Wanderbrush

As evidenced by this blog, there are a few main things that make me happy – travel, food, and art of all forms. Whenever there is an opportunity to combine any combination of them, I jump at the chance. One of my favorite parts of travel is when we have some quiet and still moments for me to indulge in journaling, photography, or watercolor. 

In order to do this, I always evaluate our itinerary to see what activity would be the most conducive to the time we have at our destination. In Maine we spent time relaxing on the cliffside rocks watching the waves crash below us, so I opted for watercolor to try and capture the scene around me. In Utah, we spent most of our time hiking, so I opted to take my film camera and capture as we climbed. When we go to the beach, I opt to spend my time journaling and reflecting while I have time to just sit and be still for some time. 

While I enjoy crafting after the fact in the way of junk journaling or recreating a photo via painting, I find it important to try to combine the two when I can during our trips. This is the time we take to get away from the routine and small stresses of life, so I find it important to connect with the activities that help to make you even more happy and relaxed. 

Why I Love Crafting During Travel

1. It helps me slow down and be present. Crafting forces me to pause and really observe my surroundings. Instead of just snapping a photo and moving on, I take in the way the light hits the water, how the wind sounds through the trees, or the way colors shift in the landscape. It brings me into the moment.
2. It turns memories into something tactile. There’s something special about holding a small watercolor card, a journal page I created from ephemera on the trip, or a film photograph I had developed and printed for our photo album. It brings back the emotions of the moment, more than I can rely on my immediate memories. I remember how the air smelled, what we were talking about, or even how tired my legs felt after a hike.
3. It creates space for reflection. Travel can be fast and full of logistics. Setting aside time to journal, paint, or collage helps me process everything we’re experiencing. It becomes a calming ritual that reconnects me to myself amidst all the movement.
4. It blends my favorite things. Travel, art, and introspection are what make me feel happiest. Crafting on the road combines all three in the best way. It’s how I turn experiences into something personal and expressive, and it adds another layer of meaning to each destination.
5. It makes every trip feel more intentional. Whether it’s a quick sketch, a glued-down ferry ticket, or a written reflection at the end of a beach day, each creative moment helps me anchor the trip in my memory. I love flipping back later and instantly being transported to that exact time and place.

How I Prioritize Hobby Routines While Traveling

1. Scout quiet “pause spots.” Cliffside rocks, mountain overlooks, or sandy shores make perfect art stations. If we are doing a long hike, I opt to carve out some time at our final destination to take some lunch, sit by the view, and not rush our descent back.
2. Pack a mini-kit. Water brush, compact watercolor set, film camera or journal, glue stick, and a pouch of personal mementos.
3. Observe. Use prompts like: What colors, smells, or sounds define this moment? I like to jot a quick note or sketch before painting to ensure I capture the full memory of the moment.
4. Create & reflect. Spend 15–30 minutes crafting: trying out textures, glues, collage with maps or shells.
5. Anchor & revisit. Add labels like “Maine cliffside — June 2025” or “Utah red rock hike”—so years later, you’ll be transported back instantly.

Ever since I started making a more intentional effort to carve out time for my hobbies while traveling, it’s brought a whole new depth to each trip. Even setting aside just a small window to journal, sketch, or create helps me slow down, soak it all in, and connect more meaningfully with the places we visit. Portable hobbies have become my favorite way to be present—and to carry those memories home in a form that feels truly personal.