Sorry Bing Crosby, not everybody dreams of a White Christmas. If the icicles have you down this December, let the Hawaiian sun melt your shivers away with a Luau Christmas on O’ahu!
Rainbow Outside Iolani Palace
Hawaii’s “winter” (if you can really call it that) showers make for breathtaking morning rainbows, clear and bright stretching across the entire horizon. Instead of spending your time off shoveling a driveway, head to Waikiki Beach to take by-the-hour surfing lessons. Don’t feel like getting wet? Hang out on the beach under a complimentary chair and umbrella, with service from Hale Koa Barefoot Beach Bar.
With so many highly rated tours to choose from, there’s always something to see or experience. Take a peaceful audio tour around Iolani Palace, kept in perfect condition since Hawaii’s monarchy was overthrown in 1893.
On Christmas Day itself some businesses may be closed, but be sure to go to one of Honolulu’s famous Luaus Christmas Eve. Hawaiian honey-braised rotisserie pork is not the be overlooked. Eat a Christmas Eve with your family you’ll never forget as you watch a live traditional tribal fire dance show while you eat!
Waimalano Bay Beach
If a couple’s Christmas is what you’re looking for, a simple drive along the coast is all it takes to find a beach to yourself. Feel your feet sink into the sand and gentle waves caress your ankles as you walk along the beach, and enjoy the view of the sunset. It promises to be breathtaking no matter where you are.
I’m someone who never wants my knowledge of how people make their way through the world to stagnate. So I’ll keep studying psychology, philosophy, writing, and music, as my outlets to understand them better, and hopefully travel to get my chance to meet them. Then maybe, we might get to change just a little bit of each other’s lives.
Disclaimer: This feature is based on a trip before the Covid-19 Pandemic.
European sailors observed the sport of surfing for the first time in 1769, but historians believe the art of wave-catching dates back to ancient Polynesia. Duke Kahanamoku, a legendary surfer, introduced the sport to the world during the twentieth century and now surfers can be spotted catching waves all over the world. Somehow or another, the sport traveled up to Canada and the hamlet of Tofino became the country’s only surf town. Today, Tofino is a hotspot for North American surfers with a climate that doesn’t always feel that way.
I learned about Tofino while living in British Colombia and I knew I had to check the place out before leaving Canada. I didn’t know how to surf at the time, truth be told I still don’t, but that didn’t stop me from planning a very impulsive trip. Friends joined in, I called in sick, and before we knew it we left the mountains and headed for the beaches.
There is something uniquely fun about traveling long distances without a car. It forces you to engage with the world around you and rely on your problem-solving skills to acquire transportation. With this at heart, my travel companion, Daisy, and I used a smartphone to download a ride-share application to which we hired a ride to Horseshoe Bay. Ok, we kind of wimped out on that one. Coming off our culturally rich car ride, we purchased two tickets for the ferry bound for Vancouver Island. To Daisy’s dismay, I decided to use the remaining ten minutes before the ferry departed to grab a coffee from Tim Hortons across the street. In my opinion, traveling in Canada is not done properly without a visit to the country’s famous coffee chain. I don’t think Daisy shared this sentiment as I quite literally was the last person to get on the boat.
The ferry, which runs daily, is enormous. Three levels of passenger decks sit overhead a massive hanger where cars and trucks await to drive again on solid land. The trip takes about an hour and we spent the entirety of it on the top deck, looking for whales. Whales are spotted often by Vancouverites and an hour-long journey on the Pacific Ocean seemed to be our best bet to catch a glimpse of these sea mammals. Sadly, no whales felt like breaching that day.
View from the top deck of the Ferry
At around 4 pm, we docked at the small port city of Nanaimo and made our way to the hostel. Nanaimo is a hard-working city that has its fair share of quirks and family-owned shops. We spent our evening at the waterfront, continuing our search for whales.
The next morning, we planned to make our way to Tofino. With our backpacks on, we walked straight to the nearest rental car service and forked over some cash. There is something uniquely fun about traveling long distances with a car. You have the freedom to go anywhere and do anything that you please. On this particular three-hour drive from Nanaimo to Tofino, we did just that.
We found ourselves stopping every thirty minutes or so to experience the beauty that Vancouver Island has to offer. Waterfalls and streams run alongside the highway, beckoning us to pull over and explore. Massive Douglas Fir trees surround the road, as Vancouver Island is part of the Pacific Coast Forest, the densest forest in the world. We had to make a stop at The Cathedral Grove, a provincial park with trees measuring as tall as 240 feet.
Me standing inside a Douglas Fir Tree
It took us more than three hours to get to Tofino, but the drive had turned out to be the best part of the adventure thus far. We stopped in the nearby town of Ucluelet and reunited with some old friends who decided to move there for the summer. Ucluelet is a gorgeous town situated right on the shoreline. The housing is sparse, so our friends would spend the entire summer living out of their tent. We could understand why, like many others, our friends sacrificed their comfort to live in such a breathtaking place.
View of the Ocean in Ucluelet
Following in their footsteps, we set up camp right on a beach in Tofino. I highly recommend staying at Bella Pacifica campground for an amazing experience. A trip to the local brewery quickly put us to bed and we dozed off to the thought of riding big waves.
On par with being in a rainforest, the clouds above Tofino sent us some freezing rain in the morning. I began to question how we were going to stay warm in the water. The surf pros had a solution that came in the form of 5mm thick wetsuits with hoods and booties. Covered head to toe in thick neoprene, Daisy and I carried our surfboards down to Cox Bay. Before heading into the waves, Daisy tried to give me a few pointers on the beach. I practiced “popping up” onto my board while lying on the sand. It was definitely going to be a challenge in the water.
It seemed like I was the only person on the beach who did not know how to surf. The cold water helps discourage the crowd of eager tourists. I was shocked to learn that the winter season in Tofino brings the best waves, a phenomenon that benefits those most committed to the sport. Eager to join the ranks of wave riding individuals, I made my way into the water. I immediately forgot everything Daisy taught me as I got blasted by saltwater. I would be lying if I wasn’t cold or in pain, but the beauty of the whole experience made me forget about all those things. For three hours I practiced standing on the board. The training I did with Daisy on the sand began to come back to me and on the final wave of the day, I stood up!
Retiring back to the campsite after a long day of surfing, I couldn’t have been happier with my decision to embark on this impulsive trip. The beauty of Canada is incomparable and being able to experience it with friends far from home is beyond special. I didn’t do much planning for this adventure but it sure had plans in store for me and my friends. I think that is the best way to travel. Your trip to Tofino may look and sound a lot different than mine, but I can assure you it will come with some gorgeous views and unforgettable surprises.
And, hopefully, you’ll spot some whales for me and Daisy.
Me, Daisy, and some friends enjoying the evening on the beach
No matter how far or where you travel, a new exploration awaits. For me, it was a little less than two hours away in a place called McCall, Idaho. When COVID hit and was spreading fast, my family and I questioned if we were able to still take our yearly summer trip up to McCall. We decided to still go and mindfully keep our distance from crowds of people and hot spots in town. McCall offers so many things from boating, hiking, skiing, and so many other outdoors activities. My family and I stayed the week in our time-share cabin. It was our last trip together before me and my brother had to head back to school. We brought my dog Max along as he loves hiking and finding hidden lakes to jump in the water. A trip to McCall allows us to spend time together as a family and enjoy living in such a beautiful state.
The town itself is mainly centered around Payette Lake as cabins line every shore as well as hotels. Docks are stretched into the water filled with boats and jet skis. Restaurants and stores are in walking distance from the shores and the beauty of the town is indescribable. When taking the boat out for my family, our dog usually doesn’t come along so its just the four of us. Usually when we decide on taking the boat out, it becomes our entire day. Wakeboarding, kneeboarding, and swimming are just some of the activities me and my brother do. My parents relax and around halfway through the day we shore the boat on the north end of the lake, right on the beach. My mom sets up a make-your-own sandwich station and we enjoy our lunch together on the beach in the warm sun. Later in the afternoon, as our skin is feeling the bright sun’s effects, we decide it’s time to pack up and head back to the cabin. Days on the water with my family are my favorite as I get to relax in the sun and take in the lake’s beauty.
Payette Lake
My parents have owned a ski boat since I was born and to this day every summer we take it out on the lake. But when we head to McCall, it’s the one time a year we are presented with the opportunity to rent jet skis. Jet skiing is a different kind of high especially when your full throttling towards the wake of another boat trying to catch some air. My and my brother are always excited when coming to McCall because we are able to rent the jet skis.We spent all day, and I mean all day, out on the lake until my jet ski was almost out of gas. Driving around on the lake, you feel so careless and free with the wind blowing past your face. It’s truly exhilarating.
Boating on Payette Lake
Hiking through the mountains of McCall, Idaho is one of the greatest ways to capture its full effect with the beauty of the nature that surrounds it. There are so many trails just surrounding the town and even more in the mountains with trails of all levels. I recommend grabbing a local trail map and researching which are right and your desired skill level. For a more of a beginner and family oriented hike, the trails around Payette Lake are the best option while still containing stunning views. This was one of the many trails my family and I embarked on and we decided to bring my dog Max along too. I’ve personally hiked this trail the most and it will never get old.
My dog Max
Towards the end of our trip, my mom had to drive back home a couple days early for work and took our dog, but my dad, brother, and I stayed an extra day. We decided to explore one last trailhead before the reality of going back to school and dealing with a global pandemic set in. It was one last exciting adventure to share for the summer. We researched a more difficult hike than the previous but also wanted one with a view. Leaving at 8 a.m. and driving around 30 minutes straight towards the mountain led us to Lake Louie and its trailhead. In order to actually make it to the lake and see the water, we were in for a treat. By “treat” I mean a solid uphill climb, with boulders sticking out and not another human in sight. We had to stop many times before we reached the lake as we were all drenched in sweat and chugging water. I didn’t think the climb was ever going to end, until around an hour later, we finally made it. It was so worth it as the lake was so clear and clean. A few fly fisherman lined the lake, but if you stood and stopped to take a breath, it was silent. You could hear just pure nature and your heavy breathing. We continued to hike around the lake until we reached a rock that stuck out across the water. We decided to eat our lunch in peace and took in the beauty that surrounded us.
Lake Louie
This last summer adventure before the virus picked up was nothing short of perfect. It was the best way to end the season and in the company of my family and dog made it so much better. It was also the last adventure that I was able to experience with my dog Max as he would pass away a month later. It was end for many things like having to be sequestered in my house for months, but it also brought new beginnings. Heading back to school and entering another year of life. Every summer, my family ends with our trip to McCall and it brings me peace in doing so. Traveling with people you love while exploring and experiencing new places and things is something truly special.
Pulling up to that small patch of open land in the middle of the forest can be riveting. You open the car door to the smells of damp Earth, evergreen, perhaps even remnants of a campfire. The sun sparkles through the trees and you think “this is what they mean by the great outdoors”. You may even begin to wonder why you don’t camp more often, until you remember– we have to set up that darned tent.
Setting up a tent can be frustrating. Whether it is your first time spending the night outdoors, you’re introducing your kids to the wilderness, or you are hoping to avoid a fight on that romantic outdoor getaway, we have all the tips to setting a tent without tearing your spirts down.
Take a deep breath. Credit: The New York Times
Take a Deep Breath
Look around, remember where you are. Perhaps you are here to reconnect with nature and relax, or are maybe getting a good nights rest before a pack day of oudoor adventures. Either way, this tent is your home for the night. Setting it up can be a headache, but with your goals in mind, the process an go smoothly. Take a deep breath of mountain air and get ready to roll.
Gather sticks for the fire. Credit: GetOutWithTheKids.com
Delegate
Before even toughing the tent, it might be a good idea to assign roles to everyone in your camping party. Tents rarely require more than two people to assemble so there is no need to over complicate it. If you have little ones running around or extra friends along for the ride, suggest they collect sticks around the campsite to start a fire later or have them unload the car to distract them. Now that it is just you and a partner, or if you are taking on this task solo, you can focus in on what needs to get done.
Items for tent assembly laid out. Credit: FreshAirJunky.com
Locate all Items Needed for Tent Assembly
Tents typically include a ground mat, the tent itself, tent poles, a rain tarp, steaks, and instructions. Locate each of these items and lay them out in an easy to access location so you don’t have to scramble for them when you need them. Laying them out beforehand can help eliminate stress when each item needs to go into the tent.
Putting on the rain tarp. Credit: NC State Parks on YouTube
Get Down to Building
This is where those instructions will come in handy. Read them over once and then keep them nearby for reference. Generally, assembling a tent will involve setting down the ground mat, laying down the tent, inserting the tent polls, attaching the rain tarp, and securing the tent with steaks. However, each tent is unique and may have its own specific requirements. Remember, it is okay to rely on instructions or even a how-to site like WikiHow’s How to Set Up a Tent (With Pictures). When frustration arises, check back in with your instructions to get the job done.
Relax in your newly set up tent! Credit: Self.com
Celebrate Your Accomplishment
For many of us, setting up a tent is no simple feat. Whether the process went smoothly or had some bumps along the way, don’t forget to pat yourself on the back. If you set the tent up with a partner, thank them for their work. Now that the worst of it is over, you can sit back, roast some marshmallows, and crack open a beer by the fire. Relax, you’re camping now!
If you enjoy nature, Denver is where you should go. Every season has something different to offer. In the summer, hikes and lakes are the places to be. During the winter, Denver offers a lot of resorts perfect for skiing. For the summer, Belcher Hill trail. It’s a pretty long hike which makes it good for a warm summer day. If you’re more into the cold, however, Denver is also the place to go. During the snowy season, skiing is a common sport practiced in Colorado. The largest skiing resort near Denver is the Winter Park resort and it is only 2 hours away from the Denver International Airport. However, it is important to keep in mind that during the pandemic, most places are working a bit differently. Be sure to check out their websites and have a safe, fun time!
Winter Park PC: colorado.com
Not Into Nature:
If nature just isn’t your calling, Denver is also the perfect place to go. Known for being a big city, it is full of things to do. If shopping is your thing, the 16th Street Mall is perfect for you. It’s a long street that offers shopping and dining, right in Downtown Denver. The Denver Outlet Shops are also a great option for shopping at outlet prices which are oftentimes very good prices. Before COVID-19, there were also great options like Elitch Gardens, Pepsi Center, Coors Field, and the Empower Field at Mile High. Before COVID-19, Denver was the perfect place to go to a Rockies game in the morning and a Taylor Swift concert at night. Still, you can enjoy places such as Denver Zoo, Denver Aquarium, and the Denver Art Museum, just make sure you wear your mask and are socially distancing.
16th Street Mall PC: visitdenver.com
Visit Year-Round:
Denver is known for its snowy winters (sometimes even fall). However, Denver is a very sunny city. Averaging 300 days of sunshine, Denver is perfect for summer activities. But if you’re more into the cold weather, Denver has that too. If you drive to Denver, snowy conditions might be dangerous so please plan ahead.
Denver City during the snow. PC: NY Daily News
Without a doubt, Denver has a bit of everything for everyone! So get your family together and plan a trip to Denver, but remember to keep yourself and others safe during these hard times.
Despite what the name suggests, Buena Vista is home to far more than breathtaking views! The mountain town boasts a variety of mountain sport hot spots, artistic and cultural attractions, and delicious dining. Pack your vacation with new outdoor adventures, relaxing hot spring evenings, and locally crafted shopping and dining all at Buena Vista this summer!
Hot Spring Paradise
Buena Vista hot springs. Credit: BuenaVistaColorado.Org
Buena Vista is home to all of your new favorite hot spring soak spots. Whether you are looking for a day at the spa, and adventure down the river, or some splashing family fun, Buena Vista has a variety of hot springs locations to choose from. Not only are they a great way to relax and explore, but they also offer prime mountain views. Relax with a ice-cold drink or throw on your adventure hat, Buena Vista’s hots spring’s offer it all!
Hiking, Rafting, and Mountain Play
Rafting down the river in Buena Vista. Credit: Colorado.com
Buena Vista is home to the largest number of 14ers in Colorado, hundreds of hiking and biking trails, and world class rapids for rafting and kayaking. Try your hand at a variety of outdoor sports offered at all experience levels. Whether you and your family are looking for a beginner hike on the Cotton Wood Pass, or you are a lifelong thrill seeker looking to rush down the rapids with Browns Canyon Rafting, Buena Vista holds classic Colorado outdoor adventures for all!
Spectacular Shopping and Dining
Historic Main Street of Buena Vista. Credit: ColorfulColorado.com
At the end of your adventure packed day, wind down with the vibrant shopping, dining, and live music scene on Buena Vista’s historic Main Street. After enjoying a scrumptious locally made meal, you can walk the rustic street to find galleries, gift shops, local craft stores, outdoor gear hubs, and more. Plus, the small town’s famous Brown Dog Coffee Company makes for a great cozy start or finish to any day. The friendly Buena Vista community is warm and welcoming, making it the perfect destination for mountain town tourists!
Now that it’s fall, passers by will often see me in my favorite green pullover with “Teton Valley, Idaho” written on it underneath a drawing of Idaho’s mountain-scape. Every once in a while I have someone stop me to tell me they’ve been camping, hiking, or biking there.
My grandpa grew up in Teton Valley, as did much of my extended family. In an effort to remain close to each other, we have an annual family reunion, camping for a weekend in the valley. Traditions we have include horseback riding, hiking, jewelry making, and taking the kids to the creek to watch them try and cross and eventually fall in. I remember on my first reunion, I ran out of socks in two days because I’d gotten all of them wet. On the last night, we have a raffle to give away prize items that range from Teton merchandise to family-made blankets, necklaces and paintings. That’s where I got my pullover from.
But the most incredible experience I’ve had there was a couple years ago. Teton Valley happened to be in the center of a lunar eclipse. For a brief moment the entire world in front of me was bathed in a tangerine twilight. Cameras couldn’t capture it properly. The redness of the mountain, the warmth bouncing off each needle of pine. The campfire sent a bright red hue onto the kid’s faces, as they held still in wonder for the first time in that whole weekend. I saw a gleam in the eye of Aunt Doris, who objected to being wheeled out of her trailer that evening, but was finally convinced the cold would be worth it. A tear rolled down my cheek when I looked next to me at my mother’s water-welled eyes, and wide grin. She’s the one that convinced everyone it would be worth coming to watch this feat of nature. The eclipse was the moment that the biggest space nerd of the family’s dreams came true.
The lunar eclipse’s center will not be in the United States again for a long time. It feels almost like fate that the valley which holds so much of my family history became the epicenter of this breathtaking event.
The pandemic has meant that I could not hear that creek skip over stones, horses clop up the trail, or the campfire crackling under moonlight this year. It’s meant that I couldn’t pick huckleberries in the valley and blend them into milkshakes or savor their unique tang. But I’ll look forward to the next time I see my aunties knitting blankets outside their trailers, while their kids roast marshmallows. Teton Valley will always have more memories with my family to unlock, and more places to fill in my heart.
I’m someone who never wants my knowledge of how people make their way through the world to stagnate. So I’ll keep studying psychology, philosophy, writing, and music, as my outlets to understand them better, and hopefully travel to get my chance to meet them. Then maybe, we might get to change just a little bit of each other’s lives.
How did a Colorado Native turn into an East Coast beach lover?
The sunrise over the ocean one morning in Sea Isle.
I will try to give you some idea:
Every August, my boyfriend’s family goes to Sea Isle City, a small island off the southern coast of New Jersey. His grandparents have had a place there since the 80’s and so the family has been vacationing there ever since. I am now fortunate enough to tag along on their yearly trip.
This past year was a bit different of course with the pandemic and COVID-19 precautions, but we decided to still make the trip happen. I think that the August 2020 trip was more impactful than the last few partly because of the timing.
I was able to find a calm and peaceful place, even amidst all the world’s craziness and uncertainty. I found a new home away from home, grounded in nature and restful in the sun’s cycle.
Dipping my toes in the water, one of my favorite pastimes at the beach!
I wasn’t one for the outdoors until I frequented the beach. I say that the mountains have been calling, but when I answered, they told me to go to the beach, and then they hung up. As a Colorado native, it surprises many people that I do not ski or snowboard, or really spend much time in the mountains at all. I will go maybe 5 times a year because the mountains aren’t far for a weekend trip, and it truly is beautiful. I just don’t have the deeper connection that many others do with the mountains.
However, I found out this year in Sea Isle City, that I do appreciate nature differently and deeply at the beach.
A dancing me viewing the sunrise over the ocean.
I attribute this to several things:
The connection to nature was found in the simpleness of a beach town, learning how to have less of a routine, take in the water’s tide, and view the sunrise and sunset. It is the simplicity of being content. I realized I don’t need a whole lot to have inner peace.
I would look at the beach and understood it offers a lot in itself: the the way the sunlight hits, the sound of the waves, the rhythm, the salt, the sand.
All of this is the Earth itself, nothing else. It works on its own. It is completely powered by nature. This place that I love so much has nothing and no one to thank but nature, and this made me start to understand and love it so much. I was able to sit there without any other stimulation, no phone, no book, no headphones, just completely in awe of this place.
Pure bliss on a day spent on the beach 🙂
Now, I know there are many beaches around the world to experience very similar things. I think that is part of the beauty of it. But it was in Sea Isle that I discovered this. It was the place I had a shift in thinking. I appreciate this place because of that, and because this trip allows me to slow down. Even when I was busy with summer classes, I was able to remain relaxed on the trip.
It is things like the walk to iced coffee and bagels in the morning, the humid air of a dim morning, the carefree and childlike run towards the water, or the race towards the sunset in hopes to not miss it. The sun rise over the ocean was something I had never seen, and it was breathtaking.
A perfect day in Sea Isle would start with waking up early to catch the sunrise. I’d sit on the sand, maybe with a towel underneath, and marvel at the sun’s process. Then, it would be time to swing by the local coffee shop and grab a donut or sticky bun- I recommend Nickelby’s!
Nickelby’s Deli
The side of Nickelby’s building.
For this particular trip, I then had to do some school work, but being in this town and near the ocean made it so much less stressful. I had the motivation to get it done to then explore! We would either go to the beach and play games, lay out and/or actually get in the water! If it wasn’t a beach day, we might explore Sea Isle or the neighboring islands; Avalon and Stone Harbor are charming. I just would love to spend the days seeing new places, trying new things, and relaxing.
A quick shot taken on a walk home from grabbing breakfast and coffee at Nickelby’s.
There were less worries. Maybe it is the carefree beach town vibe, or maybe it is the fact that I knew I could catch the sunset over the bay, and that was the biggest concern for the day, to get there on time. One night I left my melting ice cream at home to run down a couple blocks to see it set over the bay.
The sun setting over the bay.
The combination of the nearby beach, the salt air, the slowness, and the beauty of the ocean’s simple, yet astounding offerings make Sea Isle an escape for me, but one where I find peace in nature.
I now look forward to each August, for the chance to slow down, to take a break, to see the sun in a different place, and to feel that inner connection to the ocean.
I wake up with an abounding curiosity about the world. I believe there is so much to learn and we have no time to waste. I document my experiences in hopes to inspire and connect with others. Seeing life through a camera lens has brought me many chances to share my vision with others and I hope to continue to do so.
This year, traveling has served as a shattered dream and somehow, also, my saving grace. This video holds footage and prose of what my hopes of traveling the world after graduation has become.
This is a road trip style video of a day trip up the coast of California to Salt Point State Park for anyone nostalgic for summer and the coast (or who wasn’t until they watched it, oops.)
