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BY Nancy Mueller Leave a Comment ON December 28, 2015

Florida Keys & Key West Winter Getaway

Florida Keys

As you gaze into your 2016 crystal travel ball, imagine a getaway to one of North America’s friendliest, most fun-loving destinations. Head to the southernmost site of the U.S. – the Florida Keys & Key West – for your great winter (or anytime) escape. Enjoy blue, sunny skies, soft, sub-tropical breezes and emerald waters as you kick back, feed the fishes and sip a mojito, or two.

The Florida Keys

Book a flight directly into Key West or into Miami International Airport (MIA) to catch a shuttle or rent a car to the Florida Keys, a string of upper, middle and lower islands stretching from Key Largo to Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine Key and finally, Key West, covering 125 miles. Highway 1 connects the Florida Keys to the mainland and the shuttle drive from MIA takes an estimated 3.5 to 4 hours (with drop-offs) at the highway’s highest speed limit of 55 mph.

Key West Historic 7-Mile Bridge

Florida Keys Historic 7-Mile Bridge

For your ultimate stay and play vacation, here are a few fun activities to add to your playdate in paradise.

Voyage on the African Queen.

In Key Largo, hop aboard history with a 1.5 – 2 hour day or dinner cruise on the one and only recently-restored (2011) African Queen from the same-named classic film starring Humphrey Bogart and Kathryn Hepburn. Channel your inner Bogart and Hepburn with a turn at the helm and blow of the steamboat whistle.

Go Deep-Sea Fishing.

Captain Skip Bradeen

Continue your fun getaway with someone widely-respected as one of Florida’s national treasures, Long Island-bred Captain Skip Bradeen, who has been plying the waters of the Florida Keys for over 50 years.

Captain Skip’s musical medley on board sets an easy-living tone on his charter boat, Blue Chip Too. Apart from his mellifluous New York accent, we’re welcomed with throwback tunes like Mack the Knife, Cathy’s Clown, I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter, and Kissing and a Hugging with Fred. 

Catch of the Day

Our afternoon mission, should we choose to accept it – and of course, we do – is to land red or yellow-tailed snapper, marlin, grouper, sailfish or possibly “shock”for our evening dinner. “What kind of fish is that, Captain Skip?” “Shock! Shock!” For a minute, we’re confused. Then we get it. “Ahh – shark!” Though the sharks elude us, by the end of our afternoon adventure, we manage to capture enough of the others to “cook our catch”  later that evening at Lazy Days Restaurant in Islamorada.

Kayak through Mangroves.

While adventure enthusiasts can follow the Florida Keys’ paddling trail from Key Largo to Key West, we opt for a shorter, alternate route through the quiet, backcountry No Name mangrove. What is a mangrove exactly? Just ask Captain Bill Keogh of Big Pine Kayak Adventures who together with his trusted canine companion leads our group of kayakers through a lush, mysterious waterway, a forested marine ecosystem for sea- and birdlife.

As we navigate through the shallow waters, paddling where possible or pulling ourselves forward on the branches dangling overhead, Captain Bill points out the abundance of wildlife all around us. It’s hard to imagine a more satisfying, peaceful way to spend an afternoon while learning about the colorful creatures who live here.

Explore Key West.

Sloppy Joe's

For an overview of popular sites and tourist attractions in Key West, we take the “hop on-hop off” Old Town Trolley sightseeing tour with thirteen stops along the way. Our ride includes a cruise down Duval Street, famous for its festivals and parades, shopping and bars like Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville, Hard Rock Cafe, Sloppy Joe’s and the Bull & Whistle.

Hemingway Studio

Of course no stay in Key West would be complete for Hemingway aficionados without a visit to his home, now a museum. From the estate’s luxurious grounds with built-in swimming pool, to the purring six-toed cats that grace the premises, to a guided tour through the Spanish colonial-style home and writer’s studio, the site offers a fascinating peek into Hemingway’s life during his years in Key West. The author’s legend lives on in the fun Papa Look-Alike contest held annually during Hemingway Days in July.

Key West Butterfly

Visitors can walk through a bird and butterfly wonderland at The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory, another popular Key West attraction on the tour. Vibrant. Magical. Calming. Soft background music adds to nature’s sounds of cascading water and birdsong as we stroll among the tropical flora and fauna in the glass-enclosed surroundings. Exotic species of birds and butterflies fly freely around us. Occasionally a butterfly lights on one lucky visitor, while the rest of us gaze at the magnificent colors up close and personal.

Mallory Square

You have to love a town where locals and tourists gather nightly to view and celebrate sunset as a community event. Jugglers, musicians, artisans, and psychics all contribute to the festive atmosphere that takes over Mallory Square each evening starting two hours before sunset.

Key West Sunset Cruise

Or how about a quieter celebration with a sunset cruise? So many choices, each equally fun and memorable.

Eat, Drink and Make Merry.

Hogfish Bar & Grill

Hogfish Bar & Grill

Enjoy oceanfront and open-air dining at several restaurants throughout the Florida Keys and Key West. Whether having breakfast at the Morada Bay Beach Cafe or lunch at The Hungry Tarpon where you can feed silver kings from your bucket of baitfish in Islamorada; whether starting your day with huge cinnamon and sticky buns at Bob’s Bunz or having lunch at Hogfish Bar and Grill where the specialty is – you guessed it – fresh, flavorful hogfish; whether you “cook your catch” for dinner at Lazy Days Restaurant in Islamorada, check in for dinner at El Meson de Pepe, a Cuban restaurant, or Half Shell Raw Bar in Key West; whether you meet for breakfast at Blue Heaven in Key West’s Bahama Village Neighborhood (also the site of Friday-night boxing matches once refereed by Hemingway himself) or Mangrove Mama’s in Summerland Key – you can count on having fresh seafood, key lime pie and mojitos on the menu.

Key Lime Pie from El Meson de Pepe

Key Lime Pie from El Meson de Pepe

And remember – it’s never too early in the day for key lime pie. You be the judge about the mojitos.

For more information, visit The Florida Keys & Key West.

Many thanks to The Florida Keys & Key West for the chance to experience “Prime Time in Paradise.” Some, though not all, of my expenses were covered by my hosts.

Wander on!

Nancy

What about you, wanderboomers? What are your favorite recommended experiences when visiting The Florida Keys & Key West? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Activities, Baby Boomers and Travel, Florida, Food & Dining, Travel Experiences Tagged With: 7-Mile Bridge, African Queen, butterfly, fishing, Florida, Hemingway, kayaking, key lime pie, Key West, sunset, The Florida Keys

BY Nancy Mueller 4 Comments ON October 12, 2015

Roadtripping Down the Oregon Coast

Toyota 4Runner

Nothing quite beats the fun of roadtripping down the Oregon Coast to enjoy the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. While not quite as iconic as driving U.S. Route 66, the Oregon Coast offers plenty of spellbinding scenes, best beach towns and destination dining. Whether planning a family vacation, girlfriend getaway or romantic escape, why not take to the road to explore the region’s bounty?

Getaway Vehicle: Toyota 4Runner

For a family adventure at summer’s end, we hit the highway in style, taking a gleaming red Toyota 4Runner for a spin. Our drive was smooth, comfortable and easy-peasy to maneuver as we (okay, I) belted out favorite roadtripping tunes with visions of off-roading exploits dancing in our heads. Though used to packing light (think carry-on) for my flight travel, I had no problem filling the roomy back of the vehicle with you-never-know-when-you-might-need-it-but-probably-won’t items.

KOA Astoria/Warrenton/Seaside

KOA

For the ultimate family camping experience, KOA (Kampgrounds of America) provides RV, tent camping and cabin accommodations. On this trip, our plans included a new travel experience: a two-night stay in a deluxe cabin at the Astoria/Warrenton/Seaside KOA .

KOA Cabins

Amenities at this site include an outdoor and indoor pool with hot tub, a free pancake breakfast (with lunch and dinner available for purchase), bike rentals, and a new activities center that houses arts & crafts, arcade and board games, ping pong and pool tables and basketball. Outside, the giant Jumping Pillow and mini-golf were favorites among the campers on site.

Entering the KOA site, we’re welcomed by friendly ambassadors directing us to the registration office. The friendly atmosphere continues inside the convenience store and at the registration desk. For office manager, Rosanna, “Seeing people have fun” is the best part of her job at KOA. Doris, HR manager, agrees: “When your employees like being here, it’s a good place to be.” In fact, fellow employee Hillary likes working at KOA so much that she planned her wedding to take place on site.

Happy to recommend nearby sites for exploration, the staff directs us to historic Fort Stevens across the street, Seaside with its landmark oceanfront Promenade and beachfront turnaround, and Astoria at the mouth of the Columbia River. For this short getaway, we opt for Seaside and Astoria, saving Fort Stevens for a longer visit.

Seaside, Oregon

Seaside Starfish Sign

Amazingly, though I’ve lived in the Pacific Northwest for many years, I discovered Seaside only recently while attending a Travel + Words Northwest Travel Writers Conference here. Northwest ocean breezes, a fun boardwalk that includes an oceanside aquarium, and plentiful outdoor recreational activities, have attracted families to this coastal town for generations.

Seaside Beach

Visitors can rent bikes, ride the carousel, stroll the Promenade or have a go at bumper cars. Be sure to stop in at Beach Books to browse the bestsellers, regional collection and everything in between, as well as other specialty gift shops and galleries. Or kick back on the beach and soak up the stunning ocean views.

Astoria

Astoria Bridge

Once a thriving fishing, then timber town, Astoria showcases its heritage at the Columbia River Maritime Museum with interactive exhibits for visitors of all ages.

Maritime Museum

Visitors are also welcome to board the Lighthouse Columbia, a national historic landmark, just outside the museum. Throughout the town, a scattering of Victorian mansions dot the hillside, reminding visitors  of its historical roots.

Astoria Riverfront Trolley

To learn more about Astoria’s colorful history, ride the Astoria Riverfront Trolley. Hop on and off at designated locations or stay on for the entire one-hour journey for only $1.00.

Bowpicker Fish & Chips, a dry-docked boat, (think food truck alternative), came highly recommended, but alas! The first day of our stay the eatery was closed and the second day we stopped by, the lengthy line of customers – while an obvious testament to Bowpicker’s popular following and reputation – kept us at bay. Instead, we discovered the Blue Scorcher Bakery & Cafe, a worker-owned cooperative located in the historic Fort George Building that features delicious artisan breads, pastries and seasonal foods. Also highly recommended.

By the end of our short getaway, plans to include off-roading adventures in our rugged Toyota 4xRunner took a backseat to running trails and beach town explorations. But with so much more to see and experience along Oregon’s northern coast, it’s only a matter of time before our travels bring us back.

For more information, visit:

Toyota 4Runner
KOA Astoria/Warrenton/Seaside
Travel and Words – Northwest Travel Writers Conference 

Many thanks to Toyota and KOA for the chance to explore the Pacific Northwest in style for our end-of-summer family escape!

Wander on!

Nancy

When and where are you planning your next road trip, Wanderboomers? 

Filed Under: Activities, Baby Boomers and Travel, Destinations, family travel, Oregon, Pacific Northwest

BY Nancy Mueller Leave a Comment ON September 7, 2015

Get Away to Sunset SAVOR the Central Coast!

Sunset Savor

If savoring the pleasures of food, wine and travel are high on your list for the Fall season, why not plan a September weekend getaway to Sunset SAVOR the Central Coast in San Luis Obispo County? Hosted by the editors of Sunset Magazine, this year’s 6th annual event runs from Thursday September 24th through Sunday September 27th.

For this “ultimate epicurean adventure,” expect to enjoy world-class wines, delectable farm-to-table cuisine, demo sessions with culinary celebrities, educational seminars and fun entertainment in beautiful, historic surroundings.

Here’s how to make the most of your visit:

Getting There

Start your road trip of the central California coast by exploring the sleepy little beach communities along the way. On my first visit last Fall, I flew into San Luis Obispo and picked up a car rental for the short, scenic drive through the heart of central California wine country to my hotel destination, Best Western Plus ShoreCliff Pismo Beach. With spellbinding views, soft, coastal breezes, and the sound of waves kissing the shore, I could have easily spent the long weekend here from my perch above the Pacific Ocean.

View from Best Western Plus ShoreCliff Pismo Beach

But as wonderful a retreat as that might have been, I would have missed out on the fun activities ahead. My multi-day adventure had just begun . . .

Opening Night 

The 2014 opening night kicked off at the famed Hearst Castle.

Hearst Castle

Once the summer residence of newspaper mogul William Randolph Hearst and his mistress, actress Marion Davis, today the Hearst Castle is a California Historical Landmark and State Park. Named “La Cuesta Encantada” (Spanish for “The Enchanted Hill”) by Hearst, the lavish estate epitomizes the romance of the 1920s and 30s, showcasing magnificent gardens, premier art, grand rooms within and patio settings with stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

Limousine Coach Hearst Castle

For a glimpse of what it must have felt like to be a guest here, we arrived via our limousine coach for the 5 mile winding drive to the hilltop.

Hearst Castle Drive

Upon arrival, we sampled Sunset’s Gold & Silver winning wines paired with international cheeses and charcuterie as we watched the sun slowly slip from sight behind the hills of San Simeon.

Hearst Castle Sunset

This year, the all-new Strings at Sunset, promises to be an equally exciting evening with the opening gala held at Vina Robles Amphitheatre, where legendary Beach Boys’ co-founders, Brian Wilson and Al Jardine, rocked the house in 2014.

Enjoy an evening featuring award-winning 2015 wines together with tasty appetizers. Meet and greet California cuisine personalities Mary Sue Milliken, co-chef/owner of Border Grill Restaurants & Truck and Louis Maldonado, Executive Chef of Spoonbar. Then plan on dancing the night away to musical performances by String Theory and Spags.

Adventure Tours

Pismo Beach Clambake

Thursdays and Fridays are all about adventure at Sunset Savor the Central Coast. I opted to go with an authentic clam bake at SeaVenture Beach Hotel and Restaurant in Pismo Beach. Visitors quickly tossed flip flops aside, feeling the warm sand squish between our toes, simply soaking up the ocean view on a spectacularly sunny Central California Coast day.

The Soul Sauce Band

While The Soul Sauce Band kept us entertained nearby, SeaVenture’s Chef Casey Walcott began prepping for the day’s main event: a traditional clambake beachside.

Chef Casey Walcott

For this year’s options, head seaside again, this time to Avila Beach, or visit Bristols Cider House in Atascadero to tour the facilities before enjoying your cider-paired lunch – unless you’d rather have an exclusive tour of Hearst Castle, followed by lunch and wine tasting at Hearst Ranch Winery.

Next, enjoy your free evening exploring downtown San Luis Obispo. Stroll down Higuera Street, the main area for boutique shopping, artisan crafts, dining and entertainment to unwind before resting up for the next day’s star attraction.

Historic Santa Margarita Ranch

Set on one of California’s oldest, continuously working cattle ranches, Santa Margarita Ranch, our two-day Main Event opened with a ribbon cutting, Chumash Indian blessing, photo op and hosted breakfast.

Santa Margarita Ranch Steam Train

For an overview of the ranch and its history while enjoying the stunning scenery, be sure to hop aboard the on-site steam train that includes original coaches from Disneyland. Enjoy unlimited rides as you listen to a narrated tour by train conductors.

Over the next two days we wandered the grounds, chatting with food and wine purveyors in the Marketplace while sampling wines paired with small sweet and savory bites.

Wine Tastings Sunset Savor the Central Coast

We stopped in at Winemaker Central for wine-tasting and Riedel wineglass seminars with the region’s leading wine experts.

Chefs Tanya Holland and Fabio Viviani

And at Chef Central, celebrity chefs Fabio Viviani and Tanya Holland provided culinary entertainment and wizardry while demonstrating how to make our own duck sausage (Viviani) and creole shrimp and grits (Holland).

Chef Tanya Holland's Creole Shrimp & Grits

Many thanks to my host, Sunset Savor the Central Coast, for the chance to explore the wonders of San Luis Obispo County at this fun event.

Want more information on how you, too, can plan your perfect September getaway? Visit Sunset Savor the Central Coast for details.

Taste. Sip. Indulge. Sunset Savor

Wander on!

Nancy

Tip: Be sure to bring your appetite!

What about you wanderboomers? What are your favorite spots and events on California’s Central Coast?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Activities, Baby Boomers and Travel, California, Food & Dining

BY Nancy Mueller 5 Comments ON July 29, 2015

How to Make the Most of Your Great Escape to Charlevoix, Québec

Parc national des Grands-Jardins

The more I travel to Québec, Canada, the longer I want to stay . . . From following the culinary trail in Montréal, to celebrating Winter Carnival in Québec City, to sampling the restorative spas in Lanaudière and Mauricie . . .

For my latest exploration, I’m off to the charming Charlevoix region an hour northeast of Québec City for a few days of summer play. Infused with the natural beauty of a mountainous landscape, plus the immensity of the St. Lawrence River (Fleuve Saint-Laurent), the area attracts outdoor enthusiasts, art & culture lovers and passionate foodies.

Recreational adventures abound here – hiking, biking, kayaking, whale-watching, and star-gazing, with plenty of culinary discoveries and comfortable lodgings along the way – making Charlevoix, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, the perfect getaway for traveling solo, with friends or family.

Take a Hike and Discover the Via Ferrata.

Hotel Le Germain Charlevoix

After an overnight stay and tasty breakfast at Québec City’s Hôtel Royal William in the trendy New St-Roch district, we’re off on our road trip to discover the wonders of Charlevoix. Upon arrival, we drop our bags at Hôtel Le Germain Charlevoix, our home-away-from-home for the night. Contemporary in style, the hotel combines artistic, urban sophistication with country ambiance, in a nod to its cultural and historical roots.

Hiking Parc national des Grands-Jardins

Following a lunch that features flavors of the region, we head out for a light afternoon hike at Parc national des Grands-Jardins. My first clue that our planned activity entails a bit more than light hiking comes when we meet our guide who offers helmets and harnesses for our venture. Uh-oh.

Waivers signed, we start our hike, pausing occasionally to take in the spellbinding views and snap a few photos, and for some of us to catch our breath. Made it!

But wait – our guide leads us to the “Practice Rock,” the first step to the via ferrata circuit on the Mont du Lac des Cygnes. Uh-oh, again.

via ferrata Tourisme Quebec

Way too slowly, it dawns on me: Via ferrata. Translation: “Iron Way.” Ohhh. Now I get it. Mountain climbing, of sorts, with cables and clips and pegs, oh my! Where’s my high school French when I need it?

Willing to keep an open mind for the promise of spectacular views on a safe itinerary, I give it a go, but within a few upward steps, I learn my limit while translating the phrase, “Geez Louise” to my Quebecois host. Instead, I opt to take the trail back down to the lodge and wait for the others to follow. But for other wanderboomers in our group, the via ferrata proves irresistible. Challenging, sure, but ultimately rewarding. The rest of us applaud their accomplishment as we head to Le Saint-Pub Microbrewery in the heart of Baie-Saint-Paul to celebrate. Cheers!

Go Kayaking on Rivière du Gouffre.

With the new dawn comes a new adventure – river kayaking! After a short, hands-on demo on how to hold and use our paddles, our small group of single and double kayaks heads out on our 6 km (roughly 3.7 miles) expedition. Easy whitewaters and shallow waters make for a fun outing for novice and experienced kayakers alike as we descend down the Rivière du Gouffre to Baie-Saint-Paul.

A few beachings, seaweed entanglements and waves of laughter later, we thank our guide for the chance to explore beautiful Charlevoix from the water’s edge.

Bike Around Isle-aux-Coudres.

After a quick stop to pick up boxed lunches, we board the ferry to Isle-aux-Coudres for our next outdoor adventure, a bike tour of the island, with a few planned stops along the way. My Charlevoix host sets the pace on our tandem bike as we pedal along on the flat, country roads while enjoying the soft summer air and scenic views.

Before long we arrive at our first destination: Les Moulins de L’Isle-aux-Coudres, the unique site of an authentic working watermill, restored windmill and miller’s residence. We watch as guides demonstrate how wheat and buckwheat are ground into flour at the mill, explaining the process in both French and English.

All that biking worked up a thirst! Fortunately, we happen to be close to a cidery, Cidrerie Vergers Pedneault, the next stop on our island tour. Our cider tastings include several of the cidery’s award-winning artisan apple, pear, plum and Saskatoon berry products. Yum!

Discover Innovative Regional Cuisine.

Dining at Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu

Charlevoix is a food lover’s paradise easily discovered by following the region’s Flavor Trail from Petite-Rivière-Saint-François to La Malbaie. Over 40 regional growers, producers and chefs welcome visitors along the trail with delicious gourmet treats like artisan breads and pastries, pates, charcuterie, chocolate, honey, duck, pork, cheese, ciders and beer.

Playing Golf at Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu

After our afternoon adventure on the Isle-aux-Coudres, we check in at the historic Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu overlooking the St. Lawrence River in La Malbaie. On site, we continue our regional and classical cuisine discoveries at Le Charlevoix Restaurant with Executive Chef, Patrick Turcot, who introduces us to delectable trout carpaccio from les Eboulements, pan-seared scallops and foie gras with calvados and apple crisp, seared crab salad and red pepper cream and maple salmon gravlax, puffed quinoa salad and roasted almonds. Time to go hiking, biking and kayaking again!

Enjoy a Night of Star-gazing.

What better evening entertainment than a star-gazing session at the Astronomy Observatory (Observatoire Astronomique)? In partnership with the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu, the observatory invites guests to search the skies with specialized telescopes under the guidance of scientifically-trained staff. Visitors can also take a self-guided tour of a scale model of the solar system by following a 3 km (just under 2 miles) trail along the St. Lawrence River.

Curious about the landscape and geology of the region? Through exhibits and lectures at the observatory, you can learn how the impact of a 15 billion tons’ meteorite that hit 350 million years ago created the mountainous character of Charlevoix.

Take a Whale-watching Zodiac Cruise.

Whale watching Quebec

On our last day in Charlevoix, we’re all suited-up in weather-resistant gear and ready to start our whale-watching adventure for the chance to see blue, fin, minke, humpback and beluga whales at play. In calm waters, before long we spot several seals near our boat while holding out hope for whale sightings. Success! Not only do we see several fin and minke, but our naturalist on board points to the horizon where a couple of belugas are swimming near shore. Moments later, a mama and baby beluga pass our zodiac where earlier we had watched one whale shoot towards our zodiac like a torpedo, only to veer away at the last moment. Wow.

Hop Aboard the Train Léger de Charlevoix.

Train Leger de Charlevoix

As we near the end of our Charlevoix journey, we have time for one more excursion before returning to Québec City: a rail cruise via The Charlevoix Light Rail Transit. Fun. Easy. Relaxing. We wind our way along the shoreline, mesmerized by views of the stunning river and mountain landscape, daydreaming about our unforgettable Charlevoix adventure.

View from Train Leger de Charlevoix

Many thanks to Tourisme Québec for hosting our days of summer play in Charlevoix!

For more information visit:

Lodging:
Hotel Royal William
Hôtel Le Germain Charlevoix
Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu
Hôtel Chateau Laurier Québec

Activities:
Parc national des Grands-Jardins
Katabatik
Vélo-Coudres
Croisieres AML
Les Moulins de L’Isle-aux-Coudres
Train Leger de Charlevoix

Eateries & Cidery:
Le Saint-Pub Microbrewery
Resto-Boutique La Table
Cidrerie Vergers Pedneault
Pains d’Exclamation
Café Chez Nous

Wander on!

Nancy

What about you, wanderboomers? What’s your favorite place to visit in Quebec? 

Filed Under: Activities, Alabama, Baby Boomers and Travel, By Land, By Ship & By Sea, Canada, Destinations, Hiking, Québec Tagged With: Biking, Charlevoix, hiking, kayaking, Québec, St. Lawrence River, star gazing, via ferrata, whale-watching

BY Nancy Mueller 2 Comments ON June 5, 2015

Ziplining 101 with Ziptrek Ecotours

Nancy Mueller Ziptrek Ecotours

Ziplining has never been high on my bucket list of travel adventures. While I’m not overly scared of heights, I’m respectful of the distance between heaven and earth with a strong preference for staying grounded unless winging through the air from one exotic destination to another from the comfort of a Boeing jet. Think cushioned seats, seatbelts and a stiff drink.

Still, an invitation from Ziptrek Ecotours to experience “eco-exhilaration™” on their Eagle Tour at Whistler, BC, beckoned, hung in the air, so to speak. When I tweeted before the Big Event, asking readers to remind me why I was doing this, Ziptrek shot back in a nanosecond: “Because it’s FUN!” Ohhhhh. Right. The FUN factor. But for whom, I wondered: for me – or for those watching as I hurl myself like a shell from a loose cannon off into the stratosphere?

Ziptrek Ecotours

Yet here I am, poised on the edge of a platform alongside a hearty group of twelve, a mix of first-timers (thankfully, not our guides) and repeat zippers. We stop our pre-zip nervous chatter long enough to fix our gaze on our hero guide who shows us exactly how it’s done. He smiles before launching off, zipping through the air effortlessly before landing way too far away for my Boomer eyes to follow.

Ziptrek Ecotours Adventurers

Lost in our own private reveries while processing the FUN we had just observed, another guide steps forwards and asks in a cheerful tone: “So who wants to go first?” A long silence follows. Finally one participant speaks up: “I will.”

My fellow zipper whips around to face me: “What!? I can’t believe you just said that!” Wait – why is she looking at me? I said that?? In my lightheaded daze, I must have been reflecting on what my dinner host had shared with me the previous night. “My mother was terrified before she went ziplining the first time,” she said. “If I can offer you one piece of advice, it’s this: volunteer to go first. That way you won’t be standing around getting more nervous than you already feel.” How else to account for my inexplicable moment of madness?

Ziptrek Ecotours Nancy Mueller

So this is how the body of a jellyfish feels from the inside out, I marvel, in my own out-of-body experience. With a smile plastered on my face, heart pounding, I step towards our launching pad. My guide opens the platform gate and closes it behind me, separating me from the supportive womb of the others. My smile fades as I fight the urge to curl into a fetal position, cry “Wah!” and ask for my mommy. He checks my helmet and full-body safety harness as many times as I ask, then says matter-of-factly, “You’re good. Just take one step at a time until you feel the slack between your harness and the zipline tighten. Then go!” Sure. Okay. Just a step at a time. Easy-peasy, right? I mean, hundreds of thousands of real people have been on a Ziptrek tour in the last 10 years. Real people from age 6 – 96 do this all the time – theoretically, at least – since to date, the oldest participants on Ziptrek Ecotours have been only 92 years old.

Of course, stepping down stairs into space with a railing on either side of you is one thing. But stepping down into space with no railing on either side in sight, even when harnessed? Can’t I take the stairway to the stars instead?

Whoa! I remind myself to breathe. Long, slow, deep breaths follow. Just do it, I coax myself, becoming my own best coach in the moment. Don’t think about the fact that you’re about to dangle somewhere over Fitzsimmons Valley between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains from a height of up to 300 feet. Or that you’re about to zip through old-growth rainforest at speeds that can reach up to 56 mph depending on weight and weather conditions. Never mind that the first zipline on the Eagle Tour is the longest – 2400 feet with a 30-story descent. No, better not to think about any of that now. Better to hum a few notes from Donna Summer’s blockbuster hit, “I Will Survive!” instead. Remember, I tell myself. The actual time on each of the five ziplines (yes, there are five on the Eagle Tour) is only 35 – 40 secs. That’s it! Oh, well, in that case . . .

Nancy Mueller Ziptrek

In one cotton-mouthed gulp, I’m off! Whee! Sure they can hear the screams of my inner Jane all the way down in Whistler Village. No matter. I’m doing it! I’m zipping through the air, well, maybe not with the greatest of ease, but on my own terms, eyes tightly shut until I remember to open them two-thirds of the way through my run, twisting and twirling most of the way, hearing the whoosh of the wind surround me as I zip my way to the landing platform. Yes! Success! One down, only four more to go. Whew.

The Pacific Rim Caesar

And the payoff for accepting Ziptrek’s offer of this thrilling outdoor mountaintop adventure? Besides my personal treat of The Pacific Rim Caesar at Garibaldi Lift Co. Bar & Grill (“Make mine a double – stat!”). Besides gaining new-found confidence that comes from working through one’s fears and picking up tidbits of ecological information from knowledgable guides which I would gladly have shared with you here had my focus been on learning rainforest lore rather than on survival, is this text exchange with my 16-year-old daughter afterwards:

DD (for Darling Daughter): ZIPTREKKING? What have they done to you? Looks like a blast!!

Me: Ha, ha – It was totally FUN! First step off into space was the hardest. And I went on 5 different zip lines!

DD: OMG. You’re crazy. That sounds like so much fun. Hahaha. I’m impressed. Becoming an adrenaline junky?

Me: No worries.

There. That’s it right there. Thanks to your showing me how to zip through the trees, Ziptrek Ecotours, you helped this Boomer woman impress my 16-year-old daughter. Not an easy feat – and reason enough for me to sign up for another of your amazing tours again. Great FUN all the way around, just as you promised!

Nancy Mueller Post Ziptrek Ecotours

For more information on how you, too, can soar through the forests at Whistler while dazzling your own children and grandchildren on a ziplining adventure, visit Ziptrek Ecotours.

Rainbow Backdrop

Thanks to host Ziptrek Ecotours for sharing this FUN adventure and to our most amazing guides, Keir, Admir and Kiah, for putting up with the likes of us!

Wander on!

Nancy

What about you, wanderboomers? Have you gone ziplining? What are your travel fears? How have you overcome them?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Activities, Baby Boomers and Travel, British Columbia, Fearless Women, Travel Experiences Tagged With: Boomer, bucket list, ziplining, zippers, zipping, Ziptrek

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Hello fellow wanderboomers! I’m a Seattle-based travel journalist, specializing in fun travel adventures for the young at heart. My articles have been featured in Hemispheres, AAA Highroads Magazine and Northwest Travel & Life Magazine where I'm a frequent contributor. When this Wanderboomer isn’t traveling, I help global executives polish their personal and professional brand for long-term results.
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