There’s a familiar longing I see in so many people, a yearning to travel wrapped inside hesitation. They talk about the destinations they want to visit, the bucket-list adventures they’ll “get to someday,” and the trips they dream about when life quiets down.
But here’s the truth I’ve learned, both as a travel advisor and as a woman who once waited for perfect circumstances:
Most people don’t need more time. They need permission.
For years, I convinced myself I’d travel “later.”
Later, when I had more money.
Later, when I met someone.
Later, when life slowed down.
But “later” is slippery. And in my case, “later” almost stole everything.
The Transformational Journey That Changed My Life
My story shifted on my birthday in 2011, when I reached the summit of Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the Lower 48. Standing on that mountain wasn’t just a milestone, it was a moment of awakening.
I wasn’t the fastest. I wasn’t the fittest. I wasn’t the picture of what a “mountaineer” is supposed to look like. But I had heart, determination, and a quiet belief that I was capable of more.
That climb didn’t just change my life. It became my first true transformational travel experience.
When I descended, friends and strangers marveled: “I could never do that.” But I knew they could. I knew the only difference between us was that I took the first step. That moment planted a seed. One that would grow into a calling.
Guiding Ordinary People to Extraordinary Heights
Driven by the fire that Mt. Whitney ignited in me, I created a nine-month training program for everyday people, those who dream of adventure but don’t always believe they can begin.
My hiking group included:
Complete beginners
People who had never stepped onto a real trail
People who feared high altitude
People who thought they weren't “outdoorsy” enough
We trained twice a month, increasing distance, elevation, and confidence. We had team meetings, gear talks, and community dinners. We became a family with a shared dream.
Then came the famous Mt. Whitney permit lottery, which allows up to 15 people per permit. I submitted one entry. My co-leader submitted another. By grace or destiny, we both won. Twenty-five hikers, every single one of them, got their chance.
We staggered start times. We respected the mountain. We climbed with courage. And when each of those hikers stood on that summit, their lives transformed before my eyes.
That is the heart of Adventure Chic Cruises & Travel: ordinary people doing extraordinary things when they finally stop waiting for permission.
Why So Many People Never Take the Trip
As a travel advisor, I see patterns repeat with heartbreaking consistency. People postpone their bucket-list journeys because they believe:
“I'll go when I retire.”
"I'll go when I'm thinner."
“I'll go when I meet someone.”
“I'll go when the kids are grown.”
“I'll go when things calm down.”
But life rarely presents a perfect moment wrapped in a bow. The truth is…
“Someday” is a thief that steals your experiences one excuse at a time.
Travel isn’t for the chosen few. Travel is for the willing. Travel is for those brave enough to begin.
Your First Step Doesn’t Have to Be a Mountain
Your “Mt. Whitney moment” might be:
Booking your first solo cruise
Taking a cultural journey you've always dreamed of
Planning a luxury escape to reconnect with yourself
Finally upgrading your bucket list from dream to itinerary
All that’s required is courage the size of a single step. And once you take it, your world will open in ways you cannot imagine.
Let This Be Your Permission Slip
If you’ve been waiting for a sign, this is it. You get one life. One chance to see the world’s beauty with your own eyes. One chance to write stories your future self will thank you for.
Let me guide you. Let’s turn your “someday” into today.