Just for Fun…

Rather that turn to the south for warm weather during the 1st quarter of any given year, try going colder instead. One year we chose to go to Banff, Canada and it turned out to be one of the best trips ever! We did all the cold snowy stuff…ice hiked up frozen river beds, rode snowmobiles and even dog sledded. When we signed up for the dog sledding, we expected to be carted around by some guide while we leisurely sat bundled up in a sleigh…nothing could have been farther from that experience! I mushed my own team with my wife and friend bundled in the sled. From the first yelling of “hike, hike” which makes the dogs bolt…I was in deep trouble back behind that flying machine…I did not know how to turn,, nor did I know that dogs could run and pull something that heavy so fast! Naturally the trail had turns in it…I wrecked the sled, but did not let go and managed to keep the dogs from dragging us back to home base. I did not make a good impression on our single guide for some 4-5 sleds all being operated by tourists! Probably should have been paying better attention to instructions in the beginning. But no broken bones; only lots of laughter and fond memories of the mountains of western Canada.

Let’s Talk Travel Safety…

I have been having this discussion recently around home and with friends…”Is now a good time to travel internationally?” Due to social/political/religious unrest in many parts of the world today which seems to be getting worse by the day; makes this is a topic you should be very comfortable with before embarking on a journey outside the US. As far as that goes, it probably makes sense to even examine your travel plans for safety concerns within the US as well! Bottom line…it is a personal decision but there are ways to help make that decision easier. First of all, talk to people that you know or suspect have recently traveled to the area you want to visit and see what their perspectives are. For certain never leave the US without checking out the travel section of the US Department of State website: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/

I always then look for world news about the area or region of interest and just see what may pop up as a concern. If you decide to go on with your plans, then by all means do so with confidence and have a great adventure…BUT always think about what dangers may be around you and act accordingly. There are places not safe to frequent after hours; where ever you are staying the locals can advise you on this topic and I have always found them willing to share. They want you to enjoy their part of the world and frequently want to know about your part of the world too! Share with them and feel at home while visiting. Try to stay in local lodgings if you can, partake of local flavors and step out of your “hard core” American attitude; you are the guest and need to genuinely be friendly and open to the hosts’ suggestions for a good time!

Let’s Talk Research…

This may be the most important aspect of traveling for excitement and adventure and leaving all those tourists behind…RESEARCH! Be thorough. Use lots of resources but check the source…be your own “Fact Checker” . And using the internet is fast, easy and convenient…but there can be distracting “rabbit holes” to take you away from your objective!

Just Take A Day

Not all travel need take days or weeks to be enjoyable! I have created a new Facebook Group called Just Take A Day, with hopes of finding people willing to share their short day trip adventures and interesting things to do for a day around home! Sign Up here or there to follow the action…