Living life!

  Epic Adventures & Unique Firsts Snorkeled the Tectonic Plates, Iceland – Experienced the surreal moment of floating between two continents in crystal-clear, icy waters. Devoured an Icelandic Hot Dog – Tried the iconic Icelandic lamb hot dog loaded with mustard, Remolaði sauce, fried and raw onions, and their famous ketchup sweetened with apples. Who knew onions could be tolerable? Got International Ink – Inked with meaningful designs in Iceland and Cancun to carry memories everywhere I go. Swam with Dolphins – Made new aquatic friends in the stunning waters of Grand Cayman. Explored Chichen Itza – Wandered through ancient Mayan history and soaked in the wonder of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Swam in a Cenote – Took the plunge into the crystal-clear underground pools of Cancun, Mexico. Visited Isla Mujeres – Relaxed on the island's pristine beaches and enjoyed the stunning turquoise waters. Conquered the Rocks – Climbed to the top of an indoor rock climbing wall at...

7-Day Solo Costa Rica Road Trip Day 1: From MSP to Paradise (Eventually) The adventure began with an early flight from Minneapolis to Liberia, Costa Rica. Landing in paradise was exciting until I got to the dreaded security and customs lines. It took nearly an hour, and by the time I was through, my luggage was patiently waiting like it had aged a year in airport time. Next up was navigating the rental car process. I hopped a shuttle to Alamo, where I picked up my trusty rental car for under $300 for the week. (Pro tip: Skip the extra insurance if your credit card covers it. I used my American Express.) After a smooth but slow drive to Playa Grande (thanks to Costa Rica’s low speed limits and twisty roads), I checked into The Pipehouse , a quirky hostel with cozy vibes. Dinner was at Sugaree’s Bar and Grill at The Grateful Hotel , where I found good food and even better company. They had a Grateful Dead cover band scheduled for the weekend, which seemed to be the unofficial theme of ...