As a Couple – Camera & Carry On

The Best Way to Get into Voss is by Parachute

Michael — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 00:48:34 +0000

About 3 years ago Shannon and I visited Mt. Salève (on the French / Swiss border), this was the first time I ever saw someone run off the edge of a cliff and sail down to the land below with a parachute. I'd been skydiving in my younger days, but this was something different. Back then I didn't have the time to arrange anything, but I've been keeping an eye out ever since. Traveling through Norway constantly brought about surprises and adventures, and low and behold, apparently Voss is a "mecca" for paragliding. There's even a week long event every summer called Ekstremsportveko, and they say the sky is filled with gliders from sun up to sun down. Can you imagine such a sight? I couldn't miss my chance again, and with some gentle convincing, Shannon and I secured a pilot to fly us down from the clouds.

First Shannon...

...Then Michael

run, ruN, rUN, RUN, RUUUUUNNNNNN!!!

Then, just relax...

...that is until the wing overs!

"What's a wing over?" you ask. Well, we should have inquired, too. Our pilot queried if we wanted to do wing overs. Naive, and up for anything, of course we agreed without question. As it turns out - through the magic of physics - you can actually do a flip while parachuting down. Yes, our legs were basically above the parachute for a few moments... Don't ask me where my stomach was. (See Shannon's video at about 2:10, and Michael's at 1:35 for the wing overs)

At just about 5 minutes total flight time, time freezes and the world ceases to turn: just you, the parachute, and the force of air holding life in suspense. All tandem flights out of Voss are organized through the Voss Hang and Paragliding Club. We flew with Øyvind Kindem, and I highly recommend him!

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The Windy City // On My Radar

Shannon — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 18:24:34 +0000

The Windy City. Second City. Chi-Town.

Whatever you call it, it's one of my absolute faves and one of the greatest metropolises there ever was/is/will be! BTW - I looked that up, and yes, it's "metropolises." Sure, you'll freeze your epidermis off in .04 seconds without a full-face wrap in winter. That bites. But what's a little frost nip if not an excuse to snuggle for body warmth (along with 2 heated blankets, hot chocolate, and fuzzy socks)? Zip forward a few months to when the sun shines and flowers bloom. SUMMERTIME IN CHICAGO IS THE BEST. Sailboats, fireworks, grilled Chicago-style hot dogs, rollerbladers (like it's 1994), afternoon naps in the park, long walks, giant slices of watermelon, festivals, puppies... Gimme! Gimme! It's "neighborhoody" in a way that makes a big city feel like a small one, with down-to-earth people and scrumptious eats -- two biggies in my book.

Chicago is where our love story began.

We vacationed there, fell in love there, moved there, got engaged there, then eventually left there. But a piece of Chicago stuck with me, like a piece of gum wedged in my sole. Heh heh. Only I don't want to scrape it off. I'll keep it forever and ever, so I can turn my foot over anytime I like to admire the smudge. The happy, little smudge that hearkens good times. Have I gotten cheesy enough yet? I've succumbed to nostalgia with all things Chicago in this On My Radar. And now, for a few highlights... STAY • It's funky, ideally located, and pet friendly - which means we could bring Sumo! - plus it has what our petite apartment lacked... a rooftop deck: just the spot for evening cocktails and watching fireworks over Lake Michigan. The bed also looks suuuper comfy. HOME • How awesome would a corner piled high with squishy rocks be? I couldn't resist adding these to the lineup in honor of the Cloud Gate sculpture, aka "The Bean," because, well, they kind of look like giant legumes. SEE • Any Jurassic Park fans? *high five* Meet Sue. EAT • The best breakfast you will ever put in your face. I'll bet on it. WEAR • Sadly, the "encased meats emporium" is no more, this tee stands for more than expertly grilled sausages and duck fat fries. The Chicago institution will live on! GIFT • This is one of those amazing gift ideas would be perfect for just about any couple. I heart a good love story, but have never thought to document mine until Love Notery came along. A one-of-a-kind account of your tale, crafted by a seasoned wordsmith to keep your memories alive, to share, and to pass on. Brilliant! Now if only this was around for all those weddings I attended over the years; keeping this in my permanent bookmarks list. AWAY • Lincoln Park is my go-to neighborhood, probably because it's where we lived. But there's one spot in particular that I always think of and smile. Specifically the middle bench at the end of North Pond around 10am on a Saturday morning, with pastries from Cafe Vienna in hand, warm coffee, and a light breeze. *sigh* EAT MORE • I'm as picky as it gets when it comes to ribs. Baby back only, and they must be fall off the bone, or else I turn my nose up and slide the plate away. And these... oh, baby [insert ultimate satisfaction face here]. Frequented by Ol' Blue Eyes back in the day, the finger-lickers at Twin Anchors are one of the few reasons I will never be a vegetarian. DO • Ice skating at the back pond of Millennium Park (Daley Park, actually, though it's since been renovated into something awesome) -- it's what the cool kids do (or... because we didn't realize we were at the wrong one that time.) Later, the site of our, "Will you...?" "Yes!" READ • Keeping on theme with the love story setting, I adored every bit of the Time Traveler's Wife. Not your average boy-meets-girl story. And with all the landmarks and Chicago references, I really felt and extra special connection to this one.

•••••

Have you been to Chicago? Or do you currently live there? Share some of your favorites in the comments below! I can't wait to get back and see what's changed, and more importantly, which of my go-to spots haven't changed a bit.

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You Sexy Thang, You. How to Steam Up Travel (+ Life)

Shannon — Fri, 15 May 2015 16:36:02 +0000

Fair warning, some of this might be a little NSFW, unless you work at home in your underwear, or have a computer screen that faces a wall, or... you get the idea. Ok, it's really not all that risque. But you're intrigued now, aren't you? Oh, the power of ~~sex~~ suggestion.

Desire. Passion. Sex. We like it. We love it. We gotta have it.

They say that steam and romance die after marriage. Oh, they. They're so knowledgeable. Big know-it-alls. Well, I'm here to tell you they are wrong! Trust me. I'm an expert.* Because people... saying, "I Do," is just the beginning of all sorts of new goodness, and the dirty untruth is that exchanging rings means the sexy stuff goes out the window. Lies! *so not an expert... haha. But we've been together for 9 years, married for 5... so I think that shows we're doing something right! New relationship people, you may wish to skip this. But for the rest of us that have been "in it" for a while, read on, nod your head in agreement, and prepare to get sexy. Rawr.

Let's get real.

The I wanna rip your clothes off right now in the middle of the Asian food aisle spontaneity may not be as strong as it was in the getting-to-know you phase. Life is exhausting. The mystery dissolves. Buuuut, there's a new layer of allure that comes with knowing someone completely. As they say (there they go, talking again), variety is the spice of life, and a little creativity goes a long way. That, my friends, is when things get good, if you know what I mean.

Put on your sexy thinking cap.

I've put together some ideas for making travel (and life!) a little sexier with your someone special. This school of thought need not be restricted to getaways - though sometimes those alone are enough to spark a flame - these travel sexy hacks will spice up your same-same lovin' game at home and away. Ladies. Gents. Let's turn down the lights and get in the mood...

Wet. Sweat. Sizzle...

Ditch long sleeves for bikinis in a tropical locale. There are few things sexier than lots of skin and white, sandy beaches. Roll around, splash in the water, and boom! Sexy-time.

Smooth as Silk. Or a Lace Negligee.

Lingerie takes up 0.01% of luggage space. Just sayin'. It's an oldie, but a goodie.

Hello, Juliana. Who's Your Alter Ego?

Pony up to a bar. Order a beverage. Catch the eye of that familiar stranger across the room. Work on your role play. Would you like to be backpacker Sydney this evening? Or international, legal ingenue, Gemma? Or sorceress Juliana? Modern Family watchers, I'm talkin' to you. Oh, the possibilities...

Oh, bartender... Cheers!

Speaking of drinks, a little sangria never hurt, amiright? I don't know about you, but cocktails make me kiiiind of flirty. And switch my brain into Victoria's Secret model mode (aka I'm the sexiest woman in the room). Confidence and impaired judgement? Sexy things will undoubtedly unfold.

Cool Down. Then Heat Up.

Go someplace you'll need to bundle. Take your pick of wintry/snowy locales and head out for a light ski, build a snowman, ice skating. Next step? Rip off your layers and keep warm by nothing but intense body heat. When nudity is in play, it's only a matter of time before the inevitable... Just go with it.

Stay in Bed. Pull up the Covers.

The world can wait. Pull down the shades. Roll around in the sheets.

Just a Taste. Foodplay.

Sharing a meal can be super sexy. Think texture, spice, flavor. The list of aphrodisiacs is lengthy, so take your pick. I'm partial to foods with a little tingle, chocolate, and creamy dishes. Or skip the sweet Thai chili and go straight to dessert.

Starlight. Starbright. Turn away from the light.

Heighten the senses with a little darkness. Use your imagination. Go stargazing. Try camping, or glamping, or build a fort and seal yourself inside. Close the door. Search for the Northern Lights. Take a late night walk on the sand. Duck around the corner.

Steal Away. Not a Soul in Sight.

No distractions. No chatter. No one but you and yours. Togetherness amidst isolation is one of the best ways to connect, physically and emotionally. Go somewhere where you can just be and see what happens.

Follow the Music. Shake it, Baby.

Salsa. Jazz. Calypso. You ever just close your eyes and let your body follow the rhythm? Move your feet, shake your hips, let your hair down. Factor in the body-to-body contact... you know the rest.

Dress Up. Embrace the Novelty.

France has the frou-frou maid. Germany, the fraulein in the dirndl. And Spain brings it home with the passionate flamenco dancer. Keep your eyes peeled for tongue-n-cheek aprons in flirty styles, for more than just covering up in the kitchen. I may know a thing or two about the red and ruffly señorita frock.

Be You. You Sexy Thang.

Have fun, laugh, be comfortable, let loose, enjoy the now. Don't hold back and follow your instincts. Be you, boo. 'Cause nothing's sexier than feeling good and living in the moment.

• • • • •

What do you think? Do you have any super special travel sexy tips? Or just ways you like to turn up the heat with your lovahhh? Share!!!

The post You Sexy Thang, You. How to Steam Up Travel (+ Life) appeared first on Camera & Carry On.

We Got A Liebster! 11 Questions from Bloggers to Bloggers

Michael — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 19:31:17 +0000

I'd first like to thank the academy - you're wonderful! Then our parents for giving birth to us, that really helped. And of course a huge thanks to... Oh... You mean it's not like that? Wait, what is this Liebster thing anyway? The Liebster Award is given to bloggers from bloggers. It's a set of questions asked to support the community, give some insight on why we're all blogging, and a chance to pay it forward. The rules are: (1) someone nominates you for the award and asks you to answer 11 questions, (2) you answer the questions, and (3) create 11 new questions and nominate five or more other blogs to answer them. So really, we'd just like to thank Happy Travelers and North to South for nominating us. Since these nods came within 2 weeks of each other, we've decided to split it up, and answer a few questions from each of you. Here we go...

Our Answers

What drives you to travel?

Michael: It keeps us on our toes. Life’s a journey, right? How could I possibly stay in the same place, doing the same thing for years on end? I’m driven to make life for Shannon and myself the best it can be. I don’t think “average” and “satisfactory” are good enough. Everyone of us has the ability to live extraordinary lives, and for me, it’s all about keeping it fresh and exciting. That’s what travel is to me; it’s a shot of caffeine, a kick in the ass, and the climax of sweet love.

Where would you fly off to right now if you could?

Michael: I’d fly back to Thailand, most likely the Krabi province. Not just because it’s one of my favorite place to go, but because I’ve been in the Western world for a tad bit too long now. I love going places different, eating unique foods, trying uncomfortable things, and seeing new people. The US is certainly the world’s melting pot, but there’s nothing like the shock of Asia, and so far, for me, Krabi is the tops! Amazing scenery, great food, nice people, and just strange enough.

Shannon: Hawaii! I’ve been reminiscing about a trip Michael and I took to Kauai years ago. We were living in SF at the time, and chose Kauai because it’s one of Hawaii’s untouched, scenic beauties. We celebrated Turkey Day luau style, feasting on succulent Kalua pork, and spent the week on a happy high with lots of fruity/frozen drinks, ziplining, hiking, napping on the beach… I always look back on that as one of my favorite trips (even though it’s like choosing a favorite kid), but this one was pretty special. I wouldn’t mind checking out some of the other islands and falling asleep in a hammock with a tasty, tasty mai tai.

Cold weather or hot weather destinations?

Michael: Both! Cold - Switzerland (Bernese Oberland or Valais regions). Hot - Thailand (west coast islands)
Shannon: It’s a toss up, but mostly it depends on time of year, what I’m looking to “get” out of a trip, and my state of mind. You can’t possibly compare a tiny town in the Swiss Alps to being on a beach in Thailand; apples to oranges. They both win!

What’s the first thing you do when you arrive in a new place?

Michael: Force myself to stay awake, walk, eat, nap, walk, eat, sightsee, eat, sleep. In that order. So I guess to answer the question; it’s preparing myself for the awesomeness to come.

The coolest tour you’ve ever taken is….?

Michael: We typically don’t go on many guided tours, but there have been a few gems. Private boat rides around the South Pacific, or motorcycle rides in the Philippines come to mind, but I think the best “tour” we’ve been on in the traditional sense is the black taxi tour through Belfast. I’m not sure why, but the details of The Troubles have always spoken to me. Getting an unbiased, firsthand account of what truly happened (in very recent history), was eye opening.

What is always in your carry-on?

Shannon: Toilet paper! I know… it’s kind of weird, but oh so handy. If you travel enough, maybe you can relate? Or at least appreciate the usefulness of having a few squares on hand. Anyone? Bueller? Also, sandwich size plastic baggies. They are great for everything from protecting luggage from liquid leakage, to storing handfuls of free chocolates, to smuggling beach pebbles from the French Riviera. (Shh!)

Michael: Zip ties - I don’t leave home without ‘em! I get the reusable ones, and make sure to tie up my suitcase while flying, and my backpack when out for the day. I’ve never been robbed, pick pocketed, or anything like that. I’m not really worried about it, but maybe that’s because no one could get past my zip ties without me knowing. There's a bunch of odd stuff though, in fact, here you go.

What is your camera of choice while traveling, why?

Shannon: We’re loyal Nikon users. Primarily using a D3200, and then our old D40X as a backup. When it comes to taking great photos, it’s not all about the camera, but the lens as well, and Nikon makes some really good ones. I tend to photograph primarily in manual mode (aperture priority is my go-to), but if I just need to take a quick photo, I love the range of easy-to-use auto functions.

What has been your worst travel experience?

Michael: It’s a tossup between the great snow chain debacle of Switzerland and the lost baggage/cancelled hotel/get me the hell out of this airport journey from the Philippines to Malaysia. I’m going to give this to Switzerland though. One of my absolute favorite places in the world, but it happened.

What has been your biggest challenge as a blogger?

Shannon: Where do I begin? Haha. Day to day, the obstacles vary - social media, networking, building it as a business - but the real hump is getting exposure. In a sea of overwhelming information and competition so to speak, it’s not an easy feat. But we just keep on doing what we do, sharing our stories, our passion, and crossing our fingers.

If you could give an amateur traveler one piece of advice, what would it be?

Shannon: Don’t let fear hold you back. And… you don’t need a backpack.
Michael: Don’t fall for the hype, think it out. It’s true; everyone can live a traveler’s lifestyle, but I think there’s a common misconception that getting off a plane and then figuring out what to do is the “cool,” “true backpacker,” “adventurous” way to travel. And it can be, but doesn’t have to be. We’ve done it, most of the time it’s great, a lot of the time it sucks. Do some research, manage your finances, and don’t miss what could be just around the corner because “it’s so much cooler not to Google anything.”

What’s your favorite quote about travel?

Shannon: “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page.” ~ St. Augustine

The Nominees

Ashley of My Wanderlusty Life
Elizabeth & Dale of Elizabeth and Dale Abroad
Adrian of Adrian's Travel Tales
Amber & Eric of With Husband In Tow
Megan of Forks and Footprints
Juliana of Clever Dever Wherever

Your Questions

If you could buy a house anywhere in the world, and call that home, where would it be?
If your plane crashed in the middle of nowhere and your only way to survive is to (A) have a pack of apes accept you as there own, (B) live high up in the trees completely alone forever, or (C) get rescued but only after succumbing to cannibalism... What would you do and why?
What is your absolute favorite place to go for a short visit, say 4 days?
Describe the worst thing you've ever eaten in a foreign country.
You're going on a one month long trip, but you can only bring a laptop, camera, iPod, or cellphone (but an old one that can only do talk and text, 'cuz no cheating), what would you bring?
Where are you most afraid to travel to?
What's your favorite mode of transportation?
Describe your travel philosophy; jet setter, backpacker, city buzz, the middle of nowhere, etc.
You blog. You travel. You blog about travel. What else might we find you doing?
What makes you YOU? We're all unique. Share!
If no one ever read your blog, would you still do it?

We tried to go a little out of the box with our questions, so have fun with it! If you have your own questions for us, feel free to comment below! Nominees, let us know via twitter or comment below once your post with answers is up. Congratulations and keep spreading the love!

The End! Enjoy this photo of me trying to fit through the "e" in Amsterdam.

The post We Got A Liebster! 11 Questions from Bloggers to Bloggers appeared first on Camera & Carry On.