Each of us did our favorite activities today. Janet and Peter hiked the Path of the Gods, a trail that hugs the cliffs as it winds along the Amalfi coast for a few miles. Bailey and Jett had a photo session with a local photographer using multiple outfits, locations, and early morning light to captureContinue reading “Italy Day 2: Path of the Gods and Positano”
Tag Archives: adventure
We Own a Campervan!
We have known for many years that we wanted to embrace a campervan while empty-nesting. This journey started a couple of weeks ago and the fun is just beginning. We both love the outdoors and our nomadic tendencies have dissolved any interest in a conventional second home. Our first campout together was after just threeContinue reading “We Own a Campervan!”
Giving Bailey Away: Phase 1
I didn’t think “The Lying Can Finally Stop” was the best title for my daughter’s engagement story. While this phrase had been lurking in the back of my mind until Jett escorted his new fiancée into the party room, it was quickly overwhelmed by joy from seeing their ecstatic smiles while sharing the moment withContinue reading “Giving Bailey Away: Phase 1”
New York City in Four Days
It takes an Ireland-style tour to see this much of NYC in four days. Visiting over St Patrick’s Day weekend and the NYC 1/2 marathon was fitting. We focused on independent self-guided tours (planned by Janet) and marveled at the tremendous variety we found in Manhattan. A couple of shows and many great meals roundedContinue reading “New York City in Four Days”
Big Bend’s South Rim and Outer Mountain Loop
That was a lot of work. That’s what Vance said about getting water. We also hiked 43 miles and climbed 10,000 ft over four days. This trek was epic. YouTube Video This 83 minute video on YouTube presents the trek “in real time,” capturing our emotions and detailing the trek including gathering water in theContinue reading “Big Bend’s South Rim and Outer Mountain Loop”
Hiking East Texas’s Trail Between the Lakes
(Check out the trail’s guide here.) Multi-day backpacking adventures are not normally associated with East Texas. The 96-mile Lone Star Hiking Trail (LSHT), north of Houston by Huntsville, might come to mind. But there is an often passed-over trail close to the Louisiana border that takes the explorer deep into wild pine forests. I wasContinue reading “Hiking East Texas’s Trail Between the Lakes”
Backpack Compromise: Weight vs Comfort
Or: Why I no longer aim for 10 lb. dry weight. Introduction Catchy headlines like 10 lb. Gear List for Hiking The Appalachian Trail suggest that 10 lbs. is the target ultralight dry weight for serious multi-day backpackers. After many years, I achieved that target, but now choose to carry more for comfort. Such additionsContinue reading “Backpack Compromise: Weight vs Comfort”
Eagle Rock Loop High Water Alternate in November 2024
I returned to the Ouachita mountains from Nov 7-10 2024 with Vance, my buddy from leading our sons’ scout troop. The Eagle Rock Loop (ERL) was a step up from previous backpacking trips for Vance. The river levels were higher than my 2022 completion which triggered an alternate route to avoid the deeper Little MissouriContinue reading “Eagle Rock Loop High Water Alternate in November 2024”
Road Trips
North America is made for road trips. When we married, an hour-long drive for Peter was significant! On road trips with lots of distance to cover, hotels are quick and convenient accommodation. We undertook five significant hotel-based road trips in North America. They were tremendous adventures, and we learned that hotels and dining out gotContinue reading “Road Trips”
Greece: A Cliff-hugging Monastery in the Lousios Gorge
Hiking to see a cliff-hugging monastery seemed like such a good idea. This looked really cool: However, perhaps there was a reason that it was not in our guidebook. AllTrails reviews were all positive, but we hadn’t slept well the night before and perhaps we were just ready to get home to our own bed.Continue reading “Greece: A Cliff-hugging Monastery in the Lousios Gorge”
Greece: The Ancient Olympics, with no Gold Medals
The ancient Olympics started in 776 BC in Olympia. For centuries, it was a celebration in honor of Zeus. Winners were awarded a wreath of leaves from a sacred olive tree by the Temple of Zeus. Winning was a tremendous honor for the victor’s village and it led to many privileges. It sounded more likeContinue reading “Greece: The Ancient Olympics, with no Gold Medals”
Greece: To the End of the World
Today was a road trip to the most southern point of mainland Greece at the top of the Mani peninsula. The road ended about a mile short, so of course we had a hike to get to the Tenaro Lighthouse at Cape Tainairon. The drive along the Mani Peninsula, which leads to the lighthouse, wasContinue reading “Greece: To the End of the World”
Greece: Sparta and Monemvasia
It was time for a change of pace. Less chasing sites and more chilling. Well, chilling our style, which included a five mile hike up a huge rock! We identified a new game for Greece in the car – follow Google Maps. We set the destination as Sparta and chose the shorter, more direct routeContinue reading “Greece: Sparta and Monemvasia”
Greece: Mycenae, the Epidaurus Theatre, and Nafplio
At the end of the Liberty University trip retracing Paul, everyone said their farewells and headed in their different directions. Some went east, others north, and the majority headed west back to the US. While a few stayed in Athens, we headed south to explore the Peloponnese for the next seven days. The first adventureContinue reading “Greece: Mycenae, the Epidaurus Theatre, and Nafplio”
Greece: Corinth and Cenchreae
Summary: We visited the remains of the city of ancient Corinth, which Paul visited twice, staying 18 months. And from where he wrote Romans. We visited Acrocorinth’s castle from the time of the Crusades. We also visited Cenchreae, from where Paul departed Greece at the end of his “second” missionary journey. We also visited theContinue reading “Greece: Corinth and Cenchreae”
Greece: Athens Part 2
Summary: We returned to Athens, and visited the ancient agora and Areopagus Hill, that Paul visited, and the Acropolis. Paul in Athens The current size and importance of Athens does not align with Paul’s Athens, and Acts 17:16-34 describes his visit. The Bible does not include any other mention of Athens. Its military losses hadContinue reading “Greece: Athens Part 2”
Greece: A monastery on the slopes of Mount Olympus
Summary: A fine hike to a monastery dating from the 16th century that is partially restored after the Nazis destroyed it in 1943, followed by a visit to a tiny church in a remote cave and a natural spring. We enjoyed some great gyros, a partially restored Roman theatre, and spent the day in MountContinue reading “Greece: A monastery on the slopes of Mount Olympus”
Greece: Neapolis. Philippi, Thessaloniki, and the Via Egnatia
Summary: Our exploration of the sites where Paul first visited Europe brought the Acts narratives to life. We felt the sea breeze and watched seagulls at the port of Neapolis (now Kavala). We felt the water of the river where Paul baptized Lydia. We touched the stones of the Via Egnatia that Paul had walkedContinue reading “Greece: Neapolis. Philippi, Thessaloniki, and the Via Egnatia”
Greece: Veria (aka Berea) and Vergina
TL;DR: We traveled to Berea (called Veria in modern Greek) where Paul visited in Acts 17:10. Close by was the underground museum of Philip II, father of Alexander the Great. We then continued into Thessaloniki, and we slept adjacent to the Via Egnatia (Egnatian Way), the ancient Roman Road. Berea Our journey continued northward towardContinue reading “Greece: Veria (aka Berea) and Vergina”
Greece: Meteora, and a bit of Thermopylae
TL;DR: An inspiring day visiting monasteries perched atop mountain peaks and surrounded by vertical cliffs. Their remoteness has helped their preservation through the centuries. On the way, we stopped by Leonidas’s statue at the site of the Battle of Thermopylae, the heroic fight between 300 Spartans and the Persian Army, as depicted in the movie,Continue reading “Greece: Meteora, and a bit of Thermopylae”
The Adventures of the Cajunlimeys 