The Travel Life and Living with Intention

Milford Sound Moke Lake Kawarau Bridge, Queenstown Kawarau Bridge Bungee Jump                                                             Milford Sound                          

Celebrating 60!    This is for anyone who is beginning to realize that going out for dinner and drinks with friends is not going to happen for quite some time.  I just celebrated turning 60 on Zoom with family from all over the world, toasting at extreme social distances, telling stories and giggling all the same.  We are all finding ways to adapt to the new normal, and with a little discipline, can take advantage of this time in quarantine. Hopefully, by taking care of our physical selves, we will keep up our morale as well.    After several days of connecting with friends via the internet from other parts of the world, checking in, saying hello, etc., I started reading some really good articles in French about how people are coping.  As I was looking up vocabulary that had long ago escaped me, it occurred to me that reading articles in another language was not only great for gaining a better global perspective, but it also challenged me ment...

Wilderness State Park  Pictured Rocks, UP    Just finished a beautiful trip Up North of restoration, relaxation, and reflection.  We started at the tip of Northern Michigan at Wilderness State Park for some camping and bike riding. Our site was perfect, on the lake, falling asleep to the gentle sound of the waves. We went pretty basic on this trip: an REI two man tent, camp chairs, bikes, a small cooler, and a tabletop Weber charcoal grill .     Cooking while camping is wonderful, as long as you're organized. My camp box served us well: cooking pots, utensils, hotpads, matches, charcoal, and an electric teapot! Yes, we chose an electric site even though we tent camped. There's something about instant (as in instantaneous) coffee on a fresh, cool morning, ready within a few moments of waking up! It's also helpful for washing dishes. We did pretty well on our meals! Chicken Curry with rice was the most challenging. We grilled...

  La Ponza If you've read any of my blogs, you know that I'm a Tour Leader for a women's only travel company.  Traveling with adventurous women who love to explore the world is my dream job. I have the privilege of helping other women fulfill their own travel dreams and I get to witness how travel can transform people's lives.  Every trip I lead is transformative for someone! Another great advantage of leading trips is taking my own adventures, after a tour. Although I haven't yet written about my wonderful trips to Italy (Tuscany, Florence, Rome, Venice, etc), I thought I would start with this very special trip to the tiny island of Ponza, just off the coast of the province of Latina. Ponza is the largest island of the Italian Pontine Islands archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea. I explored this island alone, but found wonderful companions along the way!  L'Isola di Ponza is a special place for those seeking a holiday away from the crowds of the Amalfi Co...

Canoeing on Moraine Lake Although I don't like revealing all secrets, this one is too good not to share. Moraine Lake is far more fabulous than the overcrowded, touristy glitz of Lake Louise.  Early mornings and evenings are the best times to enjoy this piece of heaven if you happen to be there during the summer. Early fall you are guaranteed a glorious experience! Stay at the lodge during the week, if at all possible. The restaurant is absolutely first class, and you really can't go wrong with the seafood selections. The staff of the lodge is composed of the finest individuals in the tourism industry who will do their best to accommodate their guests. My favorite spot in all of North America.

Hoh Indian Reservation beach The best way to see the coastline of Washington is to rent a car and just drive. The Olympic Peninsula is full of beautiful surprises and unusual beaches, each with its own unique features. Sea stacks, driftwood fields, climbing boulders, abandoned buildings, and beach combers who appear out of nowhere! Stay away from the big cities of the Pacific Northwest and explore the coast! San Juan Island, Washington Ruby Beach