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”
Category Archives: Videos
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”
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”
Rick Steves Learns To Be Prepared…The Hard Way
If you know anything about my partner Rick, you know that he works tirelessly and passionately to teach people about traveling in Europe. He is one of the few people I know who, after working a 16-hour day (as he is prone to do when researching and updating his guidebooks or filming his TV showContinue reading “Rick Steves Learns To Be Prepared…The Hard Way”
Does A Bear $#&% in the Woods?
Does A Bear $#&% in the Woods? I can’t tell you that answer for sure, but I do know they catch salmon in a river. We had been kayaking for about ten minutes when our expedition leader, Laurie, got word on her walkie-talkie that a brown bear had been spotted at the mouth of aContinue reading “Does A Bear $#&% in the Woods?”
There’s More to Nature Than Meets the Eye
Alaska is big. I mean it’s huge. It’s twice the size of Texas. On this seven-day cruise through Alaska’s Inside Passage, we would explore a mere fraction of this massive state, but what we would see was enough to fill my camera with almost 1400 photos and my mind with countless unforgettable memories. While IContinue reading “There’s More to Nature Than Meets the Eye”
Whale!
“Gooooooood morning Safari Endeavour! We’re sorry to wake you so early, but we wanted to inform you that whales are breaching on the port and starboard side of the ship.” This is the announcement that stirred us from our deep slumber at 6:30 a.m. on the first morning aboard our humble ship. Rick and IContinue reading “Whale!”
Making the Best out of Being Where You Are (part 2 The How-To)
In my previous blog post, I wrote: Whether you’re away on vacation or just living like a local on “staycation”, whether it’s your virgin visit or you know the place like a pro, find alternate ways to enjoy the place you’re visiting. You have the opportunity and the choice to do something beyond the ordinary,Continue reading “Making the Best out of Being Where You Are (part 2 The How-To)”