RAMBLE LOGS

I rambled the Caldera from Fira to Oia in Santorini, Greece - a 10-km trek overlooking the Sea of Crete. It reminded me that out of the explosive eruptions and deepest depressions comes true beauty and that, I, too, can be redeemed.

On our final day, we discovered a cove called Emu Bay. Access was down a steep rock incline that opened up to a stunning white beach, as seen in the movies. We swam in the blue water while an artist sat on the rocks painting, and a couple fished. 

After 50+ years of haunting the trails around Lynn Canyon in North Vancouver getting past the concession area, over the bridge, and onto an actual trail is always sweet. Most of what was a simple dirt trail back in the days when "the canyon" was our playground is now a system of boardwalks with landings and stairs.

Without a doubt, I fell in love with Nicaragua—the beauty, resilience, kindness, and hope. I’ve been home for a long while, and I still find myself pondering the experience—it knocked me off-kilter excellently. This is a trip I highly recommend.

There is always something to see—this ramble has it all: gorgeous views of the Salish Sea, plentiful and interesting boat traffic, pretty forested paths, seasonal wildflowers, interesting birds and wildlife and moderate to easy groomed hiking trails.

The many rambles we experienced in New Zealand and Australia, with the incredible birds we’ve spotted, have cemented in my mind that I am destined to become a bird-watcher. I might even get a vest with excessive pockets, Teva sandals with the requisite dirty toes, and zip-away pants to match my binoculars!

What would a ramble to the Art Museum be without ascending the steps made famous by Sylvester Stallone in the 1976 movie Rocky? We climb all 72 steps, and we’re among many who snap pictures and videos of ourselves in front of Rocky Balboa’s statue when we come back down.

After dinner, we visited Atlanta's most infamous strip club - the Clermont Lounge in the hotel's basement. It felt a little like a rebellious decision, but how could we not - it's famously known as one of the best dive bars in the USA.

Buc'ees has redefined the gas station experience - in a way that is only possible or likely in the USA. It's definitely worth a pit stop. It has over 200 gas pumps and 74,000 square feet of retail space.

One of our favorite stops is Jungle Beach, about a ten-minute drive north of Skidegate. It has a beautiful, long, luxurious stretch of sandy beach at low tide that feels unreal. The only problem with the beaches here is that we never have enough time to spend on them.

"Don't look the monkeys in the eyes!" Wait, what? A wild boar? Welcome to my first days exploring Singapore with my walking group – a fascinating hike filled with wonder, surprises, and a few giggles. I soon realized that without this group of amazing ladies, I would miss out on so much.

Hidden at the trail's end is the glorious, quiet, sheltered La Playuela Beach, where the waves gently lap the shore, and you can enjoy a leisurely swim in the warm sea. Or if you prefer, you can sit under a tree perfectly designed to shade you from the heat and sun.

Hunting down cool coffee shops is an excellent ramble enabler. It takes me to areas in my hometown of Toronto that I wouldn't otherwise have occasion to visit. When I'm traveling, searching for coffee shops gives me destinations to head for, taking me to different parts of those places.

Twelve years and 50+ visits to New Orleans later, this tour is still how I introduce newbies to the city because I feel responsible for ensuring first-time visitors fall in love with this remarkable city, and this tour is surefire.

I chose this path because of its rich history and easy accessibility. Luckily, it was well sign-posted, straightforward, and full of people, so I felt confident about embarking on this adventure by myself. Walking on the same path used for centuries and explored by countless adventurers before us was amazing.

To say that I love rambling around Almaguin Highlands would be an understatement. There is a lot of very accessible wilderness, and we take advantage of the trails whenever we can. I have only scraped the surface of what it has to offer.

I've been rambling as often as I can, and as I'm now retired, divorced, and my grown-up child is on his own, I have loads of time but I don't have much money, so I've learned to be adaptable. At the end of each day, the important question is – was that a good day?

We arrived at the centre of Phnom Penh Cambodia it was still full of neatly lined trees that were once an orchard and Chinese burial ground. Paths led you around the grounds. What was immediately evident were the large mounds and depressions in the ground that were once mass burial pits.

Esquimalt Lagoon truly has it all: forests, freshwater saltwater, beaches, wildlife, art, tranquility, and an overwhelming sense of peace, all a mere five minutes from the main road. If you're in the area, it's worth checking out.

As we walked, I found the sound of my feet hitting the gravel, the birds singing, and all the nature sounds around me to be all I needed. No talking was required, and I felt very fulfilled in the silence. I intuitively fell into a rhythm and strode forward briskly in a new, comforting silence like no other.