Fast paced and ridiculously addictive, racquetball is my adult passion. I actually took racquetball 101 my freshmen year in college to improve my footwork and agility to help out my basketball game. I got hooked! We didn’t have any courts near me growing up, so I didn’t know what I was getting into. But being athletic, I picked up the sport quickly. Mix in being slightly competitive (ok I’m extreme) and a nerd in studying the game, I wanted to learn by playing the best students and frequented the courts anytime I could between college athletics.

Hand eye coordination. Speed. Angles. Footwork. Sweat fest. Strategy = life skills!

After college, I moved to FL to work for Disney Sports but we didn’t house any courts so I quickly forgot about the game as I dove into my career. I bought a house and was ecstatic when I learned about 5 years in they were building a new park with 2 outdoor courts. I had to upgrade my racquet as the technology had changed rapidly during my hiatus. I was a regular and fell in love all over again, even if the outdoor 3 wall game was faster and required some adjustment to my strategy.

Fast forward a few years, I started a new career at the YMCA and my home base had 4 indoor courts. Jackpot. And they were old school, with the small doors you had to duck into. Day 1 I hit the court immediately after my 15 hour day and was so pumped. I never drove anywhere without my racquets in tow and challenged anyone who would not get tired of playing for hours. I was proud to start new leagues and host a few tournaments, since I knew just a little how to do that from my Disney events days. It was even more rewarding to teach newbies and see their reactions through learning new skills or winning a game. We hosted skills clinics for all ages just trying to expose more kids to this amazing sport that was slowing dying in popularity.

How stoked was I at my second Y location to actually get involved in the renovation and construction of two, new state of the art courts? With full glass back walls, gorgeous light brown wood flooring and LED lighting, I was so lucky to be the first to whack away on day 1 of reopening and never shied away from practicing during a free hour.

I also started training with a local coach and playing in local tournaments against the guys, where my game immediately elevated. I held my own but also just loved the new group of people I got to meet who shared my passion.

I do have a personal goal to play in the FL state games typically held in the first quarter of the year, so I’m trying to recommit and focus on conquering that bucket list item before my 50th birthday. Time is ticking……

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The minute we drove into the east entrance at Badlands National Park I knew it was going to be special. I felt a resurgence of my childhood wonder & giddiness.

A sea of multi-colored spires jutted out from the landscape to create a beautiful & otherworldly backdrop. The 1.5 mi Notch trail was the perfect warm-up. The true test snuck up on us about halfway, as a rudimentary ladder was the only gateway to the upper trail of this rocky paradise. Rickety but sturdy. Scary but doable. Exhilarating…..I took an extra deep breath & charged upwards.

COURAGE to face my wildest fears & overcome any obstacle…. on this mountain, along this journey & in this one crazy life that we have.

My dad and I also drove the winding rim road in complete awe of our surrounds. We weaved in and out of sharp cliffs and colorful hill sides. A buffalo even came charging towards our car in search of water. Totally mesmerizing. And then came sunset and it is one of my top ten of all time….. can you imagine standing at the top of these majestic, multi-colored mounds to see a fireball in the sky lighting up everything in existence as far as the eye could see? If I could make time stand still, this would have been one of those perfect moments.

Go experience it for yourself, then smile a little wider & know “you got this” – the next step could be all your dreams coming true. 🧡💪💜💪💚💪

Update April 2021: On another epic road trip, I made sure to add a day specifically in the Badlands to revisit some of my favorite trails & add a few new ones to the list too. The notch trail didn’t disappoint again, as I added on a bunch of side cutoffs to even crazier and more dramatic viewpoints. I also found another blow your mind trail at the southern trailhead of Saddlepass. At only .25 miles, be prepared to climb straight uphill to the top of “the Wall” and enjoy a few minutes to just peer out from the peak of this outdoor lover’s paradise! And finally my last impression was 2 buffalos grazing immediately next to the “leaving the Badlands” sign, so I pulled off to the side for a few extra minutes to just watch these beautiful creatures and savor a couple more minutes of solitude.

I didn’t really get heavy into mountain biking until my early 30s. Did you know I actually participated in and placed in 6 races? What an extreme rush.

Whizzing between trees, ducking under limbs, skidding through sand pockets, splashing through mud, finding slim holes to squeeze past an opponent and biking along single track is indescribable. I may have suffered a nasty slash in my new bike seat on day 1, but am one with my slick Giant bike and know every creak/crevice when tackling any trail. Plus the seat has survived numerous crashes and brushes with danger, and is still thriving on runs 10 years later with no signs of wearing thin.

We had a small group of enthusiasts that would try to meet up once a quarter to let loose. Our usual choice to meet up at was the extensive system in Ocala at the Santos trailhead. Only 90 mins from Orlando, it was a half day escape. Trails for all abilities snaked in and out of the tree line with even a special bmx track for the real crazies. I thoroughly enjoyed leading the pack and setting the pace through mostly moderate single track trails for hours. And bringing a lunch to enjoy after the sweat fest was a must. I miss these days immensely.

It’s rare to find, but my race of choice was the duathlon, where I could mix it up between trail running and mountain biking. I was a stronger biker so I naturally favored the thrill of a speed ride. And I’ve always been drawn to hard core trails rather than the cadence of road biking.

As a self proclaimed perfectionist, I would plan to arrive to the race site a day or two prior so I could practice via multiple course repetitions. Did it help? Absolutely, even if just for my self confidence and a little bit of a mental edge. I have always thrived off of practice in all aspects of life and visualizing each turn, each corner, each obstacle. Then preparing to overcome any fears or second guessing.

My body doesn’t recover as quickly these days and I never got sucked into buying all the cool gear, but if I saw a duathlon scheduled close by in the woods, I would seriously reconsider my retirement from this adrenaline infused addiction.

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The third weekend in August is the sweet spot – a week prior to the tourist rush of Labor Day and after most southern schools have already started back up. So my friends and I always spend a very enjoyable & chill week exploring the beautiful Keys. Plus it is Tessa’s birthday week so another great excuse to escape and celebrate her special day.

They drive the RVs with kayaks and paddle boards, I tow the jetski and we throw bikes, games, beach chairs and dive gear in too. In less than 5 hours, we are camped out half way down the Keys in the island of Marathon overlooking the gorgeous, aqua blue gulf waters on our waterfront campsite enjoying the western shoreline.

There is no plan and we like it that way. Docking the jetski on the water does give me a great excuse to see every sunrise and sunset to my hearts content. Days are exhausted by paddling amongst the narrow mangroves isles or snorkeling offshore. We spend every night on the dock watching the sun fade into the horizon and playing games until we hear the first yawn. My fav activity is to ride bikes down to the local ice cream shop, sometimes twice the same day (anything goes on vaca!). And we try to frequent a local beach bar to enjoy fresh seafood, live music and finish out summer with a final toast.

We usually will venture down to Key West for a day and always schedule a dive excursion to explore this underworld oozing with tragic shipwrecks around every bend. One day I will even make it to the remote Dry Tortugas National Park, which is located 70 miles west and accessible only by boat or seaplane.

The week passes in a flash and every year we seem to tack on another day to savor this home away from home. Here’s looking ahead to another adventure in only 3 months and 15 days!

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We never miss.

As a kid, Epcot is never your first choice to spend a fun filled theme park day. As an adult, it’s a very different story. I typically try to visit 4-5 times for the fall Food & Wine Festival and again 2-3 times during the Holidays Around the World for the Candlelight Processional. Both are unforgettable experiences.

Which route is your fav? Starting in Australia 🇦🇺 via Ireland 🇮🇪 & France 🇫🇷 ending in Mexico 🇲🇽 for margaritas? Or starting in Brazil 🇧🇷 via Norway 🇳🇴 & Germany 🇩🇪 finishing in Greece 🇬🇷 with gyros? Tough decisions…….

I absolutely love live music of the 80s/90s and the atmosphere along the theme park promenade is so inviting. I would prioritize seeing Gin Blossoms, Toad, Richard Marx, Nelson, Starship and others that became regulars. Besides the variety of bands scheduled to perform nightly, it is fascinating to sample authentic foods and drinks from countries that I may never get to visit. My all time favs are the Italian ravioli, nitro truffle, Brazilian cheese puff, German pretzel dog, empanadas, Ireland lava cake…. I’m sure I’m still missing a few too. And I would grab a large Coke Zero in Germany half way around to quench my thirst, plus be on the lookout for my fav local Titusville Playalinda beers to be featured.

Hopefully 2020 was a fluke and we can all return to enjoying our fav fall indulgences next year.

P. S. – don’t even think about sharing my nitro truffle because I’m ordering 2!

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This is one of my happy places and as of March 1st it celebrated its 25th anniversary. Most people aren’t even aware that Disney owns off property resorts in Vero Beach & Hilton Head plus now Aulani in Hawaii.

For 4 years straight, my ex and I would purposely book the first long weekend in January to hit up this hidden gem. It was just after peak season pricing, completely empty and following my ridiculous December all hands on deck events work season, so there was always a countdown to this necessary getaway. We typically got an upgraded room too and it was the perfect retreat.

I had some of my best runs through these docks, boardwalks and swamplands. Weather could be mild, but winters could be brutally cold too. But that didn’t stop us taking advantage of the hot tub nightly, bike riding on the beach, crabbing off the piers, conquering the shuffleboard & horseshoe pits, battling in the ball court, roasting marshmallows over the fire pit, hitting the outlet malls and claiming my fav hammock while reading a good book under 2 blankets.

One year we even stumbled upon the annual Hilton Head 5k road race and promised to run the next day if it wasn’t raining when we woke up. We hit that start line and the downpour started 5 mins into this spontaneous decision. I ended up winning 2nd place and had to hang around for the awards ceremony; however, I had promised him that we all got participation medals BUT I was mistaken and that ended badly. Hmmm.

Another year I got food poisoning from a seafood shack and spent 2 days puking my guts out. Maybe that was a sign, as that was our last year. Hmmm.

I can’t find these crazy deals anymore and it was our special place, so I haven’t been back since. BUT everyone has those perfect memories that can always make you smile and be genuinely thankful for.

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This trip boasts such variety in experiences – the perfect mix of adventure & chill time!

Touring through Buenos Aires was a whirlwind and culturally so diverse. Equally Rio was overwhelming and a had me a little on edge, being that every phone pole had signs of gun free zones and emphasizing not to walk alone EVER.

The highlight was easily Iguazzu Falls, which has collectively over 160 waterfalls bordering both Argentina and Brazil, via air, boat and foot. I went for broke booking the helicopter tour for a priceless view of this force of nature. Being that I’m severely afraid of helicopters, it was a huge feat in itself. It was truly breathtaking! A speed boat took us right up to the falls so we could feel the power of this behemoth. Then we finished hiking the boardwalks around all the falls, which were literally within hands reach of pounding us into oblivion. What a rush!

I thoroughly enjoyed the colorful small towns and walking the stone streets. Then hopping on a party boat for a day of cruising the waterways, jumping off the upper deck, snorkeling crystal clear coves, indulging in local cuisines and witnessing the perfect sunset.

We climbed to Christ the Redeemer and reveled in this Natural Wonder of the World that overlooks Rio de Janeiro far below.

From the funicular, we witnessed one of my top 10 sunsets of all time over the famous Rio bay.

The colorful steps in Rio were over the top impressive, as there was an indivisible tile from every country and every state in the world. A feat that took the artist over ten years to complete.

Next was a speed boat to an island stay for 2 days of bliss on Ilha Grand – no cars allowed, log cabins, dining waterfront, hiking to deserted beaches – just heavenly. Plus I was the only one from my group to wake up at 2:30am for a hike in the dark straight uphill to catch sunrise from the island peak. Just wow – another top 10 blow your mind experience!

Never stop exploring or getting out of your comfort zone, as you just might learn your old limits are a thing of the past and you will yearn to book that next adventure ASAP.

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I never had much of an interest in riding motorcycles growing up or going super fast. But my friend Heather bought a Suzuki Boulevard when I bought a Seadoo jetski in 2006, so why not learn and have another hobby that I can enjoy even into my older years.

The rider safety course was super fun and gave us the tools to drive defensively. I was originally a little apprehensive to sign up for a dangerous activity but my innate sense of adventure overruled. YOLO. Control what you can control and minimize the risk in others. Still to this day, I have no desire to go over 55 mph or go anywhere near a major highway.

One of my fav things to do on a FL spring or fall weekend off would be to take off on the country backroads and just cruise. I would find a Firehouse Subs and order to go (my sandwich of choice was always the Engineer with grilled mushrooms) so that I could enjoy a picnic in a local park reading a book for pleasure. It was my release to just escape all the noise and pressure.

Another recent highlight was renting a small moped on my 2019 trip to Bali’s island of Nusa Penida. I wasn’t comfortable driving in the mainland traffic chaos but the island was quiet & stress free. And since the airline lost my big luggage, I travelled for a week in this tropical paradise light & free. I negotiated $10 per day upon jumping off the ferry and was off to explore for 72 hours. Hugging the frequent turns and letting it loose on the jungle backroads was just the release I needed to end my 3 week vacation before a notoriously busy upcoming January work schedule. I only got lost a few times and was within a couple of miles of running out of gas, but those are just minor details….

I don’t ride often anymore, but always game to have the wind blowing through my hair and feeling that freedom that only a bike ride can accomplish.

Update April 2021 – on my upper north road trip through Wisconsin, Minnesota, North & South Dakota’s and Iowa, what a thrill it was to take a detour through the town of Sturgis which hosts the massive, annual biker rally!!

I woke up at 5:30am to drive the coast from Kona to the southernmost point on the Big Island (and in the US), since I had a full day of adventures scoped out.

My rental wasn’t 4 wheel drive so I parked about 2 blocks from the rugged coastline, as the potholes were deeper than the car itself. Then began the 2.4 mi journey to find the rare green sands beach. And I should mention that I saw 2 SUVS but never saw any form of life for 2 hours. I felt like I had landed on Mars with the massive gulleys carved into the crisp green landscape. (This is ironic because the day prior NASA had landed a rover on the red planet)

Luckily my phone GPS still worked and I could see my progress along the trail and knew I was getting close to this elusive beach. And suddenly along a dramatic cliffside, I got my first look at the green sands. The sharp lava rocks are no joke to traverse so I took my time climbing down. The access point is via a mini slot canyon and adds to the excitement. And sure enough, the sand had a green tint tucked into a beautiful bay between towering cliffs.

Worth the extra effort? Absolutely! How many people can say they have had grainy, green sand between their toes?

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Mid 2010-20 decade, Iceland was still emerging as a tourist destination. And when I found a $99 one way flight deal on now defunct WOW airlines, I booked it on the spot. I love any beach vaca but I equally love an adventure into the unknown especially in the “land of waterfalls”.

Hiking in waist deep snow to frozen waterfalls, seeing my 1st geysers explode, soaking in natural hot springs, exploring the countryside on ATVs, climbing inside lava caves, indulging in the freshest seafood I have ever eaten….. it was a fabulous adventure! Albeit it was below freezing most days, this hidden world was downright fascinating. I would go back in a heartbeat if my darn bucket list would just stop growing.

I stayed a day after the rest of the group departed in my first ever hostel (and I was fortunate to have the 16 bunk bed room to myself since it was the start of off season) and finished it all with a dip in the iconic Blue Lagoon. I opted for the earliest bus because, of course, there was the infamous sunrise that I just had to experience while swimming with a drink in hand. And it didn’t disappoint…..absolutely BRILLIANT!!

You are spoiled with an extra thick bathrobe and slippers. BUT you still have to dig deep to take it all off and run like hell (without falling) the last 20 steps between the door of the bitter cold temps outside to the bubbling water. After you recover & your heartbeat returns to a manageable level, it was time to explore. From hidden waterfalls to a sauna room to waterside bars to massages poolside, it was an over the top touristy experience. The best (and weirdest) part was the swim up mud bar where you could pick your poison and then smear it all over your face and arms. The perfect ending to an Icelandic experience.

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