I'm so North Dakota

My heart is running amok as we near the end of our two weeks in North Dakota. True, this unsung state is chock-full of fantastical sites like the painted rocks at Theodore National Park and the earthlodges near Mandan. But this post is more personal. It's a reaching back into roots and a tongue-in-cheek look at identifying with the place of one's upbringing.

I'm so North Dakota, my family plays whist on a Friday night... with "Report All Poaching" playing cards.

I'm so North Dakota, I attend Larimore Days, my tiny rural hometown's annual celebration. There's a parade, a softball tourney and a couple of street dances. We used to play mud volleyball but liability issues cancelled that; we'd have to duct-tape our feet to save them from sharp rocks in the mud.

I'm so North Dakota, I drink stout under the stairs during a tornado warning... and then drive into town the next day to survey the damage. (No one was hurt!)

I'm so North Dakota, I run through the splash park fully clothed with my brother and sister. We didn't have swimsuits along. And we were dry by the time we went out for dinner. Classy all around.

I'm so North Dakota, my pa is single-handedly building a little retirement cabin on the plains. It's pretty remote and you have to haul water, but he's decided to add a pit toilet now (thank goodness).

I'm so North Dakota, my family visits mammoth outdoors sporting stores together. Ma likes to check out kayak prices, Pa sees if dehydrated hiking food is on sale, BW peruses the boots and I take pictures of funny things like camouflage bikinis.

I'm so North Dakota, I pick fresh raspberries from the family patch. My dad has one of the wickedest raspberry gardens in the region, and my mom makes this unbelievable fresh raspberry coffee cake.

I'm so North Dakota, I eat Thai takeout with my best friend's grandma's chocolate chip cookies. And french fries smothered in cheese and bacon from Larson's Drive-In. And s'mores around a bonfire at my senior class president's house :)

I'm so North Dakota, I take pictures of cows. Moo. And grain elevators.

I'm so North Dakota, I whipped out handmade decorations and nosh for my ma's retirement party. We did a "journey" theme and had international foods, like the Czech chlebicky below.

Xx. Love you guys.

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Anniversary bucket list: Northern Thailand

Hard to believe I found a partner that puts up with my tendencies to burn the candle at both ends, break sunglasses and sing lullabies to the dog. But then again, he hoards receipts (even for, like, a pint of milk at the corner market) and stays up into the wee hours watching European football. We all have our quirks. 

Thankfully, we've made a life together, eccentricities and all. And on July 31, we'll celebrate our second anniversary :)

One characteristic that we share is our penchant for travel. We have a bucket list that includes Japan, Northern Africa and Australia, but also... going back to northern Thailand. 

Does a bucket list item count if you've already been there? I think so in this case. It's significant to us because we got married betwixt rice paddies near Chiang Mai, all by ourselves. And then we came home and threw a big ol' party.

Chiang Mai is easy to love. Visually, it's charmingly ramshackle, with ancient structures next to 7-elevens and emerald coconut palms next to grubby scooter repair shops. Culturally, it's a gem; the people are affable and kind, and an aura of peace surrounds this place much like the moats around the Old City. We visited wats, took a cooking class, got massages, shopped the night markets and so much more.

And around Chiang Mai, you can find...

Doi Suthep National Park

Hot Springs where you can boil fresh eggs for lunch

Hill tribe villages, like the Hmong

The Elephant Nature Park, which rescues elephants from trekking, begging, circuses and other nefarious activities

And splendid spots to get married ;) I truly hope someday we'll go back. A wedding photo for the road:

This post is part of the Travel Tuesday linkup, created by Bonnie Rose and co-sponsored by these gals.

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Hopped a train to Český Krumlov

(Disclaimer: We're currently in North Dakota, USA, but writing a Czech post for a Travel Tuesday linkup.)

Way back in the 13th century, a Bohemian king planted a fetching castle and hamlet in the crook of the Vltava River, near the Austrian border. Eight centuries later, our highly expert travel panel (well, BW and my parents and me) hopped a train and chugged 4 hours south of Prague to spend a couple of nights there. 

The Krumlov Castle wears a snazzy little blue-green hat 

Even in a persistent grey drizzle, the town of Český Krumlov is a charmer. But we had only one drizzly day - the kind that coerces you to buy hot drinks in late June. 

A soggy Ma and Pa

This place wasn't always so picturesque; an ugly expulsion of German-speaking citizens happened after WWII, as the area had been annexed by the Nazis into Sudetenland. And during Communism, pretty Český Krumlov became shabby and depressed. In 1992, though, it was named a UNESCO site and was polished back to it's current pristine condition.

Buildings the same as when Egon Schiele painted their images on canvas

The whole town is one big breath of special. However, we had a few experiences that increased the special quotient for us.

Food at U Dwau Maryi (At the Two Marys). The building itself is a Medieval goody, and it has two paintings of the Virgin Mary dating back to the 1700s. We sat at a massive wood table and split the the Old Bohemian Feast for four, which was a total treat with smoked meat, millet cake and potato pancakes. 

Rafting on the Vltava. We rented a raft for a very reasonable price through Surfsport and bobbed down the river, past all sorts of beautiful things. Loads of Czechs were on the river, too, with bottles of slivovice (plum brandy) dragging on ropes behind them. They all said "Ahoj!" (pronounced ah-hoy) as they passed us, an informal and happy hello.

Art Art Art. There's stellar street art - ancient and contemporary - in this village, as well as art supplies shops and the incredible Egon Schiele Art Centrum. No photos were allowed in the Schiele Centrum, but it's absolutely phenomenal, being housed in a former centuries-old brewery - probably one of the best galleries I've ever been to.

Krumlov Castle. Built in 1240, it was a major cultural and political beacon in Central Europe. It has Europe's oldest working Baroque Theater; a fantastic stories-high linking bridge; enchanting green gardens and a candy-colored tower.

Wandering about town. This was our favorite way to while away the time. Crooked little cobblestone walkways carry you through crystal shops, art galleries, pubs, antique stores, museums, a brewery, parks, cafes, etc. 

It's easy to lose yourself in Český Krumlov!

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