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Meet Ginny & Her Mom

Sunday - This happens to me quite a bit and one of the reasons I love travel. Let me set the stage.

We were visiting the Raleigh – Chapel Hill – High Point, North Carolina region visiting college campuses in the hope of finding the right one; or at least confirming the college of first choice and spreading the LiFE is NOW…® word. This particular day saw us arriving in Chapel Hill just as their graduation was letting out. It was a gorgeous day and great to see all the families proud, smiling and celebrating while they traversed the main the drag. This is where the story begins.

My daughter and I slipped in to Starbucks to visit the bathroom as we’d being driving and walking most of the day. As we arrived at the bathrooms in the rear of the store my daughter found no line and was able to access the bathroom. Fantastic! Plenty of people bustling about outside for Graduation Day and Mother’s Day weekend and she found an empty loo! I too was lucky (or so I thought) as there was no line for the men’s bathroom; so I checked the door which was open, and proceeded to step forward until I was surprisingly warned by the current occupant! I jumped back, expressed my sincere apologies, reclosed the door and got back in line and informed my daughter of what had just occurred. At that moment a young woman approached me with a southern drawl and explained it was her mom in the men’s bathroom and she apologized; then returned with her mom back to their table.

On our way out I saw the family sitting enjoying some time together and figured mom was distraught after the event in the loo and went over to apologize and assured them that “I’d forgotten about the whole ordeal”, wished them well and was on my way.

Monday- we spent most of the morning touring High Point University before making our way back to Raleigh airport to drop of the rental car and begin our journey home.

Once inside the airport we checked in, grabbed our bags and headed for security. Here is where the story begins to ramp up.

While winding our way through the cattle fencing toward the X-ray machines and security post who do I spot in line? You guessed it; my friend from the bathroom at Starbucks a DAY earlier! And once again I reassured them “I’d forgotten all about the incident”. We had a good laugh and went on our separate ways knowing they’d be heading somewhere south based on their accents while we were headed north. Never to see each again. Wrong again. More ramping up, twist number two coming up ( brought to in part by the wonders of the hub airport system).

You see we were headed in opposites directions but…AFTER the next flight!! Turns out they were ON OUR FLIGHT to the airline hub. Then off in separate directions we would go. Or would we? Final twist.

As I was nearly last to board and my seat was the last one on the plane I was searching for overhead compartment space for my carry on (as I hate checking bags). As I reached my final destination (seat# “rear lavatory”) I heard a voice call out “are you following us!?” At which point I looked down and saw two old high school friends. NO! Come on! You know who it was. It was my BATHROOM BUDDIES !!! In the seat in front of me! We laughed again and figured we should at least introduce ourselves. So without further adieu meet Ginny (& her mom, my “awkward acquaintance”).

Ginny showing off her new LiFE is NOW…® Tank

Ginny is posing with a LiFE is NOW…® “Apology” Tank. It was the least I could do.

So with her infectious smile I hope she wears it and lives it and passes it on to all her friends and those that come in contact with her.

We wish them safe future travels, more quality time together and the opportunity LiVE LiFE NOW and meet more people of the world. And hope someday we meet again. Who knows maybe in a bathroom in Boston!

Boston Strong – America Proud

On 04-18-2013 we had to be in Boston for the evening due to prior plans. It was with mixed emotions that we arrived in the city we love after what occurred at the Boston Marathon earlier in the week. We were unsure if it was safe. But we were not going to let fear stop us from living and surprisingly enough it appeared the resiliency of the Boston faithful felt the same way; as the city was active (but for the area around the finish line). It was good to be in the city again but it was surreal. It was, in fact eerie at times. But, as we walked through the city at night we were reminded of the deep history and courageous battles fought for freedom and the pride that grew from standing on our own and protecting our fellow man. We walked along Commonwealth Avenue with its rich historical buildings and magnolia lined streets. We travelled through Beacon Hill and its steep history. We took a small detour closer to the finish line but as we knew further access was barracaded and police protected. We understood and yet the feeling and sense of a city that was quiet was unnerving. News stations were set up along some of the back streets still broadcasting what news they received or perhaps attempting to fill in some of the gaps in the backstory. Memorials had been started and a chalk memorial of strength and well wishing was etched in the sidewalk. Although it was eery there was a huge sense of strength and pride that grew in us. Humanity still existed and it could not be broken. We walked and talked about the victims, the families, history, Boston, humanity and strength. It was truly emotional.

At one point we crossed through the Public Garden and stood in front of the equestrian statue of our country’s first president and founding father, George Washington. With the night skyline of Boston’s financial district in the background; the pride was palatable; it was intense. At first it was simply a stunning photo opportunity; but then it was as if the statue came alive and you could hear his battle cry. Although the quietness of the city lay as a background the stillness and power of George Washington as founder and protector stood there in the night as if to say “we are Americans, we are united, we stand tall and we stand strong, always”.

Less than a few blocks away the Marathon events took place and yet here was George Washington, draped in a cloak of the nighttime skyline of Boston proudly standing guard over the city. All the while the events we would later hear on the news of the continuation of the manhunt was unfolding no more than across the river from where we travelled.

The resiliency, sense of pride, country and community are awe inspiring at times; and humanity always seems to surprise us when you’d think our spirit would be broken. The question that always comes to mind in situations like this is “Why does it take something so tragic to bring us together and stand up for each other, our community and our country”?

LiFE is NOW…® let’s stand together in pride; always. Be America Proud.

Crazy, Sexy, Fun Traveler Alex dazzles St Kitts in LiFE is NOW…® Tank

What do we say at LiFE is NOW…®? Tomorrow is never guaranteed; Follow your passion; Realize and enjoy every moment; NOW is the time? Yes. All that and more. Well, Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler Alex embodies all of this. She travels the world and writes about her adventures and posts her pictures at her website: http://www.crazysexyfuntraveler.com.

Most recently posting about “What to do on St. Kitts – the island tour”. We especially like this post as while she traveled and took photos of her adventures she was looking “crazy, sexy & fun” in a LiFE is NOW…® tank top. Even with all the beautiful colors of the scenery around her she stands out in the pink tank top.

And you’ve gotta love her motto: “I live to travel. I travel to live”.

Looking Good! Thanks Alex!

Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler Alex in beautiful St Kitts

Crazy Sexy Fun Alex with friends in St Kitts

Crazy Sex Fun Alex, St Kitts – showing off her LiFE is NOW…® tank top

If you want to read the full article and see all her photos visit this link: http://www.crazysexyfuntraveler.com/what-to-do-on-st-kitts/comment-page-1/#comment-18343.

You should follow her online and see where she ends up next.

Where is it Wednesday? 02/06/2013

Honeymoons and Barrels.

Where is it?

LiFE is NOW…Navy Hoodie @ the Store

Horseback Riding on the Beach

The saying goes, “kill two birds with one stone”; well, we slightly modified it but kept the same intent – “Cross off two Bucket List items in one trip”! That trip was to the Bahamas where we were able to Swim with the Dolphins as well as Horseback Ride on the Beach. If you’ve read the post Swim with the Dolphins then you know the weather was not all that accomodating for us on this trip or any trip for that matter, however the day we planned to ride horses on the beach the planets aligned and we had scorching sun, crystal clear caribbean waters and a long, beautiful stretch of sandy beach. First dolphins now horses. It is amazing to interact with another living organism other than human. As you sit atop these magnificent creatures your attention is divided between taking in the absolutely gorgeous scenery around you and feeling the horse move and adjust below you.

Heading out along beach

We booked our excursion through Trikk Pony and Leo (the owner) was a gracious host. In fact, she thought we only had two people in our party and had only two horses for the three of us, to which I indicated Bella and J should go and I would sit it out but the other group would not allow it, neither would Leo. She drove us all back to the stables, picked up another horse and off we went to the beach. I’m glad they all insisted. It was magnificent.

We started out in a small wooded area that you could see likely lead to a beach but you had no concept of what it was like as you exited from the shade of the trees onto a secluded white sand beach with nothing but caribbean water in front of you.

J riding along the beach

As we made our way along the beach the sun seemed to get hotter (if that was possible) but just as this was happening Leo indicated it was time to let the horses cool off and drink in the water. Fantastic! The horses waded into the water and you could feel the water creep its way up your feet, ankles and legs.

J entering the ocean as the sun got hotter

We spent nearly half the trip wading in the water which was magnificent since you could see clear through to the bottom and which was a bonus when a stingray decided to follow us. We were told we had to be careful as the horses do get spooked by the stingrays. I tried to capture a photo but all I got was clear caribbean waves and dark image that could have been an old tee shirt underwater. Too bad, it was amazing.

The group wading along the edge. Notice the water!!

J & Bella wading with horses

Our host, Leo

One of my favorite photos!

On our return trip we all stopped to admire a starfish on the sandbar. Now, if you’re not from the tropics, the last sentence probably doesn’t get you all excited but trust me the starfish there were big and beautiful. I was able to capture a photo of it.

Tropical Starfish

We had been talking about horseback riding on the beach for a long time, especially since J loves horses and has been riding for years. This opportunity arose and we did not want to pass it up. Neither should you.

LiFE is NOW…™ ~ don’t you want to say “I did it”?

BOUQUET OF TANK TOPS (get 1 or get all 5). CLICK THE IMAGE TO VISIT THE STORE

Where is it Wednesday? 01/30/2013

Don’t think anyone would be doing any cliff diving here. Still beautiful.

Where is it?

women’s & men’s longsleeve navy – click image to visit store

Where is it Wednesday? 01/23/2013

South of the Border – Where is this? And, why aren’t we there!?

Women’s Plum Tee @ the Store

Where is it Wednesday? 01/16/2013

Just an old white building. We think not.

Tell us what and where it is

BOUQUET OF TANK TOPS (get 1 or get all 5). CLICK THE IMAGE TO VISIT THE STORE

Swim with the Dolphins

The Bahamas. Ah, the mere hint of the word conjures days of unending sun, sand and boat drinks. True; but you’re not travelling with us! We generally bring record breaking weather with us wherever we go. That’s not to say we bring the “best” weather, just record breaking. San Diego – 75 degrees year round, dry, not humid, sunshine and no rain, Ha. Aruba – constant breezes, dry, warm sunshine and Caribbean waters, Ha again. San Diego was cool, damp, rainy and rarely any sun (we had to stay another day just to get to the beach). Aruba; it felt like downtown Boston in the middle of August. Humid, stifling, no breeze. The locals were saying that in all their lives they’ve never experienced weather like that. Well, the Bahamas was no different. It was cool and sometimes downright cold! Windy, rainy and a high wind storm even blew in one afternoon.

Gale force winds closed the beaches. Notice the palm trees blowing in the wind.

Like I said, traveling with us is an experience in and of itself.

I tell you this because there was nothing that was going to stop us from Swimming with the Dolphins. Yes, it was cold – but we had wetsuits. Sure it was cloudy – but we have photoshop. As long as the dolphins were swimming, so were we. And glad we did. What a fantastic experience. We ended up taking a boat ride from our hotel through the canals that line the coast of Freeport and over to the site.

The company we used was called Unexso and it was situated right in the harbor at Freeport. It was also very close to our hotel the Pelican Bay Hotel at Lucaya as well as the marketplace where there were shops, restaurants and bars. The staff at both Unexso and Pelican Bay were friendly and helpful. Our room at the Pelican Bay overlooked part of the harbor and also allowed us to catch the sunsets in the evening. Each morning they would deliver bread and a newsletter through a two-way cubby in the door to our room. Pretty cool.

Door Cubby @ Pelican Bay, Bahamas

Once we were in the water with the dolphins we got the opportunity to swim with them, call and command them and they would perform tasks and tricks based on what we indicated in our signs.

Bella swimming with dolphin

J getting to dance with a dolphin

Me swimming with dolphin

In the end we got the chance to hug and ultimately kiss them. One recommendation I would make is that the trainers give the dolphins some breath mints. Getting up close and personal was fantastic but the fish gargle they use makes you not want to linger. Or, at least only long enough to get a photo. Here we are getting our kisses from our dolphin friends.

Kisses for Bella

Kisses for J

Kisses for Me

After swimming in the water with the dolphins and interacting with them I can only say that if you are anywhere near where they offer dolphin experiences like this “make it happen”! What an amazing feeling to be swimming next to these guys. They are gentle, fun and incredibly intelligent. Feel their skin, watch them look at you; and they always seem to have a smile on their face. You will walk away with a better understanding of life in general.

In the end we did get some sun and were able to soak up some much needed warmth at the beach; as well as, crossing another item off the Bucket List and something J has always wanted to do – Horseback Riding on the Beach. We made sure to soak up as much LiFE as we could regardless of the weather.

The sun finally showed up!

As you know, with the sun comes sunsets. Sunsets truly are one of best things the universe has to offer; they command your attention. They force you to stop in your tracks, focus on them and forget your worries while compelling you to simply appreciate NOW. Not too many things can do the same.

Bahama Sunset

We hope you take the initiative to book your swim with the dolphins and cross it off your Bucket List! Then you can say “I did it”.

LiFE is NOW…™ - Make it Happen

Orange Tank Top ~ click image to visit store to get yours.

Where is it Wednesday? 01/09/2013

What happens in —-, Stays in —-.

Where is it?

click image to visit the Store and get yours

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Meet Ginny & Her Mom

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Crazy, Sexy, Fun Traveler Alex dazzles St Kitts in LiFE is NOW…® Tank