New Zealand Adventures When You Say Yes to Everything!

What would happen in your life if you said yes to every single invitation you received? Ha! You could expect loads of awkward moments, because you really don’t know this person that just invited you for dinner. You could expect a plethora of moments of being out of your comfort zone, because what will you talk about? What are they going to serve? It’s too much of the unknown! On the other hand, who will you meet? What will you talk about? What will you learn? What food will you try? With the right perspective, saying yes is heaps of adventure!

Read the book The Yes Man recently? The author shared his journey of challenging himself to say yes to every invitation he received and the amazing and crazy adventures that came along with this challenge. Our lives have strangely paralleled the pages in this book over the last three weeks. Doors opened and opened and nuventures were had!

These three weeks were committed to house sitting and caring for the pug, Master Zeus, and Madam Kitty in Hamilton, New Zealand while their owners were away on holiday. We got this opportunity through trusthousesitters.com. Check it out! However, every travel book and website we visited didn’t have much to say about Hamilton. That didn’t extinguish our excitement. We were eager to have a home to stay in, animals to care for, and we dreamed of having normalcy over the holidays.

Exploring Hamilton Gardens

The maze of gardens feels never-ending. We got lost in the maze all day. 

The only souls we knew in Hamilton were Iris and Mike, the family we were sitting for, and they were leaving the coup for three weeks while we were filling in. Now, what do we do in a town for three weeks without knowing anyone?

So, we did what we know how to do. We got out there and started doing! Farmers market? Yes! Let’s go. Free bikes for hire? Yes! Let’s go! Along the way, we learned to say yes to every opportunity that came across our path. Our only commitments for three weeks were feeding Master Zeus and Madam Kitty, so I’d say we had plenty of free time.

Meet Master Zeus. 

Meet Madam Kitty. 

Walk through the park? Yes, of course! While walking, we saw a group of folks in uniforms tossing a rugby ball around. Alright! We were pumped to watch our first live rugby game. So, we asked what time it started, which led to asking if they needed subs. We thought we would be watching, but instead got to play in our first touch rugby match! Heck no, we had never played before and were getting a crash course while we played. We were being yelled to and instructed constantly from left and right with corrections by our teammates and even the referee who now knew us by name. “No, Adam, roll it between the legs.” “Linds, get back. More, more. There. Good!” Oh, the challenges and humility that comes with learning a new sport. By saying yes to touch rugby, though, we met Taila who invited us to Christmas lunch with her family on the beach! What an experience!

Go Team Jucy!

Church? Yes! Let’s go! Chapel Hill Church was just a short walk away from the house. We expected to head out right after the service, because there was a lunch honoring everyone for volunteering all year. Well, this was our first service and we definitely hadn’t volunteered. Christine and Gavyn’s little girl was playing peek- a- boo with us all service long, so they struck up a conversation with their daughter’s new friends and invited us to the church luncheon. Well, “Yes! Why not?” We had nothing to do that afternoon. One yes led to meeting tons of families and getting invited to go blueberry picking, having dinner with families, game nights, pool parties, and sharing New Years with new friends! Just to clear the record, we helped clean the dishes to fulfill our volunteer duties for the year.

The best part was snacking along the way!

Blueberry muffins on the to-do-list after this. 

Volunteer? Yes! Let’s do it! We sent out emails to different conservation groups. These emails led us to receive invitations to the beach? Yes! To the gully? Yes! To kayak? Yes! To build a canoe? Yes, yes, yes!

Bridal Veil Falls with Tania, Stuart and Nigel. 

Low tide in Raglan. 

Spontaneous picnic!

Kayaking in Raglan, NZ!

The water! Wow!

The kayak mobile to Tania and Stuart's favorite spot: Te Toto Gorge. 

Te Toto Gorge. 

The crew for the day. 

Rex and Adam working on the canoe. 

Lastly, our old Burly Bernie needed a maintenance check up. With Adam’s southern charm he talked the mechanic, Solomon, into having Adam as his apprentice for three days to get a discount on our maintenance work. That yes led Solomon treating the Yankees to an adventure of deep sea fishing off Raglan! You bet I made a delicious ceviche with the blue shark we caught!

Solomon. 

Sunrise to a great day of fishing. 

King fish!

Not as eager to hold the fish as I am to catch 'em!

Caught tons of Garnard. 

The colors!

And, another catch!

Driving the boat. 

Reelin' one in!

Caught us a blue shark! Watch your toes!

Oh, and while we are at it, Adam had an interview to be a model in Hamilton. His modeling career almost took off, however, our traveling lifestyle wasn't what the company was looking for. Saying yes also brings random, hilarious and unexpected opportunities, too!

We recently watched a TED Talk featuring Rick Steve and the value of traveling. Watch it! He was brilliant when he essentially said that travel experiences without meeting new people are flat. People connecting with people is the mark of a good trip. He completely summed up Hamilton for us. The people that invited us to be a part of their lives transformed our three weeks and enriched our lives. We were meeting fantastic people with new ideas, new strengths, new skills and new ways of doing things. We learned so much by people just opening up and sharing time with us. What’s crazy is we began seeing people around town! We actually had friends in Hamilton that knew us by name and we felt a part of the community.

The wise Peter and Christine, who invited us over for dinner, gave us a quote we will always remember. “God’s love takes us on journeys we do not wish to go, makes us travel by roads we do not wish to use, to take us to places we never wish to leave” by Thomas Cranmer. Before arriving in Hamilton, no one would have directed us or suggested us to go there. By the end of our three weeks, we had lists of people to say farewell to and it was a sad afternoon when leaving. The generosity, hospitality and friendliness of our new friends have changed us as individuals and who we want to be.

Have you said yes recently? You are now officially challenged to have your own nuventures by just saying yes!

Our Experience Buying a Campervan in New Zealand and How We Escaped Auckland

Backpacking New Zealand done right is to Step 1: Arrive in Auckland and stay in a slammed hostel on Queen Street. Check. Step 2: Mad dash and throw bows to buy a campervan before all of the other backpackers snag them before you. It took us seven nights and six days in Auckland to check this puppy off our to do list. Pull up your sleeves boys... it’s on!

Hike up to Mount Eden's volcanic crater after campervan scouting. 

As the story goes, we quickly realized New Zealand is best seen by way of the retrofitted campervan that you live in for the time you travel here and then sell to the next backpacker arriving in Auckland. This is the lifecycle of the NZed campervan. However, these aren’t the notorious macdaddy, white RV's that you see lined up one after another after another cruising through the National Parks of the American West. Oh, no. Instead, these campervans are usually soccermom minivans that are transformed by the backpacker. The rear seats are stripped out and replaced by 2x4's that are nailed together to create a platform that holds a sheet of OSB and a foam mattress. Voilà! There you have it! A backpacker’s dream of transportation and accommodation wrapped in one! Given our fresh year visas in NZed, we set out to find our new home. Who knew we would be so eager to buy our first minivan before we have car seats? We definitely didn’t expect this. Oh well, this should be easy, right? What fools we were! Let the craziness begin.

Relearning the joys of a seesaw while waiting to see a campervan. 

So hungry! I'll eat anything!

We spent a total of six full days (I mean full , jam packed, exhausting, please let my feet fall off days) searching for a van. These days were of Adam waking up at 6 am hopping onto our hotel’s one GB limit internet emailing every campervan advertisement out there. After the one GB limit was out, our days were filled with running from Queen Street's McDonald’s to Starbucks to Wendy’s to the library to the second Starbucks and back through the rotation again every hour to get a free hour of internet at each spot. After two days running to and from internet sources every hour waiting for campervan replies and attempting to communicate by email, we realized we had to get a phone to just have a simple conversation with people. The vans were going like hotcakes and we couldn’t wait for email conversations. We talked to two German travelers that expressed the same frustration. You had to show up to the prospect with cash in hand and ready to buy. Bam!

Catching a random parade while running from Starbucks to Wendy's. 

Discovered the Night of Lights between campervan viewings!

All in all we looked at fourteen vehicles. Everyone thought we were crazy for looking at that many. But, we (Adam) wanted the best deal out there. The best part of van shopping was meeting all these travelers from all over the world that had blazed a trail for us and were selling their campers as they headed on to other countries. Folks from Korea, Germany, Austria, Ireland, Britain, Basque Country, Dutch, Czecks, and so many others all sharing their awesome adventures and the best spots of NZed we needed to go ourselves. Their recommendations were better than any in Lonely Planet!

Playing our first match of touch rugby between seeing campervans. 

First pick up soccer game!

Getting back to the camper race, here comes the adventure. The first vehicle we test drove was a manual. The pressure was on and Adam’s palms were sweaty. His first time driving a stick in a very long time and the first time driving on the left side of the road. Stressful! Just for good measure, I had white knuckles clutching the door handle bar and the side of the passenger seat. A few times I had to yell out, “On the left! On the left!” as Adam veared to the right side of the road. Thankfully, we were cruising in a 15 mph neighborhood zone. It was a close one, but we survived. Whew!

A walk to a movie night on the lawn after a crazy day of camper van viewings! 

Watching the American movie Good Morning, Vietnam! with Robin Williams in Silo Park. 

After five full days of urban hiking that consisted of walking miles and miles around Auckland looking at campervans from morning til dark, we had narrowed down our options to the top four. We had the crème of the crop, she’s our perfect girl white minivan that we drooled over. Second, we had the it’s really nice but the bloke is weird camper. Third, we had the tattoo parlor’s van turned to campervan. Lastly, there was Burley Bernie. We thought our Auckland days and urban hikes were over as Adam prematurely gave a gentleman’s handshake with an Irish lad to make a deal for our crème of the crop, she’s our perfect girl camper. But, we quickly realized mid handshake there was a misunderstanding. Oh, geez! The price was higher than what we thought it was advertised for (we had seen too many advertisements and were mixing them up at this point) and she wouldn’t be available for us to set out into the sun for another two weeks. Two weeks?!? We couldn’t stay in Auckland another two weeks! Low and behold, we had seen fourteen camper vans, went through hundreds of questions and note taking on each one and forgot one of the most important questions. “When is it available?” Ugh! Learning experience.

Deep breath moment. 

We were heartbroken. She was the one! But, in the end we had to move on to our next choice. Well, the van was still it’s nice but the bloke is weird. We couldn’t do it. Something just wasn’t right. So, onto the next one. Burned again. The tattoo parlor’s van wasn’t available for another five days. Five days?!? We want to get out of Auckland already! Last option... Our boy Burley Bernie. He truly was the one! Finally! His name derives from the British backpackers that sold him to us. We couldn’t quite tell if they were calling him Burley or Bernie. So, now he’s our good ol’ bloke Burley Bernie. Ay!

Can you see the joy of freedom!

This is it! Tah-DAH!

Yes, Dad. Of course, before buying Bernie, we had a mechanic check him out. Our boy needed a new strut and a new battery. Check and check. And now we are learning his secrets. The sliding door sticks, the glove compartment won't close and his gas mileage isn’t the best, but Bernie hasn’t failed us. We just gotta give him some TLC, that’s all.

At the mechanic. This was a big moment for us!

On the road again!

And, we were off into the sunset, the windows down, the music up loud with the wind in our hair again. We finally hit the road with our new ride! It was glorious for the first hour until... wait, are those red and blue lights behind us? Oh, no! You have to be kidding me! Cop car! We got pulled over within the very first hour of being on the road! No way! Come to find out, we didn't stop at a pedestrian crossing that we didn't see. We just so happened to get pulled over by the nicest officer we have ever met and he proceeded to give us the ropes of NZed driving laws and escorted us to the nearest auto shop for our new battery. What service!

Had to save this memory of following the undercover officer in front of us. What a moment. 

Our adventures continued as we hit one week of full on tree limb breaking wind and torrential down pours in the Coromandel Peninsula. Are you serious? We can finally get out and explore and it won’t. stop. raining. We spent the week soaked. Finally, Adam figured out a way to get all of our food and cookware out without getting out of the van. Nice!

Just making breakfast in Bernie. 

But hey, when travelling this long, we have learned to always be thankful for whatever situation we are in. Thankfulness always brings light to how great we truly have it. When we stopped complaining and thought about it, our entire week of urban hiking around the city looking for vans was in clear weather with no rain. So thankful for that! In the week after we got our van, we had shelter from the rain. Now, that is a whole new perspective. We truly believe God blesses us continuously on this journey of nuventures. We just have to change our perspectives, seek thanksgiving and have our eyes peeled to see all the blessings.

It's raining! It's pouring!

Bernie on his newest adventure in the Coromandel Peninsula!

Morale Check: Lindsey

Well, we thought that Lindsey would sound like a nut job if she were to interview herself. You just wouldn't be able to hear the different accents. So, she signed me up for the task.

"Well daggum. Alright, Linds, your turn. Here goes."

1. "You have been gone six months now. How is the traveling life?"

A: Overall, it’s the adventure of a lifetime. It's awesome and exciting! But, with every great and exciting moment, there’s a challenging and tough one. Thankfully, it seems whenever we feel low, something special always happens. We have learned from other travelers that this phenomenon is known as trail magic. We'll take all we can get! I try to remind myself that this adventure could end any day and this is the only time in my life that I will have this opportunity to travel and live with only today in mind and go wherever the wind takes us.

Last day in Colorado for awhile! Steamboat Springs, Colorado

2. "Great outlook there, Linds! What has been the most surprising aspect of traveling so far?"

A: I can actually do this! I wasn’t sure before we set off, but I was at least going to try. Surprisingly, this nomadic lifestyle has become our normalcy. I thought I would always be battling the frustrations of traveling (like re-packing my bag everyday), but they have just become a part of our every day norm. I have been surprised how I don’t freak out about bugs and spiders anymore; we have camped too often to worry about them.  I did see the biggest spider of my life in the Badlands. It was as big as my fist! Okay, I did freak out about that one, and I made Adam stand outside the bathroom to protect me. Haha! Maybe in denial about that one. I have also become a lot more flexible and spontaneous. I don’t have an internal meltdown if the plan doesn’t work out or even if there is no plan. But, I guess you would be the judge of that! Ha!

Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. How could I leave this view?

3. "Whew! You've come a long way with bugs I tell ya. Seems like yesterday that you threw our last bit of the toilet roll in a lake just because a fly buzzed you. Geez. Anyway, so, what has been the most difficult aspect of traveling?"

A: Not knowing when my next shower or laundry day will be. I have learned I love being clean, smelling clean and feeling fresh. So, I shower and do laundry every chance I get. I used to hate doing laundry, but now it’s a luxury and I love laundry day! Would never guess I would ever say that.

4. "Even though I fuss about it, I'm glad that you enjoy doing the laundry so much. So, getting deep, what has God been revealing to you?"

A: A ton! It’s overwhelming. He has us on this journey for a purpose. He is teaching us and molding us to further become the people he created us to be. He is always with us on the gorgeous sunny days and when we are on the ledge, in the storm, with the rain pounding on us.

So much of our journey has been driving by wide open spaces in God's country!

5. "So, this is a good one. How is marriage? You are with me almost 24/7."

A: Marriage is awesome! We have gotten closer in every aspect of our relationship. We read each other's moods before the mood takes full force and before we say anything we regret. We also don't push each other's buttons as much since we can't really escape one another. We also respond to each other in a more understanding way. We just get each other more. I often wonder what our relationship would be like or how many years it would take us to understand each other the way we do now if we had not traveled.

Devil's Tower! Did you know a guy landed on Devil's Tower after skydiving for a political stunt? He was stuck up there for six days!

6. "I fully agree! What is the newest thing you admire about me now?"

A: I really admire your courage and innovation. You have started your own accounting business and have taken the adventure in stride. To see your dedication in learning, in researching, in adapting and stepping out of your comfort zone has had me admire you more and more. You are awesome!

Hiking in the Colorado Aspens. 

7. "Ah shucks...thanks, Linds. On the other hand, what is your newest pet peeve of me?"

A: You already know this answer. You love logistics and you always talk logistics. You love the journey of transportation and how to get from here to there and back again. However, I despise logistics and would rather not have them. I love to talk about the heart, how you feel and fluttery things. So, you know, we clash at times. But, in the end, we need logistics, so I’m thankful that you get pumped up about the details.

Looking out over a glacier in the Icefields in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. 

8."Ahha! I will remind you about that answer often. So, what is your favorite memory of me on the trip?"

A: The first time you could ride your mountain bike after you had endless problems with it. From the wheel getting bent into a taco, which was hilarious, to your frame cracking, to your seat breaking, and all of the other issues. You were so bummed for the several months you couldn't ride. You were finally able to hop back on the bike in Kickapoo State Park, Illinois. I will always remember how giddy you were with your huge smile hopping off the bike at the end of your ride. You were glowing and just radiating joy and couldn't stop talking about the ride. It made me realize how much biking makes you feel alive. I get it now. It was an awesome moment.

Roosters Lookout, South Dakota

9. "Glad you got to see that and get me more, Linds. So, what is the biggest way you have grown?"

A: I would say in my courage and my faith. We have done what has seemed impossible and what has been really difficult by saving, quitting our jobs and living as nomads. I didn’t know I had this in me and that I could really do it. We know God has us on this journey. He has led us through every step of the way and through every day. This wouldn’t have happened without His changing and transforming me.

Coldest night camping of our trip. Did it once, not sure I want to repeat. Made the best of Spray Lake, Canmore, Alberta. 

10. "I can totally see that! So, what has been your biggest learning lesson?"

A: Shout out to Mollie Kinsman. Mollie taught Adam and I a simple habit that has helped us so much each day. We ask each other our morale level between one and ten and then have to answer honestly. There have been days when I’m a 3 and Adam’s an 8. Ugh, that’s a bummer and it’s humbling. But, it’s helped us to be honest with each other about our feelings and it helps us understand each other, encourage one another and talk through things. We always end up feeling better after talking through it.

Banff National Park, Alberta Canada

11. "So true! I can't thank Mollie enough for that nugget of wisdom. So, next, what has been your favorite place so far?"

A: My most memorable place thus far has been the Badlands in South Dakota. I think the dry landscape and stunning canyons were shocking to me when I didn’t expect much in South Dakota. Maligne Lake in Alberta, Canada was beautiful! I spent hours walking around the turquoise blue lake and sitting in the golden bushes staring at the snow capped mountains. Gosh, it was amazing. I want to go back!

Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada

12. "Yeah, I missed that spot while I was biking. Bummer. So, what place would you like to go again?"

A: Canmore, Alberta. This town is surrounded by the Canadian Rockies just south of Banff National Park. Within 30 minutes of being there walking through the farmers market, I was brainstorming how we could live there part of the year. It’s spectacular and has a Boulder, Colorado-esk vibe.

On a bridge right off the main street of Canmore. Loved this place!

13. "Yeah, I said the same. We'll go back. So, do you miss home?"

A: Of course! I miss my family and friends, most. I had several stints of feeling lonely at the beginning of the trip. These moments haven’t come around in awhile. It may be surprising that loneliness is a factor since I’m traveling with you, my best friend, but you aren't my everything. I needed to learn to seek God first and find my purpose in Him.  I have found it’s important to find friends that can relate to our lifestyle. When we meet other couples, it’s important for me to connect with the other girls and relate on what our traveling lifestyles are like. I’m not the only one that freaks about jellyfish or scorpions or heights or whatever it may be. It’s always good to not feel like we are going through something alone and find others we can relate to.

Epic moment finishing a frolic game in Steamboat with our new British pals Peter and Pascale. 

14. "So even when you miss home, what keeps you traveling?"

A: I feel like we haven’t even put a dent into seeing the world. There is so much more out there and I can’t wait to keep seeing, learning and growing.

First view of a waterfall overwhelmed by rain in Kauai 

15. "Sweet answer! Okay, how have your experiences changed your life?"

A: I have realized that life can be however you want it to be. There is no template on how to live life. Thankfully, we have the freedom to think this way and do it. We don’t have to work the traditional job. We can try to live in different places year round so we can travel. We can create other ways to make money by starting our own businesses or renting out rooms, cars, or whatever it may be. Who knows, anything is possible!

Northwestern lake in Glacier National Park, Montana. 

16. "Heck yea! It's so true that we don't have to satisfy the mold of the 9-5. What is your next exciting experience you can't wait for?"

A: Being amazed by New Zealand’s mountains. I have seen so many pictures for so long, I just can’t wait to be there!

Finally made it to New Zealand! YAHOOO!

17. "And, we are here! We wouldn't get to be here without your dreams of coming. So, what are you excited for me to experience?"

A: I don’t have a specific experience in mind. I just want you to have the time of your life on this grand adventure. We have both dreamed about this separately from before we started dating, so I want you to feel like you did it and it was everything you dreamed of and more.

Dead River, Maine

18. "Now, who is the most interesting character you have met along the way?"

A: Jacqueline Scarola. Hands down. You are friends with Jacqueline from Semester at Sea and I have never met someone so in love with God, full of life, and so joyful. She has more faith than anyone I have ever met. She hosted us for a month and hung out with us almost every day. We became a trifecta, the three muskateers as Hika, Conq and Donkey. We were stunned that she wanted to spend so much time with us. We know God had it in His plan, because she taught us more in three weeks than we have learned in five years just by being herself.

The one and only Jacqueline in Kalalau Valley, Kauai!

19. "Yes! Jacqueline is going to be a lifelong friend. I'm so pumped about that! So, do you have any new goals or new interests?"

A: Yes! I want to finally take improv classes and I would really love to get into archery. We are going to be settled in Hamilton, New Zealand for a month house sitting, so I really want to give it a go. Okay, so truthfully my ultimate goal is to be an Olympian in the Biathlon event that has a mix of cross country skiing and archery (instead of rifle shooting). That’s what I’m really shooting for. I know, I know, I need to start training asap for Pyeong Chang 2018!

Morning yoga along a river in Banff National Park, Alberta. 

20. "Rrrrright. Now this an opportunity for me to be one of those super encouraging husbands, right!? Last question. What’s a funny story from the trip thus far?"

A: Well, we were in Banff National Park on the Icefields Parkway. We had camped across the street from a hostel and one morning we decided to go over to the hostel to meet new people and get new hiking ideas. As we were looking at a topographic map, this older gentleman greeted us and we started chatting. From conversation, we were showing him the trail we wanted to do and were talking about the steepness of the trail with all of the contour lines being smacked together. The gentleman was so pumped to give it a go and decided to join us. The hike was 12 miles out and back on a steep incline. So we started out on this grueling hike up the mountain. Adam was leading the way, I was in the middle and Ken pulling up the rear. Since it was so steep, we were all huffing and puffing at this point. Ken started sharing his life’s story and pouring out his heart. Ken started talking about how his former wife had a passion for horses and they started a business selling saddles. Then he said, “Then, after our kids left, my wife turned to me and said she wanted her freedom.” Adam, not hearing what he was saying while being in the front and huffing and puffing responded with what he thought Ken was saying. Adam thought he was still talking about horses so he replied, “Oh, you started breeding them?” Uhh... what?!? “Freedom,” “breeding them.” Sounds similar right? But in the moment, I’m in the middle of these two and cringing like crazy! This man is in the moment of opening up and pouring his heart out to us and Adam is talking about breeding horses. Geez! Well, Ken was well into his 70’s, which we had no idea! And, thankfully he was hard of hearing while we all could only hear our own heavy breathing. He hadn’t heard Adam! Ah... now that was an awkward moment.

Loved the views from this hike!

Last one:)

Morale Check: Adam

Those of you who know me, know I love to ask questions. I'm always racking my brain for good questions to ask to get to know someone better. So, to indulge my love for questions and to record our thoughts on life right now, I interviewed Adam and myself with a list of questions to recap our trip around the US as we were on our flight to New Zealand.

"So, Adam, wow, it's great to see you! Geez, long time no see! Thank you for taking the time to sit down and chat with me. This middle seat is a great cozy spot, too. Nice choice. Well, I'm so excited to talk with you and hear about your travels."

1. "Let's jump right in. You have been traveling five months now. How is the traveling life?"

A: Amazing! As expected, emotions have run the gamut. All in all, I know that I’ve grown personally and Lindsey and I have grown as a couple.

Waiting to check out a camper van in Auckland, and found the joy in the small moment of jumping on a seesaw!

2.    "Oh, emotions have run the gamut, eh? Huh. Well it's great to hear you have grown a lot. What has been the most surprising aspect of traveling that you weren’t expecting?"

A: Our funds. By camping, not always paying to be entertained, and having a host of selfless family and friends, our travel pot of funds has stayed stationary over the past five months. We spend pretty much what we are making with our side jobs and new businesses.

Found a secret spot in South Dakota. Adam's in his comfort zone. 

3.   "Oh, wow! That's amazing to hear! Well then, what has been the most difficult aspect of traveling?"

A: Sucking it up when I realize that I didn’t make a good decision on how to get to a place. Most notably, if we would have had better communication with some German friends, we could have hiked along the point of Ka’ena State Park and met them at a camp spot. Instead, we took a two hour bus ride to a crowded shopping center, chilled at a Toys R Us until our friends came to scoop us, and then drove to the camp spot. It would’ve been a whole lot sweeter to hike.

Always looking at maps. Always. 

4.    "Ah ha. Well, I guess that sounds like a good learning lesson to improve your communication skills. Getting deep, what has God been revealing to you?"

A: So many beautiful vistas have made me stop and cherish being awestruck of how small and fragile I am. Those moments are reminders of His presence and grandeur. Personally, I’m learning to be way more trusting in His hand in the minute details of a day. It’s powerful to allow plans to develop in a way I could have never created.

Last view of Kalalau Valley. Until next time!

5.    "Letting things happen. That's great. So, yeah, how is marriage? You are with each other almost 24/7."

A: I’m not sugar coating this answer at all. It has been magical the amount of growth we’ve experienced. I feel that in five months we have learned about one another what would have taken ten years if we hadn’t started traveling. You can’t but do that when you are with one another constantly. An example we use is arguments. An argument that previously would have lasted a day only lasts ten minutes now. Yes, because we need to get over it quickly because we are with each other, but also because we are more able to see how the issues evolved from the ground level. Typically, the arguments are because one of us is hungry, tired or just having a sad day. We then take it out on the other. I feel the aggressor is quicker to apologize now and the receiver is quick to forgive.

Hangriness... ouch!

6.   "Oh, wow! Well that sounds great! So, speaking of growing, what is the newest thing you admire about Lindsey now?"

A: Her courage. She has overcome a lot to do this trip. The things that she has done on this trip have been courageous. She crossed “Crawlers’ Ledge” on the Kalalau Trail in rain and wind with thirty foot waves crashing below. I feel she is in a growth period of life that has her facing fears she no longer wants to allow to cripple her anymore. She is attacking this life challenge head on and it is amazing to be a part of.

Conquered fears despite warning signs!

7.    "Well, that's so supportive and kind of you to say. Now, on the other had, what is your newest pet peeve?"

A: Sometimes I don’t feel that she pays attention as she goes through a day. Directions to places is the obvious example.

8.    "Hmm, I hear some frustration in your voice. Let's go back to good thoughts. Well then, what is your favorite memory of Lindsey on the trip?"

A: A huge bellowing yell of, “WEEEE DIDDDDDDDD IT!” as a celebration of crossing Crawlers’ Ledge on the Kalalau Trail.

First day on the Kalalau. 

9.    "Ha! So it sounds like the Kalalau Trail was a big deal for Lindsey. What is the biggest way you have grown?"

A: I feel that I’ve done a much better job of making sure family and friends know that I still think of them. I’m trying to be more intentional in my communication with everyone back home. 

Calling Dan Fran in China with Ashley in Athens, GA!

10. "Well that's great! I'm sure everyone misses you at home. While you have been away, what has been your biggest learning lesson from traveling?"

A: Splurging on a hotel instead of sleeping in the airport is so worth it!

11. "Ah ha! So you do stay in hotels sometimes, eh? You guys sure do a lot of camping. So what has been your favorite place thus far?

A: Canmore, Alberta. It was pretty unique for Lindsey and I to look at one another after three hours being there and say, “ I want to live here!”

Slept in our tent in the snow at Spray Lake, Canmore, Alberta 

12. "Wow! That's crazy! You aren't saying you want to move to Canada now, are you? They like beavers, snow and hockey up there, you know. And they say 'a-boot' and 'zed' up there, dontchaknow? Can you hack those cold winters? Well anyway, what place you would like to go again?

A: Sandpoint, Idaho. We only passed through for a morning. The town had a great vibe. The outdoor community seemed to be thriving. It is located in Northern Idaho and we didn’t get to explore as much as anticipated.

Lovely moment. 

13. "Oh, I hope you do get to go back there then. So, do you miss home?"

A: For sure at times. More so, I miss family and friends. There will be certain things that trigger memories. As a nostalgic person, I let those memories overtake my mind and I get to missing home.

14. "Well, if you get to missing home, then what keeps you traveling?"

A: The excitement of knowing that there is so much difference that is out there. It is so empowering to discover a local food market and eat some cheap but wholesome food that the locals eat. In Kauai, we stumbled upon a market in Waimea that was selling some fresh poke for breakfast. So good and so cheap, but you have work hard to find these places. The feeling of accomplishment in moments of discovering keep me going.

15. "Oh, yeah. I can see that. So far, how have your experiences changed your life you think?"

A: I want to give me kids a worldly education. There is only so much you can learn by books. I learn by being in an environment that allows me to apply what I’ve learned. An example is getting to speak pidgin in the kalo fields.

Weeding around the kale in the loi fields. 

16. "Pidgin, eh? You can speak it? Wow! So, what is your next exciting experience you can't wait for?"

A: Getting better at surfing. I got my tail handed to me in Kauai.

Gettin' after it!

17. "Keep at it! I'm sure you will get better in New Zealand. What are you excited for Lindsey to experience on your travels ahead?"

A: New Zealand. She’s been itching to be here. It’s so special to be a part of her going to the places she dreams of going.

First day in Auckland, New Zealand. 

18. "New Zealand! I can't wait to get there myself! Now, who has been the most interesting character you have met along the way?

A: First that comes to mind is Warren in Montana. Warren is a friend by now. We have chilled with him and his girlfriend, Heather, the past two years up in Glacier National Park. He got his Master’s in Wildlife Biology. His thesis is on the harlequin duck. If I remember correctly, this duck is very rare because it lays eggs in Glacier NP and then flies over to the Pacific Coast to molt. Because of its egg laying peculiarities, it's numbers are decreasing. I didn’t do the story justice, the point of my answer is about Warren. He makes a living hiking through remote streams of Glacier NP looking for these ducks. He had us along for one expedition. We got to hike the streams and fly fish as we worked. Ahhhhhhh! What an amazing lifestyle. He’s just an all around great dude. Super man crush on this guy. His family has a hobby farm that they grow pretty much everything that they cook. My goal for later on in life.

Warren and Adam heading out to hunt harlequins. 

19. "Warren sounds pretty awesome! So now, do you have any new goals or new interests that have come along?"

A: I have a new interest in the whole credit card churning hobby. Typically, it has been about getting airline miles, now I’m focusing on hotel points. It has been really sweet having a nice, cushy bed after some rough nights of sleeping in the tent.

Northwestern lake in Glacier National Park 

20. "Credit card churning, eh? You will have to elaborate more later. So, now, what’s a funny story from the trip thus far?"

A: Our first morning on Oahu, we were walking on the side of the road to a bus stop to head to Pearl Harbor. We had just left Kelly's house, a friend we know from Colorado. As we were walking, two German friends we met on an entirely different island, Kauai, biked right past us. As we were chatting with them, Kelly and her family drove by honking. We just got to a new island and had friends. Crazy! It was one of those, “No way! The world is so small,” moments. Those moments keep me traveling as well!

"Well, Adam, I can tell you are done with my questions and that's all the time we have today! You shared so much and it sounds like you are still pumped to keep traveling. We'll share Lindsey's responses next to see what she has to say and I look forward to seeing you again soon. Yeah, that's right. Right here in the middle seat!"

Yours truly from the middle seat:)