I used to hum Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again” repeatedly. It was my go-to tune that served as my ringtone, hinting at my itinerant lifestyle to anyone within earshot. But I’ve found that even the most seasoned traveler can become jaded and lethargic. Determined to keep my journeys fresh, I’ve sought out challenging activities that take me out of my comfort zone and ensure new travel memories.
Here are 10 ways I’ve freshened up my travels:
Morphing From Beach Bum To Winter Adventure Junkie
I really hate cold weather. I compare myself to a bear who wants to hibernate the second the first snowflakes fall. But since I love to travel year-round, I’ve given in to trying activities that put me smack dab in the middle of the tundra — no kidding. What I learned is that with proper gear and clothing, anything is possible, even for a cold-weather hater like me.
1. An Arctic Expedition In Finland
For my first venture to the icy wilds, I chose Finland with its range of somewhat-kooky, exhilarating winter activities. Above the Arctic Circle, I got nose-to-nose with reindeer on a reindeer safari and I got chummy with beautiful but mischievous huskies that had minds of their own when I tried to steer the dog sled across the snow. The Sami people taught me the nuances of ice fishing which, although not particularly exciting, served as an introduction to spending time in the icy setting. But the tempo changed dramatically when I sped across the frozen Gulf of Bothnia on a skidoo. The heart-pounding experience culminated in my donning a red survival suit (reminiscent of the white ones worn in a Woody Allen movie) and plunging into a hole in the newly created ice by the icebreaker Sampo. Surprisingly, I didn’t freeze and I developed a new-found appreciation — if not a liking — for cold-weather activities.
2. Hiking Snowy Peaks And Trails
My adventures in Finland prepared me for more winter escapades. Glacier hiking in Iceland proved to be a slippery yet captivating exploit, even with crampons secured to my boots. Compared to skiing, walking on crunchy trails and ridges while gazing down at icy blue streams felt more natural and within my control. Another memorable feat was hiking to the top of Cape Horn in Patagonia after a thrilling zodiac ride from my expedition ship. Swirling snow squalls and sideways-moving rain pellets were a testament to the unforgiving conditions. Climbing the trail to the summit, where the 24-foot-tall Albatross Monument stood, gave me an invigorating sense of triumph and accomplishment.
Pro Tip: Glacier and snow hiking require steady balance and careful stepping. Proper boots are a must.
Conquering The Fear Of Heights
I was never afraid of riding an elevator to a high floor, or peering out the windows from the 360 Chicago observation deck or the observatories at the Empire State Building. And I’m a huge fan of rollercoasters, be they creaky, wooden ones like the Cyclone at Coney Island, or the ultra-fast, gut-punching Incredible Hulk at Universal Orlando and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at Epcot. But there’s something very, very different about heights when you’re outdoors without walls or seats to provide a safety cushion.
3. Bridge Walking
Skydiving, bungee jumping, or indoor versions of these seemed too daunting for me to attempt. Instead, I took my first step by climbing bridges that led to launching pads for bungee jumpers. Harnessed to the railing of both the Auckland Bridge in New Zealand and the New River Gorge Bridge in West Virginia, I took a deep sip of courage and walked forward and upward over land, water, and immense heights. The bungee people in Auckland left me shaking as I watched them plummet and bounce back. Perhaps because there were no jumpers from the West Virginia bridge when I marched across — the crazy Bridge Day jump happens only once a year in October — I felt empowered to sit down. I was able to dangle my feet over the edge while I watched rafts bump and spin as they navigated the rapids.
4. Tackling The Trapeze
While jumping without a safety net didn’t appeal, I did try (and liked) doing the trapeze. There was something scary but at the same time energizing about climbing a tall pole to a platform, holding onto a bar, and swinging forward to do acrobatic moves in space. The difference here — compared to skydiving and bungee jumping — was the net below and I felt comforted by that. I enjoyed this so much that I tried it at Club Med in both Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic, and Ixtapa, Mexico.
Pro Tip: A trapeze swing can trigger a bout of vertigo, as can flipping off the net to return to the ground. Know your limits if you try this.
5. High Ropes And Zip Lines
Similarly, undertaking a high ropes course was a significant challenge as terrifying as it was fulfilling. In West Virginia, Adventures on the Gorge’s aerial options combine zip lines with high ropes, involving clipping yourself to platforms as you propel yourself into space and navigate your way up and down swinging walkways and steep steps. The only way to make this even more exciting is to zipline over an alligator pit. And that’s exactly what I did in Florida at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park. My friends encouraged me from below, but I didn’t immediately succeed. I got stuck at first. My first zip line left me a few feet shy of the platform and I had to be rescued. Undeterred and with more momentum and better form, I progressed seamlessly from one zip line to the next, from one high ropes challenge to another, finishing all stations of the course with a flourish. I was definitely pumped!
Overcoming My Fear Of Water
6. Whitewater Rafting
Inspired by the daring whitewater rafting I witnessed on the New River in West Virginia, I summoned the daredevil in me and decided to give it a try. Despite not being a strong swimmer, I had previously gone rafting in Costa Rica where the rapids were relatively mild and my biggest fear was losing my contact lenses. However, West Virginia’s rapids were Class 3 and Class 4 — far more challenging (and concerning). During my first “float” with high springtime water levels, I found myself completely submerged in waves of water as our raft maneuvered and spun sideways through the rapids. Focusing intently on the guide’s instructions was crucial and it allowed me to overcome any apprehensions. I liked it so much that I returned a few months later, when the water level was a bit lower, to try two different courses in two types of rafts. Each time, I emerged soggy but smiling and triumphant, raising a beer in celebration.
7. Swimming In Cenotes
I’ve had intermittent bouts of asthma since I was a child, so I don’t generally do well under water. Snorkeling, for me, means staying on the surface of the ocean. Scuba diving is entirely out of the question. It was with a good deal of trepidation that I joined a group to swim in the cenotes of Tulum, Mexico. These water-filled sinkholes, with their varying depths and hidden bottoms, gave me a pause. I still wasn’t game to jump in from above, but I managed to explore the shallower cenotes where I could walk or swim a bit as we meandered through caves where the water was clear and I could see below. Accepting this challenge added a new dimension to my travels in Tulum.
Pro Tip: Although a life jacket will limit your ability to dive into the cenote, it may be a wise choice if you’re not a confident swimmer.
Revving Up My Love For Cars
I love cars. I grew up in a generation where car-styling was exciting, motors were powerful, and hot rods — like Danny Zuko’s “Greased Lightning” in Grease — were popular. I learned to drive before I could legally get my license and once I obtained it, I never looked back. Visiting car museums has always appealed to me, but even that can become old after a while.
8. Playing Mario Andretti
The car freak that I am, I jumped at the chance to ride in an actual race car on two different raceways. The first was the big one, the speedway for the iconic Indianapolis 500. I sat behind the driver in a sleek two-person Indy race car that flew around the oval at a breathtaking 180 miles per hour. The few spectators in the stands cheered us on as if we were genuine competitors, creating a somewhat surreal atmosphere. It was no surprise that I sought out a second opportunity. At the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, I suited up for my turn with helmet and goggles in place. While not exactly Indy, the NASCAR Racing Experience was as close as I would get without driving my own car — an option also offered for those who dare.
9. The Land Rover Driving Experience
At the Land Rover Driving School at The Equinox in Manchester, Vermont, I tested my decades-old driving skills on a muddy, hilly course between trees and over rocks. Despite a 5-hour car ride to reach the resort, the prospect of additional time driving didn’t feel like a chore here; it was an absolute thrill. I learned more driving techniques than I could have imagined. Driver’s ed was never like this.
10. Driving A Bulldozer
I love road trips and I’ve always marveled at the big rigs rolling on the highways and the heavy equipment at construction sites. On a whim, I signed up at Dig This in Las Vegas to operate a bulldozer; it seemed like a daring and very Vegas thing to do. As short as I am, it was a challenge to even climb into the cab of this monster. But once inside, with guidance through my headset, I learned how to shift gears, make turns, and lift heavy loads with the ‘dozer. By the end of the day, I had moved and created a pyramid of tires, driven over newly made mounds of dirt, and reversed direction. Why let someone else have all the fun behind the wheel? This was a driving experience I’ll never forget. Next time, I’ll drive the backhoe.
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