Otter's Outings

I am so very fortunate to have a career that has me traveling with great frequency.  Through it all, I've experienced a lifetime of adventures tacked onto the beginning and end of these travels.  Of late, I've had two unexpected moments where I saw a gap in the schedule and seized it like this otter holding a baby otter:   I love water.  It's my favorite element.  Lakes, pools, puddles, all great, but rivers are the king in this realm.  Why?  It moves, constantly changes and is way stronger than most of us are willing to admit.  If a swim or paddle in a river won't settle your soul, I don't know how to help you.  Rivers teach us that sometimes you have to roll with the current.  Some days are full of furious paddling and others we are meant to just drift along.  There will be obstacles, but there will be beauty, even in the moments of chaos.  Most importantly, you must always look downstream.  Look where y...

I am blessed with friends that help me get out of my little kayaking, camping and generally water related comfort zone.  One such friend, knowing I hadn't been to Vegas, invited me to go with her (names have been changed to protect the innocent - Let's go with Cindy). It was a blast, it was good to leave.  There isn't much commentary needed, but she took me EVERYWHERE.  It was the do it all, see it all, experience it all tour of Vegas that one needs to properly figure out what they need to focus on during the next visit.  I'm thankful we survived and had a blast (and no one lost fancy shoes wandering home!) The Flight In: Stunning views of the Grand Canyon -- Drunk seat mates terrified of Vegas and going for a birthday party.  I was so wise as a 31 year old to their 20 year old selves.... Standard advice: Don't get in cars with strangers. Pay attention to your drink when in an establishment. Make sure and write down what hotel you are at in case you need...