The Miniventure Mac

How to go on a proper Philly Adventure

Leave a Comment / By Melinda MacArthur / June 9, 2022 June 5, 2022

I lived in Philly for about 8 months. There were highs and lows, good and bad, and plenty of lessons learned. Now that I’ve moved out of Philly, I’ve had plenty of time to reflect, and I want to share some of what I learned with you all–especially for those of you who may be interested in moving to Philly. Keep in mind that I am not a city person, I grew up in middle-of-nowhere North Jersey so my perspective is a bit different than most. That being said, here’s your guidebook to a proper Philly adventure. Enjoy!

My Personal Philly Bucket List

One of the biggest highlights of living in Philly-or any city really- is that there is always a TON to do. They have stuff for everyone-museums, fun activities, delectable foods, strong drinks, and coffee shops aplenty.

Museums

The Franklin Institute: Easily one of my favorite places in Philly. A science museum with plenty of hands-on activities. While this is generally geared towards families with kids, I definitely went a few times with friends. A wonderful way to bring out your inner child. The Astronaut Ice Cream in the gift shop is an absolute must-have. The last time I went, the IMAX theater was still closed due to COVID. But if you have the chance to watch an IMAX film, do it. It’s an incredible feeling of being completely immersed in your surroundings, and the next-closest thing to virtual reality.
The Academy of Natural Sciences: Part of Drexel University and the oldest natural science museum in the Americas. Perhaps the coolest thing in this museum is the dioramas, displays of taxidermied animals in their natural habitats. It feels like being in a zoo of sorts. A zoo frozen in time is the best way to describe it.
The Museum of the American Revolution: To me, this felt like I was in my 8th-grade social studies class all over again, but on steroids. Take a step back in time to learn about the Revolution-how the war came to be, some of the major battles, the challenges faced by Indigenous People, how black people were treated during the war, and plenty more. For all you tea people out there, they have a “cocoa tea” in the gift shop that is surprisingly tasty. I expected it to taste like watered-down hot chocolate but it doesn’t. Rather, it’s a refreshing tea that has just the right amount of sweetness (in my personal preference).
The Art Museum: There is so much to say about the art museum and so little time, though I feel it speaks for itself. An overwhelming amount of artwork that seemingly never ends. Don’t fret if you can’t see it all at once- a general admission ticket works for two days. I spent a few hours there once and barely scratched the surface of what there is to see. I’d recommend going on the first Sunday of the month or Friday nights for free admission.
The Mütter Museum: Go here if you have a strong stomach and a desire to look at weird stuff. I, for one, do not have a strong stomach and felt a bit faint about halfway through. That’s about all I’m willing to say about that. Very fascinating museum nonetheless though, with a room of human skulls, an area of bizarre bone deformities, and the largest human poop.
The Liberty Bell Center: It’s a whole National Historic Park. In the middle of Philly. Can’t get much better than that. Pack a lunch to enjoy on the green, and be prepared to wait in line for a while to see the actual liberty bell. I haven’t actually been in the museum portion of it, the outdoor section is pretty fascinating.
Penn Museum: Another one of my favorite museums in Philly- a lot of global history, ranging from the Aztecs to Africa to Asia. The Ancient Egypt exhibit is perhaps the most profound though-they have real mummies there. Like, those are the bodies of actual people who once lived on this earth. It really strikes you when you come across the first one, and leaves you with a bit of existential dread.
Independence Seaport Museum: Ok so I still haven’t actually been to this museum but my brother and I did go to their submarine. The sub was an interesting experience-picturing yourself hundreds of feet underwater in this cramped sub and trying to not die in a war. Surreal for sure. I’m sure the museum is great too I just haven’t made it there yet :/

Some museums that I wanted to visit but haven’t made my way to yet (unfortunately) are the Rodin Museum, the Barnes Foundation, and the National Museum of American Jewish History, though there are plenty of other museums to check out. Philly is a wonderful city for all history buffs out there.

looking down one of the blocks in the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, PA. — ^{Eastern State Penitentiary}

books in the Philly Aids bookstore, notably "cette nuit la liberté" — ^{Cette Nuit La Liberté in Philly AIDS bookstore}

Activities

This is kinda a broad category of things you definitely gotta go to while in Philly, just because. I could go on and on about what there is to do in terms of random activities but these are my top recs.

Blue Cross Riverrink: They have a Summerfest and a Winterfest-so no matter when you go there’s plenty of fun for the whole family. It’s a roller-skating rink in the summer and an ice skating rink in the winter. There are plenty of activities ranging from mini-golf to amusement park games, to food and drinks aplenty. And right on the river too.
Eastern State Penitentiary: Ok so this does fall into the museum category as well but I’m putting it here for their “Terror Behind the Walls” in October. As a museum, it’s dope as hell–plenty to see and learn about (you get to see Al Capone’s cell) and it’s cool to wander the grounds and pretend you’re in an episode of Orange Is the New Black. I haven’t done “Terror Behind the Walls” but I’ll be damned if I don’t make it there this October since everyone raves about it.
Mural tour: They have a proper mural tour for the city, but it’s honestly just really nice to walk around and enjoy the inspiring murals throughout the city. There is so much incredible talent casually strewn across buildings.
Kimmel Center for Performance: I saw John Mulaney here. 10/10 would recommend. Great for all theater nerds out there, as well as anyone into comedy, orchestra, and plenty more.
Dilworth Park: It’s kind of hard to miss Dilworth Park while in Philly. It surrounds city hall and hosts plenty of events throughout the year. I would highly recommend going during December when it turns into a giant Winter Village full of shops to purchase holiday gifts for friends and family.
The Magic Gardens: I feel like this could be classified as a museum because of the indoor section but I’m putting it under fun activities because it doesn’t feel super museum-y. Jaw-dropping mosaic artwork by Isaiah Zagar and there’s nothing else quite like it. It feels like you’re getting dropped into a maze in an I SPY book.
Night Life: Y’all there is so much to do if you’re over 21 in Philly. I didn’t go out much because I was bartending most nights until 3 AM. Given that, I don’t think I’m necessarily the best person to give advice on where to go. That said, if you identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community, it’s a rite of passage to go to Woody’s Gay Bar. At least once. There are other gay bars in the area, but I found that as a queer woman specifically there were rarely other women at other bars so usually I stuck to Woody’s.
Manayunk Main Street: So many restaurants and quaint little shops to check out, as well as a path that runs along the Schuykill River, with the opportunity to see turtles. Doesn’t get much better than that in my opinion. My personal fave place is Valerio Coffee Roasters right on Main Street.
Cherry Street Pier: Definitely a place where you have to look ahead of time to see what events are planned. Feminist flea markets, dance parties, a gorgeous beer garden, and studio spaces for artists to work/display their artwork. There is always something going on.
Watch a Sporting Event: Football, hockey, baseball, basketball, no matter the sport, Philly games are iconic. Philadelphia sports fans are truly on another level, and for proof of that, look no further than when the Eagles won the Super Bowl back in 2018.

"the works of the insane" mosaic from the Magic Gardens in Philadelphia, PA. — ^{One of many quotes from Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens}

Mac and friends taking a goofy picture together at the Magic Gardens in Philadelphia, PA

Restaurants/Coffee Shops

Philly has great food. A lot of it. Like, a lot a lot. These are my favorite haunts from my time in Philly (restaurants and coffee shops alike) and I’m sure you’ll find one that fits your fancy. Don’t hate on me if I didn’t get the “real good places or whatever” this is a wholly personal preference. I’m not much of a foodie, so these are just the places that stuck out for me. Trust me, there are a TON of places that I still want to go to but haven’t made it there yet.

Angelo’s Pizzaria: Ok Ok so I know the whole “Pat’s and Gino’s” debate about who has the best Philly cheesesteak and how you “have to try both of them” but imagine my surprise when I learned that most Philadelphians feel kinda “eh” about them. I still haven’t been. You wanna know a phenomenal Philly Cheesesteak place though? Angelo’s. Right on 9th and Fitzwater and the best Philly Cheesesteak I’ve ever had.
Sampan: The best way to explain Sampan is pan-Asian appetizers. I think they have bigger plates too, but every time I went, my friends and I would just get a bunch of the appetizers and split them. They’re SO GOOD too. While you’re there, check out the graffiti bar in the back it’s really fascinating and the bartenders there are really great.
Tom’s Dim Sum: Tastiest Dim Sum in the city, for sure. If I had the money I’d go there every. Single. Day. The dumplings are delicious and definitely a must-try, though everything on the menu is pretty good.
McGillan’s: The oldest running tavern in Philly- and for good reason. Great food, great vibes, and great drinks. Warning though: the ciders will get you very hungover. I learned that one the hard way, unfortunately.
Reading Terminal Market: Another absolute must-see in Philly. A staple of Philadelphia, Reading Terminal Market is a ginormous indoor market with food stalls of all kinds, deli meats, fresh food, coffee, and gifts. One of their merchants, Luhv, sells 100% vegan deli meats, for those of you who may be interested.
Fresh Donuts: Y’all gotta try their apple fritters here. Hands down the best apple fritters out there. As someone from NJ who is rather proud of our bagels, Fresh Donuts does pretty well on their breakfast sandwiches. Also, everything there is dirt cheap, so you know it’s gonna be hella good. I’d recommend calling ahead of time.
Moshulu: If you’re looking for a fancy date night right on the water, look no further- Moshulu is your spot. Bit pricey, but well worth it. Should probably be a fan of seafood to go here.
Cake and Joe: One of the coolest coffee shops in the city, in my humble opinion. And I’ve been to quite a few. The presentation for their pastries is to die for, coffee is pretty good, and they have “calpis,” a Japanese drink that tastes kinda like yogurt. Unsure how exactly to describe it but it was quite fascinating to me.
Dizengoff: If you’re a hummus fan, please go here. Outside of hummus, they don’t have much else but this is perfect for a light, mouth-watering snack or lunch.
Bar Bombón: Ideal for anyone with a vegan diet-100% of menu items are vegan. But it doesn’t taste vegan it’s kinda wild. I was convinced their cheese was real cheese… but it’s not. Very tasty food, very wonderful experience.
Nine Ting Restaurant: Y’all I had never heard of hot pot or had any idea of what it was prior to going to Nine Ting, and let me tell you, it was an EXPERIENCE. For those of you who don’t know what it is, think of a Hibachi grill where you’re your own chef. All you can eat. Bring a bunch of friends and your own alcohol for a night to remember.
Lil Nonna’s: Some of the best Italian food in the city, if not the best. The garlic bread is truly a gift from heaven, and I will stand by that until the day I die.

a calpis from Cake&Joe, a coffee shop in South Philadelphia, PA. — ^{Calpis from Cake&Joe- very tasty!}

the inside of Cake&Joe, a beautiful coffee shop nestled in south philadelphia — ^{Cake&Joe coffee shop-absolutely perfect}

Philly Advice

Have a student ID? Bring it with you to the museums for a discount. I graduated from college last year, but I still brought my ID everywhere with me and definitely saved myself a good couple of bucks.
If you’re looking to save a couple of bucks and don’t mind walking a bit through the neighborhoods, peek around for free parking. Spot Angels (I love this app) is great at helping you find those places, though of course, double-check the signs just in case. And if a neighborhood doesn’t feel safe, it’s probably not. Septa (their public transportation system) can take you just about anywhere and google maps is great at telling you what bus/subway/trolley to get on/where.
When using Septa, be aware of the pass you’re purchasing. The first time I accidentally somehow managed to purchase a week pass for $25 and then used it exactly once. Don’t ask how but it was a huge waste. I think they have weekend options, but definitely plot out where you’re going to figure out if it’s worth it to do that or just get a new pass every time you’re using it. Cards are available at the trolley, subway, and train stations, but not the random stops throughout the city, so if you’re taking the bus and don’t have a pass, bring $2.50 with ya per trip. Exact change, I’m pretty sure.
BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS. I grew up in a town where not a lot of crime happened, so moving to Philly honestly scared the sh-daylights out of me. Bring pepper spray with you, but be aware that most bars will take it if they find you have it on you. Same with sporting events. I lost a good canister of pepper spray this way RIP. Just be smart with what you’re doing, who you’re talking to, and where you’re walking.
Along with that, if a neighborhood feels sketchy, it’s probably sketchy, and you should probably leave.
If you’re planning on drinking, bring your ID (obv), and make sure other people with you have theirs/are 21 if you’re close to the drinking age. In Pennsylvania, all people at the table have to be 21 or older for someone to have a drink, unless it’s like, parents and their kids or something. Went on a date and my date didn’t have her ID, so even though we were both over 21, I wasn’t allowed to drink. Bit of a bizarre rule but something to keep in mind.
Bit of bartending advice: for the love of God, please know what you’re ordering before getting up to the bar, especially at a nightclub when it’s busy. Us bartenders have a constant line of people, so make it easier for everyone and don’t ask what we recommend. It will either be a vodka soda or a $42 shot of Don Julio 1942 depending on our mood. Along with that, tip your bartenders/servers. Please.
Have fun! Walk around places, stop at all the cute shops that strike your fancy (Open House is probably my favorite), and be sure to check in to see what events are happening while you’re there. You never know what you’ll find in the city.

Alright y’all, I think that’s about everything I’ve got for Philly! I’m sure there’s some stuff that I’m missing, but that’ll get you started. Above everything, plan your trip ahead of time but keep an open mind, and it’ll be a blast.

If you enjoyed this, take a look at my Resources page where I’ll have other bucket list ideas and plenty more fun stuff!

Until next time,
-MAC

a philly adventure in the ball pit of Concourse nightclub

The Simple Joys of Vacationing in Vermont

1 Comment / By Melinda MacArthur / April 7, 2022 April 11, 2022

Hi! Quick note: I started writing ab Vermont last summer but then my laptop crashed and I never got around to finishing the post until now so yes, it’s old, but it was a fun trip and I wanted to post about it nonetheless. Enjoy 🙂

This past weekend, I had the wonderful opportunity to spend some time with my family on my dad’s side in Wilmington, Vermont. I’d never been there before but I had heard nothing but great things about the area and how beautiful it was, so naturally, I was beyond excited for the adventure. The only downside was the six-hour drive for me to get there. I love driving, but she can get pretty dull sometimes when you’re not stopping at all. Given that, on Friday, I decided to break up my drive a little bit, stopping in Rockland County, NY, to visit a good friend of mine from college, Sal. We just had time for a relaxing lunch at a diner in his hometown before I had to continue to Vermont.

When the Wanderlust Hits

I think the most jaw-dropping view during the entire trip was crossing the border from New York into Vermont on VT-279. Within seconds, the Green Mountains come into view. For someone like me, who’s never seen anything bigger than some of the Adirondack mountains, it was a truly inspirational view. The feeling of freedom welled up in my chest and I wanted nothing more than to go up to the top of it and sit there for hours, watching as the whole world spun around me.

Unfortunately, I still had an Airbnb to get to with family that was waiting for me, so I kept driving. Within 15 minutes though, I almost stopped. Alongside the road was a pristine lake, shining in the sun and surrounded by greenery. Across the lake, maybe 50 yards away, was a picture-perfect log cabin. Small and cozy looking, with two white, classic lawn chairs on the porch. I almost slammed on the brakes then and there to take a picture. I regret not doing it, honestly. One of the things I’ve decided to work on since that moment is taking a little extra time on the road, stopping when I find something that speaks to me to soak it in for a minute. I digress.

Arrival

At long last, I reached the Airbnb, a log cabin situated off a beaten road in Wilmington, Vermont. The first thing I noticed when stepping out of my car was the rich smell of pine that penetrated the air. Since living in Philadelphia so long, I hadn’t realized how much I missed that smell. It’s such a calming scent to me. The Airbnb itself was adorable. Very rustic, very cozy-up-next-to-the-fireplace-when-it’s-cold-outside sort of vibe. I instantly felt at home there. My family welcomed me in, and the adventure had officially begun!

The trip itself was a wild ride. We discovered an interesting joint called North Star Pizza which was not only a pizzeria, but also a New England bowling alley, arcade, bar, mini-golf place, and Mexican restaurant. The seafood was also significantly cheaper than most of the other food options which concerned me greatly. We had a wonderful time there. The pizza was good, the arcade was tiny but a mighty hit, and our server was quite sweet. The arcade had a few skeeball machines, so of course, we had to have a little goofy fun with that. My sister cheated by going on the side of the machine and just kept on throwing the balls into the 5,000 point holes.

The rest of the evening was quite uneventful, save for when Netflix put “Gilmore girls” under the horror category.

Nothing Like a Gas Leak to Get the Blood pumping

The next morning, however, was quite a different story. I was rudely woken up by my mother telling me that we had to get out of the house and call the fire department because there was a gas leak. Now, I had had COVID back in April, and while I can smell most things, there are a few that I simply cannot smell. Gas is apparently one of those because everything smelled fine to me. Regardless, I hopped out of bed and made my way outside. Within minutes, police officers and the fire department had arrived. They went in to check everything out, and it turns out there was something wrong with one of the stovetops. Given instruction to just not use that one, we were clear to go back inside.

The rest of the day was spent exploring the area. We checked out the town for a bit, got some coffee that tasted suspiciously like root beer, went kayaking on Harriman Reservoir, and got some ice cream from the Creemee ice cream stand (which was BANGING by the way, would highly recommend).

Kayaking On Harriman Reservoir, Vermont

Hands down, the highlight of the trip was kayaking on the reservoir. High Country Marine really hooked us up. The air was warm and crisp, with a slight breeze. Situated in a bit of a valley, the mountains surrounding you rose up in the sky, tempting you to climb them and touch the sky. In the distance were some wind turbines, spinning lazily in the breeze. The water itself was surprisingly not as cold as I had expected for Vermont. Still chilly, for sure, but not too bad. Many families were milling about, both on the lake and on the surrounding beaches. Swimming, canoeing, kayaking, cooking, kicking a ball around. Since COVID hit, it was the most normal life had felt in over a year. I easily could’ve spent days on that lake, just enjoying the sunlight but unfortunately, that wasn’t an option. I did, however, feel quite satisfied with the experience.

Mac Kayaking on the Harriman Reservoir, Wilmington, VT

My dad may have felt slightly less satisfied with the experience, as we very quickly found out he had not applied sunscreen and now had a bizarre sunburn. The front halves of his legs were beet red, while the backs were white as ghosts (his usual color).

We spent the evening in the Airbnb, playing games together and overall enjoying each other’s company.

Hiking in Vermont? Unheard of…

The following morning, it was (at long last) time for a hike. We used AllTrails (God bless that app) to find a nice little hike up Mount Olga to a fire tower. It was a short hike but a tiring one. Steep and sweaty is the best way to describe it. Well worth it for the view from the top of the fire tower. You could see for MILES. So much life.

view from atop the fire tower, Wilmington, VT — _{The View from Atop the Firetower}

Post-hike was spent exploring the town more, taking more time to check out each of the shops. My favorite place was a bookstore called Bartleby’s Books. Two stories of hundreds of stories. I picked up a book titled Road Trips by Jen CK Jacobs since that’s how I’m trying to be. The pictures were appealing, and the blurb had me hooked. I love reading all things travel, and it stuck out to me so I picked it up.

Saying Goodbye

The next day it was time to leave Vermont. I wish I could’ve spent the rest of the summer there, enjoying the fresh air and positive vibes. My brother and I drove together, and this time I took the time to stop across the water from that little log cabin to take some pictures. Once I have an actual camera I plan to go back and take a few more pictures because as much as I appreciate my iPhone camera, it’s simply not good enough. The picture came out ~ok~ but not enough to fully showcase how perfect the scene was. At this point, it was also raining, which didn’t help either. I wish I’d stopped the first day because it was gorgeous outside.

I’m very grateful for the time I had to explore and definitely learned a good deal about my preferences when traveling and what I want to achieve a little more. I want to allow myself more time while traveling to really check out everything there is. There were still so many things that we didn’t get to do while in Vermont, and some of that was because we only had a few days. Some of that also had to do with traveling with a bunch of people and not much of an itinerary too, so I want to spend more time in the preparing phases for my adventures in terms of what to do/timing. I’ve definitely mentioned that before but I’ll say it again.

I think that’s all for this trip! Hope you enjoyed 🙂

Until next time,
-MAC

Planning a Mini Backpacking Trip in Under 48 Hours

1 Comment / By Melinda MacArthur / March 31, 2022 August 22, 2023

Sometimes, the best adventures are the most spontaneous ones. Last Thursday, my friend Brad reached out to me to see if we could find a day to catch up. Shockingly, we quickly found out that we were both free on Saturday, two days later. We got to work figuring out what to do when Brad mentioned he hadn’t been camping/backpacking in a minute. It was a lightbulb moment for both of us and everything quickly fell into place after that.

We found a spot about halfway between the two of us on the Appalachian Trail. It had a nice little lean-to not terribly far from a parking lot. Brad is the backpacking professional, so while he mostly figured out the technical aspects/pulled together his gear, I was trying to solve the mystery of what articles of clothing I had that weren’t cotton.

Tip for new hikers/backpackers (aka myself, hey besties): As the saying goes, “cotton kills”. Wear wool clothes, which will keep you warm, even if you’re wet. Polyester is also good, but not as good as wool. I learned that the hard way in the Catskills a few years ago going camping when it was below freezing outside. Would not recommend it. For a full article on what to wear, check out REI’s post.

Friday was a day of finalizing plans and making sure we had all the food/supplies we needed. Our game plan was to backpack to the lean-to, sleep there, and then leave the next morning. Brad had some prior obligations so unfortunately, we couldn’t make it a full weekend thing. Smh.

Off we go!

Saturday was the day. I got up, finished packing everything, and then proceeded to ~hang around my house~ fully dressed for 5 hours. We were shooting to be at the place by 4 and it was only a 2-hour drive from my house. In a way, I’m grateful we weren’t able to do the full day anyway because the weather was wonky- rainy, then hailing, and then sunny, as if nothing had happened. Fortunately, by the time we had made it to the parking lot, it had mostly cleared up.

After some double-checking to make sure Brad and I had everything, we set out. Just a few miles to the lean-to, nothing too hard. The backpack was lighter than I was expecting, even with all the food and supplies in it. I think carrying around a 2013 MacBook Pro in my bookbag all throughout college definitely helped prepare me for losing my backpacking virginity. It easily weighs 5 pounds on a good day.

The Lean-To

We made it to the lean-to with plenty of daylight to spare. After chatting a bit with the other backpackers at the campsite, we set off to explore the area a bit more. A few minutes’ walk from the campsite we found a nice rocky outcropping. It was the perfect opportunity to have a good 20-minute meditation. Upon returning, we started making some dinner.

My all-time favorite hiking/camping food is the Appalachian Brick (google says it doesn’t exist?? Someone please verify you know what I’m talking about or maybe there’s another name for it). Basically, you take a ramen noodles cup, heat up the ramen as normal, and then add instant mashed potatoes and tuna. Adding some good ol’ olive oil really adds to it too. It sounds weird as heck, but I assure you it’s incredible. I’ve occasionally added chicken instead of tuna and that works equally well. There’s something about it that I can’t explain but it really is tasty.

Snow my!

While cleaning up post-dinner, it started snowing. Thick snowflakes, as large as peas, all clumped together falling softly to the ground. We could only see by the light of our headlamps at that point and it was a beautiful sight to behold. It felt like walking among the stars in the most inspiring of ways.

As the fire warmed us, Brad and I sat for a while, chatting about philosophy, religion, and life after death, for quite a while. It felt really good to have that deep chat. I view those kinds of chats as a kind of reset in the ways you think or view the world. While it felt like 2 AM, in reality, it was no later than 10 when we decided to call it a night.

Unfortunately for me, my sleep schedule does NOT enable me to fall asleep that early, and the lean-to wasn’t the most comfortable, so I was laying in my sleeping bag, wide awake, trying to find a comfortable position for about 90% of the night. That combined with the temperatures being below freezing made it hard to sleep. I was warm once putting some hand warmers in my socks. 10/10 would recommend.

At some point, I finally managed to fall asleep, and I awoke the next morning to my lean-to mates up and at ’em with the sunrise. And boy was it a gorgeous sunrise. That alone made my rough night of sleep worth it. There was a light dusting of snow over the campsite and the air felt crisp and the sunlight was just streaming through the trees. To say it was a sight to behold would be an understatement.

Backpacking Back :/

Brad and I threw together a wonderful breakfast- peaches and cream and maple brown sugar oatmeal packets, pecans, dried bananas, blueberries, and peanut butter all mixed into one hearty bowl of oatmeal. Immaculate. I think I might start making my own camping recipes book for all the random “throw-whatever-you-have-into-one-mix” types of meals.

Excited to get back on the road but sad that it meant our adventure was coming to an end, Brad and I gathered our things and headed out. At one point on the hike back, it started hailing and we just stood off the trail for a bit, enjoying the noise as the stone bounced off the land. We got back to the cars with time to spare so decided to do a few more miles, just for the sake of continuing the adventure while we still could. It was a perfectly splendid little weekend trip, full of fond memories and moments I know we’ll take with us wherever we go.

Until next time,
-MAC

Book Recommendation: Road Trips by Jen CK Jacobs

Leave a Comment / By Melinda MacArthur / March 17, 2022 April 6, 2022

Hey all! I’m back with a book recommendation for all you travel hungry out there. Last summer I was up in Wilmington, Vermont with my family when I came across Road Trips in Bartleby’s Books. I know they say not to judge a book by its cover, but to say I was intrigued by the pictures on the cover would be an understatement. After a quick read of the blurb, I was sold and so was the book.

Since this is my first book recommendation on this blog, I’m going to tell y’all how I plan on doing these/the purpose. I’ll just start with some basic facts about the book, followed by a brief synopsis of it, and the things that really stuck out to me/why I recommend it. I’m not calling these book reviews because I don’t have any authority in critiquing books and honestly I’m just here to share the good with people. If I read a book and it doesn’t resonate with me I simply won’t put it on my blog. The books I’ll put on here are ones that inspire me, and that I hope will inspire you as well. Without further ado, let’s get into it, shall we?

Book Facts
Title: Road Trips-A Guide To Travel, Adventure, And Choosing Your Own Path
Author: Jen CK Jacobs
Genre: Guidebook, Travel Literature
Published: 2018 by Roost Books
Pages: 208

Thoughts

Road Trips is split into a few parts: the intro/basics of road travel, how to record your travels, stories from the road, and what to do when you’re home again. Interspersed throughout the book are recipes, anecdotes, beautiful pictures, and advice aplenty. Jacobs writes beautifully, in a way that encapsulates the senses and helps you feel as though you’re having a conversation with her personally. Her stories from the road especially elevate this feeling, and the pictures ease you further into the adventure. When she was in Ireland, I felt as though I was right beside her, exploring shops and museums.

One thing that I absolutely love about Jacobs’ writing is how well it immerses you in the story. I find my style to be more of writing what happened, instead of exploring the senses. Since reading this, I’ve decided to try following in her footsteps with that; it feels much more personal and engaging.

“Listen. Listen to the way you are emotionally and physically responding to what you are seeing. Your creative mind will begin to process a new environment in ways you cannot fathom. But only if you listen carefully”
-Jen CK Jacobs

The whole book is enchanting. Once I started I simply couldn’t put it down until it was over. My wanderlust is spurred again. I felt a tinge of sadness when I finally finished the book–I felt as though I could have continued reading Jacobs’ stories for the rest of the night. Overall, I highly recommend this book for any adventurers out there. Jacobs is inspiring, fun, engaging, and Road Trips is definitely well worth the read.

Until next time,
-MAC

The City of Concrete Succumbing to the Elements

1 Comment / By Melinda MacArthur / February 4, 2022 May 10, 2022

For all of you urban explorers out there, I’ve got a fun spot for you. The Concrete City in Nanticoke, PA, is a short drive southwest of Wilkes-Barre. Ripe with history, graffiti, and full of abandoned homes to explore, this is the perfect spot for a day trip.

Back in August, my friend Jaye hit me up to go on an adventure with her to Concrete City. She sent me a link to the Uncovering PA blog about it and after checking it out, I eagerly agreed. There were a few things that stood out to me. First, the City is open to the public, which means you don’t have to worry about trespassing (a blessing). Secondly, its history. I love checking out old places just to learn about what things were like back when they were in all their glory and imagine how people lived back then.

Our Trek In

*_{The haunting view of going up to the second floor}*

We decided to go on a beautiful Tuesday-birds were chirping, warm air, and playlist at the ready. It’s about a 2-hour drive from Philly, so plan accordingly. Tucked away from society, you have to park along Front Street and hike your way to the City. The coordinates for the city are 41.190043, -75.975617. From my understanding, there are two ways in. Uncovering PA explains the first option where you follow a trail from Front Street until you see the ruins. The other way–I don’t even know how Jaye and I found it tbh- is hiking from Front Street to Hughes Street and following a trail behind some houses, which takes you to a different side of the city. As far as I can tell, both ways work great, they just pop you out at different locations.

Jaye and I were incredibly excited when we got our first glimpse of the city, no more than a half-mile into our hike. There were two duplexes, one on either side of us, and our hearts soared knowing we officially made it. Within seconds, we realized we could smell a bonfire. It was a strong scent, but we didn’t see any smoke, nor could we tell what direction it came from. Only mildly perturbed, we decided to make a loop of all the houses, checking out each duplex top to bottom.

Some Brief Background Info on the concrete city

The Concrete City is 20 duplex homes laid out in a rectangular shape. There’s a basement and two floors to check out in each home. Jaye and I felt comfortable going up to the second floor and poking around but it’s still not the safest. There used to be a beautiful courtyard in the middle of the homes, complete with a swimming pool for the families to enjoy, but now the entire area is overgrown. (I found some really cute mushrooms though so that was definitely a plus). The houses are built from concrete and metal rods, which is a bit bizarre at first.

According to PA Bucket List, after a mere 11 years of inhabitance, the entire city was abandoned. This was primarily due to septic problems (or rather, a “lack of a septic system” problem), in 1924. Concrete buildings are also apparently quite damp and dreary to live in no matter the septic system.

While the houses are identical (structurally), I would still recommend checking all of them out anyway. We found that the graffiti in all the houses are unique and fun in their own way, and it’s also cool to see how each house is falling to the elements after nearly 100 years of abandonment. Jaye and I spent the whole day going house to house, checking both sides of the duplexes. We CAUTIOUSLY checked out the basements and found that many of them were flooding. Some of the houses were even starting to sink into the ground. We decided it best to avoid spending much time in those houses.

*_{A unique view right down the middle of a duplex, where the wall was destroyed}*

Disclaimer: The Concrete City is an inherently dangerous environment. Please proceed with caution at all times. You may visit at your own risk. Miniventure Mac is here to inform you what is available to check out, but you are responsible for assuming the risk of personal injury, damage to personal property, or any other incidents that may occur while visiting Concrete City.

We took a short break for lunch in one of the duplexes. Jaye told me afterward that this was her favorite part of the trip because “all I could think about was how, over 100 years ago, some coal miner and his family sat and enjoyed a meal in the same spot. It was beautiful and haunting to be so starkly reminded of how full life in these houses used to be.” And it really was.

About halfway through checking out the homes, we came across a nice friendly snake. I actually accidentally almost stepped on it when coming out of one of the houses and my heart skipped several beats, to put it lightly. Not a fan of snakes. Never have been, never will be. I blame that on my dad because he’s not scared of anything except snakes. So again, do be careful if you decide to visit Concrete City; there’s plenty of wildlife out there.

On the plus side, there are also some cute mushrooms. Please, enjoy this picture:

_{Mushrooms Peeking Out of the Ground}
_{by Melinda MacArthur}

Our Horror Movie Moment of the Day

Perhaps the most frightening thing we came across was when we were exploring one of the flooded buildings. As far as we could tell, the flooding was exclusively in the basements when we went, but by now there may be even more on the ground level. We climbed down just a stair or two leading into the basement before realizing the whole basement was entirely flooded. Easily a good 4 or 5 feet of water.

Jaye shined her flashlight to see if there was any cool graffiti and there was none. No graffiti. In all the other buildings that had flooding, there was at least some graffiti that was likely put there before the flooding. The only thing we could see was “SAVE ME” written in all caps on the far side of the basement, inches above the water level. A chill ran through both of us, and suddenly the air felt a bit colder. I have no doubt that it was just some kid goofing off but still, to swim across the water to write that ??? Terrifying. I hope they didn’t get some kind of infection from the water since Lord knows what’s festering in it. Jaye says that to this day it still creeps her out a bit.

At long last, we made our way right back to where we started. In the last house we went in we finally found answers to the mystery of the bonfire. Someone apparently had a bonfire in the house, no more than maybe a day or so prior to us arriving. The whole room was black with soot, and the air was pungent. Bottles littered the ground, and it was outright depressing to think what little regard some people have for this place.

A bit of good

As we were leaving, we passed a man cleaning up the area. He had a plastic bag and a trash picker in hand and that helped us feel a bit better about people doing their part to keep this historical location clean.

A tip for myself for future travels is to talk to strangers more. I regret not asking the guy about the area because he probably had some form of connection to it, given that he was taking his time to freshen it up a bit.

Overall though, it was a wonderful day trip, and Jaye and I have plans to do some more urbex exploring in the future, so stay tuned for that 🙂

Until next time,
-MAC
P.S. Shoutout Jaye for the dope pictures

Follow me for some Helpful resources

Leave a Comment / By Melinda MacArthur / November 22, 2021 May 10, 2022

Hey there, welcome to my resources page! I know this is the only thing I have up right now but don’t worry- I’ll be adding more soon.

Here are some things I want to make a part of my resources section:

Travel/Adventure book reviews. What you engage your mind with directs your patterns of thought. If you want to travel, read books about travel. Get your mind primed in that direction. I’ve been reading more recently, and oh boy it’s really making the wanderlust stronger and stronger by day. Aside from that, I’m very much a sucker for adventure novels, so I’ll be putting some fun ones in too.
Tips/tricks from my travels. Some of these will be more generic, some will likely be ultra specfic. Really just depends on what I learned from that adventure, mundane life activity, or another blogger.
Bios. Bloggers, adventurers, people that I find relate to the adventure world in an inspiring/cool/fun way.

Must have apps. I’ve only just started and I already have a mental list of apps that you must have when doing (certain types of) adventuring. SpotAngels, for one, especially if you’re unfamiliar with driving in the city/parking. I can survive without it now, but when I first started with that this was a lifesaver.
Movie/documentary reviews. Cannot have book reviews without movie/documentary reviews. That’s all.
Lists probably? At some point for sure. I don’t have enough experience to even begin making lists except for bucket lists at this point but I ideally want to make some of must have items to bring on your backpacking adventure or 20 of the coolest places to visit in the Canadian Rockies but I’m not there yet. Stick around and I’ll get there.
Whatever else I find needs to get out into the world to help out/inspire fellow adventurers that doesn’t fit in with my usual blog posts.

I think that’s about all I can think of, for now, so stay tuned for some good ol’ resources coming to ya in the coming weeks.

-MAC

A Pennsylvania Treasure: The White Cliffs of Conoy

Leave a Comment / By Melinda MacArthur / April 30, 2021 March 30, 2022

I’ll be completely honest with y’all: I found out about the White Cliffs from a TikTok. Say what you want about TikTok, but in my opinion, it’s a great place to learn about otherwise hidden gems. And what’s more-the White Cliffs are a mere hour and a half drive from me! An easy day trip, and that’s exactly what I did. My friend Chelsea and I decided that this would be the perfect break from an otherwise chaotic semester at school. We set a date, got a game plan going, and set out!

Early for me is anything earlier than 8AM, so waking up that morning was a bit of a rough go. I had to be up and at ’em by 7:15 to be ready to leave by 8. Let me tell you though, sometimes those early mornings are the ones most worth it. Chelsea is a blessing and brought me some coffee from Starbucks, an adventuring must-have. Since we were driving through Amish Country, we decided to make a few stops along the way.

At one point in Amish Country, we made a wrong turn and spent a solid 10 minutes fixing that. Something that we quickly learned is that there’s this thing called “Chicken BBQ Saturdays” every Saturday. The mouthwatering scent of BBQ sauce came wafting out of this tiny house, with the sign Dan’s Chicken BBQ out front. We decided that we would stop there on the way back since neither of us were super hungry at that point. That was hands down, our biggest mistake of the entire trip. Eventually, we made it back on the road we were supposed to be on and continued our journey.

The Cutest Amish Furniture Shop

After that, we went to this super cute Amish furniture shop, Peaceful Valley Furniture, and walked around for quite a bit there. They had candles, home decor, jams, and plenty of cute gifts in addition to furniture. I was able to get a few Father’s Day gifts for my dad which I’m super excited to give him. Chelsea got a gift for her boyfriend, and we headed back out to the road.

Driving through Amish Country feels like a step back in time. There are horse-drawn buggies everywhere, farmers out in the field, and not one graphic T-shirt in sight. Or a McDonalds for that matter.

The Hike to get to the White Cliffs

To get to the White Cliffs of Conoy, most people park at Koser Park. From there, walk South along the Lancaster County River Trail for about a mile and a half. What Chelsea and I didn’t realize when is that the walk there is just as fascinating as the cliffs themselves. There is a rich history of the cliffs, and you can follow it along with the signs along the trail. You can also explore some of the areas near the trail. Chelsea and I saw some dope ruins as we walked and stopped by a few of those, taking the time to check those out and imagine what life was like 100 years ago there, as the limestone industry was thriving.

the white cliffs of conoy in lancaster county, PA

At long last, we reached the White Cliffs. To say it was other-worldly would be an understatement. I honestly felt like we were on an alien planet. Because the cliffs are made of dolomite and limestone deposits, they’re entirely an off-white color. The cliffs themselves are 30 feet high above the Susquehanna River, so you really get a great view from up there. We walked around for a few, climbed down the cliffs to the river, and then back up again.

Maggie

At this point, we came across the most peculiar thing. A man with a large bird on his shoulder. Needless to say, this was about the last thing we were expecting to come across. We said hi and he offered to let us hold his bird, Maggie. She had no problem climbing on our arms and even cuddled up against us for a bit. He had a few party tricks up his sleeve with her, including tossing her up in the air and catching her. Not only did Maggie seem entirely unbothered, but it looked like she really enjoyed it. After chatting for a few, we said thank you and left to take a few pictures of the cliff.

Back in the car, Chelsea and I decided it was time to head back to Dan’s Chicken BBQ. We headed out, figuring our GPS would take us back, past it again, but boy were we wrong. After realizing google maps was taking us a different way, we decided to go off the beaten track and just drive. By this point, most of the places must’ve been closed and we ended up striking out after driving around Amish Country for over an hour. We did, however, come across a really cute Amish pop-up where they were selling eggs, veggies, and sweets. I opted for a banana nut bread and some chocolate oatmeal snack things that slapped.

chelsea and maggie, the bird — Chelsea and Maggie

Defeated by the fact we couldn’t find Dan’s Chicken BBQ but knowing we needed to head back, we got back in the car and headed home. Someday, we will return and find Dan’s Chicken BBQ, but in the meantime, if anyone finds it or knows where it is, please let me know.

Until next time,
-MAC

Melinda and Chelsea at the base of the white cliffs

Annapolis: Ripe Adventure, Little Planning, Great Times

Leave a Comment / By Melinda MacArthur / April 25, 2021 May 10, 2022

April 20th- a date that many individuals my age reserve for smoking with friends and having a good time. I fully support others having their good time, but my version is a bit different. I decided it would be fun to adventure down to Annapolis, the capital of Maryland, for a day trip. My friend Corey and I set out at about 8:30 AM for our first stop: coffee. To keep us going through the day, we went to a Dunkin near my house for our first dose of expresso.

We made it into the city around 10 and decided we needed to stop by another coffee shop. Bean Rush Cafe was our first of many stops for coffee/a quick snack that day. Bean Rush, like many other cafés, has a very welcoming, cozy atmosphere. We set our game plan for the day there and headed back out after a quick snack. Corey introduced to me this app called “AllTrails” which I’d heard of before but never really used, as a way to find a fun hiking/walking spot outside Annapolis for the afternoon.

Making our Way through Downtown

Our first stop was exploring downtown Annapolis, which was full of fun alleyways, cobblestone streets, and hidden taverns. We made our way over to the Banneker-Douglass Museum but quickly learned that it was closed due to COVID. Dejected, we decided to continue going in and out of cute shops and stopped for a shot of espresso at Cafe Olé to keep us going.

After making our way through downtown to the docks, we came across some ducks. Ducks are honestly my favorite animal of all time. No cap. They’re just too cute and funny I get so much joy from watching them. We decided to sit down and watch as 6 male ducks swam around one female one, quacking incessantly. One duck, in particular, seemed to be following her more closely than the others, and quacking the loudest. She seemed to be enjoying it, as if she was teasing them.

The Ferry Tour

20 minutes later, we decided that our time might be better well spent elsewhere (debatably so). We ventured to the other side of the docks, coming across a ferry tour of the Chesapeake Bay. $20 per person wasn’t too harsh, and the boat was leaving soon, so we quickly paid and boarded. While I made a quick pitstop to the bathroom, Corey found a spot on the top deck. Upon my joining, we asked one of the deck-hands the best spot to sit. His reply was simple: right up in front of the cabin. We made our way to the best and chilliest seat in the house and soaked in the spring bay air.

While there, the deckhand joined us and we had the wonderful opportunity to chat with him. He told us about how he came to work for the ferry, and what he recommended we check out around Annapolis. His top recommendation for food was The BoatYard Bar and Grill, a seafood place about a 15-minute walk away.

^{Sailboat on the Chesapeake} ^{by Melinda MacArthur}

The BoatYard (Minus the boats)

As soon as Corey and I finished up the ferry ride, we made our way there. To say that the BoatYard was delightfully tasty would be an understatement. Neither Corey nor myself had ever had Oyster before, so we decided to take a risk with that. I sincerely wish I had a video of Corey’s response to the Oyster because he was NOT a fan. To be completely honest with you I think he was a bit traumatized from it. Personally, I enjoyed the oyster but that was just me I guess. I got the open-faced crab dip “samich” and Corey got a good old grilled chicken sandwich. When I tell you I’ve never eaten something so heavenly in my LIFE I mean it. 10/10 would go back there again.

After finishing up, we had time to kill, so we wandered back to downtown Annapolis. There were plenty of shops to check out. There was a bookstore that had books from the 1800s, and an art gallery selling paintings for thousands of dollars. Don’t worry there were a few stores that were a bit more affordable. Maybe one day when I’m rich and famous I’ll return for an original piece or the first edition of a classic book. Until then I’ll peruse.

Time To Hike

Our deckhand had also recommended we check out either Greenbury or Tom’s Point for a hike. After some googling and Alltrails work, Corey and I set out for Tom’s Point. We didn’t quite do enough research though. He and I learned very quickly that you need a permit to go into the park. Between that, the state only giving out SEVENTY-FIVE passes per month to park there, and the potential of getting locked in the park, Corey and I decided to go to Quiet Waters Park instead. We did, however, get some great pictures of me trying to climb this random dinosaur statue in Tom’s Point before we left. Please, enjoy.

Quiet Waters and Good Dogs

Quiet Waters Park is only about a 15-minute car ride from the downtown area of Annapolis. I wish we had more time at Quiet Waters, honestly. If I ever spend any significant amount of time in Annapolis I want to spend a good day there, exploring the trails. Perhaps the biggest plus of the park is all the dogs. SO many people take their dogs on walks there.

Corey thought it would be a delightful idea to ask all the owners about their dogs and “rank” them. There were some GREAT dogs but our favorites were Sophie and Cleo. Sophie was an 8-year-old Golden who was the goodest girl. Her owner told us that Sophie’s vet regularly told her that if she found Sophie missing in the middle of the night it was because they had kidnapped her. Cleo was this medium-sized terrier who was terrified of humans because she used to be a bait dog in Mexico. Fortunately, she was rescued, but she still has the scars to prove it (poor baby). Overall, a 10/10 experience at Quiet Waters.

For dinner, we decided to drive back into Annapolis and went to Ram’s Head Tavern. Very tasty food but our poor server seemed to be struggling a lot in the beginning to get to us. She seemed slightly overwhelmed and probably new.

We interrupt your Reading for a brief rant

Slight tangent/tip as someone who worked in the service industry for a few years: 99 times out of 100, when your server seems to be taking a while, or struggling, or “not good,” there’s a good chance there’s some stuff going on behind the scenes. You’re only one table and they might have 7 or 8 other tables who are also running them back and forth to the kitchen. Maybe the kitchen is backed up and that’s why the food is taking a while. Perhaps they’re understaffed today. Maybe they have a bunch of To-Go orders going out at the same time. You never know.

Suppose they made a mistake with your food? We’re only human. It happens. Show a little grace to your servers. If you’re in the USA, TIP THEM. 20%. If they’re straight up rude to you (AND you haven’t been rude to them), then maybe tip a little less, but don’t be mean. You don’t know the stress they’re under unless you’ve served before. Try to see it from their point of view. Tangent over.

As Corey and I left Annapolis, we made our way over the Bay Bridge, with the sun setting behind us. It was a day well spent, with plenty of positive memories and a greater appreciation for the life around us.

Thanks for reading! Until next time,
-MAC

A Beautiful Spring Sunday in Washington DC

Leave a Comment / By Melinda MacArthur / April 13, 2021 October 11, 2022

Parking in DC=Not as beautiful

This past Sunday, I visited Washington DC for the first time since the pandemic started with my friend Meg. We started the day struggling to figure out parking (since parking in the city is never a good time). After almost illegally parking a few times, we decided to do some googling to save ourselves. I found this great app called SpotAngels which is a lifesaver. Basically, the app shows you parking spots near your target location and lets you know about metered parking, parking garages, cost, etc. Honestly, with the amount of experience we have adventuring in the city, we would have gotten towed without that app.

After what seemingly took hours to park, we decided to get some food! We headed over to the more touristy areas of the city. That walk over was WEIRD though–the streets were almost devoid of people. To see the city so dead was an unusual experience, though to be fair it’s likely because of COVID. We found a really cute place named Potbelly Sandwich Shop (similar vibe to Subway) and got some yummy sandwiches there. Then we walked to the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden and ate right next to the fountain. Unsurprisingly, the more we moved into the touristy area of the city, the more populated it got. Let me tell you though, that didn’t make the rest of the city feel any less haunted.

Wandering Around the National Mall

Once we finished up lunch we decided to check out the mall a bit and see what was open. Due to COVID, the Smithsonian Institute was closed but all the outdoor areas were open. Sooooo we decided to just wander around! We walked through some gardens, went up by the Washington Memorial, went past the reflecting pool (it was really gross– I don’t think they’ve cleaned it in MONTHS), and checked out the Lincoln memorial. Meg and I wanted to go to the top of the Washington Memorial but unfortunately, it was closed (COVID again).

The Washington DC cherry blossoms are a known wonder, but we missed them by about a week. That was honestly the letdown of the trip- I definitely want to plan that better next time around. There were a few cherry blossoms here and there around the city but not to the extent that you see when they’re in full bloom. We also tried going to the White House but Pennsylvania Avenue was entirely shut off and we couldn’t get in at all, not even to glance at the White House.

After that, we kind of gave up for the walking-around-part-of-our-adventure. Meg had some rough blisters and I had a raging headache in spite of chugging water the whole day, so we made our way back to the mall. We laid on the grass for a while, enjoying the weather and waiting for my Advil to kick in. Meg’s boyfriend Matt joined us and we started the long walk back to our cars. (TIP: Residential areas in cities tend to be free of cost so as long as you’re ok with a long hike back to your car, it’s definitely worth it–just double check to make sure it’s free. Don’t want to get a ticket, or worse, towed!) Meg and Matt decided to go home, but I wasn’t ready to leave just yet.

Struggling to Get Involved

After more Googling, I found some cute LGBT+ bars nearby and decided I’d take myself out on a little date. My mission quickly went awry. Between limited parking spots, the lack of air conditioning in my car, and the sweltering summer air, I was struggling. Spot Angels was a lifesaver again, and I finally managed to find a parking spot before passing out from heatstroke.

At long last, I made my way over to Larry’s Lounge near DuPont circle. They told me that they were full up and only had tables available for groups of two or more. The bartender was super nice though and recommended two places to check out nearby- Pitchers and ALOHO. I quickly learned I had to accept defeat on my queer solo adventure. ALOHO was closed, and Pitchers had the same rule as Larry’s Lounge, so I walked back to my car, stopping by Bandit Taco for a quick dinner.

On my drive home, a rainbow came out, which was really the perfect way to end my visit to Washington DC.

@miniventuremac
There’s just something about this nation’s capital that makes me feel at peace (ironic enough) #exploring #washingtondc #traveltok #miniventure
♬ SUNNY DAY – Matteo Rossanese