Facebook yearly memories popping up in my feed are always a welcome reminder of the crazy amazing places that I’ve been blessed to visit. But what about those places lost in time prior to 2009 and the digital age?
I have boxes of printed photos that are still waiting to be sliced and diced into my stacks of empty scrapbooks adorning my office shelves. Once upon a time, I would host scrap parties and spend the day creating masterpieces on paper trying to tell the story of each destination and aim to make each jump off the page like I was back in that moment. It was definitely a creative outlet that I needed at the time to escape from the day to day stress of running massive sporting events. And I still have all the fancy scissors, stamps, cutters, decorative papers, stickers and letters shoved in the spare closet (the entire closet at that).
I’ve been able to scan a bunch of the “best of the best” pics and added a little motivational flare. I hope you enjoy these as much as I do!
I’ve summited the highest peak in Africa and touched the rock at Everest Base Camp both at over 19,000 feet, yet I am still in awe with the view from my back porch.
Over the pandemic, I just started really appreciating the solitude of my own back porch. I had wisely chosen the lot upgrade when building, but hadn’t taken advantage of the calm atmosphere often enough. That had to change….
I sold my 15 year old rusting table and chairs in lieu of a comfy L couch that I miraculously constructed. But not after half of the structure sat in my living room for 3 weeks, through no fault of my own I swear, as two of the frame pieces arrived mangled.
Giving away my rarely used grill, adding in a new workout tower and reconfiguring mood lighting, the transformation was complete.
My home is my safe haven, so the porch is now a viable extension of that genuine sense of peace. It doesn’t even seem odd now that my first order of business each morning is to unlock and slide open the door to a bright new day full of opportunity.
A normal day isn’t even in our vocabulary. Be prepared to wear many hats and ready for anything.
I typically would start my day with a complete walk through, saying hello to our regular members, checking in with all the staff and scanning for any potential safety issues or hazards. Mornings are jam packed with energy and activity, so there is no time to get complacent.
Mid day was my only opportunity to grab a workout while the halls were semi quiet, which also meant stealth mode in taking a shower and getting ready for evening prime time. I usually skipped lunch, as I needed the physical release for my sanity.
A good day could get derailed very quickly, as a staff call sick could hijack your entire day trying to find coverage or barely making due like a game of chess. From the high maintenance to the newbies, you are constantly trying to keep the peace and squash problems before they become massive issues.
We have truly seen it all.
From snakes crawling in the hallways, to light bulbs blowing out, to celebrating a 100 year old members birthday, to kids being bullied on the basketball court, to hosting special daddy daughter dances, to a brand new AC unit cutting out for the third time in the same week, to a baby learning to walk for the first time, to pipes bursting in locker rooms, to birds getting injured by flying into the front doors, to kids puking on the playground, to an 80 year old learning to swim for the first time, to bikes getting stolen from parking racks, to cat fights in the group exercise classes because the seniors don’t like the way the new guy looked at them, to lightning delays closing the pool again, to lots of baking taste testers, to a weight machine pin busting, to a Special Olympics athlete high five-ing you on the way out after making their first basket in the gym, to someone accidentally pushing the fast button on the treadmill and falling off the back, to celebrating a regular couple’s 50th wedding anniversary amongst gym friends, to cars getting hit in the parking lot, to local prison escapees running loose in the area forcing a facility lockdown, to cheering on our members at a local 5k for crossing the finish line, to the helivac landing on the sports fields to transport a critical patient from a local near drowning, to cutting off locks of guests who forgot their combos, to receiving a bushel of ripe avocados from a caring member, to intervening when guests wear offensive shirts, to passionate staff volunteering to clean up local beaches/parks, to kids trying to workout in flip flops after you’ve kicked them out for the same offense at least 50 times, to claims money was stolen from lockers left unlocked, to raising a new banner for the adult basketball league champions, to water drips along the entire hallway from swimmers who forgot their towels causing a safety hazard….. and the list goes on and on. It is always a lesson in thinking on your feet, being compassionate yet tough, and ultimately being a problem solver.
When all the stars aligned, you truly could get out into the community and work on new partnerships that could be mutually beneficial. Those were the days you cherished.
Some days you feel like Wonder Woman, while others your house of cards is just one breeze away from all crashing down. If you get some sleep prior to the madness all starting over again, you push all the chaos down and get ready to attack another day with gusto. The work is tireless BUT very satisfying to see come to life every day.
With the trailhead immediately off the highway, I didn’t have high expectations for my first hike of the day. However, I met only one other soul in the parking lot and he was on a return trip, so that typically is a good sign.
I snaked along a sandy wash for just under a mile and was rewarded with a massive hoodoo overlooking the multi-colored valley. And my first thought…. time to climb!
Then I snaked off to the right to get up close and personal with the towering white walls lining the canyon. It was truly humbling to see how small we are in this world.
A few single track paths wove up the narrow ridges and I climbed to the peaks overlooking even more hoodoos in the Mars-like valley.
I wasn’t ready to leave so I veered off left to what ended up being up my favorite playground, jumping between boulders until I reached the end of a massive plateau resembling a mini Canyonlands National Park.
For 5+ years in the early 2000s, we made our annual girls’ ski trip a priority and typically visited both Vail and Breckinridge. Ski towns are so full of life, begging you to let loose.
I’ll never forget the first time riding up a Colorado gondola feeling like it would never end and getting nervous that I had to somehow safely get back down on my own 2 skis. To put it in perspective, I had only dabbled in the hills in Northern VA and NC where snow was blown in to supplement the icy stuff barely covering the ground & the ride to the top maxed out at 5 mins.
One year I decided to try snowboarding (very similar to growing up on skateboards and wakeboarding) and I never looked back. Being able to carve in this fluffy snow was so exhilarating and we closed down the lifts every night. Recovery was always hitting the hot tub and indulging in cheese fondue.
We started out in simple hotel rooms but eventually we upgraded to cute, ski chalets with loads of amenities and never looked back.
My most memorable experience was night snowmobiling on the ski slopes after they closed to the public…..Full throttle into the darkness and stopping high above the city lights, without light pollution, to expose the night sky and billions of stars. The first time seeing the massive Milky Way took my breath away. A moment captured in time that is a highlight in my life to this day. I also remember sitting down on a frozen swing set with a temperature gauge reading -10 degrees and only staying for maybe 5 mins before heading back to the warm lodge for an extra large hot chocolate.
If you have never planned a ski trip, do yourself a favor and make time. Reach for the stars! ⭐️
Legacy is a culmination of everything we do or desire, all that we are, dream about, talk about or share with others.
Creating that intangible legacy for your life that transcends self is one of the highest callings we can set out to attain.
Innovation.
Resilience.
Joy.
Grit.
Self determination.
Triumph.
Transformation.
Did you walk the walk? Did you actually take action and channel all that energy into something positive? Through all the highs and lows on this wave called life, be a spark for good.
I had a transformative experience visiting Haiti a year after the devastating earthquake ravaged the island. After hosting the Haiti women’s national soccer team at Disney Sports through the massive efforts of the Heaberlin family, we formed a beautiful bond with these players over a week of competitive games, learning Haitian sayings, seeing the theme parks for the first time through their eyes and learning their hopes/dreams.
We made a promise to see each other again.
Thanks to Delta and our generous community, four of us packed 650 lbs of supplies (socks, toothbrushes, books, pencils, soaps, etc) to take with us on a mission trip to help in a small way.
We arrived to a small outside hangar and were greeted with the most amazing bouquet of flowers I have ever seen, along with the smiling faces of the most of the team. Local media was also present as we made our way to an undisclosed house that had been changed last minute due to security concerns. We ended up at a mansion and we’re whisked away to the top floor with 4 individual cots & the most amazing terrace to watch immaculate sunsets over a severely damaged country. We had armored guards with us everywhere, but nonetheless, we focused on the well being of the team members.
We also toured the outside of the governors former mansion that had literally looked like it had been sliced in half from the quake. The tent cities were as far as the eye could see and absolutely heartbreaking. Then we had the opportunity to walk inside some of the downtown ruins – up close it was a whole new appreciation of complete devastation in a community. The roads had gaping holes in them the size of soccer goals that you had to navigate. You could walk faster down the road than the cars trying to swerve this crazy maze.
The girls were over the top elated that we had kept our promise to visit and try to help them towards a better life. We all learned Haitian words to communicate and had fun laughing at each other over meals made especially for us. We had piles of clothes & essentials delivered to each girl individually and spent time with them 1-on-1 to fill out their resumes and learn their aspirations.
Goodbyes were extremely emotional but inevitable. Over the years I did keep in touch with a couple of the players, then just one and now I have lost track all together but I’m always hopeful that the girls are thriving and beating all the odds.
My parting thought…. every child deserves the chance to be whatever they desire & the opportunity to achieve their wildest dreams.
I got an extra early start, with an uncomfortably early 5am wake up call. BUT that helped me reach the east coast of the island of Maui with 10 mins to spare before the sun’s rays broke over the ocean waves on the horizon. That solitary moment will be etched in my brain forever.
Right up the road was my first stop at the arboretum and scoping out the elusive rainbow eucalyptus trees along the lush 1 mile trail into the rainforest.
Numerous waterfalls delighted drivers around every bend of this narrow, winding stretch of road en route to put my toes in the sand of one of the few black beaches in the world. After snagging the last morning reservation online for Waianapanapa State Park, I trekked down the short stairwell to this deserted coastal haven. The pitch black lava tube was a fascinating distraction requiring travelers to crawl on all fours into an eery cave being pounding by the ocean’s furry.
I thoroughly enjoyed taking both the northern and southern coastal trails to explore the plethora of natural arches and caves hidden throughout the area. Nature is breathtaking!
The road to Hana is 52 miles
2.5 hours
620 curves
59 bridges dating back to 1910
Hana was a quaint, little beach town with local food trucks ready to feed any taste. It was also home to a very rare red sand beach via a narrow cliff side trail. Besides almost losing my car keys down the slippery embankment and spotting some local nudists enjoying this remote spot, it was truly majestic.
More waterfalls lined the highway en route to the second entrance to Haleakala National Park at the remote Kipahulu District. The trails to Seven Sacred Pools of Oheo Gulch dotting the coast led right into the beautifully diverse 4 mile Pipiwai Trail (including a stunning bamboo forest) culminating at the massive Waimoku Falls.
Since I still had some daylight left, I made the decision to take my chances in continuing my big loop of the island by heading west into the baron nothingness of the backside of the volcano. Besides the obvious recent rockfalls littering the roadside and the ridiculously narrow one lane unpaved trails barely hanging on without plunging into the ocean below, the road finally levels out amongst the greenest rolling hills you could ever imagine (actually as I had envisioned Ireland to be – mental note – add it to the wish list ASAP).
As daylight starts to fade, I finally regain cell reception and unlace my boots as another amazing day unfolded much better than I ever could have imagined.
I consider myself an expert packer at this point in my life. With numerous crazy expeditions under my belt, the clothes stacking game is not so daunting.
So when I booked a last minute business trip to Philadelphia for 3 days, it was an easy 4 outfits, 1 pair of shoes, tiny toiletry bag, book, power cords, a few granola bars, laptop, and headphones. My best packing job ever, filling only half a bookbag. Since airlines are becoming more stingy, it could easily pass for the only allotted personal item.
I’m notoriously NOT a morning person, so the 4:30am wake up call was rough going. But having pre packed the car, I was showered/ready and out the door in 16 minutes flat. On the middle console, I had stacked my granola bar, a protein shake, my keys, phone cord and put my license in my pocket (just like always). I love living on the coast and it is an easy 25 min highway drive to the Orlando international airport. For only a two and a half day trip, I always opt for the convenience of the main parking garage despite the hefty $19 per day charge. Plus I’m also known for cutting it way to close and arriving just an hour prior to departures, which can occasionally bite me in the ass. Hence this post….
Since I don’t do coffee and am trying to wean off my Coke Zero addiction, I sometimes struggle having the energy to even function prior to 7am. I breezed through security and arrive at the gate just at the start of the boarding process. I try to make a quick detour to grab an OJ, but low and behold, I have no wallet! Yep. My worst nightmare. No credit card. No cash. My only means of payment are stuck in a Dunkin’ Donuts or a Chik-fil-a app. And I have 3 granola bars in a side pocket.
I have no time to go back, so I board with this nasty little secret. How do I tell a client that I’m trying to impress and haven’t worked with in 7 years that I am ready to make their event an amazing experience? Mortified is an understatement.
However, I am personal friends with a couple of the ladies and am even being put up in their house (thankfully since I wouldn’t have even been able to pay for a hotel). The team is all having lunch catered and invited to appetizers/drinks after our long work session. So technically, I shouldn’t need much and try to stop sweating the small details. I knew the girls needed a good laugh after the craziness of the pandemic year, so I blurt out my dilemma and they were in absolute stitches. I’m constantly amazed by the generosity of my close circle of friends, as they discreetly slipped me $20 in an envelope so I could get by.
We hit the local winery, historic shops, brewery, weekend festival, ice cream shop (or two), biggest dinner portion of chicken parm that I have EVER witnessed (easily enough for 5 meals) and enough laughs to hold us over for the next year.
Normally this would have worked out beautifully EXCEPT when my flight back home gets delayed and eventually cancelled. OMG. Now I have to beg them to crash for another full day and 3 more meals. I will certainly never live this down anytime in the near future!
We even have to switch from the Philadelphia airport to the madness of Newark just so I can get home the next day. But oh no…… we are again delayed and on the verge of getting axed on the second night in a row. Until finally we got the all clear to board a 10pm plane to touch down in Orlando at 1am Monday. At least I had a glimmer of good news for seat #2F….. yep business class upgrade!
With my borrowed remaining $10 in my pocket, I crash hard in my own bed for a few hours and was like a zombie stumbling my way through just my 3rd week at the new gig. Just another story to tell….
Do I splurge for one night to end-cap my 17 month dream trip? I just might.
Standard vs. deluxe ocean view for a measly $50 more? That was the easy decision.
After exploring four of the Hawaiian islands extensively, I opted to “go for it” instead of visiting the additional, quiet paradise of Molokai. I know not everyone would have agreed but it was just one of those things I HAD to do.
I never thought I would have the opportunity to come back to the aloha state, so I was exceedingly thankful and grateful for 21 days to get lost. So my 24 hour countdown in Mickeyland had me bouncing around the oceanside resort trying to soak it all in for this once in a lifetime visit.
Pre-booking the shuttle from the airport was a breeze, and landed me in the front lobby for an early checkin at 12:45pm. I was granted a 10th floor room overlooking the luau and I was overwhelmed with joy. I shedded my bags and took off to find some characters dressed in their Hawaiian garb, float along in the lazy river, people watch poolside, soak in the infinity pool giving way to spectacular beach views, weaved my way around the lush grounds, hit the gift shops for exclusive merch and get in my last visit to the ABC store (seriously, it is just a convenience store).
I even had my own magical moment waiting for me in in my room mid afternoon….. a friend had the executive chef make me a tray of Mickey chocolate treats! Omg!!
After a quick shower, I knew I had to view my last sunset on the islands from the man-made beach lagoons and just take it all in. The sky lit up once again and I dug my feet into the sand for a final memory.
Then I raced up to enjoy my own balcony picnic overlooking the hula dancers and authentic Hawaiian storytelling. Meanwhile, twilight magic was in full effect along the horizon and it was a setting straight out of a fairytale. Truly an unforgettable moment.
I naturally couldn’t sleep, so I made a slow loop around the Ko Olina lagoons, soaked my tired feet in the bright blue Disney pool water and spent a better part of the evening reminiscing on my balcony.
With a long travel day ahead, I was pleasantly surprised that I popped up easily to partake in my last sunrise from the beach lagoons prior to making the inevitable trek back to the airport midday.
So….. Disney’s Aulani was the icing on the cake on this adventure of a lifetime and a memory that will forever bring a BIG smile to my face!
FearlessAdventures 