Since I spent some time touring some of the natural beauty in my hometown, I figured I'd take a stroll through one of the city's most beautiful historic districts. Now considered to be a lush oasis in downtown Lexington, Gratz Park was originally established outside of the city's limits in 1781.

One of the great things about traveling around all the time is that it's pushed me to appreciate where I am at all times. This past week, I've been visiting my hometown of Lexington, Kentucky. Usually when I'm here, I'll hang out with family and friends and lay low, but since I'm now in the habit of getting out and about to see the sights, I've been taking some time to act like a tourist in a place that I know very well.

Before I'd ever been to Texas, I used to picture the Lone Star State as a dusty desert, filled with dude ranches, cowboys and cattle. Perhaps watching too many TV westerns gave me an incorrect perception of the totality of Texas landscapes.

Living on the road certainly has its advantages. While I don't have a home to call my own, I do get to visit lots of really wonderful places and dream that they're all mine. (At least for a short while.) I'm always sure to search out a place to stay with a balcony or some sort of outdoor space, as I've quickly learned that this is the number one way for me to feel relaxed and at home.

Name: Monica, Graduate Student at the University of Michigan, Mildred the dog
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Size: 350 square feet studio
Years lived in: 6 months, rented

Graduate students often don't have the time to make their temporary rental a home. With limited budgets, no free time and the scramble to settle into a new city, there's usually little room for nesting in their schedules. I was quite drawn to Monica's teeny-tiny studio, measuring in at just around 350 square feet. It has the efficiency and neatness that one needs to study and focus, but this home is more than your average grad student pad — Monica's place has a cozy sense of warmth.

Living on the road has been a wonderful time to experience different cultures and new places. However, there are distinct challenges when it comes to keeping a full-time work schedule while traveling. Recently, we started taking advantage of different coworking spaces where we get a chance to get out of the house, have a dedicated office, and meet up with local folks who are always more than happy to share their favorite lunch spot or even give us a tour around town.

I've been traveling full-time for almost six months, which means I've been living and working in all kinds of places. Here are are few of my favorites spots I've had the opportunity to call home for a short time.

Nestled on a quiet corner on the outskirts of Lafayette, Aaah! T'Frere's is not your average bed and breakfast, sha. This Acadian Colonial home from 1880 is in the heart of Cajun country, but even if you don't speak a lick of French, you'll feel right at home as soon as you walk through the front door.

I spent this past weekend in Houston, reveling in some of the city's more artistic sites. I meandered around The Menil Collection and its surrounding campus, taking in its fantastic contemporary art collection and enjoying the beautiful grounds. I took a restful stroll through the beautifully manicured Bayou Bend, reveling in the lushness and serenity there. But if I had to pick one place in Houston that was my favorite, it would certainly be The Beer Can House.

Houston is a city that often gets overlooked when it comes to art and design. Though it's the fourth largest in the U.S. and has one of the most diverse populations in the country, its quirky side is often passed over by tourists in favor of Austin, its smaller, more eccentric brother to the west. I was lucky enough to spend this past weekend of my travels in Houston under the care of a couple of native Houstonians who showed me the many ins-and-outs of their fair Bayou City. I quickly learned that there is much more than oil and spaceships in this bustling metropolis.