Cramped in a middle seat, in the middle of a plane that screams its way across the country, traveling east to west from Washington D.C. to “the other Washington”, I find myself in the warm company of happy Democrats. Across the aisle are the Governor and First Lady of my state. Six rows up isContinue reading “For Love of Country”
Category Archives: The Great Outdoors
From Travel Idiot to Travelphile: One Woman’s “Travelution”
With the start of a new year, many people take stock of their life in the last twelve months: choices made, goals achieved, promises broken, dreams unfulfilled. In optimistic form, resolutions are made in the hopes of making this year even better than the last. In a similar vein, I’ve been thinking about my travelContinue reading “From Travel Idiot to Travelphile: One Woman’s “Travelution””
It Takes A Village And Then Some
This might have been the lightest I’ve ever packed. Two pairs of lightweight cargo pants, one pair of leggings, two well-worn long-sleeve shirts, one short-sleeve, two tank tops, a sweatshirt, my jammies, my tennies, my undergarments, and my toiletries would be more than enough to get me through a week of construction work in Tijuana. Continue reading “It Takes A Village And Then Some”
Volunteering in Tijuana: Lessons in Gratitude
Life is good. While many complain, gobble up the spoon-fed fear from media outlets, and blame the other side for everything wrong in our society, traveling makes it clear: we have it good in the USA. That’s not to discount real problems that affect individuals like unemployment, lack of healthcare, poverty, and hunger. Those areContinue reading “Volunteering in Tijuana: Lessons in Gratitude”
Thankful for Being Scarred for Life…In the Best Possible Way
About two weeks after Rick and I decided to go on a whitewater river rafting adventure, I started to notice a few new wrinkles on my forehead. Not deep and permanent ones, but tiny stress-induced worry lines that had surely materialized because of a singular, gnawing fear: hitting my head on a rock while beingContinue reading “Thankful for Being Scarred for Life…In the Best Possible Way”
Food, Friends, and Frankenfish on the Snake River
Living on the river for a few days sure can be rough…so I’ve heard. Fortunately for me, Rick, and our fellow river rafters, we were living the river life pampered-style. When we would take a break on the shore for lunch or when we would make camp for the night, the crew of Winding Waters,Continue reading “Food, Friends, and Frankenfish on the Snake River”
Slithering Down The Snake River
We got an early start to drive a couple of hours from Joseph, OR to the Hell’s Canyon Dam. That’s where we would “put in” and begin our rafting adventures on the Snake River. There were ten guests on this trip and at least that many staff and crew from Winding Waters, Plate & Pitchfork,Continue reading “Slithering Down The Snake River”
I Wanna Be A Cowgirl
Before coming anywhere near a raging river, we got to see some raging bulls. Well…docile, happy, and well-fed bulls and their lady cow friends. The Plate & Pitchfork part of the experience incorporated a visit to two different cattle ranches. Since steak would be on several of our gourmet menus during the trip, we gotContinue reading “I Wanna Be A Cowgirl”
Whitewater And Food? Yes, Please!
I don’t know what’s been in the water that Rick and I have been drinking lately, but we cannot get enough of outdoorsy activities. Maybe it’s a phase, but we’ve sure been bit by the adventure travel bug. Two of Rick’s guidebook-users, Paul and Penny, invited us to join their Winding Waters River Expeditions forContinue reading “Whitewater And Food? Yes, Please!”
Losing My Outdoorsy Virginity
As you might guess, I’m a big fan of the conveniences of modern life like electricity, running water, heat, and fly swatters, and I think whoever invented window screens is a genius. While I really enjoy running, I’d rather run on a treadmill than run outdoors so I don’t get sunburnt or rained on. AndContinue reading “Losing My Outdoorsy Virginity”