Edge of happiness

Gooseneck state park in southeastern Utah was so dreamy at sunset and I felt a surge of happiness overcome me. How do you bottle up something so special and be able to return to it when life gets tough?

Sunset 🌅 at Goosenecks State Park, Utah
  • My hot pot made a killer packaged cheese enchilada goop 😋 – seriously!! 🧀
  • Hot chocolate ☕️ always soothes the soul
  • Reading a book in the comfort of my hammock without a care of what is going on in the “real” world 🌎 📖
  • Stargazing without any light pollution except the glow of a brilliant moon 🌚 🔭
  • Speaker softly playing a cheesy playlist 🔊 🎶
  • Walking along the edge of a sharp chiseled cliffside imagining the history & weather that shaped this dreamy landscape 🏜 ⛈
  • The simplicity of being at a campsite in the middle of nowhere is so enthralling & deeply moving 🤔
  • The distinct chill in the air as it hits 9pm (as I’m usually up for another 3 hours), so I bundle up in more layers 😴

As I begin to appreciate the small things once again, I have a gained my power back and the weight I have put on my shoulders for 23 years begins to slide off into nothingness.

“The sound of silence. To be absent from drama is to be present with peace.” -unknown

Cliff overlook at Goosenecks SP

What is it about a sunset? 🌅

Is it……

  • the pastel hues that are so calming?
  • the fire 🔥 orange that means something great is bound to happen?
  • the satisfaction of seeing another one set peacefully?
  • the promise of a new day & start tomorrow?
  • the simplicity of not being in control of Mother Earth?
  • the wonders of nature shining thru?
  • that no 2 are alike?
  • that everyone sees something different?
  • the thrill of catching the green spark?

Take a deep breath, let your worries float away, go chase another sunset & I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

#chasinasunset #nature #peace

Titusville, FL
Grand Tetons NP
Badlands NP
Summit of Mt Kilimanjaro
Ankgor Wat

11 days

11 days into this trip of a lifetime – pinch me!
Plan is 11 states. 13 national monuments. 19 national parks. 50 days. 62 stops.
Livin’ my dream & just gettin’ started 🏞🥾🏔🌅📸🍺

“Your passion is for you.
Your purpose is for others.
Your passion makes you happy.
But when you use your passion to make a difference in someone else’s life, that’s a purpose” – Jay Shetty

Fearless geyser – Yellowstone NP

Did you know there is a Fearless geyser in Yellowstone National Park 🏞? I spent a little extra time just sitting at this natural wonder.

It would rumble & gurgle occasionally.

Mud spews.

Vents hiss.

Roots sizzle.

Cauldrons churn.

Pungent sulphur smells take over…..

But unbeknownst to you or I is when the next sudden eruption would captivate it’s audience?

My mind wandered from crazy trip ideas 💡 to motivational tactics but I kept coming back to one saying……once you become fearless, life becomes limitless. 💪

#fearlessadventures #inthemoment #beyourownhero #nolimits

1 epic trip – 19 US National Parks

Shame on me. In my extensive travels so far, I have only visited 10 of our 62 US National parks. 🏞 ⛰🏜

How is that possible??!!

On my current trip of a lifetime, I have the potential to hit 19 (14 new to me) so I fully intend to take advantage of the annual $80 NP pass in 2020-21. These national treasures are truly a gift. On our hikes today, my dad and I were bantering about how many of the best places we have been & the most memorable involved being in the great outdoors and didn’t cost much (if anything). So my plea to you…..

  • drive a scenic overlook
  • bring a picnic lunch to enjoy amongst nature
  • take a hike
  • snorkel or dive a watering hole
  • kayak a crystal clear lake
  • climb or boulder a rock face
  • soak in natural hot springs
  • pitch a tent on the canyon floor
  • stargaze from deep in the woods
  • conquer hairpin curves through a forest
  • bike the backroads
  • savor a sunrise at an observation point
  • explore a cave
  • brave rapids via a raft
  • cast a line in a remote stream
  • toast some marshmallows over a campfire

#optoutside #enjoynature #escape #disconnect #seekadventures

9/11 hike to remember

I always try to escape somewhere on 9/11 for some quiet time & to reflect. I remember working at the Disney Sports Clubhouse & not being able to get thru to my college roommate Olympia, who was working near the Pentagon. And now 19 years later, I’m staying with her beautiful family prior to starting my life changing adventure & she is thriving. 🇺🇸 #neverforget911

My hikes (yes, plural) today reminded me that we only live once & need to embrace every minute. Be your own hero. 🦸‍♀️ Here’s to living life on the edge……

I have numerous random thoughts on a trek & today I smiled at all those experiences that have shaped me & many were represented today…… a bear shirt from LRU 🐻, a face mask from the Y 🤙, day bag from runDisney 👟 , bracelet from Kilimanjaro 🏔 , ring from Everest ⛰, necklace from Machu Picchu 🇵🇪 …..

Royal arch trail in Boulder was the perfect pick to start this trip of a lifetime. Lots of scrambling over rocks, mud to trounce thru from the recent snowfall & a view to be proud of accomplishing with a 1500’ elevation gain. It was great to lace up the hiking boots again, get my trekking legs motoring and get lost in the peace & serenity of a mountain top. Highly recommend it if you ever travel to Boulder. 🙌

2nd hike of the day was the Mount Sanitas Peak Trail. Damn. I kicked my own a$$ today. My first GDC moment. Got a little lost for the first 30 minutes. But it’s OK. I have nowhere else to be. 😆 Challenging uphill climb + my mental block was fierce. Needless to say I spent an hour at the summit to recover. Ultimately it was a great trail.

But as I write this I can barley walk. Lol. 25k steps most straight uphill & this FL girl is learning the hard way I’m not 25 anymore. I underestimated the altitude affect too. Shower. Rest. Done. 😴

Day 1…..

Is it finally here? Pinch me.

This day I have played out in my head a million times. Scary…..Yes. Exhilarating….he!! yes.

“Courage isn’t an absence of fear. It’s doing what you are afraid to do. It’s having the power to let go of the familiar and forge ahead into new territory.” John C. Maxwell

It is so gratifying to have it come to fruition and prove to myself that I control my own destiny. Time to dedicate the next 8 months to my own personal goals – recommit to my well being and growth.

What do you want?

Roadtrip playlist

So with over 5,100 miles ahead of us, I’m thinking a killer playlist is going to be a must.

I’m a huge fan of the 90s alternative movement & it is still my favorite. Anyone remember Eve 6, Fuel, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Default, Gin Blossoms, Goo Goo Dolls, Jars of Clay, LIVE, Our Lady Peace?

But now, it’s more of a country flair with Jordan Davis, Michael Ray, Colton Chapman, Kane Brown, Brett Young.

Also love seeking out small artists. Check out Vonray, Cardinal Trait, July for Kings, Dylan Schneider, Honor by August, Jill’s Cashbox, Nine Days, One Less Reason, Standard Candle, Big 10-4, Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers, Stereofuse, Bryan Malpass, Joshua Radin, Chris Dagnese, Theory of a Dead Man. Who would you recommend?

What are your go to tunes for the open road? This is what I have so far:

  • Bon Jovi – It’s My Life
  • Panic! at the Disco – High Hopes
  • Tom Petty – Free Fallin’
  • Maroon 5 – Harder to Breathe
  • Vonray – Just Wakin’ Up
  • Jordan Davis – Take it from me & Ruin my Weekend
  • Colton Chapman – Raised this Way
  • Jason Aldean – Dirt Road Anthem
  • Brad Paisley – Mud on the Tires
  • Onerepublic – I Lived
  • Jon Langston – All Eyes on Us
  • Rascal Flatts – Life is a Highway
  • Theory of a Dead Man – All or Nothimg
  • Stephen Kellogg – Anthem of our Discovery
  • Brown & Grey – Top Down
  • Don Omar – Danza Kuduro
  • John Mellencamp – Hurts so Good
  • Ed Sheeran – Castle on the Hill
  • FGL – Cruise
  • Avicii – Wake me up
  • 2pac – California Love
  • Nelly – Just a Dream
  • Lifehouse – Hanging by a Moment
  • Leann Rhymes – Can’t fight the Moonlight
  • Goo Goo Dolls – Name
  • Toad the Wet Sprocket – Crazy Life
  • Nickelback- What are you Waiting for
  • Chris Cagle – What a Beautiful Day
  • P.O.D. – Last Resort
  • Eve 6 – Open Road Song

National Park packing list

So many friends & colleagues I talk to are interested in road trippin’ through one of our countries’ best resources….our national parks! What are you waiting for? It can be overwhelming to get started but that is nothing in comparison to being on the open road with a tentative plan & pivoting mid-stream when some place impacts you to your core.

Don’t wait until the last minute.  Start your piles & then take out half.  Seriously, I’ll say it again.  Take only half of your original packing list.  Light is better.  Simplify.

Here is my final list for 2 months of domestic exploring in our great “fly over states”. We aren’t completely roughin’ it, as every 3-4 days we will be stopping at a cabin/glamping, but in between we are renting a SUV & sleeping on an air mattress in the back. More flexibility, raw & in the moment. Sound like fun???…….And everyone wonders why I search for travel groups or go solo sometimes because I am very aware that being “no maintenance” isn’t appealing to most.

CLOTHES:

  • 5 hiking/breathable pants
  • 5 short sleeve shirts & 3 shorts (I prefer to hike in shorts but it will be fall temps)
  • 5 long sleeve shirts
  • 5 fleece/vest (key is layering)
  • hiking boots
  • flip flops (I prefer slides)
  • water shoes or rugged sandals
  • sneakers
  • rainwear (I use frog togs)
  • swimsuit
  • beanie & ball caps
  • light gloves
  • 7 days of undergarments
  • travel quick drying small towel
  • 3 casual outfits (meeting friends)

MISCELLANEOUS:

  • passport/credit cards/cash
  • lightweight/foldable hammock
  • blanket or sleeping bag + liner
  • Small travel pillow (optional)
  • camelback water pouch & refillable/expandable water bottle
  • water purifier pen
  • hiking poles (optional)
  • zip ties, bungees, carabineers
  • toiletries + TP
  • first aid kit
  • bug spray
  • Car flat kit
  • lantern, headlamp, mini flashlight
  • wet wipes & hand sanitizer
  • Ziploc & trash bags
  • 2 sunglasses
  • sunscreen & lotion
  • laundry detergent pods
  • mini sling/day hiking bag
  • Leatherman, mace, siren keychain, whistle (I’m a safety girl)
  • workout bands, jump rope (optional to get a workout in anywhere)
  • printed maps/directions (cell reception can be spotty)
  • music speaker, IPOD, 2 headphones
  • magazines or kindle
  • earplugs, eye mask, 2 face masks 😦
  • 2 portable chargers (I take 1 solar powered)
  • firestick (optional for pm entertainment)
  • small battery alarm clock
  • notebook/pen/laptop (optional)
  • waterproof box/case for plugs, cords
  • cameras, tripod, extra batteries
  • mini hairdryer (optional)
  • waterproof phone pouch
  • air mattress
  • mini grill/charcoal/fluid/lighter
  • small pot
  • reusable utensils
  • hot/cold thermos
  • refillable big water jug (many parks have free fill-ups)
  • small bottle dish soap & sponge
  • 2 small Tupperware bowls
  • food/snacks – that will be another post 🙂

The real joy is in the journey, not just your final destination – soak it in, escape to the uncomplicatedness & healing power of nature!

T-minus 83 hours until this crazy dream begins…..