Hawaiian Flower in the Rocks

Big Island Love

The Big Island of Hawaii is a trip all of it's own.

From scenic beaches to lava fields, the Big Island has a little bit of every type of terrain.  The island is split into two sides: Hilo and Kona.  The Hilo side is rainier but of course with the rain comes the lush green jungle that is also characteristic of Hilo.  Here is where you'll find the picturesque and quintessential Hawaiin scenes.  It's a great spot to see waterfalls and hike through the jungle.  Orchids, hibiscus', and too many other flowers to name are everywhere gracing the landscape.  Pineapples, coconuts, jack fruit, lichee, and my personal favorite, lilikoi grow wild all over Hilo; makes you want to forget about slaving away for a meal and go live off the land.



Kona side is a bit rockier and at times you may feel like you are in Wyoming instead of Hawaii, but this also has much beauty, especially because with the open grassy and rocky fields is usually an expansive view of the ocean.  Kona side also holds South Point, the southernmost tip of the United States.  Aside from the novelty of being the farthest south you can possibly be in the U.S., there is a very fun hole to jump into that leads out into the open ocean.  After you jump, you swim out and grab onto a hanging ladder and climb back up the cliff face.  Chances are some locals will encourage you to take the plunge, but it's well worth it and not as scary as it looks.

South Point Jumping Hole!

Grab the ladder!

School's out!

"Sea Urchine" or "Vana" in Hawaiin.  Watch out for these guys!  They hurt. 

Deep Blue

Activities to partake in on the Big Island are nearly endless.  It is paradise after all, and even doing nothing but relaxing in the warm weather is a wonderful daily activity, but there is so much more.  Hikes abound for many different skill levels and there is much to see including exploring lava tubes such as the popular Thurston tube among others that are a bit more off the beaten path.  Snorkeling, kayaking, surfing, and diving, are just a few of the water sports you can enjoy as well.

Honoli'i Surf Spot

Ho'okena Beach Campground

 The Big Island is magical.  I can't get enough of it.  And I sincerely hope my travels find me back there again soon.  Special thank you to Ron and Kareen Haskin, my amazing grandparents and Kamaina (name given to residents after 5 years living in Hawaii) for taking me around to see so much of the island!  Mahalo!

Ireland and Twain

Perspective...

Can't control an adventure!

Growth

No passion in playing small...

Mountain Paradise

Ouray, Colorado may very well be the most picturesque town in Western America.  That may even be an understatement.

Ouray Courthouse.  Used in the original True Grit film.

Set in the middle of a gorgeous craggy rock mountain range speckled with evergreen and aspen trees, the town boasts a main street that feels like it's right out of the early 1900s.  In fact, most of the buildings are original, some gloriously restored such as the Beaumont Hotel and the Wright Opera House.  The town began in the late 1800s as a result of the gold rush and grew when the railroad expanded their tracks to reach up into the mountains.  The town's mining tradition continues and the rich minerals in the area are clearly visable in the Uncompagre River.

View of Mountains from the Main Street

Uncompagre River

Aspens Dressed in Gold

View of Shasta Mt. from the "Million Dollar Highway"

Waterfalls and hiking trails abound in the area.  Even if you aren't physically fit enough to do any extreme hiking there are many beautiful waterfalls that you drive to.  Cascade falls can be scene from the main street.  Speaking of extreme though, the popular sport in the area is ice climbing.  Ouray has it's own ice park that is maintained throughout the colder months.  Regular outdoor rock climbing is definitely available too...everywhere!  I was

driven slightly crazy, having been bitten by the rock bug when I started climbing in college, to not be able to get up and out into the climbing places while I was there but have since sworn to return and do just that.

I could go on and on about this place.  I fell in love from the minute we rounded a mountain into town and my awe never faded.  If you can go, just go visit.  It is also becoming a popular location for destination weddings as well and accommodates nicely for them.  If you are looking for the perfect mountain escape, you've found a gem with Ouray, Colorado.

 

Enjoy the small things, they usually are not small at all.



Mazatlan, Mexico

Another beautiful photo, completely unaltered, by James Davis' ReeLife Photography

Backyard Bliss

Ever feel like going on a vacation is an impossible dream?  It's expensive, it's too hard to get the time off work, who to go with?  I can attest to these feelings and concede to their power to single-handedly talk you out of the time of your life.  However, these excuses only go so far.  Part of me wants to make this post about how you CAN save money (easier and in less time than you think) and how you CAN get time off from other responsibilities like work, and that even a trip alone is a glorious thing if you can't convince anyone to accompany you, but instead, this post is about what to do on the cheap and close. We'll talk about those other things on a later date.  So, for a relaxing getaway or adventurous romp, look no further than your backyard.

Ok, so I live in Oregon and my backyard happens to be a forested fairy-tale land...well, that is true, but I have been enough other places to know that yours has majesty too, you may just have to venture out a bit to find it.  There are literally 394 National Parks in the United States alone.  That's enough to keep you adventuring for your entire life, let alone a small weekend!  And chances are, one is near you!  You will probably have to drive a little bit to get away, but that's the way we want it, the more remote, the more beautiful it seems to be, and you're still not buying a plane ticket.

Today I took advantage of my own backyard and had a much needed day only my boyfriend and I.  With the 100+ degree heat, we decided to go up into the Siskyou National Forest, which happens to be less than 50 miles from me and walk up on of the many little creeks running through the area.  After a quick stop at Taylor Creek to jump off some rocks into the icy, but refreshing waterhole below, we continued on further into the woods to the several campgrounds up the road.  There are places to hike, camp, swim and ride horses.  In fact, the campground for horse-owners is fantastic!  It comes complete with corrals at every camp space, water pumps, and even a muck stall.

Taylor Creek Jumping Rocks

Walking up a creek is a lovely backwoods adventure.  On a hot day, it is especially fun.  You never know what is around the bend (think Disney Pocahontas ;) ), and you usually have to challenge yourself to meet the unexpected fallen tree, deep waterhole, or even a cascading waterfall.  I recommend getting a good meal in before heading off on this type of trip, and bringing some snacks for the trek, you will get hungry depending on how far you want to go.  It's addicting to keep going too, because there may be something even more amazing just up a little further.  There are guaranteed to be little clearings and private paradises that you'll come upon and want to rest or play in.  Such a glorious outing.

Siskyou National Forest

So, if you don't know what to do on a hot day to get away, I recommend finding a creek somewhere close, throwing on your best water shoes/sandals (or just a crappy pair of tennis shoes that you don't mind ruining) and walking upstream.  It's fun, it's cheap (cost of gas and food) and it's a mental escape and a bit of a physical challenge.  Can you say, perfect combination?

Surfing in Crescent City, CA

    Playing hooky from work to go surfing?  Yes I was.

It's not everyday that your boss agrees to let you go surfing instead of coming to work but thanks to family coming into town and giving me the excuse, occasionally these dreams really do come true and today was that day!
  

Crescent City, a little coastal town in Northern California has more to offer to surfers than one might realize.  With South Beach Outfitters located conveniently on the South Beach pier and Rhyn Noll Surf Shop a short drive a way, it's easy for even the newest of new to get suited up and head out for a day in the waves. 

Surfing is one of those pastimes that never gets old.  The ocean is always changing, the weather is too, and you just never get enough rides.  I've been surfing for a little under ten years now and am constantly learning and trying out new
tactics to get the best ride possible.

South Beach is where we went today and showed off our little paradise to our family from Wyoming, but there are many other surf spots in Crescent City as well including Enderts, Pebble Beach, and Garth's, to name a few.  

On a good day it's sunny.  On a great day, the water is warm.  Usually a chilly 50 degrees or less, a wetsuit is definitely required.  On rare days like today though, the water feels only slightly crisp and more refreshing than anything else, especially in your toasty wetsuit.

I couldn't imagine a trip to Crescent City without surfing, but if anything hinders you from doing so, there are plenty of other attractions such as the Rumiano Cheese Factory with friendly staff, samples, and
great prices, as well as the Redwood National Forest just five minutes away.

Great day, great people, fun surf, a beautiful memory made.  Success in all aspects.   

*All photos courtesy of ReeLife Photography by James Davis*