The Perpetual Tourist

According to the calendar, summer doesn’t officially start for another week and a half.  Even so, the past two months have been oppressively hot in most of the country.  If it gets hotter still in the real summer, I think I’ll move to Antarctica and live there until it all melts.

It is incredibly uncomfortable to be outside for very long in heat like this, but I’m an outdoorsy person, and I belong out there.  Getting in the water is usually a nice way to stay cool, but when I went for a swim in my neighborhood pool, it just felt like I was in a giant bathtub.  That’s why my friends and I made plans to go tubing down the James River today.  Tubing is a summer tradition, and if you’ve got a river, you can go.

No matter how hot the bathwater in my pool gets, I can always count on the James River to be cool and refreshing.  Tubing is just what it sounds like — you sit in an inner tube and float down the river for a couple of hours.  It’s not exactly an extreme sport, but the route that we’re taking today will take us by a rope swing (slightly extreme) and a part of the river where you can get out and go cliff diving (definitely extreme).  If you’ve never gone tubing before (and even if you have, really), you should go with a professional company rather than just blowing up a raft and setting yourself off down the river.

The James River Runners, the company that I’ve always dealt with, doesn’t actually send a guide down the river with your group.  They just provide the tubes and life jackets and take you by bus to the launch point so you don’t have to worry about coordinating cars.  I’d guess this is how it works with most tubing outfits.

Lots of people take coolers of food and drinks when they tube.  You can just put the cooler in another tube (with a bottom instead of a hole) and let it float along with you, but it can be a bitch to keep track of your cooler.  Someone always has to tow it and keep an eye on it so it doesn’t flip over.  In my opinion, it’s not worth it, but some folks will tell you it’s not tubing without a case of beer.

You should always wear shoes when you go tubing, because the river bottom can have sharp rocks and other hazards.  Teva sandals are my preferred tubing footwear, because it’s no problem if they get wet and they won’t come off my feet like flip flops will.

Sunscreen is a must, because you’ll be out on the water for several hours.  Since bugs love rivers, I’d recommend a sunscreen that is both waterproof and insect-repellent.  If you’ve got somewhere you can put it, bring it down the river with you and reapply every hour or so.

True, you’re just sitting in a tube for three hours and floating, but there’s something really fun about tubing — it’s why five of my buddies are blowing off work this afternoon to come with me, and we keep going back summer after summer.  It’s a great group activity, and fun for all ages.  Next time the heat drives you back indoors, get your friends together and get in the river.

When I was a junior in college, I had the opportunity to travel to Australia with my interterm class. Interterm is the three-week session in January at my alma mater where students can either get a dreaded requirement out of the way quickly, or go on trips or take a class that can’t be offered for a full semester (I got to take a swordfighting class my freshman year). One of my history professors took a group of kids to Australia each year, and I was lucky enough to be one of those kids.

If you want to get to Australia, this is a great way to do it. Traveling in a group made it much cheaper than going on my own, and going with a prof who’d been twenty times already was great, because he pointed out all the little things we might never have noticed as novice tourists of Oz. Our group spent time in Sydney, Canberra, and Melbourne, and we packed more into our time there than the Travel Channel could fit in a six-hour miniseries. For now I’m just going to focus on a few of the little things that you may not think about seeing or doing that made my time in Sydney spectacular.

Paddy’s Markets

People who like to shop will want to set aside a whole day to spend at Paddy’s Markets. If you’re not a real shopper, maybe four or five hours will be enough for you. Paddy’s is part mega-mall, part flea market, and it’s HUGE. I literally spent a whole day there and saw maybe 50% of it all. In the lower area, vendors set up booths and tables just like a flea market, and sell everything you can think of — food, clothes, souvenirs, jewelry, and so much more — all at very reasonable prices. When I was there, the US dollar was worth two Australian dollars, but now the currencies are trading almost one for one. Still, the prices are low and you’ll be able to stretch your spending money at a place like this.

Opals

Australia is famous for its opals, and once you get there, it will be impossible to miss all the stores selling the gorgeous gems. These make a great gift for loved ones who don’t get to make the trip with you, so keep that in mind. When you buy any high-dollar item in Australia, you will be charged the local taxes, but you can get a special receipt from the stores that allow you to recover this tax money when you leave the country (if you are not an Australian citizen, that is). Remember when traveling with opals that they are very fragile gems — pack them carefully.

Boulder opals and black opals are the deeply colored, dark stones you’ll find. These are much more rare than the white or milky opals typically seen in jewelry. They will be more expensive, but they’re cheaper in Australia than anywhere else, so if you want them, this is the place to buy. I had a very good experience shopping at Flame Opals in Sydney, but there are plenty of other opal vendors all around. Do some comparison shopping before settling on the first thing you see, because there are so many choices!

Indian Food

Australia has a large population of Indian people, and there are lots of Indian restaurants all over Sydney. The food isn’t Americanized like it is in the Western hemisphere, and I’ve had few meals in my lifetime as delicious as the Indian food I ate in Sydney.

Keep in mind when you dine out anywhere in Australia that tipping is not expected like it is in the US. Tips are always appreciated, of course, but servers are actually paid real wages and restaurants do not put this burden on their customers. A 10% tip is very gracious, and is about the most that would be appropriate for good service. If you are dining with large groups, tips are somewhat more expected, however.

Wine

Australian wine isn’t exactly world famous like French wine or Napa Valley wine, but Australia is the world’s 4th leading wine exporter. According to a coach (not “bus”) driver I had on a tour, Australia only exports the worst of its products — Foster’s, Kylie Minogue, and its bad wines. (His words, not mine.) In other words, just because you haven’t found good Australian wine elsewhere in the world, that doesn’t mean you won’t find it in Australia. I definitely recommend sampling the local wines when you dine out.

Sydney is one of my favorite cities in the world, and I hope one day I can afford another trip back. Maybe I should get in touch with my old professor and see if he’s accepting applications for chaperons. I’d recommend it to anyone who has the chance to visit. Of course you’ll want to see all the things the city is famous for, like the Sydney Harbor Bridge and the Sydney Opera House, and all the beaches, but you’ll be shortchanging yourself if you skip over all the little things that give the city so much flavor.

Enjoy your trip down under, and please bring me back some opals:)

I’m in the middle of an extended stay in Oregon, which has quickly become my home-away-from-home. I came here for the first time just six months ago, but I have the benefit of a knowledgeable personal guide. My husband grew up here, and through his work with FedEx, has memorized every back road and corner of this state. He shows me new things every day, though, and I feel like he could write this blog for me and keep it totally fresh without ever talking about anything other than his home state. Today’s will be an Oregon-inspired but not Oregon-specific post.

I’ve learned that Oregonians love their wind sports. Wind surfing is huge on the lakes, rivers, and the Oregon coast in the summer months. It looks like a lot of fun and I’m looking forward to my chance to try it, but on Sunday I witnessed a popular Oregon activity that I didn’t even realize existed: paragliding. I’ve seen parasailing and I’ve seen hang gliding, but this was new to me, and I instantly wished I could join in the fun. Of course I’ll need to get an anti-anxiety prescription first, but it is something I’d like to try one day. For now, I just watched from the beach below in Oceanside, Oregon as paragliders kept launching themselves off a cliff above and drifting peacefully down to the shore where I stood.

It looked a lot like you were at the mercy of the winds, and I was very nervous that someone would get thrown back into the side of the cliff, or blown out into the ocean, or stuck in a tree high out of reach of rescuers, but despite my worries, everyone made it safely to the ground in basically the same spot, meaning they must have all had a good deal of control over their flights.

Paragliders soar to heights several thousand feet above the ground while harnessed into the glider in a seated position. It looks much more comfortable than hang gliding, which was also going on above me this weekend — the two activities seem to go hand in hand here on the Oregon coast. Instructional classes are available for paragliding newbies, as well as tandem flights for those who don’t feel entirely comfortable piloting their own gliders so high above solid ground (that’d be me).

Curious about what it takes? According to some information I’ve gathered on the sport, paragliding does not require nerves of steel or incredible fitness. Most who’ve experienced it say that any fear of heights or fear of falling dissolves as they take flight for the first time. Furthermore, beyond the ability to run a few steps at your launch, the physical requirements for a successful flight are minimal. Landing a paraglider should not involve hard impact, and steering is more about finesse than strength. Keep in mind, though, that your gear will weigh approximately 25 pounds.

Paragliding is not like skydiving. Skydivers use their parachute to decelerate as they fall groundward, but paragliders are designed to maximize air time, with some flights lasting well over an hour as you glide on the wind currents. It’s not a fast thrill, but a ride you can savor. Depending on how you decide to approach the sport — either purchase a tandem flight package, or go through a training program for solo flight — the cost starts at about $100. I think that sounds totally reasonable.

If you’re not on the Oregon coast, there are plenty of other places paragliding is popular, like Aspen, Florida, California, Australia, and pretty much anywhere else in the world with nice views.

REI is the leading retailer of quality outdoor gear. As the weather turns gradually warmer, outdoor enthusiasts have more and more options (for me, it’s not “summer,” it’s “camping season”). Maybe this is the year that you take up kayaking, or hike the AT, or you’re planning some other great adventure. Either way, you’re going to need gear, and REI has got the best of it.

I like REI not just for their quality merchandise, but also their guarantee. They stand behind their products 100%, so you can return anything you’re not completely satisfied with. Because of the generous return policy, REI sees a lot of returns, but they don’t just put these items back on their shelves. They go into a special stock that REI sells back to members at huge discounts - 30%-80% off nearly new merchandise, and even bigger discounts when the items have some damages. Some larger stores have whole departments dedicated to this discounted merchandise, but most REI stores sell these items at special events called Scratch and Dent Sales, Attic Sales, or Garage Sales, depending on the store.

I talked to an REI employee to get the scoop on these sales. First thing’s first: you have to be an REI member to buy anything at the sale. No biggie — membership is only $20, and you get all sorts of benefits, detailed here. Each individual store is responsible for scheduling its own garage sales, and the schedule is often dictated by the flow of returned merchandise, so check with your local store for details. There are usually about six of these sales per year, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to snag great deals. According to my friend on the inside, the best way to find out about the garage sales is to sign up for Gearmail, which is a store-specific newsletter that will notify you of any special promotions and discounts, including the used gear sales.

So here are some insider tips for taking advantage of the garage sales:

1. Arrive early. Usually, lines start forming at the doors about an hour before opening time. Most of the best deals are gone within the first hour or so of the sale, so if you want the deep discounts, set your alarm clock.
2. Line up at the right entrance. Find out which entrance is closest to where the sale will take place, and be sure to get in line there so you can be among the first to set eyes on all the bargains.
3. Keep in mind that used gear sales are the ONLY time all sales are final at REI. Don’t just buy everything that you can afford. Inspect what you’re buying and make sure it’s what you want, because they won’t take it back this time.

Outdoor supplies can be really expensive, especially when you’re looking at the quality merchandise that REI carries. You’ll get your money’s worth even when you pay full price, but before you max out the credit cards, try saving some money in your gear budget so you reallocate those funds for something else — like more trips, more fun, more gear.

One last plug for REI: did you know that the company donates millions of dollars as well as volunteer hours each year toward conservation efforts? Read more about how REI is giving back to nature here.

When I was a little kid, I wanted to be a paleontologist, a firewoman, a professional basketball player, an Olympic speed skater, a flying trapeze artist in the circus, a zookeeper, a dolphin trainer, an actress, a writer (hey! I got one!), a candy taste tester, the Easter bunny, a professional Nintendo player, and a carpenter. Most of these ambitions faded as I realized the glory of such professions was small compared to the hard work (and often danger), and my college didn’t offer Nintendo classes. While I no longer harbor hopes for many of these occupations (though I think Easter bunny may still be within reach), it would still be cool to get to live a day in the life of some of these people.

Most of us had high hopes as children, and some people never let go of these dreams. Others may not constantly daydream about what could have been, but would still relish the opportunity to fulfill such goals. Enter Cloud 9 Living. This company is built around the idea of experience gifts, and offers you the chance to live a day in the life of many of those professionals you once dreamed of becoming.

The company has loads of experience gifts to choose from, so I recommend browsing their website to see if any of your childhood (or current) dreams are attainable through Cloud 9. Here are some of the ones that caught my eye:

Americas Cup Sailing - Spend the day sailing aboard a racing yacht in the San Diego Bay.

Dogsled Tours - You can tour the Colorado wilderness with a team of huskies in this adventure. It’s your choice whether you drive the sled or just ride along.

Private Ninja Lessons - Every boy I knew in kindergarten wanted to be a ninja. With this package, you train with a master in ancient martial arts techniques. You probably won’t be a very effective ninja after only one day, but it’s a start.

Stunt and Special Effects Workshop - This one is for people who like playing with fire. You work on a stunt playground with a Hollywod special effects coordinator, learning how to stay safe while testing your limits.

Air Combat Mission - With the help of experienced instructors, you do 75% of the actual flying in these Top Gun air combat exercises. You can keep it basic or try sophisticated aerobatic maneuvers.

The experience packages are available in many different regions of the country, so you might find one near you, or you might work the adventure into other travel plans. I’ve highlighted a lot of adventure packages, but there are tamer ones, too, like posing for a photo shoot as you live the life of a supermodel and dozens more that don’t require safety training.

Unfortunately, even though they have enough experiences to satisfy even the highest ambitions of our childhood imaginations, there’s no Easter bunny experience. Oh well.

The winter can be kind of a drag for someone who likes the outdoors but doesn’t have the coordination for skiing (yes, I am talking about myself). Finding activities out of the house can be a challenge, but if you’re up for a real adventure, maybe it’s time to take up caving.

There’s a whole world beneath our feet, and few people ever see it for themselves. That’s one of the main draws for many spelunkers, to see things that have never been seen by others before. Caves can be really beautiful (and quite muddy), and a caving trip is a great group activity (but never something you should do on your own).

Cave safety is very important, because you’re not likely to have cell phone reception inside the cave and if you get injured, it’s not easy to get out quickly. You should always go spelunking with someone trained in cave safety. If caving becomes a regular hobby, you should probably take a cave rescue course. Hopefully you’ll never need the training, but of course it’s better to be safe than sorry, as they say.

If you’re a caving novice and you don’t know anyone with experience, look up a caving club, known as a grotto, here. Caving clubs will have information about where to find caves in your area, and they may provide the gear you’ll need for your first trip. Many caves are on private property or are closed at certain times of the year, so you want to be sure you have permission to go into a cave before you head out on a trip.

The temperature inside a cave is pretty steady year round, so as long as the cave is open, you can go exploring any time of year. If you like the idea of exploring the underground world, but you’re worried your claustrophobia might be too strong to overcome, check out commercial caves like Luray Caverns in Virginia or Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. These are just a few of the popular caves in the US that are open to the public for tours, and you won’t have to get muddy or crawl on your belly to see the spectacular limestone formations.

I used to be a corporate monkey who stretched my two weeks of vacation time as widely as possible, but never wide enough to accommodate anything that much resembled a real vacation at all.  I did become the master of the weekend getaway, though.  At 5 o’clock every Friday (okay, more like 4:30), I would walk out of my office and take off for a weekend adventure, milking that weekend for every minute, giving myself the opportunity to forget the office, if just for two and a half days.

When winter weather seems like it’s here to stay, rather than complaining about the cold, take advantage of the opportunity for some snow sports.  Call up some friends and organize a caravan to the nearest ski slopes for a weekend together skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and drinking warm drinks by the fireplace at night. 

It will be tempting to organize such a trip on one of the winter’s many holiday weekends, because you’ve got an extra day.  I’d urge you to resist this appeal and instead use the long weekends for relaxation around your house.  Rates are higher on holidays and resorts and slopes are twice as crowded.  You may have an extra day, but I don’t think it’s worth it for this kind of trip.  You’ll pay more and spend more time waiting in line at the ski lifts and cafeteria lines than you will on the snow.

For folks who aren’t skiers or snowboarders, most ski resorts offer lessons for an hour or so on your first day to get you started.  And if you never quite get the hang of it, there’s always snow tubing, which is also offered at most resorts.  I particularly enjoy snow tubing because it requires absolutely no strength or skill, and you’re almost never sore at the end of it.

When you travel with a group of your friends, you can split the cost of a comfy mountain cabin near the slopes for a nice change from the overpriced ski resort hotels.  Look for something with a fireplace — you’ll want it after a long day in the snow, and it will provide just the kind of relaxation you need to get back to the office on Monday feeling refreshed.