Let’s face it. 2020 has been HARD. So very hard. It’s no secret to anyone and we have also not been totally spared experiencing a couple of months of unemployment, myself being very sick for several weeks, and worst of all the loss of Aspen.
“Lean into curiosity” ~ Pena Choldren
In spite of it all, we consider ourselves beyond blessed in a year that has adversely affected so many people around the world.
The rain increased as I stumbled along the path, tripping over tree roots. Confused, I realized I’d made a wrong turn somewhere along the way and turned to correct the path when I saw a group of men approaching in the ever-darkening Guatemalan evening. I continued forward while trying to project confidence with Aspen glued to my side. I uttered a greeting as we passed the group and received long stares in response before their gaze turned to the large black dog at my side. I hurried her along the path and arrived safely at the villa shortly after, my nerves totally shot. The saying goes “Who saved Who?” in the world of dog adoptions but in that instance, I was absolutely certain it was she who saved me.
What does adventure mean to you? Is it a weekend away to a new destination? Perhaps adventure to you means just pushing boundaries beyond your normal comfort zone. We have always gotten an incredible high from waking up in a new country or location with no idea how the day would play out. 2020 is not that year.
The official definition of adventure even adds in a bit of danger.
ad·ven·ture/
an unusual and exciting, typically hazardous, experience or activity. Especially the exploration of unknown territory.
During these last few months of time spent close to home, we have found ourselves endlessly discussing past adventures while craving for our own next big adventure. We’ve scoured the pages of this blog reliving the countries and continents we’ve explored and missing all those we’ve met along the way.
Recently a friend shared this quote: “Now is not the time to lament what we can not do, but embrace what we can do”. So true in this year of disruption on so many levels.
While BIG plans are in the works with more info to come about later, we have managed to have a few short trips up and down the Oregon coast. While the unusual and dangerous elements may have been missing, there is no question that this scenic route is one of the most spectacular we’ve ever driven.
Meanderings both north and south delivered on stunning vistas, magnificent empty beaches where masks and social distancing were unnecessary discussions, along with some damn good seafood.
Saturday we leave for our next mini-vacation with a two-week jaunt through Central Oregon hanging for a few days each in several of our favorite campgrounds and enjoy days of leisure. The only things on the agenda are sleeping in, days spent on the lake, and lots of R&R.
I suspect I’ll even read a book, or five. The majority of our time will be out of touch, fully unconnected from the chaos and dysfunction that is 2020.
New adventures await and one day our plans will again include international travel and far-flung locales. One day we will hug our friends close and enjoy group outings.
For now, we relish our time together. For now, we are grateful daily that our sweet baby girl is still with us and smiling daily. For now, we appreciate that we work in one of the few travel industry jobs that is actually thriving. For now, we take one day at a time dreaming of adventures to come.
Until we all get to travel again check out this fun guest post from Geraldine and whet your appetite for your next adventure.
One of the best ways you can find the most beautiful sights worldwide is hiking. Not every gorgeous spot in the world is accessible by car, which many avid hikers know already. Aside from that, it helps that it makes you more self-reliant and independent when you finish each hike.
It’s always exciting for any hiker to try out new hiking trails, especially ones that come with a stunning view. If you’re a hiker looking for another gorgeous hiking trail to leave your footprints on, here are 15 such trails that you have to include in your outdoor bucket list.
When people think of hiking achievements, one of the first things people think of would be to be able to hike atop Mount Everest. This achievement is difficult in itself, and only a few people dare to do it, but more are willing to take on this challenge.
If you want to hike the Nepalese landscape without committing to such a massive undertaking such as going up Mt. Everest, you can hike up to the Everest Base Camp instead.
Although you won’t see Mt. Everest from there, you can still enjoy the hike. Before you go there, make sure to bring some altitude medications with you.
One of Europe’s most famous long-distance hikes would be the Tour du Mont Blanc in France. Mont Blanc is about 110 mi or 170 km, and this hiking trail offers different views for each day of the hiking trip. You can expect verdant valleys around you as well as snow-capped mountains and forests along the way.
The Inca Trail in Peru is one hike that lets you see one of the best human-made sights in the world: the Machu Picchu. This trail is one of the most popular undertakings in South America. If you want to take your time to enjoy the sights, you should allocate about five days to finish this trail.
The Appalachian Trail is the longest hiking trail in the world, with a length of 2,200 mi or 3,500 km. You’re going to need to be an expert hiker if you want to take on this trail that will take you months to accomplish. However, once you finish it, you’re going to feel a sense of joy and pride.
It will get you through 14 states in the US, so you’re going to see a variety of sights going through the entire trail.
Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is a part of the renowned Seven Summits. It is the most accessible hike of the seven. Providing a fantastic view of the Tanzanian landscape from a high point, make sure that you bring your hiking poles with you.
Since hiking up Mt. Kilimanjaro is quite famous, people have left a lot of their waste and garbage behind. Please be responsible and don’t leave anything but footsteps behind.
The Banff National Park in Canada is home to the Banff Highline trail that spans 64 mi or 104 km. It will take you about five days or so to complete this trail. Make sure that you enjoy the alpine views and to stop by and enjoy the various lakes that you’ll pass by while you’re there.
One of the best hikes in the world is the Laugavegurinn Trail in Iceland. If there’s any hiking trail that’s going to make you feel like you’re in another world altogether, it would be this trail.
You’ll find bright and green valleys, gorgeous lakes, ice caves, enchanting gorges, and more. You definitely wouldn’t want to leave behind your camera for this hiking trail.
The King’s Trail or Kungsleden of Sweden is another mountainous hiking trail that offers fantastic views. If you time your trip right, you might find the Aurora Borealis weaving its way through the night sky above you while you’re in the Swedish countryside.
This hike is open to both experienced and beginner hikers. Choose your hiking plan based on your competency.
The Milford Track in New Zealand is around 33 mi or 54 km and takes you through breathtaking sights that people all over the world have fallen in love with before. This track will lead you to one of New Zealand’s, a stunning cove that is the country’s most popular tourist spot, and for a good reason. You’ll have to see it for yourself!
The Great Ocean Walk in Victoria, Australia, is a coastal hiking trail that’s increasingly becoming one of the most popular spots in Victoria. The entire hike will provide you with that beautiful ocean view for about seven days. Aside from the beautiful ocean view, you can also find local fauna around if you like high and low.
Turkey’s first-ever long-distance hiking trail is the Lycian Way, which is another coastal trail. The entire trail is around 540 km long or 336 mi. If you want to take your time and hike the entirety of the path, you can break it up to reach 29 days of walking.
Gracing many postcards for Japan is the graceful view of Mount Fuji. To hike up to the peak and back down can take you between eight to 12 hours. A lot of people start the hike up during the evening so that they can get a view of the sunrise atop the mountain.
Once you reach the top, you can eat ramen, pray at the shrine, or even send a postcard to your loved ones!
There’s nothing like hiking with a companion, and it’s even better if your companion along the hike are whales! This experience is what you get when you take on the 56-km Whale Trail in South Africa. As you walk along the Western Cape coast, you’ll see the Southern Right whale during specific seasons.
Even without the whales accompanying you, you’ll find that the coastal trail is still a gorgeous five-day hike.
When you think of Hong Kong, you think of cities and skyscrapers. However, the Dragon’s Back hiking trail will show you a side of Hong Kong you didn’t know before.
The Dragon’s Back is a part of the Hong Kong Trail. If you want a short day trip of a hike, then the Dragon’s Back is the best urban hike in Hong Kong. It won’t take you more than three hours to finish this hike.
Fitz Roy in Argentina is a mountain known for being one of the hardest peaks to climb in the entire world. At most, you can get near the base of Fitz Roy. The hike to the mountain base is only a kilometer or a little more than half a mile. However, it’s the incline that’s going to challenge you.
Nonetheless, the view of the Fitz Roy behind you is worth the hike as it stands grand and proud above you.
There are plenty more gorgeous hiking trails around the world that you should include in your bucket list. However, the 15 paths on this list are one of the best there is in the world. Therefore, if you’re a hiker looking to check several items off of your hiking goals, these are the trails you should hike.
Remember to be safe and to do your research before each hike so that you enjoy the trail and the views that come with it without compromising your safety!
Baja is a special place featuring just over 1900 miles of coastline, one of the main draws for travelers. Intrepid adventurers with 4WD can easily camp for months on remote beaches and rarely pay for a night’s stay.
The boulder fields of Catavina offer a unique bit of Baja. Set smack in the middle of a 180-mile gas-free stretch between El Rosario and Villa Jesus Maria, the hamlet of Catavina is easy to pass by. Our advice is to spend the night. The boulder fields and an astonishing array of cactus combined with stunning sunsets make for a pleasant stop along the way.
Getting the opportunity to jet off on a last-minute getaway can be such a fun experience, as the chance for an exciting spontaneous break can provide a much-needed escape from your busy working life. Planning your last minute trip needn’t be a difficult task, as there are just a few simple steps that you must follow to organize the ideal vacation. So, if you want to find out more, then read on to uncover some of the best top tips and tricks that you can make the most of today!
All year round, you work your butt off and save money so that you can splurge it on something indulgent – like a vacation. Going away to a new piece of the world is a privilege, and if you are fortunate enough to enjoy such an opportunity, then it stands to reason that you want it to be a good one! Whether you are a fan of a beach vacation or you love a city break, making your vacation a memorable one is of utmost importance. You need this break – so planning it to perfection is a must.
The light rising over the bay bathed us in light, but it was the waves that had woken me. Not crashing onto the beach but like a whisper. Similar to belly breathing in Yoga with a long deep inhale culminating in a soft exhale. Thus began another day in paradise. This is life on the Baja.
Since we’re all stuck at home these days we need to dream of what adventures we’ll be on when life returns to normal. Check out a few options for Oregon Wine Country!
The Willamette Valley in Oregon contains over 19,000 acres of vineyards, which has earned it the name “Oregon Wine Country”. However, there is much more to this beautiful 150-mile long valley than just vineyards. Here are 6 fun activities you and your family can enjoy while visiting
this interesting region.
https://pixabay.com/photos/willamette-river-river-clouds-water-513216/