For whatever reason, I hate looking like a tourist. I always scolded my mother when she would take out a map and try to find out where we were, or where we were going, it immediately pegged us as tourists (Mom your still my favorite travel bud, don't worry). So being in Nantes by myself, it was a goal to be indiscreet and walk around like a normal citizen of the city. After my first half hour of attempting not to look like a tourist, I had already failed miserably. I walked out of the airport and walked toward the bus stop. It seemed so simple when online, you just hop on a bus, and fifteen minutes later you are downtown. But they didn't tell you there would be 50 options at that particular bus stop. ... read more

Memorial day weekend is the gateway to summer. Pools open, lake houses get trashed, docks are installed, and more beer is consumed then the average weekend. Most people have their traditions when it comes to this celebrated weekend. For me, I have always done something completely different. For the 2012 Memorial Day weekend, I was to venture into the wilderness of Michigan with my mother, her friend, to meet with her friend, who had brought more friends...Confusing right? I was stepping into an uncharted territory. But it was a holiday so what the hell. After a four-hour car ride, a nasty continuous storm, and a forty-degree drop in the temperature (no joke) we made it to our final destination. This cabin was unlike I had ever seen. In the 1930's a wealthy industrial owner purchased a ... read more