travel and personal expeditions

long travel days of airport transfers, waiting time, the prolonged “in-betweens” and weird “no-man’s land” of airport time have become a constant in my life.  during long travel days, I’m usually walking at least 2693 laps within the airport, getting my fill of strong black coffee, catching up on voice notes with friends, and probably in some dazed, exhausted, creative mental space where I feel compelled to write and reflect on this wild little life. with this morning’s 2:40am wake-up call, airport transfer, check-in, airport walking marathon, and over-exhausted mind, I settled in for my flight and began to write, taking frequent glances at the mountains of southern spain, basking in all their glory, down below. I’m in that drowsy, yet delighted and creative writing zone. life is a sweet, sweet gift.

if you’ve been around a while, you’ll know I guide running trips across morocco several times throughout the year.  this past trip to morocco was exceptional. as a canadian who hasn’t actually lived in canada since 2017 and guides across the globe, the return to morocco time and time again has made it feel like more of a home to me than anywhere else. I lead two running itineraries there, one across the sahara desert and high gorges, and the other in the atlas mountains and along the atlantic coast.  this trip was the latter, and with zero hesitation, the atlas mountains trip is easily one of my favourite trips I guide.

having just finished the tour, this sentiment is further confirmed. my deep-seated love of moroccan and berber culture continues to grow, our local family partners have become the most treasured family of my own, and the rough and rugged trails of the atlas mountains have captured my heart in ways I can’t quite articulate. I’m so grateful for this incredible trip, the amazing runners who joined, our mighty little team, and all the experiences I can take with me moving forward. 

anytime I finish a trip, the question is the same… “what’s next?”… and well, it’s time for a different kind of adventure… a personal one.  if there is anything I’ve learnt from being a full-time nomadic trail running guide, it’s the immense value of carving out very intentional time for my own adventures and play time. 

my decision to live nomadically and be a full-time guide has turned life into one never-ending adventure of travel, trails, culture, movement and big experiences. it’s something I will never take for granted and will continue expressing immense gratitude for.  but when I’m guiding at such a full capacity, it’s easy to put my own adventure aspirations to the wayside. scheming and dreaming adventures is one of my favourite things!

these personal expeditions have become an integral part of my life.  back in university, while completing my bachelor’s degree in ecotourism and outdoor leadership, outdoor expeditions were a significant part of the program. some trips were even necessary to graduate. several years later, I could never have known how impactful and necessary they would be for my life. guiding at the capacity I do now, these experiences are a big reset for me.  a time to step away from work trips and ensure I’m filling up my own adventure cup to continue giving more as a guide and human. it’s a time to reflect on my own experiences, take stock of where I’m at mentally, emotionally, spiritually, physically, and to lean deeply into my curiosities, creativity, and sense of self that feels most aligned when I’m moving my body outside.

my personal sweet spot of any expedition is usually found from converging outdoor pursuits with cultural immersion.  it’s the merging of physically pushing myself in outdoor spaces while stepping into a new culture to learn and witness different customs, new ways of being, connecting with others from different walks of life, and ultimately finding inspiration in the natural world, culture, creativity, and a sense of greater meaning in all of it.  

so while I head to slovenia to spend a few days prepping my gear and attempting to get ahead of my remote work demands, I’m ready to set off for my next little micro-adventure and expedition. with my bike in tow, I’m off to explore gravel routes in several regions of italy.  while I have a rough route in mind, this is also the least prepared I’ve been for any expedition! I have no “hard plans” other than cycling my little heart out, spending endless nights in my tent, happily eating my weight in carbs, and feeling joy in this next leg of the journey.

I’m excited for all that’s to come.