2. Beer.

Did you know that Victoria is the craft brewing capital of Canada? There are more than 20 breweries on this island, including the highly touted and very popular Spinnakers. One of the original brewpubs, Spinnakers has been making beer for almost 30 years and has an excellent farm to table menu.

I had a chance to visit some of the smaller breweries, such as Hoyne Brewing and Moon Under Water Brewpub, and was impressed with the quality and variety of beers that I found.

**Hot tip for future travelers:  The Pedaler, a new biking tour company opening this summer, will feature a number of day trips around Victoria, including a beer tasting bike tour. These bike tours will be a perfect afternoon activity for those wanting to see a unique view of Victoria that’s off the beaten path and sure to wet your whistle. Also offered will be a city bike tour and coffee roasting tour-YUM.

3. You can walk or bike nearly EVERYWHERE.

I came over to Victoria on the Clipper and was car-less my entire trip to Victoria, and not once did I feel like I needed one. I walked all over town, and enjoyed an absolutely beautiful run on Dallas Road on a paved bike path that stretched all over the city. As I left The Inn at Laurel Point where I was staying, I asked the receptionist for a recommended jogging route. He did me one better, handing me this handy map of various routes:

Which led me to this incredible view while running:

Speaking of biking, there are over 15 miles of paved bike paths in Victoria, and it is THE best way to get around town. The Galloping Goose trail, almost 40 miles long, links Victoria to Sooke, a quaint town to the south of the city. A major part of this trail runs through downtown Victoria, and is used by hundreds if not thousands of people everyday.

I loved my visit to Victoria, and look forward to returning to explore more of this area in the future. With my luck, my list of reasons to love Victoria will only grow longer.

I recently tested out their Nightingale Toiletry Kit on my trip to Victoria, British Columbia. I had a variety of activities planned and wanted a bigger toiletry kit to carry more goodies. My past kit, similar to a men’s shaving kit, always became a mess and was hard to find those small items like tweezers. For this reason, I was looking forward to trying out the 11” long, 4.5” tall Lily Pond kit.

Layout: The kit is designed to either sit straight up on your bathroom sink or hang from an included hidden hook on the back of a bathroom door. In the hanging position, there is easy access to the two small mesh compartments, one large main compartment and two expandable side sleeves. The small, flat, mesh zippered pockets are where I like to put hair ties, bobby pins and chapstick. The two side compartments keep my shampoo and conditioner on one side, right side up and in their own zippered area, contained separately in case they spill. The other side holds my sunscreen and face lotion. In the main compartment I put my deodorant, brush, smaller lotions and other miscellaneous goodies. In the very front mesh sleeve I kept my floss-very important.

I found the outer material to be very durable and unlikely to tear. The shell is a fabric composed of a material called Cycle Pond, made from recycled plastic bottles. In fact, almost all of their bags in their 2013 collection are made of this recycled fabric.

I find I can keep more items in this kit, more than I really would take when I travel. This being said, I think I am on the minimalist side of bringing lots of lotions and products with me; I’m sure there are plenty of people who need all this room

If you’re in the market for a new toiletry kit, I’d recommend the Lily Pond Kit not only for it’s functional design and funky,cool colors but for the fact that the company is based in the States and committed to using recycled materials. As they say themselves, “Being green and socially conscious is good business.”  I couldn’t agree more.

What I love: Nicely compartmentalized, easy to organize, hanging hook a nice plus, durable, and supporting a US eco-friendly company.

Not so much: It’s a fairly large toiletry kit, and I found I had more room that I needed. Can be slightly bulky when packed full.

The Lily Pond toiletry kit retails for $49 and can be bought here on Amazon on the link below.

I couldn’t have picked a better week to visit Victoria than the first week of May. The sunshine was bright and the flowers were in full bloom. I traveled to Vancouver Island to speak on travel blogging at the fourth annual Social Media Camp, a conference that focuses on the increasing role of social media in our everyday world. After the conference in this lovely city of 80,000, I spent some days experiencing some of the beauty and adventure that Victoria has to offer.

Well folks, I’m in love with Victoria. What exactly am I in love with you ask? Here are my top 3 loves:

1. Access to Water Sports

Being an island, it’s easy to see that a major draw to visiting Victoria is the ocean. I took both a Stand Up Paddleboard class AND a separate sea-kayaking trip to Discovery Island with Ocean River Adventures, one of the pioneers of active tourism in Victoria. The ocean provides excellent opportunities for outdoor recreation, and I wanted to take full advantage of it.

The SUP boarding class combined water sports in an urban setting, and this was a new experience for me. Staying to the shores of the harbor, we were treated to a beautiful panoramic view of Downtown Victoria, complete with an up close and personal view of Victorianites going about their everyday lives. I felt famous as passerby’s walking along the bike path stopped to take photos of me. One older woman asked me if I was scared and if I had fallen in. “No! It’s great! Much better than walking!” I yelled back, egging her on to give it a try herself.

It was a busy afternoon in the Inner Harbor, and my head was on a constant swivel, looking to see what was going on around me. It was a thrilling experience, to be so close to these planes, boats and water taxis, but to feel completely safe and still spot the occasional harbor seal and starfish.

The next day I met Ocean River Adventures again  but this time near the Oak Bay Marina, just north of downtown. We were meeting to head out for a full day sea-kayaking tour to Discovery Island. No other company is running sea-kayaking trips to Discovery Island other than Ocean River Adventures. The island, only a ten-minute boat ride away, felt like a far-off world compared to the hustle and bustle of the downtown area. Home to 61-hectare Discovery Island Marine Provincial Park , the island is uninhabited beside one lone wolf that occasionally makes an appearance in the distance. Unfortunately we didn’t spot the wolf on my trip there, though we certainly did our best to keep on the lookout. The sea-kayaking wasn’t very challenging, we had excellent visibility, and the equipment was brand new. The one thing I’d suggest is to bring some snacks, as you can get hungry out there!

Stay tuned for my next post on my other loves in Victoria….

Kayaking photo courtesy of Brian Henry.

1. Explore your local park.

Go to your trusty friend Google and search state parks near…and plug in your hometown. Chances are you’ll be surprised just how close these state treasures are. Trails.com is another excellent option. Catch up with your mom on what’s going on in each others lives by hitting the trail, slowing down your rushed lifestyle, and spending quality time with each other. If you absolutely MUST include food, pack a picnic and enjoy the sunshine.

 2. Get on the water.

Water is a calming medium, it helps us to relax and clear the mind. Think about taking a sunset cruise with your mother and enjoy the sunset together, away from the stress of the everyday grind. For the more adventurous, Stand Up Paddleboarding is incredibly easy to try and can be loads of fun.  Done on a lake, ocean (or even river), try something new with your mother that I guarantee you’ll both remember forever. Sea kayaking can also be another low-risk, soft adventure activity to try.

Just think, it’ll be like being back in the womb.

3. Play a game.

Chances are, you’ll be celebrating Mother’s Day with your father, other siblings and maybe even the grandkids. Why not organize a fun tournament that everyone can partake in? Bocce or croquet can be perfect if you have a large, open field and is suitable for people of all ages. Badminton is one of my personal favorites to play on a Sunday afternoon. If active games aren’t an option, think about your good old fashioned board game such as Scrabble, Pictionary, Scattergories or Bananagrams.

4. Take a class together.

For years your mother has been talking about wanting to learn how to cook French cuisine. Instead of spending $50 on brunch, why not buy her an introduction to French cooking, and join her for the class? Better yet, maybe there’s an activity that you think she’d enjoy but wouldn’t do on her own, like an art class or writing workshop. Sign up for two and attend the class together. No matter what happens, you’ll have spent time together and created a meaningful memory.

However you choose to celebrate Mother’s Day this Sunday, just remember; it’s about celebrating your mother and spending time with her. Enjoy the time, hug her, tell her how much you appreciate her. If you choose to do this over croissants and coffee, great,  but consider how much more memorable it may be to go for a bike ride, head out for a hike, or take a class together.

Mother daughter photo hiking courtesy of Sean Dreilinger on Flickr.

Kayak photo courtesy of hthrd on Flickr.

It’s not nearly that simple though, as countless unplanned problems can occur. Getting tangled in your rope while swimming, jumping into shallow water depths, flash flooding-this is a very, very dangerous sport. Safety should always be your main concern, especially in an activity with as many treacherous variables as canyoneering. That being said, this sport is as thrilling and fun as it gets (for me at least).

I first tried canyoneering last year in the Chli Schliere Canyon just outside of Interlaken, Switzerland. When I first wrote about this experience, I joked that I had never worn so much protective equipment at one time in my life. I still haven’t topped that amount of gear for a day activity.  Even now, as I type, I can still feel the rush of the freezing cold water hitting my face, one exhilarating jump after another. The sense of exploration paired with the adrenaline rush made this activity downright addictive.

 Cameron Martindell from Off Yonder caught this action shot of our epic day.

You can imagine my excitement when just yesterday I saw the preview for the canyoneering movie Down The Line on my friend Kraig Becker’s blog, The Adventure Blog. The documentary features a group of seriously committed canyoneers’ first descent of the Squamish River in Vancouver, British Columbia. The movie, directed and produced by Francois-Xavier “Fix” De Ruydts, was featured in the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival this past February and received excellent reviews. I’ll be on the lookout to see the film in its’ entirety, the sooner the better if you ask me.

I’ve been enjoying Lake Washington Boulevard in particular for running and biking, at the spring flowers are in full and beautiful bloom. Such nice weather and setting has given me ample time to test out Lucy Activewear’s new Pack and Dash Short Sleeve shirt, and here’s what I’ve found.

Lucy Activewear has revealed this new lineup of capris, tanks, shorts and short sleeve shirts this spring entitled their “Pack and Dash” line. The idea of this line is that along with being fashionable, brightly colored and quick drying, these clothes have plenty of pockets to let you store your keys, credit card, identification, whatever. The Pack and Dash line was created for those of us that live active lifestyles and are often on the run somewhere, fitting workouts in when we can. These types of people, let’s be honest, are the majority of you reading this right now.

The size large was true to size, and fit comfortably. A mixture of polyester and spandex provided ample stretch, but retained its’ shape. I slipped on the shirt and headed out for an afternoon run along Lake Washington, placing my house key and identification in the central back pocket before cinching it down with the elastic cord. As I got to jogging I could feel it bounce around, but it didn’t bother me. I made sure though just to bring one key, as all of my keys in the pocket would’ve been too much jostling.

One detail I noted about this shirt is the center back material paired with the reflective silver/green stripe. If I was running at sunset, the stripe would aid in cars seeing me, though I think of this detail as more of a fashion style than safety addition. The lighter material in this center back section, also on the shoulder, allowed for even quicker drying capabilities.

I returned from my run, sweat covered and calories burnt. Though the shirt was damp with perspiration, I didn’t feel weighed down by it, as I think the ratio of polyester/spandex is very good.

At a price point of $35, the Pack and Dash short sleeve is a solid (and fashionable) addition to your workout wardrobe.

In short….

What I loved about the shirt: The bright colors, the lighter material in the shoulder and center back area, ample pockets, and reflective racer stripe in the back.

Not so much: I didn’t care for the drawcord hem at the bottom of the shirt. I don’t think it’s useful in the slightest.

You can buy Lucy Activewear Short Sleeve here on their website. 

Photo courtesy of lucyactivewear.com

There are times though where worthy causes (and opportunities to win cool gear) need to be mentioned, and Celebrate Cheryl is just one of those.

Cheryl is a friend of mine who I met within the river rafting community. She works at SOTAR, a leading whitewater boat manufacturing company based in Southern Oregon. Whenever I’ve entered the store to pick up a last-minute river gadget or layer, she’s always there to greet me with a smile and hear the latest gossip among the river rats. I always look forward to seeing her when I visit SOTAR.

Last year Cheryl was diagnosed with cancer, and she’s been fighting the good fight, but her medical bills are adding up. The folks over at SOTAR, paired with her close friends have organized an online auction that is raising money for Cheryl’s medical bills.

Fifty-nine companies have donated items, such as boat frames, coolers, personal floatation devices, whitewater rafting trips and car shuttles to help pay for Cheryl’s bills. There are lots of good clothes as well, from brands like Patagonia, Immersion Research and Cold River Fleece Skirts. Although some of the auction items closed on the 22nd and 24th, there’s still time to check out some great auction deals here on the website, as well as support a worthy cause.

Check out the online auction here for Cheryl.  Thanks everyone for your support, and happy bidding!

Photo used from Celebrate Cheryl website.

Along with the changing of seasons comes the necessary switch of one set of outdoor gear for the other. The packing of winter snow pants and boots to the basement, and the dusting off of  t-shirts, capris and personal flotation devices.

Though I haven’t put my snowboard away quite yet, I am happy to report my boating gear experienced its’ first whitewater last week, and boy was it fun!

Spring is here folks, and here are some new duds that I recommend to update your outdoor wardrobe for the new sunny weather.

1. Headsweats Race Hat

I ran my first half-marathon last month, and am planning on running another in May. I wished I had this hat for my first one, but I will definitely be sporting the Headsweats Race Hat ($20) for the run in May. The Coolmax fabric terry headband keeps the sweat from running into my eyes, the bill is long enough to provide good coverage, and the hat keeps my hair off of my face. It’s also incredibly light and packable, which helps it to dry quickly and throw last minute into my bag.

Headsweats also just released an everywhere hat that would work even better for springtime hiking or sunny afternoon walks.

2. Columbia Total Zero Short Sleeve

Although it might not be hot enough to warrant this shirt in the first weeks of spring, the Total Zero Short Sleeve ($50) by Columbia Sportswear is remarkable at keeping you dry and cool. As you sweat, the shirt, with its’ Omni-Freeze technology, works with your perspiration to cool you down. I was surprised at how immediately once I started sweating, those areas that were wet with sweat felt cooler than the drier areas of the shirt. I can see wearing this shirt for running a 5 or 10k, or longer, as it’s not only cooling, but very stretchy and soft next to the skin.  Great for outdoor activities or a serious sweat session at the gym.

3. Salomon XR Mission Trail Running Shoe

Salomon continually designs excellent shoes, and the XR Mission shoes ($110) are no exception. Your trail running shoes should provide more support to your feet than regular running shoes. The Ortholite footbed cushions nicely as you run on the trail, and has excellent tread and grip for those uneven, muddy sections. The folks over at Salomon have managed to perfect the balance between breathability and support, and the quicklace system is my favored method for tying my shoes. My feet felt cool and my step felt solid as I made my way along the trail. The bright colors are an added bonus, but I have to admit, with the trails I pick, the colors have become a shade of mud.

Well, what are you waiting for? Get on out there and explore!

There’s nothing like springtime skiing. Bluebird conditions (most of the time), well-conditioned legs after a full ski season, and next to no lines at the mountains. A few weeks ago I headed to Steven’s Pass ski resort just a few hours outside of Seattle, and had a girl’s day. I’m not talking about any sort of spa and nail painting session.

I’m talking about shredding. the. gnar. 

And what better way to shred the gnar than wearing tutus.

Ok well maybe we didn’t shredding the gnar, (which, by the way, is popular slang for participating in extreme sports), but we did have a whole heck of a lot of fun. We celebrated the beautiful spring conditions by sporting different types of flair, from tutus to bows in our hair to other sparkly accessories. There was no particular reason for this; we were just excited to be skiing in the sun with friends.

My favorite reaction was in the bathroom, when a girl commented on what a nice tutu I had. “We’re demoing these from Burton, ” I replied as I washed my hands, not missing a beat and keeping my best poker face. “Yeah,” my friend Alice chimed in, “you’ll be seeing the tutu-pant combo in stores this fall.”

We got lots of smiles and laughter as we waited in the ski lines, itching to get up the mountain for another run. As we hooted and hollered speeding down the hill (on pist!), I’m fairly certain I saw a little bit of envy in the faces of other folks at our fashion taste.

It felt great to be out there with a group of fellow female skiing rock stars, tutu wearing or not. I began looking into a number of programs that organized days just like ours. I found quite a few, including SheJumps! and Girls Do Ski. There just may be a group of gals getting together in a ski town near you.

So go on, celebrate springtime skiing by heading to the mountains with your girlfriends and having your own tutu rocking day. Don’t worry if you’re too shy, just look them straight in the eye and tell them its’ the newest style for the 2013/2014 season.

I wear Chaco flip flops throughout May-September, really whenever and where ever. In my opinion, they’re the most comfortable flip flops around, but still provide a good amount of support to my arches.

Here’s the thing; you can’t wear flip flops in the winter in Seattle. You can imagine my excitement when I heard that the folks over in Chaco headquarters had come up with a new boot design: the Mara Waterproof Boot .

I often times need shoes that can be worn to various occasions, more often laid-back than formal-wear. I can wear these boots casually with a pair of jeans or fancied up a bit by a knee-length dress. I appreciate the fact that these boots could pull off both instances.

The waterproof membrane was vital in keeping my feet dry while out and about in the damp, winter months in Seattle. And not only did my feet stay dry, but I also found the all-tread rubber sole to be exceptionally grippy. I never worried about slipping on wet surfaces, I moved freely and easily.

I’ve had trouble with other stylish boots in the sizing around my calves. Many times I’ll try on a pair of boots which I love the look of, and when I try them on, I can’t zip them up around my calves. I guess I have big calves, but I don’t need a pair of boots to remind me. In the Mara design, the stretchy material (goring) allows me to comfortably zip up the boots with the interior zipper, and still have adequate movement in my calves.

Perhaps my favorite part of the Mara boot is the footbed. It’s the same footbed that’s featured in their Chaco flip-flops and because of this I found myself thinking I was wearing my flip-flops around in December. There was no wearing-in process of these boots, and they aren’t clunky in the least. Truthfully, comfort rules for me, but in this instance, the stylish component was a nice addition.

What I love about the Chaco Mara Boots

• Stretchy material around the calves make for a perfect fit. 


• Same footbed as my flip-flops-just as comfortable as sandals.


• Keeping my feet dry with the waterproof outer and inner membrane.


• These boots are the definition of non-clunky-something that I look for in boots.


• The outsole is made of 25% recycled material-points for being green.

Not So Much

• The adjustability strap on the outside of the boot doesn’t seem to be very useful.


• The sizing runs a little large, but nothing that thick socks can fix.

The Chaco Mara Waterproof Boot retails for $195 and can be bought on the Chaco website here.