Although dawn comes too early, I am still excited to stick my head up from below deck and see what the world offers today. I feel the sun’s warmth and admire the soft pink sky. The marina at Kos is waking up. People shuffle about, pelicans are making a mess and skinny meowing cats are […]
September 11, 2001 – Greece
Sailing into Patmos, a quintessentially Greek island in the Dodecanese, a layer of stress easily melts away and we have not a care in the world. We tie up at the marina, and get ready to explore. It is September 11, 2001. My friends and I rent scrappy little mopeds and head out of town […]
10 Ways to Know You’re in Florida
Most states and regions have sights, sounds and experiences that are unique to them, including Florida. Here are 10 ways to know you’re in Florida: Bartenders serve beer named Florida Cracker. A house painted pink with white trim is not rare, and can actually look good. Hunker Down is not only an action one does […]
Half Way to Everest
I like oxygen. Whether it is simple easy breathing at sea level or sucking air while hiking a couple of miles higher, I like oxygen . On my “want-to-do” list for the last couple of years has been to successfully climb a 14er (a 14,000+ foot high mountain), and I am delighted to have a […]
Top o’ Vail
When a good friend needs to take a day or two off and have an adventure, I’m happy to oblige. Twist my arm, let’s go somewhere cool! And so the adventure begins. Nancy and I quickly decide to hike Vail, Colorado and after some quick online research, we book a room and head west on […]
On Wilsons Prom
It is pretty magical to stand on top of a 200′ high hill which straddles Squeaky Beach and Norman Bay at the edge of the Southern Ocean – the great, infamous Southern Ocean, just off the southern coast of Australia, (you know, that country way down under). On Wilsons Prom While the island state of […]
Vivid Sydney
One iconic view of Sydney, Australia is of the harbour (Aussie spelling) which includes the Sydney skyline, Sydney Opera House, The Rocks, and the docks where the ships and ferries arrive and depart at all hours of the day. It’s spectacular. I once heard it is the largest natural harbour in the world, in part […]
Our Amazing Race
When you’re planning your next snow skiing adventure with your family or group of friends, consider putting together an Amazing Ski Race, aka A Super Fun Way to Spend a Day Having a Scavenger Hunt Spanning Five Mountains in 22 Degree Weather. Yep. Our Orlando Ski Club (yes, Florida has snow ski clubs) group gathered […]
Bribery in Mozambique
It was my lucky day when I saw I was the only person in line at the visa application counter at the Mozambican border crossing. Other border crossings and immigration procedures that I’ve endured have lasted up to four hours, but this one looked easy. I smiled, said “bom dia” (good morning), and handed my […]