With the arrival of pumpkin spice at Starbucks, it’s clear that summer is winding down. Personally, I welcome the change in seasons—cooler days, leather jackets, Halloween, and the chance to open the windows and let that crisp fall air in.

This summer was packed with fun and productivity, starting with a trip to California for the Cruel World festival. We caught up with old friends and explored some parts of Los Angeles we missed during a previous trip in 2011. The festival was a great throwback, with bands like Duran Duran, Ministry, and Adam Ant. My personal highlight was seeing The Mission U.K. perform live—a band I’ve loved since college.

We also did some classic tourist stops, from the Griffith Observatory to the Venice Beach boardwalk (where I fangirled over seeing Harry Perry, the electric guitar player on roller skates!). Universal Studios and Disney were on the agenda, too, making the whole trip a fun mix of nostalgia and new memories.

In late June, we made a day trip to Summerfest—a music festival I hadn’t attended in over 30 years. I wasn’t sure what to expect after such a long time, but I was pleasantly surprised by how well-organized and enjoyable the event was. Though large, it didn’t feel overwhelming. I was especially excited to see Jesus Jones, a band I hadn’t seen since the early ‘90s, and they were fantastic. Unfortunately, our enthusiasm for Motley Crue dwindled by the middle of their set; Vince Neil’s voice just wasn’t the same, and we were (dare I say) feeling our age, so we headed out early for the long drive home.

Mid-summer brought the dreaded Cicada outbreak, and I was absolutely terrified. I refused to take the dogs outside and spent two months driving with the windows up. I even avoided driving my convertible after one of those winged creatures found its way inside. The trauma was real—I’m sure the scream could be heard miles away.

Before Labor Day, we took a fun trip to the Wisconsin Dells. It was a blast—dinner at our favorite steakhouse, a spooky Ghost Boat tour, and an evening spent at Wizard Quest. But the highlight was revisiting House on the Rock, a place we last saw nearly 30 years ago for our first anniversary. Walking through that eccentric museum again felt like a wild déjà vu experience—it’s still as bizarre and fascinating as ever. If you haven’t been, you need to check it out for yourself!

*Showcases a dazzling one-of-a-kind carousel with 269 animals, 20,000 lights and 182 chandeliers.*

Not long after our Dells adventure, we got the news that my husband’s aunt had passed. We immediately dropped everything and drove nine hours to Mississippi for the funeral. The drive was long, but we made it just in time to have breakfast at Waffle House before gathering with family. I’m grateful we could be there to pay our respects.

We’ve got one more trip planned this year, a work trip to Colorado, where I’ll finally meet some coworkers in person. After that, we’re staying put until March, when we’ll head to Vegas. I also managed to snag tickets to see Oasis at Wembley Stadium next summer, so London is officially on the horizon—a dream destination! To be honest, I don’t have many places left on my “must-see” list. I’m hoping for a return to Italy and take a trip to Seattle, Portland, and Alaska. Of course, you can always count on me to find my way back to Universal Florida and Vegas.

As much as I love traveling, though, nothing beats coming home. After a jam-packed summer, I’m ready to settle in for fall, enjoy the cooler weather, and start prepping for the next adventures to come. Below are some travel tips and essentials that made this summer's journeys a bit smoother!