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.

I absolutely love four day weekends!

Typically I can find any excuse to take off on a whim for a road trip and I had my sights on the rugged desert of southwest Texas. After an easy 3 hour direct flight to Austin, I headed out into the unknown with a 5+ hour drive bound for the small town of Marathon. I originally predicted an 11:30pm arrival and wouldn’t you know it, I pulled into BFE on the dot!

But my sometimes not so rational thinking almost derailed night #1…..

My lead foot absolutely took advantage of the 80mph speed limit. With a killer music playlist set on random and the windows down, I thoroughly enjoyed the solitude and escape into another world as time sped by (literally).

I had heard once outside the Austin city limits to get used to the nothingness. After passing by the town of Ozona (which I oddly got to thinking about global warming) with only a quarter tank of gas that I probably should have errored on the side of caution for one of the first times in my life. But since I’m solo on this trip, I didn’t bat an eyelash at pushing the limits.

So while one of my goals on this trip was to eliminate the stress and drama of everyday life, I made the cardinal mistake of road tripping! As the gas gauge continues to decline down to 9 miles remaining, I begin sweating through my only long sleeve shirt and pants I had packed because the next town (which is generously stated) is still 21 miles away. OMG.

There is one exit off of I-10 that I begrudgingly took, as the two supposed gas stations here are nowhere in sight. It is pitch black. I pull up to one and don’t even try to get out because it is locked up. I then drive .25 miles to a shack that I can barely make out in the dark and pull up to the gas pumps. With no expectation, I try my credit card and it miraculously works! So… I guess in the desert pumps are always on!

Quick side note – the damn car speedometer was stuck in km/h, so I had to keep my converter calculator open the entire weekend. After trying for an hour to resolve the issue, I just finally chalked it up to another GDC moment and sucked it up!

With that crisis averted, I finally pull into my beehive parking. Yep, I booked an Airbnb built entirely by recycled parts themed as a hive. The 50 sq ft structure was my home for a quick nights rest.

The shower house was next door and shared with another rental. All the necessities were available and I was ready to embrace my minimalist weekend ahead.

After a actually very restful sleep, I made the easy one hour drive to visit my 51st National Park at Big Bend. And thus began 3 days of hiking and exploration to my hearts content!

So my message… be sure to fully embrace all the highs and inevitable lows along your journey… and hopefully be able to laugh about them in the future!

The travel itch is always screaming in my head early January. After my crazy fall work schedule, I’m always more than ready to escape on a wild adventure.

It could be a beach getaway or a mountain retreat or a family gathering or a backcountry adventure, but always a welcome solace from the rat race. I gain strength and mental fortitude on a new quest, plus the added bonus of just slowing down to enjoy life.

I will typically try to find some alone time along the journey to put my year’s new goals in writing and formulate a plan to make them all come to life.

Some days I just tune out all the noise and turn up the music to sing along at an obnoxious (and off tune) level. It’s amazing how many song lyrics are actually stored in my brain and taking up so much valuable memory space.

And I truly do savor the reprieve of making no decisions and having no one report to me. If I had only made the time for more peace and silence as a young adult, I might not have been such a stress ball in my 30s. Nonetheless, I am making up for that now ten-fold!

So while others are hunkering down in winter, I am racing to the closest airport to take off on a new journey into the unknown to wake up my adventurous soul.

Is 2024 my year to conquer the elusive 7th continent? A place so remote and extreme less than .5% of people on this earth have explored its vastness.

Being a person of extremes, I can’t wait to experience this rugged haven. My first test is finding my way to the southernmost tip of South America to the port town of Ushuaia. And not far behind that is staving off the inevitable nauseousness passing through the dangerous & unpredictable Drake Passage. Just drug me up now!

From seal kayaking to tent camping to penguin spotting to whale watching to the CRAZY polar plunge, I want to do it all.

Nonetheless, I’m steadfast in my quest to visit my 7th and final continent in my 50th year on this planet. A big milestone that I want to celebrate. Go big or go home, right?

I scour websites and articles in preparation, while seeking out any deals to make this massive dream a reality. The season is short, typically only November – March, so I have a very small window to lock it in around all of my holiday-based events.

Do you have that one dream that you just can’t let go? Yep, this is mine….. t-minus 6 months!!!

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)