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.

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:

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!

We cruised the islands, swam the waters, hiked, met locals in the quiet villages, and ate the most delicious meal of our trip.

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.

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.

That’s what Croatians call their homeland. They have it 100% correct. This place is breathtaking.

Yesterday, Lynn and I finished our 5 day odyssey of cycling through the Adriatic islands off the coast of Croatia.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

The Napali Coast Hike was a standout for me!

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!

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.

In the breaks between showers, I wandered the beach, sought out magnificent waterfalls, and refreshed with dips in the natural pools.

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.

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.

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.

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.

My birthday gift is from all of you: fun, friends and loads of love.

Cheers to you and my next trip around the sun!!

A warm man, who took family seriously, and was the best provider in the world. My words, not his.

He was fun, funny, and serious all at once. He always treated us well. I loved, admired, and respected him.

He died of a broken heart. His stroke came just days after Janet died. I didn’t really believe that was possible. I now believe.

He was a badass in his younger days, for sure. A Navy fighter pilot, engineer, and energetic young man.

Scott learned to be a really good man from his dad, Bob. I miss them both. I miss Scott every single day, he was the best there is.

One of the treasures that came to the surface while we were packing up Bob and Janet’s home this week, was a poem that Scott shared with Janet before he died in 2018. It’s beautiful. I feel compelled to share it here.

I hope the three of them are partying and laughing their hearts out together in the 4th, 5th, or 6th dimension. I love you Scott, Bob, and Janet. The universe is a different place without you.

The Grand 2017

It’s sunlight dancing on the water

And having just enough when you have nothing left

It is finding a path when you seem utterly lost
It is a kind word in the face of unkindness

A path of deep water in a shallow twisted maze
It is caring for your Grandparents and then your Parents as Death takes them from you

It is fulfillment and joy in the face of fear and loathing 
The face of God for the lucky few who find it
It is evolution and devolution all at once
It is building up and moving forward 
The apex of all we have as humans
Empathy

It’s not a billion plastic presents under the tree 
Not a big house full of things 
It is making a decision to be content

It is a hand to hold 
A face to kiss

A smile and a tear
It is picking up and washing off 
Something someone else discarded

It’s pulling weeds to clear a garden
The buzz of a bee
To the ear of a deaf flower

The sun on my face 
As I sit by the riverside

A hot spring
On a cold cold winter night

It is union
In a chaotic world
It is patience 
And knowing

The smell of vanilla and musk
The tastes of salt and sugar
Vinegar 
Wine

Whiskey to the lips of some
A cigarette for others

It is that last stroke
That sends you into the void and over the edge
A place not all will find
If the sun does rise 
Rain may fall from the skies

Our heart beats on through 
Like an eternal song
We begin again

To walk on in any direction 
Our thoughts a compass
Emptiness 
The great abyss 
Darkness

A line in the sand
Enigmatic 
Oceans, rivers, creeks
The sky, the sun , the stars
Rain

The rhythm of my breath
The beat of my heart
The song of the river

Singing to my soul
Sleep it comes to me
Late in the autumn eve
Dreams come too

Of the morning sun
The smell of smoke 
The crackle of a campfire 
A hot cup of coffee in hand
Awakened by the roar of rapids
In the Canyon 
On the Grand

David A Black (Blacky)
The Grand 2017

ReplyForward