Thank you Michael, Mark, John, Randy, Shannon and Blythe for inspiring me to get back to my keyboard and to start logging my travels.
I am about to launch a 68 day trip to Iceland and then onward to Indonesia.
1991 (Christi -left, Debby- right)
My travel companion in Iceland is Debby, my sister in law. We have committed to each other to travel together every year. Our last trip was more than a year ago…but anyway. We are going now! We are doing the “6 Day – Around Iceland Adventure Tour”.
This 6-day tour around Iceland’s Ring Road will give you a fantastic experience, showcasing a stunning variety of landscapes in a short time. You’ll see majestic waterfalls, black sand beaches, immense glaciers, and picturesque fjords, along with geothermal hot springs and dramatic volcanic terrain. From serene fishing villages to vibrant northern cities, the journey lets you experience Iceland’s raw, unspoiled beauty.
You will get a chance to see everything from the famous Golden Circle to black volcanic beaches, the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. You’ll visit charming fishing villages, historical sites, rugged lava fields, and enjoy stunning glacier views. Depending on the season, you might see the Northern Lights in winter time, or witness sheep round-ups and bask under the midnight sun beams in summer.
Then, from Iceland, I say goodby to Debby and fly onward to Indonesia for a Goddess Retreat in Ubud. Here is a brief description of our retreat and it’s focus:
Altar of Devotion Retreat
“This is a path of devotion. A sacred commitment to open our hearts and minds to the deepest potential of who we truly are. Mystical meditative experiences are a natural birthright of every human being.
Through transformational meditation techniques we will illuminate everything that is blocking you from fully stepping into your light. We will lift the veil of the matrix and discover true Liberation, beyond mind and body matrices, beyond the time and space conundrum.”
It going to be a wild ride! I would love to have you follow along. Welcome (Back?)
I fell hard for Croatia, again, for all the right reasons: Great people, great food, incredible places, joyous fun with wonderous beauty. I’m at a loss for words to capture the magic of this charming little country, so I’ll just share a few photos. It’s a place that I know I’ll return.
It happened. I did it! I went sailing in the Adriatic. I promised myself it was something I would do and 38 years later…….here I am! Wow!
At the helm under sail
We cruised the islands, swam the waters, hiked, met locals in the quiet villages, and ate the most delicious meal of our trip.
Mario filleting the fishCaptain MarioLynn on outlookDinnerMajaAcross the bayOur route
Captain Mario is a 28 year old Ocean Biology student who has been sailing since he was 4 years old. His skill and precision with his boat (his grandfather’s, actually) was a delight to experience. He was beyond kind to us oldsters, and made our trip fun and informative. We would have never found him without the help of our cycling guides. Knowing someone local helps a ton.
Marios grandpa heading home from the market
Now we’re cooling our jets for a couple of days in (crazy busy) Dubrovnik before heading back to the same waters, this time in Kayaks.
We rode the Islands of Brac, Hvar and Korcula. The rides wove through olive orchards, vineyards and old stone villages. The photos fail to capture the immense beauty of this place.
HvarThe hillsTop of all rides HvarThe water is crystal clearTypical villageThe Finish! Me, Lynn and SueThe route
I visited Corcula in 1986 when Croatia was still Yugoslavia. I have been determined to return. It is as pristine as I remember.
When I was traveling in 1986 I had just met Scott. We wrote letters to each other during my travels. It seemed appropriate that I was on Korcula on his birthday this year.
The best part of the bike trip? Our local guides Hrvoje, Mario and Bo. They were beyond amazing and so fun to hang out with.
Hrvoje, Lynn, me, Mario and Bo
We still have two weeks to go. Sailing next, then Kayaking.
I love this place. “Our Beautiful” doesn’t even begin to describe…..
Whew!! Is really how I feel about achieving my ASA (American Sailing Assoc) certification for levels 101 (basic sailing), 103 (day sailing/cruising) & 104 (bareboat coastal sailing/cruising). That probably doesn’t mean much to you, but to me it means passing three tests with 100 questions each, covering about 325 pages of material!!
I didn’t realize that this was an immersion course and that I was supposed to arrive at the dock ready to take three “final” exams.
The great news is that all ended well and I had a blast learning!!
We launched from Bellingham and were sailing within the hour. The first destination was Sucia Island. One of my favorites!
The bowWe had perfect weatherOur boat “The Interlude” Sucia Island (popular place)
From Sucia we sailed to Stuart, Roche Harbor, Lopez, Orcas and finally back to Bellingham., spending a night at each place.
Our crew was the best!! Our instructor and owner of the boat, Bob Hathaway, ended up being someone I went to High School with. He remembers my older sister Cindy well, and fondly. we grew up on the same street. An amazing coincidence.
Bob, our instructor was a phenomenal teacher
The rest of the crew was equally fun, enthusiastic, smart and eager. Stephanie is a NYTimes bestselling author, Megan and Chris are preparing for their sail around the world together.
l to r: Megan, Chris, Stephanie, me
It was gratifying to be learning with such interesting, motivated people. We were all so eager, I think we drove Bob a bit crazy. He kept saying things like “it’s only Monday…..we have all week, no one does (full in the blank) Monday!
The wind was mild for the first few days, but by Thursday, we had 15-20 knots which enabled us to sail the entire distance from Orcas to Chuckanut Dr. It was so fun!! Bob lets us “go”. We did it all, putting all of the skills we learned during the week to good use.
Stephanie at the helmSails up Nice wind and views
I was so stressed about the timing of this course. It just felt like too much all at once….but I hung in, because I knew it would be worth it in the end.
Boy was I right!!
I can’t wait to go sailing in another week-when I’ll be in Dubrovnik, Croatia on the Adriatic. A full 35 year wish come true.
Just when I thought I was done with home ownership, I stumbled into the cutest little cottage that simply screamed my name. It’s funny how life throws these surprises at you; you just can’t help but embrace them.
I took a bold step, made an offer sight unseen, and suddenly, the house was mine. GULP
Visiting for the first time yesterday, I was smitten. The view? Breathtaking Strait of Juan de Fuca in the front, and majestic Olympic Mountains in the back. The deal? Incredible. The adventure ahead? Thrilling. I’m overflowing with ideas to bring my own touch to the space.
You’re all warmly invited to come stay! I don’t need to be there, I’ll let you know where I hide the key. Sequim is oddly charming, and it’s about to get a notch quirkier with me in town.:-)
Check out the listing photos below for a sneak peek. And how can you not smile at the address—3 Crabs Road?
I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves, let the paint fly, and dive into the fun!
CC and I found ourselves in the hot tub one evening, discussing plans for New Year’s. I suggested, “Let’s go somewhere.” Without a destination in mind, we decided to consult the globe. Before we knew it, we were booking tickets to Panama. Why Panama? It’s warm in December, tropical, and neither of us had been there before.
And what a delightful surprise it turned out to be!
Arriving in Panama with just one night’s accommodation booked, armed with a rental car and a vague itinerary, our trip unfolded in three distinct sections:
New Year’s and the Pacific
Coffee and the highest peak in Central America
San Blas (Bliss)
Our New Year’s weekend took us to the West Coast, where we lucked out finding a charming, small surfing paradise called Playa Venao. It was perfect—a quiet hostel-like place amidst music and festivities on the beach. We spent three days enjoying the warm, blue waters, working on our tans, and easing into our two-plus week adventure.
During our research, I discovered Isla Coiba, an island that seemed unmissable. And boy, was I right! Coiba turned out to be one of the highlights of our entire trip, offering the best snorkeling experience since my visit to the Great Barrier Reef in 1993.
In Santa Catalina, a tiny village on the Pacific Coast serving as the gateway to Coiba, we found a fantastic hostel called Surfers Paradise—ideal location, friendly hosts, and a great vibe.
Our day trip to Isla Coiba included snorkeling in three spots, exploring the Park and the museum, enjoying lunch, swimming, and absorbing all that Coiba had to offer. Just wow! I regretted not having more time there, but our schedule was packed, and after two nights, we were off to coffee country.
Chiriquí, David, and Boquete equal coffee for me. We took a scenic drive through the countryside from Santa Catalina to David, then to Boquete. In Boquete, we joined a coffee tour at Don Pepe Coffee Estate on the slopes of Volcan Baru. The ripe coffee cherries and the ongoing harvest added to the charm. We even had the chance to cup coffee, a treat for CC, a coffee enthusiast who was cupping for the first time!
Volcan Baru was another reason for our visit to Boquete. I wanted to climb the highest peak in Panama. Completing the journey at 11,460 feet, I discovered that Volcan Baru is also the highest peak in Central America. An achievement unlocking the highest peaks in all of the Americas for me—North (Denali), Central (Volcan Baru), and South (Aconcagua).
CC graciously served as my shuttle to the trailhead. After picking me up, we hiked the pipeline trail, a lush jungle trek leading to a waterfall— a perfect day.
The next chapter in our adventure involved driving back to Panama City, returning the car, and embarking on our trip to San Blas. Little did we know, that the best part of our journey awaited us.
San Blas Islands, an archipelago in the Caribbean managed by the Kuna Yala native population, exceeded our expectations. Booking a single-hull sailboat The Tintamare with Captain Hernando and his wife Montse was a fantastic decision. Their hospitality, kindness, sense of adventure, and competence made for an unforgettable three days in Panama. The blue waters, the fun sailing, delicious food, and amazing company—it was a special experience that will be etched in my memory forever.
In our final days in Panama, we visited the canal museum and the canal itself—an experience not to be missed. We learned a lot and witnessed a ship passing through. It served as the perfect conclusion to our trip, blending history and significance to wrap up our incredible time in Panama.
It caught me off guard in many ways. This trail was a real challenge, full of ups and downs, and in some spots, it got pretty narrow, rocky, and slippery. Some stretches were downright sketchy! There was a lot of exposure too.
But even with all the mud and slipperiness, the beauty along the way was sensational!
See the goat? MangroveLush TrailThe trail inArch
Words just can’t seem to grasp the magic of the lush tropical forest; even photos fall short of its true beauty.
Every moment was a treasure. I tackled the full 11-mile trail on day one. But as the rain poured down in the following days, my tent became a cozy haven for diving into books. It was incredible! I devoured three books, adding another layer of adventure to my five-day journey.
View from my campsiteRain and rainbows
In the breaks between showers, I wandered the beach, sought out magnificent waterfalls, and refreshed with dips in the natural pools.
Pool below the waterfall Another Hawaii WaterfallDelight on the trailCamp visitorFriend along the trail
I soaked in all the sounds—the chirping birds, the wild, crashing waves, the howling wind, and (lots of) falling rocks.
I took my time hiking out, breaking it up into two days. Once out, I learned the trail had been closed for the prior two days, due to rainfall. It didn’t rain that hard where I was, but the first two miles are traveled by 900 people PER DAY, so they are careful.
View from the edge“crawlers ledge” I earned this mud!
An unforgettable week—one that’s etched in my heart for years to come
A friend once said to me that Birthdays are your “own private holiday” I still love that thought. I try to find fun ways to celebrate, often in new places I have never before traveled.
It might not feel good to be getting older, but a celebration of still living a great life is worth pausing to consider.
West coast beach on Kauai
The alternative is to not be here, not getting older, not having experiences. I often think about how much life Scott is missing. His memory moves me to keep my life full and exciting.
Waimea Canyon
Tomorrow, I venture on to Kauai’s Nepali Coast with my backpack and my tent. A new path to follow. I’m using the hike as a beacon for the coming year: new trails, unknown places, and fearless exploration; on all levels of my life.
Surf fun
My birthday gift is from all of you: fun, friends and loads of love.
christiontheroad 