HOMEBOUND: Ramblings from an Adventurous Travel Photographer

ADVENTURE JUNKIE

If it was scientifically and physically possible to determine, I am sure a test would show that I was born with the adventure gene. My yearning for adventure began with my first steps. Soon, I was tearing around outside the house on foot, followed by a tricycle, strap-on skates, and finally the banana seat bike with ape-hanger handle bars!

My earliest memories are of exploring the “wilds” was in the private nursery that was behind our neighborhood. As children, we thought this nursery was an extension of our backyards, where we could make forts, create treasure hunts, play hide-and-seek, and go wherever our imaginations could take us.

I remember my favorite places at Disneyland were Tom Sawyer’s island and the Swiss family Robinson treehouse. We also had a treehouse in our back yard, and I always believed I would be able to live on an abandoned island.

It’s therefore no surprise that when the adventures of Africa were dangled in front of me on that first safari, I took the bait and decided to leave a lucrative career almost instantly. I figuratively jumped off the mountain and decided I was either going to grow wings on the way down or crash and burn after giving it my all.

Now, I sit at home due to the COVID-19 outbreak, but my lust and desire for adventure does not fade; it grows stronger.

“Live with no excuse and travel with no regrets” – Oscar Wilde

SINGLE ISOLATION

I realize staying at home and being isolated must be very challenging for many of you, as it has been the hardest adjustment of my career change and remains the most challenging of my career. My daily routine while in the US is not much different today than it was six months ago. I am single, and I live and work alone in my loft. If you read my blog regularly, you know my days start with my first cup of coffee in bed and the second at my desk, working. My loft is open and airy, so I don’t feel confined, and I chose it for just this reason.

I do miss the break in the isolated part of my lifestyle that came with getting together for lunch with my travel and photography buddies, local photography events, walking with my friends, and visiting my family, but we now savor our connections through FaceTime, Zoom, and phone time.

I view this time in isolation as a gift. As the world is on hold, I am able to slow down and take a breath from the stressful pace of life. Yes, there are some new worries, but those are easily manageable with a good daily routine, getting outside for some exercise, and healthy eating. With my daily stress level greatly reduced, I am able to focus on some projects that have been on my list for years, and that I can now embrace with joy. In fact, I recently wrote a post about nine great ideas for things to do while in isolation. In fact, I recently wrote a post about nine great ideas for things to do while in isolation.

“Peace is the result of retraining your mind to process life as it is, rather than as you think it should be.” –  Dr. Wayne Dyer

GRADITUDE

I am extremely grateful to be in Southern California. It is spring, going into summer, and the weather is becoming beautiful. Our beaches will probably stay closed or be limited through summer, but I am grateful I can still take walks next to the beach and hear the roar of a healing ocean. As the years have flown by, sometimes I have longed to be home over the summer, so I am going to savor my time here and make the most of it.

I am grateful I had the courage to follow my heart and passion when the call came. It’s been a long, hard journey filled with uncertainty, doubt, and fear that brought me to my breaking point more than once. However, this journey has given me the experience and strength to know that the situation we’re all in now is just one more hurdle, and I have the tools for that.

The phrase “who knows if this is good or bad” comes to mind, and it is so rewarding to to be on the other side of this question. I can now look back and say, “Yes it was good, because I have truly lived. Even if I was never able travel again, I have made enough priceless memories to last a lifetime. Selfishly, of course, I want to make more.

Conditions may seem bad now, but we do not know the positive outcomes they will bring into our lives, and we may not know that for many years.

“Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.” – Anthony J. D’Angelo

FUTURE TRAVEL

At the moment, most of us feel like animals in a zoo—caged in. Many of you are avid travelers, because traveling fills your soul. This crisis has left you with uncertainty and worry for the health of your family, friends, and finances, but the whisper in your hearts also asks, “When can I travel again?”

Although it is too soon to know what travel will look like when the restrictions ease, we’ve started to see hints. For example, Emirates Airline and Austria is now rapid-testing passengers for the virus before they board. Hopefully, more international carriers will follow. Most airlines are not using middle seats, but that may go down to one person per row. If physical distancing is required, hopefully this change will become regulation during this time. As some restrictions start to lift, I think we can presume physical distancing will still be important. With this in mind, I have been working with some of my long-term partners, and we have been busily coming up with creative solutions.

V6 RANCH

I was blessed to have found the V6 Ranch 10 years ago, where I have been running my Spirit-N-Light workshops for the past eight years. Nestled in a valley surrounded by majestic rolling hills, this 20, 000 acre ranch is the perfect, tranquil setting for uniting again to enjoy our passion for photography, nature, travel, and friendships, while still maintaining proper physical distance. A V6 Ranch Reunion experience is in the works for those who have joined me there in the past eight years. Look for details in our upcoming newsletter in the summer. If you are interested email me.

GETTING BACK TO THE MARA!

One of my best memories of my first safari was our private mobile tent camp in the heart of the Serengeti. This was one of my favorite, authentic safari experiences. Through years of hard work, commitment, and incredible partners, I am now able to design safaris and adventures using private, proper mobile tent camps. We are currently planning a private mobile tent camp Mara reunion safari for those who have joined me on safari there in the past decade. Look for details in our newsletter towards the end of summer. If you are interested email me.

“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.” – Unknown