Amazing Mountain Resort in Utah

On my way to Arizona, my dad and I stopped at Hotel Park City for the night. We drove 16 hours from Seattle to Park City (near Salt Lake City) and arrived around midnight. The view that greeted me as I opened the blinds the following morning was absolutely amazing.

I'm not a skiier/snowboarder, so I've never really been this close to mountains with ski trails. (And I have no idea if "ski trails" makes any sense at all. Ha!) The emerald green hills were breathtaking and I can only imagine how pretty they would be under a blanket of snow.

We stayed in one of the cottage rooms, which is basically like a small furnished apartment. There is a master bedroom/bathroom, living room, kitchen stocked with dishes, utenstils, and a blender, a second bathroom, two TVs, a washer and dryer, and a private patio with a hot tub. There is a spa, fitness room (group fitness classes included), a couple restaurants, and a golf course. If I ever make it back to Utah, this is where I'd want to stay.

This article was not sponsored by Hotel Park City. All opinions are my own.

Pursuing The Stomach Drops

It’s easy to float through life. Whether it be not challenging yourself at school or work, not trying something new, not branching out and meeting new people, not traveling, or any other excuse or rationalization that you might have for not doing the things that would ultimately make you happier, it’s easier to not do new, exciting things than it is to take a leap of faith.

This is human nature. As humans living in the chaotic and crazy modern world, constantly being bombarded by information and news (often bad news) from seemingly infinite sources, we are starved for comfort. Because of this lack of comfort, most of us try to find order and peace by keeping our heads down and doing what’s expected of us. High school, college, good grades, a good job, a 401k, a promotion, a retirement plan. Each instruction leads to another, and as we complete each step, we become more and more entrenched in the process and the routine, making it more and more difficult to step away, and harder and harder to remember, or decide, what exactly it is that we actually want out of this wild ride that is life.

But is this comfort really what we need and want, or is it just a by-product of a streamlined life where our constant listening to others’ plans for us leaves us scared and alone when finally forced to make decisions for ourselves about our life? At a certain point everyone has to realize that they are the only one in charge of their life. Parents, teachers, bosses, the media, and society as a whole will always have opinions about what you should do, but only you can decide what it is you really want to do, what will really make you feel happy and fulfilled, and take the steps necessary to pursue this path.

There are bountiful examples of this unfulfilled attitude throughout our modern society. Countless bestsellers have been written by lawyers, doctors, accountants, journalists, and every other type of profession imaginable, who, after years of this unfulfilling “comfort” in their lives, threw caution to the wind and finally did what they truly wanted to do. This is undoubtedly difficult, because it essentially means undoing all of the years of conditioning telling us to follow a set, acceptable, and streamlined path. But it seems to go without saying that the risks are far outweighed by the reward: a happy life doing what you’re passionate about.

So here’s the big question: if we realize now that there’s a large chance that we’ll get a point where we understand that we want to stop living how others want us to and finally do what we’re passionate about, why not skip the in-between?

Life is short. There’s no time to waste living other peoples’ version of your life. So throw caution to the wind! Relentlessly pursue your dreams, and don’t be disheartened by other people that don’t get it. Travel, go skydiving, meet new people, drive a little bit too fast. Pursue the things that make your stomach drop. That give you a rush. Because that rush, that anxious anticipation and air of possibility when you begin your next adventure, that smile you get after having a great conversation with a complete stranger, these are the things that make life worth living. Life’s too precious to float through with no self-initiated path or purpose. So take that leap of faith, and dive headfirst into your life.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones that you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” - Mark Twain

This post was written by Derek Ball. You can find him over at his blog, Alter Apathy.

9 Reasons For 20-Somethings To Travel Now Instead Of Later

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Traveling internationally is such an eye-opening, growing experience that I believe everyone should do it at least once in their lifetimes, and in their 20s if possible. If you're considering traveling in your 20s but still haven't booked your flight, here are nine reasons that will hopefully give you that final push.

1. You have time

You're young. You want to go. Go now. Maybe you're still in college. Maybe you have a job. But there will be breaks or time off eventually - use those breaks and plan your travel accordingly.

2. If there's a will, there's a way

The top two excuses for not traveling are 1) time and 2) money. They say you have either have the time to travel but no money to do so, or have the money to travel but no time. Trust me when I say that if there's a will, there's a way. If you want it bad enough, you will make it happen. Yes, you may have to make sacrifices, or set up a tighter budget, but if you truly prioritize travel, you will make it happen. Period.

3. You have a number of options if you're still in college

Studying abroad is one of the most unique ways to travel. You get to live in a foreign country, take classes, have a routine, travel on the weekends, and have a home base to come back to. You'll meet new people, make new friends, and have a much different experience than if you went there on vacation with family or with a group of friends.

If you don't study abroad, take advantage of all the time you have off: spring break, summer break, and winter break are all great times to travel abroad. And those three-day weekends? Well that's enough time to explore your city, do a quick road trip, or spend a weekend somewhere new.

4. You have even more options after college

After college graduation is the only time you're not tied down. This is the perfect time to travel and/or work abroad prior to settling down to an apartment, bills, job, etc.

Krka waterfalls swimming

5. Because you can change the world

Well you can change the world at any age,  but what better time than now? Look into Peace Corps, Jesuit Volunteer Corp, or other ways to give back abroad. Who knows, maybe it'll change you for the better, and I haven't met anyone who has regretted something that changed them for the better.

6. Because your job will still be there when you get back

If you have free vacation days, use them! That's what they're there for.

7. Traveling will give you life experience that will make you wiser beyond your years

By exposing yourself to new cultures, you learn a lot about the world and how the world works. You become more open-minded and tolerant of other people. These are all qualities that we hopefully all possess as we get older with time, but by traveling to foreign places, you'll realize these qualities sooner.

8. You'll learn a lot about yourself

...And in your 20s, which are arguably our most identity-making years, it's a good thing to know who you are and who you want to become.

9. Because you want to

That travel bug will keep bugging you until you take action and just go.

Traveling Solo: 5 Questions Answered

Never did I ever think I'd travel on my own somewhere, by myself, in a foreign country, for fun. Though I had a great travel opportunity come up for work where I'd be able to make my flight dates flexible and could travel on my own before/after. This was a last-minute gig, so friends or family weren't able to join me because of jobs, expensive flights, etc.

I didn't let that stop me. I knew that if I wanted to do some extra travel, I'd have to travel solo.

Originally I was looking into planning a couple weeks in the Balkans/Southeast Europe: Romania-Bulgaria-Bosnia & Herzegovina-Croatia-Slovenia. That would've been too expensive at the time. Then I looked into Portugal-Spain-France-Belgium-Netherlands. That was too expensive too. So I settled for a weekend in Paris, and I'm glad I did. It was my first visit to the city, it held a high spot on my bucket list, and according to my research it was considered very safe for tourists.

Even though I was a little overwhelmed before I flew out of the airport, I felt more confident than I had in previous trips abroad. I was a little nervous to be all "alone" and by myself, but I had a feeling that it would be worth it. And it was!

I questioned a few things before I left, because I was nervous - traveling by myself was way out of my comfort zone. Here are the questions I had before I left, and my answers now that it's over:

1. How do I get photos of myself if I'm not with someone to take it for me?

The best way is to just ask! There were plenty of tourists in Paris, and especially if you're at a touristy spot (like the Eiffel Tower, The Louvre, etc.) there will be tourists taking photos. Sometimes you'll see a group of people attempting to take a selfie - this is the perfect opportunity to offer to take a photo of them, and then you can ask them to return the favor to get a photo of you. Win-win!

2. Should I eat at restaurants alone?

To be honest, I barely ate in Paris. Haha! This was the first leg of my trip and the jet lag made me really nauseous, and food was not appetizing at all. I was also major budgeting because I had two weeks of travel ahead, plus I was moving when I got back to the States. I ate at a couple cafes by myself, and I was fine. Nobody gave me weird looks. I didn't feel embarrassed to be by myself or anything, since there were other people by themselves too. At one cafe the guy working there was excited to find out I was from Seattle, because Grey's Anatomy is his favorite show, and was asking me all kinds of questions. As far as nice restaurants though, I didn't experience any...because the food in Paris (well, most things in Paris) was so expensive!

3. Will I be safe walking by myself at night?

There was never a moment I didn't feel safe by myself in Paris, day or night. I will note that it was "high season" for tourists, as well as summer, so there were a ton of people out and about on the main streets. I didn't stray into any dark alleys, or anywhere that seemed "sketchy." I just kept confident and knew where I was going, avoided the scammers, and navigated easily. I was fine!

Wherever you go solo, make sure to do your research beforehand. I was fine walking by myself in Paris in the areas I was in, but in other areas (or other cities) I might have not been. If you're ever in doubt, find an area with a lot of people around or take a (legit) taxi.

4. What if I get lonely?

I only spent about 3 1/2 days solo before I met up with the staff I was working with for the rest of the trip, and with so many things to do, I never felt lonely. There were plenty of other people walking around, so I was rarely "alone." And I met new people - something I wouldn't have done, had I gone with a friend.

5. What if I get lost?

I've never had the best sense of direction, so when the hotel guy handed me a map and pointed the route on how to get to The Louvre, a wave of fear washed over me as I stepped out onto the streets for the first time. Surprisingly, I kept the map in my bag and navigated my way to The Louvre easily. Getting around Paris was much easier than I thought, and since I was by myself and actually paying attention, I had no trouble finding my way.

Having a physical map, a phone with GPS (download maps to use offline), and the address and phone number of your hotel/hostel/accommodations are always smart to have on hand in case you get lost. If you're still stuck, then it doesn't hurt to ask someone to point you in the right direction - most people are friendly and will be happy to help you out!

You Only Get Ten Years To Be In Your 20s

Lemon Groves in Positano

I believe everyone should travel to a foreign country at least once in their life, no matter their age. But I don't think you need to (or should) wait until you retire to do so. Society often tries to push the idea that you must "earn your right" to do anything fun by working all day, every day, for years before you deserve to do anything for yourself. When you're in your twenties, you generally have less responsibility and more time for yourself. It's okay to be a little selfish and book that trip you've been dreaming of, even if it's just during your weekend off work. There are ways to travel and still hold a full-time job, but once you get older and have more responsibilities (a spouse, kids, etc.) your priorities will shift. That's okay, however, your priority until you have those responsibilities should be you.

Dalmatian Coast, Croatia

Your twenties are a very interesting decade, often filled with college graduation, truly being out on your own in the "real world," and figuring out who you are.

If there are things you want to do, then do then. Turn your dreams to reality (especially travel dreams!). If there's a will, there's a way. Sometimes you have to think outside the box and get creative. Sometimes you have to make sacrifices. Ask yourself if it's worth it - and in most cases, it will be.

When I was about to graduate, my main goal was to travel after college. My travel bug was acting up like crazy and I tried thinking of ways to go to Europe for a couple weeks with a friend. However, my budget didn't allow me to travel for even a short trip. And, my friend ended up having other commitments and could no longer go. So I got creative - I looked into travel jobs where I could live in Europe and also get paid.

vespas in italy - go seek explore

With hard work, a lot of determination, countless emails, and an interview later, I got a travel job and was able to turn my dream of going back to Europe for a couple of weeks into living in Europe for five months. I had the opportunity to see so much more than I originally planned, got to live in Italy when I wasn't traveling for work, and met a ton of people that I wouldn't have met otherwise.

Instead of being a dreamer, be a do-er. And once you accomplished what you've wanted to do, dream up new dreams and do them too. By pushing yourself out of your comfort zone you will learn and grow so much. By continuing to do this throughout your twenties, you'll gain more life experience than you ever would have had you not at least tried to make those dreams happen.

Krka Waterfalls

Now that I've returned from my job overseas, I'm about to leave in a few days for another quick trip to Europe. I'll be working short-term for a couple weeks at a different company and I am beyond excited. I'll have a weekend of solo travel before I begin work (my first solo trip ever, and man am I nervous). I wouldn't have had this opportunity had I just sat there waiting for my dreams to happen. I had to make it happen! And it all started with a simple job application...

Whatever it is - taking that trip you've always wanted to go on, moving to a new city, or switching career paths to get your dream job - take action! And take action now. You only get ten years to be in your twenties. Don't waste a single second.

8 Majestic Time Lapse Videos: Beauty in Nature

Over the past couple of weeks, I've posted 8 Majestic Time Lapse Videos of the USA and another one of World Cities. To complete this series, I've compiled eight videos of nature in time lapses. The world is a beautiful place, and if we stop to take a look around, we'll see that some of the most breathtaking places are in nature.

El Teide, Spain

This was filmed over seven days on Spain's tallest mountain. Noted as one of the best places in the world to photograph stars, the photographer captured some breathtaking footage while in the Canary Islands.

Yellowstone National Park, USA

The footage of the world's oldest national park is stunning. Scenic views of the park and wildlife are shown through time lapse and make you wish there was more to see than the five minutes presented.

Northern Lights, seen from Norway

Seeing the Northern Lights (or "aurora borealis") is definitely something on my bucket list. It's almost unreal to think that natural, colored lights like that actually exist.

The Nile/Egypt

While most of the video isn't time lapse (there's gorgeous starry night sky time lapse footage though), this video shows the inspiring journey of a man who kayaks up the Nile to the pyramids, as well as exploring some lesser-known, remote parts of Egypt.

Patagonia

"The end of world," Patagonia looms on the edge of South America. If you have dreams to backpack Patagonia, this video is sure to feed your wanderlust.

China and Pakistan

Part city and part nature, with snow-capped mountains, rice terraces, and more.

The Grand Canyon, Arizona

One of the seven natural wonders of the world looks absolutely stunning at sunset.

And lastly, Planet Earth

Earth, viewed from the International Space Station. It's crazy to think how much beauty there is within the world, but our little planet is just a small piece of the puzzle.

8 Majestic Time Lapse Videos: World Cities

Last week, I featured eight majestic time lapse videos from US cities. Today, we're going outside America to view eight more cities all over the world, through time lapse. 1. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

This one is AWESOME. Trust me.

2. Paris, France

The charming city of light in time lapse.

3. London, United Kingdom

I always wonder what the guards are thinking when people take photos with them...probably something like "Get away from me." Haha.

4. Moscow, Russia

A little eerie at times, but definitely gorgeous.

5. Rio de Janerio, Brazil

The sunrise at 0:40 is incredible.

6. Accra, Ghana

A cool video of the city with narration, too.

7. Cape Town, South Africa

Stunning views of clouds hovering at the top of Table Mountain.

8. Guangzhou, China

Cool intro shots with people/local culture. The time lapsing starts around 0:50.