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!
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:
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.
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.
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
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Flying in to 88NV (Burningman airport) is always a joy!! All of the weather worries were for not along my route. I literally had blue skies and tailwinds!
CC drove the RV and made it just after the gate closed for 3 hours. We hung out in a dust storm waiting for the gate to re-open.
We finally made it to the airport, found our camping spot, plugged in, and got settled.
Sunday morning we swung into work mode. CC was assigned runway chevron duty and I mastered setting parking whiskers on the ramp.
At lunch time, CC showed up driving “truck-a-saures. Now he wants to buy one.
Sunday afternoon was busy getting ready for the rain. The last time we had rain during Burningman was in 2014.
Sunday night the rain arrived and lasted through morning. There is something special about rain at Burningman. It’s like living through a disaster, but still fun.
CC was out early in his mud boots fixing the power connection and dumping water out of the shade structure.
We are hunkered down inside while the playa absorbs the moisture.
We sure hope this is the end of the rain for another nine or ten years at Burningman.
christiontheroad 