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This month — we’re off to Louisville, Kentucky. Then on to La Paz, Mexico at the end of the month. And we’re wrapping up 2012 travels in Couer d’Alene, Idaho in December… Safe travels and adventurous journeys to all…

It’s been awhile since I’ve updated my website! The spring and summer was a busy season of travel — a whirlwind couple of months with visits to Moab, Utah and Austin in April, Puerto Rico and Toronto in May, and Murphys, California; Oahu, Hawaii; and Bellingham, Washington in June! That was followed by a little sojourn in Istanbul, Turkey and an epic adventure on safari in Kenya and Tanzania. Deadlines and pitching have been insane and I’m just starting to come up for air. Stay tuned for the stories on all to be published soon…but click on the links below for a sneak preview:

Moab | Austin | Puerto Rico | Toronto | Murphys

Oahu was the next destination for two reasons: the most important of which was my Estonian cousin’s wedding to her long time love, and the second of which was to write about destination weddings in Hawaii. The wedding was of course the highlight – a gorgeous, intimate, memorable, and touching ceremony – and as I said while there, instead of getting the seven year itch, my cousin and her now-husband decided to get hitched!

Bellingham wrapped up the travels in June. More to come on that soon….

And July!!! One for the record books with an epic journey to Africa via 48 hours in Istanbul, Turkey. It had been a dream for as long as I can remember to visit Africa, particularly to go on safari in East Africa to Kenya and Tanzania. In July that dream became a reality… Leading up to the trip I was pinching myself every day that it was actually…finally… happening… Each day of the journey was better than the last. The people. The culture. The beauty. The fulfillment. Living in the moment.

So much to get caught up on, so little time… I have projects galore around the house that I’ve been putting off from rearranging my closet to getting my garden boxes filled and replanted, not to mention all the writing I have to do and events to cover. I have books staring at my from the shelves that want to be read and art and photos that need to be framed and hung! And videos that need to be made… One step at a time!

Hope everyone had an amazing summer, and cheers to a having a magical fall. Be sure to check out Voyage Vixens, the new venture Lanee and I founded this summer dedicated to having eat, PLAY, love experiences around the globe…. Wishing you safe travels and adventurous voyages.

A road trip to Murphys, California was launched the adventures in June. “Where?” you ask. Exactly. Off-the-beaten path at its finest. Located about 2.5 hours east of San Francisco at the foothills of the Sierras, Murphys is a tiny little town with a whole lotta awesomeness. From the gourmet food to the fantastic small-production wines to the outdoor adventure, it’s worth a road trip escape to this California gem.

Once a gold rush town, there is still a bit of the Old West spirit alive (almost literally) at the historic Murphy’s Hotel which is said to be haunted. The likes of Mark Twain and Ulysses S. Grant have stayed there and while I don’t recommend staying there (you’ll have to read my stories to find out why), it adds a charm to the town’s Main Street. Stay at the Victoria Inn to stay central or at one of the B&Bs or vacation rentals (Villa Vallecito or Querencia) for a more posh sleep.

Big Trees State Park

In Murphys, you will not find a McDonalds, a Walmart, or a Starbucks and that is part of my criteria for being a perfect getaway. Instead, you get the local flair – everyone has a story, there’s one degree of separation, and a long weekend there will feel you’ve escaped the “real” world for a week. No visit would be complete without a trip to see the giant sequoias at Big Trees State Park.

To kick the adrenaline into high gear, we went rappelling (yes, apparently we like to HANG out when traveling…) through an old mine shaft at Moaning Caverns into a stunning cave, 160 feet to the bottom, including a couple extremely narrow passages (called “birth canals” because your body needs to be completely vertical to squeeze through), and from there entered the caverns for a little introduction to spelunking. Claustrophobics need not apply. The location also has zip lines and other adventures to satisfy your adrenaline cravings.

Toronto was like coming home. It was the first place I ever traveled to when I was six months old to visit my Canadian family. And it’s been the one city I’ve visited at least once every year or two ever since. But most of my time in Toronto was always with family, so while we occasionally ventured out to explore and see places like Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake or spent time in downtown for dinner, the ballet, or of course the Hockey Hall of Fame, this particular week in Toronto showed me a side of the city I’d never seen.

My first surprise was how fun and funky the Queen’s West section of the city core had become. Gladstone Hotel was once a very seedy place, but it’s now super funky and trendy with a SoHo sort of artsy vibe. The cocktail scene in Toronto was also impressive! Bar Chef is pure entertainment with molecular cocktails the specialty at the hands of mixologist extraordinnaire Frankie Solarik (beware the $45 Hickory Smoked Manhattan), and The Black Hoof was tops for delicate craft cocktails. We had a run-in with a New York Times reporter while there and it made for an interesting night of competitive journalists dueling and conniving for the perfect soundbite.

The theme for the week though was urban adventure with a artsy, foodie twist. It began with biking through downtown to check out Graffiti Alley (including taking our bikes ON the subway at one point – that was a first!). Then it was on to a culinary adventure scavenger hunt with Chef Scott Savoie in which we had to carry a suckling pig on a hockey stick through Kensington Market.

We went salmon fishing in Lake Ontario one morning and that afternoon we checked out the hipster distillery district for craft brews. Another morning we enjoyed cooking with the chefs at St. Lawrence Market, the best market in the world. And we took in the views of the city skyline twice from the Toronto Harbour, once while on a gorgeous sailboat and once from a voyager canoe which we paddled to and from the Toronto islands for a delicious picnic.

But by far the high of the week (literally) took place atop the CN Tower. Edgewalk is Toronto’s newest attraction and while I’m not one to shy away from adrenaline inducing activities, this one took my breath away.

At 1,168 feet above the ground, you walk OUTSIDE — that’s right, outside! — the top of the tower’s revolving restaurant. On a four-foot platform with no side rails, you circumnavigate the tower, secured by a harness that is attached to a rail above.

During the walk, you can literally hang over the city, faced forwards or backwards. I’m not quite sure if it was the city and skyscrapers below or not, but this particular adventure was the mental challenge of a lifetime for me. Skydiving? No problem. This? Vertigo central. The impulse to jump? Real. If ever in Toronto, it’s a must-do for adventure enthusiasts.

My story in the Tennessean:

Urban Adventure in Toronto (print)

Go on an urban adventure in Toronto (online)

Here’s my post on Johnny Jet for the Top Five Urban Adventures in Toronto.

 

Old San Juan Beauty

My birthday month of May kicked off in Puerto Rico with a rollicking week of adventure with the highlight being zip lining the world’s highest and second longest – The Beast! Part of Puerto Rico’s Toro Verde adventure haven, the Beast is in a category all its own, going head first, stomach to the ground in a cocoon-like harness, at speeds of up to 80 mph. Fun indeed! And the fact that we did it through a cloud with thunder in the distance only added to the excitement.

Toro Verde

I’d been to the island once previously, but it was a quick trip without as much time to really see all that PR has to offer. Highlights included having a pina colada at the place they were invented (Barrachino), off-roading through the muddy backtrails at Hacienda Campo Rico, spending a day on a gorgeous deserted and uninhabited island called Caja de Muerto, and exploring the artsy (shall we say sketchy?) neighborhood of Santurce.

There because my travel companion was writing about the underground art scene there, we got lost. And when asking an elderly lady for directions, she looked at us and said, “You got a gun?” Seriously.

Later that day while trying to get our rental car out of a parking lot that happened to be in front of a convent of nuns, the gate was stuck. One of the nuns came out and said, “Sorry, bad luck for you. It’s broken.” Eventually a handy man came around and helped us get the gate open, but for a good 20 minutes, we like to say we were imprisoned by nuns. While Old San Juan has kept its charm and color, there were two highlights for me beyond the Beast.

Caja de Muertos

The first was the Gallery Inn, a deliciously magical little haven in Old San Juan and truly one reason alone to visit the island. A converted mansion, the whimsical property is somewhere between Harry Potter and Fantasy Island where each nook and vista gives you another surprise or secret hideaway.

Gallery Inn

There, we met the two artist owners with eccentric personalities that you’ll remember for a lifetime and were serenaded with Spanish guitar music over dinner on the outdoor patio surrounded by wild orchids. I’d go on and on, but have to save the rest for my published stories, so stay tuned!

The second was the Pig Highway. Located in a tiny town called Guavate about an hour from San Juan, this is local at its best. Each weekend the lechoneras (pig roasting vendors) gather and cook as many as 20 pigs. Each!

Pina coladas are the entertainment with dueling stands across the street from one another, each trying to up the ante on the most creative cocktail. The spirit was contagious and inspiring filled with people enjoying their weekend and living in the moment.

Links to my stories:

Five Great Reasons to Visit Puerto Rico: Smarter Travel 

Enchanting Puerto Rico: The Tennessean

 

April adventures continued in Austin, which is always a good time. Having lived there for almost three years, visiting is like returning home. I’m always amazed by how much I love the spirit of the city, the barbecue and the MUSIC! No visit to ATX is complete without at least a couple of shows, and during this trip, I had the pleasure of seeing two of my ultimate favorites – Amos Lee (amoslee.com) at the Old Settler’s Music Festival and Seth Walker (sethwalker.com) at his new album release party at Threadgill’s. (Note: if you happen to be Amos Lee’s manager or publicist, I want to interview him. Any time, any place, I’ll be there.) For part of the time I stayed at one of my favorite places – the Hotel San Jose (sanjosehotel.com) – which has by far the best happy hour in Austin and a retro, funky vibe that only Austin can do so well.

While I had to make a pilgrimage to some old standards (Salt Lick barbecue, anyone?) and got to visit with dear friends, I also experienced some new places that can be added to my ever-growing list of must-do’s in Austin, such as La Condesa (lacondesaaustin.com). Home to the orgasmic El Cubico margarita (whole leaf tobacco-infused cazadores reposado, navan vanilla liqueur, lemon, grilled pineapple juice, mezcal essence, and volcanic-saffron-infused salt rim), my mouth waters just thinking about the incredible ceviches and huaraches consumed there. Coincidentally, the restaurant’s elegantly casual decor was designed by Joel Mozersky (www.joelmozersky.com), whose brother Jason is a friend of mine (we used to be neighbors) and happens to be Ben Harper’s guitar player. Joel also did the design of my favorite sushi spot in Austin, Uchi.

Paddleboard Yoga

Earlier that day, it was all about tequila at various bars near Sixth Street, including one where I tasted ghost pepper tequila. My mouth was on FIRE for hours. One of the highlights of the weekend was a morning adventure at Town Lake, where I not only went paddleboarding for the first time, but did paddleboard YOGA for the first time. If only every morning started out with a workout so sublime… I also took a visit out to hill country and stayed at the gorgeous Travaasa resort (travaasa.com/austin), where I experienced a relaxing spa treatment and an exhilarating ropes course excursion. It’s romantic, set among oak trees with gorgeous views of the Balcones Canyonlands, and quiet. There’s a theme here — quiet + nature = happy me.

Room at Travaasa

However, this particular trip was all about the green! From a behind-the-scenes tour of Whole Foods’ flagship and a visit to the eco-friendly Viva Day Spa, I was impressed but not surprised at all the tremendous steps the city and its residents are taking to make it more sustainable.

Stay tuned for my stories to be published soon…(will add links here when they run.)

April began with a few incredible days in Moab, Utah. This gorgeous Southern Utah gem is full of outdoorsy adventure, my favorite of which was canyoneering, rappelling down 120-foot cliffs of gorgeous red rocks. Whether jeeping or mountain biking, the breathtaking landscapes are as good as it gets! This was also my first visit to Sorrel River Ranch (www.sorrelriver.com), where I can safely say I will return to one day. It’s not often that a place captures me so much that I’d want to return – I’m more of the mindset of “been there, done that, what’s next?!” – but Sorrel offers a kind of peace and quiet and rugged luxury that so few do.

Also no visit to Moab is complete without visits to Canyonlands and Arches National Parks, where the natural beauty is stunning no matter the time of year or the weather. The travel itself offered some unexpected adventure with weather and chance meetings as a result of a flight snafu. I’d tell you now, but the pitches are still out, so sorry — gonna have to wait for that one! What I can say is Moab is special and when you least expect it, it sucks you in. Only in Moab does your hiking guide one day double as the TSA agent at the airport the next day, and where you are almost immediately on a first-name basis with everyone from the park ranger to the two taxi cab drivers in town.

Read my story in The Tennessean here:

The Tennessean 07-29-2012 6D

Maya performance

A recent trip to Mexico’s Yucatán peninsula was heavenly. The time of year was perfect to visit – hot, yes, but not yet so humid or buggy that it was uncomfortable. I had been to Cozumel and Cancun previously, but never to the Riviera Maya or the various Mayan ruins around the peninsula. They were stunning to see, surreal even, and well worth the trek to visit. The trip as a whole was a nice combination of exploration and luxury, from the accommodations at Blue Diamond Resort and the magnificent spa at Rosewood Mayakoba to the delicious Yucatecan cuisine in Playa del Carmen and beyond. Here is some of my most recent coverage. I’ll keep adding to this as additional stories get published…

Green Living Magazine:

The Luxurious and Green Mexico 

If asked to name a handful of countries aggressively taking steps to solve climate change, would Mexico come to mind? Probably not. But it should. Here’s why.

Although Mexico may be keeping many tourists wary of visiting amid headlines reporting increasing crime, there’s a silver lining not being widely reported. The country is beginning to be recognized globally for its commitment to tackling climate change…

JohnnyJet.com:

The Mundo Maya: Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico

When certain people heard I was headed to Mexico recently, their responses were a mix of “awesome” and “be careful,” along with questions like “where” and “are you sure it’s safe?” To answer them all, I replied, “yes it is awesome, yes I will be careful, the Mayan Riviera, and yes, it’s safe.” Here’s the deal…

Why the Maya calendar does NOT mean the world is coming to an end in 2012

There has been a tremendous amount of hype surrounding the year 2012 and predictions that the end of the world as we know it is upon us. Movies have been made, books have been written, and hysteria has been created. But rest assured, the Maya calendar did NOT predict the end – at least not Armageddon.

Xocempiche Cenote

Blue Diamond Resort, Riviera Maya

The Blue Diamond Resort in Riviera Maya is located 40 minutes south of Cancun international airport and just 10 minutes north of Playa del Carmen.  The property (formerly the Mandarin Oriental) is stunning. All of the resorts along the main stretch of highway have impressive gates and walls to identify them, then a security gate so only guests and people who have reservations can get in.

Blue Diamond Resort

Chichén Itzá

My Mundo Maya excursion in the Yucatán began at the pre-Hispanic world’s most celebrated archaeological site, . Possibly one of the most complex Maya sites, it was originally built by the Maya and later conquered by Itzás and Toltecs, and ultimately defeated by princes of Mayapán. Having seen so many photos of the site makes arriving at the Castillo surreal.

Chichén Itzá

Tulum: Maya Heaven

The Mayan ruins of Tulum are located about an hour from Playa del Carmen, and have undoubtedly one of the most breathtaking settings of any Mayan site. In fact, it is the only significant Mayan ruin that lies on the coast, perched high on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea.

Tulum

Exploring the Mayan Ruins of Cobá

Cobá is less than two hours from Playa del Carmen, and is different from the other major Maya sites in the Yucatán for three reasons. One, it is not as fully excavated as sites like Chichén Itzá  and Tulum, and excavation is still in progress on parts of the site. Two, it is located near four natural lakes, which are believed to have given the city its name – “waters stirred by wind”. And three, it has one of the few Maya pyramids that you can still climb.

Ruins at Coba

Hermosa Inn

Being a fan of the natural beauty of the Grand Canyon state, I was excited to explore one of the cities I’d never visited: Scottsdale. I was impressed with the diversity of outdoor activities, great restaurants, and beautiful desert landscapes. But what stood out most to me was the spa culture! From the luxury and serene accommodations at Hermosa Inn to the more urban location and style of Kimpton’s Firesky Resort, the hotels were fantastic. Restaurants from casual to elegant were satisfying and delicious, and were perfectly complimented by the craftsman style architecture around town, inspired by former transplant Frank Lloyd Wright. With adventures like driving ATVs around the saguaros in the desert, horseback riding on an Indian reservation, and hiking Camelback Mountain (no easy feat!), there’s plenty to satisfy your your sporty, artsy, and culinary cravings. The best way to soothe the body and mind after indulging? The spas. Montelucia and the Phoenician were tops. For the 411 on all, check out my my story for the Tennessean: “Scottsdale offers playgrounds from cowboy to couture.” (PDF links below)

The Tennessean 4D 03-18-2012

The Tennessean 5D 03-18-2012

I was recently in Yosemite National Park. It had been years since I’d visited. In fact, I can pinpoint it exactly to a school trip in the fall of 7th grade. While the simple majesty of the park hadn’t changed from what I remember, seeing Yosemite in her winter glory took the experience up a few notches.

Photos and a video from the trip follow below, and you can read all of my coverage on JohnnyJet. com by clicking on the links below.

“Yosemite Valley, to me, is always a sunrise, a glitter of green and golden wonder in a vast edifice of stone and space.” – Ansel Adams

• Winter in Yosemite
  
• The legendary Ansel Adams in Yosemite
• What to do in Yosemite National Park
• Where to stay & eat in Yosemite National Park
• Top ten safety tips when visiting Yosemite National Park

The beets give this dish a most amazing magenta color. Bring this to your table and everybody will gasp with delight – guaranteed!

Here’s the recipe.

Salad:

2 medium beets, tops removed, whole

2 cups (480 ml) water

1 cup (240 ml) quinoa, rinsed

2 pinches salt

1 bulb fennel, cut into small cubes

1 bunch scallions, chopped

1 handful chopped basil plus a few leaves

Dressing:

juice of 1 to 2 lemons

4 to 6 tablespoons olive oil

salt and pepper

1 Place the whole, unpeeled beets into a pot, add water to cover and boil until soft, about 40 to 60 minutes.

2 In a separate pot, bring the 2 cups (480 ml) of water to a boil and add the quinoa and salt. Bring to a second boil, then reduce the heat to its lowest setting and simmer, covered and untouched, for 15 minutes or until all the water is absorbed. Spread the cooked quinoa on a large plate to cool.

3 When the beets are soft, douse them in cold water until cool, then peel and cut them into small cubes.

4 Combine the cooked quinoa and beets in a bowl and add the fennel, scallions and chopped basil.

5 Combine the dressing ingredients in a glass jar. There should be about twice as much lemon juice as oil. Close the lid and shake to mix.

6 Pour the dressing over the salad and mix well. Let the salad marinate for at least ½ hour.

7 Just before serving, toss gently and adjust lemon juice and seasoning if necessary.

Garnish with basil leaves.

* * *

For those interested in joining Chef Marika for a special retreat this summer at her farm in Estonia, here are the details. Book now!

Consider a week of awareness, relaxation and awakening your taste buds at The Passion, Purpose and Pleasure Wellness Retreat, August 11 – 19, 2012.

Sometimes a week away from your everyday surroundings works wonders. It can put you in touch with who you really are, what you really want from your life and provide insights, inspiration and support to start things moving in a fresh direction.

“The week at my farm and arts center Polli Talu gives you the opportunity to explore your passions and connect to your purpose while enjoying a most pleasurable time,” Marika says.

Activities include: blissful yoga, delicious wholesome meals, fun-filled cooking classes, luxurious massages and
soothing meditations.

The retreat is open to a maximum of 11 women to ensure high quality personal attention. The package includes a one night stay prior and after the retreat in Estonia’s beautiful medieval capital city Tallinn.
See all retreat & package details here.

Price: $1310.00 per person in a double room at hotel (international airfare not included), Single room supplement $99

Early Bird offer: Book by April 1, and save $100. Click here to book.

Airfare: Discounted airfares are available from various US Cities.