Vyvacious

Food & Wine’s Editor, Dana Cowin dedicates its September 2012 Travel Issue to “the experientialists” like her.  She describes how she’s a collector of interesting unique objects which can only explain “why [she’s] now become a collector of experiences, like one-of-kind meals and fantastic family trips“.

I feel that I seek the same kind of thrill everywhere I go.  I’m not just talking about when I step off the plane into another state/country either, I mean wherever my steps, car, etc. takes me, I try to find at least one new & exciting moment/meal/adventure to take back home with me.  I thrive off of it.  Of course, my main passion is food.  But when I was in Alaska, I took a glacier cruise to see the Surprise Glacier…

…went fishing for salmon in the Russian River…

… & consequently met Mr. Black Bear…

All impromptu of course.  And maybe I’d eat a steak or two along the way… :P

It may not look like much but this is a 20 oz French Pepper Steak from Double Musky Inn.  Let me tell ya…you haven’t had a steak until you’ve had this sucker!!  The kicker is not only is this a huge slab of good meat but this steak is crusted with crunchy flavorful ground peppercorn and then slathered in a peppery gravy that takes it to a whole other level.  It is sooooooo good.  And let me tell you, I was sooooo full.

When I started traveling by myself whether it be for work or for pleasure, some would ask me if I ever felt lonely.  And I did.  At first, I didn’t know what to do with myself. I was always near people I knew and if I wasn’t, well then I’d end up making new friends.  But after spending so much time on the road, you wish someone was there right beside you or that you were home with family and friends.  While the homesickness was strong, I didn’t let it phase me.  As I met more people and slowly started to fully appreciate the time I had to myself, I started craving these solo trips.

It was my chance to get away from it all.  To escape to a whole new world…and maybe meet my Aladdin?  Just kidding.  If there ain’t no magic carpet, then no deal!! :P but really, once I allowed myself…I met producers, vice presidents of large companies, actors, and my favorite…the ordinary folk :)  I would hang out with them in public places and make sure to keep in contact so I could get all the inside scoop on where to go and what to eat of course ;)  It’s always great to meet new people and hear their experiences in life.  It inspires me to better my life everyday.

And as I look ahead at my upcoming Orlando trip, I’m filled with excitement.  Yes, I’m going to visit family but this trip planning has been pretty impromptu which is always a thrill.  I randomly bought tickets before even consulting any of them :P and voila!  It all worked out ;)

My favorite part?  Scoring hard-to-get reservations at TWO big Disney World restaurants that normally need 6 months advance booking.  Hell yeah.  Oh, and course Butterbeer Round 2.

Or should I say, Round 4?  …Since I did have 3 (2 frozen, 1 regular) last time I visited Harry Potter Land ;)  *pssssssst*…by the way…FROZEN Butterbeer is waaay better than regular Butterbeer…don’t let anyone tell you anything different :P

And with that, I leave you with this trippy photo of the Magic Kingdom Castle I took and bid you ado!

Until next time!! :)