Podcasts about experiences you should have

Thinking about planning future bucket list experiences? Look no further than Experiences You Should Have podcast to give you ideas on what to save for next.

RUN We were on a podcast called Experiences You Should Have with Gail Lovelace Menasco this week!  We loved meeting her at Podcast Movement. She gave us a chance to talk about one of our favorite race experiences, the Donna Marathon Weekend in Jacksonville that supports the Donna Foundation in the mission of helping fight the battle to end breast cancer.   We talk about Dana’s progress on his road to recovery from surgery and Aimee’s training plan to prepare for the fall race season.  In addition, we talk about how we mix up our runs during training by entering races along the way to change up the scenery of longer distances, including Southernmost Half Marathon.  Although a repeat for us, it allows us to have a weekend getaway while staying on track with training and show you more of Key West as a runcation or vacation destination. EAT This week we bring you Wicked Streatery!  After our training run over the weekend, we went out to Fort Myers Brewing Company for their Kegs & Eggs Sunday Brunch.  If you visit the Southwest Florida area, you must have the food from this truck!  Wicked Chicken and Waffles, Southwest Breakfast Bowl, and Chimichurri Steak Hash are all must-haves on the menu!   DRINK Big Storm Brewing had a new release this week: Firestorm Black IPA.  We break it down and try it for the first time as we record the show! At 5.8% ABV and 71 IBU, we did not know if we would like it or what overwhelming flavors we would get from this beer.  It was surprising.  Not an overwhelming pine flavor, but yet another great offering that we’d have another pint of from Big Storm! THAT’S A WRAP Are there races we should try?  How do you mix up your training to stay motivated for the longer runs?  Want to reach us with a tip, trick, or recommendations?  Our email is info@runeatdrink.net. Or you can call with your “runcation” tips at 941- 677-2733.   Thank you for listening! We are looking forward to another great year of the podcast because of all your support! Don’t forget to follow us and let us know where to find you next on our website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  Also checkout our new store on the website and get some swag, compliments of Pure Creative Apparel.  Thank you, Pure Creative Apparel, for sponsoring this week’s show!  Thanks to PodcastMusic.com for providing the music for this episode, too!

    Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike with Jay Moledzki: Podcast Show Notes   Welcome to Experiences You Should Have; Your how-to guide for amazing experiences. I had the pleasure of interviewing Jay Moledzki, who is a world-renowned skydiver and he hiked the Appalachian Trail. Jay is not your average guy. He is the most decorated competitive skydiving canopy (parachute) pilot in the sport of skydiving to date. He has 7 world championship skydiving titles, over 50 gold medals. He is a goal-oriented guy and someone I have looked up to for many years. Check out his profile on Flight-1.   Jay also hosts a podcast with life coach Melanie Curtis (who I interviewed about going on your first skydive) called Trust The Journey (dot) Today. Trust the Journey.Today podcast is all about living, laughing, loving, and learning together. Also, creating and cultivating conscious connections through the practice of openness, vulnerability, honesty, and trust. Check them out on iTunes, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.   Planning to Hike the Appalachian Trail: What Went Into Goal Setting and Planning Jay and his first wife, Fernanda, decided they would hike the Appalachian Trail together as a team. They wanted more adventure in their lives and wanted to pursue more scenery and get serious time outdoors. When they decided to hike the Appalachian Trail, Jay had his a point in his personal skydiving career that he felt he had checked the goals he wanted to accomplish. He was looking for a new goal that would be connected to nature, earthy and hiking the Appalachian Trail felt like the goal that he and Fernanda decided to set their eyes on and the enthusiasm was there.   It took 2 years of planning from the time they made the goal before they started the trail. They wanted to make sure they had the knowledge, equipment, and training to complete the trail. The attrition rate is high on the Appalachian Trail and not many people finish the trail who start.   They also wanted to understand why they wanted to hike the Appalachian trail. They started listing out the reasons why they wanted to do it and they wanted to set a goal of completing it and hike the Appalachian Trail the purist way by hiking the entire trail and doing it in one shot. Appalachian Trail Map Checklist to Mentally and Physically Prepare to Hike the Appalachian Trail Arm yourself with knowledge with books, websites. Ray Jardine is the godfather of Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiking and gives the Ultra-Light approach to Thru-Hiking. Check out his book Trail Life for a guide to Ultra Light Thru-Hiking. Find a mentor and talk to someone who has hiked the Appalachian Trail before Get in shape, physical fitness training is very important. Set a Goal and know in your mind before you start how far you want to go. Do a week-long hike before going on the AT with the equipment you plan on using to evaluate the weight, what you're bringing and seeing what it's like to do a hike by yourself. Hiking the Appalachian Trail: The Beginning On the first day, Jay and Fernanda were anxious. They started at Springer Mountain, about an hour away from Atlanta. About 3,000 people start the trail every year and the majority of them start at Springer Mountain. It was the first week of March (most people start the beginning of March to April). Most people do a northbound hike and follow the seasons. Their friend Annie dropped them off and they got their photographs by the sign.   Jay and Fernanda starting the Appalachian Trail What's interesting is that you don't start the trail until you have reached the top of Springer Mountain. It's a journey from the start just to get to the starting point. At the peak, there was a sign and nice ladies with clipboards who are rangers who kept track who was starting the trail.   They had planned to hike 8-10 miles a day in the beginning with the plan to ramp up over time to get to their tr...

Explore Sahalie and Koosah Falls in Oregon: Podcast Show Notes Welcome to Experiences You Should Have, your how-to guide for amazing experiences. I’m your host Gail and today we are venturing into the Oregon wilderness to Sahalie and Koosah falls.   Why You Should See Sahalie & Koosah Falls What I love about these waterfalls is that they are very accessible and you can get to them right off of the highway and they are stunning.   If you pull off the road into the Sahalie waterfall parking lot, you will see there is a ramp (or stairs) that will take you to see the falls within a minute of walking. The ramp is also wheelchair accessible in the summer and early fall months.   You’ll soon be staring at Sahalie falls with is about 100 feet tall. There’s a fun trick you can do with your eyes which is follow the water in the waterfall from top to bottom. Do this with your eyes at least 8-10 times in a row, then look off to the land to the left of the falls and you’ll start to see the land move. It’s called the Waterfall Illusion that allows you to see movement or motion where there isn’t motion.     The Amazing Waterfall Trail that Connects Sahalie and Koosah Falls What’s really special about these waterfalls is the trail that connects the two. This trail is not wheelchair friendly and there are lots dirt stairs without railing, so keep that in mind if you have limited mobility. The trail is short, but along the trail, I have seen the bluest water I have ever seen. I think the blue water on this trail is even more beautiful than Crater Lake (which is definitely a must see location you should add to your list).       What’s really special about these waterfalls is the trail that connects the two. This trail is not wheelchair friendly and there are many dirt stairs without a railing, so keep that in mind if you have limited mobility. There were areas on the trail where I could stand and gaze at the blue water below me and an instant calmness took over. Science even backs up that seeing blue water puts us in a meditative state that can make us have less anxiety, feel more happiness, and creativity.   Explore Koosah Falls If you keep on going down the trail a half mile down you will find Koosah falls. Koosah falls is about 70 feet high and is known as a block fall because it descends from a wide breadth of a stream. Sahalie above it is a segmented waterfall because it diverges into 2 or 3 parts as it falls. How to Continue on the Waterfall Loop You can head up the way you came and make the entire a hike 1-mile total. However, if you’d like to spend a long day here, you can hike a full loop which is 2.6 miles long with 400-foot elevation gains. In order to do the loop, park at Sahalie falls, then walk left down the path to Koosah falls, downstream. To stay on the loop, keep right at all junctions after Koosah falls. After .4 miles you will find a gravel ride near Carmen Resevoir. Follow the road for about 150 yards until you see a trail sign and take that path. After 100 yards, turn right onto the McKenzie River trail which heads upstream past Koosah then Sahalie falls. When you get to the footbridge, cross over it, then turn right for .4 miles then you will end up at the Sahalie falls parking lot. I promise it will be a memorable hike and is a place I love to bring guests to when they visit Bend, Oregon.   Look for Oregon Wildlife, the Pacific Harlequin Duck When you’re on the trail, keep an eye out for Oregon’s Pacific Harlequin duck, Oregon’s only anadromous duck. Take note that the Pacific Harlequin is the only duck in the world that lives in the sea and in the mountains (Nwf).   This is a Free Experience! Also, take note that is completely free to park and hike around Sahalie and Koosah Falls. There is a bathroom that is ADA friendly at Sahalie falls, but there aren’t other facilities. Make sure you bring good walking shoes, a hiking stick, your camera, and snacks.

Visit Yachats, Oregon During Whale Season: Podcast Show Notes Welcome to Experiences You Should Have, your how-to guide for amazing experiences. I’m your host Gail and today we are exploring the Gem of the Oregon Coast, Yachats during whale season. Yachats is one of my favorite towns on the Oregon coast and is nestled between Newport and Florence, Oregon. It currently has a population of 757 people and if you drive too quickly, on highway 101, you might miss it, but you would be doing yourself a disservice if you missed this amazingly quirky town. There’s nothing like checking out top Oregon coast attractions like Thor’s Well and Devil’s Churn in Yachats and also getting a peek of Spouting Horn during high tide. There are pathways leading down to the ocean from the highway, and you really can’t go wrong if you pick one and continue walking through the fairyland forest. The Oregon coast is not like your typical beach. It’s lined with majestic cliffs, rocks, and forest that looks like it came straight out of a storybook. There’s something about staring out at the rough Oregon ocean and contemplating life. After you’ve contemplated your past, present, and future, and gotten lost in the Oregon waves, if you’re there during whale season, you can scan a few waves in front of you for migrating grey whales. I was in Yachats during whale watching week (which was the last week in March) and asked Liz who was part of the Whale watching Spoken Here volunteer program through Oregon State Parks. Whale Watching on the Oregon Coast I kept on waiting and waiting to see a whale. You may see one, you may not, but if you do, it’s really exciting. Now you can see whales up and down the Oregon coast if you go at the right time. If you’re on the Oregon coast Mid December - Mid January or March - April you can see the Grey Whales Migration. Why Visit Yachats, Oregon? So you can see whales off of the Oregon coast, but why go to Yachats? There’s something magical about this little coastal town. It’s not the typical town that tourists flock to, but even though the population is around 700 people, you can truly experience the funkiness of the Oregon Coast. First off there is a grouping of galleries in Yachats selling amazing photos, pottery, jewelry, and amazing art. My favorite coastal bar and restaurant is right there in Yachats, called the Drift Inn. When you walk in, there are multiple murals of mermaids. Umbrellas and multi-colored glass lighting hang from the ceiling. And Every night from 6-8:30 there is live music. Just a few weeks ago, Randy McCoy and his family got up from their dinner and started harmonizing on stage. I stood there with my jaw open, as their music was amazingly perfect. Check out Randy McCoy's Music, Here.    Pretty cool for a small coastal town. There’s something about Yachats that brings the ocean to life as well as the Oregon coast culture. The people there are artists and you can feel warm energy when you’re there. The only chain store that I saw was a Dollar General. Everything else is local. Luna Sea is bringing in crab and fish they caught that day. They have a local brewery serving up fermented foods and even Vegan fare. The Green Salmon Coffee Shop sells every coffee combination possible and offers a multitude of alternative milk, CBD coffee, and even boasts about the importance of mushrooms.   There’s art wherever you turn, and even a beautiful mural on the side of a local building. But if you were to road trip on Highway 101, and not stop in Yachats, you would be missing out on a magical experience. If you’re lucky, you might see a heart-shaped spout from a Grey whale passing by. It’s the simple things that matter, and sometimes you need to stare off into the ocean to give you clarity.   I always feel like I go back in time when staying on the coast, because we always end up playing cards, watch movies on VHS, walk into places and have real conversations and then there’s something ab...

Live and Travel Like a Local in Rome, Italy: Podcast Show Notes I interviewed Sarah Mikutel from the Postcard Academy Podcast about living like a local in Rome. When we say live like a local, we mean staying in Rome for an extended period, a month or two, or more. I've never been to Italy (it's on my bucket list), but Sarah gave the complete rundown of top places to eat, stay, and culture tips. Listen to the episode above to experience Rome (at least in your headphones). While you're thinking about it, also subscribe to Experiences You Should Have on iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Get to Know Sarah from Postcard Academy Podcast Sarah hosts the Postcard Academy podcast, a weekly travel show sharing the best food and culture tips from expats living abroad.     She got the travel itch at 18 when she spent a summer in England’s Lake District working as a waitress/chambermaid. She wanted to stay in Europe forever, but it seemed impossible for Americans. Years went by. Finally at some point, while living in New York City, she realized she might be eligible for Italian citizenship due to her Sicilian ancestry.   She started gathering all the documents she needed to apply for Italian citizenship while she lived in New York. But then the American woman translating her documents suggested another route: move to Italy and apply there. Like Sarah, she had the right to apply for dual citizenship thanks to jus sanguinis — the right of blood — and she received her Italian passport a month or two after applying there.   So, on this advice of a stranger she met on the internet, Sarah left New York, moved to Italy, became a citizen, and has had the time of her life living and working abroad, traveling around Europe, and forming amazing friendships with fellow citizens of the world.   Why Should You Travel to Rome? Rome is so beautiful and it is especially great if you love history. There's something about walking through the ancient sites of Rome; it feels like you're living in a museum. You add that to the food scene, it's a match made in heaven.   Let's Talk Food: What to Eat and Where to Find the Best Pasta & Pizza in Rome.   Pizza! Naples is famous for its pizza, but Sarah actually prefers the Roman version, which is thinner. Everyone orders their own pizza in Italy and they eat the entire thing in one sitting. At first, this seemed crazy to Sarah, but now she eats pizza like a local. Go order your pizza from Ivo a Trastevere, which is in the very popular Trastevere neighborhood by the river. Cacio e Pepe is another must-try. It’s a simple pasta dish made with black pepper, pecorino, and tonnarelli (like spaghetti). Try it at Velavevodetto.     What is Italian Dining Etiquette?   Spaghetti and meatballs do not exist in Italy, so don't bother trying to order it. They also use a lot less cheese in their pasta dishes — they like to experience the true flavor of their foods without mixing a bunch of extras into it. Even though there are public fountains all over Rome where you can fill up bottles with quality water, tap water is not a thing in restaurants. Be prepared to order still or sparkling. You’ll get bread on your table and will likely be charged a cover charge for this, about 1-3 euro a person.   Drinks during the meal are usually water or wine and sometimes beer if pizza is involved. Never coffee during a meal. In fact, cappuccino is considered a drink for breakfast and Italians don’t drink it after noon. Sarah does, though, because she loves cappuccino and they haven’t run her out of town yet. Sarah's Favorite Day in Rome But one of Sarah's favorite memories was what they in the U.K. call a ‘city break,’ a 3- or 4-day weekend. Sarah had been working long hours in London and flew to Rome to take a break and reunite with an Italian friend. Her friend was from the north and had never been to Rome,

Longtime adventurer, Gail is a PADI Divemaster, has been skydiving for seven years and knows a thing or two about staying true to yourself. A search engine optimization (SEO) and content specialist by day, she is also mom to an equally adventurous four-year-old daughter.Gail is the voice behind Experiences You Should Have, the podcast that aims to share new ideas and experiences from around the world.Gail appreciates all that life has to give and she has literally made it her purpose to prioritize experiences over things. She is passionate about sharing the world with her daughter but doesn’t let motherhood hold her back from being the adventurer she truly is. Gail currently lives in Bend, Oregon with her family.

Everything You Need to Know about Skydiving Everest (Podcast Show Notes) I interviewed an old friend from my skydiving days, Tom Noonan about skydiving Everest. We knew each other from our time in Lake Wales and Skydive Deland. He works for UPT, and I used to work for UPT when I lived in Florida. Tom Noonan has over 3,500 skydives and has been skydiving Everest since 2008. He also along with Wendy Smith hold the world record for the highest parachute landing at 17,192 feet. If you have questions about Skydive Everest or want to Skydive Everest, Tom can help make that dream come true.  Listen above to the interview with Tom or listen to Experiences You Should Have where you listen to podcasts to hear the full interview and the experience of skydiving Everest! What is the Most Adventurous Thing You can Do in Life?   Skydiving Everest is definitely one of the most extreme things you could do. Skydiving in a remote and scenic location, and place that skydiving experience in the remote Himalaya, while integrating HALO, makes skydiving Everest the ultimate experience. Photo by Wendy Smith   What is a HALO Jump?   A HALO jump is High Altitude Low Opening skydive. Low opening means you have taken a long delay and open at a normal opening altitude or lower. Many times HALO jumps are used in military skydiving, however, there are many licensed skydivers who aren't military who do HALO jumps and you can skydive Everest with a tandem instructor and partake in a HALO jump.    Why Go Skydiving at Mt. Everest?   You will leave Nepal a changed person. There is something about Nepal. The universe makes more sense there than anywhere else in the world. It’s impossible to describe the experience that people have, but it is life changing.   The power of that part of the world, being immersed in that environment is like nothing else in the world. Tom has always said that he has left part of his soul in the Himalaya and everytime he returns, he feels like he is coming home. How do you get to Mount Everest to go Skydiving?   Getting to Everest is a long trip. From the US it’s a 21-hour flight (quicker flights). Once you arrive in Katmandu, it’s like NYC. It’s busy, bustling, there’s people, activity everywhere. The following day they take a flight to Lukla, which is 9,000 feet above sea level and is the world’s most dangerous airport. You can only land one direction, no matter what the winds are doing. The pilots there are extraordinarily talented. It’s the equivalent of landing on an aircraft carrier without landing on an aircraft carrier.   Once in Lukla, you are at the entryway to the Himalaya. They then start a trek for 2 days. They walk 8-12 miles in those 2 days and ascend from 9,000 feet to 11,000 feet, then they spend 2 days acclimating to 11,500 feet. For most people, being at 5,000 feet will wind people. The higher you go, the more you need to work on climatizing. Your heart will increase, and their breath will increase, so they take their time with their trek.   During the time of acclimating they stay at tea houses, a big house with 30 rooms or so with a common kitchen and common area. They feed you and is a nice place to rest. Is there a city or town in the Himalayas? There is a little town called, Namche (population 1,600), and it actually has a coffee shop, bars, pizza, and more. Cafe 8848  is a great place to rest and work on climatizing. In Namche, they have pizzas, restaurants and some of highest bar tabs are had up there. Tom doesn’t consume any alcohol up there because one beer has the effect of 2-3 beers. It’s easier to get dehydrated, so Tom recommends using a level of caution when drinking at high altitudes. Where is the Airport to Skydive Next to Everest? 700 feet above Namche is a 1200 foot dirt runway, the Syangboche airport, one of the highest airports in the world. This is the setup for the dropzone where you can skydive Everest!

Kayaking in Greenland Podcast Show Notes Listen to the latest podcast episode of Experiences You Should Have Above! Also Subscribe to Experiences You Should Have on iTunes, Google Podcasts (or where you listen to podcasts).   Meet Katie Beth Gill, an incredible woman, and childhood friend who has traveled the world. She works for Doctors Without Borders and has been to 63 countries! When I asked her what was the one experience she thinks others should have, she responded with "Kayaking in Greenland." When Katie Beth tells you it's a must see, it is advice you should take to heart. Katie Beth did a great job of painting the experience and I am adding this experience to my own bucket list! Follow Katie Beth on Instagram to see her amazing photos of her world travels! Some Interesting Facts About Greenland Only 56,000 people live in Greenland... you heard it right, 56,000! Almost 80% of Greenland is covered by ice and glaciers In central Greenland, the sun does not set from the end of May to the end of July, also known as the midnight sun. Greenland now has a growing mosquito problem, which is associated with warmer climates (they are usually gone by the end of July) Kayaking was invented in Greenland by the Inuit, and the word kayak originates from a Greenlandic word, qajaq. Why Should You Go Kayaking in Greenland? The kayak was invented in Greenland, why not go to the mother country to experience kayaking in a remote, but jaw-dropping landscape. You can go out on the water and be immersed in beautiful hues of purple, blue, and shades of white from icebergs jutting out the water. Can you imagine being on the water, in a kayak, in Greenland and hearing icebergs calving while seeing an array of beautiful colors in front of you? Plus, did you know, you might see majestic whales! I bet you will remember that day forever, and that is what life is all about... experiences. Where Do you Fly Into to Go Kayaking in Greenland Katie Beth flew into Ilulissat (JAV), which is not the cheapest place to fly into. I just looked up round-trip tickets from Portland, Oregon to Ilulissat for July and the price of the ticket is 2k round trip, which is not cheap. However, this is a bucket list trip and you can start saving now! If you fly on Icelandair, you can have a free stopover in Iceland on your way there. While you're there, you should check out the Golden Circle or have an adventure of a lifetime in the Hornstrandir Nature Preserve. Kayak Tours in Ilulissat, Greenland (and Costs) Katie went with PGI Greenland, which she saw as soon as she got to Ilulissat. It's a small town, with only four thousand people living there, so it was easy to find PGI Greenland. They offer a morning kayak tour and an evening kayak tour. Kayak tours are offered in the summer and cost 1345 Kr ($145) for a guided 3-hour tour around Greenland Icebergs and it includes all the gear you need. Total Trip Costs Katie Beth's trip wasn't cheap, it cost her $5,000. She and her friend stayed in the Ilulissat Hostel, which is the cheapest accommodations in Ilulissat, however, it costs them about $70 a night, so budget appropriately. There are a handful of restaurants there, but a simple chicken wrap cost Katie around $25, so plan on doing some grocery shopping while you're there. It's not a tipping culture, so you don't have to plan extra cash for large tips. If you've always wanted to kayak around icebergs, traveling and kayaking Greenland is actually half the price of going to Antarctica! Is Kayaking in Greenland Kid Friendly? It really depends on what your kid is into. If your kid/s are into nature, then this would be an amazing experience. PGI Greenland kayak tours says that there is no minimum age for their kayak tours, but the child must be 1.5m tall, which is 4'9". Sounds like it will be a while before we're taking our baby there. Other Recommended Episodes of Experiences You Should Have Podcast

Going off the Iceland Ring Road in the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve Welcome to Experiences You Should Have Podcast show notes for our latest podcast episode of going off the Iceland ring road and exploring the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve! Recently, I went to a podcast conference and there I met Chris Tatem from the Cross Examined Life Podcast, which is a podcast elevating the art of disagreement through cross exams of controversial topics. I told Chris about Experiences You Should Have, and asked him if he had an amazing experience that he would want to share, and he immediately said, ‘going off the ring road in Iceland’. The ring road is the main road circling Iceland, and if you go to Iceland, you will probably be driving part of the ring road, which is magnificent. However, many people do not explore outside the ring road, yet Chris and wife got to go off the beaten path, in wild Iceland nature, in the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve and went hiking where the views are magnificent and the arctic foxes roam free. What is the Ring Road in Iceland? The Iceland Ring Road is an 828 Mile road that covers the perimeter of Iceland. It's not a perfect circle is the main road circling the island of Iceland. It's a paved 2 lane road and the road is filled with tour buses. Most travelers travel east when they get on the ring road because there are better weather and attractions on the south side of Iceland. However, if you want to go against the grain, instead go clockwise on the Ring Road and go north to the Northwest corner of Iceland. If you go off the ring road, you will find very little tourists and you find the most incredible lush green grasses and trees and waterfalls cascading all around you, as well as Arctic Foxes!  What kind of vehicle do you need to go off the Iceland Ring Road? Rental cars in Iceland are expensive $90/day, gas is twice as expensive. Chris and his wife rented an SUV with 4WD, but realized the horsepower in Icelandic cars are a fraction of what they are in the US. They had a Jimny car that was sufficient for their purposes. Be cautious and stay away from quicksand and mud. Chris didn't need a high clearance to go on the ring road.  How Should You Start Your Adventure to go off the Ring Road in Iceland to the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve? Everyone's first stop in Iceland should be to the camp store in Iceland to get the things that you couldn't fly with including propane and bulky items. The rental rates are extremely affordable. After hitting up the camp store, head northwest on Route 1 (the ring road). Spend the night at an Icelandic Farm, Seljaland, which is in West Iceland, which is open Mid-May through Mid-August. They have a few little cabins on the property and room for small groups as well.  Western Fjords Day in Iceland After leaving the farm, go up on North 1 and turn left on Route 60 and check out Budardalur. If you're in Iceland in July, then make sure you make time to celebrate Western Fjords Day, which is July 22nd. You are invited to watch Seaweed Ball and visit locals houses to drink soup and have hot chocolate. Hiking in the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve If you head west on Route 60, head to the Isafjordur Harbor. It's a harbor and a boat leaves every morning at 8 am which heads to the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. There is one ticket shop in town to go to the nature preserve. Make sure you have all of your camping gear and buy your ticket there to buy your ticket to go into the nature reserve. They offer you different options for how long you can go into the nature reserve. You can pay for a guide or not, but the boat will drop you off, and you will get picked up based on how long you picked your hike for. Chris and his wife decided to spend 24 hours in the nature reserve. In the nature reserve, there are ports, which are little docks to start your journey. Chris and his wife started their journey at Heseyri and then headed for the Hesteyrarskaro Mountain Pass.

Black Water Diving is an Experience You Will Never Forget Black water (or blackwater) diving is by far one of my favorite types of dives I've ever done. I've been diving for 16 years and I've seen a lot in the ocean, however, black water diving astounds me every time I've gone. I only have 12 blackwater dives, and I am hungry for more. Many people when they hear 'blackwater diving' they think it's simply diving at night. But oh no. Blackwater diving is very deep water, we're talking thousands of feet deep. Now you the diver aren't going down thousands of feet, you just drop down to 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50 feet late at night and paint the darkness with your light and then you start to see creatures that live in the deep that are now up in shallow water. window.dojoRequire(["mojo/signup-forms/Loader"], function(L) { L.start({"baseUrl":"mc.us19.list-manage.com","uuid":"c98f8ee80dad6b3294c16e167","lid":"2d6f35300e","uniqueMethods":true}) }) In this podcast episode, I interviewed Jeff Milisen, who works for Kona Honu Divers (my favorite Kona dive shop), who leads these blackwater dives on a weekly basis. Jeff is a biologist and one of the few people that can talk to you about the science behind what you're seeing when you are underwater with these alien creatures. Where Can You Go Blackwater Diving? Kona Hawaii is one of the best places to go out on a black water dive. There aren't many boats in the world going out however, it is gaining popularity in Florida and the Philipines. What's unique about Kona is that you can take a boat a few miles offshore and now be in water that 5,000 feet deep below you. If you go out with Kona Honu Divers they will tether you to the boat so the divers that come with the boat leave with the boat. What Type of Experience Do You Need to Go Black Water Diving? You need to be a certified diver and have at least 50 dives under your belt. This is an advanced dive and you need to be able to keep your cool in the dark water and be ok with not being able to see the bottom of the ocean. If you're not a certified diver you can take a class to become a certified diver, like this one. What Types of Animals do you See when Going on a Black Water Dive? What you may see one night might be completely different from what you see another night. You can expect to see lots of animals in the jelly family. You will probably find ctenophores, siphonophores, pelagic squid, pelagic fish, larvae creatures, and if you're lucky you might find a larvae cusk eel (shown below). What if I don't dive, but would like to go out at night on the ocean, what are my options? I get it, not every person is a certified diver or a diver that wants to go and do a blackwater dive, but you're still up for an adventure. Well, then check out the manta ray night dive in Kona. That dive is on the top dives in the world and you can also snorkel it. You can book a manta ray night dive or snorkel here. You can also listen to an Experiences You Should Have podcast on the infamous manta ray night dive here. The black water dive leaves after the manta ray dive on a few select nights. Photo below of the manta ray night snorkel in Kona by Jeff Milisen. Now check out some amazing black water photos from Jeff Milisen of these alien pelagic creatures and check out his photography on iphotograph.fish Note on Accessibility My husband has cerebral palsy and he got his open water diver certification 7 plus years ago. I talked about black water diving to him for 4 years before he did it, and he ended up doing 3 black water dives on 3 separate nights! The video below shows our Kona adventure including black water diving and diving with manta rays at night. If you're currently not a diver and are handicapped, check out the Handicapped Scuba Association or Dive Pirates (offering adaptive diving) for more information on adaptive diving. Once you get enough dives under your belt and are comfortable with night diving, come try out black water! Also,