Jasmine The Invincible

Summer is just getting started - have you planned out your adventures yet? If you are short on annual leave, or even short on funds, this list will help you channel your explorer mojo into planning an exciting series of day trips in Maryland. Have a solo experience, or even bring friends and family along for the ride! Walk in Her Shoes - Harriet Tubman Byway Image from Visit Maryland Not only was Harriet Tubman the frontwoman of the Underground Railroad (a network of safe houses and individuals dedicated to helping enslaved black men and women escape and gain their freedom) but she was also a nurse employed by the Union Army during the American Civil War and later -- a spy, scout, and militia commander.  Believe it or not, much of Tubman's "railroad conductor" work happened right in Maryland. While leading others to freedom, she traveled through Dorchester and Caroline counties in Maryland before heading into Deleware, and then into Pennsylvania.  This su...

  Jasmine reflects and reflects and reflects. Can you believe it's actually August ? It seems it was not that long ago that I was making plans to work from home for what appeared to be a couple of weeks or so. I remember putting on my jacket, grabbing a few things from my cubicle at the office -- only to never return again. In the time since March, the days have zoomed past at break-neck speed. My husband and I had to cancel our anniversary celebration and to add insult to injury I barely remember holidays like Easter or Memorial Day weekend. I think the pandemic quarantine or "Coronatine" (as I like to call it) has caused this phenomenon where we lose a sense of time due to the monotony of our schedules and increased time indoors. According to health professionals, this is the safest method for curbing the spread of the virus. This fact brings us to our topic at hand. Even though most states are at level 3+ of re-opening, does that mean we can go back pre-pandemic life? ...

Not a Maryland crab cake I always get highly upset when I go to a restaurant and they say they have Maryland crab cakes...when they actually just have crab patties made with Maryland blue crab loaded down with tons of filler. It is an OUTRAGE and the next time it happens, I am calling the POLICE! For those who aren't aware, a real Maryland crab cake has the following qualities: Is made with LUMP Maryland blue crab meat (not backfin). Has little to no filler and usually has mostly egg binding instead of breadcrumb (or in some cases a little of both). Is served  broiled , not fried.  It is served browned . It isn't white , or light tan , it is GOLDEN BROWN  cot dangit. (If someone brings me a white crab cake, I'm flipping over the table and knocking over every water pitcher in sight!) You don't get any bites of crab shell. Only delicious, sweet crab. That being said, here is a list of restaurants where you can go and expect to have an au...

The older I grow, the more I enjoy the great outdoors -- especially when it comes to experiences specific to the region in which I live. Maryland, DC, and Virginia offer an array of natural wonders perfect for every level of adventurer. Whether you enjoy scenic, simple walks -- or rafting through bubbling, whitewater rapids -- the sites on this list are sure to add some excitement to your summer! Assateague Island, MD Image from  Visit Worcester Assateague is a natural barrier island a few miles south of Ocean City, MD. Tourists often gather on its famous beaches for the chance to catch a glimpse of wild ponies. On your next trip, consider visiting the Assateague Lighthouse or renting a bike and pedaling around Assateague Park! Admission is $20 per vehicle. Calvert Cliffs State Park, MD  Image from  Pinterest Located in Lusby, Maryland, the Calvert Cliffs State Park is well known for its diverse ecosystem (including beaches, marshes...

Since my unfortunate foot injury , I've been off my diet, and since I've been off my diet I've been researching mouth-watering local treats over the last two weeks. Strictly research (of course) *wink*! While falling down the Google rabbit-hole, I discovered Maryland's Best Ice Cream trail! I had no idea such awesomeness even existed in my state! Lactose lovers, listen up! The 2018 trail is comprised of nine local dairies that produce homemade ice cream for your tasting pleasure. According to Maryland.gov, the trail stretches across 290 miles through Worcester, Baltimore, Cecil, Frederick, Hartford and Montgomery Counties. Intrigued by the thought of sampling delicious, local ice cream across the great state of Maryland? Well, you are in luck! Print your copy of the 2018 MD Ice Cream Trail passport by clicking here !  Image from Maryland Travel Stories At each dairy farm, you must answer a fun question and receive a stamp on your passport. If...

Are ready to turn up, twerk, and sing until your blow out your vocal cords this weekend? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are likely heading over to Fedex Field for Jay Z and Beyonce's On the Run Tour II . Don't let the excitement of the moment leave you unprepared to party! Earlier in the month, disappointed Taylor Swift fans were turned away from the venue because they tried to bring in purses, umbrellas, and other prohibited items. So, here I am to rescue you from the same shame and embarrassment!  OTR II is at Fedex Field Friday, July 27th and Saturday, July 28th. There are 82,000 seats in the stadium, so you can only imagine how many people will flock to Largo, Maryland for the chance to touch the hem of Beyonce's garment.  Travelers, plan for delays in traffic and unexpected/re-routed travel patterns. As someone who lives right down the street from Fedex Field , I recommend you take 495 to Central Avenue if you plan...

Your weekend plans are now official! Stop by Po Boy Jim's new Shaw location for free beer, beignets, and Hurricanes this Friday and Saturday! Enter their prize raffle and order a good ole po' boy while you're at it!

Last year, I had the pleasure of attending the Lotus & Waterlily Festival at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. Hands-down, this is the most beautiful, local event I have ever attended. Not only is entry free, but attendees have the opportunity to enjoy Asian, Latin, and African cultural performances, participate in arts & crafts, and mill about a sea of beautiful lotus flowers in full bloom Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 21st-Sunday, July 22nd! You won't want to miss this one-of-a-kind family event! Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is located in Anacostia Park. You can find out more about this event by visiting the National Park Service's website .

If you live in Maryland, chances are you will be heading to the polls tomorrow to cast your ballot. I found the following information from WTOP especially helpful since this will be my first time voting since my recent move. Make sure you know where you should go!  Once you vote, tweet me a photo of you wearing your "I voted!" sticker to @Invincible_Jas ! Image from Teach the Vote Voting Polls : The polls open Tuesday at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Early voting : Early voting ended Thursday. Registration:  It’s too late to register to vote and take part in Tuesday’s general election. The last date to register or to change your party affiliation was June 5. Want to make sure you’re registered?  You can check here . Polling place:  You can  look up your polling place on the Maryland State Board of Elections website . Your polling place may have changed since the last time you voted. Moved recently? If you moved more than three weeks ago, go...

This will be my first summer residing in Hyattsville, and I am so excited to get out an enjoy fun activities in the surrounding communities! I learned about the Fairwood Summer performances earlier this month. It is a seasonal performance series offered by MNCPPC (PG Parks & Planning) each year at Fairwood Community Park located in Bowie, MD. I'm very impressed by their lineup, it really seems there will be a great selection of concerts and performances this year. Fairwood Summer Series 2018 June 10, 4-6 PM : Secret Society July 8, 4-6 PM:  Bohemian Caverns Orchestra July 21, 7:30 PM : Shakespeare in the Parks' "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" August 12, 4-6 PM:  Cecily with opening act The Exclusives The series culminates at the end of August with the Fairwood Music Festival—a daylong celebration of music with a fantastic line-up of musicians and bands, such as Black Alley, Sugar Bear, EU, and Lori Williams as well as food vendors and activiti...

If you don't have the money for a big Bahamas vacation , but still need a bit of sun and sand in your summer, consider staying local! Shoestring budget vacations are kind of "my thing"! Saving money gives me a big thrill and I always enjoy the planning that goes into making the trip special. Since I'm not particularly snobby about beaches (as I rarely get into the water), I'm more than satisfied with visiting Ocean City or (my preference) Rehoboth Beach. You have plenty of options between Deleware, Virginia, and North Carolina. Take your pick! Here are 5 tips for your next beach vacation! Our breakfast of cereal, fruit, muffin, and a morning cocktail! To save money, pack enough breakfast and lunch items for each day including bottled water and juice. This often saves me close to (and sometimes more than) $100 on meals and snacks. My fiance once packed an entire mini bar (and our blender) into a suitcase for one of our trips (unbeknownst to me!). This p...