Alaska Airlines MVP!

I am going to start typing more on my blog posts and really start "blogging" here in 2016. There are so many things that go on behind the scenes and I want to share my experiences with you! I'll be blogging about traveling, adventuring, photographing, and whatever may come along. I've learned so much from other photographers, travel bloggers, and lifestyle blogs; it came to my realization that I could blog about both my photography and travel! Two things that I love most! My goal is to share a text post at least once a week with you :)

Some favorite bloggers:

Ben Sasso • Photo
Bon Traveler - Jessica Wright • Travel
Barefoot Blonde - Amber Fillerup • Lifestyle
Bethany Marie • Photo & Fashion

(Didn't even realize they all start with B until I typed them haha)


Thought starting off with this topic would make the most sense as we turn the calendars to 2016 and reflect on 2015.

This year I became an Alaska Airlines MVP flyer! Since home for me is split between Seattle and Sun Valley, I find it easier to rack up the miles... Plus a few trips to the east coast and Europe helps too. As much as the miles count up, so do my experiences, airport savvyness, and confidence seem to heighten and shape a more knowledgeable person. As a traveler, most often by myself, I seem to realize that I pay much more attention to my surroundings, just like anybody else when alone and a little nervous. After I started flying to Seattle from Sun Valley more often, I gained more confidence and more ability. Obviously Hallie! But anyways, I wanted to say 5 things I have learned from traveling alone, and how I have learned to love it.


1. Independence

I have always considered myself pretty independent after making the move to Sun Valley when I was 10. Living with a single working mother and being an only child, I quickly learned the bus schedule and how to get from point A to point B when something needed to get done. I have always been someone who wanted to travel, see new cultures, and expose myself to new experiences that got me out of my comfort zone - and my home town. I've always been someone trying to get somewhere, so traveling has filled this niche, and I love it!

2. Time for yourself - disconnecting

When I travel by myself, there is a lot more time for me to tune out and listen to my thoughts and observe- especially when we have to put our phones in airplane mode! I think that is one big thing that traveling has made me more aware of. We are all guilty of spending way too much time on our phones and devices, myself included. While on the plane, I find myself starting to love to read more and look out the window and see what is below. It gives you a bigger perspective, literally. I don't have much extra room on my phone because the majority of space is taken by photos and video, so I don't have any music. Not having music - except Spotify with wifi - has made me even more aware of my surroundings. Although I think it is something I need to figure out for longer trips, the short flights to Seattle/SV have forced me to read or do something productive. Everyone needs that time - on airplane mode - when no one can reach you and you can have other things on your mind! A lot of people - myself included when I was younger - don't like sitting on a plane for hours on end, but recently I have found these hours to be rejuvenating and relaxing. I don't have the ability to endlessly scroll through feeds, text friends, or worry about the assignment my teacher posted on Google Classroom. My brain is not remaining stagnant by just scanning posts or statuses. My brain is actively thinking without anything to block the creative thoughts. It is so important to disconnect! We need to be doing more of it. It's time for me, myself, and I!!

3. Getting away - rejuvenating!

I have often found that I need to get away and rejuvenate! I truly believe traveling is good for the soul. When I leave for a trip I am so excited to be going on a new adventure. Sometimes I need a change of scenery, I need to meet new people, and I need to be able to relax and change my thought process and routine. Just like what I mentioned before, traveling gives me space to do just these things and rejuvenate for whatever is next in school or life.

4. New Experiences Yields a New Eye

After traveling, I come home with a broader sense of the world. Just being in a new place, standing there, can feel like the world is moving at a million miles a minute. News flash - it is. I never take for granted each flight I take. As many times I have flown to Seattle this past year, makes me just want to be there more than ever. Each experience is new, along with the sites I see. Since I am obviously drawn to the beauty in every day life experiences by being a photographer, I like to come back to SV with new images that are not the same. Every time I travel the photos I make are from different views, angles, and locations, partly due to the fact that having a new seasoned eye due to my travel excursions.

5. It is amazing what planes do!

Planes fly about anywhere between 300-600 mi/hr and can get you to extremely different and diverse locations in the world. We are lucky to live in a time that we can almost go anywhere! Imagine what it was like when there weren't all these modes of transportation. We would not have the same knowledge we have, nor would we ever gain new perspectives of the huge world out there. It fathoms me to think about how planes work and how we can fly around the globe! It's really amazing to actually realize how planes get you to new places with new adventures awaiting. It's like opening a chocolate box; you never know what you'll get, but you know it will be good ;)

xo, Hallie