Sasee Magazine - August 2023

August 2023

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”

-Marcel Proust

“Always More to Explore”

August 2023

Contents

Volume 22, Issue 8

About the Cover Artist: Michelle Green’s passion for art and marketing started with her high school magnet program. She continued her visual arts studies at Florida Atlantic University and after graduation, she opened an online art gallery and continues to grow her business while residing in Orlando, Florida. The artist aims to explore themes of female empowerment, intuition, and creative expression.

“My style is expressive nature-inspired portraits with bold colors and loose brushwork guided by intuition and curiosity. My paintings spark a powerful journey into the soul and mind all about connection to higher parts of ourselves as well as our connection to spirit. Art gives us purpose and allows us to get closer to our divinity connecting with the spirit and the soul when words are not enough. When I am creating a piece, what excites me the most is that I’m drawing upon these energies that almost seem to dance on the canvas. Art is a way for me to communicate through colors that inspire, heal, and transform.”

www.mozzafiatoart.com

www.instagram.com/Mozzafiatoart www.facebook.com/Mozzafiatoart

www.youtube.com/@MozzafiatoArt

Sasee Gets Personal with Leigh Simmons: Surf Unlimited Mercantile Owner

Camp Like A Girl by Elaine McInerney

Kitti Baker: Turning Accidents into Adventures by Sarah Elaine Hawkinson

Sasee Gets Personal with Roger Hudgins: Define Wealth Financial Group Owner

Travel Transforms by Erika Hoffman

Reborn a Runner by Ashley Haavik Hudson

7 Benefits of Adventure by Tammy Darling

Mare Weston Stewart: Grow Everywhere You Go by Sarah Elaine Hawkinson

from the Editor

Although I have explored life in many ways, I have not traveled nearly as much as I would like – yet. Most of my traveling was during college when the Tiger Band would accompany the football team for important games. For playoffs, we would spend a full week somewhere and although we had lots of practice, parades, and pep rallies, we also had free time to discover our surroundings. My favorite trip was to Arizona where almost all of Tiger Band climbed Camelback Mountain together. During our treacherous hike (and specifically, as I had to get on all fours to make sure I didn’t fall off), I contemplated why in the world they would plan this excursion the DAY before gameday. Not everyone made it all the way, but we twirlers listened to music & laughed the whole way to the tippy-top!

After graduation, some of my family and I went on a European adventure. We started in Ireland where we saw vibrant gardens, historical castles, and the most beautiful green countryside landscapes and sparkling seascapes during our Ring of Kerry 100-mile coastal panoramic drive. After loads of fish and chips and all sorts of beer, we ferried to England for a few days to explore London, Whales, and Stonehenge. The next destination was Paris which happened to be the same time France won the world cup and we witnessed the streets light up with excitement. Our last night was my favorite when we visited the Aux Trois Mailletz piano bar. We found out this spot featured a late-night cave downstairs with a live cabaret-style review. After we dropped my grandmother off at the hotel, my mom and I returned for the entertaining show where we danced barefoot on top of tables and sang the night away.

The following day, I was ready to head to the next country - alone. Due to the travel agent mistyping the flight time, I missed it. After 12 long hours of trying to get help from the French and gates switching, I finally made it to Germany. Lolo, my high school foreign exchange student/ sister picked me up and immediately took me on a train to go out and celebrate our reconnection. Oh, the stories I could tell about this trip…I cannot wait to explore some more!

“The key to a wonderful life is to never stop wandering into wonder.”

-Suzy Kassem

Publisher

Delores Blount

Sales & Marketing Director

Susan Bryant Editor

Sarah Elaine Hawkinson

Account Executives

Erica Schneider

Gay Stackhouse

Art Director Patrick Sullivan

Contributing Photographer Chasing the Light Photography

Web Developer

Scott Konradt

Accounting

Gail Knowles

Executive Publishers

Jim Creel

Bill Hennecy

Gets Personal with Leigh Simmons: Surf Unlimited Mercantile Owner

Q: Why should locals and visitors explore your shop this summer?

“Our shop is a treasured gem that has evolved into an integral part of the Island. Overflowing with local quality brands, it is such a fun boutique to explore. We provide shopping for the whole family and pride ourselves on offering a diverse range of clothing, shoes, and accessories as well as an extensive selection of premium eyewear. For folks who like vacay t-shirts, all of ours are locally designed and screen printed, so all are truly unique to us!”

Q: Do you have a favorite travel memory?

“We travel extensively so we have accumulated many adventurous memories. Hands down one of our coolest would be snowmobiling through Yellowstone, just us surrounded by snowy silence and being up close to moose and elk and emerging in front of Old Faithful erupting. I also love when our trips are with family. When my daughter got married in New Zealand, all my siblings, their children, and all my children along with my only grandchild at the time spent 2 weeks exploring the north island of NZ. We rented big houses and had the best time ever. We were removed from the real world, making it an unforgettable treat that ended with a spectacular wedding on a family farm in rural Waikato. We are also huge live music lovers and often travel to see artists in various cool venues.”

Q: What adventure are you dreaming of next?

“I am so excited about several upcoming trips. In September, my youngest daughter and I will spend 10 days in Italy exploring, eating delicious food, and of course, beaching! In January, we will have our annual Costa Rica Surf Trip with a group of our buddies, which is always so low-key and easy…we surf, hike, and enjoy being off the grid in the jungle. We are also taking my husband’s trip of a lifetime in February and heading to Peru. We will hike Machu Picchu and then head north to surf the longest wave in the world in Chicama.”

Q: How would you describe your perfect day of vacation?

“The perfect vacation totally depends on where I am. I adore the ocean and islands and beaches all over the world and am perfectly content to sit, explore, and surf as often as we can. I also love hiking and outdoor adventure. I would say a perfect vacation is enjoying family time with my husband and as many of my kids and grandkids that can join…those are the best days!”

Q: What do you believe are the benefits of experiencing new adventures?

“We are so lucky to live in an area that visitors choose to come to for their one-week vacation every year, but I also believe there are many beautiful places everywhere just waiting for us to discover. Traveling, meeting people, trying new foods…experiencing adventures makes life feel even more fulfilling!”

Camp Like A Girl

by Elaine McInerney

The past two years have taught us so many things in life. Everything can be turned upside down in the blink of an eye. Jobs can be lost. The housing market has astronomical prices. Food shortages have caused empty shelves at the grocery store. Isn’t life meant to be lived and enjoyed? Life isn’t meant to be filled with stress, worry, and fear 24/7.

So, what are we waiting for to enjoy life? Why are we waiting? More time? More money in savings? The stars to align?

There is a new community out there and it is very exciting! Camping whether in tents, trailers, vans, motorhomes, etc., has been going on for many years. The first RV (motorhome version) was built in 1904 onto an automobile and it has changed and grown since then. Covered wagons were campers if you stop and think about it. Now, there are women who are purchasing tents, RVs, vans, etc., and going camping on their own!

Why, you might ask? Their motivation ranges from just needing time away to making it a full-time home on wheels. Camping allows time to relax, unwind, unplug, and get back to nature, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. These women want less stress, less pressure to pay bills, and time to breathe. Some of these women have grown up camping their whole lives with their families so it comes naturally to want to camp on their own. Some women have made campers their new home due to the rising rent and housing prices. All these reasons are just a drop in the bucket as to why women have started camping on their own.

The community, or team, of female campers have social media groups and rallies all over the United States. These women are forming friendships, support groups...a team! They encourage and lift each other up. They are learning from each other on their own unique camping journey. They are enjoying life!

These campers are being restored and remodeled. Redecorated. Personalized in their own way. They look

amazing, by the way!! Women are conquering their fears as they are on their camping journey. They are learning how to drive or tow a camper, back it up (not an easy task), and fill and empty tanks. Some of these women have lost their spouses yet they don’t want to stop camping, so they are facing their fears of traveling alone. They are learning how to fix clogs and leaks, organize their camper cabinets, start a campfire, live minimally, and slow down long enough to watch the stars. These ladies are ROCKING IT!

They are sharing their stories, fears, successes, failures, questions, and pictures around the campfire and on social media. These women are NOT waiting for the stars to align, “enough” money in the bank, or until they get an undeniable sign. They are camping now.

Some of these women are married with a family and career. Sometimes they go camping on their own or with other women campers so they can de-stress, recharge, and have time for themselves. They are enjoying these camping adventures and making memories to last a lifetime. Some women live in their camper and work remotely. And some are lucky enough to just hit the road and go and enjoy retirement!

Every woman’s story is different and each is inspiring. I believe that each woman taking advantage of the camping life and its opportunities is brave, strong, and motivating to us all. They encourage us to GO FOR IT!

So I ask you, why wait? What are you waiting for anyway?? Join the team and Camp Like a Girl!!

Elaine Mcinerney is a writer who also likes to go camping, cook, travel, journal, and make Christmas crafts. She is also a songwriter. “Enjoy the journey!”

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Kitti Baker: Turning Accidents into Adventures

by Sarah Elaine Hawkinson

Although Kitti has lived on the Grand Strand for over 50 years, her first taste of adventuring abroad was at a very young age. Her time spent living in Germany from age ten to twelve put her on the trajectory of loving to travel. Adventuring keeps her feeling alive and connected to the world.

Like many situations in life, sometimes things don’t go as planned, but with the right perspective, taking on the unexpected is simply part of the fun of the experience. Her most recent trip was a 6-week European excursion and was originally planned with several friends along the way.

At the start of the journey, two of her local friends were supposed to fly across the pond with her. They knew one couldn’t make it early on, but then her best friend, Lana, found out she had covid the night before the flight. Kitti landed in England by herself but was prepared to meet up with friends from Manchester whom she’d met through past travels. You guessed it - they also ended up not being able to join at the time, but fortunately, Kitti was able to acquire their accommodations. She enjoyed her incredibly unique room located above a lively pub where she never felt alone and was quite entertained.

To kickstart their time in England, the group planned to attend High Tea at The Savoy. Although Kitti set out on this adventure solo, she was surprised by her exhilarating experience. She had been to tea before, but this was High Tea in a stunning glass-domed atrium radiating with natural light and sociable warmth. On her way out, she enjoyed a glass of champagne on the terrace and just so happened to catch a glimpse of an African King and his entourage.

The next day was the grand coronation. As Kitti made her way to Westminster Abby to see the crowning of the king, the trumpets sounded, and the rain came down pouring. “I was fine being alone, but I was not comfortable being drenched. I had to come back and get dried off.” She laughed as she continued, “I can’t believe I made it all the way to London for this royal ceremony, just to watch all the festivities on TV, like the majority of the world.”

After England, she took a train to Paris to stay in a familiar neighborhood where an artist friend of hers joined in on some French fun for a few days. Once she left, Lana was finally able to join post-quarantine. Kitti rented a car, as

she always does, and the notorious pair explored more of France. “We went to Dijon where we tried more mustard than I ever cared to taste,” She laughed, “but now I’ll never go back to plain yellow mustard.” Next was Switzerland where they were greeted by the cows and their bells and tried a restaurant with the most magnificent fondu. Two days and two pounds of cheese later, they turned in the car and jumped on a train to Italy.

To add to the happy accidents, they got off at the wrong train stop and ended up in Turin. Ironically, Kitti had always wanted to see this city, so they made a day out of it before hopping back on the train. Once they landed in Milan, they (of course) picked up a car to continue their Italian journey through Lake Comp, Venice, Luca, Cinque Terre, and Cortona.

When Lana left, Kitti resumed her unaccompanied portion of her trip in Rome where she participated in one of her favorite activities abroad – a cooking class. She was able to describe in detail everything about the people she met from all over the world as well as the culinary creations they enjoyed. She learned to make her own pasta, fried zucchini, a blend of fresh dip, and every kind of limoncello you can imagine. Each phenomenal dish was paired with an alcoholic beverage from prosecco to smooth wines, and for dessert, a Vin Santo wine to dip the biscotti in – the perfect ending to a long, Italian meal.

After four days in Rome, another friend, Victoria, came to wander with Kitti for the rest of her European trip. They went to Florence, Sorrento, Capri, Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, and Cortona. After they picked olives and went through the process of making their own olive oil, they headed back to Rome to complete their travels.

When it was time to leave, the friend boarded her plane, however, Kitti accidentally got left and didn’t make her flight back. She simply returned to the hotel where she met new people and planned her new route. She was unable to go straight home so she flew into Dallas for a few days and visited with family over Mexican food, margaritas, and games. And when she finally made it home, she too tested positive for covid, but her sickness hit just in time to rest. What’s a good adventure story without a comical ending?

As you can see, Kitti truly doesn’t let anything get in the way of her making the best out of every adventure. She explained,

“Travels are exceptionally known for taking a wrong turn, but when something happens, you have a choice of how to react and that depends on your attitude…and the company you share these moments with.” That’s why Lana is her best friend and travel partner – they love to share everything and genuinely enjoy turning their mishaps into another adventure together. The duo has experienced many enticing expeditions, a fair share of risks, and endless laughs – so much so that they could write a book. In fact, they’ve already concocted a title, “Two Old Broad’s Abroad!”

When I asked Kitti if she thinks of her explorations as vacations, she smiled and replied, “No, it’s certainly not a vacation. It’s an experience! Traveling can be a lot of work, but it’s exciting and always worth it. I view my normal retirement while living at the beach and visiting my mountain home as my vacation time. When I’m not relaxing, reading a book, and spending time with loved ones, I’m planning a trip!”

As someone who has been to Europe fifteen times and traveled all her life, Kitti enjoys planning trips for herself and others. She specifically arranges the beginning and the end but intentionally leaves room in the middle for a little spontaneity. One aspect she enjoys abroad is getting her hair done. She explained, “I don’t care how they cut it, color it, or style it…I just like having hairdressers in different places.” When she travels with others, she asks them what’s something they really want to do, and she makes sure to work it into the schedule.

Next on her out-of-the-country bucket list is Dubai in November with her friends from England. She also has a few pockets of America she still hasn’t seen yet and is hoping to discover soon. She is arranging a three-week sightseeing road trip with one of her favorite journey buddies, her granddaughter, Katie, who has certainly been passed the travel bug.

Kitti has learned how to be pretty thrifty when needed. She understands that she doesn’t need to stay in a 5-star hotel to have a good time. She finds it important to prioritize spending money on actual experiences. She also prefers to drive instead of taking a guided tour where she is with the same group the whole time and can only get on and off the bus when told so. Driving herself allows for random stops on the side of the road and meeting people in unexpected places which are the little special moments she lives for.

“Life is not meant to be boring. I will not go for boring.” Kitti exclaimed, “Travel is the best way to connect with others around the world and experience their cultures. I’ve learned a great deal of new respect for others’ values, lifestyles, and histories as well as their art, food, and wine, of course! I’ve made countless friends along my way and the best insight I’ve gained is realizing how much more we are alike than we are different.” Kitti’s collections of memories have gifted her with valuable knowledge and an ever-evolving perspective.

Gets Personal with Roger Hudgins: Define Wealth Financial Group Owner

Q: What is the history and mission of Define Wealth?

“The business was originally opened in the mid-1980s, but it wasn’t until 2021 that we decided to create our own logo, brand, and marketing campaign as Define Wealth Financial Group. After working in the same office for 18 years, I became a part-owner in 2022 with my business partner Michael Milbee. Our team’s mission is to help our clients truly define what wealth means to them and then take the necessary steps to help them achieve that goal. Wealth can be a certain amount of money, it could mean having more time with family, or it could be retiring in a certain location. Every person has their own definition of wealth, and we are here to work hand and hand with our clients as they work toward their goals.”

Q: What is the best adventure you have ever taken on in life?

“Hands down, becoming a dad is the best adventure I have ever taken on. Every day is something different, a new opportunity to teach your kids. More importantly, a new opportunity to learn from your kids. Being able to see things through their eyes is quite amazing and at times, it is straight comedic gold.”

Q: Where does your family like to travel?

“I enjoy planning our trips and I always like visiting places that are a first for both me and my kids. They have this look of amazement on their faces, and they look to me for some sort of calm guidance. They don’t realize that my inner child is just as amazed as they are. It is cool sharing that feeling with them.”

Q: Do you have a destination you are dreaming of visiting?

“Australia would definitely be a bucket list type of trip for me. Of course, an overwater bungalow in the Maldives would be a fun trip also. I enjoy the outdoors and have seen some interesting glamping options I’d add to my list.”

Q: How would you describe your perfect day of vacation?

“I enjoy a good adventure but when I travel, I truly like to relax. As simple as it sounds, I enjoy crystal blue water, powder sand, and an island breeze. When you see the commercials that show a hammock swinging over the ocean because it is hooked to your overwater bungalow and someone is bringing your food and beverages to you on a tray that floats in your private pool, well that sounds perfect to me.”

Q: What do you believe are the benefits of travel and taking on new adventures?

“The best benefits of traveling are being able to meet new people, see different ways of life, and learn different beliefs/customs. This can be experienced when traveling across the globe, across the country, or even across the state - there’s always more to learn and explore.”

In memory of Suzette F. Rogers

Strand Media Group owner, and avid Sasee supporter, Suzette F. Rogers, passed away on Friday, June 30, 2023. The Strand Media Group staff were heartbroken to hear of Suzette’s passing. Suzette will be remembered for her enormous heart, kindness, compassion and generosity not only to her community and family, but also to the Strand Media Group staff for many years.

Suzette was raised in Chillicothe, Ohio, and attended Ohio State University and the University of Ohio. She moved to Myrtle Beach in 1976 and met her husband, Tom Rogers, to whom she was married for 38 years.

Suzette was a respected member of our community who spent decades faithfully volunteering her time with various charities and local organizations along the Grand Strand. She was an active member and past president of the Myrtle Beach Women’s Club. She served the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce in many capacities including appointments on several committees in charge of marketing and tourism as well as two separate terms as chairman of the board. Serving on the Sun Fun committee for 14 years was especially close to her heart. Her passion for travel and tourism led to the inception of Thomas Travel in 1985, which is still in existence today, under another ownership. In recognition of her diverse achievements and contributions, Suzette was honored as “Citizen of the Year” in 1996.

Over the last 22 years, Suzette was Sasee’s biggest cheerleader, always offering words of encouragement and making sure all her friends and new acquaintances were receiving and reading Sasee each month. God Bless our friend, Suzette, and we hope to see Sasee continue to shine in your honor.

Travel Transforms

by Erika Hoffman

In my essays about travel, I mostly reminisce on present day trips or about ones not too distant in the past. Having said that, I want to tip my hat to my parents and other parents from past generations or currently who have encouraged their kids to travel whether it be to spend a week with a friend during their family’s summer vacation or maybe spend a summer abroad before college or a semester overseas during college. Travel transforms you.

I hadn’t spent time away from my folks except for a short Girl Scout camping trip until I was sixteen. My best friend invited me to spend a week in Cape Cod where her folks always spent a month during the summer. I rode a bus up and back. That made me feel very independent. There, I spent a week with her family, and though I knew them, you learn that all families aren’t exactly like yours. Her dad watched volumes of football on TV. My dad never did. Her dad took us out in a catamaran, an ocean adventure. My dad took us to Belmar in New Jersey to go crabbing in the summer in a very unscary rowboat. Her folks took us to Provincetown where we saw a street festival, and I saw hippies. This was in the 1960s. My folks would never have done that!

The next summer my best friend Kathy, the one whose family I spent a week with on the Cape, joined me on a Foreign Language Program. I was a Francophile. Kathy liked an adventure. We flew overseas to Villard-de-Lans where we attended classes in the morning and did what we wanted during the afternoons. For Kathy, that was smoking Gauloise cigarettes and drinking. We made friends with the other kids in the program and also with our Mormon chaperones from Utah. I’d never met Mormons before so that was a new experience. Returning home from across the pond, we sailed on an ocean liner. I was seasick the entire trip. We landed in Canada and took buses home. Figuring out how to exchange money for francs is something kids don’t do anymore. In fact, the Euro now makes it easy for foreigners to travel between European countries. Yet, I felt my math improved a lot when I was 17 and had to convert dollars to differing currencies: francs, marks, pounds, lira, etc.

In college, I spent a semester abroad with the Vanderbiltin-France program. My university didn’t have its own

program. Self-confidence is a by-product of travel. Using your Euro-rail pass to scoot around Europe at the end of the semester teaches you how to be independent. You not only learn savoir vivre, but you also acquire savoir faire.

Not everyone has parents who can or will financially sponsor their kids’ trips. Not everyone can cope with homesickness. Not everyone can adjust to adversities and unfamiliar mores that one encounters when one travels to foreign countries. So, if that’s not for you, consider taking trips to other states. Our country is so large and so varied that many of the insights you develop from crossing frontiers you can do here. Arizona is nothing like New Jersey. Maine is not like Texas. Alaska and Hawaii don’t have much in common except that a lot of Alaskans go to the islands for vacation!

Don’t go into dotage with regrets. Make life deeper. Intentionally travel. No matter your age! If you are alone, find a friend to join you or do as my widowed dad did for almost twenty years – he took a different grandchild with him on each trip. Six of his seven grandkids accompanied him, three trips each with him – except for the youngest grandchild. Dad said she was too young at four, and he was too old at 81. He said he needed someone watching him at that point. Dad still traveled but not with grandkids!

Recently, a story by Erika has been featured in Randell Jones’s latest anthology Lost & Found, and a different story of hers has appeared in a Thema anthology called To The Pond.

Erika Hoffman

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Reborn a Runner

by Ashley Haavik Hudson

It’s been ten years since I laced up a pair of sneakers and went for my first run. I was oblivious to the fact that running could change a person. But all those miles and minutes I clocked on city streets, with endorphins whooshing through my brain, reprogrammed who I was and recalibrated my understanding of how I fit into the world. Like slowmoving tectonic plates, running shook the old buildings and boulevards of myself to the ground.

It was summer on the east coast and the mosquitoes, who thrived in the humidity, swarmed and caroused on my front porch late into the night. As was my summer protocol, I retreated indoors to gorge myself on snacks and read books. In my stack of summer reading was a comic book titled  The Terrible and Wonderful Reasons Why I Run Long Distances by Matthew Inman. Reading an entire book about the purported pleasures of running made me wonder: When was the last time I ran? Was my body even capable of running? The idea seemed ludicrous – me, forever toeing the line between being overweight and obese. Me, heaving and panting, flushed and soaked with sweat on the side of the road. I wouldn’t survive five minutes.

Memories of faking menstrual cramps to get out of gym class played on the projector screen in the back of my mind. At times it seemed the sole purpose of this projector was to replay my life’s most humiliating moments for the entertainment of my ever-attendant self-critics. The loud ones in the front row heckled and jeered with glee as my former self held her stomach, and watched the sporty kids dart around the football field with ease. No, I was not an athlete by any stretch of the imagination. I tossed the book aside, dismissing the idea as quickly as it came.

But one August evening, the oppressive heat relented and gave way to a cool breeze. Every muscle in my body relaxed when I stepped out onto my front porch. The air, perfumed with honeysuckles, rustled my hair beneath the indigo sky. It felt as if I hadn’t been outside in years. Standing there, captivated by the breeze and the beauty of the evening, I was surprised to ask myself:  Should I go for a run? The heckling

critics snapped, “Are you out of your mind? You’re not a runner! Go back inside before you embarrass yourself!” I furrowed my brow and glanced down at my shoes – shoes that had never moved particularly fast. Suddenly, with one drawing breath, I jogged down the porch stairs and toward the end of my driveway. Once I reached the end of the driveway, I jogged into the neighborhood. Self-imposed limitations melted away. Despite the shrieking of my inner critics, I pushed on into the mystery and thrill of what could be.

My heart hammered after five minutes, and by twenty, I skidded to a breathless halt. I wiped the sweat from my forehead and watched the evening traffic crawl on the road alongside me. Drivers took turns blaring their horns and shouting into oblivion beneath the stars. After a moment, I laughed and thought,  I’m moving faster than they are, at least. My anxieties about looking stupid and being incapable lifted off of my shoulders and floated away in the breeze.

Running evoked that summertime high I’d felt only as a kid after hours of biking, swimming, and scampering through the woods. It stoked memories of being in perpetual motion until I collapsed in giggles on the front lawn. I felt weightless then, sprawled out on top of the earth. My brain, pumped with dopamine and dreams, lit up like the fireflies ablaze in the tree branches overhead.

What happened to that bliss? Years passed, and the angsty behemoth of adolescence devoured the spritely days of climbing trees and exploring forests. I traded in forest romps for CosmoGirl. I latched my windows, cranked the AC, and watched MTV’S  The Real World. By thirteen, I gave my attention away to boys and friends who, in time, faded like all tenuous trends do. The wild girl who rollicked through life’s jungles faded too.

Rediscovering that spunky girl as an adult in a pair of old sneakers was like a spiritual rebirth, igniting a selfexploratory decade of trail sprints, coastal trots, and yes, even forest romps. One run led to the next, and while I didn’t fully

realize the metamorphosis occurring inside of me at the time, I began to catch glimpses of the life I desired and raced into the future at warp speed. Running exhumed the ambitions of the 7-year-old girl who once only dreamed beneath the fireflies.

After a year of running, I moved to the west coast where the mosquitos were sparse and coastal trails, abloom with wildflowers, made for fantastical runs. Since moving, I’ve run in several half marathons and hope to complete my first full marathon in 2024. When people ask, I proudly say, I am a runner – a fact that I consider central to my identity. Even though I once doubted my abilities, my passion for discovering the world on foot remains my greatest joy.

Ashley Haavik Hudson is a Registered Nurse, former high school English teacher, and Mother of two based in Southern California. She has written all her life, but only recently embarked into the realm of freelance writing and submitting for online publications.

7 Benefits of Adventure

by Tammy Darling

When the airplane my husband and I were traveling on to Haiti suddenly aborted the landing upon touch down on the small island, it was a moment of epiphany for me. Even while still in the air, the plane rocking violently, lights going off and on, and not knowing whether I would live or die, I had this defiant thought: I would rather die doing what I was meant to do than sit on the sidelines of life wasting away, not truly living at all.

And make no mistake: I am no daredevil. Risk is not my middle name. And adventure is something I never associated with my personality. I’m an introvert by nature and prefer to have all my ducks in a row.

However.

That transitional word, however, brought transition itself to first, my own thinking and secondly, to my actual living. Why? Because the older I got, the more I realized that I wasn’t truly living; I was just existing.

And here’s the thing beneath the thing: anything out of the ordinary can be classified as an adventure. I don’t have to climb Mount Everest to call it an adventure. Therefore, adventure can be a daily thing. All I really need is the willingness to try new things.

Some characteristics of adventure include action, challenge, thrill, mystery, uncertainty, and excitement. When I think of these words linked to adventure, I am reminded of the words passionately spoken by the woman playing Amelia Earhart in the movie Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian: “I smell adventure, and damn it, I want in!”

So do I. I hope you do too. Because what I’ve come to discover is that there are benefits to embracing adventure. Here are just seven:

Reduces stress

I’ve discovered experientially that nature excursions can reduce stress levels within moments of heading outdoors. Whatever adventure I’m on, I always return with a more positive mood, refreshed, and reenergized.

Conquers fear

Adventure requires a measure of healthy risk-taking, which increases your self-awareness and trains you to face life head-on. As you get out of your comfort zone, you begin to develop determination and learn to “do it afraid.” Start with mini-challenges or dive right in.

Sparks creative thinking

When you challenge yourself in new ways, your problemsolving skills are sharpened. Adventure often requires that you see things from a different perspective, which sparks curiosity. A desire to succeed leads to creative thinking as you examine various possibilities.

Provides natural exercise

I’m just going to say it: I loathe traditional exercise. But take me somewhere I love or have never been and suddenly I’m on a hiking adventure and getting exercise naturally without even thinking about it. Adventure provides exercise the fun way!

Learn new skills

Adventuring is an amazing way to expand your skill set. Learning new skills is healthy for the body, mind, and soul. Challenge the status quo at least once a week by trying something you’ve never done before.

Refreshes your soul

Adventure is like soul food; we truly were never meant to live without it. Adventure refreshes the soul by invigorating the mind, giving you a mental boost. When we are adventuring outdoors, the natural beauty brings us to a state of awe and wonder, releasing the endorphins that we all need for optimal health.

Gain confidence

Trying what you’ve never tried before brings deep satisfaction. It brings a sense of personal accomplishment and improves self-esteem. The greater the challenge, the greater the victory. Added bonus: resilience. The confidence gained while on an adventure enables us to bounce back better from life’s inevitable setbacks.

Every new adventure keeps life interesting. Dare to test and challenge yourself. Take a leap into the unknown… there’s nothing more exciting than a good old-fashioned adventure.

SIDEBAR

Things I’ve experienced on my adventures:

*A baby killdeer finding protection beneath its mother, who then proceeded to gently sit down on her little one until it could no longer be seen.

*An eagle soaring at the lake with its “catch of the day” grasped firmly with its talons.

*A dolphin swimming near our boat at Chincoteague Island.

*A female mallard duck with all 12 of her little babies waddling across the road as we were on our way to our next adventure.

*Razor rental riding in Tennessee and spotting several black bears on our ride.

*The abject poverty and the breathtaking beauty of Haiti on the same day.

*Peace amid uncertainty, a love for life, and a desire for more adventure.

Tammy Darling is the author of 1,500 published articles and three books. She writes from her home in rural Pennsylvania. Riding in a hot air balloon is one of many items on her adventure bucket list.

Mare Weston Stewart: Grow Everywhere You Go

by Sarah Elaine Hawkinson

The first traveling memory my Aunt Mare recalled was at the age of ten when her eldest sister (my mother) took her to Mexico for a month. She remembers being shocked at how vastly different life was from her South Carolina upbringing. While staying in a rather well-off family’s condo in Guadalajara, she noticed a family of sixteen living in a single shack across the street. Even at a young age, she felt unsettled by the juxtaposition of these lifestyles and had many questions. She wandered over to see if the children wanted to play and get some answers. Somehow even with a language barrier, they were able to communicate. She explained her concluding thoughts, “Experiencing real poverty for the first time made me realize how much I didn’t understand about the world, and my curious need to know more is what got me hooked.”

From then on, she dreamed of a life full of endless traveling and learning. After high school graduation, she did a three-week cross-country road trip with her pet iguana. It wasn’t until her junior year of college that she was given the opportunity to get out of the country again. While she was a student at Warren Wilson in Asheville, she spent a semester abroad in India. As the students journeyed through Sri Lanka and Nepal, there were some very narrow passageways and their bus almost fell off a cliff. A near-death situation still didn’t deter Mare. “I lived to tell the tale” She laughed, “and I feel like that just kind of became the story of my life.” Although there were several hiccups (including the bubonic plague breakout), she had a life-changing experience that reaffirmed her travel bug.

Committed to returning after college, she worked three jobs and sold everything she owned so that she had enough

money to survive a year overseas. During her around-theworld excursion to thirteen countries, one of the stops was India to volunteer. She went in with the idea that maybe she’d like to live and work in India. After several months, she felt it wasn’t her place. One of her biggest takeaways was feeling strange about the way we approach foreign locations and cultures. She discovered this idea that if we’re not careful, we can cause harm if we have a misperception of what it means to help their communities. It made her feel like if she really wanted to provide help, maybe she’d be better off helping her own community. This influenced her to join AmeriCorps for a year and then work at a state park as she contemplated if maybe living overseas wasn’t right. “And I tried to live with that decision – but I was not happy.” Mare explained, “I just could not settle into suburbia. The ‘American dream’ was not my dream.”

While spending some time working in the US Coast Guard, she met her husband, Devin. They decided to get out of the military and build a family which is when Mare became a teacher. As she taught students geography, she realized it wasn’t enough to just talk about all the places around the world, she wanted to be there to experience them firsthand. With two young kids, they attempted some classic vacations like Cancun resorts which didn’t satisfy the soul – they craved more adventure. They tried a Costa Rica trip with surfing and ziplining and loved the thrill. Her reignited desire to travel coupled with her family’s vision of a fulfilling future guided them to figure out a way to live overseas permanently.

Fortunately, teaching can be a fantastic profession if you can get in with the right international schools. In 2014, the family was assigned to South Korea for two years until

landing in their dream spot in Southeast Asia. “We knew it was important to provide stability for our kids so we wanted to find one of the best educational systems in the world to plant roots.” She continued, “We love the idea of roots and wings. I think you kind of need both in life - a place where you feel rooted in a community and accessible opportunities to spread your wings.” This attracted them to the safe, sunny, tropical island of Singapore and they’ve never looked back.

From boats to caves, they specifically seek out the most unusual places to stay. Their favorite Christmas so far was in Laos where they slept in a treehouse that you had to zipline in and out of. They also floated down rivers surrounded by beautiful scenery, repelled down some of the world’s longest supply of waterfalls, and ziplined through the jungle for days. After soaring along the longest zipline in the world, the tour guides announced, “Great first run!” Realizing they were the first people to complete this ride besides those who installed it was shocking. Mare laughed, “I don’t know if I would’ve done it, so I’m glad they waited to tell us after because it was an unbelievable experience.”

If you thought that story was exciting, you better buckle up for Borneo. After the two-hour voyage up the Sarawak River, they arrived at their homestay hosted by a woman who belonged to a local tropical tribe. The home had no electricity besides a little solar power to generate their fridge of beer and a laptop to accommodate bookings. When it was time to eat a meal, the host wandered off into the jungle to forage and cooked the most amazing food over a fire. They

bathed in the river but had to choose wisely because of the crocodiles and before bedtime, it was important to close the wooden windows to keep out the wildlife – snakes, tigers, and leopards, oh my!

Mare has visited forty-four countries and her kids are getting close to that number as well which is impressive for their ages (Sawyer is nineteen and Maia is sixteen). Mare genuinely enjoys planning trips and has found that the best way to cure post-vaca blues is to start planning another one. Next on their bucket list is Spain then Morocco. I cannot wait to see more beautiful memories captured by my uncle, the talented photographer.

Most recently, they went to Turkey which is now one of their top destinations to tell others to visit and now is the time. Many places like this need tourism to build their economy and are offering fair prices to receive financial support. It’s the best of both worlds when you both benefit so if you’ve been lost in wanderlust, this is your sign to go for it.

On top of incredible cuisine, rich history, and sensational sights, the list of travel benefits goes on. Mare believes that traveling can transform you into a well-rounded human. “Learning to understand and respect other cultures also heightens your appreciation for your own.” She clarified, “You also don’t have to travel far to experience a sense of adventure and broaden your perspective.” The best lesson Mare has ascertained is to live in the present moment so that no matter where she goes, she continuously grows.

Mare & Tara - 1984

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