The crown was shining bright as it brought the magic back at the Walt Disney Theater in Orlando, Florida.

As a forever Miss America state titleholder, Sarah inspired me to compete in Miss America pageants during medical school. Not only did the scholarship money help pay for my tuition but the experience helped shape me into the woman and doctor I am today.

From personal and professional development, to interview and networking skills, community outreach, public speaking, and wardrobe building, this system prepares participants for their future. Learn more about how to compete in pageants HERE.

Everything came full circle when I got to meet up with my pageant sister who won the state title during my year competing - @megancooleyirving!

The four points of the crown are service, style, success, and scholarship. Recently a fifth one was added and I could not agree more: sisterhood. There truly is a lifelong bond that forms between these incredibly talented, smart, beautiful women who are trailblazers, entrepreneurs, and game-changers.

There was so much beauty, brains, and talent on one stage, from passionate discussions on topics like education, politics, and healthcare, to opera singing, Latin dancing, and more. Congratulations to your new Miss America, Miss Colorado Madison Marsh, 2nd lieutenant Air Force Pilot and Harvard graduate student who just made history as the first active US soldier EVER to be crowned Miss America. Her monologue about earning a pilot's license at 16 years old was so powerful and I am excited to see what she accomplishes next in her new role.

And to your Miss America's Teen, Miss North Carolina's Teen Hanley House. In addition to being the first North Carolina delegate to win the national title, she also received the Miss America Ladies Who Launch Scholarship for her Passion to Profit business empowering young entrepreneurs.

I cannot wait to step into my pageant shoes again as I compete for Miss Virginia USA as part of the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageant system.

Proving you can serve beyond the uniform (or in my case white coat), with crown, sash, and stethoscope in hand, I’m ready to break down barriers and dismantle stereotypes. Here's to inspiring all the little girls out there with big dreams to become even stronger women with powerful vision.

Catching flights, saving lives and chasing sunsets. Elevating my patient care level to new heights after getting to spend the day with the emergency medical flight crew. I learned all about airlifting patients for medical evacuations. It brought back so many memories of my time volunteering as an EMT.

Some interesting facts I learned:

• The flight suit is flame retardant.
• The helicopter is checked multiple times during a shift including before take-off and after landing.
• Every piece of equipment is locked down and secured.
• They transport patients of all ages including neonates.
• About 60% of patients air lifted are inter-facility transports (between hospitals) and 40% are directly from the scene.
• At night the crew uses night vision goggles.
• They fly up to about 2500 feet elevation and, while they don’t need oxygen, it does get cold! Luckily they have blankets and warmers to maintain patient temperatures.

Check out the reel below for a recap:

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A post shared by Dr. Alyssa Cole, DO, MBA⚕️ (@doctor.cole)

I hope to spend more time with the crew in an effort of understand how my specialty of physical medicine and rehabilitation can play a more active role in patient care before even arriving at the hospital.

Till then, the sky’s the limit…or is it?!

Where we stayed

Hotel On North is a boutique hotel that pays homage to its 19th century roots through its preserved architectural features, from exposed brick and high tin ceilings to decorative columns and other characteristics that earned it a spot on the National Register of Historic Buildings.

As a dog mom, I especially appreciated how pet friendly this hotel was to its four-legged guests, offering complimentary water bowls and a dog bed for our stay (though Westley claimed one of the Queen-size beds as his own).

Where we ate

Our first night we were treated to dinner at the 101 Restaurant and Bar next to the newly renovated Holiday Inn & Suites. Highly recommend the Brussel sprouts and Burrata appetizer along with their macaroni and cheese.

They also had tons of vegetarian options. Afterward, we enjoyed an evening view of the mountains from the outdoor balcony.

The next morning, we stopped by Dottie's Coffee Lounge for cappuccinos and breakfast sandwiches. Fun fact, I wrote my first blog post for Daily Dose of Vita here. Check out the throwback photo below from way back when:

Writing my first blog post for Daily Dose of Vita all those years ago at Dottie's Coffee Lounge in Pittsfield, MA

Later, before we went to catch the play Cabaret, we got to check out the restaurant District Kitchen & Bar for dinner. I loved that everything was within walking distance. My favorite was their summer selection of handcrafted cocktails including this beautiful lavender drink.

I also ordered the Carne Asada Tacos, which were delicious.

Other great dining options in the area include:

• Methuselah Bar and Lounge (I used to come here all the time with friends when I lived here)
• The Marketplace
• Misty Moonlight Diner
• Flo's Diner

What we did

Boulder Rocks

If you find yourself in the Berkshires, take advantage of the natural beauty and go for a hike. Whether it's going to the top of Mount Greylock, traversing the Appalachian Trail (AT), or checking out the state park, you will find yourself surrounded by nature, lush greenery, and wildlife. We took a dog friendly trip to Boulder Rocks where they offered several different well-marked trails for all levels. We even ran into a through hiker on the AT who started his journey at the beginning of the trail in Georgia, has made it to Massachusetts and is headed all the way to Mt. Katahdin in Maine.

Hancock Shaker Village

We learned about the history of the Shaker community, took a tour of the land including the medicinal herb gardens (the doctor in me was so impressed), and checked out the iconic round barn.

Cabaret at The Barrington Stage Company Theater

The theater was conveniently located right next to our hotel. We caught an evening performance of Cabaret and it was incredible. The cast came together when the lead was replaced at the last minute by the understudy. All of them did a phenomenal job and now I want to watch the movie!

James Taylor at Tanglewood

A trip to The Berkshires is not complete without some live music. For me, one of the highlights was seeing James Taylor perform at Tanglewood - an outdoor concert venue that is also home to the Boston Symphony Orchestra. I had gone years before with my parents and it felt only right to return this year; honoring those memories while creating new ones.

Where we shopped

It felt bittersweet to leave at the end of the week but I'm grateful for the opportunity to share my love for this beautiful area with all of you. Ending this post with a throwback to the first time I saw James Taylor in concert at Tanglewood with my parents.