Rental car woes ๐Ÿš˜

As a frequent rental car user, itโ€™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 nephewโ€™s 5th birthday, I had to endure a brutal 3am wake up call to catch the first flight back home/work. HeContinue reading “Rental car woes ๐Ÿš˜”

Why hiking?? ๐Ÿฅพ

Being out on the open trails is my therapy of choice. I wish I had explored more in my youth, but Iโ€™ve definitely made up for that 100-fold in the last 20 years. Whether Iโ€™m planning a group outing or winging it on a solo excursion, you wonโ€™t find me more giddy & light heartedContinue reading “Why hiking?? ๐Ÿฅพ”

Travel Day Woes โœˆ๏ธ ๐ŸŒ ๐Ÿงณ

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 evenContinue reading “Travel Day Woes โœˆ๏ธ ๐ŸŒ ๐Ÿงณ”

The Mud Room ๐Ÿšข๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ถ

The heartbeat of the Antarctica experience lies in the shipโ€™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 inContinue reading “The Mud Room ๐Ÿšข๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ถ”

Spontaneity โœˆ๏ธ๐ŸŒŽ

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 locationโ€ฆ.. thatโ€™s a recipe for adventure in my book! I remember my 3Continue reading “Spontaneity โœˆ๏ธ๐ŸŒŽ”

Brightline excursion ๐ŸšŠ

Letโ€™s do thisโ€ฆ.. Finding a $1,000 better flight out of the international hub in Miami to my once-in-a-lifetime voyage to the elusive 7th continent, I opted to catch the latest train from Orlando on a chilly February evening (leap year actually!). And as my long flight overseas leaves at an uncomfortable 7:30am the next day,Continue reading “Brightline excursion ๐ŸšŠ”

Spark

Do you know what makes you tick? What makes your soul come alive? That otherworldly force that just makes your heart sing? Find it. Channel it. Own it.

Tierra del Fuego NP ๐Ÿž๏ธ

After a 36 hour travel day to reach โ€œEl Fin del Mundoโ€, we touch down at 7:15am between snow capped peaks and the port town of Ushuaia, Argentina. Despite being groggy, I dropped off my bags at my cute hostel & knew exactly where I was heading to explore. Luckily my daily Spanish lessons overContinue reading “Tierra del Fuego NP ๐Ÿž๏ธ”

College Game Day ๐Ÿˆ

Whatโ€™s the odds that our college girls group had decided three months earlier to reconvene in Durham, NC the last weekend in September to watch the Duke vs. Notre Dame football game AND it just happens the infamous ESPN College Game Day Show picked the Duke campus to broadcast from for the 1st time inContinue reading “College Game Day ๐Ÿˆ”

Azores Adventure ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น

I purposely planned a 60 hour layover in the middle of the Atlantic on the tiny island of Sao Miguel, which is part of the Azores. Why? Because why not? Starting off my 10 day early September getaway, I had 10 hours to decompress from a busy summer and chose to explore the harbor frontContinue reading “Azores Adventure ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น”