Spring Stroll

Spring is here and perfect for an April walk! The Pilgrim Pouch strolled around Balboa Park and stopped by the San Diego Botanical Building. The orange, yellow, & burgundy Cymbidium Orchards were the Pouch's favorite blooms.

Travel Inspiration

It's the New Year and time for the San Diego Travel & Adventure Show! This annual event offers travel information and inspiration. Speakers included Samantha Brown, Rudy Maxa, and Ralph Velasco. The Pouch was handy to carry a notebook, brochures, cell phone, & snacks during a full day of fun.

Samantha Brown, host of the PBS series Places to Love, talked about "never stop digging" -- to engage with people and cultures for authentic travel experiences. Her series focuses on meeting locals and hearing their unique stories.

Rudy Maxa, host of the travel show Rudy Maxa's World, talked about what he describes as America's "vacation deficit disorder," or an obsession with working too much rather than taking regular vacations. He emphasized that travel can relieve stress and inspire creativity. 

Photographer Ralph Velasco, owner & tour leader for Photo Enrichment Adventures, presented tips for travel photography. His suggestions included using "the power of one," or capturing an image that shows just one person as a focal point against a background. 

In between speaker presentations the Pouch & I stopped by the Tourist Office of Spain. After the show we joined travel blogger Janet Hanpeter (Planet Janet Travels) for Spanish tapas at nearby Cafe Sevilla. Janet, who will be walking her second Camino in May, specializes in resources for baby boomer travelers. She encourages to "Experience grand adventures beyond the guidebook."  

The travel show was a perfect beginning to 2018 as the Pilgrim Pouch continues its adventures!

    

Autumn Color

The Pilgrim Pouch is perfect for an autumn walk to see fall colors.

Around San Diego

The Pilgrim Pouch visited the world renowned San Diego Zoo, which not only includes 3,500 rare and endangered species but also has a botanical collection with more than 700,000 exotic plants. The Pouch makes carrying essentials easy while strolling the Zoo's 100 acres. 

In Balboa Park the Pouch sat by the wishing well. What wish did it make?

Spanish Village, an art studio complex in Balboa Park, showcases paintings, ceramics, sculpture, and jewelry from local artists. The Pouch felt right at home!

For a San Diego treat the Pilgrim Pouch ventured to Julian, a mountain town known for apple pie in the North County area. A favorite place to enjoy a slice is at the Julian Pie Company, which has served up pies since 1986.

The Pouch visited The Santa Ysabel Art Gallery not far from Julian. The gallery, run by Annie Rowley, is a 'must stop' on the way up to the mountains. The current show "Apron Forest" runs from September through October. It features work by artist Johanna Hansen plus guest artists.

The Big Island

Aloha! Over Labor Day weekend, a family wedding took place in Kailua-Kona on the island of Hawaii, or "The Big Island." Reception festivities were held at the Mauna Kea resort where the Pilgrim Pouch watched parrots greet guests.

Where's the Pouch? Hint: It's hanging on a tropical bush at the Waikoloa Beach Resort, whose grounds include lava rock. The island of Hawaii has the only active volcano among the eight islands that comprise the state of Hawaii.

Surf's up! The Pilgrim Pouch was a handy bag for colorful beach time fun. Outrigger canoes were lined up at Spencer Beach Park.

Before returning to San Diego, the Pouch relaxed on lava 

and coral rocks by the water's edge.

Summer Time

In August the Pilgrim Pouch visited family in Michigan & spent time at Shorewood Hills beach on Lake Michigan.

2017 International Travel Goods Show

The Pilgrim Pouch, Dad & I traveled to the International Travel Goods Show in Las Vegas! We saw the latest travel gear, heard inspiring entrepreneurial stories, and gathered industry information. Among the goods featured at the show were lightweight and eco-friendly bags. The Pilgrim Pouch was right at home! 

Exhibitors included (alphabetically):

Bagsmart -- A Las Vegas company whose products include lightweight carry bags & travel accessories. Their Foldable Duffel bag compacts down into a handy small pouch. 

Briggs & Riley -- The only U.S. luggage company that remains family owned. They offer classic styles and a lifetime guarantee. Luggage features include laptop pockets and expandable main compartments. 

Camera Coats -- A Salt Lake City business that features fabric camera bags designed to fit DSLR cameras. The bags offer protection for cameras without the heavy weight of a case. 

Cardiff Products -- A San Diego company that makes removable head/neck cushions for flights or car trips. The product was created after the owner noticed how his kids' heads bobbed back & forth while sleeping in the car.  

  

Dandy Nomad -- A Montreal & Paris based business that includes luggage covers, travel accessories, & kids' travel games. The owner was inspired to create luggage covers after being frustrated with identifying her bag at the airport. 

Go Far -- A Bartlett, Illinois based business specializing in durable luggage & packing accessories. The sturdy designs were inspired after the owner experienced a broken luggage handle while traveling. 

Haiku -- A Seattle based company specializing in carry bags, totes, and travel accessories created with CyclePET, a fabric made from recycled water bottles. 

LiteGear Bags -- A Vallejo, California company that is committed to sustainability and specializes in lightweight luggage & accessories made with recycled plastic water bottles. 

Sutote -- A fair trade company based in Montana & Bolivia that makes colorful carry bags & travel accessories from a recycled plastic material popular in Latin America. 

United By Blue -- A Philadelphia based company that produces sustainable outdoor gear, apparel, & gift items using recycled/organic materials. The company's mission: for every item sold, one pound of trash will be picked up from oceans & waterways. 

It was inspiring to meet designers and company representatives who 

have their products 'on the travel goods map'!