My parents instilled the travel bug in me at a pretty young age—when I was a baby my mother took me on a trip to visit my aunt in Hawaii and we lived on U.S. Army bases in Germany for nine years throughout my childhood. Before I had graduated high school, I’d been swimming in Italy, skiing in France, and, of course, eating all over Europe.

As an adult that love of traveling has stuck, and I’m lucky to have a partner who likes to explore as much as I do. This year TH and I have ventured to the exotic lands of Morocco, the comforts of my mother’s Virginia home, the tropical suns of Hawaii, and the next door getaway that is Long Island wine country. And there are many more trips in store.

Traveling is a great way to get inspired—the sites, smells, tastes, colors, and people in a new city can all offer exciting, creative ideas. On a quick trip to Kentucky this weekend, I realized you don’t have to cross the globe to get that “explorer’s feel.” At the last minute TH couldn’t make the trip, and (after our friends beautiful wedding) I wandered around the city, actually my home town of sorts. I was born in Louisville and it was fun to explore a city I feel attached to but hardly know. And like any good trip, I was inspired! (As you can see in the photos above.) From the city’s charming Southern style to the variety of hometown bourbons, I have a feeling plenty of Kentucky influences will be creeping into my recipes, and writing, in the near future.

And while I have hardly begun to scratch the surface of what New York has to offer, I can’t wait to keep traveling. Luckily, I’m headed to San Francisco in October, where I’m certain to continue to be inspired.