Have you ever been down to Colorado ? I spend a lot of time there in my mind. And if God doesn't live in Colo-rado, I'll bet that's where he spends most of his time."-Merle Haggard

Day 03- A travel destination that makes you happy.

Hmm...what travel destination DOESN'T make me happy? Traveling in general gets my blood flowing, my, energy up and puts a huge smile on my face. So what travel destination makes me happy? Upon lots of though and reflection I would have to say the travel destination that makes me most happy is, I typed that thinking the words would flow perfectly but they haven't. I guess the travel destination that makes me happy is Colorado. 

Colorado is a place that I love to go to summer or winter. I love to snowboard, I look cooler temperatures in the summer, I love to white water raft and I love strolling along the towns of Boulder and Breckenridge. There is something about the crisp, cool clean air in Colorado, the delicious beer, and the laid back atmosphere that causes me unequivocal joy.

Since I was about 16 years old I have traveled to Colorado about once or twice a year. I usually hit it up in the summer to white water raft, hike, drink and just enjoy the beautiful weather and once in the winter where I drink too much and snowboard too much and lay around the hot tub too much. Colorado is the perfect trip to do what I love to do. So if you'd like a destination that makes you happy check out Breckenridge or Boulder, Colorado.

Me super happy in Colorado!

Things to Do:

White Water Rafting - Go with AVA Guides (http://www.facebook.com/avarafting). I've rafted from a float trip to a class V, one of my favorite trips besides the Class V Numbers was the Brown's Canyon Full Day Adventure. If you go ask for Matt Webber or Bear and tell them the Singleton rescue crew sent you!

ATVing or Snowmobiling- Go with NOVA Guides (http://novaguides.com/) they are awesome, and fun and are great at judging the needs of your party. I have snowmobiled and ATV'd with them and have never been disappointed. While I have not partaken in these activities NOVA also offers Dog Sledding, Jeeping, Cabin Rentals, Snow Cat Tours and White Water Rafting. Great friendly people! Go there bring them your business.

Check out the local festivals and farmer's markets. This summer we went to the Frisco BBQ festival and I had this pulled pork mararoni and grilled cheese sandwich. BEST SANDWICH EVER! Go out there and be creative with your culinary choices! Remember marijuana is legal out there or at the very least decriminalized, they know how to come up with off the wall ideas that are DELICIOUS!

GO HIKING! Get your butt up and get moving! Since being forced into early swimming retirement and having brain surgery I have become a bit lazy, but the views and the satisfaction you feel after hiking around some of the most beautiful places this country has to offer is completely worth it. As lazy, out of shape and sore as I am hiking in Colorado is a sincere must! Ask the locals for their favorite trails or if in a ski town take to the slopes and let the ski trails be your guide. No matter where you go make sure you wear sunscreen (you are super close to the sun there and much more likely to be burned!), carry plenty of water, wear comfortable sturdy shoes, and dress in light layers. 

Snowboarding/Skiing- Hit up Breckenridge, Keystone or Copper Mountain. Haven't been in awhile? Take a lesson! Group or private lessons are totally worth it! They refresh your brain and get you kicked into gear! Plus, when you take a lesson you get to butt the lift lines that can sometimes be a bit ridiculous!

“In just 50 years Edinburgh had more impact on our ideas than any town of its size since the Athens of Socrates

Day 02-A Travel Destination Where You Love the Culture.

When I think of culture I think of the people, the lifestyle, the food, the literature, the way of life, the arts, the architecture, I think about what makes that city tick. You would think that if you love the culture of one city the most, you'd probably love that city the most. However, in my case that isn't true. My favorite travel destination based on culture is Edinburgh, Scotland.

Edinburgh is officially the Literary Capital of the World. Home to Stephenson, Rowling, and Sir Author Conan Doyle, Burns, Scott you never know when you are going to stumble across a piece of literary history. Maybe you'll stroll to the medical university where the inspiration of Sherlock Holmes was born. Edinburgh has a literary haunt on every corner and it's this love of literature that makes the culture there so exciting.

The Architecture in Edinburgh is also some of the most unique in all the world. I do not mean that there are circle buildings, or they are pained purple or they are weird. What I am referring to is the way the old city of Edinburgh is on a hill separated by a park and overlooks the more modern city of Edinburgh. This contrast of the old and new is stunning. It is wonderful to sit in the park and gaze up at the ancient city.

There also is a certain zest to the Scottish Culture, and a certain level of relaxation. When in Edinburgh my friends and I spent a descent amount of time at a pub called Whistle Binkies. This pub was kind of like an American Rock and Roll bar (or what they think it is) and had great bands playing constantly on stage, great beer, and friendly service. If the upstairs area with the bands is too large for you and your group down by the bathrooms there are two caves perfect for larger groups. This is the pub where I learned Scottish men really do not wear anything under their kilt, that whiskey and beer are the norm and that staying out until the next morning is not that unusual. I also (maybe this was naive) trusted everyone there. They got me into a cab safely when my friend decided to go home with the lead singer or a band and everyone was kind. I never once felt unsafe or nervous about being somewhere unfamiliar. Accompany this with the lore of the Lochness Monster and the way people just seem to conjugate in parks and relax, or even have an impromptu boxing match without anyone getting mad and you have a culture that is just perfect for me.

30 Day Challenge: Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss

This one is probably the easiest. I miss my brother....so much! I haven't seen him since August or July? And just can't wait to see him again :(. June 24th can't come quickly enough!

30 Day Challenge: Day 29- A Picture That Can Always Make You Smile

To begin with finding a pic that I haven'tposted is difficult! However,This dog never fails to make me smile. Add to that a beautiful day in the ocean...and him following me around in circles.....makes it grin worthy.

30 Day Challenge - Day 28: A picture of something you're afraid of

30 Day Challenge; Day 27- A picture of yourself and a family memeber

My aunt and I, in San Francisco. I want to be her when I grow up (okay  know I'm 25...totally grown-up). But really this is my aunt and I on one of our many fantastic adventures.

Day 26: A Picture of Something That Means A Lot To You

Okay so the picture is a poor quality but it's my College of Charleston Diploma.It represents the hard work of me and my parents, and the dedication, love and support I received from my friends and family. This piece of paper means a lot to me.

30 Day Challenge: Day 25- A picture of your day

Sunday Funday at Coconut on Cocoa Beach...PERFECT Day.

30 Day Challenge- Day 24: A Picture of Something You Wish You Could Change

I would love to change children homelessness. I mean honestly, I'd like to change it all but as a child you are supposed to be innocent, carefree and happy. You're not supposed to worry about whether you have a place to sleep, foot to eat or a way to wake up for school in the morning.

On Sunday 60 Minutes did an expose on homeless students, the story took place in Central Florida and focused on a few of the areas surrounding me. We even have a "Homeless School Bus" in order to pick students up from the local hotels. Everyday I deal with students who are struggling with helping their family make ends meet. Instead of being 9th graders worrying about their homework and the opposite sex they are worried about helping their family survive. This is what I wish I could change.

(To learn more about the story check out: http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2011/03/60-minutes-story-on-homeless-children-touched-a-nerve.html).

Day 23- A Picture of your favorite book.

Okay...let's be honest....we ALL know I am a book nerd. I read non-stop. So honestly, I am going to list more than one, and you're going to be okay with it.

Okay- I am an HP nerd, and I am not afraid to admit it! Ever since my 8th grade English teacher put a poster on her wall of the cover the first book I knew I had to read it and I knew I would love it. I love Harry Potter, I love the symbolism, the allusions and the magic. I am a total fan, and if all books for kids were written this well I believe literacy would be at an all time high.



This is the first piece of "classical lit" I fell in love with. The symbolism, the love and the mystery makes this a book I can read over and over and over again.



The Geography of Bliss - is absolutely amazing. This book took the wanderluster in me and set it ON FIRE. I can reread this book and it's a total study in what makes people happy. This book is one of a kind.

This is Return of the Native- it's amazing and kinda crazy. It's the first book that's made me go a bit outside the box.

I love Atticus. I love Scout. I love Boo Radley. I love this novel.

READ IT!

This novel is all about growing up, and it's wanderful, insane and an absolute joy.

30 Day Challenge- A Picture of Something You Wish You Were Better At

I wish I was neater, and more organized...I would be super happy if I was better at that.

30 Day Challenge Day 21- A Picture of Something You Wish You'd Forget

I wish I could forget that I allowed myself to forget/ignore the fact that you had a girl friend. To this day it still eats me up. I will never be that girl again.

30 Day Challenge- Day 20 A Picture of Somewhere You'd Love to Travel

Ireland

Italy

Czech Republic

Peru

Canada

New York City

Maine

Switzerland

Spain

Galapagos Islands

Okay so I narrowed it down to 10......but I mean this is Confessions of a Chronic Wanderluster...what did you expect?!?!

30 Day Challenge: Day 19 - A Picture & A Letter

So for this challenge I decided to post the letter my grandfather wrote me befor he died and a photo of the two of us. My Grandaddy who died March 15, 2005 meant the world to me. He was the one persons whose opinion truly mattered and was someone whose respect I craved, and earned. He died my Freshman year of college and because of the cancer he had he realized his time was going to be short. Luckily for my brother and I my Grandaddy wrote a letter to my brother and I to be opened on the day of my College Graduation. Well I got my letter on May 23, 2008 (though technically I graduated in December 07 - I walked in 08).

This letter is something I cherish and love, and never fails to bring a tear to my eye. I knew this was going to be the letter I was going to share, I just had to get aound to doing it. I know I said it was in my attic - which is a lie. I keep it in a children't book my mother gave me for my college graduation which includes a letter from her. The book is "On the Night You Were Born." Anyways, I just can only look at the letter so often, and while my memories are fond the fact that he isn't here to see what I've accomplished and the life I'm leading still hurts.

So here it is...my picture and letter.....Sorry that I didn't share the contents of the letter it's about three pages long and very personal.