Talk about a hiker’s paradise! This state park has eluded me for years and we finally made the extra effort to visit.
With 19 waterfalls cascading through rock formations like in a fairytale, it was a perfect dose of serenity. We combined the Gorge, Indian and Finger Lakes trails to trek for 5 miles in the cool, shaded confines of this gorgeous slot canyon.
Around every winding staircase were endless fractures of rock carved into the cliffsides like pancakes and naturally formed plunge pools created a zen ambiance. It was truly awe inspiring to just be present. And they had cute names of the iconic areas posted along the route including Lover’s Lane, Rainbow Falls, Devil’s Staircase, etc.
After a quick stop for ice cream upon conquering the 180 step uphill climb, we meandered back through the gorge taking numerous selfies and people watching (even though not much hiker etiquette was followed with all the summer tourists).
Last stop at the bookstore and this excursion was definitely worth the roadtrip. Watkins Glen is a must do in central NY!
Everyone says that once you visit Glacier National Park in remote, northwestern Montana it will instantly become your favorite. Let’s put that theory to the test….
Being that this is my 53rd out of 63 US national parks, my expectations are sky high. Also, I had to wait almost 4 years to get back here after I begrudgingly had to cut this icon from my whirlwind US tour post Covid (just couldn’t justify the extra five hour one-way x 2 detour).
Starting in Apgar near the west entrance, I made the investment for a new annual park pass & beelined to my first hikes. After a long drive, it was a blessing to get my legs back under me on the easy Trail of Cedars boardwalk, amongst all the towering trees in a lush forest. This led to the Avalanche Lake 4.5 mile trek, which started with a breathtaking canyon carved out by the rushing waters below. After a steady incline through a forest, we finally dumped out at the clear, hidden lake surrounded by a towering peak that was intermittently covered by a very dense fog.
I made a pit stop at the historic McDonald’s Lodge, saw the historic red open air buses & walked the creek area, which is the largest of the park’s 250 lakes.
After searching for a few small souvenirs, I easily found my nearby hostel for just the night, which was on a working ranch. Then a quick shower, heating up a sandwich & I quickly fell asleep after an exhausting day of travel & exploration.
Day 2 I jumped out of bed at 6am to finally drive the infamous Going to the Sun Road & that’s another blog post coming soon!
Once in a lifetime opportunity in the most remote place in the entire world, HELL YES!
The build up was more excruciating than the actual plunge into the abyss at the elusive Deception Island. After a near perfect Drake Passage crossing, we equally enjoyed 4 days of 2 excursions each to explore the iceberg lined narrow passageways of northwestern Antarctica. The weather was so cooperative that we were treated to extra time onshore and navigated areas rarely seen in the short tourist season. We had fully expected and mentally prepared to dive in on day 3, but our extended jaunts in the zodiacs pushed our jump back another day.
So after summiting the eerily black and red tinted volcano just as the thick cloud cover gave way, we bounded down to our vessel gently floating in the protected bay far below. We were called down by cabin to the mud room, where we were greeted with blaring 80s music and a shot of whiskey! Half of the 129 passengers summoned up the courage to strip down into just bathing suits and brave the brutal waters. Once in a lifetime right?! 100%. And we were told the water temps here were at least 10 degrees warmer than the open waters from yesterday, so I took any little bit of reprieve as a win.
Stepping up to the steel tight outer door with a glimpse of terror in my eyes, I was strapped to a thick tether before promptly being summoned down the 5 steps to the side platform. Without time to second guess, the 2 crew counted 3, 2, 1…….
I screamed bloody murder and braced for impact. My toes hit the water first and sheer panic settled in. I fought to resurface quickly and escape from this madness. After slipping twice on the icy steps, I was pulled out into a warm bathrobe in less than 10 seconds and back within the safe confines of the ship. My internal temperature regulated quickly and, just like that, another bucket list adventure had been conquered. And I have to admit, it wasn’t THAT bad!!!
The day finally came where my brother’s family was being deployed over to Germany for 2 years and it hadn’t hit me yet that I couldn’t just jump on a $50 1.5 hour flight on a whim to partake in some much needed snuggles.
With their 3 very distinctive personalities taking shape, I can’t imagine how much they will be changed by this experience and as they grow into the next stages of their young lives. I can see they are excited yet nervous, and I pray that this experience is amazing.
I can’t wait to be one of their first visitors and take them on mini European day trips to see far off castles and walk through historic ruins.
So today I am sad….
Carter is my little buddy and we have a special, unspoken bond. He gives the best snuggles and my rough housing nemesis.
Emma is the wild child who is naturally good at everything she attempts. She is fiercely headstrong and has boundless energy.
Olivia was the Gerber model baby and my original partner in crime. She is my bestie and growing up way too fast.
So to delay more tears, I’m already tracking flights and starting the ticker down for eight months until the end of busy season. Or just maybe…. I can find a string of five days in the fall to squeeze in a surprise international getaway!
I was seriously nervous that my best friend had signed us up for a cliff side via ferrata on day 1 of our last minute Kentucky adventure weekend. While I was super pumped, I knew this was going to be a huge stretch out of her comfort zone.
Nonetheless, we plowed through the safety briefing and clipped in to begin our climb up the rock face of a gorgeous ravine. It quickly got real as the exposed ledges gave way to only minimal crevices to traverse across. After only a brief panic attack, she conquered level 1&2 and I couldn’t have been more proud of her.
I continued onto the intermediate course and was in my element. With a big smile plastered on my face, I enjoyed a nice sweat and intense physical exertion scaling up the challenging route. After taking a quick lunch break and allowing my fingers to recover, I resumed my quest to achieve my goal of walking the elusive suspension bridge. Section 4 was a serious test that had my forearms severely bruised from hooking into the iron rungs for slight breaks from the grind and my legs wobbling with every push to the next shelf. But I persevered to enjoy the “break” of the wooden walkway and rounded the jagged corner to a brutal uphill stretch. I attempted most of section 5 and eventually ran out of steam and grip strength, so bailed out while I could still save myself instead of the embarrassment of having the instructor come to rappel me down to safety.
What a rush!! Highly recommend this relatively unknown hobby because it will push you to the brink of failure, but will empower you in the same breath to be your own hero!
As a frequent rental car user, it’s always a treat to be rewarded with a convertible upgrade. The cool aunt status jumps instantly!
After a whirlwind, last minute 72 hour trip to celebrate my nephew’s 5th birthday, I had to endure a brutal 3am wake up call to catch the first flight back home/work. He personally called to invite me, so naturally I had a flight booked within the hour without hesitation (yes, I’m totally wrapped around his little finger).
Well….. at Monday 3:15am sharp, I stumble outside to brace for the uncomfortable 39 degree wind in my face to a dead key fob. And of course this is one of the few times in my life where there isn’t a spare attached, so I frantically jiggle the manual key hole for another 10 mins with no luck while lying on the concrete using the flashlight from my cell. Not one of my best moments! I reluctantly wake my brother up & he was also unsuccessful. So I call the emergency roadside assistance hotline. They suggest that I grab an Uber (which normally wouldn’t be a challenge but I’m smack in the middle of an army base, so virtually impossible to get clearance) and go to the local car rental counter. Again, it is now 3:30am and no one opens until 7am. So back to square one…. I wake my sister in law up to see if they have any spare circular batteries, which is another hard no.
So inevitably, I miss my flight and immediately rebook for the following morning on my own dime as there are only 2 seats left. I try to fall back asleep on the couch for a few hours, which is nearly impossible. But can you imagine the surprised faces on the kids when I pop out from underneath a pile of blankets as they take their first bite of cereal? Priceless…. especially since it is his actual birthday!
So at 7:30am we drop the kids at school and find the closest Batteries Plus to hopefully be back in business. But another small wrinkle, as my purchase won’t ring up on the register. After multiple attempts, I finally get 2 batteries comped & we head back to the base. The battery swap out is an immediate success and fortunately the next morning I don’t have my own Groundhog Day & arrive back home in Orlando without more incident.
Now the task of getting reimbursed by the rental car company for the extra day I had to extend, second flight bought, home airport parking fee and the invaluable work time lost…..
Being out on the open trails is my therapy of choice. I wish I had explored more in my youth, but I’ve definitely made up for that 100-fold in the last 20 years. Whether I’m planning a group outing or winging it on a solo excursion, you won’t find me more giddy & light hearted than the days leading up to a getaway.
It is addictive. The more you find yourself peering off the summit of an elusive cliff top with the biggest grin imaginable & a much needed celebratory snack, the more you crave it.
But why do we do it? My thoughts:
Discipline – would I go for a walk in my neighborhood? Rarely. But send me out to a trailhead & I could walk for days. It is truly one foot in front of the other & the places it will take you can be so inspiring!
Resilience – just like the peaks & valleys of the actual route, the physical & mental battles are a test for even the fittest of adventurers & always a learning experience. Power thru!
Endurance – you hike so you must be in shape? Not exactly. It is humbling to stare up a steep incline & equally as satisfying to conquer the seemingly impossible. Slow & steady wins the day….. your pace, where there is no right or wrong!
Escape – there is nothing like the adrenaline rush of the first steps on a dirt trail & the promise of a new experience to get lost in. Knowing that you don’t have to answer to anyone or be rushed into any decision, to me, is such a wonderful relief.
Serenity – finding joy in simplicity & freedom. With each step, fears and doubts slowly start to disappear. The deeper you trek, the more liberated you feel & more connected to all your surroundings. It’s a beautiful wave that washes over your soul.
Creativity – the opportunity to disconnect completely & let your thoughts wander is such a welcome treat. I truly get some of my best ideas in the middle of nowhere where I can just let loose without distractions & be my true self.
Did any resonate? Everyone has their own spin on how this outdoor hobby has impacted their own lives and I just can’t get enough.
My travel routine starts weeks prior to departure with commencing packing, as I have to be very strategic with typically only wanting to lug around two carryons. Add in a polar region, and trimming the packing list is exponentially harder with numerous layers necessary. I accomplish my mission with my signature vacuum bags and even pack my car early to have one less stressor on “travel day”.
And this one to the elusive Antarctica was a long standing bucket list trip, with numerous variables to navigate.
First off, I planned to work all day and inevitably it is organized chaos trying to close out all projects successfully. I also had to squeeze in a workout to release all those jitters, shower and get to a friend’s house to drop my car prior to hitching a ride to the airport. But, for the first time ever, I wasn’t flying but testing out the new Brightline train that now connects Orlando with Miami.
Blow up Plan A!
I had a client lunch meeting and left my keys in his car. By the time I realized my misfortune, he had already driven 2 hrs to Sarasota and panic sinks in. He was ready to turn around when I remembered that my best friend had a spare and was actually my ride to the airport. So she Ubered to the stadium, I was able to grab my travel clothes to change and we took off with only an hour until my train departed (and the last of the evening).
In the meantime, my international flight also gets delayed the next morning by 3 hours. This is a major dilemma because the only reason I was making the 3 hr trek to Miami now was due to the fact that the first train of the am arrived 30 mins too late. Do I still go as planned or change tickets to depart the next am?
Reason being, there are surprisingly no sleeping pods in the major hub of Miami so I was willing to suck up semi-sleeping on the cold, hard airport floor for 4 hrs but not 7 hrs. Plus all the close by hotels were ridiculously overpriced and would end up costing me a fortune. But the other factor was waking up my friend to try drop off again at an ungodly 3:30am the next day, and I opted to plow forward and figure out my next plan of attack while on the train.
She assists in finding a reasonable La Quinta within 2 miles of the airport, which also ensured I would start with a complimentary big breakfast. Score!
The next challenge is that I didn’t realize the final station didn’t terminate at the actual airport, but down near the shores of South Beach. Rookie mistake…. but an easy Uber ride on the fly had me pulling up to the hotel at 12:50am to crash.
Ooh but the saga continues…..
I try my door electronic key twice to no success, so have to return to the lobby multiple times to finally close my eyes.
Then I have to set multiple alarms and debate which hotel shuttle to board, as they only run on the hour. Of course, I settle on the tight connection and drift off to sleep.
With a semi-restful few hours, I’m showered, fed and checked my flight times one last time. And what do you know, another hour delay was tacked on and I’m overwhelmingly thankful for all the decisions thus far. And now my extra long 8 hour layover in the always brutally warm Buenos Aires international airport was cut to a reasonable amount to grab a good Outback dinner and transfer to the domestic wing.
Now the real adventure to the end of the world in Ushuaia, Argentina really begins!
The heartbeat of the Antarctica experience lies in the ship’s mud room. Located on deck two, our daily routine to get ashore started with a cattle call by group after the initial zodiac safety boats were deployed to scope out the ever-changing landscapes of the white continent.
Our heavy weather gear is already stashed in our own numbered bench spot #73. We were issued waterproof bog boots, along with a rugged keepsake parka. It was required to bring waterproof gloves and pants, plus warm headgear. I packed my flat, never used frog toggs as they were big and easy to slip over any gear for protection.
After fully layering up with 4 layers on the top and 3 on the bottom, you get funneled through the prep station to swipe your card, walk through a vat of pink disinfectant water, get checked by a staff person and then step off the gangway into the waiting zodiac boats that are your extension to the harsh landscapes in this polar region.
And a hilarious moment ensued just after taking my first steps on my 7th and final continent. The snow pack was thick and I mistakenly sunk in between premade footprints. While pulling out my foot, the entire crotch of my thin frogg togg pants ripped out. Seriously?!?!
We didn’t know how fortunate we were in the moment, but we achieved all 8 of 8 planned excursions to see a wide diversity of landings during our spectacular journey.
Upon return to the ship, we rigorously brush our boots while spraying warm water over any gear that happened to touch land. This process is critically important to eradicate any contamination or spreading of diseases between numerous colonies of species. We swipe back in and also step back through the pink pool. Then it’s on to undressing, hanging all your wet gear and prying off your boots with a specially made board.
Typically after that excitement, we head to the lounge to indulge in rich hot chocolate and biscuits with honey. And if you’re lucky, you don’t get called out to participate in the “walk of shame”, which means you didn’t clean your boots to the staff’s liking and had to try again (yes I had to comply only once, but it makes it worse that it is was our final excursion where I still had sand pebbles imbedded in my soles).
I was actually very sad to leave after our last outing, as this area was truly the launching pad bringing all those preconceived thoughts and dreams to life. Now my 475+ pictures and videos stand as living proof of this amazing journey!
Have you ever gone to the airport with just a bookbag and a dream? Why not?
Nothing is more exhilarating than the anticipation of travel day to start a vacation. And then throw in the unknown of a spur of the moment location….. that’s a recipe for adventure in my book!
I remember my 3 week epic trip to the Big Island in Hawaii and honestly not being ready to go home yet. So while in the air back to the mainland via San Francisco (and no return flight booked to FL), I made the decision to tack on an additional week road trip to Northern Cali and untravelled territory thus far in my quest to explore every corner of our beautiful homeland.
The only wrinkle was my lack of winter clothing, which was easily solved by a quick trip to Walmart for some cheap sweats. Best decision ever! I enjoyed a stress free 9 days weaving along the harrowing pacific coastline amongst the plentiful wine groves, beach towns, hidden waterfalls and historic monuments. I even had a few unexpected detours when butting up to a freak snowstorm while trying to catch a glimpse of the stunning blue waters at Crater Lake National Park.
And I purposely scheduled my route to extend a loop towards Lake Tahoe (my first time) and an unexpected highlight trekking in Pinnacles National Park (my 37th of 63).
My trip was end-capped with a meetup in the craziness of San Fran with my good friend Diana’s beautiful family. It’s crazy that our paths just happened to cross on the complete opposite side of the country, as it was truly meant to be.
So the morale of my story: don’t be afraid to change directions and get swept up in a new, unplanned adventure. For a control freak, it is amazingly freeing to be open to the unknown and just wake up with no plan. Some of my craziest adventures have resulted from embracing this mentality.
FearlessAdventures 