What’s the odds that my inaugural visit to the continent of Oceania occurred during the heaviest rains EVER recorded? And my last minute gamble of ditching my trusted raincoat definitely backfired. So I’m the sucker that had to raid the local gas station to buy a new $100 purple slicker.

Yep, Auckland specifically had widespread flooding that we miraculously avoided due to being thrust into the remote outback for 2 days at a sweet haven called Blue Duck Station. No news, cell reception or Wi-Fi. Completely isolated from the world and I ate it up.

We made a big loop over our first week in the North Island, and little did we know that the airport was shut down for 2 days prior to our scheduled departure to explore the southern island. Fortunately, we escaped with minimal impact to our itinerary, as only our exploration day in the infamous Waitomo Caves was cancelled.

But…..

After a fabulous two weeks enjoying the likes of Mt. Cook, Abel Tasman National Park, Milford Sound, Franz Joseph and Queenstown, we also get word of a massive cyclone (aka hurricane that rotates in the opposite direction) churning in the Southern Hemisphere. WTF?!?

Coined the biggest in this century to threaten the islands, my flights home were severely in jeopardy. And after being granted three weeks off for this once in a lifetime extended vacation, I certainly didn’t need any excuse to be detained.

My fellow travelers and I frantically tried to bump up our exit flights forward without much luck, so we took the chance on being able to escape prior to this catastrophe. I know all too well the storm drill and brace myself for the potential delays. My first short leg is right into the heartbeat of the impending storm from Christchurch to Auckland. No issue.

Then I have the painful 5 hour layover (not so) patiently pacing until the boarding call echoes over the loud speaker. But it gets better…..

Going through security for the first time, I got the text my flight has just been cancelled. Here we go. I try to call the 800 number they provided, and it is disconnected. Then I fumble through the online chat feature while having to navigate the free Wi-Fi zones in the international airport. The agent/bot says he can’t do anything and doesn’t see where it has been cancelled. Plus the online booking says the next flights available to rebook are for two days later. Oh crap.

Ticketing doesn’t open for 50 mins, so a few American passengers in the same predicament wait in confusion as we know the incoming plane had already landed and it was barely drizzling outside.

Low and behold, the Dallas office over 7400 miles away had mistakenly cancelled the route and the agents assured us that we were still a go. So back through security I go with my two go-to carryon book bags with a big smile on my face.

Without incident, we board and push back early to squeeze out with minimal turbulence to blue skies over the vast Pacific Ocean. The 13.5 hour direct flight to Dallas flew by (pun intended) since half the passengers missed the plane and despite the fact I didn’t sleep a wink. But we aren’t done just yet…..

We get stuck on the runway in Texas with a flat tire! But this time, I’m downright exhausted having to prop my eyes open with the last few ounces of energy I can muster. Somehow, we touch down in sunny FL just 7 mins after my original departure on the same day. The 18 hour time difference ahead is still hard to grasp, as I’m hoping the inherent jet lag stays at bay.

Feels so good to be home sweet home!

When you get asked to name your favorite flicks, do you have an answer?

I’m a big movie buff and will frequent our local theatre on a last minute whim. I can make it door to door in 4 mins flat. (Mental note: always live near a theatre.) Sucker for a good rom com, I’m notorious for catching the late night show and being the only soul entranced by the big screen.

Below is my list of go-to hits, and maybe a few that weren’t so popular. If they happen to be on TV, I just have to watch! Even at the office, I have one of these always on repeat with the volume low just to bring a smile to my face.

But nonetheless, I have kept the movie stub from every show I’ve sat through since I had my first job at the movie theatre concession stand in the mid 90s in order to make money every summer through my college years.

• Sweet Home Alabama
• The Guardian
• Sound of Music
• Notting Hill
• American President
• Les Miserables
• Count of Monte Cristo
• Coyote Ugly
• Rockstar
• Remember the Titans
• Beaches
• Backdraft
• Friends with Benefits
• This Means War
• The Wedding Planner
• Pretty Woman
• Top Gun
• Face Off
• Footloose
• Shawshank Redemption
• Hoosiers
• Love and basketball
• Planes
• Cocktail
• Dirty Dancing
• Ladder 49

Any surprises? I’m ready to make my case.

I have over 1000 sunset pictures saved on my phone and it never gets old. Usually once a week I get the overwhelming urge to make the easy 3 mile trek over the Max Brewer Bridge to the Parrish Park boat docks to enjoy a slow down and be amazed by nature’s end of day light display.

With a drink in hand, snack in my pocket and headphones in my ears, this simple pleasure is always a highlight of my week.

The dynamic hues are always different but equally as mesmerizing and never disappoint. And rarely do I find many other souls even hanging around to witness this natural miracle. Why not?!

Each sunset is unique and a moment in time we will never get back…. and my mind starts to wander…..

What are you doing to make this world a better place?

What is important to you?

What do you want to be remembered for?

Somewhere in my adventurous and independent 30s, I created a birthday tradition with myself. I aimed to challenge my fortitude emotionally, spiritually, physically and mentally.

Every year I concoct an over the top plan and, of course, I always have to outdo myself.

I’m a firm believer in spoiling yourself on your special day and if you can help it…. never work on your birthday! This is your excuse to be selfish.

From cruising, to sunset sailing excursions, hiking remote trails, full day spa & massage, breakfast in bed from my nieces, dude ranch life and the granddaddy of them all in 2020 (trekking the Grand Canyon 16mi from rim to canyon floor to rim in a single day), it is my day to just be happy partaking in my favorite things.

Only one day in 365 each year is solely yours, so make it count!

Have you ever rolled into a new town & felt an immediate connection? This wave of delight warmed over me upon descending into this “down under” retreat.

With a free afternoon ahead, I barely squeezed into the local bike shop ten minutes prior to closing early on a Sunday night and begged the rep to let me keep the bike overnight. Luckily, I must have been persuasive and I set off along the quaint waterfront boardwalk with the wind in my hair.

I weaved along the picturesque bike & hike trail basking in the first rays of sunlight we had seen in a week. The good vibes were prevalent everywhere, as tourists & locals alike were all partaking in outdoor activities. I hopped off multiple times to happily waste my afternoon away.

I even found a break in thick brush to find a sweet haven amongst the crater-like wading pools covered in moss, where I parked my wheels for a long while to decompress. With the volcanic hills rising dramatically on one side and water lapping the shorelines as far as the eye could see, it was an unforgettable stop on this trip of a lifetime.

Even though I was stalling, I finally made the uphill trek to the mountain bike park in the Sticky Forest for some fast-paced, single track fun. Then raced downhill back to the harbor area to indulge in some local gelato – cookies & cream + sea salted caramel waffle cone while the seagulls desperately tried to steal my hard-earned snack.

After the short break, I zipped off around the other side of the lake trying to beat the late sunset from ending my spontaneous joyride. Before I knew it, I had logged 30km, legs were shot and was smiling ear to ear.

Wanaka….. an outdoor enthusiast’s dream!!

To say I’ve become an expert travel unpacker is an understatement. I’ve hopped on 20 adventure trips over the last 13 years and we typically are on the move every night to a new, exotic town ready for exploration.

I can pack or unpack in 5 mins flat.

With one big hikers backpack and a small day bag, I unzip the bigger ~15lb sack and pull out the small vacuum bag from the top. My minimal toiletry bag gets propped on the bathroom shelf. Shoes get stowed. Plug in my EarPods and phone to recharge. Take all the pillows off the bed and plop down.

The end.

The key is having two vacuum bags, with the first being only 5lb to only hold clothes for sleeping and the next 2 days. This allows your full bag to stay mostly intact, so you can spend your time tooling around your temporary home instead of stressing out about stuffing everything back in constantly. Make sense?!

For multiple night layovers, I do actually spread out to rearrange the mix of apparel. This natural ebb and flow has done wonders over the last few years in keeping travel days mostly stress free.

My other trick is to pack my bags the night prior to departure. I’ve never been a morning person, so stuffing the sacks are my least favorite part of traveling as I typically don’t have any extra room to spare.

Also here are a few other essentials that I don’t leave home without anymore:

• Reusable cutlery
• Ziplock bags
• Superglue
• Durable water bottle
• To go, resuable, hot beverage cup w/ lid
• Dramamine (motion sickness)
• Mio (flavor squirts for water)
• Caribeaners (hang hats or wet clothes from bags)

No phone or Wi-Fi reception for two days… sign me up!

Completely escaping the grind is my kinda trip and I couldn’t wait to be transported to this remote paradise in the southern half of New Zealand’s north island.

After a strenuous and successful 19.4km trek on the infamous Tongariro Alpine Crossing, we arrived just prior to dusk to our own main lodge and rustic individual cabins.

First order of business was a hot shower to decompress and dig into homemade chili con carne and brownies, while gathering around a campfire to revel in our accomplishment.

The sky put on a dazzlingly display amongst the cascading raindrops, like a rainbow had been snapped in two spewing out all its best elements.

I even started a new book while snuggled into my bunk and enjoyed the freedom to let loose in my own slice of heaven for two nights.

We enjoyed a bush safari to a hilltop five star restaurant, kayak adventure to a hidden waterfall and slot canyon, 11km kayak paddle float and jet boat back to our accommodation.

Who knew a forced slow down and being in the middle of no where could be so therapeutic and such a blessing?! I surely did but still needed this reminder to truly appreciate the opportunity to simplify.

Halfway around the world, one of the great treks to conquer is 19.4km in the Tongariro National Park. I had booked a three week kiwi tour with this being the #1 must-do activity on the itinerary.

What’s the odds that we were halfway around the world when the biggest rainfall ever and flooding hit the north island? So it was with a heavy heart when our guide shared our day hike was cancelled due to high winds and rain in the region.

But as luck would have it, he DID reschedule for the following day and we couldn’t believe we hit the sweet spot within a 5 day window without a ray of sunlight visible. We certainly didn’t take it for granted!

Our group of 12 enthusiastically set out across the expansive crater floor and enjoyed stretching our legs. Through rugged peaks, we trudged forwarded through gradual and frequent inclines including a few boardwalks as well. And I’ll never forget the baron wasteland and dirt path extending straight as far as the eye could see.

I wanted to attack the hard uphills in solitude and at my own pace, so I plugged in my headphones and zoned out during the tough stretches. These uphill tests are always a great gut check and proof that I should have trained a wee bit harder. Nonetheless, I power through and come out on the other side a stronger person (both literally and figuratively).

After a ridiculously tough 80% angle stretch of incline, we were rewarded with an absolutely stunning view of the red crater. The deep blood-red cut in the landscape took my breath away!

Then immediately following the highest peak, the 3 emerald blue lakes came into view and I knew instantly this overlook was where I wanted to pop a squat to enjoy my lunch in silence.

I purposefully stalled at these breathtaking and boldly colorful pools of water for ages just trying to savor the moment. And I even stuck one of my Fearless Adventures blog stickers on the mile marker sign amongst tons of others as a reminder of this awesome spot.

A small group trudged on from here to finish the second half of the trek down the mountain. At about 16km, I had had enough while the symphony of aches & pains started to creep in. Every step along the never ending switchbacks was a struggle to keep going, but we finally emerged from the densely populated forest with cheers from our travel mates.

With a celebratory beer and team photo at the trailhead, we all reveled in the accomplishment and couldn’t swipe the ginormous smiles off our faces.

Onward to the next adventure!

When was the last time you did something for the first time?

It is my new mission to find an over the top experience for each of my close friend’s birthdays. So in mid December, which is typically forgotten amongst all the holiday chaos, we found a hidden gem tucked between the two busy Orlando expressways.

We met up at Alaska Farms for our own dose of weekend good vibes and laughs. With a princess tiara and obnoxious sash, we set up Robin’s mat dead center of the outdoor yoga pavilion to get loved on by mini goats. And they delivered!

Even though there was very little yoga being practiced, the instructor earnestly tried to keep us focused while the other two helpers pranced around the room waving branches of leaves and animal cookies that the goats eagerly followed. They climbed on our backs and snuggled up for a little extra attention, but ultimately chased their next snack.

The goats all had their own unique sweaters and names, so we all naturally picked a favorite (mine was Snoball) and narrowly escaped prior to a few accidents on our recently vacated mats.

The farm was then open for a short tour of the stables, prior to laying out a picnic spread we had brought along to enjoy a mild FL winter afternoon with our BFFs. We laughed, ate, drank and ultimately landed at a close by bar for one last toast to the birthday girl! 🥂 🐐