Blog Posts

2023

Wisdom I am packing home from the Catalina Island Retreat
5 tips for choosing a GOOD yoga retreat!
A run around San Marcos La Laguna, Guatemala
Chiquita bananas, CIA funded coups, and Colombian hit squads. 
Sober Travel Belize – Being Open to the Wonder
Rivers, Mayan Temples, and Colonial Pirates
Chiang Mai yoga retreat in Thailand – Thai food, waterfalls, temples, and more!
Nayarit, Mexico – Why it’s perfect for your next yoga retreat!
Zapatista road blocks in Chiapas, Mexico
Dirtbag Backpacker Memories from Bolivia
San Cristobal de las Casas – Zapatistas, water, and Coca-cola.
San Jose del Pacifico – Magic Mushrooms in Mexico
Travels in Mexico – Mexico City layover
2022 Recap: Acceptance

2022

Notes from one month traveling in Mexico
Capitalism, van life, and yoga retreats

2021

Paradise in Costa Rica: The Sanctuary at Two Rivers
Introducing….Balance Your Recovery!
Living in the Gray Areas
Advanced Yoga Teacher Training in Costa Rica!

2020

Forever Tries
Year 5 so far
Coronavirus: Ascension or Regression?
Bones Straining

2019

What it was like
2 years ago, 1 year ago, 5 months ago, NOW
I See It Now
3 years of sober, not boring.
The Healing Process: Getting Grounded through Bodywork
The real, embarrassing work of recovery
The real, embarrassing work of recovery
Our Arizona Exploration itinerary is here!
Changing, growing, and losing “home.”
The 13th Step. It’s What’s Missing From AA.
32
Snowboarding is just like sobriety…
Yoga Sunday – Kapha Balancing
Yoga Sunday: Vata Balancing Poses
7 Tips for Vegan Travel
Mastering the Art of Traveling by Train
Introducing….Balance Your Recovery Ayurveda!
Yoga Sunday – The 8th Limb – Samadhi
Joshua Tree’s Menu Announced!
Comfort Kills
Yoga Sunday: Dhyana
Yoga Sunday: What is “Dharana”?
Hong Kong layover – what to do on a quick trip!
My dosha in Ayurveda: Can I have more than one?
Yoga Sunday: It’s Not About The Inversions!
Ayurveda Wednesday: Using Essential Oils
Ayurveda Wednesday: Routine!

2018

Yoga Sunday: Pratyahara
Ayurveda Wednesday – Mindful Eating
Yoga Sunday: The Niyamas
Sedona Mystical Tours: A Day in the Vortex
Ayurveda Wednesday: Staying Warm in Winter!
Signs from the Universe: Elk Medicine
The Yamas: Yoga Philosophy
Ayurveda online test: What’s your prakriti?
Yoga Sunday: Pranayama
Ayurveda Wednesday: Abhyanga Self Massage
Yoga Sunday: Asana
Ayurveda Wednesday: What is Ayurveda?
Yoga Sunday Series: Meditation
Then and now on the mountain
8 ways to reduce plastic consumption while traveling and SAVE $$$!!!
Tuk Tuk Tournament Sri Lanka – The funniest way to get off the beaten track!
Going travelling? Here’s advice on efficient packing
Mulkirigala – Our Favorite Sri Lanka Temple
Sequoia National Park – The World’s Biggest Trees
Burning Man 2018 – Back to Black Rock City
Our Southwest United States Roadtrip – Almost VanLife
5 Best Sri Lanka Surf and Yoga Retreats
WECare Worldwide – Caring For Sri Lankan Street Dogs
Sri Lanka transportation – a guide to how to travel the island
What happened to Mirissa, Sri Lanka? The party is over.
Bigger Life Adventures – Yoga & travel that gives back!
Burning Man 2017 – Demons Exist in Nirvana
Vesak Day and Full Moon SUP Yoga Experience in Sri Lanka!
Auntie Orn’s Organic Cooking Class – Chiang Mai, Thailand
Surf & Yoga Mirissa and Ahimsa Vegan Cafe
Grasshopper Adventures Chiang Mai Night Bike Tour – Into The Old City
Songkran Thai New Year Water Gun Battle in Chiang Mai, Thailand!
Tuk Tuk Safari – Exploring Galle on the Sri Lanka Coast
Sri Lanka Whitewater Rafting in Kitulgala!
Tensions in Kandy – Why You Shouldn’t Cancel Your Trip to Sri Lanka
The Doctor’s House in Madiha, Sri Lanka
Bunkyard Hostel in Colombo, Sri Lanka
Angmoh Hostel in George Town, Malaysia
Exploring Langkawi and Staying at Tubotel
Ramayana Waterpark in Pattaya, Thailand
Free Yoga in Bangkok
Railay Climbing Take 2 and The Penis Cave!
The Golden Mount and Wat Saket in Bangkok, Thailand
Sak Yant – Thailand’s Sacred Bamboo Tattoos in Ayutthaya
The Gastronomic Trail – The Amazing Adventure Bangkok
Thai Smiles – A Guide To What NOT To Do in Thailand
Factory Coffee – Bangkok’s Best Beans
Ayutthaya Temples- The Second Capital of Thailand
Ho Chi Minh City – Vietnam Motorbike Madness in Saigon

2017

The Floating Market in Damnoen Saduak – Bangkok Day Trips
Grasshopper Adventures Bangkok Bike Tours – Night Biking The Big City
How To Get Around Bangkok, Thailand – A Guide For Travelers
Stay Samed Coffee & Bed in Koh Samet, Thailand
7 Ways To Be A Better Traveler – Positive Impact Tourism
War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam
Organic Farming in Chiang Mai with Live It Global
Thai Boat Noodles – Street Food Bangkok
The Bua Thong Sticky Waterfalls – Motorbikes in Chiang Mai, Thailand
7 Types of Terrible Hostel Guests
Chiang Mai : Asia’s Home for Digital Nomads
The Loy Krathong Festival in Bangkok
Yimwhan Hostel & Cafe in Ayutthaya, Thailand
5 Reasons Couchsurfing Lost It’s Magic
The King of Thailand’s Funeral | Thailand Mourns
Backpacking Malaysia: A Guide for Easy Asia Travel
Exploring Bangkok with Tuk Tuk Hop
Krabi and Railay Beach – Thai Climb Time
Hostel Holidays : Sharing Traditions Around the Globe
Friendly Nomad Feature: Mattera: Life Designing and Psychotherapy
Penang National Park and Environmental Observances
Street Food Heaven – Penang, Malaysia
5 Things All Great Hostels Have In Common
Why Your Hostel Needs A Marketing Consultant
The Perhentian Islands – Paradise in Malaysia
Cameron Highlands – Tea Country
Kuala Lumpur – The Big City
Malacca, Malaysia – Bring On The Street Food!
Chacos – The World’s Greatest Shoe
Yim Yam Hostel & Garden in Bangkok, Thailand
Singapore – The Prize Jewel of Order in Asia
Portlandia!
Solar Town – The Great American Eclipse
Cuba Highlights
Crater Lake National Park – Clean, Clear, Deep, and Blue.
Lassen Volcanic – A National Park Forgotten
Mt. Shasta and NorCal Hippies
Bishop Bouldering and L.A.’s Reservoir
Hiking Mt. Whitney, TO THE TOP!!!
Transitioning to Dirtbag Life
Mexico City Foodies
Trinidad, Cuba: Tropical Buildings and Beaches
Viñales – Enchanted Land of Tobacco
Havana’s Rumba Paradise
Enjoying Havana
Mexico Zipline in Barrancas del Cobre Adventure Park!
Hotel Temazcal in Creel, Mexico
A New Adventure, Day 1: San Diego to Creel

2016

Hiking San Jacinto and Idyllwild, California

2015

Anza Borrego Getaway
Mangia Italia!
To the top of the dome!
Onwards to Firenze!
The Holiest Place on Earth?
Epic Walk Around Rome, Part 2!
Carrie’s Friend-ey Trip to Italia!

2014

Barcelona and Catalonian Independence
Granada, in the mountains of Spain
Essaouira – Morocco’s Surfer’s Paradise
Lost in the Giant Dunes of Morocco
Equity Point Hostel – Marrakech, Morocco
Marrakech – The Heart of Morocco
Tangier – The Gateway To Africa
A new side of España!
Hotel Sherazade in Marrakech, Morocco
Sintra – A Town of Castles
Lisbon, and how to not fight with your travel buddy
Porto, Oporto. You’re old but still awesome.
San Sebastian, Nos Gusta Pintxos
San Sebastian
The Bordeaux Adventures
Oh la la! Three Days in Paris
London for Hipsters
London Town!
Burning Man 2014 – Underrated or Overrated in Black Rock City
Burning Man (Zach’s Take)
Going Home to Black Rock City
Zion National Park – Hiking Angles Landing – Heaven on Earth?
¡Otra vez!
Teotihuacan: An Ancient City
Mexico City Adventure: Centro Historico

2013

Spanish by the Sea in Bocas del Toro, Panama
Naked Tiger Hostel in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
Baja, México Financial Summary
Baja México – Observations and Advice
The Long Way Back – A Road Trip in Baja California
We Got Cabo-ed!
La Paz and Todos Santos. Road Tripping Baja Mexico
From Norte to Sur! A Baja Mexico Road Trip
Ensenada, Mexico. Our first stop down the Baja.
Ensenada Inn in Ensenada, Mexico
Landhaus in Samaipata, Bolivia
Andes Hostel in Santiago, Chile
Sunny Days Hostel in Arica, Chile
Hotel Federico I in Concordia, Argentina
Hostel El Gaucho in Bariloche, Argentina
Periko’s Youth Hostel in Bariloche, Argentina
Arrayan Hostel in Valdivia, Chile
How to Make Wine in Third World Nations (or at home…)
House Of Colors Hostel in Pucon, Chile

2012

Chimanga Hostel in Puerto Varas, Chile
Hotel Casa Barcelona in Granada, Nicaragua
Hostal Donde German 2 in Pucon, Chile
Adventure Brew Hostel in La Paz Bolivia
Hostel Pangea in San Jose, Costa Rica
The Cost of Our Cross-Country Move
Moving to California – The Final Day
Moving to California – Day 5
Moving to California – Days 3 & 4
Moving to California – Day 2
Moving to California – Day 1
WHOA!!! Fritz The Cat sank!!!
We end where we began?
The Final Superlatives
Write for La Aventura Project/Stay in hostels for free
El Salvador Financial Summary
The Last Stop – San Salvador
The Creeptastic Auto Hotel
Lago de Atitlan – Shopping in Panajachel, Guatemala
Hotel Tazumal House in San Salvador, El Salvador
Jungle Rash – Visiting The Doctor In Antigua
Hotel Jere in Panajachel, Guatemala
The Backpacker Trail Through Antigua, Guatemala
El Salvador’s El Imposible National Park: Jungle Hiking
El Hostal Bed and Breakfast in Antigua, Guatemala
Ruta de Las Flores – Adventures in El Salvador
Hostal El Imposible Ecolodge in Parque Imposible, El Salvador
Steve’s Mind=Blown
Expresión Cultural Café y Restaurante in Santa Ana, El Salvador
Carrie’s 25th birthday at the Lago de Coatepeque
Segen Hostel in Concepción de Ataco, El Salvador
Ruinas del Tazumal in Santa Ana, El Salvador
Laguna Verde Guest House in Apaneca, El Salvador
Pretty things in Santa Ana El Salvador
Portezuelo Park in Juayúa, El Salvador
Villa Napoli Bed and Breakfast in Santa Ana, El Salvador
Surfing El Salvador – Waves Too Big For Us!
Horizonte Surf Resort and Restaurant in El Zonte, El Salvador
Salvadoran Naive Art and Mountaintop Hitchhiking in La Palma
Hotel La Palma in La Palma, El Salvador
The Art of Suchitoto – The Cultural Capital of El Salvador
Introducing the Pupusa Tracker!
Hotel Los Almendros de San Lorenzo in Suchitoto, El Salvador
The Perquin War Museum – Backpacking El Savador
Nicaragua Financial Summary
Hotel Perkin Lenca in Perquín, El Salvador
Granada Zipline Tours – Volcan Mombacho, Nicaragua
Hostal Dulce Sueño in Managua, Nicaragua
Granada, Nicaragua – America’s Oldest City
Hotel El Almirante in Granada, Nicaragua
The Isla Ometepe – A Volcanic Paradise in Nicaragua
Building Plastic Bottle Schools in Nicaragua
Hacienda Merida in Isla de Ometepe, Nicaragua
Everybody’s Gone Surfing/A New Obsession
Bahia del Sol Villas and Condominiums in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
Volcano Boarding Nicaragua Style
Cathedrals of León
Bigfoot Hostel in León, Nicaragua
Panamá Financial Summary
Hotel Mansión Teodolindo in Managua, Nicaragua
A Fresh Perspective
Casa Yoses in San José, Costa Rica
Brigitte Cabinas in Cahuita, Costa Rica
Life in the banana-lands
It’s a hard life in Bocas del Toro
Rafael’s House in Bocas del Toro, Panamá
Pukalani Hostal in Bocas del Toro, Panamá
The Passage to Panamá: Were We the Last?
Crossing the Isthmus. Atlantic to Pacific in Two Hours By Car.
The Passage to Panamá: Part Two
The Haven Spa Hotel in Boquete, Panamá
Spanish In The City in Panamá City, Panamá
Diablo Rosso in Panamá City, Panamá
The Passage to Panamá: Part One
2/3 Highlights!
Colonial Colombia in Colorful Cartagena
10 Tips For Cheaper Travel – Backpacking South America
10 Tips For Cheaper Travel in South America
Restaurante Vegetariano Los Girasoles in Cartagena, Colombia
Taganga: What happened to this place?
Danny’s Fruits & Cocktails in Taganga, Colombia
Salinerito Pizzeria in Otavalo, Ecuador
The most momentous book exchange of the whole trip!
Quilotoa Loop, Part 4: You Probably Will Think That This Is Gross
Quilotoa Loop, Part 3: Chugchilan to Laguna Quilotoa…and back.
Quilotoa Loop, Part 2: Ecuador Hiking from Isinlivi to Chugchilan
Quilotoa Loop – Ecuador Part 1: Latacunga to Isinlivi
Cuenca: Yeah, we’re back in Ecuador!
A Remote Border Crossing at La Balza – Backpacking Ecuador
Hotel Pichincha in Cuenca, Ecuador
Barranco: The Hippest Part of Lima
Random Cats
Miraflores – The Fancy Lima Barrio
Café Cultural Restaurant Expreso Virgen de Guadalupe in Barranco, Lima, Perú
Centro Lima: A Lot More Fun Than Expected
Fayslin Chifa in Barranco, Lima, Perú
Restaurant El Cubanito in Miraflores, Lima, Perú
El Balcón de Don Zacharias in Chivay, Perú
The magic of the “chifa”
The Cañon del Colca and Our Big Day
Arequipa, lovely and livable
Bolivia Financial Summary
The Three-Day Bus Marathon
Conquering The World
Boat Hitchhiking to Trinidad, Bolivia – Part 4
Hitchhiking Bolivian Boats in the Amazon – Part 3
Culture Shock! Rules of the Road in South America
Boat Hitchhiking Into The Bolivian Amazon: Part Two
On Eating Animals
Boat Hitchhiking Into The Bolivian Amazon: Part One
My Travel Quirks
Santa Cruz: More Brazilian than Bolivian
Our junk
Samaipata; or, When Things Don´t Go Right!
Sucre, the Whitewashed City
Finger-Lickin´Good!
Potosí, City of Silver
Jungle Fever
The Southwest Circuit to the Salar de Uyuni: Day Four
The Southwest Circuit to Salar de Uyuni: Day Three
The Southwest Circuit to the Salar de Uyuni: Day Two
The Southwest Circuit to the Salar de Uyuni: Day One
Let’s Talk About Poop for All the World to Hear
Thoughts that came in a jeep…
¿Hablamos español?
Culture Shock! Why Doesn´t Anyone Read?
We Hate Bolivian Internet!
OUR BLOG IS ONE YEAR OLD!!!
Isla del Sol in Lake Titicaca – Backpacking Bolivia
At the Copa! Copacabana, Bolivia!
Culture Shock! Classism
Perú Financial Summary
Peru’s Lake Titicaca Islands: Floating Islands and Taquile Island
Coca Museum – The Quechua Culture in Puno, Peru
Hostel Review on South American Tourist
We Hate Loki
We Love Loki
1/3 Highlights
Cuzco Free Walking Tour – Peru’s Inca City
The Infamous Bird Poop Scam – Robbed in Colombia
The Infamous Bird Poop Incident
Backpacker Fashion : There Are No Rules
Culture Shock! Everything is OTC
Woah!!!!! Something awesome is happening!!!
Inca Trail: Day Four
A love letter to my new favorite condiment…
Inca Trail: Day Three
Cha Cha Cha Changes!
Inca Trail: Day Two
Culture Shock! Rastafarianism
Inca Trail Trekking : Day One
Huacachina – A Sandy Oasis in Peru
Culture Shock! Would everyone just SHUT UP already????
Pisco and the Islas Ballestas – Peru Wildlife

2011

Surfing Peru – Mancora
Surfing Perú!
The South America Tourist feature
Crossing Into Peru – Huaquillas Ecuador Border Crossing
The Journey Into Peru…
Ecuador: Financial Summary
Culture Shock! The Change Dance
Canoa Ecuador – Chill Time
Adventures in Manta Ecuador
Adventures in Manta
Feliz Navidad!
Montanita Ecuador…a.k.a. Hippie Paradise
Montañita…a.k.a. Hippie Paradise
Culture Shock! Refrigerator Schmigerator
WWOOFing Ecuador – Tungurahua Tea Room
Tungurahua Tea Room
Waterfall Rappelling in Banos – Ecuador Adventures
House-sitting/dog-sitting in Baños!
NEW SERIES: Culture Shock! Roofdogs and Ecuadorian mobs
Tena and Beyond: The End of the Road in Ecuador
Tungurahua Eruption Video
Ruta de las Cascadas: Biking To The Banos Waterfalls
Ruta de las Cascadas: The road from Baños toward the Amazon
Old Town Quito – Ecuador’s Colonial Capital
Old Town Quito
Quito Chaos
Mojanda Mountains of Otavalo, Ecuador
Mojanda skies…
Otavalo Market – South America’s Greatest Mercado
Otavalo
Colombia and Ecuador Border Crossing.
Between Colombia and Ecuador.
Las Lajas Cathedral – Catholic Colombia
Las Lajas
Baños Rumbles More: Tungurahua, Part II
Baños Rumbles: Tungurahua, Part I
Volcán Tungurahua Erupting
Volcán Tungurahua!
Parque Arqueológico, San Agustín, Colombia
WWOOFing Colombia at Coffee Farm Finca Campo Bello
WWOOFing at Finca Campo Bello
Maya Hostal, San Agustin, Colombia
Colombia: Financial Summary
Colombian Coffee Farms – The Economics and Production
Coffee Contemplations
Dealing with Sickness While Traveling
The Salt Cathedral in Zipaquira, Colombia – Holy Salt!
This salt is holier than your salt.
Bogota – The Big City in Colombia
Bogotá
3 Days in Medellin – Our First Stop In Colombia
3 Days in Medellín
¡Bienvenidas a Colombia!
Where’s the wifi gone?
The Backpacker Packing List
The Packing List
Checkin’ things off the list!
17 more days in the United States!
Live No Excuses Radio Interview
Check out our new publicity photo!
Only 8 more days until you don’t have to hear about this anymore!
Traveling as a Couple
Melissa no longer involved with project and trip
Cookies???
10 more days of work.
Travel Health Insurance
1 if by land, 2 if by sea, 3 if by air, 4 if a combination of all these modes of transportation
Clarifying Our Goals
Too Legit to Quit!
¿podemos seguir adelante con ella?
Live on indiegogo.com!
The not-so-planned plan
The West Is The Best
You’re Bummin’ Me Out, Kickstarter
Drumroll please……THE TRAILER!
The Checklist
Backpack.
Social Media
Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent
Exhaustion
Re-learning Flash Animation
WAHOOO WE GOT TICKETS to COLOMBIA!!!
Progress on trip to South America and documentary!
Living Within Our Means
Editfest 2011
Technical Difficulties…ugh
Reading List
In Arizona Planning…
Planning Calendar
The Idea