Why am I sending you here? Because it’s fun to jump off a Canadian glacier and make a splash in Montana.

Escape the summer heat and venture north to Flathead Lake and Glacier National Park in Montana.  This trip is ideal for the more adventurous types, but the beauty and serenity will appeal to even the most devoted couch potato.

Flathead Lake (nrthwestmontana.com)

Flathead Lake in Montana is incredibly beautiful and is one of my favorite getaways.  The lake is perfect for sailing or water-sports, but wait until late summer if you plan on swimming because the water can be a little chilly! Boat Tour

Flathead at Sunset (visitmt.com)

The fishing is spectacular, and the fish don’t seem to be too picky. Trust me, I caught a pretty little striped something, and if I can do it, you definitely can! If sitting on a boat and casting a line is too tame for you, no problem!

Take a trip north to Glacier National Park and other neighboring Parks to explore the breathtaking peaks.  You can hike, bike, run, and even skinny-dip among these majestic hills.  When I visited, we found a cliff-jumping spot on the border of Canada and Montana.  We jumped from a mini-glacier in Canada into a small pool of ice-melt in Montana.  It was invigorating, and frigid!

Aerial photo from helicopter tour by Jenie Woehler of Historic Tamarack Lodge.

Allow at least one full day to explore the national parks along the border. The untouched wilderness is captivating, and nature watching means that you are stopping the Jeep because a Moose is blocking the road.

Check out this Flathead Lake travel blog for more tips! Fun in Flathead.

Let me know if you make it up to Flathead, it will be worth the trip!

Beachy Keen

Try to resist this. Are you busy? Got some work to do? After looking at this next travel spot, none of that will matter, and that’s ok…life is too short not to have fun.

BVI Beach (anegadavacations.com)

This week let yourself fall in love with the British Virgin Islands. One of my favorite trips of all time; The B.V.I.’s are a blissful Caribbean escape that will tempt you to never leave.

The water is turquoise and crystal clear.  Locals told me that I would always be able to see the sandy ocean-floor from my boat. This was not true, there were too many tropical fish dancing in the waves.  The scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities are world class.

Snorkeling (angelinacat.com)

I ended up inhaling salt-water every time I snorkeled because the snorkel doesn’t fit in your mouth if you are smiling – be careful because you will be smiling, lots!

I would suggest that you and a few of your favorite friends charter a yacht and dart between the islands.  Yacht Charter Options

For the semi-experienced sailors you can crew and skipper your own boat!  If you aren’t as sea-savvy; no problem.  You can have a captain, crew, even a chef join you on your Caribbean adventure.

This could be you...think about it (tusentakk2.com)

Land-lovers are not to worry, the islands are a stones-throw away from each other, and you can anchor any time and check out the crazy fun nightlife and divine cuisine offered on the pristine beaches.

I would suggest taking the day-long sail out to Anegada, one of the farthest islands, and enjoying some fresh Lobster at Potters By the Sea.  Make sure to order a Ting.  It’s a refreshing local drink, with a cute bottle that is perfect for putting a note in and tossing overboard.  I put my message in a bottle out there in 2004, let me know if you find it!

After you arrive in Tortola and pick up your boat enjoy your first Caribbean sunset on the main island mingling with the locals. Then wake up on the water, and throw a friend in to test the water temperature. 

Enjoy a morning swim, at this point you will already be hooked on the islands – I will leave you to plan the rest of your days….for more tips on what other’s did in the B.V.I’s check out: British Virgin Islands , this group went to the Baths, a highly recommend natural beauty.

Anegada, British Virgin Islands (loblollysotages.com)

Let me know how the islands treated you, and if you find my message in a bottle!

 

Vicarious Voyages..and warm fuzzy feelings

Where to this week? This week, I challenge you to find a traveler. This is an alternative, if you cannot make it out of town: a vicarious adventure that will leave you with warm fuzzy feelings…and possibly some new friends!

I am not asking you to hunt for the Hawaiian shirt wearing; camera-gripping couple that is determined to finish their bird watching tour. Instead, just keep an eye out for someone who is new to your home turf, and help them to feel welcome.

Example of Tourists - The Scary Kind (photo:blog.costumesupercenter.com)

This idea came from my post-Starbucks walk this morning when I encountered a father and daughter on The University of Texas at Austin campus frantically trying to locate a lecture hall.  With three campus maps between the two of them you would think they could have been the campus tour guides. Lesson 1: having a map doesn’t mean they have any idea where Welch Hall is. Thanks to the caffeine in my bold roast, I was running a little ahead of schedule, and asked them if I could help.

They jumped on my offer, and as I walked them to their meeting, we talked about Austin, Texas and all of the cool things that they could do while on their trip here. 

I got excited all over again about the neat place I call home, and it made me want to explore new activities in Austin.  Not to mention I got that fluffy feeling in my chest, the my-mom-would-be-proud-I-did-that feeling.  

The family was visiting Austin on a college-hunt trip that they had started in Minnesota.  Their road-trip adventures sounded interesting – maybe even cool enough to be a travel spot next week!

So get out there, and find a new foreign friend.  Offer to take a picture of them and their sweetheart so they can avoid the awkward extended-arm self-taken picture.  Or simply help them find their next destination. Tell them about your favorite hike, or coffee shop, or restaurant and you will be reminded how much fun your home is, while passing the tips along to your fellow travelers!

Hopefully someone will pass the favor on to you on your next adventure!

Let me know who you meet and where they are from, these could be travel spots featured in the future!

Squeaky Sand and Sunshine

Spring is officially here. It's time to pull out your flip-flops and show off your ankle tan-lines. This week, check out Gulf Shores, Alabama. 

View from Beach House (photo: Kelsey Koentges)

What’s in Alabama? The same beautiful soft sand beaches that you would find in nearby Florida, but with a more laid-back crowd, better fried chicken, and a tiny price tag.  This trip will is about unwinding on the beach while enjoying your own beach house, and the local seafood. 

Imagine waking up to the sound of the waves and walking out your back door to enjoy your morning coffee on the beach. The town is very clean.  The water is enticing once the afternoon sun reaches its peak, and the white sandy beaches are speckled with seashells.  Forgo your shoes and enjoy the squeaky sand that will unavoidably be traveling back in your suitcase with you.

I would suggest going with a group of friends or family and renting a beach house.  Four days is the perfect amount of time to relax in Gulf Shores, rentals are available for almost any length of time, and are less expensive than most beach towns. Check out rentals, Beach Houses in Gulf Shores.

The town is casual, your suitcase checklist would be complete with a bikini and a bottle of sunscreen.  Early risers can be seen jogging the beach or the main street before the sun moves in for the day.

For those seeking a little more adventure, check out Fishing in Gulf Shores, and Golf in the Gulf to set up a golf outing.

The nightlife is tame, but the social butterflies will be fluttering around these popular nightspots.  If you would like to explore after dark check out  Nighlife and Music.

Feed your inner travel bug with Frisco, Colorado - the first step Off your Beaten Path

Traveling shakes-up your routine.   This includes venturing a block south of your normal lunch spot and finding fries so delicious, your waistline is forever changed.  Or, it could mean that you start your morning by hiking a 14 thousand-foot peak in the Rocky Mountains. Share your adventures with Off the Beaten Path and we can discover some great travel opportunities together! 

Each week, I will post a new travel adventure. Some may be outdoorsy; some may be relaxing; they all will be unique! I want to highlight travel opportunities that allow access to hidden treasures overlooked by large travel agencies, and I want to give you the opportunity to do as the locals do…whatever that may be!

This week’s showcase is Frisco, Colorado. A picturesque Summit County town, Frisco boasts a 15-minute drive to local ski areas, a marina, and miles of bike trails.  Never heard of Frisco? Join the club. Because Frisco is nestled between popular resorts such as Vail and Breckenridge it enjoys the perks of a well-developed town, minus the snow-seeking tourists.

The Log Cabin Cafe (www.logcabin.com)

The easygoing locals are eager to share their sunny skies and champagne-powder snow.  Be sure to visit the Butterhorn Bakery and Log Cabin Café on Main Street for a pre-ski breakfast, and grab an afternoon pizza at Bagalis.  Then, meet up with the ski-goggle-tanned crowd that fills the bar at The Boat Yard.

Frisco is great for a quick get-away, just an hour west of Denver International Airport, or about 45 minutes outside of Denver.

A festival in Frisco, Colorado (yellowroseflowers.com)

The evergreen lined, eight-block town, welcomes young partiers and families alike.  With bi-monthly festivals showcasing everything from art to barbecue and a recently expanded bar and music scene, Frisco will leave you smiling. 

Lodging is affordable yet luxurious on Main Street in one of the two hotels or condominium buildings.  You can overlook Mount Royal and Frisco’s Historic Park if you are lucky enough to book unit number 203 on 1^st and Main.  If you are traveling in a large group, or just need a little more dancing room, you can rent a variety of homes that are sprinkled two blocks off Main.

During the winter and early spring, cross-country and alpine skiing are some of the most popular attractions. Check out this blog about skiing in Summit County!  http://ngadventure.typepad.com/blog/

If Colorado is enticing you, visit http://coloradoblogging.com/ and then let me know where you are staking your tent.

Next week’s adventure is to be announced. If you cannot wait, start planning for yourself at

Lake Dillon, Frisco, Colorado (snowshoemotel.com)

www.gordonsguide.com






Mardi Gras: If you decided last minute to venture to Burbon Street for Mardi Gras in New Orleans get some helpful hints from TravelBetty,  Where to Stay in NOLA