America’s Most Beautiful Drive & Best Free Attraction!

When it comes to mind-blowing scenery, cliff-hugging stop-offs, ragged rocks plunging into  the sea, and pristine beaches for both surfers and swimmers, few routes deliver like this one. This All-American Road encompasses Carmel Highlands, Big Sur, Bixby Bridge, San Simeon, Malibu, and Newport Beach. The Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), also known as California State Route 1, is America’s most beautiful drive. Our drive from San Francisco to Laguna Hills encompassed most of America’s best free attraction and we were not disappointed. Continue reading

While the Rest of the World Moves at a Frantic Pace, Sunset Cove Villas Cultivates an Air of Unhurried Leisure and Tranquility

Laguna Beach, and the surrounding Orange County areas, is the reason my husband and I moved across the continent. There are quaint shops, delicious restaurants, art galleries, beachfront beauty, year-round sunshine, and friendly people that remind me of eastern Canada. Sunset Cove Villas, located directly on the beach and minutes from the heart of downtown, are ideally situated to take full advantage of these benefits. Rising directly above Laguna Beach’s dramatic coastline, one of the most desirable beaches on the California coast,  Sunset Cove Villas face the majestic beauty of the Pacific Ocean, creating a picturesque setting and romantic atmosphere. The crashing waves, white sand, spectacular sunsets, and gentle breezes make a stay at Sunset Cove Villas priceless. What nature has not graciously provided, the owners of Sunset Cove Villas have; luxury, ample amenities, and attention to every detail are all part of the Villa experience at Sunset Cove. I’ve stayed in hotels in 33 countries and countless cities, but none have compared to the 180 degree view of the ocean I experienced while waking up at Sunset Cove Villas. With a balcony on the water and access to the ocean just footsteps away, our Seychelles Villa was the kind of oceanside experience I’d associated with Southern California living, but had yet to attain. I finally soaked up the chance to spend some time living my California dream. Continue reading

2012 Bucket List – Adventure Awaits!

In 2011, I went to 7 countries, got married, went sky-diving, bungee jumping, paragliding, base jumping, rock climbing, sailing, whitewater rafting, cruising, canoeing, canopy touring (zip-lining), jet skiing, windsurfing, dog sledding, helicopter touring, rappelling, trapeze swinging, caving, kayaking, and swimming with beluga whales and dolphins all with a bucket list in mind and an open heart. Continue reading

Splashing Around in the Ocean, Jumping off of Cliffs, Boogie Boarding, and Water Chicken Fights…the Memories of My Childhood

Splashing around in the ocean, jumping off of cliffs, learning how to roll in a wave, boogie boarding, and water chicken fights were all part of our daily beach adventures when I was a child. Singing, dancing, playing horse shoes or cards, and drinking until the wee hours of the morning filled my early adult life and shaped the bond between my family members. All of my fondest family memories took place in one location. When I think about being “home” or reflect on my greatest form of happiness it is Ingonish, Nova Scotia that holds my heart and it was with great anticipation that I introduced Darren, my husband, to my happy place and a large piece of my past. On our first vacation to Ingonish together, I knew that Darren needed to experience Smokey Mountain, Black Brook Beach, Black Brook Falls, and Ingonish Beach to have a glimpse of my life and become part of it. Continue reading

Strange Animal Encounters in the Florida Keys

Some people are just in the right place, at the right time, with the right attitude toward something new. I am one of those people. By chance, I met Adam Sandler and Tom Waits in Ireland, Jason Bay in Boston, Flogging Molly in New Brunswick, the Pope in Italy, and the Queen in England. Just last week, I was scheduled for a tour over LA by helicopter. When we arrived, we were escorted to an airplane, which seemed equally as adventurous so we never complained and stepped on board. After our flight, we learned that the company had made a simple mistake and they offered our original helicopter tour at no extra charge. We were able to fly over the beach cities by plane and downtown LA by helicopter all in the same day. Because I travel so freely and rarely have set plans, it leaves a window of opportunity. It was this free-spirited, open-ended travel that led me to a strange animal encounter in the Florida Keys. Continue reading

Soaring Above Los Angeles – Celebrity Helicopter Tours

Soaring above the congested traffic amidst the Los Angeles skyscrapers was an exhilarating experience made possible by Celebrity Helicopter Tours. The VIP Grand Tour covered all the destinations I wanted to see in the LA area. With a little bit of beach, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, and the heart of downtown, this thrilling tour featured an exciting jaunt around LA. With a bird’s eye view of one of the most amazing metropolis cities in the US, Chief Pilot Robin Petgrave gave us an extravagant helicopter tour. Continue reading

Yearly Bucket List; I Need Your Ideas!

I’ve had a Bucket List for years, but I’ve never created something with definite times. In the last year, I’ve been to 7 countries, got married, got pregnant, went sky-diving, bungee jumping, paragliding, base jumping, rock climbing, sailing, cruising, canoeing, canopy touring (zipping), jet skiing, windsurfing, dog sledding, helicopter touring, rappelling, trapeze swinging, caving, kayaking, and swimming with beluga whales and dolphins all with a bucket list in mind and an open heart.

My husband and I consciously thought about where we’d like to live in the world, chose southern California, quit our permanent positions, sold everything we owned, packed the car with what was left, and moved across the continent to our dream location. We want to live a life of fairy-tales with attention to every spectacular moment along the way.


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One Year of Travel!

After posting One year of Extreme Adventures, I started to think about the travel that I’ve done in the last year. I’ve been to Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Bahamas, Mexico (Baja California and Riviera Maya) and Jamaica. I’ve also been to several provinces in Canada such as Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and even more states in the United States like Florida, Alaska, Nevada, and California. I’ve compiled a group of my favorite moments from each country, state, and province. Come along with me on an amazing, unforgettable trip through the last year in travel.

There may not be words to fill in the blanks but the expression on my face accompanied by the surreal surrounding create enough words to fill an entire blog.

Mexico – Rivera Maya Continue reading

Upscale Accommodations in Coronado, San Diego

What makes a hotel upscale in San Diego? In a city full of activities, adventure, beauty,
endless summers, and fine dining beyond anywhere else in the world, I wanted to find accommodations that matched the perfection of San Diego. With a prime location, friendly staff, and uniquely designed suites, the award winning 1906 Lodge is the epitome  of all that is perfection in San Diego. Their unmatched service, gourmet food, and attention to every detail make 1906 Lodge worthy of the #1 Coronado Hotel Award on Trip Advisor, the #1 San Diego Bed & Breakfast Award with “Best of San Diego 2010”, the Top 10 Romantic Hotel in the US by Trip Advisor, and the 2011 Fodor’s Choice Award. It’s Coronado Beach lodging at its finest. Continue reading

On Location in Hollywood – Hollywood Beach, Florida

Nestled between Fort Lauderdale and Miami is Hollywood, a classic Florida beachtown that’s enchanted visitors since the 1920s. The Hollywood Beach Resort is the historic star attraction of Hollywood. With fair room prices and beachfront access, we thought we found the ideal hotel, but the excessive parking fee, the unfriendly staff, and the old, run-down rooms quickly changed our view. We don’t, however, spend much time in the room to begin with so the location was its winning quality. At an easy 15 minute drive to Port Everglades Cruise Port, a 30 minute drive from Miami’s South Beach, and a short hop, skip, and a jump to the international airport, we found the Hollywood Beach Resort to be the perfect location for touring southern Florida. Continue reading