I Am Not Your Tour Guide

Our epic guest this week, Melissa Rodway, is the creator and host of FLY Travel Radio and author of the book, "The People You Meet: Luxury, Leeches, Love, and Lao-Lao".

Melissa lives in Toronto, Ontario, Canada; where the toilets are amazing. She joins us to talk about her new book and to reflect on a few memories of her venturesome journey through Southeast Asia. 

Book link on Amazon: https://a.co/d/db1jnK1

Instagram link: @fly_travel_media

Today's podcast is just a good ol' fashioned conversation about traveling. I believe that sharing stories with a dear friend can instantly boost your mood and activate your wanderlust (endorphins overload).

Our guest today, Henry McClain, has traveled all over the world and his enthusiasm for planet earth is contagious! He's the opposite of boring and he brings his travel stories to life. If this makes any sense, Henry is like a dress with pockets for the soul. 

This week's epic guest, Paxton, is a Washingtonian who guides us through her day- hike of The Enchantments. This hike is in a region within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. If you're a wilderness lover, put this on your list!  

Paxton shares her perspective that being on the trail is a reminder of gratitude and she also expresses, "I think there is a lot of value in choosing to do hard stuff". Her positive outlook on being in nature and appreciating yourself is a beautiful reminder to acknowledge what your body can do and not what it can't do. 

Highlights on The Enchantment hike:

• So many GOATS! 
• Colchuck Lake 
• Aasgard Pass

Two more Washington hikes that she urges you to check out:

• Blanca Lake Trail 
• Oyster Dome 

Items she recommends for hiking:

• Headlamp
• Water Purifier 
• Brooks trail runners (she never gets blisters with these shoes)

If you haven't heard of The Enchantments, click on the Washington Trails Association link below to get any extra information that you may need to plan your hike! 

https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/enchantment-lakes

Are you looking for travel ideas? Where should you go next? How do you decide on an itinerary? 

The owners and operators of Travel Light Adventures joined our podcast again to share some of their updated knowledge on their 9-week trip through Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and Nepal! This dynamic duo, Melanie and Enzo, traveled with one of their best friends through Asia and together they shared a few top-life experiences! 

A few experiences that we discuss: 

• The magical toilets in Japan
• Street food in Vietnam 
• Trekking in Sapa, Vietnam 
• Riding motorcycles through the Ha Giang Loop
• Medical Tourism in Korea
• Eat pizza and soak your feet at the same time in Japan
• Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal

Also, if you want to join a trip that has been carefully planned by professionals, check out Travel Light Adventures! They put their heart and soul into planning trips that will change your life. 

https://www.travellightadventures.com/

instagram.com/travellightmel

tiktok.com/@travellightmel

open.spotify.com/show/0WTdD2uatrWCXX1uzVSuYY

"You pack your fears." Those are the words of Stephen Virant, a trail minimalist who challenges himself by packing only what he needs. Though the current weight of his backpack (and all its contents) weighs only 7.7 lbs., he encourages you to get outside and hike your own hike! Whether you're hitting the trails to hike three miles or thirty, Stephen advises, "Just do what you can and take in the beauty that you are in". 

A few of Stephen's hiking highlights: 

• Arizona Trail 
• Colorado Trail 
• John Nicholas Trail (JNT)
• Glacier National Park
• Pacific Crest Trail 
• Catalina Island (Great for beginners)

Recommended Apps:  

• FarOut - Navigational App
• Lighter Pack - Tracks your gear weight 

The star of this weeks episode is Kyle Comley! He is a Washington local that grew up learning about the history of the land in the PNW and he enlivens the narrative of spending life outdoors. Kyle gives us background and historical information on Mount St. Helens and claims that Mt. Adams is the hidden gem of the Northwest!

A few recommended resources to explore before your visit: 

• https://www.wta.org/
• https://www.alltrails.com/

Additional must-see spots in southwestern Washington: 

• Gifford Pinchot National Forest
• Ape Cave
• Lewis River Trail 

Jaime Itani joins us this week to highlight the White Mountains, which can be found in New Hampshire and Maine. She is a master of the day-hike and and she encourages us to find communities to be a part of in the areas in which we live. 

Jaime lives in Boston, Massachusetts and is a mother of three awesome boys. If you're looking for a hiking community in the Boston area, she recommends: 

• Appalachian Mountain Club
• Adventuring Mamas of New England 

Join us for some inspiration on getting outside and being your own version of awesome! 

This week's podcast takes us to the extraordinary island of Puerto Rico! One of my best friends, Erin Sellers, takes us on an auditory adventure as she outlines the details of her trips. Even though the island has exotic resorts that are worth the visit, Erin is more of a "let's see what type of risky festivity is out there" kind of woman. Her wanderlust ran wild in Puerto Rico as she searched for adventures including scuba diving, eating all the bananas, horseback riding, biking, hiking, and getting misconstrued tattoos.  

She reminds us that Puerto Rico is a place of beauty, amazing people, incredible food and limitless fun. 

Welcome to Season Three! I am kicking off this third season with a good ol' fashion travel story that completely revolves around the incredible country of Ecuador. Our story starts in Quito and takes us on a journey south to Cotopaxi National Park. 

I am not your tour guide....but this dynamic duo can actually be your tour guides! I was lucky enough to have an inspiring conversation with Melanie and Enzo, who are the owners of an active group adventure company, Travel Light. Melanie is a free bird who is passionate about planning trips that consist of a healthy balance of spending the days in nature but sleeping in comfy beds at night. Her cohost and fiancé, Enzo, is the perfect partner whose job ranges from trip comedian to mule (not the drug kind). 

If you're looking to join a travel tour where adventure is abundant and comedic relief is included.... then you have found it! Check them out on this week's podcast and get the inspiration you need to try something new and exciting! You can find them on IG: @traveltooch and @enzocomedy. Also, at www.travellightadventures.com. You can also find them on Youtube as they bust out their new podcast, Travel Light Adventure Duo. Basically, they are everywhere and you can't avoid them if you try. So, just book a trip and go!