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2024 Travels: USA and Iceland
  • Rachael Zielske

2024 Travels: USA and Iceland

A 228-day adventure by Rachael Read more
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  • Rachael Zielske2024 Travels: USA and IcelandTraveler

    Coming full circle

    August 15, 2024 in Iceland ⋅ 🌧 50 °F

    We made a stop at Strokkur Geyser which was awesome because it actually geyses! Every couple minutes we got to see it erupt and Padre was making a ruckus as usual and actually got some strangers to laugh along with him when he screamed at the eruption. We then went to Ðingvellir National Park to see the continental rift from another area. This one was a bit more impressive because the different plates are more obvious and built up as cliffs in this area. Made it easier to “see” the movement of the plates over time and how much space has been added in between them. Back in Reykjavík we got to have the waffle again after being called 17 at a bar while sitting at the bar by a gal who was probably my age! It’s not just Americans who think I’m still in high school. P.s. the whale bone made it through customs and back home! Yay!Read more

  • Rachael Zielske2024 Travels: USA and IcelandTraveler

    Off again to Georgia!

    October 4, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 48 °F

    I’m so excited to start making a tradition of going to Georgia to see their homecoming game! It was a blast last time and this time we are taking Nick and Christine who we are even closer to now! Or I am actually becoming part of the group. We are flying down early and of course the rental car situation did not go smoothly because that’s life. However, after the 2 hour line we headed straight to their place. We got the biggest suv and so we are driving around such a huge rig. It helps with navigating the terrible traffic that is Atlanta though! We ended up eating at a Mexican place which was delicious but I’m on my fitness journey so I’m not drinking. We also played disc golf as a group and Chris actually kept track of my score for once and I didn’t do too bad! Peek the results of one of the hurricanes on the disc golf pad!Read more

  • Rachael Zielske2024 Travels: USA and IcelandTraveler

    Go Dawgs!!!

    October 5, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

    Today’s the big day! We drive off pretty early to get there with time for parking and drinking before the game starts. It’s such a crazy experience to be at such a huge school that traffic is backed up for the whole 2 hour drive up there from Atlanta. It’s also just weird to be basically in a small town but the whole thing is a school! We get a really good parking spot and just stand in the parking garage drinking and chatting. It’s nice to talk to Christine more and learn about her and have some girl talk while the boys catch up too. When we make it to the game we find our seats which of course are in direct sunlight like last time, it’s not as hot but boy it’s a bit tough. I kept waiting for the sun to go behind something but it was moving in just the way to be missing all the big screens and tall bleachers! Such a huge stadium and having to stop for commercial breaks is so not something I’m used to. Chris got to say hi to Pat after the halftime show! Fun to see how Chris’s game day life in college would have been like!Read more

  • Rachael Zielske2024 Travels: USA and IcelandTraveler

    Short and sweet

    October 6, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F

    The next day we finally saw Pat for a good amount of time when we went to brunch together. Then we have some chill time with Nick and Christine, they made us dinner that night and we sat in the backyard and felt very adult. I also went with Christine to Home Depot and home goods, she’s doing a project and wanted my help which was sweet. We mostly just watched football of course but also played catan which I haven’t played in years! Overall it was nice to see people again and get to know Chris’s people more and more. It was a quick trip and we headed home early that next morning. A bit exhausted from all the fun times but can’t wait for another chance to go down south!Read more

  • Rachael Zielske2024 Travels: USA and IcelandTraveler

    Go Gusties!!!!!

    October 12, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F

    Not a trip really but I wanted to throw in this little visit to GAC since it’s a good juxtaposition to the UGA game! We had a good time exploring all our favorite places at Gustavus and showing Chris and Keith our past lives! See drunk snow activities, dorm parties, the caf, art projects and so much else. We had fun watching football too with like 1/800 the people compared to UGA! But we did get to drink in the parking lot here too and that was fun since we have never tried that at GAC before! I love my little school and was so happy to get to show Christopher my school finally! We also went to 3rd street obviously! Just as good as I remember! <3Read more

  • Rachael Zielske2024 Travels: USA and IcelandTraveler

    Cloquet all day

    October 31, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ❄️ 36 °F

    My next mini trip is to Cloquet for my energy auditor training. This one gets me my official energy auditor title. No longer will I have to be “closely supervised”. I put the air quotes because I wouldn’t say that I am checked much on my work but now I wouldn’t ever need to be. It’s a week long class and then I will go back for the test. It snowed one of the days, the first really good snow this year. So pretty and it’s starting to get me into feeling like Christmas might actually be close. I went for a walk that day at jay cooke state park and it was very peaceful to walk in the snow and not see a single soul. Chris came and visited and I somehow got no photos at all. But it was such a wholesome visit and made me so happy. We went to vitta pizza and a brewery. Then went swimming and played in the pool like little kids. I also went and had soup and hot chocolate in the snow and felt very cozy. Unfortunately those last photos were right before I took my test the next week which happened to be the morning after the election when we got the horrible news and I felt completely heartbroken. I had to wake up at 5am and drive through the fog which was like a funeral shroud. I even cried on camera mid test because of the election but I got through and passed. But I have never been so disappointed and sad in my life.Read more

  • Rachael Zielske2024 Travels: USA and IcelandTraveler

    Off to vegas?!

    November 8, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 61 °F

    This trip might legitimately be cursed (first flight was cancelled and then the Luke hemmings concert too) but we are going to Vegas whether it wants us there or not! We got there very early since we gained 2 hours we first hard to wait for our rental car for a while because they were literally washing them and bringing them right to people. We then went to breakfast and I got a breakfast bowl and some bomb fresh squeezed orange juice! We still have a long while before being able to check in so we went to visit a landmark outside Vegas. It’s called seven magic mountains and it’s made of rocks from the area stacked together. It was a cool sight as they are massive! Also we saw a lesbian wedding happen while we were there! We all cheered! It’s warm in the sun and chilly otherwise so it’s a confusing weather situation but I’m liking the sunshine.Read more

  • Rachael Zielske2024 Travels: USA and IcelandTraveler

    Christmas in the desert

    November 8, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F

    We still have time before checking in so we went to an arboretum type walk and chocolate shop. We were supposed to be able to see them make all the fancy chocolates but they weren’t active while we were there. The chocolate is very expensive but we got some small bars and they are good! One was even a peanut butter flavored which was fun! We then walked through the cactus’s and Christmas lights. It’s so odd to see the two things together especially since it doesn’t even feel like winter/christmas at home yet. But they are some nice plants! Then finally we went to get changed at the hotel! It’s actually really nice and less than $100 a night! Coming from cloquet which is more than that it seems like a steal.Read more

  • Rachael Zielske2024 Travels: USA and IcelandTraveler

    Downtown in vegas

    November 8, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F

    After sitting down for a moment we went off to dinner and to see our cirque de soleil show, Mysteré. We got an Uber driver who told us a $20 burger was why Vegas was getting too expensive when that’s literally like Burger Moes prices! I think Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen with $50 burgers might be more close to why Vegas is off the rails expensive. We got caught in monster truck traffic from all them coming down the road sideways and honking like crazy so we decided to do tacos for a “quick” meal instead of a sit down. The line seemed short but it ended up being almost an hour, luckily I sat at the table for most of it so we would have somewhere to sit but we had to barely chew before walking fast to treasure island for the show. It was a crazy show, one of the highlights was a girl who held another girl up with only her neck?! How? Also the trapeze was awesome as I haven’t experienced many circus shows ever in my life. It was a weird show as you can see from the picture but it was good! We then just walked the strip inside and out to see the famous parts and say we had been there but we didn’t want to gamble or drink as we were very tired at this point. We did get a Krispy Kreme and saw the Bellagio fountain show and arboretum!Read more

  • Rachael Zielske2024 Travels: USA and IcelandTraveler

    Zion is too beautiful

    November 9, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 54 °F

    Off to Zion now! We decided to squeeze all this in because the concert was cancelled and we don’t need that much time in a gambling city when really we want to hike. We got up early for smoothies and then drove 2.5 hours to Zion where luckily we got a permit to do angels landing which we missed out on when we were here before! It was one of the best hikes I have ever done! Such amazing views even long before you make it to the top! You walk along the edge of the canyon wall so you can turn around and look out at the little river and trees surrounded by the red rocks. The camera does not do the colors or expansiveness justice! Then you make it to the top of Walter’s wiggles (very quick switch backs) and that’s when the permit part kicks in. This part was hard but not as scary as you would think, it felt rewarding and unique but not so hard you question your life choices! And it was barely busy while we did it so that was really cool! Coming down was a little more scary but really I just wanted to experience walking along a mountains edge which we definitely got!Read more

  • Rachael Zielske2024 Travels: USA and IcelandTraveler

    Sunset time

    November 9, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F

    The walk down the mountain was just as magical if not more so! The colors were still so fabulous and just vibey since the sun was slowly setting. We are right on the mountain to west coast time change so we get a pretty late sunset on this side in Zion. That helped since we still had to take the bus down the mountain to the visitors center, and then walk to our car which was parked outside the park since inside had been full this morning. We watched the sunset not by looking at the sun but by seeing the colors change on the rock face as it went from flaming orange to pink to pale pink to dark. We went to dinner and took it to go which was so clutch because the wait was so so long but the food was ready for us so fast. It was extremely good Italian and we were so hungry and ready for food we ate in the parking lot and got no photos! We then made it to the airbnb after driving down to Hurricane. We watched a scary movie and went to bed!Read more

  • Rachael Zielske2024 Travels: USA and IcelandTraveler

    From natural to unnatural

    November 10, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 59 °F

    Walking up today we are having a little more of a chill morning since we have been kinda go go go. We are also still reeling from the election so we have to be nice to ourselves. We had leftover pasta, cheese bread and pizza for breakfast and then we headed back to Zion. We did a more chill hike today which meant it was very busy. Kinda just following behind people the entire way. Nothing too crazy for views except that you are right along the base of the cliff side so you really get an idea of its scale which was cool! We also saw a few little waterfall trickles. Overall it was good to move and see another part of the park but I’d say this one wasn’t as rewarding. But how can you compare to angels landing?! We then drive back to Las Vegas and even though we didn’t really want to go out we made ourselves see another part of the city, Fremont street! Which was way cooler than I thought it would be! Right when we got there we saw the Katy Perry lights show and later the Shakira one. We also listened to a Hispanic band while we ate bbq. It was fun but again we didn’t really wanna get into it or spend money as the trip was already expensive so we didn’t drink or stay too long. We did branch out to see the flaming praying mantis but it wouldn’t flame too much while we were there :( we saw the tail end as we walked up though and it was still a strange Vegas type thing. The next day we flew home through Eau Claire, why? idk. But we got stuck there for like 2 hours which was ridiculous for a 20 minute flight but they had to fly a mechanic in from MSP for our plane which we had just gotten off of. But long story short Zion was great, Vegas is too much for me, but it was a fun sister’s weekend nonetheless!!Read more

  • Rachael Zielske2024 Travels: USA and IcelandTraveler

    Final trip of the year!

    November 26, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 57 °F

    This is the final trip of the year! We are off to Atlanta and then driving to North Carolina for thanksgiving with Chris’s family! I’m excited to spend the holiday with his side of the family for once. It’ll be different to have a small thanksgiving and not be with cousins but I feel very grown up going to a significant others for the holidays. We started our little road trip with Zaxby’s since I had never tried it. I thought it was good and pretty much like Canes, maybe better toast believe it or not. We passed some stunning views on the way into and up the mountains to Cashiers, NC where their cabin is. I feel like we went back in time to fall since the leaves still have color and it’s around 50 degrees. Once we said our hellos and I got a bunch of cute new hand me downs from Ann, Chris and I walked down the hill to look at the water. I was shocked how low the water was since it was so deep when I was here they all have floating docks. However, it’s controlled by a dam so it fluctuates a lot. Then Chris made us burgers for dinner and we played bananagrams. It is very hard to beat anyone in Chris’s fam at that game!Read more

  • Rachael Zielske2024 Travels: USA and IcelandTraveler

    Chill day in the mountains

    November 27, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 45 °F

    First thing today we got up and hopped in the car to go get Elevated Kitchen biscuit sandwiches. Honestly the best biscuit I have ever had, the amount of butter that must have been in that was divine! We then spent most of the day chilling. I read a lot, like most of the day really. Chris and I also played Rummikub and I beat him all 3 times! Finally some wins for Rach. And then we got to have steak and coleslaw for dinner. Philip, Chris’s dad, suggested we buy Reese’s for s’mores so we had to turn the fire on outside that evening and make a few. The peanut butter was a great touch and I think more smores in my life need Reese’s. Me and Philip were the only ones that really believed in the idea but it was a pretty big hit. It was fun to laugh and hang out all together. We got Ann and Pat to play Rummirub with us and that was really fun too. Chris is such a silly goose with his family and I can tell how much they enjoy being altogether. Especially Ann who is louder like Chris and they talk a lot more than the others and just laugh together.Read more

  • Rachael Zielske2024 Travels: USA and IcelandTraveler

    Happy thanksgiving from NC!

    November 27, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 41 °F

    Today’s the big day! We will be having a turkey, stuffing, gravy, cooked kale, brussel sprouts, cranberry sauce and green beans. Also rolls of course but no mash potatoes because apparently Chris and Pat don’t like them that much?! Crazy behavior. Most of the day we watched football or I read. Or cooked and cleaned if you’re Ann. I helped make the gravy and learned to make cranberry sauce. The stuffing was the best I have ever had so that was my favorite part. Chris and I went for a walk with Allie after dinner and it was nice to have some time just us and talk about things. It’s a pretty walk with good views of the lake, especially right now since there are no leaves. We had blueberry crumble for dessert which was surprisingly great! I busted out the hot chocolate this evening. I have no idea why I didn’t think of it sooner since I have been quite cold. Pat, Chris and I played Farkle at the end of the night and I was crushing it! Take me to the casino I was getting lucky rolls!Read more

  • Rachael Zielske2024 Travels: USA and IcelandTraveler

    Off to UGA!!! What a game!

    November 29, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 32 °F

    We are getting up early to head off to Athens, GA for the UGA game! First we stopped at a little Christmas market near by and I got a croissant and Chris got a reindeer cookie! We made it to Athens with only one low tire pressure and one speeding ticket so yay! First, we checked into the hotel and then walked over to downtown Athens for lunch at the ramen place we had the first time we were at UGA. Chris and I then went and had a drink at a bar he went to quite often in college. Then we walked around and I got to hear other stories and see other bars and restaurants he would go too. We then got bundled up before walking to campus. We got to see Patrick at dawg walk. It’s where the band lines up and plays while the football team walks out and onto the field. We headed into the game super early but time flies and the games begun! UGA is playing Georgia Tech who are their biggest rivals so it’s gonna be an intense game. And that was true all the way through. UGA was down by like 20 going into the 4th quarter then down by 14 with 4 minutes to go! We almost left we were so upset (not to mention cold, since it was a night game it was down to 35!) but I stopped for the bathroom and while in there we got a touchdown! With renewed hope we stayed and watched them tie it to end the game! We then went through 8 (!) overtimes to finally pull off the win at midnight! It was so exciting!! What a day! Fireworks and cheering! I told Chris not to give up on the dawgs!Read more

  • Rachael Zielske2024 Travels: USA and IcelandTraveler

    Final days! Bye 2024 trips!

    November 30, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 46 °F

    The morning after the big exciting game we all went to brunch. Yesterday was senior day for Patrick so we had gotten to see him perform on the field and in the stands and take pictures in the student center. It was nice to see more of UGAs campus. We all had to debrief the whole night and see what Patrick had been feeling during the ups and downs! We then said our goodbyes and Chris and I went down to Marietta to see Nick and Christine. We then immediately went to play disc golf at a new course and then had Mexican, of course. We then got baileys to have a little christmasy drink while we played phase 10 (which I won!). Another big milestone is the cats actually making an appearance and letting me get close enough to take their picture!! The next day we had to head out right away and get on the plane back to MN. Landing in MN marks the end of my 2024 travels. It’s been a wild and fun packed year! I loved every second and I can’t wait for more to come.Read more

    Trip end
    December 1, 2024
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