives forever changed. It was heartbreaking.

And yet, through it all, the spirit of the people here endures. Mountain strong and mountain proud. Their resilience is palpable, and there’s no doubt they’ll rebuild—stronger and more united than ever.

Our time in Banner Elk was nothing short of incredible. We stayed in Eagles Nest, one of the most breathtaking communities I’ve ever seen. The homes were beautiful, the views were stunning, and the sense of peace that filled the air was exactly what we needed. I even built my first-ever fire, which felt like a small but satisfying rite of passage in the mountains.

Best of all, we were there to celebrate our incredible Tracy, who just earned her Master’s Degree. We spent the weekend surrounded by family—laughing, eating, drinking, and toasting the brilliant, hard-working woman she’s become. I even got to sit next to her as she watched Wicked for the first time. A masterpiece of a movie for a true masterpiece of a human.

What’s Next

Tomorrow, we head back to Florida for a few magical days at Disney before continuing The Run in Atlanta to see more of our family. From there, we’ll catch our flight to Mexico, where we’ll spend the next month resting, writing, and reconnecting.

I’m endlessly grateful for this chance to explore the world—and myself—on this journey. Thanks for following along. I hope you’re enjoying The Run as much as we are.

Enjoy the views 💫

The Light In Me – A Soundtrack for Starting Over

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Curated with purpose, heart, and a little rebellion.

This isn’t just a playlist—it’s the sound of transition. A mix of anthems, heartbreakers, quiet revelations, and bold declarations that helped me navigate the space between who I was and who I’m becoming. Each song holds a piece of this journey: the release, the resistance, the clarity, the calling.

PART 1: The Stirring – Feeling the Shift

  • Kacey Musgraves – Deeper Well
    A gentle reminder that you can outgrow things—and that’s okay. Growth begins in stillness.
  • Lizzy McAlpine – Reckless Driving
    That in-between space where you know something’s changing, but you’re not quite sure where it’s going.
  • Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo – Defying Gravity
    A reclaiming of self. A refusal to be held back.
  • Taylor Swift – The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived
    Letting the hurt be known, even when you’re the one choosing to walk away.
  • Taylor Swift – So Long, London
    A mournful goodbye to a version of life that once felt like home.

PART 2: The Leap – Running Toward the Unknown

  • Glass Animals – On the Run
    The pulse of escape and excitement—running toward something, not away.
  • Orville Peck – Let Me Drown
    A moody reckoning. Leaning into emotion without needing to be rescued.
  • Taylor Swift – Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?
    Confidence reborn in defiance. You are not to be underestimated.
  • Britney Spears – Passenger
    Surrendering control and trusting the road ahead.
  • Walk the Moon – Surrender
    Not defeat, but release.

PART 3: The Reckoning – Rebuilding in the Unknown

  • Labrinth – The Feels
    Sensory overload—joy, anxiety, awe. Everything, all at once.
  • Kelly Clarkson – I Won’t Give Up
    That quiet promise you make to yourself, when no one else is listening.
  • Adele – I Drink Wine
    Processing life with brutal honesty and a glass in hand.
  • Alanis Morissette – Diagnosis
    Naming the things you’ve struggled to say out loud.
  • Birdy – Wings
    Grief meets beauty. The moment you realize you’re still capable of flight.
  • Bishop Briggs – Champion
    The comeback begins.

PART 4: The Becoming – Finding Your Fire Again

  • Bleachers – Don’t Take the Money
    A chaotic, cinematic anthem of self-worth.
  • The Chicks – Not Ready to Make Nice
    When healing doesn’t mean silence.
  • Christine and the Queens – Tilted
    Owning your quirk, your queerness, your power.
  • Demi Lovato & Noah Cyrus – Easy
    The ache of starting over—and the freedom in it.
  • Rina Sawayama & Elton John – Chosen Family
    A love letter to those who truly see you.

PART 5: The Rise – Light, Loud and Unapologetic

  • Zoe Wees – Control
    Vulnerability is strength. This is your power.
  • Imagine Dragons – Birds
    Parting ways and trusting the sky.
  • Judah & The Lion – Why Did You Run?
    The questions we ask when we start telling our story aloud.
  • Kelly Clarkson – Breakaway
    Classic. Literal. Necessary.
  • Lady Gaga – Million Reasons
    The war between staying and stepping forward.
  • Lil Nas X – Life After Salem
    Raw, honest, powerful. Queer rage and rebirth.
  • Panic! At the Disco – Hey Look Ma, I Made It
    A wink and a win.
  • Selena Gomez – Lose You to Love Me
    A ballad of self-redemption.
  • Shinedown – Daylight
    The first full breath in a long time.
  • Taylor Swift – Mad Woman
    Because anger has its place—and so does your voice.

Capybaras, a Wallaby, and an Unexpected Love Story

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Today, we made a little stop at the Capybara Cafe in St. Augustine—and it did not disappoint.

We spent the afternoon surrounded by some of the most adorable creatures you can imagine: gentle capybaras, a curious three-ring armadillo, and the star of the day—a baby wallaby who decided Casey was his new best friend.

The wallaby could not get enough of him.

Here are a few snapshots from our visit. Enjoy the cuteness overload!

The Run starts in 3 days.

New Beginnings

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Yesterday, I did something completely out of character. At 5:30 a.m., I woke with an overwhelming urge to go to the beach and watch the sunrise—one last time before this chapter of my life closes.

If you know me, you know I’m not a morning person. The only things that usually get me out of bed that early are international flights or hotel breakfasts. But this felt different. Something was calling me. And for once, I listened.

I’m glad I did.

For over an hour, I sat alone on the sand, recording a time lapse as the sun rose over the horizon. It was the first moment I’d taken for myself since walking out of the office for the last time.

I didn’t cry. I didn’t feel sad.

Instead, I felt excited. Inspired. At peace.

I planted the camera in the sand and let myself fully experience the moment. The quiet beach before dawn reminded me just how vast—and yet connected—the world truly is. As I sat there waiting for the light, billions of people were already in motion: commuting, working, learning, living their lives.

And there I was. Still. Waiting for the light to come in.

But something else became clear as the sky brightened.
The light within me is shining brighter than it has in years.

I felt a renewed sense of optimism about the world and a deeper understanding of how connected we all are—if only we pause long enough to notice. To let the light in.

Here’s to chasing the light—around the world, and within.

It’s A New Day and I’m Feeling Good

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This week marks the end of one chapter—and the start of something entirely new.

After more than a decade leading sales and marketing for a homebuilding company, I wrapped up my last day of work this past Wednesday. On Tuesday, we close on the sale of our home. And then, my husband Casey and I will officially begin a journey we’ve dreamed about for years: at least two years of full-time travel.

We’re trading our permanent address for an ever-changing one.
Trading routines for new landscapes, architecture, and the stories found off the beaten path.
Trading early alarms for early flights—and hopefully, plenty of slow, beautiful mornings, too.

This blog will be where I share it all:
🏔 Landscapes that take our breath away.
🏛 Architecture that tells the story of cultures and history.
🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQ+ experiences from places familiar and far-flung.
📸 And the hidden corners of the world most tourists miss.

Whether you’re here for travel inspiration, photography, or to follow along as two husbands explore the world, welcome.

We can’t wait to share the view.

First stop: Asheville, then onward to Disney, Atlanta, Puerto Vallarta, Iceland, Barcelona, and beyond.

Stay tuned. The adventure begins.