Last year, I decided to take my favorite vacation – to the NC mountains, the place that I have always felt most at home.  Only that time, I invited Lauren to go with me, which I knew would not be the traditional way I love to enjoy the mountains, but nothing could replace special mother-daughter time.  Well, we experienced 10 days of rain, in a tent, with very different views on what vacation was, and while I still remain true to nothing being able to replace mother-daughter time, it will never happen again on a camping trip!

This year, after a whirlwind year of weddings, B’Nai Mitzvah, awesome travel experiences, and business development far beyond my wildest expectations, I knew I needed a vacation.  But I also knew that heading back to my comfortable spot in Elkmont, in the Smokies, was not going to cut it.  I needed adventure, I had a bucket list, and the mountains and adventure of the midwest were calling my name, louder and louder, and I could not deny that I needed to see Colorado, and go somewhere I had never been before.  I wanted to sit on mountains, pray, explore, plan, reflect, and experience life.  Yeah, I know, I sound like that book – but while I just might write one of out of this experience, this is just coming from a place inside of me – telling me I need to go.

I never in a million years thought it would happen.  I boldly decided that in order to do this trip right, I needed 3+ weeks, and so I looked at the calendar, and blocked the time, and set my intention for what this trip might become.  Airfares were high, but Southwest came along with an email to my inbox (I don’t know how – I’m not even a Southwest frequent flier) but it was advertising fares at their lowest to Denver.  I checked my intended itinerary, found an amazing fare (with ** 2 bags free **) and booked it on the spot!  OMG!  Not only did I set the intention, but I took the first step in making it come true.

I never thought this day would arrive, but here I am at FLL, waiting for Southwest flight 173 to Denver.  I may know where I’m going the minute I get there, and I know a general itinerary, with a few commitments along the way, but otherwise – I am completely “flying by the seat of my pants”.  I have decided to allow the universe to take me where it wants to lead me, and I’m surprisingly fine with that – although, my heart is pounding out of my chest as I write.

Last night, I stayed at Casa Spiegel (Mom and Dad’s) and had a wonderful dinner with them, and Michael and Marsha (friends).  In the afternoon, I got to spend time with Nancy, Lexi, and Mike (Sister, niece, b.i.l.) and Lexi even came over to play and help me finish packing.  It was a great way to spend the anxious jittery time, with the people I love most in life, and that brings me to here, and now.

I’m so excited that when I get to Denver, I’m going to spend my first night with Brooks and Aly, my very special bride and groom from Playa del Carmen, this past April.  Aly has so generously offered to supply me with camping gear, take me to my rental car, and send me off on my adventure tomorrow morning.  More good times.

Ahead of me – I have booked 2 white water rafting trips, 3 nights of camping in Grand Canyon, and the most amazing itinerary ever along the way.  Me, and a rental car, a plan that will get carved out as I go, and yes Lauren – bear and people mace.  I’m ready to go.

I’m so thankful for the year that brought me here.  I’m so excited for what will be.  I’m so proud of myself, for making it happen.  And right now, life just couldn’t get any better.  (Well, it might be a little better if my ipad had arrived before my departure, but…)

I can’t wait to share this trip with all of you.  I hope this blog and my experience encourages anyone who wants to create change in their lives, to set their intention, and do one thing at a time to make it happen.  I hope it shows just one person that you can do whatever you dream – if you just dream it hard enough and believe in it enough.  I have the best life.  And it’s about to get even better….