Experiences You Should Have

Experiences You Should Have Podcast Show Notes

Diving the Channel Islands is a trip to remember. In February of 2022, the host of Experiences You Should Have Podcast set out to dive the Channel Islands in Southern California and was blown away by the dive and 5-star dive boat experience. After experiencing it herself, Gail interviewed the owner of the Spectre Dive Boat, Ted Cumming. Listen to the podcast above or wherever you listen to podcasts. Read on for the full show notes on going Scuba diving in the Channel Islands on the Spectre Dive Boat.

Where are the Channel Islands and How Can You Dive Them?

The Channel Islands consists of 8 islands located in the Pacific Ocean right in Southern California. The islands in Channel Islands National Park are Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel and Santa Barbara.

The easiest way to dive the Channel Islands is by booking an all-day dive trip on the Spectre Dive Boat in Ventura on the mainland. It leaves early in the morning and comes back right around dinner time.

Why Dive the Channel Islands

The kelp forest and the sea lions are the biggest draws for diving the Channel Islands. The Spectre boat generally goes to Santa Cruz or Anacapa islands. Anacapa is an island not to be missed as it is marine protected and sea lions will come there by the hundreds! This is definitely an experience you should have if you love sea lions and witnessing their playful manner underwater. Most of the area around the Channel Islands is protected, which offers fantastic opportunities for underwater photography and underwater sightseeing.

Underwater Photography by Douglas Klug Santa Barbara, CA - Sea Lions at Anacapa

Experience the Kelp Forests in the Channel Islands

The kelp forests are not to be missed in the Channel Islands. You can find an array of sea life in the kelp forests including Garibaldi, nudibranchs, lobsters, and even octopuses. If you can time your dive trip for a sunny day, then you can look upward underwater and see the magnificent sun rays shining through the water mixed in with waving kelp above your head. It's the perfect place for reflection and meditation underwater.

Underwater Photography by Douglas Klug Santa Barbara, CA

Skills and Certifications Needed to Dive or Snorkel the Channel Islands

If you're looking to dive the Channel Islands then you need to have an Open Water dive certification. The Spectre dive boat goes to very beginner-friendly dive sites that don't require advanced certification. All dives are designed to stay within recreational diving limits and are a great spot to dive if you are a new or seasoned diver.

If you aren't certified for diving, then you have the option to snorkel the Channel Islands which provides an excellent experience to see the world below you. If snorkelling, you will need to be comfortable swimming in the ocean and getting up and down the ladder to the platform.

Interested in getting your open water certification in the area? Santa Barbara Aquatics and Thousand Oaks Channel Island Scuba are highly recommended.

Cost to Dive (or Snorkel) the Channel Islands

Currently, in the Spring of 2022, the cost is about $169 (which includes 3 dives). If you need to rent gear then the total comes to $249. Weekdays cost $20 less. It costs $125 for snorkelers and $45 for snorkel gear if renting. All food is included with that price which includes breakfast, lunch,

Experiences You Should Have Podcast Show Notes

Mariel Fry from Travel Experiences Reimagined podcast shared her story of her Vietnam motorcycle tour experience on Experiences You Should Have Podcast. Listen to the full episode above or read on to learn more about taking a motorbike through Vietnam on a multi-day tour.

Mariel Fry on a motorbike tour of Vietnam

What is a Multi-Day Motorcyle Tour of Vietnam Like?

Mariel and her dad decided to go on a 5-day motorcycle tour of Vietnam in 2017 using Uncle Nine Tours (of whom they highly recommend). They chose to ride on the back of motorbikes instead of driving them to see the country. It wasn’t a swanky experience as they predominantly stayed in guest houses and rode on the bikes 4-6 hours per day. It was a communal experience as they got to know locals, ate simple food with their hosts, and got to experience Vietnam that was beyond ordinary. 

Many of the tours start in Da Nang and end in many different cities depending on the tour length.

What Made This Motorbike Tour Special?

The most memorable part of the trip was visiting the villages and meeting people who didn’t have much. The locals were so gracious and so happy. The Vietnamese were so warm, kind, and loving, they just wanted to embrace you. Vietnam was a place where you could feel a sense of warmth; it’s a reason to want to go back over and over again. Experiencing these moments with locals made the Vietnam motorcycle tour that much more special.

Mariel Fry with locals in Vietnam

Current Travel Restrictions to Vietnam

Before planning a trip to Vietnam, please read up on the current travel restrictions as it is a changing landscape.

Length and Cost of Motorcycle Tours in Vietnam

Some tours are as short as 2 days but some tours go up to 21 days. Their Vietnam Motorcycle tour cost about $100 per day which covered food, accommodations, and travel via motorbike. Vietnam isn’t a tipping culture, but they are appreciative of anything extra.

Best Time to Experience Vietnam by Motorbike

February through September would be great times to experience Vietnam as students are in school. If you want to go to Southern Vietnam, the best time would be December through March. Northern Vietnam is best from May-July.

Motorbikers on winding roads through valleys and karst mountain scenery in the North Vietnamese region of Ha Giang / Dong Van.

What to Wear (and Bring) on a Motorbike Tour of Vietnam

* T-shirt with additional layering options* Rain Jacket* Leather Jacket (it is a motorcycle tour after all)* Boots (you can purchase some for $10)

Remember that less is more and it's better to bring less and shop for cheap while you're in Vietnam.

Limited Mobilitiy Options

If you have limited mobility, there are van tours of Vietnam available. Contact Uncle Nine for available options.

Related Episode: Vanlife - Live in a Van Full Time

Hiking North, Middle & South Sister

Experiences You Should Have Podcast Show Notes

Nestled in Central Oregon near Bend and Sisters are three breathtaking mountains, South Sister, Middle Sister, and North Sister. Each of these mountains are over 10,000 feet and for many Oregon climbers, it is a dream to climb all of them. 

Listen above to this podcast episode on Experiences You Should Have we are talking about climbing the 3 Sisters mountains. I interviewed four athletes, three of whom are brothers: Jon, Dave, and Joe Rasca as well as their close friend, Ken Reed who in 2021 set out to climb the 3 sisters mountains… in 24 hours.

Hiking the 3 Sisters Mountains in Central Oregon

Climbing and Hiking North Sister, Middle Sister & South Sister in 24 Hours

The Rasca brothers and Ken Reed set out to hike the 3 Sisters in 24 hours. It was a dream that started when they were boy scouts and in the Summer of 2021, they achieved their dream. They started with North Sister as that requires more technical knowledge followed by middle sister then South sister. The 3 Sisters mountains are really unique from each other. North is extremely jagged, Middle is a perfect cone and then South is a huge behemoth with giant ridges on it.

The full distance is close to a Marathon, around 25 miles, which is why this is dubbed the 3 Sisters Marathon. Note that there are 10,000 feet of elevation up and down 3 times. They hiked it in this order, knowing that South Sister was the easiest of the three and would be easier to come down at night after a long day of hiking.

They started the trek at 3:45 in the morning feeling great, started below the timberline, with a few switchbacks, and gave their bodies a chance to wake up. Started out freezing cold, but knew what was ahead of them, so they were wearing shorts and light clothing.  They ended the hike around 2 AM, about 23 hours later. After summitting South Sister (their last mountain) they took their time coming down in the dark.

Dave Rasca, Jon Rasca, Joe Rasca, and Ken Reed hiking the 3 sisters mountains

Climbing North Sister

North Sister is considered a technical climb and this shouldn't be done blindly. Ken and the Rasca brothers decided to do an approximate or "almost" summit where they hiked just below (in view of the summit) as they didn't feel good about ascending the Bowling Alley, the final steep loose scree approach to the final summit. Many choose to hike North Sister with ropes for additional safety. Anyone doing this section should wear a climbing helmet and have experience in mountaineering. Additional information can be found at Summitpost.

Climbing Middle Sister

This is the shortest of the 3 Sisters with an elevation of just over 10,000 feet. Hiking middle sister doesn't require technical skills, but you should be familiar with mountaineering and hike at your own risk. Additional trail information can be found from Alltrails.

Hiking South Sister

South Sister is the most popular of the 3 sisters to hike as it doesn't require technical skills and provides jaw-dropping views. It's the third tallest mountain in Oregon, coming in at 10,358 ft. If hiking the 3 sisters sounds too daunting, then South Sister would be the one to hike. It is 11.6 miles round trip with 4,900 feet in elevation gain but can be done in one day on its own.

Oregon Coast Trail Thru Hike

Experiences You Should Have Podcast Show Notes

Brian Tanzman is a serial hiker and hiked very well-known thru-hikes like the PCT and CDT as well as lesser-known hikes. A hike that many hikers may not know about is the Oregon Coast Trail or also known as the OCT. Brian hiked the OCT in August of 2019 and came onto Experiences You Should Have podcast to tell his story and provide helpful tips for those considering taking on the Oregon Coast Trail. Listen above to the full episode (or wherever you listen to podcasts) or read on for top tips and information about this hike.

Brian Tanzman hiking the Oregon Coast Trail (OCT)

Oregon Coast Trail Length and Time to Hike the Trail

The Oregon Coast Trail is about 382 miles long and takes about 25 days to hike if you average 15 miles per day. Brian is an experienced thru-hiker and averaged 17 mile days and was able to complete it in 23 days. A little known fact is that if fire season has smoked out the Oregon section of the Pacific Crest Trail, some years, hikers will head to the Oregon Coast and hike the Oregon Coast Trail (OCT) in lieu of the Oregon section of the PCT.

Not everyone has copious amounts of time off to hike a longer distance hike, so the Oregon Coast Trail is a great alternative. It starts at the Oregon/Washington border and goes down to the Oregon/California Border. Below is an overview of the Oregon Coast Trail map but highly recommend checking out detailed maps of the Oregon Coast Trail that you can download if planning on hiking this trail.

Oregon Coast Trail Map

North, Central and South Oregon Coast

The northern part of the OCT was Brian's favorite part of the trail (the first week). It was a stunning combination of beach trails and forested trails and he loved coming upon the wreck of Peter Iredale in Hammond, Oregon. The middle part of the hike on Oregon's central coast felt more urban and it included more road walking (see below). The bottom third of the hike was much more remote and the beach sand changed as it was more gritty and harder to walk through.

Wreck of Peter Iredale on the Oregon Coast

How Does the OCT Differ From Other Thru Hikes

This isn't your typical thru-hike. By the name, you may think that the hike is mostly on the coast or beach walking, but about 25% of the OCT is road walking. Therefore it may not be right hike for everyone. Brian and his partner hiked about 43 miles on Highway 101 and got creative to avoid some road walks. There are many obstacles along the Oregon Coast Trail which is why a quarter of the hike is on roads and some parts you can ferry across to save yourself walking on the road. Note that walking on the road can be a safety issue so it's recommended you use some of these transportation options when available.

Brian suggested taking a packraft if you are familiar with packrafting as this could reduce some road walks and help you get across estuaries.

While cross country skiing in Bend during the full moon, it dawned on me that some of my favorite experiences around the world happen at night. It inspired me to create a podcast episode (and accompanying show notes) of my favorite adventures at night that I have experienced personally or interviewed other adventurers about.

Top XX Experiences at Night

Black Water Diving

If you're an avid Scuba Diver and haven't experienced Black Water Diving, then this is a bucket list adventure you should add to your list. Every single night the largest migration of biomass occurs vertically, called the diurnal migration. Essentially creatures that live at the depths of the ocean rise up to recreational diving depths, so that you can drop down to 10-50 feet or so and experience amazing siphonophores, beroe, salps, and more. Some of these creatures have thousands of cilia that when the light from your flashlight catches it, it creates a prismatic effect, which ensues rainbow colors in front of your eyes. This is my absolute favorite experience at night.

My favorite places for black water diving are in Kona, Hawaii (where you are tethered to the boat), and West Palm Beach, Florida (drift dive at night where you are not tethered to the boat). If you want to geek out on a black water diving book, check out Jeff Milisen's book, A Field Guide to Blackwater Diving in Hawaii/a>">A Field Guide to Black Water Diving in Hawai'i (affiliate link).

Larvae Cusk Eel Photo by Jeff Milisen

Skydiving at Night

Skydiving at night is one of the most exhilarating experiences I've ever had. This is not something you can do as a tandem skydiver, but you can go skydiving at night if you hold a B-license as a skydiver, which is a minimum of 50 jumps. I loved ringing in the New Year at Skydive Sebastian on a night skydive and can say that this is a bucket list experience you should have if you're into night adventurers.

Full Moon Cross Country Skiing

There's something about skiing at night during the full moon that is truly magical. Plan a cross-country ski trip during the full moon during good conditions. Don't forget to bring snacks, water, a toasty drink, and a friend for an experience you will never forget.

Night Skiing at Meissner Nordic Ski Park at Night

Dive or Snorkel with Manta Rays in Kona

One of the best night dives and night snorkels in the world is the manta ray night snorkel or dive in Kona Hawai'i. Almost every night, divers sit on the bottom (25 feet deep) and snorkels float on top of the water, each shining lights up or down. The lights attract plankton, which then attracts beautiful manta rays that will come in and dance in front of your eyes.

Experiences You Should Have Podcast Show Notes

Tucked away in Baños, Ecuador is a scenic swing you have to try, called The Swing at the End of the World (or La Casa del Arbol). Full-time travel blogger, Jen Ruiz, shared her experience of swinging at the end of the world in Ecuador on Experiences You Should Have Podcast. Listen above to hear the full experience or read through the show notes below.

Swing at the Edge of the World (La Casa del Arbol) in Baños, Ecuador

Swinging at the End of the World is a Must-Do activity when visiting Baños.

What is the Swing at the End of the World Like?

There's a treehouse at La Casa del Arbol and there are two swings available there. There's a belt on the swing and you can stop yourself with your feet when you swing back, which gives jaw-dropping views of mountainous terrain below. It's run by locals who work for tips, who can keep you swinging on this scenic swing. La Casa Del Arbol gives the perception of swinging into the end of the world with a steep drop under you and it is an experience you should have.

Pro Tip #1: If you're one who doesn't like spinning, then tell the swing operators to not spin you when leaving the platform.

Pro Tip #2: If you go earlier in the day, or later in the afternoon--you'll get more time for swinging. The longer the line, you'll probably be on the swing for 2-3 minutes. You can get back in line for as many times as you want.

Pro Tip #3: Bring cash (currency is US dollars) as it was about $1.50 plus tip for the swing pushers.

Over 2600-m above sea level, a swing was hanging over a steep rock face in Baños, Ecuador

Why go to Baños, Ecuador & How to the Swing at the End of the World

Baños boasts a population of 14,000 people and it is known as a very safe and friendly town in Ecuador. It's an adventurer's dream as it offers bungee jumping, paragliding, and many other adventure sports for a fraction of the price you'd pay elsewhere in the world, as well as swing at an iconic scenic swing. It's about 190 km from Quito Ecuador, which is one of the main hubs for flying in and out of Ecuador.

It's not easy to get there; once you get to Baños, you need to take a bus or get other transportation up to the higher elevation. A lot of tourists are now traveling just for that, so there's more accessibility. If you can go to the Swing at the End of the World (Casa de Arból), take the blue bus that leaves from the corner of Vicente Rocafuerte and Calle Pastaza every 6 am, 11 am, 2 pm, and 4 pm. It comes back the same way at 8 am 1 pm, 4 pm, and 6 pm. It costs $1/pp (US dollars) and takes approximately 40 minutes from downtown. Note that these times may have changed, so check the bus schedule.

Accessibility & Other Restrictions

There isn't really an age or height restriction, you'll need to have the child understand the gravity of what they're doing and be able to hold on and take it seriously. It's a rocky, rough terrain. Cars can go up to the very top, there is a ramp that isn't necessarily wheelchair friendly, and there is about a minute or two of walking.

Jen Ruiz, swinging at the end of the world

Traveling to Ecuador in the Times of Covid

At the time of this podcast, you have to show a negative COVID test within three days. Most of the activities in Baños are outdoor activities, which is a plus during a global pandemic. Check out

Experiences You Should Have Show Notes

Dr. Kate Russo, experienced Eclipse Chaser, from Being in the Shadow, shared her knowledge of eclipse chasing on Experiences You Should Have Podcast. Kate is a recognized authority in the total solar eclipse experience and brings her story to life in this episode. She has experienced 12 total solar eclipses over a period of 20 years from six continents and she isn't stopping. Eclipses have become her life obsession and she uses her academic and experience as a clinical psychologist to delve into the stories of people's eclipse experiences. Listen to my conversation with Kate on the podcast episode above or read on to learn more.

Dr. Kate Russo, Eclipse Chaser

What is a Total Solar Eclipse and What Makes It Special?

A total solar eclipse is when there is a perfect alignment of the sun, moon, earth, and you in the shadow. During a total solar eclipse, the moon will hide the solar surface of the sun, leaving a bright corona that can be viewed that is absolutely astounding. It is about a 3-hour process to see the moon take a bite of the sun, reach totality, then move across the sky.

Total Solar Eclipse phases

Why You Should Experience 100% Totality and Not Partial Totality

It is an extremely special moment as you see the moon slowly taking a bite of the sun (while viewing with your solar filter glasses). When it gets to 80-90% you start to feel the effects of the eclipse as the colors become muted, birds start their sunset patterns, you can start to hear the quintessential night sounds, and that's when the goosebumps start to rise. When you are in the path of totality, you get to see the moon cover up the sun completely, and that's when you can take your glasses off and stand in complete awe as you can see the corona shining around the moon and it is a life-changing moment.

If you view the eclipse and see only partial totality, you miss that awe-inspiring moment of totality and you leave your glasses on the whole time.

Viewing Total Solar Eclipse

Annular Vs Total Solar Eclipse

If given the choice between witnessing an annular or total solar eclipse, then you should experience a total solar eclipse. An annular solar eclipse has a similar positioning in the sky as a total solar eclipse, but the moon is further away so it doesn't completely cover the sun, so you must wear your solar filters the whole time. It's still a special event and worth seeing, but if you want the full experience, then make sure you have added a total solar eclipse to your bucket list.

When is the Next Accessible Total Solar Eclipse?

While there is an eclipse in December of 2021, this is not an accessible eclipse as it is in the Antarctic region. The next accessible total solar eclipse will be April 20, 2023. The path of totality is the western tip of Australia into parts of Indonesia; there are limited resources in these areas. Logistically it will be difficult, so plans need to be made in advance. There will be cruise ships that will be in that path, yet it's hard to plan logistics currently due to COVID. More research can be done as borders open and change.

The Next Total Solar Eclipse in North America

The next total solar eclipse in North America will be April 8, 2024.

Experiences You Should Have Podcast Show Notes

If you're thinking about going wine tasting, the usual suspects might pop in your head like Napa, Sonoma, or Sicily, yet most don't realize there is an amazing wine region in northern Baja Mexico known as the Valle de Guadalupe. Listen to the podcast episode above featuring Griselda Beck from Latina Boss Coach of her experience wine tasting at the Valle de Guadalupe.

Wine Tasting in the Valle de Guadalupe in Baja

What Makes the Valle de Guadalupe Special?

The Valle de Guadalupe is where you can go, let your hair down, and feel like family. It's not a pretentious experience, most of the year it doesn't have large crowds and you can taste amazing wines, even with grapes brought to the region from Italy, the Nebbiolo, which has a deep red berry flavor. This region is also known for its red blends. It is a beautiful, rustic experience, where you can meet the owners of these vineyards, learn their story and truly live in the moment.

Imagine arriving at an exceptional winery, without crowds, and being greeted with homemade food from the winery's family, and having a moment to breathe in the Valle's fresh air while sipping on bold reds. That is an experience to remember and embrace.

Valle de Guadalupe Winery

How to Get There & Where to Stay

The Valle de Guadalupe 90 minutes south of the San Diego/Tijuana U.S. Border. If you want to make the border crossing quickly, it's recommended that you have Global Entry. While you can make a very long day trip out of it from San Diego it's suggested to stay in Rosarito, Ensenada or stay at a secluded boutique hotel in the Valle. Rosarito Beach Hotel is a highly recommended hotel that has stunning views of the ocean. Pro Tip: sign up for their newsletter for great deals throughout the year.

Top Wineries to Visit in the Valle de Guadalupe

If you're looking at going wine tasting in the Valle, two wineries you can't miss are Vina de Frannes and Vinos Pijoan. It's highly suggested to arrange a driver/tour for your day of wine tasting that way you can taste more along the day without the worry of drinking and driving and go with a knowledgeable guide. Griselda and her friend highly recommend using Israel with Vinalia Tours as a driver and guide for a day of wine tasting.

Pro-tip, when wine tasting, swirl to get the aromas, and the legs (streaks) that it forms, the thicker, the more full-bodied the wine. The flavors are deeper. Tilt it back and take a sip!

Wine Tasting in Valle de Guadalupe

Best Time to Go Wine Tasting in the Valle de Guadalupe

Honestly, you can't go wrong as the weather is very palatable year-round, yet note that Fall and Spring have the best weather. If you're in for a party, lots of people, music then consider going during the Harvest Festival time, which is the last week of July through the 3rd week of August. If you are planning on going during this time, make sure to book your accommodations well in advance.

Current COVID Restrictions (2021)

You don't need to have a COVID test or show vaccination to enter Mexico by car (as of October 2021). Some of the larger wineries will be stricter around masking and social d...

Experiences You Should Have Show Notes

Back in November of 2018, I interviewed Tom Noonan on skydiving Mt. Everest. I've known Tom for a long time and is someone I have always respected. Recently, Tom passed away. That news was hard to swallow as I found that he died due to a medical emergency while on the way to make a high-altitude skydive.

I wanted to re-share our interview from 2018 to remember his voice. You can view the full show notes from our previous interview on Skydiving Mt. Everest.

BSBD, Tom. You won't be forgotten.

The host of Experiences You Should Have Podcast tells her story on how learning how to Scuba dive changed her life. Listen to the above podcast episode to hear her story on how she got into diving as a teenager in Tennessee.

Gail on her first dive trip as a teenager off the coast of North Carolina on the Spar wreck

Diving is How the Podcast Began

In 2017, when Darwin Arch was still an arch, Gail set out to dive the Galapagos and dive with schooling hammerheads. She started interviewing divers on the boat with the idea to start a podcast. In the middle of nowhere, in shark-infested waters, the podcast was born. Listen to this episode on how Experiences You Should Have podcast began for the full story.

Essentially, diving is what created this podcast, and is what kickstarted Gail into dreaming big and working to create her own reality.

How Do You Get Certified to Dive?

You need to be at least 10 years old, have signoff from your doctor if you want to learn how to Scuba dive, and pay for an open water certification through a reputable dive shop. The most popular dive companies out there are PADI and NAUI. Back in the day, you did your bookwork in person, but now you can do that online and go at your own pace. You will then practice your skills in a pool (or in an ocean with pool-like conditions) and then complete 4 check-out dives.

Do You Have to Do Your Open Water Checkout Dives locally?

This is completely up to you. Most people don't live near-pristine dive conditions and may not want to dive in a cold lake with no visibility. If that doesn't sound great to you, you can plan to do your check-out dives in warm water on a dive vacation like Kona HI (where you should plan to dive with manta rays at night after your check-out dives), Florida (highly recommend the Blue Heron Bridge), or a family-friendly place like Bonaire. However, doing the cold lake dive is like a right of passage as you will greatly appreciate warm water dives after diving in terrible conditions.

Adaptive Scuba Diving

Absolutely! People with limited mobility may still be able to get their normal open water dive certification. However, if the skills are too hard on their own, adaptive divers can go through an adaptive dive program with specialized training. More info at Adaptive Diving Association, Denver Divers, and Dive Pirates.

Interested in Diving Adventures, Check Out These Podcast Episodes

* Dive the Blue Heron Bridge* Dive the Galapagos* Manta Ray Dive (or Snorkel) in Kona* Black Water Diving in Kona* Black Water Drift Diving in Florida*