Quick overview of this newsletter:

1. 👻 What’s more chilling: this suspenseful travel tale? Or AI writing it?
2. 🏔️ Learning to snowshoe by feel on Mt. Hood, Oregon
3. 🌌 Taking a clear kayak out on Lake Tahoe to go stargazing
4. ✨ A colorful, immersive art installation in Paso Robles, California
5. 🧥 Corduroy anything and everything

Boo Reader!

Typically, I like to send out my newsletters on Thursdays, but I couldn’t resist an “after dark” themed email newsletter. Mainly because it’s kind of rare that I do late-night activities while traveling. But occasionally, I find an irresistible stargazing tour or art installation that requires darkness, so I thought I’d share them with you after a spooky travel tale. Apologies in advance; I don’t have any ghost or haunted tour recommendations.

Happy Halloween,

Hanna

A Spooky Travel Tale, Written by AI

As a travel writer, I ventured to the scenic coast of Oregon, eager to explore the rugged cliffs and sandy beaches. But my trip took a dark turn when I stumbled upon an abandoned lighthouse. The building seemed to loom over me, casting a sinister shadow on the ground.

I cautiously stepped inside, my heart racing with every creak of the wooden floorboards. The air was thick with the scent of decay and rot, and I could feel the weight of history bearing down on me. Suddenly, a cold breeze swept through the lighthouse, extinguishing my flashlight and plunging me into darkness.

I frantically fumbled for my phone, but it was dead. I was trapped, alone and vulnerable in the darkness. And then, I heard it: a faint whisper in the distance, growing louder with each passing moment. It was a voice, warning me to leave, to escape the lighthouse before it was too late.

I fled, my heart pounding in my chest, and didn't stop running until I was back in the safety of my car. I never went back to that lighthouse, and I never will. The memories of that fateful night still haunt me, and I know that I'll never be able to shake off the feeling of being watched, even in the bright light of day.

- Written by Artificial Intelligence
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EEeeeee!! Creepy!! You know, I haven’t even explored the coastline of Oregon yet. Maybe I need to shake this story. But what may be a little more scary is how easily AI generated this with a good enough prompt. Hot takes and intense debates are happening in the writing sphere about AI, but personally, I don’t want to fear it. So, I make sure to engage with it regularly. And perhaps, that is the true Hallmark message of Halloween.

Moonlit Snowshoe on Mt. Hood, Oregon

What better time to learn to snowshoe than at night?! Okay, it’s probably better to learn during the day, but I found this tour and fell in love with the idea. Geared a little more for newbies, the eerie yet beautiful glow of Mt. Hood and the endless expanse of stars above made it an enjoyable tour for all! Snowshoeing is genuinely not too hard, and the pacing with informational stops interspersed made for an encouraging environment to learn. If you’re headed to Portland or the Mt. Hood area during winter, read through my Moonlit Snowshoe blog post first and consider an after-dark excursion with Rare Earth Adventures.

Clear Kayak Stargazing Tour, Lake Tahoe

Stargazing requires dark skies, so what about doing so on the waters of Lake Tahoe? This time, jump into a clear kayak outfitted with LED lights for a delightful new way to see Lake Tahoe. We paddled around the harbor first and then out into the open waters. It was incredible to see the outline of the distant mountains in all directions with stars above. If you’re lucky, your guide might share spooky Lake Tahoe stories while you glide through the dark waters. Read through my blog post for my complete activity breakdown, recommendations of what to bring, and photo tips. One thing to note - if you’re thinking of doing this tour in the summer, expect a late night. I wasn’t really thinking when I booked this tour near the solstice in late June, and our tour didn’t begin until 10 pm!

Field of Lights, Paso Robles, California

And if you’re considering a trip to the central California coast, bookmark the Sensorio Field of Lights for a large-scale immersive art experience. Likely the least spooky of the activities on this list, the Field of Lights is also a fun and colorful after-dark activity that doesn’t require clear skies. To fully enjoy the experience, I’d recommend having an extra early dinner (or extra late, depending on the time of year) and then getting through the gates before sunset. That way, you can see art in two forms - before dark (which reminded me of snow or little flowers) and then again when the hillsides are lit in an undulating colorful display. Read the blog post for my tips, and check the Sensorio website for updates on the art.

Corduroy Anything and Everything

Ah, corduroy, a classic fabric that might have you reminiscing about childhood. It’s also timeless, durable, and become a staple in my closet. Especially wide wale corduroy, which has the thicker, more visible cords. Each time I go to a thrift store, I’ve got my eyes peeled for corduroy, but I have not had much luck in person. Instead, I’ve been shopping online second-hand apps like Depop and Poshmark. And, of course, you can buy them new a little easier, so I’ve listed some options below.

Oversized Corduroy Shirts

• LL Bean: Of course, they have corduroy! Classic wide wale, this is a great option, but it has a flat bottom seam. I typically prefer when it curves at the side seams - look at the next few to get an idea of what I mean.
• Scheels: This specific corduroy shirt from the wholesale brand Wishlist Apparel has that effortless drape that I love. I search high and low for this specific one because I wear the Camel color constantly (See photos below) -- I cannot believe Scheels has so many colors.
• American Eagle: I have a different corduroy than this one from American Eagle, and it is very soft with a similar vibe as the Whislist and is a good option.
• Urban Outfitters: The men’s section is often easier for finding oversized corduroy shirts, but the sizing will be trickier. Urban almost always has corduroy shirts in the wide whale style I like.

Once you find the style you like, it’s a little easier to find them in the future. If you find a new corduroy source, let me know because I always want to add new colors to my collection.
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