Standing with feet firm on Chilean soil, I looked back over the border and took a minute to collect my thoughts. The last four days spent in Bolivia had been the most scenic thus far in my travels, and that is saying a lot. Each minute and every turn of my head brought beautiful landscapes that I tried so hard to capture with my camera. I know they say that a picture is worth a thousand words, but there is nothing that can explain the feeling of being there in person.The best part of beauty is that which no picture can [View Full Entry]

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Catching my head as it suddenly dropped from exhaustion, I continued counting down the minutes until the arrival of my night bus to the lakeside town of Puno. Before leaving Cusco, I had set up a two day excursion on Lake Titicaca; where I would visit three of the islands and stay over night with a local family. Everything was sort of running on schedule to get me there in time to make my 8am boat departure. The night had kicked off to a rough start when the bus company had double booked nearly 20 seats and attempted to pull away [View Full Entry]

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Peering through the plane window, I looked out across the Andes Mountains and gave a big grin. I've been thinking about these mountains and climbing up to the ruins of Machu Picchu for the last six years. Ever since Bobby returned home from his travels in this region and planted the seed with his pictures and stories, it has been in the back of my mind. Arriving in Cusco, I walked through the cobblestone streets and soon realized that many others had been thinking about the same thing. This heart of the once-powerful Inca Empire is a haven for tourists from [View Full Entry]

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The night sky lit by the full moon before me, I gazed out my bus window at the outline of the Andes mountains. Soon that picture-like view turned to jungle as far as the eye could see. This is the part of travel that I truly love; getting back into raw nature. Witnessing the beauty of God’s creation, untouched and thriving on its own. We made our way ten hours down a road that changed from mountain to jungle, pavement to dirt, winter temperatures to summer. Rest stops were made few and far between, wherein the men lined one side of [View Full Entry]

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Lift off baby! Cruising 32 thousand feet in our upper atmosphere, all I could think about was getting to the nearest travel agency upon arrival. I was hungry to see what kind of adventures I could get myself into. I also couldn’t help thinking about sinking my teeth into the filet of salmon that I was just served in First Class. Yeah, that's right; First Class. I was randomly selected by the computer to be bumped up; meaning fat, fluffy seats, a gourmet lunch, moist towels, and royal treatment (life's good). I must say that I sure stuck out among the [View Full Entry]

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Having difficulty sleeping on the night bus to Panama City, my head swam with thoughts of recent travels. My journeys through Central America are coming to a close and I'm about to embark on a new chapter. The past four months have been an amazing experience, and I'm sure South America will be no less. The amount of time I plan to spend and the areas I will cover are still unknown. All I can say for certain is that there is more that I wish to see before I return (sorry Trey). I surely do miss you all, but I [View Full Entry]

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With a smile stretched across my face, I ran over and embraced my mom in a great big bear hug. I sure am blessed to have two great parents who support me in everything that I decide to do; however crazy it may be. Having my mom fly down to meet me on such a short notice really means a lot. I had asked her if she was sure that she wanted to spend that kind of money; being that she could only stay one week. She simply replied; "Life is short; and the memories are worth ever cent." That is [View Full Entry]

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Thinking back to the days before my travels, I have a tough time recalling the last sunset I took time to enjoy...where watching the sun in its final moments is now a daily event. I know when I eventually return home life will again be hectic with work, errands and the daily headaches, but I won't forget about the beauty of the simple things. These reminders of the wonderful things that God has created for us are all around. It's important not to let this busy, crazy world consume us. We all need to step back once and a while and [View Full Entry]

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As I watched the sun set off the shores of Isla de Ometepe, I thought back over my day of travel and can’t say it was painless. What should have taken 4-5 hours took me eight; but that’s all in the past. I have plenty of time and a whole new place to explore; so all is good. Upon arrival at Hacienda Mérida, which is nestled at the base of Volcán Maderas, I recognized a lot of familiar faces. From hostel Oasis there was Claire (the wacky Brit), Inger (the crass Kiwi), and a group of Israelis; then there was Nick [View Full Entry]

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Swaying gently in my hammock, I curiously watched the travelers around me; wondering where they were from and what places they'd been. Each and every day brings new faces, personalities, and nationalities; while those familiar move on. The challenge of meeting new people is a daily task that can definitely wear a person down. I go through the same introductions and brief history of myself over and over again. I think I'm just going to start making things up. My travels have brought me to a comfortable little hostel called the Oasis; in the lakesi [View Full Entry]

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