Your definition of ADVENTURE?

Today after school, my 13 year old daughter Savannah told me her homework was to write about an adventure. I said, "that sounds fun"! She said "well it would be but I've never had an adventure".

OK, Savannah. I guess riding in a baby pack at age 1 into a forest service cabin in the dark with temps in the teens wasn't an adventure. Nor was the backpacking trip to the Cougar Creek Patrol cabin with her Grandfather, a National Park Service Interpretive Ranger. I guess the ziplining, canoeing, kayaking in a severe windstorm, rock climbing at age 4, surviving Montana's 9 month winters and swimming in 60 degree lake water in the summer don't count.

It really is relative. For some it is an "adventure" simply to come to Montana for a few days. For others, it is to climb a high peak in the mountains. And still for others, like me, it might be as simple as making dinner with a pressure cooker.

You see, I've rock climbed, ice climbed, rafted the Nenana at life threatening flood stage in Alaska, backpacked across Yellowstone and even survived the birth of two children with absolutely no medications to ease the pain to protect their tiny brains.

But, I've never really been a cook. None of the above scared me. The rules about how to use the pressure cooker were down right SCARY. Getting the dusty gift from my Mom 10 years ago and deciding to make Mexican Pork was and adventure and a good one. It was not only good, it was DELICIOUS and success is measured by the kids actually eating it without complaining. Even better, they wanted seconds.

It's all relative. What's your idea of adventure?

Where's the Snow

Everyone seems to wonder what happened to winter this year. My own yard in Bozeman, MT is free of snow and there are buds on trees that I usually don't see for a month or two.

But less than 3 hours away at the oldest ski hill in Montana, age 75, it is a winter wonderland. Last weekend, we made the trek to Showdown, formerly Kings Hill which is about 70 miles south of the nearest airport in Great Falls with relatively few services, no cell service, no high speed lifts (only 3 to speak of) and the runs aren't all that long. But, this throwback experience is second to none in terms of powder - 60 inches in ONE week meaning that they received more of a base than the majority of western resorts have received all year.

We skied all day (well, actually I rode my BRAND new K2 board with upgraded Flow bindings that made my double board friends happier) despite low visibility due to yet another blizzard. When we hopped the last chair, I was sad the day was over because we had to return to the "un-winter".

I love Big Sky, Jackson, Park City and Aspen but this winter when you ask "Where's the snow"? I'll say it's at Showdown. Rent a little cabin, decompress, leave the cell phone at home, enjoy the family, play cards at night around the fire, cook a pot of chili, get a good night's sleep and in the day SKI YOUR HEARTS OUT.

Oprah ranks Travel Agents as #2 for Happiest Jobs in America

Oprah has spoken. Travel agents rank in the top 4 for happiest jobs in America - you can watch the episode here. http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Happiest-Jobs-in-America-Video

Really? People like this job?

 

I do travel quite a bit and went on vacation last week with the fam but this meant working until 10:30 p.m., driving 2 hours to Billings, getting 4 hours of sleep and hitting the airport by 6:00 a.m. During the week, I did my best to forget about all the things I forgot. Upon returning, I've received requests for 10 intense custom itineraries and have to find a new destination to replace a Japan trip for departure April 15.

 

I can't find my desk beneath the mountain of little pieces of paper looking up at me wondering where their home is, the 15 files partially opened waiting for me to finalize, the stapled together to do list longer than Santa's scroll and when I think of all the things I could ask my assistant to do for me, I remember I don't have one.

 

Alright alright, enough complaining. Despite ALL of the above, there is a strange sick part of me that loves it. If I weren't constantly stressed, I would be bored and if I am not traveling or planning my own trip, the next best thing is doing so for others. My clients are patient, appreciative and truly fun to work with. Honestly, I couldn't name a single other job someone else does that I would want more. I must be insane.

Capella and Inn at Lost Creek in Telluride to Close

Almost exactly 1 year ago to the date, I boarded a plane from Bozeman to Montrose, Colorado to check out the brand new Capella Telluride. I immediately fell in love with the staff, the large spacious rooms, the cozy mountain village and convenient access to the slopes. When Capella came to the scene, they also took over the management of the Inn at Lost Creek which I have used for clients for years. It had a much more mountain chalet feel than the new modern look of Capella. Truly between the two, there was something for everyone.

Now, 1 year later, I have learned they are both shutting their doors and advising clients that they will not be honoring any reservations beyond January 31st.

As there are no options quite like these two, I'm sure many are scrambling to figure out alternatives or cancelling their vacations altogether. If you need any advice in this area, please send me a note and I would be happy to share my thoughts with you.

Here's the link to the article in USA Today.
http://travel.usatoday.com/hotels/post/2011/01/telluride-cappella-hotel-closure/139028/1

Belize isn't Antarctica but...

2011 got off to a rocky start when Abercrombie and Kent called to advise that Le Boreal would not be in operation for my client's January 4 expedition to Antarctica. Fortunately, the call came in 21 hours BEFORE their departure from the US but did not leave much time to come up with a new itinerary for the 3 weeks they had carved out of their busy schedules. I asked for their bucket list which was rather extensive and started trying to figure out what would be possible given the timeline we had to work with. Belize was one of those options and as luck would have it, we have a WONDERFUL Virtuoso partner - Belize Expeditions. Now, the problem would be trying to reach someone on New Years Eve or throughout the holiday weekend. Luckily, Mark Howells, the owner was able to jump right on it. He made property suggestions, called to hold space and came up with ativities for this couple that didn't want to just sit and do nothing. The clients loved the proposed itinerary and Mark set about lining up a myriad of private activities from working with a dolphin trainer to searching for crocodiles to reef fishing and snorkeling. 4 days after learning of the Antarctica cancellation, we had an entirely new trip plotted from start to finish including flights. It was looking great!

On the morning of their planned departure, I received a frantic call. The plane was NOT coming in from Denver and their flight had been cancelled. There were no other flights on the same airline and if they missed this, they would miss the only non-stop to Roatan Honduras which was to be their first destination. My flight expert, Susie Gilbreath, found an alternative option on another airline. This meant paying twice and leaving the house immediately as the flight departed in 1 hour and 15 minutes. The clients scurried out the door while we wrapped up the flights and got the last 2 seats on the plane. They made it to the airport and sent a text with relief they were on the plane. They would have 2 hours in Salt Lake City to make thier connection. Uh oh - another text - unbelievable!!! The pilot just came on the intercom announcing extreme fog in the Salt Lake Valley advising that there was a good chance they would be landing in Pocotello, Idaho - a small airport without a connection to Houston where they were to catch the flight to Roatan. I followed the flight every step of the way on-line and was literally screaming like I was at the Auburn/Oregon BCS Championship when they sent a text to say they were in Salt Lake AND that the flight to Houston was on time.

They made it and each step of the way, Mark has written to let me know they are enjoying themselves. Here's a photo he sent from Lamanai Outpost Lodge on their crocodile adventure last night. Looks like they are having fun and I couldn't be happier or more relieved. There are still 5 days to this trip and while I would like to say we're home free, I won't because it might jinx them!

Discounted First Class Flights to ski Telluride

Last January I flew into the Montrose, CO Airport for 3 days/nights of skiing and relaxing at the Capella, a new five star property in Telluride's Mountain Village. This is a beautiful hotel with a perfect slopeside location built around a new ice-skating rink a quick stroll from the gondola to head up the mountain to Allreds or down to the New Sheridan for Apres Ski cocktails.

The rooms at Capella Telluride are luxuriously appointed with spacious bathrooms, comfy beds and balconies to take in the fresh mountain air - or cool off if in your excitement, you don your gear a little too quickly and have to wait while your traveling companion makes head to toe adjustments.

While Telluride DOES have an airport, friends that chose that route feared for their lives as they cleared 14ers (14,000 foot mountain peaks surrounding the town) before a sheer drop to the runway.

Montrose is the easier airport as the area is generally flat. Then, you simply take a 1 hour private or shared transfer to the Mountain Village of Telluride.

Currently, United is offering a GREAT deal on First Class Air from most US cities for travel between January 4 and February 10, 2011. You must book 14 days in advance and stay 3 nights. Outbound travel must occur Sunday - Wednesday with a return Tuesday through Friday. http://www.united.com/page/article/1,,50078,00.html

Traveling during the Holidays

Today is one of the busiest travel days of the year and there are more to come in December as families trek from place to place to gather to share holiday cheer.

In addition to deciding between spiced cider and wine, you may have to decide to be scanned or patted. Peep show or the real deal....

Here's one editors take! Click here to read what the New York Times has to say.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/23/business/23road.html?_r=1&ref=travel