College athletics rivalries are filled with vicious energy and excitement. So when you have a personal connection to the game, it can be downright crazy!
So I jumped at the chance to see my fav boys in blue take on the Hurricanes. Roadtrip time!
I joined the Johnson clan for an epic pre-game tailgate party in late October and proudly marched into the Hard Rock Stadium with the rowdy fan base behind the Duke benches.
As the son of my college roommate, Brandon #30 was their sophomore starting defensive nickel/slot corner and he truly had a breakout game. He rushed for a few sacks and even caught an interception to run back for a touchdown. And I incredibly just happened to be filming the whole thing, including his celebratory sideline run. A truly priceless moment that I could capture for his devoted parents and, I’ll admit, brought tears to my eyes.
We kept moving seats closer to the benches, as they started running up the score with an incredible and unpredictable win. What a glorious 45-21 victory and epic run that the Duke football team & first year head coach Mike Elko would go on in the 2022 season, including an eventual berth & win in the Military Bowl!
What a great weekend to celebrate life & college sports with my extended family!
A tiny remote cabin for a long weekend getaway is always my idea of a good time. Can we be friends?!?!
Embrace the quiet….. but this was next level.
After an extra long day exploring the vastness of Big Bend, my 51st National Park, I was more than ready to find my own little casita somewhere between the only two towns (I use that word loosely) on this baron highway. And without cell reception, I had to go “old school” and rely on my hand written directions of between mile marker 55 and the big green building.
Being that southwest Texas is a celebrated dark sky area (minimal light pollution & perfect for stargazing), I took a gamble that the one, barely visible, small gravel driveway was for me. Jackpot! A small Piedra Poco sign on the metal fence was dummy locked, so I pulled up to my 10×10 hut. OMG!
I’m sooooo glad that this was a solo trip because I could already hear my friends bitching my ears off. BUT for me, it was exactly what I needed to refresh and be inspired completely off the grid. With only a bunk bed, microwave, desk, chair, coffee maker, fire pit and Wi-Fi, it was 100% my idea of an adventure.
The outhouse was literally a “poo” bucket, but I absolutely loved the rugged outdoor shower. How can it get better than bathing under millions of stars? And I swear the water was actually quite warm for about 10 mins before the heater would crank off. I’m super fortunate that the temps only dipped into the 40s so it was bearable (compared to below freezing the week prior to my arrival).
And for four glorious nights, I would hike all day to exhaustion, witness unparalleled sunsets silhouetted by the mountains and pull into my haven late evening with a big smile. And I should mention I never saw an actual grocery store for the entire extended weekend, so I lived on my stash of granola bars, oatmeal and ramen noodles. Plus one lunch at the lone gas station within 60 miles, that also just happened to make delicious personal pizzas!
And I have to admit, my mind started racing at the thought of me being alone in literally the middle of nowhere. Every slight sound made my heart palpitate a little faster…. crazy mind games going on!
After freezing night #1 and not having enough room in my only bookbag to pack a blanket, I figured out how to fire up the space heater and set it on 90 degrees the rest of the way. (Again, I couldn’t have gotten away with the overly toasty vibe with anyone else).
Plus, I’m notorious for loving to sleep in but I jumped up at every chance to take in the epic sunrises from my own fire pit. That glow was mesmerizing!
Overall, this was an unforgettable adventure even out of my extra wide comfort zone and I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything! Minimalism at its best.
I knew this experience had the potential to be transformational, but I had no idea how emotional I would become meeting this truly bada$$ group of 19 young, female sports/business professionals.
Over my 25 years in the business world, I’ve attended my fair share of leadership classes and seminars with the high hopes of conquering the world immediately following. Some were reaffirming in my quest to carve out my niche and others fell flat.
Something just felt different this time.
Even the title of our cohort is inspiring…. Women Worth Following! After quite frankly submitting an application at the 11th hour, I had high hopes of being worthy enough to join this group of nationwide candidates and immersing myself fully into a year of self-improvement to ultimately pay it forward.
After only 1 introductory zoom call, we all excitedly carved out 3 days in early October to converge together in the quaint town of Traverse City, MI with open minds…. ready for anything!
What if you could be totally vulnerable without the immediate threat of someone using your words or actions against you? What if you could quietly just absorb the intangible good vibes in the room and completely focus inward for once? What if….
Due to limited (affordable) flight options in the fall off-season, I had to arrive a day and a half early with plenty of remote work to keep me busy and plans to squeeze in a few hikes during prime leaf changing season (oh how I miss it!).
Our fearless leaders, Ryan and Amanda, graciously opened up their country home to me and it quickly became a safe haven. Even though a light rain hovered for most of the week, we took advantage of a few reprieves to opt outside and were excited to revisit the serenity of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore trails.
Renting 3 lovely lakeside cottages, all the ladies started arriving and hit it off immediately. How often do you get to focus on your own development with no outside world distractions and truly be around like-minded individuals? Finding a tribe isn’t talked about often but essential in taking your career journey to the next level.
A professional chef serves up an UNREAL welcome dinner and we cozy up by the crackling fireplace to dive into our first challenge together. And our unbreakable circle forms….
As a natural introvert, it’s always extremely unnerving to be open with complete strangers from the onset but, nonetheless, I embrace it.
For 2 full days, we listen to the most amazing stories of grit and passion. Not only do we have to unpack some of our most resilient professional triumphs, but have to dig even deeper to expose our most dreaded traumas. Any self deprecating thoughts are quickly squashed. A long-standing goal of mine is to become a more dynamic & polished speaker, and I literally get thrown into the deep end without a life preserver from the onset. Holy sh$&!
We laughed a lot!
We/I cried even more.
I talked (which is a feat in itself) until I was almost hoarse.
We jumped in the arctic cold lake at midnight, baked my fav pumpkin cookies, partook in an early pure barre group class, soaked in the hot tub under a sea of stars, feasted on more amazing cuisine, broke into small groups for numerous discovery sessions and enjoyed every last second. Sleep is overrated!
Our time together expires in a flash and we are unanimously sad to leave this refreshing retreat. So I tried to bottle up all the positive energy to help me power through my crazy season ahead, looking forward to our monthly zoom sessions and knowing we will return again to the Michigan shores in just a short 7 months.
How will we each evolve? What nuggets will we weave into our daily lives? What learnings will we impart on others? I truly can’t wait to celebrate everyone’s wins….
I will be eternally grateful for this opportunity to level up and even more excited to be on a lifelong journey with these fabulous ladies.
I’ll find any excuse to visit my five beautiful nieces & nephews. Full of spice & boundless energy, these miracles are living proof that good things come in small packages.
I inevitably get roped into a celebratory jump on the trampoline or being shown the new additions to each of their rooms, but my favorite memory is always the joyful first hug. The embrace that erases all the lost months between visits is like a shot of sweet sunshine.
And organized chaos ensues.
I thoroughly enjoy making dinners, reading before bed, going for a bike ride, watching the same Blippy show on garbage trucks for the 10th time, playing with cars in the potted plant dirt, coloring, carving pumpkins, ice skating, bogey boarding in the waves, watching Paw Patrol, learning about roadblocks, pushing the swings, and on and on…. sign me up for anything and everything!
I try to grab each for a little one-on-one time and hopefully ease the burden of everyday life just a little bit on their devoted parents. But, inevitably, time expires in a flash and I’m again wiping the tears from my eyes as I blow kisses and wave goodbye. And I just hope the memories stay close until I can squeeze in another long weekend visit!
A short, 3-day weekend excursion in mid-May, prior to the summer rush, took me to my 52nd of 63 US National Parks in Cuyahoga, Oh. Nothing I enjoy more that an excuse to spend my time off hiking in the backcountry.
Despite my unexpected flight change from 7am to 7pm, touching down during a fierce downpour, slipping into my accommodations at the ungodly 1am hour to less than mediocre reviews, nothing could contain my excitement in getting lost in the unknown territory ahead.
Over the next 48 hours, I logged 29 glorious miles and had the perfect weekend of solitude. I love hitting numerous 2-5 mile trails, so that I can maximize my day with lots of different terrains. There were a plethora of waterfalls to explore and around every bend my smile grew wider. The Ledges Trail was epic, a bouldering playground with countless crevices leading to stunning moss covered hidden labyrinths.
Based off of rave reviews, I also made the 3 hour drive to the amazing Hocking Hills State Park and it didn’t disappoint. My short beginner trek turned into a 7.5 mile marathon of trails because I was having too much fun. Besides a few mishaps involving deep mud, I reveled in ridiculously fun caves, cliffs and more cascading falls. Definitely my idea of a perfect day!
And en route back to the Cleveland airport, I even carved out time to visit my 101st National Monument (James A. Garfield home) and a classic holiday movie set in A Christmas Story. Score!
So with an additional 69K steps logged on my Garmin watch, I successfully jump started my summer of weekend trips and am so thankful to have explored this underrated part of our country.
Slot canyons are prevalent in the rugged southwest US, but I’ve also seen some very impressive versions in the desolate Badlands of South Dakota & the deep southern Georgia backcountry.
These crazy crevices that are sliced out of rock faces by Mother Nature’s yearly flash floods, post waking up from it’s winter slumber, are the dramatic proof of the sheer power of H2O.
The striking layers of color are downright polarizing & beg you to go deeper into the mysterious labyrinth. I truly get inspired.
Some of my favs to date:
AZ – Buckskin Gulch to Wire Pass
UT – Peekaboo
UT – Red Hollow
UT – Kanarraville falls
TX – Window Trail
GA – Providence Canyon
Go out and purposefully get lost in a remote canyon. I promise you won’t regret it.
“Nature is the purest portal to inner peace” – Angie Weiland Crosby
I’m the queen of weekend escapes. When I can find $11 flight deals, there is no limit to where I will end up. This was the year I make another dent in my quest to hike in every national park, as Big Bend hits my ticker #51 of 63 total.
This vast skyline as far as the eye can see is that extreme adventure that only the true enthusiast will go out of their way to actually experience. It’s a truly a shame, really. Being a healthy 6 hour drive from the closest international airport, it’s a brutal path just to even get to that all too well known national park welcome sign.
BUT, it is so very worth it!
There is so much peace & insight that can be gained from this rugged backcountry. Actually, there are 4 different visitor centers due to its sheer footprint. Only 1 gas station is within 60 miles & the one sit down diner is located inside it. Besides the two campgrounds within its borders that typically fill up 6 months prior, you will succumb to either primitive campimg or finding a tiny cabin to rent 20 mins away on the outskirts. Minus the threat of any light pollution, this internationally recognized Dark Sky Park makes for some of the absolute best stargazing I have ever witnessed! Multiple galaxies are plainly in this view of the Milky Way.
And I’m admittedly a sunset snob, so it takes a powerful day’s ending to really impress me. The short Window trail overlook appeared to nicely highlight a wonderful valley below upon my late arrival to the center of this park. But little did I know, the heavens would light up like a lollipop unexpectedly during twilight & my mind was seriously blown once again. Definitely a top 5 sunset in my lifetime! And literally every night thereafter, the mountains silhouette dramatically framed the horizon in every shade of the rainbow imaginable. Ranking up with Hawaii, Arizona & Santorini, the sunsets in southwest Texas were over the top mesmerizing!
Most would just see a baron wasteland, but I see stories seeping out of the earth’s crust around every bend. It’s like it is begging for our fellow citizens to venture a little further from their comfort zones & opt outside to experience this remote wonder.
I rarely jump at the chance to return to any location, but I’m counting down the minutes to jump on a flight to Phoenix in early April. And I’m equally excited to bring a dear friend along for her first hiking excursion EVER & can’t wait to see her reaction on seeing the stunning red rocks of Sedona & the dramatic cliffs of the Grand Canyon.
My only marching orders…. “take me somewhere & blow my mind”. I got ya!
After an hour delay getting out of Orlando, we thoroughly enjoyed our upgrade to row 1 aisle seats & both tried to snooze as I had planned a jammed packed 4 days ahead. To make things extra interesting, the quirky flight attendant announced to the entire plane that it was her birthday. Plus the icing on the cake (literally) was a cute ~8yr old boy came up from the back of the plane to share his snacks with her & give her a big hug. OMG!! And this was her first celebration in 20 years where she hadn’t worked, so it was definitely a new beginning.
We made it to the red rock region just in time for our first impression…. sunset over Cathedral Rock!
Then up at 4:15am to beeline to the south rim of the Grand Canyon for a birthday morning BIG surprise! The majesty and sheer size never gets old….. EVER!
We had barely escaped the previous week’s rare snowstorm, which made for some unplanned obstacles hindering us from tackling the Flagstaff lava cave & trekking along Oak Creek (due to abnormally high melt-off). BUT, the beauty of Sedona is the seemingly endless array of moderate trails that are layered throughout the entire valley.
We switched gears to take on multiple, 3-5 mile hikes daily & couldn’t have been happier. A few of the “go to” treks like Montezuma National Monument, Devil’s Bridge, Cathedral Rock, Boynton Canyon, Coffee Pot, Sugarloaf, Raven Caves, Airport Mesa & Fay Canyon were mixed in with some newbies to get the heart pumping. Finally, I found the detour to the mind blowing Subway Cave too.
After sprinkling in some non-hiking visits to a few artist markets, stupa peace park, downtown shops, Chapel of the Holy Cross, local cantinas for some tex-mex and relaxing poolside, we toasted back at our sprawling resort grounds to a fabulous weekend!
Then, we both made a promise to make this pilgrimage a yearly priority. Southern Utah & Northern Arizona are just that powerful, as they have this tantalizing vibe & appeal that just sucks you right in.
Sedona is inevitably a rejuvenation of the mind, soul & body all wrapped into a beautiful, one-of-a-kind experience that you will be dreaming of returning to!
I’m definitely spoiled and addicted to the adventure life. My travel vernacular continues to broaden with every trip that I add to my world resume.
I prefer a fast paced, rugged venture out in nature (which isn’t for everyone). To truly get lost and experience the little nuisances in a foreign country, is the perfect excuse to get out of your comfort zone and let go of all those preconceived biases.
There is beauty to behold around every corner, if you just open your mind to the unimaginable and really take it all in. I consciously work to be present in the moment.
When exploring in the US, I typically do all my own research and bookings. But when exploring overseas, I don’t want to stress over all the details so I prefer traveling as a solo adventurer within a small group atmosphere. I meet fellow like-minded explorers from all over the world and it, more often than not, is a wonderful overall experience. I have even connected with numerous of these new friends over the years and there is nothing like trip reminiscing.
Over the past 13 years, I’ve tried to knock off many of the hard core treks and all were epic. Truly life changing.
In chronological order:
Inca Discovery – Machu Picchu, Peru
Costa Rica Hike, Bike & Raft
Mt Kilimanjaro summit – Tanzania, Africa
Ecuador Multi-sport – raft, bike, hike
Swiss Alps Monte Blanc trek
Trek to the Lost City – Columbia, South America
Tortugaro retreat – Costa Rica
Iceland Northern Lights Circle
Iguazu Falls – Brazil & Argentina
The W Trek – Patagonia, Chile
Jordan Multi-sport – Petra, Wadi Rum, Dead Sea
Annapurna Base Camp, Nepal
Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand
Mt. Everest base camp – Lukla, Nepal
Best of Egypt
Hiking Crete, Greece
Absolute Turkey
Trolltunga – Bergen, Norway
New Zealand North Island – Multisport
New Zealand South Island – Multisport
Madeira, Portugal trekking
Antarctica Discovery
Where to next? Trust me, I have 2 big trips each year mapped out through 2028 already!!!
I love the vibes in early March. College basketball brings an excitement (in my opinion) like no other.
The “win or go home” mentality is contagious and so very addictive. I typically will frequent the Duke campus once a year to relive my college days and revel in a game in the legendary Cameron Indoor Stadium. The opponent doesn’t matter, as I become a “crazie” for the day just content in cheering on my favorite team in royal blue.
For the first time in 20 years, I couldn’t find a way to squeeze in a home game so I jumped at the opportunity to fly back to my second home in NC for the ACC conference tourney. Literally 48 hours prior to departure, I booked the flight & called my college teammates that I was coming to crash their weekend. There was no guarantee that Duke would win their round of 32 game, but the odds were in my favor. Worst case, I got to spend time with some of my favorite people in this world for 30+ years.
So Friday night I drove the easy 1.5 hrs on I-40 straight to Greensboro, and enjoy pre-game touring the ACC Hall of Fame & getting ideas at the Fan Fest. Gates open and I beeline to my seat in the lower bowl that I surprisingly splurged on (10 rows up behind the basket). And my luck…. No one in the seats immediately surrounding me for the win!
Duke comes out of the opening tip strong against the #1 seed Miami and takes them down! It was the heavy dose of being at a men’s college basketball arena that I had been missing all season trying to catch games on my phone half a world away in New Zealand (16 hours ahead).
Immediately, I bought 3 tickets in nosebleed for the next night’s championship battle for Alanda and Wayne to join the “crazies” for a night. We scored a streetside free parking space and schemed the entire first half on how to make our way to the lower bowl.
The second half was a pure delight, as the blue devils dominated to clinch the ACC tournament championship & punch their ticket to the “dance”. We hung around for all the festivities, including the net cutting and player interviews from the second row.
It was a magical run and nothing beats being there to get caught up in all the hype & thrill that only college basketball playoffs can provide.
FearlessAdventures 