Category Archives: US Travel

A New Trail in Sonoma

Posted on February 26, 2015 by msraaka

Sonoma, California—one of my favorite small towns—is just one hour northeast of San Francisco. Located in the wine country, near its famous neighbor, Napa, low-key Sonoma is a popular destination for wine aficionados and city folks looking for a weekend … Continue reading →

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Walking the Presidio of San Francisco

Posted on January 22, 2015 by msraaka

Each time we return to the Bay Area, we always spend some time in one of my favorite cities—San Francisco. When I first catch sight of the Golden Gate Bridge, it still takes my breath away. Whether a ghostly blur … Continue reading →

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Visiting San Diego—Without a Car

Posted on August 17, 2014 by msraaka

  I was born and raised in San Diego, California, but a recent trip was the first time I explored this city without a car. The birthplace of California, and the second largest city spreads out quite a bit —to … Continue reading →

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10 Reasons to visit Bellingham in the Summertime

Posted on July 27, 2014 by msraaka

My hometown of Bellingham is one of the best places to spend the summer. The days are long—more than 16 hours of sunlight—without bugs or humidity. The temperatures are perfect for exploring Bellingham Bay, hanging out in town or hiking … Continue reading →

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A Short Stop in Brooklyn

Posted on May 6, 2014 by msraaka

It’s late spring and we’re on our way to Italy again. First, we made a stop in Brooklyn, New York to visit our son, who has been living on the east coast for several years. We used AirBnB to find … Continue reading →

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A Day Hike on the Sauk Mountain Trail

Posted on July 26, 2013 by msraaka

July is one of the best times to hike the Sauk Mountain Trail, just east of Mount Vernon, Washington. After a long and cold winter, even July might be too early for this hike, if you want to reach the … Continue reading →

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Home Again

Posted on July 18, 2013 by msraaka

As much as I love to travel, I’m just as happy when I first arrive home. Even in the airport, I suddenly sense that I’m closer to home when I hear more English spoken and start to notice the Pacific … Continue reading →

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Savoring Sonoma

Posted on January 22, 2013 by msraaka

This post is long overdue, but I just couldn’t write about food until now. First, we overindulged during the holidays. Then, we started our healthy “cleanse diet” from Bon Appetít magazine. So, I didn’t want to think about all of those … Continue reading →

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Exploring Sonoma

Posted on December 9, 2012 by msraaka

During the Thanksgiving holidays we were fortunate to spend some time in the town of Sonoma, California, well-known for great wines, beautiful weather and a historic plaza that still functions as the heart of the town. This is where the … Continue reading →

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Home Again

Posted on May 27, 2012 by msraaka

We arrived home late Thursday night and went straight to bed. So it was a delightful surprise to wake up Friday morning to a bright, sunny and warm day in Bellingham. The clear blue skies looked even brighter than we … Continue reading →

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