California, the Golden state. The land of avocados, pomegranates, and kumquats growing in peoples’ backyards. California might be the state that I have traveled to the most. From visiting my uncle who for years lived in L.A., college tours, Lego Land, living in San Fransisco the summer after I graduated and spring break trips on the train. California seems as diverse as our whole country combined and holds so much nature magic.

Louisiana. So full of vibrant life, history, and culture. The food was amazing, the people open, nature deep and swampy, the landscape carried the history of flooding, the resilience, the art, and mixing. Layers of passion, hope, and care.

Oregon, like Washington, has the perfect balance of gritty, creative city, peaceful farmlands, and wonderful beach towns. From 2 seventeen year olds road tripping, to birthday trips to Portland, to beach days, and art club field trips, Oregon will always hold a great adventure.

A split second decision led me to visit Philadelphia. It was full of wonder and delight. Hands down, this city has the best food I have ever tasted – from Southern, to Middle Eastern, to cute ice cream shops – I was amazed. Everything was so walkable, there was a kindness to people that I wasn’t used to and the history held in the cobblestone streets lit up what I taught my students the year prior in US History.

Texas reminds me of heat like a hug, the Thai tea colored Brazos river, warm as bath water, fireflies dancing in the trees, sinking into silt mud to my waist, the “smell of freedom”, small community, getting to know the family of my new sister. Oh and laughing with Uncle Gil.

Sparkling red rock, canyon echos of the secrets of the changing of the seasons, crisp winter air with warm desert sun, apples full of tannins, ancient hieroglyphs with legacies being made. A treasure trove of beauty to explore.

The place of my birth, all of my childhood memories, all of my adult life spent mere miles from the Salish Sea. Washington is a magical place with long summer days and creativity that blooms in the dark winter months.

Yellowstone National Park. Where buffalo reminded me of God, so powerful, huge, steady, peaceful with the understanding that there was immense strength that could be unleashed at anytime. The colors, textures, sounds, feelings are still so vibrant in my mind.