Much like June and July (sensing a trend, yet?), I stayed local. The truth is I don’t like traveling in the summer. It’s when cost to travel to most destinations is highest, in part because everyone travels at this time of the year.

Even though I stayed local this month, I had every intention of checking out a neighborhood I don’t spend much time in- ideally in Brooklyn or Jersey, but it just didn’t happen.

My sister visited one weekend, I flew home on another weekend to celebrate her birthday, and found myself craving slower days on the other weekends. September, October and November are going to be busy months for me with a few vacations, long weekend trips and holiday travel plans, so I’m enjoying the stillness of these last summer days.

Although I went to Pittsburgh in July, I never need an excuse to go home for a weekend. Every time I see Pittsburgh listed on an “up and coming” list of US travel destinations, I feel a surge of pride. The Steel City is small in comparison to larger metropolises, but home to some seriously great attractions, breweries, cocktail bars and nationally known culinary scene (hi, Primanti’s).

On this trip, we spent most of it celebrating my sister’s 21st birthday. But, I still managed to find time to revisit a few of my favorite places, as well as check out a couple spots I’ve heard good things about. I’m working on weekend getaway guide for top Pittsburgh recos, but until then, here are a few snaps from our weekend.

WHAT IS #TAKE12TRIPS?

#Take12Trips is the only resolution I made this year- a promise to commit to doing something once a month. Anything counts- it can be dinner at a new place, visiting a new museum or spending the weekend at a cute B&B in the country. It doesn’t need to be an epic trip to a foreign country, just the chance to discover something new.

Where #Take12Trips has taken me thus far this year:

• January: Florida
• February: Astoria, Queens
• March: Charleston, South Carolina
• April: Philly, Seattle, Tulum, Boston, Cape Cod
• May: Bushwick, Brooklyn
• June: London, UK
• July: Pittsburgh, PA
• August: Pittsburgh, PA

I haven’t fully planned my trips for the rest of the year, but this is the work-in-progress schedule:

• September: Copenhagen for Labor Day Weekend & back to Europe at the end of the month for a trip to Amsterdam, Berlin and Munich
• October: Paris in the beginning of the month & just booked a trip to Utah & Nevada for my birthday at the end of the month! Planning to do a mini-road trip and hike a few parks- Arches, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Valley of Fire.
• November: Plans to run a race in Big Sur mid-month will likely take me to San Francisco for a weekend. I may also be spending Thanksgiving in Colombia
• December: Pittsburgh for the holidays, and potentially Mexico City & LA for NYE

Are you planning any trips you’re excited about?