Lost in the Woods

After a tropical storm left waterlogged my trip to Costa Rica, I found myself still craving adventure. We had missed the opportunity to hike a volcano, go horseback riding and take a dip in the hot springs. Thankfully, I live in a place that has diverse landscapes begging to be explored, all within an hour drive. 

Oregon is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. I'm convinced of that. From our quietly beautiful mountains, to the ample forest, our scenic coastline, and rustic deserts, Oregon is majestic. So this summer, I'm taking the roads less traveled to explore my home state. 

My first Oregonian Adventure took us an hour and a half south of Portland to Silver Falls State Park. I had hiked this trail once before as a kid, long before I could ever appreciate its beauty. You see, I used to take this all for granted. But after a tough battle with a pancreatic tumor a few years back, my outlook changed drastically. And it was then that I began to realize that there was a whole world I hadn't seen. I wanted to see the falls again with my new perspective and really let their beauty sink in. 

That did not happen during our trip on Sunday. In fact, I think most people would deem our hike to be a complete clusterf*&$. What was originally planned to be a 3.4 mile hike became much longer during our adventure. My dear friend, Leslie, and I ended up hiking a mountainous trail for a total of 8.5 miles. We realized we were lost at mile 4. We'd stayed on the trail, but because it is for hiking and mountain biking, the trail splits off at various forks throughout the duration of the trail. They all lead in a loop to the same trail, never indicating where the exit points are to get back to civilization. 

At mile 4.5, our water supply was gone. We hadn't anticipated that we'd be out longer than a few hours. Or that we'd be on a trail that didn't actually lead to the falls. The supplies we brought were limited.

We started to notice signs of dehydration around mile 5.  It started with chapped lips. A little later we realized that we had stopped sweating. When your body stops sweating, it's prioritizing your systems and allocating water to the most important. About mile 6.5, my fingers began to tingle and swell. That's when we knew we would have to get moving and come up with a solution. 

We hiked to the top of the ridge line to get a better view and figure out how to get back to the car. We spotted a road, and then we're faced with a tough choice, right or left. Our foggy brains tried to retrace our steps to figure out which direction to go as our phones didn't have reception. We tried to figure out which direction we were facing by looking at the moss on trees. Pro Tip: moss grows on all sides of the trees in Oregon, not just the North side. There were no definitive land markers, signs, buildings or people. There was just a seemingly endless forest cut in half by a road that we had no idea where it went or how long it would take us to get there. So we decided to choose based on the "Eany, Meany, Miney, Mo" method.  We went right. 

We wandered calmly, enjoying the scenery, cramps from dehydration began to set in. We maintained a great attitude and worked together and encouraging each other as we went. With different company, I might have panicked a little bit, but Leslie is ever the optimist. 

When we finally got back to the car at 8.5 miles, we had learned more than we ever realized we would. 

First, always ALWAYS bring twice as much water as you think you will need. Second, a good attitude makes all the difference. And third, when you work together as a team, the results are always better. 

I'm so thankful for my friendship with Leslie (and the amazing friendships I've cultivated over the years with many wonderful people). I truly believe that the relationships you build are the most important treasures you will ever find. Leslie's attitude and smile are contagious, so I'm thankful to have been lost on the woods with such a smart and uplifting lady. What could have turned out to be a bad situation, turned out to be a great bonding experience and an important life lesson. 

Poolside Cocktails and Cherry Red Skin

When I originally booked my trip to Costa Rica, I thought that it was about time to have a relaxing and peaceful vacation. My normal trips usually involved trekking from city to jungle, looking for adventure and unique ways to experience the local culture. 

When we arrived in Costa Rica, the drive to our resort wound through lush forests and small villages. The smell of fresh rain, fruits and cooking meat was exotic and hypnotic. The Riu Palace resort was huge and beautiful, with pools to one side, and gardens that attracted butterflies on the other. 

The first day we spent an hour in the pool before a torrential downpour forced us indoors where we enjoyed unlimited cocktails and mixed drinks. Today, I visited the spa where I had an hour long massage, then spent the rest of the day lounging by the pool. 

It wasn't until I got back inside and realized that my poor porcelain skin had been turned into a light cherry color. And that's when I decided, the luxury life isn't for me. Don't get me wrong, I like massages and laying by the pool, but I can only do it for so long before I get bored, or fried in this case. 

I like setting out into the wild and seeing where I end up. I want to see wild life, and get my blood flowing by jumping off cliffs or zip lining. I like ATVs and boats and having the wind in my hair. 

So tomorrow we're ditching the resort and going out to a volcano, riding horses, and zip lining the jungles. It's a little more my style and I'm looking forward to doing more than just laying in the sun. 

Preparing for 30 Hours of Travel

While on our way to Peru, we were en route to Lima for a total of 36 hours, including a 12 hour layover in Mexico City where we slept on the floor behind a shop in the airport.  By the time we got there, we were exhausted.  With bags under our eyes that rivaled the packs on our backs, I learned a great lesson on how to prepare for a long trip.

                                               (The before picture from Peru)

HEALTH

The first think I want to stress is that making sure your body is in good health is important.  A few days before your trip, start boosting your immune system.  I like to drink Emergen-C for 3 days before, as well as bring a few with me to ensure that the germy air on the planes will have a lesser impact on my body.

Taking it a step farther, visit a trusted chiropractor.  Sitting for that long will cause all kinds of stiffness.  Taking the extra measure to make sure your spine is feeling great will go a long way in the travel to come. 

Always bring a pain reliever.  Advil Liquid Gels are my saving grace for when a headache strikes in midair due to altitude.

Purell is my best friend.  Most airlines don’t clean the tray tables or seats between flights, and some of the things that people put on there are just disgusting.  Purell Wipes and Hand Sanitizer are an easy way to make sure you’re not exposing yourself to the unnecessary germs that are all over that aircraft.  

HYGIENE

I make it a point to never wear makeup while flying but to still wear a moisturizer with sunblock.  In case you’re wondering why, the answer is simple.  When you’re flying, you’re actually increasing your exposure to SPF radiation.  Even though you’re in an enclosed space, you still get a big dose of it.  So don’t skip on the SPF protection. 

Your skin becomes easily dehydrated when in flight and wearing makeup can increase the effects and damage from this.  Bring a rich eye cream and extra moisturizer with you for long flights.  It will help you look more refreshed after you get off the plane.

Always carry a travel sized deodorant and toothbrush and toothpaste.  After 24 hours, you’ll be grateful that you brought them.  This little backpacker’s secret brought to you by a lesson learned the hard way.  

CARRY ON

When you’re stuck on a long trip, having a well packed carry on makes a huge difference.  I always bring my iPad preloaded with some of my favorite movies (I like The Secret Life of Walter Mitty for the obvious adventure theme). 

But a battery only lasts so long.  Fighting for an outlet in an airport and being tethered to the wall doesn’t sound like a fun layover to me so I make sure to bring my fully amped up Mophie Juice Pack with me whenever I travel.  This external battery carries an extra charge and a half in it and its light weight and portable enough to bring with you anywhere. 

Ear Plugs are essential for long flights.  Trying to sleep on a plane is always difficult, but throw in the engine noise, fellow passengers chatting, or a baby crying and you’ve got a recipe for exhaustion. 

Relying on the beverage and food service of a flight can leave you cranky.  Bring a bottle with you to fill up once you get through security so that you have fresh water for the plane.  And I always have a healthy snack, like granola or fruit snacks (I try to get ones that don’t have peanuts, just to be respectful of people who may have allergies).

Planes get cold.  Packing a lightweight, large scarf can help keep you warm while you’re on a plane, or nestled up on the floor of an airport if that’s the only option available…

WHAT TO WEAR

When you’ve been on a plane for more than 8 hours, anything that might have been okay before becomes downright uncomfortable.  I don’t recommend yoga pants or workout gear for flights, although I’m guilty of wearing them and didn’t regret it one bit.  But if you’re trying to snag an upgrade, it’s better to be dressed in something a bit less casual. 

What’s more important is layering.  Make sure that you have the ability to get comfortable and adjust your temperature as the day goes on.  You’ll be doing a lot of walking, so make sure to wear shoes that are easy to take off when going through security, but sturdy enough to trek through the airport. 

RESPECT

Be respectful of your fellow passengers.  Understanding plane educate will make everyone’s trip a lot nicer.  Don’t bring smelly foods on the plane, and don’t take off your shoes (for the same reason). 

The middle seat is usually the most uncomfortable, so allow the person in the middle to use the armrests. 

If your flight has in seat entertainment, remember that there is a person in the seat it’s attached to.  If you’re playing a game, don’t slam on or continually tap the screen.  It’s just rude. 

If you’re playing a game or watching a movie, headphones are a necessity.  Invest in a comfortable pair with good sound.  And bring a backup.  It’s one of the few things that you definitely don’t want to be without on a flight.

 

                                  (After 13 days in Peru and 36 hours of Travel)

Keep in mind these are all just suggestions, and even I break my own rules from time to time.  Because sometimes you just forget to bring eye cream.  And sometimes you just want to wear yoga pants.  What’s important is to remember that you’re sharing a space with many other people, and being respectful of each other will help make everyone feel more comfortable.

4% of the Globe

Create your own travel map - TravBuddy

I like to consider myself an accomplished traveler. I've explored exotic locations from the ancient city of Macchu Pichu to the elephant haven of Chiang Mai. China revealed itself as a booming metropolis with centuries old villages nestled amongst the skyscrapers. And I've been privileged enough to see much of my own country.

But after putting together my travel list, filled to the brim with cities around the world, it became quite clear that I've seen nothing yet. So little, in fact, that I've only stepped foot in a measly 4% of nations worldwide. Four percent is embarrassing for a travel blogger. Especially one that has experienced all kinds of travel, from business, to pleasure, backpacking to sightseeing and shopping.

Anyone who knows me knows that I've got the travel bug. I constantly plan where I want to go, often times falling down the rabbit hole that is Pintrest looking at pictures that make my heart skip a beat with anticipation. Because someday I'll get to see it all for myself.

After having crossed off many of the destinations on my list, I have a rich variety of locations remaining:
Havana, Cuba
Antigua, Guatamala
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
St. Croix
Turks and Caicos
Antarctica
Petra, Jordan
Tel Aviv & Jerusalem, Israel
Marrakech & Casablanca, Morocco
Victoria Falls, Zambia
Cape Town, South Africa
Nairobi, Kenya
Mt. Everest, Nepal
Vienna, Austria
Nice & Paris, France
Madrid & Barcelona, Spain
Munich & Frankfurt, Germany
Warsaw, Poland
Santorini & Athens, Greece
Reykjavik, Iceland
Istanbul, Turkey
St. Petersburg & Moscow, Russia
Phu Quoc & Hanoi, Vietnam
Hong Kong, China
Queensland & Sydney, Australia
Queensland, New Zealand
Montreal, Quebec
New Orleans, Louisiana
Savannah & Atlanta, Georgia

While these are the destinations I'm practically salivating over, combined, they still only make up 14% of the globe. How is one person supposed to see everything in the little time we have here on Earth? Let alone pay for it!

It looks like this travel guru needs to rethink travel style and start to understand the bigger picture. It's time to find ways to explore for less while enjoying more. Life is all about experiences. And there are few more satisfying than travel. Experiencing new places, people, flavors are part of the joy of life. Stepping outside of your comfort zone and trusting strangers builds character and requires bravery. I urge everyone I meet to open their mind to what travel has to offer. Travel as much as you can, folks. Because life is far to short to be kept grounded.

Luxury vs Adventure

I'm a bit of an adrenaline junkie. If there's a hint of adventure (or what most people might consider danger) you can pretty much count me in. But this year I plan on exploring a different side of travel. Instead of lugging around my trusty pack that has now seen three continents, I'll be busting out the luxury carry-on and matching suitcase.  I'm seeing how the 1% live. Well, I guess not actually the 1%, more like 15-20% below that. 

I'm going to explore ways to luxury travel for less. After ample research on how to get the best deals on the most extravagant travel, free upgrades, and perks, I'll share with you what worked and how much I saved so that you can take advantage of the savings too. 

Trip one is booked and ready. As booked, airfare and a junior suite at the Riu Palace in Costa Rica. So far, I've been able to save $700-1200 per traveler by:

1. Traveling during Costa Rica's off-peak season (temperatures are a little cooler and will be around 75-85 per day) 

2. Booking via my mobile phone. (The cost was $150 less per person using my Orbitz than booking through a computer). 

3. Flying on a weekday (An additional savings of about $140 vs. flying on a Friday or Saturday. 

We've also made the most of our layover, making it an additional stop to see the sights in Dallas for some BBQ, blues and to visit the infamous Grassy Knoll. 

Look forward to hearing all about my triumphs and failures to bring you the best and most effective luxury travel tips out there. 

Buffering... Please wait

It has been far too long since I last stretched my legs. My travels and adventures were curtailed for a bit by a career as a sports executive.  Long hours and a busy season kept me cooped up. 

But thanks to a new career change, I'll be back at it in T minus 58 days. 

We're off to Costa Rica this time. Possibly Panama if we can squeeze it in. And a layover in Dallas that I'm hoping to put to good use with some sight seeing, BBQ and blues. 

I'll just be sitting here, counting the days. Until next time. 😘

For Tough Days

I'm not perfect and I don't know everything. I begrudgingly admit that the things that I do not know, drive me to madness. So I dig for answers, and often find them in the most unexpected of places. 

I have found that my most profound thoughts stem from a feeling of smallness. Staring into the endless waves of the ocean, contemplating the enormity of its mass. Or gazing at the night sky and counting the stars above. These simple yet cathartic acts have helped me work through many of life's questions. 

Many times I ask, why me? While I have had a life full of unique experiences and amazing encounters, I've also been struck by tragedy. I've experienced injury and illness. I've been woefully hurt by lovers and friends. And for quite sometime I held on to those tragedies as if I was the only person on earth to experience them. 

But the longer I live, the more I realize that these tragedies and triumphs are something we all face in one way or another. The pain and fear that we feel, that feeling of utter aloneness that drives some to drink, poor company or even to their demise, those terrible feelings are not ours and ours alone. 

When these times sneak up on you, seek refuge and find that place or that person that helps you see the bigger picture. Life is too short to spend it scared, worried or sad. Find people you trust and can count on and support each other through those trials and tribulations. Because in the end, all that really matters are the people you love.