The after glow of a sunset from the infamous Waikiki beach just hit differently.
Truly spellbinding.
EVERY night no one missed a chance to slow down and appreciate Mother Nature put on a spectacular show. There was a silence from the droves of tourists lining the shoreline and hundreds of suffers bobbing in the water, as well as the sailboats cruising in the shallow waters.
It is always special to watch the last rays of sunlight dance along the horizon, but here in the aloha state, the real show begins just after that final sliver eases away.
The next 30-45 minutes you are dazzled by the kaleidoscope of colors popping before your eyes and begging you to keep them peeled for the possibility of more to come.
You breathe in the calm of another day gone and the hope of what is to come tomorrow….. which will inevitably include another chance to view a miracle.
Adventure travel is my passion and I have to say Southern Utah is my “go to” location for an awesome outdoor itinerary suitable for any weekend warrior looking to get out of their comfort zone.
In January 2022, I quickly threw together a jam-packed 6 day journey that exceeded even my own expectations. FYI, I consistently use the All Trails app for directions to trailheads and routes, as well as downloaded the Kanab Trails app for this specific adventure.
Here are my recommendations and even a few additions I didn’t have time to squeeze in (but did all the research for):
Day 1 – being a National Park junkie, I had never made time prior to hit up the remote Great Basin in eastern Nevada so that was my launching point. Winter season does limit some trail availability especially to Wheeler Peak (13k feet the highest point in the state) but I thoroughly enjoyed trying out crampons for the first time ever along portions of the Lehman Creek, Mountain View & Grey Cliffs trails. The highlight was without question the Lehman Cave tour (pic #1) at 200 ft underground and the formations were stunning! (As an alternative, I would highly recommend Zion NP which is closer and my favorite NP – hiking the Narrows or Angel’s Landing are must dos).
Day 2 – basing out of Kanab is highly recommended, as every day I opted to take my chances in the daily lottery for The Wave (9am at the Kanab Civic Center). Thereafter, I would break off in a different direction every day. First on my list was the Pipe Spring National Monument. The ridge trail was only .5 mi but it got the blood pumping and had amazing views towards the Grand Canyon to the south (pic #2). I then made my way west/north to Kanarraville Falls, which you need to secure a permit online prior (easy to get). Winter hikes can be hit or miss with icy conditions even though I had crampons, as I was only able to access ~ half of the 6 mile trek, but it was a beautiful hike that I would definitely return to conquer. I then continued my loop back to Kanab and squeezed in the 1.9 mile Red Hollow Slot Canyon in Orderville. So much fun!!!
Day 3 – I headed east to an awesome 2 mile jaunt to the Toadstools (pic #3). Right off the highway, you follow a wash to otherworldly hoodoos and a playground to explore all morning. Be sure to venture both directions past the “big hammer” hoodoo. Just a few miles down a dirt road, I also added in a spontaneous 1 mile walk to The Nautilus. You have to see it to believe it…. a natural “swirl” formation in the middle of nowhere. Finally I took a chance to see if my rented Versa could make the treacherous 8 mile or 30 min drive to the trailhead of Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch (which is the longest slot canyon in the world). And oohhh it was a blessing to spend 5 miles wandering through this stunning terrain (pic #4). One of the highlights of my trip! Bring lunch and take every chute to explore to your hearts content.
Day 4 – I made the quick drive north to Belly of the Dragon (pic #5), a man-made tunnel that is worth a quick visit, and you can even continue on for a few more miles through the wash to another small slot canyon if you desire. Then hit up the Moqui Caves for a touristy cave experience. Take a left immediately outside and climb up the sandstone cliff side to be delighted by another fun diversion at the Kanab Sand Caves (pic #6). On your way back to town, stop by the amazing Best Friends Animal Sanctuary to volunteer or take a tour of this beautiful property. When back in town, check out the big “K” adorning the cliff side and trek the easy 1.5 mile K-hill trail for great views of the city. I chose to end my day with a big 4.5 mile sunset hike up the Bunting trail (pic #7). Very doable, but this trek is at a 45% angle and the last stretch has you scaling very narrow ridges (in the snow it is very sketchy). But the views are tremendous and incredibly satisfying!
Day 5 – miraculously I WON the Wave lottery for tomorrow, so today I changed my plan to not go so strenuous. First hike was 3 miles into Tom’s Canyon, which is accessible easily from the east side of town. Next I scheduled an ATV tour with Kanab Tour Co. to one of my bucket list spots at Peekaboo Slot Canyon (pic #8). It was pricey but I didn’t want to take any chances getting stuck in the VERY deep sand on the access roads. Definitely no regrets, as we had a blast flying through the backcountry single track and up ridiculous sand hills en route to the canyon. The slot was awe inspiring and downright surreal to traverse (pic #9). Nearby is another gem and an easy .25 mile trek to Sand Dune Arch. I finished my day wanting to take in my last Kanab sunset, so opted to do the first part of the K-hill trail again to sit on one of the many benches and just enjoy my surroundings.
Day 6 – Wave day! I am fortunate I had already accessed the Wire Pass trailhead, so I knew the condition of the dirt road in and also where this trail bisected. Therefore, I chose to beat the crowds and start my trek just prior to twilight. The NPS gives you a good map and pictures to follow, but I recommend a headlamp and GPS as well. This 6.4 mile hike was one of my favorite hikes EVER (pic #10) – varied terrain, wildlife peeking out everywhere, sunrise glow was unparalleled and the colors were unlike anything I’ve ever witnessed!
A few alternatives if you have a rugged SUV and have time to drive a little further to the outskirts:
Zebra slot canyon
Spooky slot canyon
Coyote gulch 2.5 miles
Bull valley gorge .9 mile
Willis creek 5.8 miles
Devils garden 1 mile in Grand Staircase Escalante
White pocket – Coyote Buttes south
Cottonwood wash narrows 1.5 miles
Cedar Breaks NM ridge line trail
I had already been to Bryce Canyon but I HIGHLY recommend seeing daybreak from Sunrise Point & hiking the Figure 8 full loop!
I miss Utah already! My itinerary map (pic #11) shows a visual of this aggressive plan and how motivated I was to experience as much as I possibly could. Enjoy all the varied hikes and outdoor experiences that will definitely have me coming back for more…. sooner rather than later next time!
While I’m a self proclaimed adrenaline junkie, you would be surprised at the places that I remember while traversing across this big country. This is by no means a perfect list, as there are a few states that I definitely need to explore more of in the future. Enjoy this virtual road trip to my favorites…… so far!
Alabama. I just barely dipped into this state but we really enjoyed exploring the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile, followed by fresh seafood at one of the many fish camp restaurants along the water.
Alaska. I loved cruising to be able to experience multiple ports. Most memorable was walking onto the Mendenhall Glacier.
Arizona. Sedona is absolutely stunning and a must visit for everyone in their lifetime. Tons of trails are at your doorstep. My favorites were Fay Canyon, Devils Bridge, Hangover and Cathedral Rock.
Arkansas. The 6 mile dirt/gravel road is a little gnarly but the reward is worth it….. frequently noted as the best trail in the state, the 3 mile trek to Hawksbill Crag (or called Whitaker Point) meanders along cliff sides to a spectacular viewpoint.
California. Considering the possibilities here, you can’t go wrong with Yosemite’s Half Dome, Death Valley, driving the gorgeous coastal cliffs and I love the hidden gem of Pinnacles National Park.
Colorado. This state has so many amazing vistas and hidden gems, but Garden of the Gods is that special place that makes all other destinations pale in beauty.
Connecticut. Just because I love a good Julia Robert’s flick, visit the town of Mystic for some nostalgia and pizza.
Delaware. Growing up I vaguely remember visiting Rehoboth Beach for a quick getaway.
Florida. My home state for the past 24 years is a travelers paradise year round. I love the majestic Florida Keys for all the wildlife, scuba diving/snorkeling, views and just a great beachy vibe.
Georgia. Renting a cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains is a step back in time with a drive in movie theatre, tubing the Toccoa River, hiking and numerous others will keep you entertained. I also love hiking up Stone Mountain for a rush!
Hawaii. Volcanoes National Park was fascinating stumbling along former lava flow paths. Plus the snorkeling in any beach cove was plentiful and if you want a huge rush….. try a night manta ray dive!
Idaho. My dad and I thoroughly enjoyed the Centennial Park Twin Falls and Shoshone Waterfalls in Idaho Falls. You can even walk behind one of them!
Illinois. My mom grew up in Chicago, so we visited numerous times growing up and I’ll never forget how ridiculously afraid I was of going to the top of the Sears Tower (now the Willis Tower)!
Indiana. Visiting the iconic Indianapolis Speedway is a big rush and we even had the special pleasure of playing the golf course inside the track!
Iowa. I was pleasantly surprised with the Maquoketa Caves State Park. With over 3 miles of trails to 16 caves, it was a delight to explore this remote nature area.
Kansas. When my niece was a toddler, I really enjoyed the Army town of Leavenworth and visiting the Carousel Museum.
Kentucky. Finally made it to Mammoth Cave National Park, which is the longest cave in the world, and took the Historic Tour!
Louisiana. New Orleans was sensory overload and great to just hit the city by foot and eat/drink to your hearts content, especially the savory bengeits.
Maine. Acadia National Park has a bunch of shorter trails (Beehive & Precipice are both for the adrenaline junkies) and seeing an epic sunrise from Cadillac Mountain is a must!
Maryland. The Inner Harbor is always a favorite to explore including the Baltimore Aquarium.
Massachusetts. I love the history of the Freedom Trail and touring the iconic city of Boston.
Michigan. Mackinaw Island was a blast from the past with all the horse drawn carriages and culture.
Minnesota. Driving the Lake Superior circle was so gorgeous and relaxing. Try to make the full circle loop!
Missouri. In college, our soccer team made a big road trip to the Midwest and I remember visiting the towering St. Louis Arch. It was recently upgraded as a National Park in 2018.
Mississippi. I’ll need to go back to explore more but I did check out the energy of a Mississippi State University football game on a beautiful fall evening.
Montana. Yellowstone has to be high on your bucket list to explore all the geysers and revel in the abundant wildlife.
Nebraska. Seeing an unspoiled sunset over the vast plains of the Scott’s Bluff or Agate Fossil Beds National Monuments is priceless, along with following along on parts of the historic Oregon Trail (who remembers the old school video game of the same name?)
Nevada. Valley of Fire State Park is a hidden gem and a must do. Try the White Domes and Firewave hikes for a great afternoon out exploring slot canyons and stunning rock formations.
New Hampshire. Franconia ridge has a beautiful area called the Basin with a bunch of short trails to some gorgeous waterfalls.
New Jersey. Pick a beach – Ocean City, Cape May, Atlantic City.
New Mexico. There are a ton of options if you are a history seeker but I absolutely loved the 2 mile headland trail at El Morro National Monument (take it counterclockwise).
New York. While I love strolling around the diversity in Central Park, I’m partial to lake living along the shores of Lake Michigan near the incomparable Niagara Falls.
North Carolina. Hiking and camping in the Linville gorge area in the western part of the state is pure serenity, including Grandfather Mountain and the mile high swinging bridge.
North Dakota. Theodore Roosevelt National Park is remote but worth the trip. Bison and wild horses graze everywhere and I especially enjoyed the trails in Wind Canyon.
Ohio. During a business trip to Cleveland, I made a side visit to the Rock & Roll hall of fame. Who doesn’t love some music to brighten up your day?
Oklahoma. My one visit to this state was to benchmark the operations of the NCAA Softball World Series held at a beautiful stadium in Oklahoma City. I also remember a few chuck wagon festival along the way!
Orgeon. Crater Lake National Park was downright stunning in winter with the crystal blue waters beckoning you to explore more.
Pennsylvania. My teenage years were consumed with travel ball up and down the east coast and I loved living in the dorms on the gorgeous Bryn Mawr campus.
Rhode Island. Hop on a ferry and explore the quaint Block Island.
South Carolina. While I love the quaint Hilton Head island immensely, I’m partial to my childhood yearly trips to Surfside Beach (southern portion of Myrtle Beach).
South Dakota. Badlands National Park is a whirlwind. Definitely take 2 small but challenging treks – the notch and saddlepass (southern access point) trails.
Tennessee. Nashville is such a warm & fuzzy city that has a little bit of everything especially getting your live music fix, while Gatlinburg is also my speed when needing an outdoor adventure.
Texas. Guadalupe Mountains National Park has a fun hike called Devils stairs that takes you along a dried out river bed scrambling over massive rocks and culminating at a hairy climb.
Utah. This is probably my favorite state in regards to natural beauty and wonders. Very difficult choice so it’s a tie between Zion (the Narrows & Angels Landing trails) and Arches National Parks (the full Devils Garden loop).
Vermont. I thoroughly enjoyed the 6 mile challenge of trekking up to Camel’s Hump State Park Summit (and if you go a little further you can see a plane wreckage). Plus Stowe is home to Sound of Music Von Trapp Family Lodge & headquarters of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream!
Virginia. I was born in Manassas in extreme Northern Virginia, so we grew up around the historic battlefields which are always a treat to explore and learn, plus a bonus of proximity to the national mall (museums & monuments of DC).
Washington. Mt. Ranier was an incredible sight and even more challenging to hike in the snow to stunning peak lookouts.
West Virginia. This state is home to the newest & 63rd National Park with New River Gorge and don’t miss Harper’s Ferry National Monument.
Wisconsin. Take a hike to the cliffside sea caves at Apostle National Lakeshore.
Wyoming. Circling the Devils Tower on a hike is a treat and if you dare…. sign up for a rock climbing excursion from this midwest wonder!
As I write this, I’m sleeping on a mattress with 7 other avid travelers under the stars on an old fashioned felucca parked somewhere on the banks of the Nile River in Egypt between Aswan and Luxor.
Surreal?? Absolutely!
If I back up to the start of our adventure, we left our hotel around 10:30am in Aswan to board a simple sailboat for a day of sailing the Nile. For the previous 3 days, we had been busy exploring all the ancient sites including the Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Philae Temple, Temple of Abu Simbel and the Egyptian Museum. So a chill day was the perfect midweek break we didn’t even know we needed.
The deck had a massive mattress and pillows for everyone, so we spread out and plopped down. We were fortunate to have an amazing headwind that had us gliding down river 25-30 km. Temperatures in early June were already toppling 100 degrees, so we were super thankful for the escape from the stifling inner city heat. The trip was a pure delight as I found myself smiling at each turn of the bow, as we slowly “S” curved our way downstream. Between Bob Marley playing on the speaker, swimming in the chilly waters, playing “Heads Up” trivia and slurping our happy drinks, we had not a care in the world for those 5 glorious hours.
We even had a support boat following our brigade with toilets and serving fresh local delicacies for a truly authentic experience.
As it is approaching 10:45pm, everyone else is fast asleep and I’m still daydreaming about this perfect day half way around the world. And with sunrise at an insane 4:35am, I’m needing to fall asleep soon but know that even with a face mask and earplugs that I won’t be coming down from this high anytime soon!
For almost 20 years, the nightly fireworks spectacular at Epcot was my absolute favorite entertainment. I couldn’t get enough of it.
From the beautiful musical score, to the perfectly synchronized pyrotechnics, to the integrated laser show, to the images projected onto the futuristic ball gliding across the water, it was spectacular. I could hum every bar and predicted every shot. It was 20+ mins of pure joy.
So I remember having the ultimate fan experience twice. First was taking the Pop Warner National Office team and second was calling in a big favor from our wonderful Entertainment team to take the YMCA leadership team. We loaded onto a small dock jutting out into the big Epcot World Showplace lake, so basically as close as you can get to being under this dazzling display. The first time we laid down and felt like we were truly in the show exploding high above us. The second time it happened to be raining so a different experience, but nonetheless priceless.
I have to admit I cried a few tears when seeing the final show in 2019 but, nonetheless, I hummed along and reveled in that final BOOM! Great memories indeed!
I got into golf while working at Disney Sports, as back in the early 2000s we were allotted a free round of golf on our Disney owned courses every week. And add in 50% off range balls to practice (we needed all the help we could get as we didn’t make much). Score!
Our secret was to go mid week around 4pm in non-rainy season. No full paying guest would start a round that late, so we got to go at our own pace, goof off a bit, practice our swings and release some steam from our heavy event season. Definitely spoiled us! None of us were any good because we didn’t play regularly, but we chopped away and steadily improved. I started out with a wicked slice, always to the right, but I settled into a nice grip after a few years. And we could typically complete 13-15 holes and were content with that. It was a fantastic perk that not many people took advantage of and now it is gone all together.
Fast forward a few years and I started getting invited to participate in team scrambles. Sign me up! A female’s big advantage is getting to hit from the red tees which can be up to 50 yards in front of the regular men’s tees. So I learned how to effectively drive the ball and become an asset to the team. Needless to say, I can’t do much else in between, but I can consistently hit the initial ball 225+ yards and I can hold my own putting too.
It’s not too often that I’m speechless but at first sight of the last standing ancient wonder of the world….. chills!! I truly got caught up in the moment coming out of the ticketing building and walking up the entry ramp. A warm sensation quickly ran throughout my body and I just kinda froze in place. Now granted it was a scorching morning anyways, but the grandeur of that instant was surreal.
Our very knowledgeable guide was spitting off stats that would blow your mind:
2.3 million stones
5-7 tons each
No tools so they used other rocks to cut & then floated them down the Nile to the site
21,000 workers
21 years to build
128 levels high
The extreme top was stolen as it was believed to be of pure gold
All pyramids built in at least 3s – smaller ones for each wife or children
We were the first GAdventures tour group to return post Covid, so we were blessed to have most of these historic sites to ourselves and we enjoyed E. V. E. R. Y. moment. I can not imagine thousands of buses and tourists milling around.
Of course the camels and buggy rides harassed us, but we made our own 360 degree jaunt around this marvel. The scope is ridiculous, as even just one stone towered over our heads. Climbing on the rocks is strictly forbidden but on one side there were some extra hidden tombs and the mini versions, so we goofed off. We even went inside the narrow alleyways of the son’s tomb, which were about a 45 degree ramp down for 50 meters. Not for those frightened by tight spaces!
And finally the Sphinx lured us into it’s grasp. The excavation is ongoing and the nose is long gone, but it was a spectacular sight. With the pyramids looming in the background, it felt like you were transported back to ancient times and really drove home that fact that this area is a world wide treasure. Unbelievable day!
We had skipped lunch to enjoy all of our time at the local sites, so we ended our visit with a late meal overlooking all of the above and smiled at just being in the moment.
Onward to Aswan via an overnight train for more exploring!
Through the years, I’ve had some incredible experiences scaling rock faces and subsequently rappelling back down them too.
Rock climbing gyms weren’t prevalent in northern VA growing up, but I got my first taste of this addiction in college (much to the dismay of my coaches). Most of my time was spent in warehouse gyms made up of man made holds and superficial surfaces. This is definitely the best way to learn, get comfortable and get over your fear of heights.
After college, I ventured into the wilderness while on my many adventures with certified guides. Some of the most memorable were a small group on my Alaska cruise scaling a wall in Sitka, canyoneering (mixture of climbing, rappelling & making your way through canyons & cliff edges) outside Zion National Park, attacking walls built on the back of cruise ships and numerous others.
My personal favorite was an extra excursion on Costa Rica deemed a night canyoneering trip. We rode a jeep deep into the wilderness, hiked a short trail to the river’s edge guided by the moonlight and plunged into the icy cold waters in our wet suit. Each adventurer had a heavy duty headlamp, along with a waist belt with a bunch of carabeeners. We slid down boulder faces into dark pools, weaving in and out of rocks before coming to a massive waterfall that we need to rappel down. It was exhilarating and equally terrifying. One at a time we were guided straight down the belly of the falls and I took an extra second while getting pounded with the cascading water to be totally in the moment. What an indescribable total rush! We all escaped unscathed and had an amazing story to tell the rest of the group who hadn’t been so adventurous.
Being a part of an opening team is an enormous responsibility and a ridiculously fun challenge. Anything goes. Literally.
Working at Disney’s Polynesian Resort in 1997, I just knew I had to get my shot to work at the recently opened Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex (I was hired on a few months after true opening). Through volunteering at the first tennis and track & field events, I secured a position as the first registration coordinator for the International Police & Fire Games. As it happened, there was a nasty hurricane that ravaged the east coast 2 weeks prior and most of our scheduled teams had to back out due to obligations to their own local communities. I quickly pivoted and was able to stay on permanently as one of the first competition coordinators.
We worked crazy hours in the beginning, being on a small but mighty team of extraordinary sports specialists. We learned quickly and on the fly, but continuously got better and more efficient. Our reputation was built on quality events in exceeding all expectations of clients and guests. Repeat guests were our best marketing and we soared. We constantly benchmarked other events and raised the bar. Event management was a young person’s game and we had boundless energy. We made each other better and that resonated throughout the ranks.
Expansion was imminent and we took on the challenge of growing and selling out even bigger venues. The grind was addictive and so satisfying. We slept on the hard scorekeeper counters in the softball tower on late nights, got drenched regularly transporting guests during the infamous FL summer weather, helped load in vendors during grueling overnight changeovers, threw 50 lb bags of turface out onto rain drenched fields to try to salvage tournament play, ran interference in coach/referee disputes, celebrated champions in extravagant awards setups, and on and on…
After 15 years, I faced a tough crossroads. I had touched every event in our arsenal in some form, so I needed a new challenge to keep my internal fire burning. And in order to get my experience and achieve my dream of running my own operation, I needed to venture out. I knew staying at Disney was the direct path and could have easily retired at my second home. BUT I also knew I had a higher purpose even though the details weren’t exactly clear at the time. Taking that leap of faith was one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make….. and has led to even more growth & an incredibly rewarding journey. BLESSED.
Day 15 into my Hawaiian adventure on the Big Island, I wake up to hear the devastating news of an 8.2 earthquake that rocked New Zealand. Normally I wouldn’t have given it a second thought, BUT being in tsunami territory it was a little freaky.
A tsunami warning had been issued for the Hawaiian islands. Geez.
But to be honest, there were no sirens or crazy antics. No one raided the grocery stores to stock up on toilet paper or water. I had observed earlier in my stay the signs showing where the evacuations for such weather phenomenons culminated, as the rocky coast slopes pretty dramatically down from the neighboring housing. So within 3 blocks of the coast, most people are already out of harms way of a typical wave. Or so I was led to believe.
I went down to the beach to enjoy a day of solitude to write some new articles and enjoy a snorkel in the bay. I did notice the waves were a little rougher than normal, but by 1pm the threat had thankfully been cancelled.
FearlessAdventures 