Breck is a magical experience in both winter and summer, which few destinations can boast. While Vail usually draws the bigger crowds (and it is downright mind blowing to experience), I love and prefer this hidden gem.

Mountain towns are so inviting and I can’t get enough. Experiencing the snowy wonderland of Breck is a treat that you don’t want to ever end. The quaint downtown is lit up in white lights and beckons you to stay for a while. I am partial to fondue and pizza on my ski trips, and here it is plentiful. Microbrews line the streets, along with outdoorsy apparel and equipment that you don’t need but inevitably buy way too much of.

This eastern girl grew up with very small mountains, so to be able to ski for hours on end without flying into the village at the bottom is mind blowing.

Snowmobiling is a highlight, along with endless winter activities to choose from. Since I go so infrequently, my first day on the slopes is typically a trial and error game getting back into the groove of making big “S” curves and fine tuning smooth stops. I prefer snowboarding to skiing these days, and always forget how taxing it is to carve through the white powder all day long and get up after a massive face-plant (or two or three).

And don’t forget how amazing it is to end the day in a heated cabin, with a scalding cup of hot chocolate, toasty shower and bubbling hot tub overlooking the mountain to reminisce about a glorious day on the slopes.

BUT…..

I have to admit summer in the Colorado foothills is equally as soothing. Taking the ski lifts up to the cliff tops for some stunning hikes or starting a downhill mountain bike ride are so thrilling. The fresh mountain air is so addictive and beckons you to not waste a single minute of daylight out exploring. The small towns come alive with tourists and locals alike enjoying outdoor festivals galore. A scenic drive is always on the agenda, which can lead to even more paths you just have to plan a return to in a few years down the road to get your fix.

Bottom line…… don’t make me choose!

From Kaboom playground builds, to serving meals every 3rd Monday of the month at Give Kids the World, to building houses with Habitat for Humanity, to yearly Toys for Tots distributions, to bringing up the rear of every runDisney race, to annual Canoe Races of the World, we were deeply involved in our local community.

Over my 15 years as a cast member, I participated in +75 events or programs. We had a highly engaged group of amazing individuals who gave generously of their time, even amongst our own very grueling event schedules.

These events always made us appreciate our part in bringing the intangible Disney magic to life. Our extended families all jumped in to help out too, as I even remember my parents and I scheduling extra weekly shifts at Give Kids the World making pizzas and then driving them to visiting Make A Wish Families courtesy of the restaurant chain Perkins. A truly uplifting experience!

Still to this day, even after leaving the Disney family almost 8 years ago, these continue to be some of my fondest memories and truly making a difference!

I should be used to a 3:15 wake up call by now after working the runDisney races for 22 years……

This day was one of those long standing bucket list adventures I was crawling out of my skin to start. So I popped right up and made the easy 15 min drive to the bike shop for a tourist briefing.

After a 45 min drive to the summit along the Guinness Book of World Records shortest road to reach over 10k feet, we jumped outside to below freezing temps. OMG. My wardrobe was seriously lacking in the warmth department, so I suffered for 64 excruciating minutes BUT the payoff…… completely mesmerizing and worth it!!

As twilight eased out from its slumber, the clouds radiated with colors I didn’t even know were possible. There are no words!

After frequenting a few overlooks and taking the obligatory jumping pictures, we were fitted for our bikes and I took off on my own 23 mile downhill race. What a rush! I opted for the self guided tour and took full advantage of the freedom of the open road ahead. The radar gun clocked me at 44mph and I had no problem navigating the twists and turns all the way back to the bike shop, even after a must stop in the cute town of Makawao for fresh mini donuts on a stick.

No injuries to report, so after docking my bike, I was off to the next adventure.

If you haven’t immersed yourself into the very chilly waterways in western Florida to swim amongst the manatees, what are you waiting for?

Swimming amongst these gentle giants is very special. They migrate into the springs areas to escape the bitter cold ocean waters.

Needless to say, I wasn’t very thrilled at the thought of a 4am wake up call in order to get to the docks in time for the first tour boat. But I got over it quickly, as our small group of 6 donned our wetsuits in preparation for our arrival at the extraction area. As soon as we plopped in the water, the manatees were swarming as they fell in line to exit the narrow inlet. I assume they know how massive of a surface area they cover, because they could have cared less that we were all there gawking. A few sweet ones literally swam within inches of our masks and absolutely loved being caressed and doted over. Most of these grand specimens just floated below our dancing feet, while we snapped numerous pictures and tried not to disturb their daily routine.

An absolutely fascinating experience that I recommend for everyone to make time for. These creatures are beautiful!

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Have you ever spent time just with your thoughts and figured out what makes you tick?

It can be a scary journey but when you hone in on your inner workings and dig deep (really really deep), you can bring to life some little known characteristics that make you uniquely you.

While I’m a self confessed adrenaline junkie and always seem to be moving at 100 mph, I have recently started to embrace the quiet times. It’s the little things…..

• Sitting on my back porch in the evening listening to the wildlife & finishing a James Patterson novel
• Drives to the cruise port with the windows down & music blaring
• Sitting at the local waterside park watching another perfect sunset
• Baking my specialty pumpkin cookies and saving some batter to indulge in
• Riding my scooter up to the water to take in another magnificent NASA or SpaceX launch
• Hitching up my jetski to drive the 1.8 miles to the local dock and launch into the beckoning sea for a joy ride
• Eating my favorite local coconut shrimp bowl sitting on the refurbished pier overlooking the Indian River
• Watching a Duke game with all the candles lit, Christmas tree glowing, Pizza Hut stuffed crust & a cozy blanket to curl up in
• Riding my bike over to the trail and going as far as I want on that particular day & stopping by the local froyo shop en route back home
• Ending a long day with a hot bubble bath, candles and picnic

The more you are able to tap into your inner self, the more joy you will find in the simple pleasures all around you.

Did you know little ol’ Titusville, FL is unique to only 5 locations in the world for a very specific phenomenon? The crazy bioluminescence fires up in early fall and it is a must do on the Space Coast.

The launch site is back in the sticks once you cross over the Max Brewer Bridge down a single dirt road. I’ve been three times so far and we typically choose the tour just after sunset.

The waters are calm deep in the channel, while dolphins frequently surprise guests by sliding in between kayaks along their journey. I highly recommend choosing a guide that uses clear kayaks, as the experience is heightened when you can see through at every angle.

The glow of the plankton come to life as darkness creeps in. Every paddle strike causes a ripple of color to ease across the river. It is a truly magnificent sight. The light of the moon guides the group downstream for a very relaxing experience right in our own backyard.

But eventually, it is time to turn around and make the tougher trek upstream to our original extraction point. A one of a kind trip that you won’t be disappointed with. And we typically cap it off with some local froyo! (because why not)

Some are born to play it safe & others are meant to be wild!

I had made the tough call to bypass the state of North Dakota on my original west road trip with my dad in Fall 2020 due to too much ground to cover just to hit the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. So when I planned a last minute northern trek to hit 7 of my last 10 states in early 2021, I had an aggressive route to attack.

After a 3.5 mile hike & then a full day of driving from Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota, I bee lined across the eastern state line taking advantage of the 75 mph speed limit and stretched my legs at a few spots I had researched prior. I toured the old missile silos of Oscar 0 & November 33, met Dakota Thunder (the biggest Buffalo in the world), walked in the footsteps of the Northern Plain Indians at the Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Park, caught a glimpse of the blood red sunset over the vast farmlands and barely made it to the cliff top site of Salem Sue by twilight.

Sue is the largest Holstein cow in the world at 38’ tall x 50’ long x 12k lbs. She was erected in 1974 at $40k to pay tribute to the local hard working dairy farmers. I was the sole visitor that got to witness the late horizon glow and revel in the quiet expanse below. Quirky….. yes. A once in a lifetime tourist stop…… absolutely!

And it got me thinking….. everyone follows their own path in life. Some steps are pre-determined, others just fall into place and most (I believe) you need to make happen. Where will your destiny take you today? Tomorrow? Next year?

Note to self, don’t just exist….live!

Stay wild & be amazing!! #staywild #beamazing #unpackourhearts #tellyourstory #salemsue #myjourney

One of my personal goals is to hike in every US National Park. Easier said than done, as quite a few are not accessible by car and very pricey. Nonetheless, I charge forward in my quest with relentless passion.

And if you open that challenge up to every recognized National Park Service location, that list is somewhat daunting to embark on (technically there are 423 official sites).

As of March 2022, I have ventured into 48 of our 63 National Parks and can’t get enough of the history over the last 150 years. Fun fact: the grand daddy of them all, Yellowstone, has the distinction of being proclaimed the first in the entire world back on March 1, 1872, while New River Gorge in southern West Virginia is the newest just ratified in December 2020.

As for National Monuments, Historic Parks and Preserves, I have eclipsed 90 visits along the journey as well. Each sliver of history is unique and worthy of more people experiencing these protected wonders.

I wish I had started sooner, but I have joined the bandwagon of tourists snapping a pic of every park sign adorning the entrances. It is almost like a right of passage and trying to come up with new, innovative poses to keep the photos interesting is always the ultimate challenge. Nonetheless, I am on the prowl for those unique signs that show the true character of a region.

From the obscure to the iconic, these national treasures are beckoning you to get off the couch, lace up your hiking boots, plan at the very least a long weekend getaway and purposefully get lost in the wonders of nature.