Capilano Suspension Bridge, Vancouver, Canada

Another day, another adventure! As I check off bucket list items and find my list is only getting longer the more I achieve, I respect more and more the wonders of the world, man made and natural. We live in an amazing world filled with exceptional sights and natural beauty.


I have been seeking the nooks on this planet to visit and conquer. The Capilano suspension bridge is amazing to say the least. The bridge itself was built in 1889 and stretches 450 feet across, 230 feet above the Capilano river. It swings back and forth with every step one takes and is a bit ominous to say the least, but I never felt in danger as I crossed over from one side to the other.
The surrounding build-outs in the Treetop Adventure allow traversing through the rainforest and climbing the trees which connect the entire park and make it walkable and climbable. A true adventure park.

Facts and trivia throughout the park

I saw photos of this bridge on Instagram and knew immediately, "this is my next attraction".
Yeah buddy.
I NEED to traverse this bridge, breathe this air, seek what others before me have experienced and pave a path for my children to know what is possible. EVERYTHING!!

Initially, I thought, what a beautiful bridge. I need to experience this. Then my son alerted me, he has a fear of heights. Wait, what?
Not, my son. Young Zeus to my universe. I don't have fears, how can he? It is impossible. Then it was mandatory for me to not only visit, but share these experiences. I realized, not only am I living for me, I am making a legacy for my kids via my path of experiences.
You got this!
I began to feel like like every accomplishment I make allows my kids to know anything is possible. My adventures extend beyond me. They make possibilities available and accessible to my kids. My adventures are now becoming my legacies.

Capilano Lake

Even though Capilano was my destination for this adventure, I had never been to Vancouver, so I looked forward to seeing a new city and experiencing new people. From the moment I stepped off the plane, I knew this was my kinda place. Customs and Immigration greeted me, "Bonjour", "Well Bonjour!" I had not had the opportunity to speak french in a social setting in years and here I was, in my new favorite city with my customs agent greeting me with the assumption I just may speak their language. Et, Voila, I did. Our conversation was short and polite, but my chest beamed with excitement that this country welcomed me and assumed I could, not assumed I couldn't. These are the breaks I need from the states. The reminders from the rest of the world of my talents and value. "Merci", on my way out of the terminal into Vancouver.
My voyage downtown and to the mountain areas was a pleasant surprise. Vancouver has a clean, fun downtown area with trendy restaurants, competitive shopping areas and a walkable, interesting urban space. There are numerous areas to explore. A waterfront area with outstanding restaurants and bars. The city is livable and maintains a welcoming sense of community. There are noticeable hostels all over downtown highlighting travel for students, and international travelers. Vancouver is accessible and inclusive. Vancouver is the kind of city you visit and think, I could live here. I should be living here.

downtown Vancouver

Rome

I planned my entire annual birthday month getaway around the international marathon of Rome.
Imagine that.

Every year I plan a solo vacation - a couple weeks alone, to rejuvenate. To find myself. A month where I decide what the next year holds for me. I evaluate my goals. I reconnect with myself. I travel and allow other cultures and insights to deeply influence how I live my  own life. A self reminder of what is good and what could use work in my own life. I set new goals and appreciate successes. I forgive missteps. I relearn how to love myself and this weird, confusing world we live in.

This year, I had a hard time deciding which cities would be on my travel itinerary. Luckily, Runners World magazine helped me decide. I am always looking for fun, new places to run and see new things, simultaneously. Rome is designated the "most scenic marathon in the world". This is where the center of my planning began.
Rome. I also knew Copenhagen had been on my list for years, but I had not been able to work it in, so I thought, this is easy; fly to Rome, run a race, and make my way by train to Denmark.
So many things happened which changed the outcome of this trip, but I did make it.
So many people told me, If you go to Italy you have to go t o Florence, so I added this to my itinerary (see previous blog post).
My trip became complete.
Tuscany - lovely like Bali's trip last year.
Rome - wondrous like Paris, many years prior.


Then Copenhagen - the fresh new start I have needed. For a long time.

Rome youtube

Rome is like most overpopulated urban cities. It has the best of everything, yet the overstimulated vibe of many cities we love and despise. With the marathon going on, many things were closed for security purposes and because of the traffic detours.
Even with the harried crowds, I still got to walk through the Colosseum grounds, see the Parthenon, and witness history. It felt safe to walk around surrounded by my people. Other runners and travelers who had come together for the same sense of belonging and adventure, meeting in one place to connect.
Even amongst the chaos of energy and people, I found streams, and peace, and small bands playing randomly on the streets energizing the passersby. My favorite things to find when I travel are small unexpected music bursts and hidden art. And, of course, the delightful food. Food, glorious food! Rome had it all.

Iconic Rome; one singular moment in the midst of it all