Packing for Adventure

Pack Light. Travel Far.

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  • A Tale of Two Buffets

    Daily writing prompt
    What’s the most money you’ve ever spent on a meal? Was it worth it?
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    Two meals come to mind, both of them buffets at $100 per person. Both meals with Chris, making the meals well over $200 after tax and tip.

    The first time was an upscale buffet called The Roof in downtown SLC. It was for our 1st anniversary. Top floor overlooking the city, it was a grand evening for sure! The food was excellent, but it is the Red Velvet Cake that I remember most. I haven’t had a better one yet.

    The second time was at the Awhwanhee Restaurant at Yosemite National Park. You have to make a reservation, and there is a dress code to be followed. We wanted to eat there as a reward for hiking the Half Dome. We didn’t prepare for the dress code- it was a hiking trip, we only packed hiking clothes. From what I understand, they are normally very strict about the dress code. However, they were doing some remodeling and the restaurant was not working at full capacity and they let it slide.

    We had completed the entire Half Dome hike that day. We didn’t even have time to shower before dinner. We found a bathroom and washed up as best we could before hobbling over to dinner.

    I don’t know if the Awhwanhee Restaurant really is the best buffet in the world, or if it just seemed like it because we’d hiked 20 miles that day. Either way, it’s the most satisfying and delicious meal I’ve ever had.

    In both cases, totally worth it!

  • Addicted to Love… of Diet Soda

    Daily writing prompt
    Describe one habit that brings you joy.
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    There are many wholesome habits that bring people joy. I’m gonna talk about my addiction.

    I cannot live without Diet Dr. Pepper.

    To be fair, I CAN live without it, but I choose not to.

    It’s delicious, it’s refreshing, it’s ZERO CALORIES. So what’s the fuss?

    I know, I know, insert all the reasons diet soda is bad for you here… I’ve heard them all.

    I have quit several times in my life, but I always fall off the wagon.

    I think the longest I’ve gone without it has been two weeks. Most recently, I went four full days without it during a longer intermittent fasting stretch. (I fast regularly to help with weight management and for the health benefits.)

    But here’s the thing: I’ve realized that what actually brings me joy isn’t just drinking it—it’s getting it.

    Sure, I have dozens of 12 oz cans of soda at home, but my true love is Diet Dr. Pepper from the fountain. On a typical day, I find time to drive to the local gas station to get my fix at least once, if not twice. It’s a nice 15-minute break that gives me a chance to reset and catch up with familiar faces in my community.

    Recently, I discovered I can still take that break, even without the soda. I fill my cup with ice-cold water instead, and somehow, it still feels like a treat. I go home refreshed. I still get the ritual, minus the chemicals.

    Does that mean I’ve given up Diet Dr. Pepper for good? No, not anytime soon.

    But the habit—the little break, the ritual, the joy of it—that’s here to stay.

  • Dog Drama: What do Dogs Think We Do?

    Dog Drama: What do Dogs Think We Do?

    Daily writing prompt
    What are you curious about?
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    What do my dogs think I am doing when I leave for hours at a time?

    Based on their reaction when I return, it seems like they thought I’d never come back! Coming home to the dogs is a huge boost to your self-esteem. Gotta love the welcome home party!

    We do our best to not leave them home alone for too many hours at a time, a practice that got easier with work-from-home during Covid.

    I once read that saying the same phrase every time you leave can help your fur-babies feel more secure. The idea is that they learn to associate the phrase with your eventual return, which gives them comfort while you’re gone.

    My phrase of choice is “You be good boys and girls, Momma loves you!”

    Do you think it works?? What are your tips for keeping your dogs feeling safe and secure?

  • Intentional Kindness

    Daily writing prompt
    Write about a random act of kindness you’ve done for someone.
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    I am a selfish person by nature, just ask my husband and kids how often I’m willing to share my dessert. I have to remind myself to slow down and look for ways to be a kind person.

    I do have some great examples in my life of some genuinely kind people. My work boss is one of the most kind and caring people I know. She will often start a Monday morning by asking about my weekend, and she takes the time to listen and asks follow up questions. If I mention a personal problem, she checks in about it days later. Her example has taught me how meaningful it is to simply remember, follow up, and care out loud.

    My own mother is another good example – as we speak, my dad has been in and out of the hospital with kidney and heart problems. His issues are not life threatening, so he’s been in and out of the hospital with complications for the last couple weeks, and this pattern will likely continue until he is able to get surgery on the calendar. What is my mom doing? She is making lasagna for a neighbor who just had a baby.

    I know I am flawed, but isn’t that the first step? Knowing your faults and working towards improving is all we can do. I do have a handful of examples of some things I’ve done in the last year or so, but doesn’t advertising your random acts of kindness defeat the purpose of the act?

    So instead, I’ll just admit that I’m trying. I’m slowly working to turn deliberate acts of kindness into second nature.

  • What’s Your Frequency

    What do you listen to while you work?

    Do I need to focus on a difficult task? Calming music on Pandora, maybe Radiohead or the The Moody Blues.

    Am I working on something mundane, requiring little brain power? I need stimulation to keep me going. Podcasts discussing deep topics, usually theological in nature.

    Either way, one rule applies. Absolutely no negative energy. I aspire to be lifted up, never weighed down.

  • Awareness of Ignorance

    What do you think gets better with age?

    I have become acutely aware in recent years of my own ignorance.

    As a kid I figured I’d know everything once I hit my thirties. Yet now I know the opposite.

    The more I learn, the more I realize that I know nothing. The more nothing that I realize I know, the more open my mind becomes. The more open my mind becomes, the more knowledge can flow in. The more knowledge that flows in, the more I realize I know nothing.

    Imagine how little I’ll know next year.

  • Laughing Under the Stars

    What’s your favorite game (card, board, video, etc.)? Why?

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    There’s something magical about playing games with people you love—especially when you’re camping, phones are tucked away, and the only distractions are crackling campfires or shooting stars.

    Telestrations is a top pick for sure. It’s a mash-up of Telephone and Pictionary: one person draws a prompt, the next guesses what it is, the third draws that guess, and so on until it’s gone through everyone. By the end, the original prompt usually morphs into something completely absurd.

    If you don’t have that and need a group game in a pinch, What If? is lots of fun. Everyone writes a silly “What if?” question on a piece of paper and passes it left. Then you answer the one you receive, and pass again. When it comes full circle, each question is read aloud, but the answer comes from someone else. The unexpected combinations often leave the whole group laughing! I have many fond memories of playing What If? on Thanksgiving Day with relatives and grandparents, while our overstuffed bellies were settling, the laughter from the game causing stomach cramps.

    As for two person games, my favorite is playing Black Jack with just me and my husband as the dealer. It’s a simple game, no real stakes, usually being played because we are camping in the middle of nowhere and have no cell phone service, so we have to actually interact with each other. The feeling of being bone tired after a long day of exploring and bringing out the deck of cards under the stars with my best friend is pretty amazing.

    Here’s to human connection, a rarity in today’s digital age!

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  • Adventure in my Heart, Diapers in my Cart

    Are you seeking security or adventure?

    You’d think since my site is called Packing For Adventure that I’d instantly pick ADVENTURE over security.

    But unfortunately the real world requires a bit of security for most of us, especially parents.

    I have two toddlers who expect three meals per day, a bed to sleep in, and a roof over their heads. Plus they keep growing out of their clothes.

    Not to mention our two dogs who expect FOUR meals per day, and keep racking up vet bills.

    As much as I’d love to sell the house and travel around in our camping trailer full-time – those dreams need to wait a bit. I guess I better keep my dayjob.

    I am a new blogger. Please check out my site, it focuses on travel. Subscribe if you like my content!

  • Bumps in the Road

    What bothers you and why?

    What bothers me? A lot of things. Everyone prefers to have things go their way, but I am not as naturally patient as others.

    However I try to keep this writing space more positive. My purpose for writing is to spread travel stories and tips, and though bad things can – and do – happen when travelling (excursions get cancelled, flights get delayed, wallet gets stolen etc), travelling is a GOOD THING!

    Every time I travel, I come home with a deeper appreciation of the world, nature, and cultures that abound. I come home grateful for my life and my blessings. I come home hoping for world unity.

    So what bothers me? Anything that stands in the way of that.

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  • The Only Things that Matter

    List 10 things you know to be absolutely certain.

    1. My husband loves me
    2. My parents love me
    3. My children and dogs love me
    4. Jesus loves me
    5. Does anything else matter?

    I am a new blogger. Please check out my site, it focuses on travel. Subscribe if you like my content!