While standing in an average Idaho strip mall parking lot, my back facing a TJMaxx, I was surprised by the inspiring scene in front of me. Looking to the left gave a glimpse of Perrine Bridge, a base jumpers magnet and to the right was the spot where daredevil Evel [...]

Ahhh. The Cava caves of Spain; dark narrow tunnels, steep spiral staircases, a labyrinth that would challenge anyone's sense of direction and filled to the stone ceiling with a winemakers dream. Even as gorgeous as the wine caves of my home in Northern California are, they didn't quite compare to [...]

We stood outside of a sumo stable in the Ryogoku district of Tokyo, one of the places where wrestlers practice and live, hoping they would allow visitors to watch as they refined their craft. No such luck. Today was a health check day for the wrestlers and even if they were having [...]

When I told my friends about a pending trip to the island country of Palau to swim in something called Jellyfish Lake their faces had that half quizzical and half "you're a crazy lady" look. The rapid-fire of questions followed; Why? Aren't you scared? How many jellyfish are there in that lake? Will [...]

Standing under a waterfall is what is actually on my bucket list, not standing behind one. But, the original goal probably would not be the wisest choice when we are talking about the mighty Niagara Falls. Standing behind it would surely be a much safer option. Niagara Falls is a set of three powerful waterfalls, [...]

Nothing could have prepared me for a visit to an African orphanage. Nothing.  Kibowa Orphanage is on the outskirts of downtown Arusha, hidden down a bumpy dirt road and painted in a friendly pale blue. There are 48 children that call it home and, after four days on an African safari, we were [...]