May had some serious ups and downs (more on that in the Challenges section), but I got to revisit two favorites – New York and Toronto – and explore more of Canada than I previously have before. 

Destinations visited:

New York and Brooklyn, New York

Leesburg, Virginia

Toronto, Canada

Tobermory, Flowerpot Island, and Bruce Peninsula National Park, Canada

Favorite destinations:

Brooklyn, New York – As much as the hustle and bustle of New York City can be exhilarating, I really enjoyed spending a day exploring the more laid-back Brooklyn Heights and Dumbo neighborhoods of Brooklyn. Just across the East River from Manhattan, Brooklyn also provides wonderful views of the New York City skyline.

Flowerpot Island, Canada – Tucked away in northern Ontario’s Georgian Bay is a the scenic Flowerpot Island. We hiked the loop trail along the islands coast and into the lush interior forest, followed by a picnic in the warm sun.

Highlights:

Quality time with friends – Both my New York and Canada trips were with friends who live abroad, so it was great to be able to see them and catch up over dinners and sightseeing together.

Challenges:

I got injured – I started having left leg pain this month but brushed it off and figured it would go away. It didn’t, and a doctors visit later I found out I have a pulled hamstring. This has meant a lot of staying put this month – not something I’m particularly good at!

My family got in a serious accident – My parents, with Markell in the car, got into a major accident while driving in Maryland. They had pulled over to the shoulder of the highway, and out of nowhere a car moving at full speed slammed into the side of their car and then flipped over in front of them. Fortunately everyone was physically okay, but my mom’s car was totaled and my family was seriously shaken.

Posts:

Staying at the Pod 51 Hotel in New York City – My experience at the Pod 51 Hotel in New York City.

Maine on my Mind: Tips for a Visit to Vacationland – Tips for a successful visit to the United States’ northeastern most state.

A Day in Boston, Massachusetts – America’s history, die-hard sports fans, and much more.

A Day in Bath, England –  How to spend one day exploring the Roman bath houses and Georgian architecture in Bath, England.

7 Easy Ways to Save Money on a Cruise – My tried-and-tested tips on how to save money while cruising.

Great Falls National Park – McLean, Virginia – Spectacular falls, historical ruins, hiking trails, and more – what to see and do in Great Falls National Park.

Coming up in June 2017:

June is kicking off with a trip to England. Along with visiting friends, I’ll be attending a medieval themed 30th birthday party. I’ve got my outfit ready so stayed tuned for photos from that event…

I’ll also be doing a bit of local travel, heading down to the small laid back beach town of Colonial Beach, Virginia. I’m cashing in some Hyatt points I had for a night in historical Fredericksburg, Virginia nearby.

Where is your June taking you?