Welcome in Cairo!

When Rick and I started telling people about our plans to visit Egypt, their first reaction was generally, “Wow, aren’t you scared?” followed by, “That’s on my Bucket List. I’d love to go there.”  We’re on a scouting trip for two new TV shows that Rick will do on Egypt.  While he’s been here twiceContinue reading “Welcome in Cairo!”

A Star-struck Traveler

In the previous article, I shared what it was like to be at a travel show.  But I left out one really fun thing:  meeting travel celebrities. I admit that I get star-struck pretty easily.  Sometimes my neck gets sweaty, my heart feels like my body must be doing a 100-yard dash, and my earsContinue reading “A Star-struck Traveler”

Iditarod: The Official Start

As Rick Steves’ sister, Jan Steves (with her team of sixteen canine companions) mushes her way through the snow-blanketed Alaskan wilderness of her second Iditarod Trail Race, I’m wrapping up my three-part series on my behind-the-scenes perspective on what it was like last year at her debut  in the “Last Great Race on Earth.” TheContinue reading “Iditarod: The Official Start”

Iditarod: Ceremonial Start

As Rick Steves’ sister, Jan Steves, continues on her second Iditarod adventure, I’m continuing my three-part series on what it was like last year at her debut  in the “Last Great Race on Earth.” The original article was posted on Jan’s blog on March 4, 2012. Snow dances its way onto the ground and ticklesContinue reading “Iditarod: Ceremonial Start”

Iditarod: A Little Help from Jan’s Friends

Rick Steves’ sister, Jan Steves, starts her second Iditarod competition this weekend in Anchorage, Alaska. While Rick and I couldn’t be there this year, I’m sharing my behind-the-scenes experiences with my three-part series from last year when I was a guest blogger on Jan’s website. Follow along to see what it’s really like to getContinue reading “Iditarod: A Little Help from Jan’s Friends”

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”

Sex and Catholic Guilt in a Tide Pool

A half hour ride away from our ship, our skiff beached itself on the coastline of a tiny island. Today we were going tide pooling, and one by one, we abandoned our vessel to begin our hunt for coastal aquatic life. The tide was out, and usually hidden treasures glistened under the early morning sun.Continue reading “Sex and Catholic Guilt in a Tide Pool”

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”

Ditch Your Fear and Seize the Day

I couldn’t even begin to look at the scenery around me: the glassy water, the powder blue sky, the regal mountains, and the lush vegetation along the banks of the bay.  All my energies and all my attention were focused on not falling into the frigid Alaskan waters.  I had no idea what I wasContinue reading “Ditch Your Fear and Seize the Day”