I never thought I would be performing in New York's St. Patrick's Day Parade, especially when I was still in high school. One year ago today was my senior year band trip to New York. Not only did I march in the St.Patrick's Day parade, but I also performed at Carnegie Hall. It was an unforgettable experience that changed my life.

I've been writing a lot about road trips lately, and everything I've seen, but I had to create a list of road trip attractions along the way on these trips. These are the things that had me pull off to the shoulder, or park and explore or just shake my head moments.

What's Mom's number one job?"I would ask my girls as they were growing up. To keep us healthy & safe", they would dutifully recite.

A collection of our favorite sunsets

Have a wonderfully socially distanced Christmas, this year, welcome to the quarantine holidays. Wow. When I wrote last year's blog Celebrating ALL Christmas in Los Angeles, I had no idea that, well, 2020 would happen, resulting in a Covid Christmas. No one did. And now, the happiest time of the year is...not so much. But, there is holiday spirit to be found in Los Angeles. I present to you (pun intended): A Drive-Thru Christmas.

Do you remember why road trips are important? When was the last time you hit the open road for days? Whatever happened to road trips full of long stretches of open highway, dive restaurants and diners and "I pulled over for this" moments?