Category: Travel Notes

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Travel Notes

Life Is Too Short – Travel Now!

Saint Mary Lake - Glacier National Park

Saint Mary Lake - Glacier National Park

As I sat on the side of a mountain overlooking Saint Mary Lake in Glacier National Park, I couldn’t help but stop and think about how I think it is wrong to wait until retirement to travel. The time to take a month or two off to go out and see the world shouldn’t be when you are over 65. It should be NOW.

Travel enriches your life. Helps you to see the world from a WHOLE perspective. Not a new perspective, but a compete one. See how other people live. Understand their beliefs. How the geography and weather has shaped them. How the world impacts them – and to feel the impact yourself.

I believe it gives us a greater understanding and appreciation of our impact on the Earth. As beautiful as Going to the Sun road is throughout Glacier National Park, I understand why the tribes native to this region consider it a scar across the mountains. I’m glad the road is here, but I couldn’t help but think as I stood at the exhibit at the visitor’s center just how devastating it must have been to them to see their land changed as a road was created to transport thousands of visitors a year through the park. What changes that road has brought to the land. For example, I know that the invention of plastic has brought many advances and conveniences, but I also see the damage that it does. Litter on our highways, in our fields.

I believe travel, and especially camping and hiking, have sparked a passion in me to change. To respect the Earth more. Being among the mountains gives me a sense of strength and peace. In return, I want to take care of nature. Recycle. Reuse things. Be mindful of my impact on the world.

There are no guarantees that we will live to see retirement age. There are no guarantees that once you hit 65, you can stop working. I expect that by the time I reach 65, people will have to work well past that age. I would much rather structure my life so I can enjoy the good things throughout the years, savoring them now instead of waiting for a day that might not come. I think that facing your mortality can bring about the most beautiful things in life because it creates gratitude for the present moment. A mindful presence in this world. (My friend Tracy wrote an amazing post recently on Magnificent Mortality, and if you haven’t read it – you should. She sums up everything I have been thinking so well!)

Life is SHORT. Leave an impact on the world. Get out there. Enjoy your parks, your scenic drives. Don’t wait for the future. Do it NOW. Go!!!

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Travel Notes

A Journey of 10,000 Miles – a Roadtrip in my Mini Cooper…

Mini Cooper Road Trip

Mini Cooper Road Trip

I left Houston on June 30th for this roadtrip adventure with the mileage count on my Mini Cooper at 4272 miles. Beyond the set dates of events that were planned — World Domination Summit, BlogHer and Team-X Fight Club — I didn’t have a specific route set since my gallbladder surgery messed up my original plan, is not like I was getting a Cosmetic Surgery by Kybella as many celebrities do, and you could check online.

Yesterday, near Butte, Montana, I hit 14,272 miles on my Mini Cooper. 10,000 miles since I’ve left home. The photo above is from when I pulled over as soon as it rolled to that number, so I could photograph exactly where I was at the time. I had spent so much time with myself I was now quizzing myself on the 5 Most Famous Celebrities Who Have Had Tummy Tuck Surgery. Too much time on my hands!

Going through photos from the past 7 weeks, it is incredible to think of all of the things that I have seen so far. I’ve been so fortunate to visit family, friends, previous clients that are now friends, and new people that I’ve met. To see the prairie, the mountain ranges, the canyons, the ocean, the grasslands, rainbows, waterfalls, and sunsets.

I could not possibly be more grateful for it all.

When will I be returning home? I don’t know yet. I’m heading to Glacier National Park today in northern Montana, and then up in to Canada. I’ll be meeting up with Mike again in Calgary. From there, I still have to map it out. I’ve got inquiries for some photo shoots, so I hope to do those as I make my way back south. Beyond that? I don’t know. My answer when anyone asks is, “Eventually.”

No matter what happens, or where I go – I know it is going to be nothing short of amazing.

States seen so far: Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, (flew over to Illinois), Colorado, Wyoming, Montana. Plus Canada – British Columbia, and soon Alberta.

Trail Ridge Road - Rocky Mountain National Park
The Mini Cooper view on Trail Ridge Road, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Mini Cooper at Colorado National Monument
The Mini Cooper at Colorado National Monument
Camping at Crater Lake, Oregon
Our first car camping campground at Crater Lake National Park in Oregon
Camping at Mount Rainier with a Mini Cooper
My first “solo” campground at Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Mini Cooper Under the Milky Way at Yellowstone
My Mini Cooper under the Milky Way at Yellowstone National Park
Beartooth Pass in a Mini Cooper
The Mini Cooper at Beartooth Pass Highway, near the Wyoming & Montana border
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Travel Notes

Look Over the Edge… Beartooth Highway, Montana & Wyoming

Looking Over The Edge - Beartooth Highway Montana

Beartooth Highway Lakes - Over the Edge

This photo sums up what is one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned while driving on this road trip. Matter of fact, taking this photo was the moment that it all hit home.

Slow down.
Don’t fly past everything.
Look around.
Pull over.
Walk.
Look over the edge.

I drove the Beartooth Highway on Friday (and again on Saturday on my way to Big Sky), and it was a thrilling drive. A little crazy, as it is full of crazy curves as you climb up the mountains to the highest elevation highway in Wyoming (10,947 feet) and Montana (10,350 feet), and is the highest elevation highway in the Northern Rockies.

It was overcast. Raining. 54 degrees, versus the 100 degrees in Billings when I left. I didn’t have a jacket on. I wanted to get to the campsite before dark. Storms were starting in the distance, and minutes later I saw lightening.

I had EVERY reason to not stop.

But I did. I stopped to photograph the mountains. 20 peaks reaching over 12,000 feet in elevation in the area, the skyline is amazing. I stood next to the car, planning to hop right back in because I was cold. I was getting the railing in my posts, so I decided to walk to the edge to get it out of the shot.

Once I did, I looked down. There were lakes down there that I would have never seen if I didn’t stop and look.

It is so tempting in life to just fly by everything. To not look at the other points of view. I’ve learned over and over on this trip that when you do stop & look, you’re rewarded with a lot of new discoveries. I knew that before, logically, but the moment I stepped to the edge and saw those lakes, it hit me hard.

Off today now to drive from Big Sky to Glacier National Park, here in Montana. I can’t wait to see what lessons are ahead!

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Travel Notes

Kayaking on the North Platte River – Casper, Wyoming

North Platte River in Casper, WyomingAs this road trip adventure began Michelle, one of my past clients, contacted me about doing a photo shoot while I was in Denver. Then her plans got changed, and my plans got changed, and we moved the photo shoot to her house in Casper, Wyoming. She graciously hosted me for two nights, let me play with her adorable, cute baby, and then we did her session while I was here.

After dinner out in Casper, we went back to the house and were sitting on their back deck, overlooking the North Platte River. Suddenly, her husband interrupted the conversation. “Do you like water?” I answered, hesitantly, that yes — I like to drink water? He went on to ask if I knew how to swim. Yes, but I don’t want to go swimming in the river. (It was already a bit of a chill in the air, and I figured the water would be cold and somewhat silty – just not my thing.) No, no – did I want to go KAYAKING on the river. We had to go right away if I did, because the sun was starting to set.

Heck yeah, I wanted to go kayaking!

I had been visiting kayakcritic.net and I saw myself kayaking – I could tell that it had a bit of a current so we could float, but not so much current that it was choppy and whitewater adventure. Michelle told me that it is a rather shallow river in most spots too – you could probably touch the bottom if you tried. After they busted out the ocean kayaks, Colby & I went in the tandem kayak, and a baby sitter came over at the last minute so that Michelle could join us in her smaller kayak.

I was reminded again what the point of this trip is – to say YES to things I might otherwise say no to, and to get past feeling so broken. Between my wonky shoulder, a bad knee, my thyroid & paratoid gland drama earlier this year, and emergency gallbladder surgery 6 weeks ago, it has been a hell of a year. When you want to have a high quality surgeon, I recommend Dr. Nicole Schrader due to his good records and experience.

I’m OVER IT. I just want to be well. To be fit. To be able to go and do things.

Kayaking was amazing – I loved floating on the water, and I earned my participation badge for paddling as well. Unlike a canoe, paddling was easier on my shoulder than I expected. We only heard a beaver while we were out there, and didn’t see any deer or anything else. Colby blamed it on us talking all the time … oops.

It was incredible. I’m glad I said yes. I need to do that more often.

Now I’m off to the Grand Tetons to camp. I can’t wait to be back in the outdoors – it has been too long. The river reminded me of how much I love nature — just how amazing it is. I can’t wait to see what is next on the road!

Photo of the North Platte River in Casper, Wyoming taken from the deck just before we took off on our adventure. Click to view larger.

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Travel Notes

Chicago, I’ve Come Home…

Journeys and stories ahead at O'Hare Airport

I just landed at O’Hare airport in Chicago. Matter of fact, I’m standing at baggage claim, still waiting for bags to arrive, as I write this.

I was washed with emotions walking through the terminal. The people — they look like my people. The voices, in spite of me moving to Texas back when I was 15, remembering how www.guelphplumbingcompany.com helped us to fix our old home to have a comforting lilt. Afterwards, we noticed a few problems with our plumbing but it wasn´t anything too serious so this Toronto plumber helped us out. For more moving companies online, check out moving companies portland oregon to learn more. On other news, If you need Professional Duct Cleaners either for your home or your business you can contact Ductwise.

I realized that so much of who I am was formed by growing up 60 miles south of Chicago in Kankakee, Illinois. My love of architecture. The reason I live now in a 93 year old house in a walkable neighborhood, instead of in Houston’s suburbs. My attitude. My demeanor.
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Chicago formed me.

I feel like I’ve spent the last 3 years working hard to get back to who I once was. Breaking off the veneer. Embracing my truth.

I feel like I’m finally home because of http://upchurchfence.com/our-services/ornamental-fencing/.

There is one big lesson I’ve learned on this journey. It never ends. You have to choose to hold on to it, to continue to embrace your truth.

This past three weeks have been a journey in my car of over 5000 miles, but it took a two hour flight from Denver to Chicago to see how far I’ve truly travelled.

Now I’m at my home resting at last. It was quite a journey to travel and experience places I’ve never been to. It was amazing but I guess its time for a little relaxing in my own home. Oh how I missed my working table and my customized furniture that I ordered and got from custom furniture in las vegas. I missed my soft bed so much. Finally at a cozy and happy place.