Author Archives: elliottcm

I absolutely love four day weekends! Typically I can find any excuse to take off on a whim for a road trip and I had my sights on the rugged desert of southwest Texas. After an easy 3 hour direct flight to Austin, I headed out into the unknown with a 5+ hour drive boundContinue reading “Austin to Big Bend TX road trip 🚙”

The travel itch is always screaming in my head early January. After my crazy fall work schedule, I’m always more than ready to escape on a wild adventure. It could be a beach getaway or a mountain retreat or a family gathering or a backcountry adventure, but always a welcome solace from the rat race.Continue reading “Winter retreat”

Is 2024 my year to conquer the elusive 7th continent? A place so remote and extreme less than .5% of people on this earth have explored its vastness. Being a person of extremes, I can’t wait to experience this rugged haven. My first test is finding my way to the southernmost tip of South AmericaContinue reading “Antarctica Dreams 🐧 🧊”

What’s the odds that my inaugural visit to the continent of Oceania occurred during the heaviest rains EVER recorded? And my last minute gamble of ditching my trusted raincoat definitely backfired. So I’m the sucker that had to raid the local gas station to buy a new $100 purple slicker. Yep, Auckland specifically had widespreadContinue reading “New Zealand flooding & cyclone 🇳🇿☔️🌀”

When you get asked to name your favorite flicks, do you have an answer? I’m a big movie buff and will frequent our local theatre on a last minute whim. I can make it door to door in 4 mins flat. (Mental note: always live near a theatre.) Sucker for a good rom com, I’mContinue reading “Top 25 movies 🎥”

I have over 1000 sunset pictures saved on my phone and it never gets old. Usually once a week I get the overwhelming urge to make the easy 3 mile trek over the Max Brewer Bridge to the Parrish Park boat docks to enjoy a slow down and be amazed by nature’s end of dayContinue reading “My own sunset spot 🌅”

Somewhere in my adventurous and independent 30s, I created a birthday tradition with myself. I aimed to challenge my fortitude emotionally, spiritually, physically and mentally. Every year I concoct an over the top plan and, of course, I always have to outdo myself. I’m a firm believer in spoiling yourself on your special day andContinue reading “Birthday challenge 🎂”

Have you ever rolled into a new town & felt an immediate connection? This wave of delight warmed over me upon descending into this “down under” retreat. With a free afternoon ahead, I barely squeezed into the local bike shop ten minutes prior to closing early on a Sunday night and begged the rep toContinue reading “Biking around Wanaka 🚴🇳🇿”

To say I’ve become an expert travel unpacker is an understatement. I’ve hopped on 20 adventure trips over the last 13 years and we typically are on the move every night to a new, exotic town ready for exploration. I can pack or unpack in 5 mins flat. With one big hikers backpack and aContinue reading “Unpacking 101 🎒”

No phone or Wi-Fi reception for two days… sign me up! Completely escaping the grind is my kinda trip and I couldn’t wait to be transported to this remote paradise in the southern half of New Zealand’s north island. After a strenuous and successful 19.4km trek on the infamous Tongariro Alpine Crossing, we arrived justContinue reading “Duck Station NZ 🇳🇿”