The Ocean City, Maryland Restaurant Without the Crowds

If you have been to the beach during the summer season, then you know that it is PACKED at ALL times, whether it be the restaurants, the boardwalk, the beaches, the shops, or the traffic. Ocean City, Maryland is NO different than any of the other beaches crowd-wise during the summer months. I regularly visit my family at the Delaware beaches, which is close by to Ocean City, Maryland and its super fun boardwalk and GREAT restaurants. On my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!), I shared a bit about my restaurant experience at The Lighthouse Restaurant – a restaurant located along the Chesapeake Bay in nearby-to-Ocean City-Bishopville, Maryland.

Read more on my recent travel experiences on the blog here:

*Disclaimer: Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through one of my links, then I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no extra cost to you. Additionally, this post is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own.*

Shop my dress here: https://rstyle.me/+Ic_YV2kaBOWdZcI-gdcWGQ

My family and I spent about 30 minutes driving through the backroads of the Delaware beaches. We were driving through the farms of Delaware, which are on the outskirts of the Delaware beaches. After those 30 minutes were up, we ended up at the gorgeous Lighthouse Sound Restaurant, surrounded by gorgeous waterfront views at every turn, the sound of seagulls chirping, and amazing cuisine!

The Lighthouse Sound Restaurant is located along the Chesapeake Bay and doubles as a club house. It offers both indoor and outdoor seating and gorgeous views of the Chesapeake Bay at every turn. There is a gazebo outside, hills and hills of golf courses, pathways, and the waterfront views. They even *yes, even* have a fireplace in the Wintertime for outdoor seating. My family and I sat outside in their white Adirondack chairs to enjoy our dinner, which boast adorable preppy and classic beauty vibes! At the same time, the indoor seating offered opens up to a HUGE set of windows and there is even an Americana-themed bar, too. As for the menu, the Lighthouse Sound Restaurant offers a plethora of fresh seafood dishes that are local to the Ocean City, Maryland/Delaware beaches area. All in all, it’s a great dining experience!

The BEST part of the Lighthouse Sound Restaurant?! NO BEACH CROWDS!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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My Updated Washington, DC Area Bucket List!

If you know me or perhaps follow me on Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!), then you know that I LOVE LOVE LOVE where I live! Living in the Washington, DC area has been nothing but a blessing to me ever since I moved here back in May 2021. When I first moved here, I made my own Washington, DC Area Bucket List (read it here!) and haven’t looked at it since then. SO, I figured I would provide an updated bucket list based off of the one I made back in May and some new things that I want to do in the area.

Washington, DC

  • Have a picnic at The National Mall
  • See a show at The Kennedy Center
  • See a show at Warner Theatre
  • Eat dinner at Old Ebbitt Grill
  • Attend a blogger meet up downtown
  • Walk along Dupont Circle and U Street Northwest
  • Try Baked & Wired’s Cupcakes in Georgetown – DID IT!
  • Admire the aisles and enjoy some delights at Eastern Market 
  • Watch the sunrise from the Jefferson Memorial 
  • Take blog photos in Georgetown – DID IT!
  • Hike at Aldie Historic Park
  • Try Urban Roast for brunch – DID IT!
  • Walk around Capitol Hill
  • Go to a Nationals baseball game – DID IT!
  • Tour the White House, the Capitol, the Supreme Court Building, and the Library of Congress
  • Take photos along the cobblestone streets of Georgetown – DID IT!
  • Walk around the Sculpture Garden
  • Tour the National Cathedral – DID IT!
  • Walk along the Tidal Basin when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom at sunrise 
  • Tour the Tudor Place – DID IT!
  • Enjoy cocktails at The Wharf 
  • Watch the sunset from the Lincoln Memorial
  • Have a high tea at Lady Camellia
  • See The Nutcracker at the Kennedy Center
  • Take a stroll along Georgetown Waterfront Park – DID IT!
  • Go to the Renwick Gallery
  • Have a picnic at the United States National Arboretum
  • Admire the flora of the United States Botanical Garden
  • Visit Ford’s Theatre
  • Learn ways to not repeat history ever again at the Holocaust Museum 
  • Ice skate at the Sculpture Garden (probably won’t do this – haha!)
  • Enjoy doing work at a local cafe 
  • Visit Enchante at Nationals Park at Christmas time – DID IT! 
  • Watch The National Christmas Tree Lighting 
  • Shop in Georgetown – DID IT!
  • Walk through the Freer Gallery of Art *yet again*
  • Get a Washington, DC library card

Virginia

  • Visit George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate at Christmas time 
  • Explore downtown Fairfax 
  • Enjoy dinner at a local Irish pub in Arlington
  • Get a Virginia library card
  • Go back to Carlyle Grand for dinner in Shirlington
  • Stroll through the cobblestone streets of Old Town Alexandria *yet again*
  • Take a day trip to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello – DID IT!
  • Go back to Busboys & Poets for dinner in Shirlington
  • Visit the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens 
  • Hike yet again at Great Falls Park
  • Spend an evening at the outdoor picnic areas in Reston Town Center
  • Visit James Madison’s Montpelier for a day trip near Charlottesville
  • Make it to all of the Charlottesville vineyards on the Monticello Wine Trail
  • Drive through the countryside of Loudon County, specifically Middleburg and Leesburg 
  • Admire the sunflowers and/or tulips at Burnside Farms 
  • Explore downtown Vienna – DID IT!
  • Sip some wine at one of the many Middleburg vineyards 
  • Enjoy dinner and strolling along the streets of Shirlington 
  • Take a hike at Occoquan Regional Park
  • Shop at the Leesburg Premium Outlets
  • Enjoy a meal out and shopping at the Mosaic District – DID IT!
  • Go iceskating at Reston Town Center (probably not doing this anytime soon!)
  • Spend an evening at the outdoor picnic areas in Fairfax Corner
  • Explore downtown Washington
  • Hike along Shenandoah National Park and drive along Skyline Drive – DID IT!
  • Explore Fredericksburg
  • Shop at the Potomac Mills Tanger Outlets 
  • Enjoy the nightlife and food scene in Arlington – DID IT!
  • Walk along Clifton and take blogger photos there – DID IT!

Maryland

  • Stroll through Annapolis at Christmas time – DID IT!
  • Enjoy dinner at National Harbor – DID IT!
  • Take a day trip or weekend excursion to St. Michael’s Island 
  • Enjoy a night at MGM in National Harbor 
  • Have a high tea with family in Annapolis 
  • Admire the Christmas lights at the Gaylord National Hotel – DID IT!
  • Shop at the Tanger Outlets at National Harbor 
  • Admire the downtown Annapolis area and enjoy ice cream there in the summer time – DID IT!
  • Visit Baltimore, Maryland 
  • Walking around Fells Point in Baltimore 
  • Tour downtown Frederick
  • BONUS: Visit Harpers Ferry, West Virginia at Christmas time
  • BONUS: Visit Harpers Ferry, West Virginia yet again

Now, onward to many more Washington, DC area adventures!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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A July 4th Weekend in the DMV

Baby you’re a firework!!! This past weekend, my best friends Hannah and Alanna visited for the July 4th weekend. We had a blast and were able to, as Hannah put it, visited three states – Virginia, District of Columbia, and Maryland – in 3 days. We spent our weekend exploring the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, Virginia (but mostly for a fireworks show), Annapolis, Maryland with a boat ride along the Severn River off of the Chesapeake Bay, and of course Washington, DC. Today, I will be sharing our experiences from the past weekend AND some tips and tricks to combating the crowds and still having a great time at the notable fireworks show in Washington, DC. Here we go!!!

My July 4 Weekend Trip

Friday – The Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, Virginia

Alanna and Hannah both came in on the train on Friday evening. My Papa LOVES going to the Workhouse Arts Center’s fireworks show every year, so he bought my friends and I a tailgate ticket to enjoy the fireworks, ourselves while he got a VIP ticket.

Fun fact: The Workhouse Arts Center is the former prison outside of Washington, DC-turned Arts Center. The formerly known Lorton Prison also housed some of many notable suffragettes in the 1900’s, bringing on a dark history to the center and Northern Virginia suburb of Lorton. Since becoming an Arts Center, the Workhouse Arts Center hosts a fireworks show every year along with displaying beautiful pieces of artwork made by local artists along with glasses, galleries, and a museum exhibit on its former prison roots.

Before going to the Workhouse Arts Center for a fireworks display, we all grabbed Mission BBQ – one of my favorite barbecue chains that supports police officers, firemen, and our military amongst many other first responders and our own American heroes. Once we arrived at the Arts Center, we strolled through the vendors and stations filled with several local businesses and admired the Arts Center’s grounds. We got to enjoy our dinners and the sunsets before an 8 minute-long fireworks show. Such a great way to kick start the July 4th weekend!

Saturday – Annapolis, Maryland

Some of my many relatives live in and around the beautiful town of Annapolis, Maryland. Annapolis is the Maryland state capitol and resides on the Chesapeake Bay. For reference, the Maryland city reminds me of the beautiful New England cities of Boston, Massachusetts and Newport, Rhode Island! To kick off our time in this gorgeous city, we visited my relatives at their Annapolis house before hitting the historic downtown.

Once we went downtown, we walked around the notable Annapolis Main Street and hit the local and oh-so preppy boutiques that it has to offer. Most notably, The Lucky Knot and of course The Pink Crab – a Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store. We also hit the most stunning Starbucks locations that I have been to on Main Street along with the 17 year old flagship Annapolis Ice Cream Company. We, then, strolled along State Circle which is home to the Maryland Statehouse and some extraordinary views of it. The streets all along Main Street and State Circle are cobblestone streets with colonial inspiration wherever you go!

After exploring downtown, we walked about a mile away to Eastport, Maryland where my Uncle John’s sailboat is. On our walk there, we crossed a beautiful drawbridge that displayed stunning views of the Chesapeake Bay and the Severn River along with local Maryland yacht clubs. Once we arrived on the boat, we enjoyed several stunning views of the Severn River. We went by the Naval Academy, downtown Annapolis, and much more! We, even, saw a rainbow from a recent storm – what a great way to spend the day!

Sunday – Washington, DC

From 8am to 12am, we were all in for a full Washington, DC Fourth of July. Each way, we took Metro – the Washington, DC area transit system. We kicked off our day with a Sunday brunch at the uber trendy and super fun Urban Roast. Urban Roast is known for their charcuterie boards with everything from your typical meat and cheese to waffles and your typical morning breakfast favorites! We got the breakfast board with waffles, biscuits, eggs, fruit, pastries, bacon, and sausage. It was great and the Instagram photos made it all even better!

Our early afternoon was spent at the Smithsonian’s American History Museum. As I have previously mentioned in my blog posts, due to COVID-19, the Smithsonian is offering ticketed entry where visitors can register to visit at a particular time up to 30 days in advance. All tickets are free, just like every Smithsonian museum always is. Everyone must wear a mask and maintain a social distance of 6 feet apart. So, we in a socially distanced fashion enjoyed the Smithsonian Museum – probably my favorite of the bunch! We went to the First Ladies, Transportation, and Food exhibits amongst many others. My favorite exhibits is, in fact, The First Ladies exhibit. The gift shop at that museum is also a favorite of mine, too. Definitely a fun time!

The remainder of our day was spent in and around the National Mall. The National Mall is where the fireworks were to be held that night. We ate at local food trucks for dinner and ice cream and took naps on the Mall, with some of us awake at each time of course. We also walked around to go see the National Monument, Korean War Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, and Capitol at a distance (each were blocked off due to the fireworks). The fireworks were a blast as the fireworks show was packed with visitors and fireworks for 17 minutes straight. Fireworks were presented by the National Monument and the Jefferson Memorial/Tidal Basin. It was super cool to see both, as well. Overall, it was a hot day but a very fun one, too!

Tips for seeing the Washington, DC Fireworks

  • DO NOT spend all Day in the city – get there in the evening. If you don’t, then you will probably be drained and tired of the crowds like I was by 3pm. The crowds get bigger and bigger as the day progresses. Take the fireworks viewing like a concert – be alert and ready to watch and have a great time!!!
  • Take public transportation – pretty much all of the areas to park in the city and even the nearby suburbs will be closed. So, be prepared to take the Metro in and the crowds that come with it.
  • Bring chairs, blankets, and your own food and water – food and water bottles are expensive in the city and your own comfort will be more at ease when you do. Sitting in the grass can suck at times if you forget it all and your wallet will appreciate you, too.
  • Leave the National Mall a few minutes later – it will be very crowded once the fireworks show ends. People will be rushing to leave once it all ends and the crowds will be INSANE. So, definitely save yourself the hassle and hang out in and around the National Mall a few moments later. You also may want to walk a little bit extra to a further Metro station such as Metro Center, Foggy Bottom, or Farragut North/West. You can even check out a bar or restaurant, too. Just be mindful that Metro trains will depart at around 10:45 at the latest.

Here’s to a great July 4th weekend with even greater friends!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Travel Guide: Seeing Washington, DC On a Budget

Growing up right outside of the nation’s capital was something that I unfortunately took for granted until I moved to Raleigh for college. However, after hearing many of my college friends and classmates share with me how much they wished they could be able to live outside of the nation’s largest cities, I knew how lucky I truly was! Having lived right outside of Washington, DC, I have been very fortunate enough to be able to go into the city just for a day and take in some of the city’s many sights. Since starting college, I have had a few friends come to visit me in my hometown over the years, with multiple trips into Washington, DC. On each of these trips, I have been able to budget accordingly to allow for my friends and I to have an enjoyable experience while not spending a lot of money. Personally, I think that Washington, DC is an extremely affordable city to visit, especially with all that it has to offer. Today, I will be sharing the tips and ways that I use when visiting Washington, DC.

1 – The Smithsonian Museums are FREE

Photo taken at the National Gallery of Art

You heard that right – all of the Smithsonian Institution museums are FREE! Guess what?! There are a total of 11 museums that are a part of the Smithsonian Institution just on the National Mall. That means that there are tons of spectacular things to learn and see at your fingertips at no cost to you. The museums pretty much line up both sides of the National Mall, and they could easily take months just for you to see everything within each of them. Luckily, there will be a museum for everybody to enjoy, as the museums on the National Mall include the National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of American History, National Museum of the American Indian, and the National Portrait Gallery. While spending some time museum hopping, you can also snap a few pictures at the Renwick Gallery with their extraordinary art collections, the Smithsonian Gardens, and the Hirshhorn Sculpture Gardens. If you get tired of museum hopping, then you can always go right outside and enjoy spectacular views of the city’s monuments or head on over to the National Zoo, which is also a part of the Smithsonian Institution and FREE. The Smithsonian Institution’s plethora of museum offerings the don’t even cost a penny to any of its visitors leaves it such a great, budget-friendly asset for Washington, DC. 

Photo taken at the National Zoo

Some of my favorite exhibits & museums include:

  • The Freer Gallery of Art – it primarily showcases Asian art pieces; it’s such a hidden gem!
  • The Wizard of Oz‘s Dorothy’s Red Slippers at the Museum of American History – I think this was from the Movie/Film/Pop Culture Exhibit, and it was such a cool piece of cinematic history to see!
  • National Gallery of Art – they have pretty much all of the famous artists, from Vincent Van Gogh to Claude Monet.
  • The Hope Diamond at the Museum of Natural History – definitely a favorite of mine, along with the many other gemstones on display nearby.
  • National Museum of African American History – I found this museum to be such an incredible place to highlight the extraordinary works of African American advocates over the years. Moreover, this museum places an emphasis on the struggles that African Americans have faced in America for centuries in their ongoing fight for equal rights.
  • The Planetarium at the National Air and Space Museum – I went as a kid and LOVED it!! I highly recommend for people of all ages.
  • First Ladies/Presidents Exhibit at the Museum of American History – if you love fashion, then this one is for you! Former First Lady Helen Taft created the First Ladies collection at the Smithsonian to preserve the First Ladies’ inaugural gowns, many of which are still on display.
  • The National Archives – you can see the official copy of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution!

2 – Be Your Own Guide: See the Monuments Yourself

Photo taken at the top of the Lincoln Memorial steps

Ever log onto a site such as TripAdvisor and search for a guided sightseeing tour?! While a guided sightseeing tour is always convenient when in a new city, I highly recommend seeing the monuments on your own in Washington, DC, especially on a budget. Fortunately, the monuments are within close proximity to one another that they are usually within walking distance. The Washington Monument and United States Capital Building line the National Mall on both sides with each being closer to several of the nation’s monuments. Right by the Washington Monument is the Lincoln Memorial and World War 11 Memorial as well as the Constitution Gardens Pond, which is absolutely gorgeous and makes for a stunning photo opportunity. Meanwhile, the United States Capital Building is right by the Library of Congress and the United States Supreme Court Building. The White House, on the other hand, is a nice walk from the National Mall. Not only will you get to see all of Washington, DC’s iconic monuments for free, but you will also get to explore a lot of the city’s streets and see its timeless, historic charm.  

Photo taken at the Constitution Gardens Pond
Photo taken on the National Mall

3 – Tours of Many Monuments are FREE 

Photo taken in front of the Washington Monument

YES, the Smithsonian Institution is not the only place in Washington, DC that offers sights for free to its visitors. The Washington Monument is also free to guests as well, that is, as long as you line up outside of the ticket office starting at either 7am or 8am to get your tickets the day of. The same also goes for the Library of Congress, the White House, and the United States Capital Building, even though for those you do typically need to get a Congressmen’s approval to visit, through submitting a tour request. If you do choose to tour either the Library of Congress, the White House, and the United States Capital Building or all of them, I would highly suggest looking up your representative and their tour request form and submitting it months in advance to reserve your spot, since tickets are on a first-come first-served basis. I have done the Washington Monument tour, and I highly recommend it, as you get great skyline views of the city, and the monument keeps the number of people in it at a time at a small capacity. That all being said, Washington, DC definitely has a ton of iconic sites that you can see FOR FREE!

4 – Take Metro EVERYWHERE

Photo taken on the National Mall

I cannot stress this one enough!! If you do not know already, the Metro is essentially Washington, DC’s subway transit and bus system. It is also easy to use and navigate once you get the hang of it and a whole lot cheaper than calling an Uber everywhere you go. Additionally, using public transportation is super environmentally-friendly. While taking Metro, you’ll be saving yourself some cash and helping the planet in the long run!

5 – Eat Most Meals at Cafes or Local Joints

Photo taken at Le Pain Quotidien

I most definitely recommend this when in any city! Right along the National Mall, there are several food trucks at various price ranges available to visitors. I would highly recommend taking advantage of these food trucks while spending a day at the Smithsonian/on the National Mall. Besides food trucks, Washington, DC has several budget-friendly cafes and local joints. One of my favorites is Lincoln’s Waffle Shop as well as Cosi and Le Pain Quotidien. Another great restaurant to hit up, although a bit pricey for fast food, is Shake Shack – their burgers are up to par with In-N-Out Burger and are TO DIE FOR GOOD! While you can easily splurge on food in Washington, DC, there are many ways that you can save while still eating just as good if not even better!

6 – Reserve in Advance

Photo taken at a Justin Timberlake concert at Capital One Arena

As previously mentioned with the White House, United States Capital Building, and the Library of Congress, reserving in advance is most definitely the way to go. Washington, DC is a world-renowned tourist destination, so millions of people visit each year and want to see all of the sights that the city has to offer. While many activities are offered for free here in DC, places like the Madame Tussands Was Museum, International Spy Museum, and the National Museum of Women in the Arts come at a minimal cost. Performances at the Kennedy Center or Fords Theatre will cost you some dollar as well. Along with assuring that you have a spot in any activity or tour that you want to do while visiting, you also will probably save a bit of cash as prices are typically lower the earlier that you book. Not only will you be guaranteeing yourself a spot on the must-see activity of your dreams, but you will also probably be saving yourself some cash too. 

7 – Stay in an AirBNB or Budget-Friendly Hotel

Photo taken at the top of the Lincoln Memorial steps

Even though I have a home to stay at when I come to Washington, DC, I do know that there are several places to stay on the budget-friendly side. Whether going with one or many of your crew, AirBNB is a great option to look into, as you and your crew can usually find a nice place to stay and potentially get your own rooms at a steal of the cost for a hotel. If you choose AirBNB, then I would highly recommend only booking through hosts that are SuperHosts, meaning that they have been highly rated for their AirBNB’(s) that you would be staying at. If you prefer not to stay at an AirBNB, then there is always the option of a hotel. When searching for a budget-friendly hotel, you may have to sacrifice location downtown for something potentially on the Metro line in Virginia or Maryland or not near all of the sites in DC. I would try a site like Hotels.com to look for hotels on a budget. Wherever you choose to stay, just ensure that it is a safe place and READ THE REVIEWS!! 

Overall, I have found Washington, DC to be an extremely budget-friendly city to travel to for families and friends alike. One of the biggest assets of this city is the vast amount of things to do that are FREE. While Washington, DC is a city that I am extremely knowledgable on due to it being in my backyard, it does not mean that you cannot use some of these tips in booking a budget-friendly trip to another city. Like Washington, DC, you can pretty much travel to any city on even a tight budget, as long as you are strategic with your research and spending. Once it is safer to travel, the world will be your oyster and maybe a trip to Washington, DC will be seen in your near future.

XOXO – Katie <3

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Traveling During the Coronavirus Pandemic

At the beginning of this year as any other year, I got real giddy about all of my possible upcoming travels. As it has affected us all, something that starts with a C, known as the coronavirus pandemic has put a halt and has risen a lot of uncertainty on our anticipated travel plans. This year, I had trips in the works to Bethany Beach, Delaware for girl’s and family trips at our family beach house, Charlottesville, Virginia & Charleston, South Carolina for my 21st Birthday, East Grand Lake, Maine & North Lake, New Brunswick, Canada for a family reunion, Emerald Isle, North Carolina & Greenville, North Carolina to visit my roommate in a summer program, Boston, Massachusetts with a hopeful day trip to Newport, Rhode Island to visit my cousin, and a September trip to Asheville, North Carolina with my Honors Program for their annual Fall Trip (luckily, that one has been pushed back to Spring 2021 so fingers crossed!). However, each of those plans has been put on halt. Personally, I hate to say “cancelled”, as I believe that we will ALWAYS have opportunities to travel to the places that may have been crossed off of our bucket lists this year – 2020 is just not the year for some of our trips. While it may be saddening to watch many of our travel plans get put on halt, it DOES NOT mean that we cannot travel; we just have to travel in a different way. Although 2020 may not be the year for us to pack our bags and hop on a plane to someplace far away, it is for sure the year of traveling to places in our own backyards!

Dealing with Travel Uncertainty

Photo taken at Prince William Forest, Triangle, Virginia

I know that for myself, I have experienced the worries of when my next trip will be. For most of us, it appears as if most of our travels will be postponed and/or eventually put off for the 2020 year. While it is extremely hard to not know when your next big trip will be, do not dwell on it. Instead, focus on what you can control and try and explore some place nearby your home or go and visit a friend or family member in a different area (only if you both are comfortable and discuss precautions taken before the visit). Most importantly, remember that you are NOT alone. In fact, pretty much everybody is struggling with the extreme uncertainty that the coronavirus pandemic has brought upon us all, especially as it has affected many of our much-anticipated plans of all kinds. Through it all, we are a community of people that are each going through similar things during this coronavirus pandemic, even if you cannot see it on the surface.

Use This Time as an OPPORTUNITY

Photo taken in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

Even though it is a real damper to see many of our trips be put to a halt, it is definitely not good practice to remain in a rut. Remember that it is OKAY to grief and you have every right to feel all the feels. On the contrary, those sad feelings should not keep you from living your best life, especially when it comes to planning new adventures. In commemoration of some of the trips that you were supposed to take this year, it may be fun to plan a day trip nearby or an overnight trip at a friend or family member’s place to still keep those travel feels going strong! Ever want to explore a trail nearby your house or even a State or National Park within a day trip’s reach?! Then, this is the time do it! Having limited time to travel leaves most of us to choose trips to places that are much further than our own homes, which leaves us with not much time (if any) to explore places nearby. For example, I took a day trip to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia – somewhere I’ve always wanted to visit yet never had the time (more on that later!). If you cannot think of any cool places near your house that you’re interested in visiting, then you may want to try Google searching places within a day trip reach of your hometown and see what pops up. You never know what you can find!

Be Sure You Can Keep Your Social Distance

Photo taken at Burke Lake Park, Burke, Virginia

While a trip to a big city may sound like an appealing day trip if you’re near one, I would not recommend putting it on your 2020 trip radar. The Covid-19 pandemic is still looming upon us, and it is not going away at least for now. That being said, it is important to take social distancing precautions while you travel. ALWAYS bring a mask with you no matter where you go, as you never know when and where you may need it. Consequentially, I would suggest keeping a bottle of hand sanitizer with you in your car and/or in your bag as well. Some of the best trips to take to social distance involve walking and hiking trails as well as parks that may offer opportunities for each. However, I wouldn’t discount towns that may have ice cream shops, cafes, or restaurants where you can social distance and still take a stroll. If you choose to explore a town, I recommend going to one that has some sort of outdoor activities or scenic views where you can still maintain your social distance. Additionally, vineyards/breweries are also a great way to take a fun and scenic day trip while keeping your distance.

My Summer 2020 Travels So Far!

Photo taken in downtown Clifton, Virginia

Although my summer travels do not look anything like I anticipated them to, it does not mean that I have not made the best of the current situation. Instead, I have decided to use 2020 as an opportunity to explore where I live. So far, I have explored: Burke Lake Park in Burke, Virginia, the town of Clifton, Virginia, Sugarloaf Mountain & Sugarloaf Vineyard in Dickerson, Maryland, Fountainhead Regional Park in Fairfax Station, Virginia, the town of Harpers Ferry along the Appalachian Trail in West Virginia, and Prince William Forest in Triangle, Virginia. While they are close to home, I have really loved getting to explore each of these destinations. In fact, Harpers Ferry has been a place that I have been dying to see for a few years now, and little did I know, it is such a gem and a great day trip from Northern Virginia. I never truly knew how great the non-suburbia parts and outskirts of the Washington, DC-Virginia-Maryland tristate area were until just a few weeks ago. Personally, I really wish I got to know my backyard outside of the city a lot sooner!

Photo taken at Sugarloaf Mountain, Dickerson, Maryland
Photo taken at Fountainhead Regional Park, Fairfax Station, Virginia
Photo taken in downtown Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
Photo taken at Sugarloaf Vineyard, Dickerson, Maryland

Future 2020 Travels

Photo taken at Holts Landing State Park near Bethany Beach, Delaware

Having traveled to various places close to home, I am very excited about some of the upcoming travels that I have planned for the remainder of 2020. While past the summer is up in the air at the moment, I do have some exciting adventures planned for the rest of the summer. I will be spending about two weeks including the Fourth of July at my family’s beach house in Bethany Beach, Delaware. After a few weeks of relaxing seaside, I will be heading for the mountains for an unplugged few days in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia right nearby Shenandoah National Park. My Big Sis (essentially a mentor and potential best friend for life) from college and I are also planning a vineyard outing in the upcoming week. There is also a creek right by my house that I’m hoping to plan more outings to with family and friends as well (social-distanced of course!). Excitedly enough, I am planning to share posts on my travels to Bethany Beach, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the vineyard that my Big Sis and I visit in the coming weeks!

With most of us scratching to get out of our homes, I highly suggest taking a day trip (or two or three) whenever you can. Travel may not look the same right now, but it does not mean that you cannot get out and explore. What the coronavirus pandemic has taught me is to always prioritize travel. Travel has been one of my biggest passions and has taught me SO much about different people and cultures. At the same time, you do not have to go far to meet and see a new culture – there are so many places within a day’s reach that can provide you with just that! Whether you’re in a small town in Virginia or a big city in Europe, there is always room for learning, growth, and exploration along with culture. Just look around: there is SO MUCH adventure out there!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Welcome!

Hello friend! My name is Katie, and I am SO glad you stopped by The Pink Chickadee. Creating this blog has been something that I have aspired to do for a while now, and I am SO happy to be able to showcase it with you. For someone who spends the majority of her days doing all-things STEM-related, it’s really nice to have an outlet where I can present my positively pink persona. If you’re someone who enjoys all things fashion, travel, cooking (especially recipes on the go), and of course pink, then The Pink Chickadee is your place to be! Now, let’s throw some confetti in the air as I share a bit about myself!

  • I am definitely a Yankee at heart! I was born in New Jersey and then moved to the Washington, DC suburbs of Northern Virginia where I have lived since. I also lived in Arkansas for three years as a kid; however, I barely remember anything about my time there. My family primarily lives in Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania/New Jersey which always makes visiting family a fun time, as I typically get to visit old and current hometowns.
  • Currently, I am a Junior at an all-women’s college, Meredith College, in Raleigh, North Carolina where I am studying Mathematics with minors in Web Development and Statistics. I have loved attending Meredith, as it is basically its own massive sisterhood with its own sweet and unique traditions, such as Ring Dinner where we get our class rings and our annual Homecoming known as Cornhuskin’, and weekly t-shirt and sticker fundraisers/sales that makes my college experience all that more special.
  • I LOVE traveling! As of right now, I have traveled to 13 countries and 25 states and have studied abroad in Italy, England, and Belize. My bucket list is consistently growing, as there are SO many places both in and out of the United States that I would love to visit.
  • I start each of my mornings with a cup of tea; it’s the only way I can get out of bed in the morning’s! My favorite flavors of tea are definitely Chamomile and Blueberry. I also have a massive collection of mugs from places I’ve traveled to as well as mugs that reflect my college experiences and my pink personality. I try to use a different mug each day of the week!
  • I have a (major) obsession with the Yorkie dog breed! My family has a 14 year-old Yorkie named Butters that has become an important part of our family over the years. I love the breed SO MUCH that I hope to become a Yorkie Mama to my own little fur baby in the next few years!

Thank you SO much for stopping by! I am ecstatic to start this journey with y’all! I cannot wait to leave even more confetti in your trails very soon.

XOXO – Katie

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