Photo Friday: The Olympic Peninsula, Washington

It's been a week since I returned from one of the best trips I've ever been on. I spent six glorious days exploring the remote Olympic Peninsula in northwestern Washington. The beaches were rugged and wild. The forests were otherworldly. The lakes were breathtakingly clear. And it was empty, even during the height of summer! I must have found myself alone on a trail or a beach at least once a day. That kind of solitude was so rejuvenating. Living in Southern California, you kind of forget that kind of open space exists! I haven't traveled much on my own, but after this experience, I have a new appreciation for solo travel. Below are some of my favorite photos from the trip. I can't wait to go back...and bring my husband with me this time!

The Hall of Mosses Trail in the Hoh Rain Forest.

Violet twilight on Rialto Beach.

The sea stars in the tide pools of Clallam Bay were the size of my head!

 Looking out over Lake Crescent. 

Dungeness Recreation Area in Sequim.

Photo Friday: Erg Chebbi, Morocco

So, in continuing with my new tradition of Photo Fridays, I want to share some of my ultimate favorite personal photos. These were taken on a trip to Morocco my husband planned as a surprise getaway while we were living in France for our junior year of college. It was the most romantic trip of my life!

First, we spent a couple nights in Marrakesh, exploring the souks (markets) and eating our way through the city. Then, we drove out to the Erg Chebbi dunes to ride camels in the moonlight out to a Berber camp and wake up early to watch the sun rise over the Algerian border. Here's what we saw:

Climbing the dunes to was tough work...but so worth it!

 Watching the sun rise over the Algerian border. I'll never forget it!

Wide Open Spaces

To me, there is something utterly enchanting about wide open spaces. The fresh air, the expansiveness in all directions, the peace of being the only one for miles...it's all achingly romantic to me. Maybe it's that old Dixie Chick song that started it...

In fact, I write this post from one of the most remote places in the continental United States: Olympic National Park in Northwestern Washington. I'm here for a few days, checking out the sights and laying low. And I must say, I am relishing being this engulfed in nature and solitude. (More on my solo trip to come in future posts...)

So, while browsing my favorite travel blogs today, I came across an interesting list of The World's 10 Most Uninhabited Countries. They are:

1. Greenland (a territory of Denmark) with a jaw-dropping 0.069 people per square mile! For reference, the United States has approximately 76 people per square mile.
2. Falkland Islands (a territory of the United Kingdom)
3. Mongolia
4. Western Sahara
5. French Guiana
6. Namibia
7. Australia
8. Iceland
9. Suriname
10. Mauritania

It should be no surprise to me that I have been to or am planning on visiting 4 of top 10 most empty countries on Earth!  Top on my list to visit are Iceland, Greenland and Namibia. I mean, who wouldn't want to see this:

Iceland.

Namibia.

If you're like me and you love wide open spaces, think about letting Golden Key plan your next adventure. Let the wandering commence!

Photo Friday: The Beginning

I've always believed that travel is one of the most transformative experiences a person can have. It helps us to relax and recharge. It delights our senses and inspires us. It allows us to lose ourselves or find ourselves. 

So, in the spirit of transformation, I would like to introduce the concept of "Photo Friday." Each week, I will share a personal photo from some of my travels and explain how the experience changed my life.

My love of travel started at a young age. I was lucky because my parents had an adventurous spirit and were generous in sharing international experiences with my sister and me. I credit them with instilling an innate curiosity about the world. They planted the seed for my global appreciation by turning the world into a classroom. I learned about religious tolerance in Istanbul, history in Williamsburg, caring for animals at a Dude Ranch in Montana and the power of the ocean on a sailboat in Tahiti. It is because of my parents' encouragement and support that I was able to visit almost 50 countries in my young life. To me, there is no greater gift.

Enjoying one of my favorite places on a sailboat in the Aegean Sea. Age 7.

The Pros and Cons of Short-term Vacation Rentals

I thought this short video from CBS's Early Show gives a great overview of the benefits and pitfalls of vacation rentals. Whether you're interested in living like a local or renting out your own house to visitors, take a look. 

A little wanderlust inspiration for your hump-day viewing pleasure...

This incredible video (1 of 3) was recently created by 3 guys, in 44 days, in 11 countries, after 18 flights and 38 thousand miles, with 2 cameras and almost a terabyte of footage...if this doesn't make you want to travel, nothing will!

Bucket List Inspiration

In case, shark diving isn't your thing, I found this page with the list of Unesco's 25 latest additions to their canon of World Heritage Sites. This brings the grand total to 936. We've got a lot of traveling to do!

Some of my favorites for your wanderlust inspiration...

Marrakesh, Morocco.

Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Angkor, Cambodia.

San Gimignano, Italy.

Jungfrau, Switzerland.

Shark Bay, Western Australia.

The Greatest Adventure of My Life

August has always been one of my favorite times of the year. Long, sunny days, cookouts with friends, warm ocean temperatures...and best of all, Shark Week on the Discovery Channel! For as long as I can remember, I have been utterly fascinated by sharks. Sure, they are the world's most perfect honed killers, but I find them to be incredibly mysterious and beautiful. Given this passion for sharks, my ultimate bucket list adventure would be to swim in a shark cage in South Africa. I'm talking about the prime location to see "Air Jaws:" seal island! I think being able to be in the water and see these majestic animals breach as they hunt seals would be such a rush. I can't wait until the day when I can make this dream a reality! Until then, I can dream...

 My ultimate adventure.

"Air Jaws" in action.

I get it...Perhaps this isn't your idea of fun. I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't be a bit terrorized in the presence of a 15-foot great white shark! So, maybe your dream is to skydive in New Zealand or go white water rafting down the Zambezi river. Or maybe you prefer more tame bucket list activities like going to the top of the Eiffel Tower or dancing the tango in Argentina. Whatever your dream is, I hope someday to help you plan your ultimate adventure!