Now, life can't be all work and no play, right? We did find time to sneak away on a few much-needed adventures! Practicing self-care is one thing the pandemic has planted in us - the need to consume less news and food and to rest and restore ourselves - Travel helps us do all that, if only for a few days. We hope you can find time to reap the benefits of travel too.
In April, without much planning other than wanting to go somewhere warm, we made our first ever trip to the Great Smoky Mountains. Along the way were great stops in Chicago and Brown County State Park in Indiana and the North Carolina shore. Once in the Smokey Mountains we camped with Elk roaming through our campsite, hiked the most epic trail - forcing us to cross a thigh-high rapid flowing stream 11 times! It was great to be outdoors and in the thick of nature. Then, we drove to visit a friend/client at her new home in Mabane, NC. After a lovely visit, she encouraged us to drive to the shore - so naturally, we did! We took a ferry boat to Sheep Island, Cape Lookout National Seashore, NC. We camped for free on the windy shore under a beautiful full moon. We had hoped to see loads of stars as Cape Lookout is up for being placed on the Dark Sky's List - but the full moon kept us from seeing the stars. Good thing the phone rang with more spring business to attend to back home, or Stacie's feet would have suffered third degree burns!
In late July, we ventured west for a long awaited or put off trip to visit with Stacie's sister Brenda and her family in Nevada near Lake Tahoe. This road trip brought us through Rapid City, SD to drop Stacie's mom off for a visit with her sister. Then, into Utah for a couple nights near Huntsville. so beautiful! Because the smoke was so bad at Stacie's sisters in Carson City, Nevada we stayed a night in the Ruby Mountains in Deeth, Nevada. If you've ever drove through the area, you wouldn't have a clue such a beautiful place existed just off the desert highway. What a treat! Finally with our relatives, we escaped yet more forest fire smoke, by heading to camp at Kirkwood Lake in the Sierra Mountains. We paddle-boarded to our hearts content, hiked and ate amazing food. When it was time to head towards home, we avoided forest fire smoke again, by driving through our most favorite place, the Grand Tetons! There we paddled the shore at Jackson Lake and had dinner in Jackson with relatives, Chris and Judy before heading back to Rapid and then straight home. Fun!
In November we helped our eldest daughter Zoë move to Tampa, Florida. It's been her dream to live somewhere hot! We settled her in and had a brief visit. Then, the first week in January we snuck back to celebrate Stacie's birthday. We look forward to future visits but have already enjoyed Clearwater Beach, the famous Tiki Bar at St. Petersburg's Pier, yummy Ybor City restaurants, the Downtown Riverwalk, and my birthday treat - Paddling and swimming with the Manatees in Crystal Rivers!
Travel and the outdoors have always been important to us, but sometimes, you just lose focus and forget how fast time flies and before you know it, you haven't refueled. Funny how just a few days away from everything helps you refocus.
Thanks for giving us the time and flexibility to keep our sanity! We hope you've made time for some adventures of your own! If not, get out there! Life is meant to be enjoyed! 😍