For some reason, in the fourth grade, I had a dream I lived in Portland, Maine. Ever since then, I’ve wanted to visit Portland so badly. Now that I have visited, I can say it’s because of not only the energy and beautiful scenery, but also the incredible food! Being celiac and pescatarian makes eating while traveling exponentially harder, but it felt like Portland, Maine was made for me.
Here are some of the best meals we had during our time in Maine:
Gluten free lobster, crab and shrimp rolls at Luke’s LobsterAlex enjoying his cocktail and chipsFound a salty lobster on the beach; did not eat!Alex’s lobster roll at The Bait ShedLinley trying to eat said lobster roll…Alex before…Alex after…Lobster bisqueMy fresh oystersFully gluten free Orange Bike Brewing beer!The birds outside Orange Bike didn’t like Alex’s Mazda…Our last evening out; cheers!
Photos taken Friday, July 10 & Saturday, July 11, 2026
Before heading east, one of my clients said I couldn’t pass through Vermont and New Hampshire without visiting the White Mountains. I felt super ignorant, but I didn’t even realize the White Mountains were a thing! Apparently, we have a mountain range on the east coast that looks exactly like the Alps and I had no idea until a couple months ago…
Needless to say: I’m grateful for the recommendation and it was worth the extra day of the trip!
After our Franconia Notch hike, we cooled down with a drive up Mount Washington. We could’ve hiked it; however, to our surprise, it’s the most dangerous mountain hike in North America. While only slightly above 6,000 feet in elevation, the weather can change on a dime and people constantly get stranded, blown off the mountain from a wind gust or get hypothermia from the drastic changes in weather. I love Alex and Linley too much to risk anything crazy happening! It was smarter to drive, especially after the “moderate” hike we’d already done that morning.
The drive up was beautiful and I soaked up every moment of it. We saw the temperature drop from 85° to about 59°, and saw the Sunny sky turn to an ominous fog. Even though I’ve jumped out of a plane at 18,000 feet, there was something about the foggy drive up that made me feel like we were going to fall off the edge (Alex is a great driver though!)
Once we got to the top, we parked by the couple and their dog we’d seen at dinner the night before. Great minds think alike! We enjoyed some photos and videos of our 360° views around us. It really did feel like I was back in Norway or somewhere else in Europe when we were up there.
Yes, Linley was begging for food at the top!Double trouble!Bumper sticker we received on the way up
The drive down was absolutely stunning as it warmed and cleared up. I took much more videos then, as Linley was loving the fresh air and as I was comforted by us using lower gear…
Toys for Linley we bought on the way down: Douglas and Tanner!
We will definitely be in the area again while we travel to upstate New York next summer!
Media taken Friday, July 10, 2026 at Mount Washington Summit
After a bittersweet goodbye to Alex’s family, we hit the road toward Maine. I was sad to leave Clayton, Alex’s family and all the memories from Linley’s and my second visit, but was excited to have a “Tracey Trio” part of the vacation.
Driving through Vermont and New Hampshire, two states none of us had ever visited before, was absolutely beautiful! Taking in the Green and White mountain ranges were gorgeous and transported be to a new world.
I can’t wait to spend more time on the east coast next summer!
Taking the ferry from NY to VT!Burlington, VTLin leaving his tracksA peaceful night in NHLin was salty that I took his photo!
Media taken Thursday, July 9 and Friday, July 10, 2026 in VT & NH!
From strolling around downtown, to lazy mornings looking at the water at our rental, and swimming at the lake house, Clayton never disappoints. As sad as we were to miss the family trip last year, it was certainly worth the wait.
We’ll be back next summer, Clayton! ✌️
The swans said good morning to us
Lin exploring by the waterThe star of the show!Our last sunset from downtownLin doesn’t appreciate the sunset like we do…View from our rental homeReminds me of our Chicago dog beach days!
Lin got the zoomies!
Good morning from Lin!Our favorite morning spot!Ship from the main rental homeA great afternoon in Alex BayFloating on the St. Lawrence RiverAn afternoon napThe best view aroundOne last photo before hitting the roadHad to!Lin taking in the view before the drive
Media taken Tuesday, July 7 – Thursday, July 9, 2026 🌊
From being bullied and ostracized by blood relatives to being accepted and loved by TWO families? Priceless!
I’m grateful to have Alex’s mom’s side of the family here in Georgia, and Alex’s dad’s side in upstate New York. I never thought I would be lucky enough to have one group to call family, and to have two means the absolute world to me. My inner child is healing and I love Alex’s family so much!
I not only had the honor to take surprise engagement photos, but also family photos a couple days later. I can’t wait for next year’s family vacation already!
Linley, of course, had to add some saltiness to the sweet photos…
Lin refused to move, so Grandpa Bill had to pick him up! 🤣
During our family vacation in New York, Alex’s cousin Matt texted us with very exciting news: he was going to propose to his girlfriend, Laura! I never met Matt but was so excited and honored that he told us. He also asked if I wanted to photograph the moment, and I obviously – and excitedly – said yes. While Matt didn’t propose to me, I feel like my being asked to photograph the big moment was just as big as him asking Laura to be his wife 🤣
Here are some moments I captured:
Matt asking me to take a photo of them on the dock, to which I obviously said, “sure thing!”Waving to the neighbor who cheered!A quick photo before giving them privacy…
Congratulations to the newly engaged couple!
Photos taken Monday, July 6, 2026 at the family rental home in Clayton, New York. 🥂
After visiting friends in Virginia, we headed to Clayton, New York for the annual Tracey/Viglucci/Yuhas family trip. Alex, Linley and I couldn’t attend last year because we took two weeks off work for our honeymoon, but it was great to be part of the family trip for my second time.
In 2024, us three had a whole extra home to ourselves; this year, we shared with more family members because over 20 of us made the trip this time! We were greeted with a surprise on our bedroom door, hugs from family, and sunshine on Washington Island. It felt so good to be back.
We didn’t see the baby swan we saw two years ago (aka: the Baby Lin swan!), but it’s probably because he’s all grown up now. But we did see our two favorite swans swimming around the island.
After getting settled in, we wanted to head into downtown Clayton for some ice cream, long walks on the waterfront and a nice dinner at Channelside. It felt like yesterday since we were back, and the views, kindness and comfort were just as memorable as last time. Linley was the talk of the town as we strolled around before dinner, and even got attention (and free food!) during our meal.
Cheers!
After dinner, we enjoyed a cozy night in so we could grab coffee in town again the next morning. Linley wanted some of Alex’s breakfast sandwich, and was lucky enough to get some while we chatted with Aunt Maryann.
I miss Clayton already, and will share more posts from our lovely time there. 💛
Media taken Sunday, July 5 – Monday, July 6, 2026 in Clayton, New York.
We started our east coast drive on Friday, July 3. Of course, we had to stop in Virginia to see the Corrigan family! We wanted a chill Friday night after a 10+ hour drive; however, Alex ran over a nail and had to get it fixed once we got to our AirBnB. We grabbed food at a restaurant within walking distance from where we stayed, turned on Love Island, and quickly went to bed.
Start of our roadtrip
On the Fourth, we had a great day with my best friend, Carolyn. Carolyn and her husband Ryan have been integral parts of my life for the past 12 years. I’m close with both of them, their families and their family now that they have two daughters and three fur babies. I wouldn’t have gotten through some of my darkest times if it weren’t for Carolyn’s love, support and humor – so seeing her again recently was wonderful.
We spent the entire day at their home in Leesburg. We enjoyed breakfast and lunch before Ryan went to work, enjoyed time with the girls and Sully, and we laughed throughout the entire day. While Carolyn’s and my quality time isn’t the girls trips and travels like we used to have, I value that we’ve brought each other into our lives as much as we have with over this decade worth of friendship.
Linley and SullyWatching the “fireworks” in the neighborhoodLinley does well with the sounds of he can actually see what’s going on 🙂
Before leaving Virginia, we wanted to check out Georgetown’s waterfront while we were in the area. Linley was a smiley boy and we loved strolling through the cobblestone streets.
…and then we were on the road again!
Photos taken Friday, July 3 – Sunday, July 5, 2026.
My next post was supposed to be about the amazing weekend we’d be having with Ellie, and how another Thing 1 & Thing 2 puppy party was taking place. But the truth is we lost sweet Ellie last night before we could see each other again, and we’re completely devastated. 🌈
Ellie will always be Linley’s best friend and our sweet girl. She was Lin’s partner in crime, and her smile and strut turned the heads of many neighbors and friends of my pawrents. And she’s one of the only pups Linley was willing to share anything with, including me on morning walks and his favorite snuggle spot on the couch.
We always made Ellie and Linley take silly photos together, and I’m so grateful we did. We all shared so many memories together and our shenanigans during sleepovers and holidays are moments we’ll never forget.
We’ve been emotional because we wish Ellie were here with us this weekend. I’ll never forget all the weekends and holidays we shared. I know Ellie is bumping into other dogs up there and is zooming toward all the good food with her tongue out.
We all do it: we compare ourselves to others, we compare present day to the past… it’s human. And last weekend I couldn’t help but compare where I’m at now vs. where I was at in 2022.
Linley and me hiking in Asheville (2022)
On my trip back at Chicago from Asheville in 2022, Linley was by my side through some hard times. One of my best friends called me on my drive to tell me that she was expecting her first child, meanwhile I was telling her that a divorce was in my foreseeable future. I was so excited for all my close friends going through such amazing milestones in their lives, meanwhile I was at the loneliest point in my marriage and physical location of Chicago.
Linley, Alex and me hiking at the same spot in 2026
Last weekend I took Alex and some of our friends to the same spot Linley and I enjoyed four years ago. Although it was rainy, we made the most of it. And it’s really similar to my life right now: it’s a literal and metaphorical rainy season, but I’m making the most of every moment and am enjoying the rain as it comes.
To think in 2022 I was struggling in my family dynamics, certain friendships, my marriage, location and career. Now my biggest worry is that I won’t be able to make it as a solopreneur, but have never felt more loved and supported.
Photos taken in 2022 and 2026 in Asheville, North Carolina
Alex’s birthday was Saturday, and we had a great time in the mountains of North Georgia! We started our morning with a hike on Blood Mountain where we had stunning views all around us. It was a nice spot to rest, and we even saw a blue lizard scurry nearby.
After our hike, we grabbed lunch at a local spot in downtown Dahlonega that we love so much. We sat outside, enjoyed some sweet tea and seafood, and Linley got even more attention than our birthday boy.
After realizing that Linley had a tick on him in the car (we’re all good, thank goodness!), we enjoyed more stunning views at a winery Alex loves. I’m doing an alcohol-free year but I enjoyed a Sprite while Alex enjoyed a glass of red wine. All three of us were basking in the sun and enjoying the moment together.
Before we knew it, it was time to head home. We look forward to next time!
Between 404 Day and now, it’s been a solid month here in Atlanta. We’ve explored new places, revisited some favorites and felt a sense of community with our neighbors (especially Amy because we got to watch her sweet girl, Larkin, this month!)
I look forward to what the rest of April and beyond has in store!
