VOLTA is a captivating voyage of discovery. It’s about finding yourself, and unveiling your personal powers. Inspired in part by the adventurous spirit that fuels the culture of street sports, the show weaves acrobatics in a visually striking world driven by a stirring melodic score.
VOLTA is a story of transformation. It is about being true to oneself, fulfilling one’s true potential, and recognizing one’s own power to make it possible. Ultimate freedom comes with self-acceptance, and with the liberation of the judgement of others.
Freedom is the ultimate achievement.
VOLTA’s stage has a pulse and a life its own. In a heartbeat, it can turn from a dark, stone-dead quarry into a cathedral of light. Be sure to check it out before it is gone!
I have shared before that I live in a small town. Living far from places I like to visit has turned me into quite the driver. Give me a destination and I am there!
I have really grown to cherish my time on the road, I love being alone with my thoughts and of course my music! When I travel, I always make sure to rent a car to get around. Some of my most memorable drives have been around Hawaii and most recently on my trip to the Grand Canyon.
Surprisingly the drive from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon is less than 4 hours and the route goes straight through one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE cities of Sedona. I had good company (my kids) and good music to go along with the scenic views.
Check out our ride and some of the landscape in the video below.
Grand Canyon
At the Grand Canyon we signed up for a jeep tour with Grand Canyon Jeep Tours and Safaris. Although we enjoyed the tour, I recommend skipping the pricey jeep tours and heading straight for the Visitors Center where you can easily build an itinerary according to your time available and personal preferences. There are hikes and view points to accommodate all ages and interests. They also have a cute and FREE Junior Rangers program for the kids to keep them engaged! Two things to keep in mind when visiting the Grand Canyon: it’s COLD, you are between 7000 and 9000 feet high, bring layers, it was 41 degrees the day we went in October. Secondly be sure to catch the sunrises and sunsets, they are breathtaking. Whether you watch the canyon light up in the morning or turn down for the night, the overwhelming beauty that is the canyon is really captured at these hours.
Sedona
On our way back we stopped for a while in Sedona. This incredibly beautiful and unique city has had my heart since I first visited ten years ago. Something about its isolation, desert landscape, and tall red rocks just captivates me. Unlike in the Grand Canyon, in Sedona I HIGHLY recommend a jeep tour. Getting up and around these rock structures is not easy, but with the Pink Jeep tours its fun and scenic! We had lunch at the tasty Oaxaca Restaurant that has the most beautiful view in the city. Be sure to swing by the Fine Arts and Crafts Square where there are interesting boutiques and art galleries, live music, cafes, and more!
This drive was truly one for the books and with the beautiful Arizona sun on our side. We enjoyed every minute we spent on the road. Now, I am off to plan my next #RoadTrip.
My husband and I have moved around quite a bit in our 12 years of marriage. We both grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, and lived a few years in the city before having children and moving back to the suburbs. However, like many, we moved back to the city five years ago in search for a shorter commute to work for my husband. We now live in the Lincoln Park and absolutely love it’s neighborhood feel and access to fun free things to do. Here is how I am keeping things fun and budget friendly for my family.
Benjamin Franklin Park
Just south of Lincoln Park Zoo, near the Benjamin Franklin statue at 72 West LaSalle Drive is a large grassy area where the most robust Lincoln Park events take place. During the summer months, the Green City Market is the BEST farmers market in the city. We also had a great time at the Women’s World Cup viewing party this summer. Keep up with events in the area by joining these Facebook groups:
Just off the lakefront is Lincoln Park Zoo. With no entry fee the Zoo is the perfect family outing and has amazing city views! They also have fun things to do in the winter, Follow them on Facebook for events and animal births! Also, be sure to visit during the holidays, they have an amazing Christmas lights display.
OZ Park
The Wizard of Oz themed park is nestled in the heart of Lincoln Park on the corner of Lincoln and Webster. It has dog free picnic areas, baseball diamonds, basketball courts and of course a playground. This has fun for people of all ages and best of all, it doesn’t cost a dime!
Bike The Beach – Fullerton Beach
A quick walk or bike ride will take you to Fullerton beach. With sweeping views of the Chicago skyline this is a beautiful way to play in the sand, swim in the lake and create wonderful family memories to last a lifetime!
Adams Park
With a small splash pad for children under the ages of 12, Adams park makes for the perfect family day! Located near Armitage Avenue and Seminary Street, this park has a splash pad, sandbox, play set and plenty of swings! All free!
As a dog owner and lover, I enjoy taking the kids to play at PAWS Chicago. At no cost you can go visit animals at the shelter who need homes at PAWS Chicago. There is no obligation to adopt and the dogs and cats could surely use the love!
This enormous property has 250 rooms and 15,000 sq. feet of flexible banquet space perfect for up to 1000 people. Sounds about right for an Indian wedding venue! They have a full service catering staff on hand to make your event special. As part of the renovation, all of the rooms were also upgraded with BeautyRest mattresses, new amenities, and an updated look. We loved that our room that had a kitchenette in it, it is such a life saver when traveling with kids.
Banquet Room
Located 30 minutes from the airport and the city, this conference center stays very busy. During our stay there were several large corporate meetings taking place as well as a poker tournament. The property, however, did not feel congested or crowded.
We enjoyed playing at the indoor pool and also dining at the Bar Louie located inside the hotel itself!
