Author: Jena

Run 25: Virgin Islands National Park

I did not want to run. The logistics of it seemed exhausting. When. Where. Which order. Heat and humidity. Roads with crazy turns and no sidewalks. Daughter and husband playing in the waves while I tried to convince myself up some energy. Run in peak heat or after the waves have me salty and sandy. Does it really matter if I skip running this park? And then there's sunscreen. I've never liked sunscreen. Mum would lay out a towel and slather us down while putting up with (my) squirms and...

Catching up in the Badlands

When we left Alaska I was so full of feelings, experiences and people to share that I had a hard time figuring out the words. It was also hard finding the time to put them into words. Now here we are, nearly a month after coming home and leaving again and I'm caught with loops of words floating through my head. Typically these loops come at inconvenient times such as when I have not internet, charge to my computer or will to stay awake. Rather than trying share our adventure park by park I'm...

How to Prepare for a year-long adventure

I had a hard time preparing for this trip. Not so much with the packing - though there were three last-minute trips to REI in the three days before we left. When it came to "what do I want to see and learn?" it’s a bit harder. The possibilities seem endless and one idea leads to the next but the time we have for our trip is limited so how do you choose? And for that matter, how do you choose before you know what the options are? All of this makes Alaska a great place to start - it is so big...