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
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. 💪
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…..
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. 😴
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.
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:
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!
I’m like a kid in a candy store…….how much fun is it creating your own, personalized logo? OMG, seriously so energized & fired up to set off on this new adventure for the next 8 months (or more, just maybe?!).
I’m admittedly not the most creative mind in the room, but I actually tapped into a little bit of patience to play around with fonts, backgrounds, colors, sizes and much more. The one thing I knew immediately was the orange/red color combo reminded me of a glorious sunset (let’s face it, rarely do I see a sunrise) & that had to be represented when I thought about what genuinely makes my inner being come alive.
And how do you put on paper all those random, jumbled-up thoughts & ideas from too many 2am brainstormings that you didn’t think would ever become reality? It was so amazing (and I’m super grateful) to get feedback along the way from the wonderful people in my life. So after 61 original ideas……
It is time…..
To embrace a new set of rules
To cherish each moment
To not have to be a perfectionist
To enjoy a new journey
To tell a great story
To have fun
To inspire
I leave in 7 days & my logo is officially unveiled today:
FearlessAdventures 