Tiahna's Travels

So Far I've Been To

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Minneapolis, Minnesota

★★★★★

I loved this city and how every ward seemed to offer something different. The historical buildings were jaw-dropping and I hope the city mainitains them for future tourists! The Historic Third ward is a must-see!

Minneapolis, Minnesota

★★

This city was dirty! There was dirty snow, trash, and pollution aplenty here. The cityscape was a nice view and the city itself seemed to offer tourists quite a bit, but once you look back down you're surrounded by garbage.

Green Bay, Wisconsin

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota

★★★

This town was underwhelming, I expected more from such a well-known place. There was one main downtown strip, and it didn't offer much. The water views were distracted by the giant polluting smokestacks in the background

Saint Paul, Minnesota

★★★★

This city has gorgeous views and seems very well maintained. The people were very friendly here and gave me friendly smiles throughout. There were lots of unique little shops and cafes, with a lot for tourists to visit.

Madison, Wisconsin

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Madison, Wisconsin

★★★★★

This was a great college town. The campus is gorgeous with all of the historic grand buildings, especially the ones near the waterfront. The main strip has everything you could want and need to enjoy your time there.

Chicago, Illinois

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Madison, Wisconsin

★★

Although the cityscape was very pretty, I was constantly distracted by horns honking and police sirens wailing. The police in this city are overwhelming and preying to where I didn't feel safe in the city. Did not enjoy!

Hubbardton, Vermont

Cambridge, Massachusetts

★★★★

Small, rural, beautiful. I was impressed by the small Japanese Garden hidden in the hills out here. It was a gorgeous hike where I was able to find some serenity and deep thought.

Cambridge, Massachusetts

★★★

It was very busy for me, and the people did not seem as friendly as some of the other areas in New England that I've been to. I enjoyed the sights and the archeticture.

Providence, Rhode Island

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Providence, Rhode Island

★★★★★

A beautiful city. There's water that goes right through it, on one side seems to be the academic culture and on the other side, the business culture. All meshed into one city.

Storrs, Connecticut

Villanova, Pennsylvania

Providence, Rhode Island

★★★★

The sunset here was gorgeous. I didn't expect to see colors like that, but I definitely felt warm and fuzzy through the cold as the sun was going down. A sight to remember.

New Haven, Connecticut

Villanova, Pennsylvania

★★★

Expensive and Crowded! I loved walking on Yale's campus, but once I wandered off it seemed as though I was bombarded with people. I only spent a short while here.

Villanova, Pennsylvania

★★★★

This place was very gothic! I'll always remember the architecture here. The church was present everywhere. After driving through the Amish country, I was very enlightened.

West Lebanon, New Hampshire

★★

This town was a bit run down for me. I felt that the main strip could have been taken care of better. However, they definitely do have everything mainstream you need.

Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania

West Lebanon, New Hampshire

★★★★★

This area has something for all ages. They have the dive bars, they have the high-end seafood spot, and they have the nice sports bar for everyone in between.

Fair Haven, Vermont

West Lebanon, New Hampshire

Smithfield, Rhode Island

★★★

The homes here are such beautiful traditional Victorian homes that they had my jaw dropped. My main complaint is that the town closes down way too early.

Smithfield, Rhode Island

★★★★

This is your typical American suburb. It's got a couple coffee shops, gyms, and all the stores you could need or want. I just like how it still has that small-town feel.

Nolanville, Texas

Smithfield, Rhode Island

Quechee Gorge, Vermont

★★★

Sparse Texas town. You won't find much here, unless you really look. The people are content with the small town they live in, and I've got to admire that.

Quechee Gorge, Vermont

Smithfield, Rhode Island

Quechee Gorge, Vermont

★★★★★

These views were breathtaking. I was genuinely taken aback. I just couldn't seem to take it all in. This place should definitely be on everyone's bucket list.

My Canadian Border Experience

I was so excited to be able to explore Canada. I had planned to visit Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto before returning back to the U.S. Unfortunately, that is not what happened.

When I pulled into the checkpoint, I was asked the usual questions. However, once the border patrol guard looked into the van, he became suspicious of my intentions. He took note of how "full" my van looked and made me roll my back windows down. Once I did that, he advised me that I would be searched.

Of course, I have no choice but to do the search, which I had no problem doing because I did not believe that I had anything in my possession that would get me into any trouble with the Canadians. When I was asked if I had any weapons, I said no. He asked if I had mace, and I told him yes. I also advised him of a hand-held, pink taser that I kept in the van while travelling. At this point, I was told that the mace and taser were not allowed inside the Canadian borders and that the guards inside the facility would explain more.

I pulled towards the facility and was told to park in a parking spot. They took my keys from me, and told me to enter the facility. I was explained that the mace and the taser would be confiscated from me if I were to be allowed to proceed into the country. The guards spoke in French about how I seemed suspicious. I made it clear after their first exchange in front of me that I spoke French and I did not appreciate being spoken about like that. From this point on, those specific guards spoke in English when around me.

There were four guards in total that searched my van. I was to stand near the building, behind a specific line, while they searched the van. They made sure to thoroughly search the van, tossing everything aside. One man joked about certain things he had found in the van, in French, to the other guards. I advised them the entire time of what was in a pocket, or a drawer they were reaching in, and he reassured me that they were only doing their job. I did not see another vehicle subject to this long, intrusive search. After the long search, they've only found one prohibited item: leftover shrimp alfredo.

At this point, it's been made very clear to me that I was not welcome. This was my first experience anywhere near Canada, and if the cities I wanted to visit were going to be half as hostile as my border experience, I did not want to go alone into this foreign place without my mace at the very least. I told the guards that I would be turning around back to the U.S.

It was an easy turn around, I received a paper saying I did not enter the country deeper than the checkpoint, and I advised the American border patrol as to why I decided to turn around. This is when my experience went from bad to very bad. I was told that I would be subject to a search on the American side.

When I pulled into the search lane, I was told to go inside the border patrol facility. After waiting inside for ten minutes, in the dark as to what the problem was, I asked the man in charge for an update. My heart seemed to skip more than just a beat when he told me, "In the state of New York, possession of a taser is a felony."

I sat down, thinking about how this could have happened. I defended this country in the United States Army, and yet I was facing a felony charge for defending myself within the country I defended. I could not believe it.

I waited, and was eventually taken back to be searched. I was subjected to a full search, and nothing was found. The New York State police came to retrieve me. I was walked out of the facility in handcuffs with two State Troopers.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

★★★★

A bit hard to navigate with the hills and the streets full of potholes, but there's some great history here in this city, and I am so glad I got a glimpse of it all. The stadium is a must-see.

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

★★★★★

Friendly, historic, intelligent, amazing. This city stole my heart with the underground bars, the tiny delicious sushi shops, and the views of the historic buildings. U of M is full of brilliance!

Kerrytown, Michigan

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Kerrytown, Michigan

★★★★★

Although part of Ann Arbor, I felt this little place had it's own identity. It's not the college feel, but rather upscale. I enjoyed the quiet and the class hidden inside the bars here.

Austin, Texas

Bloomington, Indiana

Kerrytown, Michigan

★★★★★

Keep Austin Weird!

I love this big liberal city set in the middle of Texas. It's very different than the surrounding areas, and I hope it stays that way!

Bloomington, Indiana

★★

I didn't like this town too much. The construction work goes on for miles and makes it difficult to navigate. The frat-boy feel is something I'm long past and don't want to associate with.

The Grand Canyon

Bloomington, Indiana

★★★★★

The sheer size of the canyon is breathtaking. The whole experience was so eye-opening and really makes you feel like a small ant in this big world. I enjoyed just staring and pondering life.

Ashland, Oregon

Sacramento, California

★★★★★

Magical! Being in this town makes me feel like I'm in a fairytale. The snowy mountainous backdrop contrasting with the enchanting Victorian homes is like nothing I've ever seen.

Sacramento, California

★★★★

The city is a bit more rush-rush than I like. But the architecture is marvelous. I got food poisoning out here so be cognizant of where you choose to eat. Still a memorable stop.

Davis, California

Sacramento, California

Berkeley, California

★★★★★

Small farming, hippie, college, liberal town. It seemed like this town is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the bay, but it has its own quaint downtown area that has your necessities.

Berkeley, California

Santa Cruz, California

Berkeley, California

★★★★★

It is stunning. The tiny shops to stop at. The conversations on the street with the intelligent Berkeley students. The diverse food choices. The hisory. I am in love with Berkeley.

Santa Cruz, California

★★★★

This city has gorgeous warm beaches that make you want to sit in the sun all day. It also has gorgeous forests that make you need a jacket. My only gripe is the massive homeless poplation.

Carlsbad, California

Santa Cruz, California

★★★★★

This whole area is awesome. The surrounding towns are beautiful, along with Carlsbad itself. You can't go wrong visiting this town amongst towns. Beaches and shopping galore!

So Far We've Been To

Circleville, Ohio

★★★

There isn't much to do, but when you find that little bar down on Main Street, you end up in good company. Our memories from that night will stay with us forever. Thank You all.

Columbus, Ohio

Circleville, Ohio

★★★★★

College town, without the immature college town feel. The bar scene is diverse, the food is diverse, and the ice cream... Oh I dream about that ice cream.

Chillicothe, Ohio

Circleville, Ohio

Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

★★★★★

This historic town has some character. We loved our entire stay in Chillicothe. Although we stuck out like a sore thumb, everyone was so friendly. Can't wait to be back!

Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

★★

It was big and it had a lot of nature, but that was all we liked about this base. From getting harassed at the beach for having a service dog, to the rude stares, we could not wait to leave.

Jacksonville, North Carolina

Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

Jacksonville, North Carolina

★★★

Lots of stuff to do, lots of beaches to choose from. The customer service in this area definitely needs some work, though. The area isn't very friendly.

National Harbor, Maryland

Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

Jacksonville, North Carolina

★★★★★

The views here are beautiful if you like city lights reflecting on water, and we definitely do. The food is upscale and expensive, but worth every penny if you like eating high rise on water.

Alexandria, Virginia

★★★★★

We love the Old Towne feel. The small shops, the original restaurants, the views. We just walked around for a day trying things out.

Quantico, Virginia

Alexandria, Virginia

★★★★

Small Marine base, but the history on it is huge. We just sat on the dock right outside of the little town and enjoyed our time.

Dumfries, Virginia

Alexandria, Virginia

Lake Ridge, Virginia

★★★

Old town on the river. Amazing Chesapeake Bay seafood. Great weather. Can be bad in some parts, but we will take the good where we can get it.

Lake Ridge, Virginia

★★★

This small town has too many people in it. There was just so much traffic to get anywhere. The restaurants are plenty, though, probably to feed the crazy amount of people there.

Occoquan, Virginia

Lake Ridge, Virginia

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

★★★★

This teeny old little town is gorgeous! It is right on the water and the buildings are almost all original. Hiking is beautiful, but the city is just a short walk away.

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Lake Ridge, Virginia

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

★★★★

The university is definitely a must see. The bar scene is cool, and I can only imagine how crazy it gets when the football team plays! We will be back.

El Paso, Texas

Oceanside, California,

San Diego, California

★★★

We met some very strange people in El Paso. The amenities were great, but everything else had us rushing to get somewhere else.

San Diego, California

Oceanside, California,

San Diego, California

★★★★★

The views were gorgeous. The food was delicious. The beach was cozy. 'Nuff said.

Oceanside, California,

★★★★

The food here was amazing. Surprisingly, not overly expensive. The people had great vibes. Great parking availability. Loved it.

Monterey, California

Pacific Grove, California

Oceanside, California,

★★★★★

The views are so gorgeous out here. The town is small, but walking along the wharf makes it feel breathtakingly huge!

Pacific Grove, California

★★★★

It was beautiful here. The fog made it pretty chilly, but we loved getting low on the rocks. There are lots of tourists here, so be prepared for some traffic!

Carmel, California

Pacific Grove, California

★★★★

This is definitely a go-to town for high-class meals and high-quality views. Dog and shopper friendly.

Yuma, Arizona

Harker Heights, Texas

★★★★★

The views here were breathtaking. You wouldn't think that you would be able to find these sights in the middle of the desert, but they are there, you just need to hunt for them!

Harker Heights, Texas

★★★★

It's very pretty here with some great hiking trails. When you're done hiking, there's a lot of great new amenities.

Killeen, Texas

Harker Heights, Texas

Hillcrest, California

★★

This small city has a lot of great amenities, but it needs a lot of cleaning up.

Hillcrest, California

Camp Pendleton, California

Hillcrest, California

★★★★

We loved all the colors. The accepting feeling was so overwhelming. So many people walked by and greeted us. We will be back.

Belton, Texas

Camp Pendleton, California

★★★

Small, but the hiking trails are gorgeous and abundant. Definitely a small town stop.

More Travels

Camp Pendleton, California

★★★★★

Huge! This base felt like it had a couple of towns within it. The restaurants were nice, but the views were to die for!