Come Back Alive…Come Back as Friends.

Lately, I have found myself in constant adventure-planning mode. We have a fun one on deck for June/July of this year (details to come later), but for now it is all about the planning.

Once a trip transitions from a “little adventure” to something more along the lines of an “expedition,” its success lies in the details. Experience has taught me that one of the most important details is choosing whom you decide to travel with.

A friend once told me that there are two rules to adventuring:

#1. Come back alive
#2. Come back as friends

What is normal, anyway?

“So what you are saying to me is that you hold your breath…swim to the bottom of the ocean…into a dark cave…that is full of sharks…and you think that this is normal?”

Gratitude

It has a scary name: The Kaiwi Channel. Translated it means the “Channel of Bones,” and along with its intimidating name comes a fearsome reputation. Many people have challenged this particular body of water and have been humbled by it—myself included. Despite all of this, the Molokai Channel has come to be one of my favorite places on earth, and no matter how many times I find myself in the middle of it; it never fails to teach me something new.

Avoiding the Mermaid Tears

Summertime is approaching here on Oahu, and with summer comes the southerly swells. This is good news for those of us who surf on the south side of the island. One of our favorite bodysurfing spots is a place called Makapu'u, a beach located on the South East corner of Oahu. Makapu'u is quite possibly one of the most beautiful beaches that I have ever seen; bright white sand meets crystal clear turquoise water, lined with high cliffs inhabited by nesting seabirds. As beautiful as it is, Makapu'u is far from pristine.

This Isn’t Normal: Adventures With Holly Beck

I was sitting at the summit of Cerro Negro, Nicaragua's most active Volcano on a small piece of wood that somewhat resembled a toboggan when I had an epiphany: "this isn't normal."