Kia Ora! (Welcome)

Way down on the South Island of New Zealand in the quaint beach town of Kaikoura is a very unique wild dolphin experience.

At a very uncomfortable 4:30am wake up call, our group made our way to the main office to get suited up in our thick wetsuits & brave the safety briefing with one eye open. Then we were quickly whisked away to the docks to board our own boat out into the densely fogged horizon.

After a 15 minute joy ride, we spotted our first pod of these majestic creatures. We were told early am was when they were most playful, so our hopes were sky high and we all plopped off the back into the icy waters.

To entice the dolphins, we were instructed to swim in circles, dive down and make squealing noises. If you could only imagine 15 adults squealing away in the middle of the great big blue…. truly one of those moments I will never forget!

Over the next hour, the dolphins weaved in and out of us like they were threading a needle. They gracefully sliced through the waves with boundless, playful energy and no one wanted the morning to expire.

After we slipped off our awkward wetsuits, we grabbed a spot in the bow and braced ourselves for a show. They didn’t disappoint, as if they knew we were waiting with our video cameras to be oohed and aahed with extremely enthusiastic jump, flips and splashes.

And to think these mammals are not enticed by food or trained in anyway, no do overs or cookie cutter performance….. truly a once in a lifetime excursion!

Why would you purposely schedule a 33 hour layover??? By definition, it is a break in a journey and I love finding these hidden gems that really jump start the first day of vacation.

Besides the common sense that it breaks up an uncomfortably long trans-Pacific flight (my first ever), who wouldn’t jump at the rare opportunity to visit one of the most photographed archipelagos in the world?

Plus anything I can do to ease the inevitable effects due to severe jet lag is always welcome. It was kinda hard to comprehend that on my westward quest I would be 5 hours behind my home base of Orlando, FL on my short Tahiti leg, but the very next day continuing the adventure to New Zealand I would then be transported to 18 hours ahead. Still doesn’t make sense.

And French Polynesia doesn’t require a separate visa. Bonus points for no stress.

Despite a 5 hour delay before this trip of a lifetime even started (due to an airline strike in Paris delaying our plane), I passed the time in LAX’s new terminal B with a complimentary stack of nachos, a brand new music playlist and closing out some work loose ends.

Finally getting the green light to board, I trudged to the back of the plane along with all my fellow budget minded travelers. While I was dreading my horrible middle seat assignment for the 8 hour flight, I was pleasantly surprised to have the row to myself… winning! I spread out and tried to calm my excitement to catch a few zzzs (being mildly successful actually), knowing that I would arrive now at 3:40am into paradise with only 28 hours to go explore.

Let’s go!!! That’s still 28 hours more than most people will ever enjoy, so I don’t intend to waste even a minute.

I’m currently 30k feet above at 11:45pm in early November en route back home from a quick weekend work trip in Connecticut and I’m in full blown planning mode. My 2023 calendar is an open canvas and I’m feverishly blocking out weekends for all new adventures.

• Tahiti 🇵🇫 & New Zealand multi-sport 🇳🇿
• Bonaire diving 🤿 🇧🇶
• Big Bend NP, TX 🏞
• Cuyahoga NP, OH 🏞
• Duke basketball 🏀
• Sedona or Kanab 🥾
• Banff 🇨🇦 & Glacier NP hiking 🥾 🏞
• Madeira hiking 🥾 🇪🇸

For me, the planning is equally as invigorating and important as the actual journey. The anticipation drives me forward and the loose shell of an itinerary just naturally oozes out as my next masterpiece. And I’m rarely disappointed!

So many destinations and grand ideas on my ridiculously long bucket list, but I proudly knock more than a few off every year and NEVER look back!

Growing up I was so insecure and didn’t have the courage to do anything by myself. So how does that young, naive chick evolve into such an independent, world traveller who jumps at any chance to get totally lost in a new adventure?

Maybe it’s because I want to do what I want to do when I want to do it. And I reserve the right to change my mind without notice or apology. I totally get that can be annoying to some people….. well, most people.

Or maybe it’s just I have very little patience for people, any people, over an extended period of time. My “me” time is deeply coveted.

I also began to notice that I was so worried about my companion enjoying the escape that my own joy was being stripped away layer by layer.

Hence, I have learned that traveling solo doesn’t make you smarter or better than anyone else, but it does force you to get out of your own way and reset your own personal tolerance gauge.

My first venture into the unknown was a doozy, as I flew to Africa and had aspirations to conquer the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro. It was a life changing (successful) trek and I’ve never looked back.

Ever since, I’ve upgraded to two bucket list trips each year and I can’t get enough. It’s amazing how your perspective can change when you find your passion. It is a blessing beyond anything I could have ever imagined.

Live in the moment.

Step out of your comfort zone.

Be selfish.

Many people ask me “why travel alone?”. And my retort is “why wouldn’t you??”.

No regrets…. Ever!

How do you turn it off?

When I’m in the work zone, I’m laser focused and nothing can derail my drive. An event planner is always on and with many functions in different stages, it is a huge puzzle with very delicate layers all stacked together with pressure building as the days until showtime tick down.

My job is to bring the vision to life. With all the variables in play, many of which are not in my control such as weather and travel delays, it is a constant and daunting game of chicken we have to navigate.

It is addictive but all consuming. Not for everyone but I thrive on it. The more the better.

I can go hard 15-20 hours per day if necessary for about 2.5 weeks and kick it into another drive. It is truly a gift that I’ve learned to harness over the past 25 years.

But watch out after, as I retreat and need “me time”. I totally shut down and will easily sleep 16+ hours straight. A weekend as a hermit is the only cure for my total exhaustion.

Always living in fast forward, it can be very hard to let go and have a so-called normal day. Keeping that delicate balance is a tricky and somewhat rocky slope to navigate. A solid release is critical for your own sanity and so you can remain at your best when it matters most.

I’m fortunate to have too many hobbies and always have a plan to disconnect. Whether it be taking off on a spontaneous road trip, slamming a racquetball late at night, launching my jetski into a calm river, shooting a few hoops, researching a new bucket list vacation, baking a favorite recipe, diving into a crime novel, creating a new trip scrapbook, binging my fav rom coms, riding the local single track bike trails, creating new music playlists, cracking a fresh break on my pool table and on and on…..

Find your release.

Embrace it.

And never take for granted taking care of yourself first.

First day of vacation in Norway and I immediately hit the funicular to explore the upper cliff side of Bergen, known as Floyen.

The views and weather were stunning on a gorgeous September day. There were plentiful hiking trails and I enjoyed the trek to the hidden lake. Then I climbed through troll forest and opted to stroll back down to town. I purposefully got a little lost and enjoyed a quiet afternoon weaving in and out of the colorful block houses lining the fishing town.

I perused the old fort and my clumsiness was in full effect, as I twisted my ankle jumping down from the wall into a full face plant. I rebounded without a soul seeing the embarrassing moment, and limped my way back through town to enjoy a Snickers waffle ice cream while watching all the boats pulling back into port.

Then it was off to a new hotel to meet my 11 fellow travelers for our 7 day Norwegian adventure.

It’s hard to genuinely surprise me. I can usually read the clues and between the lines, so this year’s annual birthday pilgrimage was an unexpected highlight of the year.

Due to recent hurricane damage, being hit by a distracted driver 2 days prior totaling my jeep and a busy fall work schedule, we opted to stay close to home and frequent a favorite watering hole beachfront in Daytona for an extended weekend of girls’ time.

After a morning of pool time and snack picnic overlooking the pounding ocean waves, I was told to get comfortable before catching an Uber to a local restaurant. I was expecting to watch the sunset from a bar table but became instantly giddy as we boarded our own sunset catamaran. AYKM?

They know me too well…. the perfect birthday present/experience to just slow down and breathe in life with some of my favorite people!

The next two hours we soaked in a beautiful fall afternoon with local seafood, calm inter coastal waters, our favorite tunes, lots of laughs and a perfect sunset melting over the horizon.

I am truly blessed!

This trek was an absolute delight!

Being my 97th National Monument visited, it says a lot that this is my absolute FAVORITE to date. I was truly blown away!

Before even escaping the comfort of my car AC, the 23 mile scenic drive was easily one of the best in the country passing by mind blowing natural sculptures and dangerous drop offs.

I had a long list of iconic hikes on my wish list within the monument, so I made time for a second late afternoon visit prior to leaving my Grand Junction home base. Just inside the southern entrance, the Devil’s Kitchen trailhead is an easy trek into the valley below.

Besides passing 2 families heading out, I quickly descended and came upon the short but steep scramble up to the prize. I had a blast jumping amongst all the massive boulders for my own mini photo session. What an absolute pleasure and refresher for the soul!

But I wasn’t done just yet….. I tacked on another 3+ miles down through Echo Canyon and Serpent’s trails, because WHY NOT?!?

3:20am the alarm echos and I break out of bed like a bolt of lightning. Afraid of being late for my Dry Tortugas National Park adventure, I had packed my bag the night prior and was out the door in 11 mins flat.

Being a holiday weekend in the FL Keys, every dive motel is booked solid at outrageous prices so I opted to stay in the quiet haven of Coconut Grove (just south of Miami Beach). With the rooftop pool, big breakfast, super comfy king size bed, racquetball courts and a balcony, the last minute accommodation is an easy win.

However, on excursion Sunday, I had the insanely early wake up call to make the 3 hr drive to the southernmost point in the continental US. Loaded down with Mountain Dew and a killer 90s alternative playlist, it was a pleasant road trip without the hassle of tourist traffic. Added bonus….. I literally only hit 2 stop lights the entire stretch which is a nearly impossible feat.

I passed through numerous pockets of storms and started getting worried that my one shot at this bucket list destination might be in jeopardy. Despite the ominous skies and lightning cracking all around us, our ferry departed on time for the 70 mile jaunt to the most remote National Park in our system.

My vision of tanning on the sun deck was spoiled by more rainstorms, but half way through the voyage, the skies opened up for a bit to explore the fort via a self guided tour. Even with more storms passing through, I enjoyed snorkeling in the rain along the well developed reef hugging the fort moat walls.

Time flew by on this island paradise and, inevitably, we inched out of the small harbor to make the 2 hr 10 min trek back to reality on the mainland. And my slow ride over the famous Seven Mile Bridge back up all the keys was shared with a slew of other tourists signaling the end of another great holiday weekend in the sunshine state.

I had been looking forward to this stay since I originally added Norway to my bucket list six years ago. Knowing that it endcapped a week of trekking in the majestic highlands towards the end of the 2022 season, it was to be one of the highlights and rewards for the 50+ miles conquered.

After the stunning Trolltunga sunset, we slowly meandered the 1.5 miles back to the three glass dome huts adorning the top of the gorge fighting the end of twilight. Our frozen dinner we had all carried in our day packs was now coming to a boil and we hunkered down to a nice meal at 9:30pm in the warm confines of our home away from home.

Being a night owl and not wanting this night to end, I frequently popped outside to get lost in the sea of stars and breathtaking full moon. The wind brutally ripped through my scarce wardrobe, so I always quickly retreated to our cabin and continue to lookout through the glass panels in hopes of catching a glimpse of the northern lights. While I was unsuccessful in my quest, I was able to finish my book in this majestic place while snuggling into my cozy sleeping bag on top of the wool animal skins adorning the massive bed my fellow travelers were all sound asleep in.

I eventually dozed off after 3am and obviously missed my coveted sunrise. With eye mask and earplugs, I staved off rising until breakfast at 9am. Porridge and toast filed our bellies prior to one last, long trek taking us back to civilization.

My thoughts wandered as I realized my last vacation of 2022 was coming to an end, but I also was so proud to have ventured out once again to test my limits and be reenergized by my love of nature.