'Splorin' the Bluespring Caves

If you’re claustrophobic, afraid of the dark, or deathly afraid of your own echo – this is not the thing for you.
For everyone else – we goin’ spelunking! Everyone else? Buj, you’re the only one here. And what’s spelunking? It’s another word for ‘caving.’ And you’re here. But I’m you. So are you talkin’ to yourself? I definitely am.
Now, let’s ‘splore.



Bluespring Caverns is a great place to get your spelunkage on, located 2 hours away from Indianapolis and Louisville, Kentucky. You get the rare opportunity to explore the world 130 ft beneath your stinky feet. It feels like the Goonies meets Pirates of the Caribbean meets Indiana Jones meets White Chicks.*

I’m on a boat motherf*cka heading into darkness, engulfed by the unknown. It’s definitely exhilarating, but it’s also surprisingly peaceful. The boat’s motor is dead silent allowing for echoes of dripping water & T-Pain to resonate throughout the cave as rippling wave reflections dance on the limestone walls. Motherf*cka f*cka f*cka cka.

Were there trolls? Maybe. Well, did you see any? I didn't, but that doesn't mean they aren't there…

I did spot some bats, fish, and crawdaddies. Our guide (bless her sweet lil’ southern soul – she was such a doll, but I don’t remember her name – so I’ll fondly refer to her as Jimmie Pearl) was great about pointing out funny named rock formations, “peanut butta mud,” and how the cave came to be the way it is. Jimmie Pearl was dropping knowledge left and right – all splashin’ everybody – which was great, because where else is a city girl like me going to pick this stuff up?

Wanna go spelunking or just have an excuse to say that word? There are dozens of caves to explore throughout the U.S. Spelunk away! http://www.cavern.com/directory.aspx

* Other than the facts that I am white and a chick, this has absolutely nothing to do with White Chicks. Don’t you own that movie? Shut up. 

Beach Run

Some recurring injuries from my past have come back to haunt me. If it’s the worst thing that ever happens to me, I’m a lucky lady. But given that my young body has the tendency to take on the life of a Golden Girl, I can’t be as active as I used to be or would love to be. If I’m cooped up within 4 walls for more than a few hours at a time, not being able to go outside and let those endorphins free creates a new pain all its own. So when I do have a healthy day, 

I feel unstoppable.

Just a morning run

as the sun comes up

until 3 miles…

by the end of this song…

until 3.5 miles…

once I reach that stoplight…

until 4 miles…

after that fire hydrant…

until 5 miles…

when something starts to hurt…

until I lose track of time

and the mile marker.

I got so high last week (runner’s high, dudes.) I wanted to remember that feeling. I had just enough juice left in my phone to record some clips so that epic run can perpetually live on long after a Venice bum pisses away my footprints. Thanks to the geniuses at Apple. And Rihanna.

Catalina Island

“Have you been to Catalina?”  
A common question amongst Southern Californians. Located just 22 miles from Long Beach – a trip to Catalina Island is practically a staycation. 

Maybe You Know...

Fishing is big here. By the looks on the fishermen’s faces as they proudly carry their poles walking aboard their boats, they mean business. If I had gills, I’d be scared. To sample some of the fresh fare, check out Armstrong's for some locally caught killer grilled salmon. Killer as in taste, yea…

In 1924, 14 buffalo were brought to Catalina for a movie shoot. When filming was over, the buffalo continued the roam. By 1969, there were about 400 of them on the island until the Santa Catalina Island Conservancy began monitoring. Today the buffalo population hovers around 150. Walk amongst them or take a tour of their stomping grounds. Watch out for poop.

Golf carts! Sure, you can cruise around in them on a golf course, but that's so predictable! Besides bikes, golf carts are actually the only mode of transportation here. Though, rental isn’t cheap - $80 for 2 hours. If you’re sticking around Avalon, the port town, you really don’t need one, but they're convenient for activities further away like the Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Gardens.

Maybe You Don't Know...

William Wrigley Jr. (chewing gum king and owner of the Chicago Cubs) bought Catalina Island for a cool $3 million in 1919. So from 1921 – 1951, Catalina was home to the Cubs’ spring training. (Hence, all the Cubs gear available for sale.) Before Wrigley, the island was undeveloped. He attracted tourists to Catalina by building hotels, sewers, streetlights, and the Avalon Grand Casino - which isn't what it sounds like. It gets it's name from the Italian word "casino" which means 'gathering place.' Disappointed? Check it out anyway. The building is historically beautiful and right on the water, and functions as a movie theater and ballroom for weddings and events. Tours of it are offered daily.   

The Catalina Cubbies. Something don't sound right.  

There are a handful of hotels in Avalon. Some are decorated like your grandma’s house, but I was looking for something a little sleeker and Aurora Hotel & Spa is just that. The rooms have a clean, modern interior. They're on the smaller side, but come equipped with a flat-screen & cozy robes. Our room had an absolutely beautiful view of the harbor! And the hotel is in walking distance of all the shops, restaurants, bars, mini bowling alley, docks, everything. I had a little spill on my bike while here and Kathleen and the Aurora staff could not have been more accommodating- making sure I had enough ice and checking in on me. Ask about cruise/room packages from Marina Del Rey or Long Beach for a sweet deal.

Top: Aurora's lobby and sleek hotel room  // Bottom: Gorgeous view from the room's balcony 

Catalina can be an active vacation or a relaxing getaway. If your adrenaline is looking to get pumped (that's weird, sorry), check out the Zip Line Eco Tour at Descanso Beach Club. Alex and Lorenzo were our guides along the 5 zip course. They not only made us all feel safe with their knowledge of the gears and ropes, they had our group seriously laughing the whole time. The first 2 tallest runs are terrifyingly awesome. After that they're "I can't stop smiling" awesome. You can even bring your camera along for the ride to capture the awesome aerial shots and to document how awesomely badass you are!

FYI:
Though Catalina Island is a close vacation destination for Southern Californians – it can do major damage on the checkbook. Expect to pay more for all imported goods – that means everything. Food. Drinks. Tourist traps. If you are on a budget, camping is a great economical alternative and bike rentals are available around Avalon at a fraction of the price of a golf cart rental.

Summertime in Chicago

My tan is fading by the second. Summer is officially over. No more bikinis, outdoor music festivals, or movies in the park for another 8 months. I was lucky enough to spend this summer working in my beautiful hometown, Chicago. It was kind of like high school days, but without the driving permit and curfew.

Chicago is one of the best cities to celebrate summer in. Just chilling outside on a steamy night after a long day of swimming, talking and playing bags with friends over a seasonal beer with a chorus of crickets singing in the background. Seriously, what could be better?!

For most of the U.S. this summer was record breaking HOT. If you’re not lucky enough to have a friend with a pool,
you most likely melted to the ground and slithered to the beach - Alex Mack style. Montrose Avenue Beach. Oak Street Beach. 12^th Street Beach. There are actually dozens of beaches along Lake Michigan to choose from to escape the intense heat of a Chicago summer. Some are better for certain things than others. North Avenue Beach is great for working out, equipped with a Crunch Fitness mini gym, bike & running paths, and is the best viewing spot to watch the annual Chicago Air & Water Show. Belmont Harbor is known as the “dog beach.” Loyola beaches are known for being kid-friendly with a park and concessions. Though, my favorite beach is an hour outside of Chicago at the Indiana Dunes. It’s 15 miles of lake hugging sand dunes that range from 125 foot sand hills to flat East coast prairie style beach to wooded hiking trails. You can barbeque on the grills or bring your own picnic. Work up a sweat on the 45 miles of trails. Go bird watching, fishing, camping or race down a giant sand dune straight into the brisk lake. Fact: Life is better when you’re a kid. Though, revisiting for the first time in years proved that the Indiana Dunes rocks just as much when you’re a grown-ass adult. Fact.      

Sand, sky, and surf for days along the Indiana Dunes

Summer always flies by because there’s more sunlight. And more sunlight means more time for fun. And more time for fun means more illegal fire hydrant tapping. And more illegal fire hydrant tapping means…I don’t know where I was going with this. Oh, yea. Summer always flies by because there’s more sunlight. And more sunlight means more time for fun. So I was busy exploring & playing whenever I could.

Here’s a list of fun Chicago things to do on your next trip. Some are featured in the video, some are not. How can I hold an ice cream cone AND a Summer Shandy AND a camera?

Check out the city from above at the Skydeck atop the Sears Tower. (I’ll never get used to calling it Willis Tower, but I haven’t really tried either.) Walk out onto the glass that suspends 103 floors above the ant cars below. Look down. Then, look around at everyone else’s face who’s doing it too.

Taste of Chicago is one of my favorite holidays. Grant Park becomes one giant food festival where people sample stuff their faces with yummy dishes from restaurants around the city. Try foods like Sabor Latino’s pork filled banana dumplings or Chicago staples like Billy Goat Tavern’s cheeseburger or Rainbow Cone from the city’s Southside. The event happens every year in July. Come hungry!

Buckingham Fountain is the centerpiece of Grant Park where The Taste is held annually.

Chicago is the improv capital of the world. While Second City is the most famous venue with alum like Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, (sigh…my favorite ladies) Martin Short, Steven Colbert, Bill Murray, and so many other funny heavy hitters, don’t overlook some of the lesser-known (and cheaper) spots to get a laugh.  

  

Comedy Sportz

Improv Olympic

The Playground

Chicago Improv

If you're in the Lakeview neighborhood, dine at Wilde then walk down the block to Bobtail Ice Cream Company for dessert. I think Chicago may be the ice cream capital of the nation. So many good places to get fat from. Check out Southside Chicago favorite, Rainbow Cone, where you get Orange Sherbet, Pistachio, Palmer House (New York Vanilla with cherries & walnuts), Strawberry, and Chocolate ice cream scoops all on one cone! Sounds weird. Tastes delicious.

Lincoln Park Observatory – pretty plants, pretty plants.

Eat carrot cake waffles at the punked out Bleeding Heart Bakery and Café. Get an Arnold Palmer cupcake or Monster Donut to go! 

Set sail on the Tall Ship Windy! Get an architectural & Chicago history tour from a pack of singing pirates while viewing the magnificent skyline. Keep a look out for Groupons, matey.  

Before you dive in…

Lake Michigan is more of an inland sea than a lake, creating waves big enough to surf on. If you’ve never seen it google “Lake Michigan waves.” Oh! Oh! Better yet. “Lake Michigan waves knocking people down.” Carazy!

That being said, take precaution when going for a dip in this fifth largest lake in the world because the rip currents, tides, and waves are potentially dangerous. 35 ft waves have been recorded. Check the bacteria warnings before heading in as well, high levels can be a health hazard.

Mommy, Where Does Coffee Come From?

Well, curious little one, think back to your last great cup of coffee. Mmm, that’s smooth. Now, think back to what you were doing 5 years ago. *Queue the dream sequence* While you were busy doing that, somewhere far, far away on a magical farm in Quindio, Colombia, a little coffee bean was being planted in hopes that one day it would grow up to be the best pot o’ joe in the world. The coffee making process is a painstaking one, taking 4 to 5 years from seed to brew. So I hope you took a moment to wake up and smell the sweat and tears in that last great cup! It’s ok if you didn’t, how could you have known? Who’d have thought?! Next time…     

Here’s a visual breakdown of the extensive process.

My sister, brother-in-law, and I fly from Bogota to coffee’s heartland, the department of Quindio, Colombia. We put our sleeping masks on, take a deep breath, and prepare for landing. The flight is barely half an hour from Bogota to Pereira, yet the geography and climate is completely different. (Colombia makes up .8% of land in the world, but ranks #3 in biodiversity. From jungles to snowy peaks to beaches, there’s a little bit of everything.) A driver picks us up, which is included in our hotel arrangements- highly recommended. This region is pretty rural and convenient public transportation would be near impossible.

It’s 8 a.m. and reggaeton is bumping on LA f.m. Weaving it & out on the corkscrew roads, we pass absolutely beautiful rolling hills of plantains, avocado, corn, guava, orange, sugarcane, tomatoes, pineapple, yucca, and of course coffee! There’s also a bamboo tree everywhere called Guadua. Most of the buildings and bridges in this district are constructed with it.      

We arrive at Panaca, a large farming theme park set amidst coffee fields that emphasizes the importance of farming and agriculture. The entrance sign reads “Without the country, there’s no city.” Beef and pork are in almost every Colombian dish. They actually just call it ‘meat’ here. “Do you want chicken or meat?” So it makes sense to educate people on what they're actually eating. (Though, 'meat' is also on the menu.) Overall, there are over 4,000 species of animals in Panaca. Live animal shows with a bit of comedy run all day throughout the park: pig races, cattle shows, dog shows (no, they don’t eat dog), and an UNBELIEVABLE horse show to top it all off. Really. Do not miss this. Stunts only seen on TV. Peep some memorable moments in the video below. Feed a goat and milk a cow at the petting zoo. Hold a little, wittle piglet, omgooosh, they’re so cute, soo precious, my baby voice is on, can you tell, couchee coo, can you?

Panaca is home to the highest zipline in Colombia. It is AMAZING! Ziplines are always exhilarating, but this particular one is a once in a lifetime experience. I hear there are higher in Brazil, to be honest, I can’t even imagine. Flying hundreds of feet over lush jungle and coffee fields while my sister floats by on the line parallel to mine - so surreal. Unfortunately, no cameras are allowed on this one.  You’ll have to experience it for yourself.

Another great attraction nearby is Parque Nacional del Cafe. It is a coffee theme park! Walk through the process of how coffee is grown and produced amongst varieties of coffee plants from all around the world. See the “coffee show” which features outstanding singing and dancing representing all the diverse districts of Colombia. Ride horses around the perimeter of the park or cool off on the water rides and roller coasters. The huge park is nestled on the side of a mountain, so expect lots of walking. Conveniently, there are a lot of coffee beverages available to keep the energy up.

Hire a driver to take you to the nearby town of Filandia to peruse the town square consisting of shops, hole-in-the-wall bars, a picturesque church, and cafes. One would assume that the coffee in the coffee capital of the world would be delicious. And one would be absolutely right. It’s crazy fresh. Drink up!

Keep driving to the Valle de Cocora, a lush tropical valley lined with rail thin wax palms. Due to the altitude and position of the valley it rains a little everyday creating a humid climate and mysterious fog amongst these towering stalks. Beautiful. To prevent the extinction of the wax palms (mainly due to Palm Sunday Catholic celebrations), the government declared the valley a preserved wildlife sanctuary and the wax palm became the national tree and symbol of Colombia.

Nearby Salento is a busy tourist town full of really unique artisan shops and cafes. Indulge in locally grown macadamia nut ice cream (the nuts, that is, ice cream trees only grow in my dreams.) And all of the buildings are brightly colored, perfect for photographing.

Miss Adventure's El Tipos and Factos:

1. Colombia produces 10% of the world’s Arabica coffee, second only to Brazil. 90% of it is exported.

2. An all-inclusive hotel with transportation included would definitely be the way to go in the coffee region. Decameron Panaca would be really convenient if you plan on visiting the parks. The resort’s design is pretty modern and there is entertainment nightly. If you’re looking for more rustic, home-y accommodations, I would definitely recommend the hacienda we stayed at, El Bosque Del Saman. It's not very glamorous- no air conditioning or flat screen, but yummy homemade meals are included and the beers are cheap. Though the biggest benefit of all is that it actually sits in the middle of a coffee farm. Walk through the fields with a guide, pick coffee beans, put them in your basket, grind them, roast them, and what comes out is THE freshest coffee you will ever have in your whole life. Guaranteed. The resort also has a zipline (with 7 lines!) high above the fields with a great view of the mountains and a Survivor-type obstacle course to test your athletic skills. Whoosh.* Danielle came and conquered. Juan Carlos and I drank beers and cheered her on.

Sunset at El Bosque Del Saman

3. Out of 9,000 bird species in the world, Colombia has around 1,800 of them.

4. Colombian people have nicknames for each other according to what district they live in. People from the coffee region are called Paisa. If you’re from the coast, you’re a Costeno. People from Bogota are called Rolo or Cachaco. Colombians from Huila and Tolima are Opitas. You’re a Llaneros if you’re from the plain region of Llanos. 

5. Trout served with plantain is a very popular dish in this region. It’s really fresh, delicious, and healthy- a welcome break from heavy red meats.

6. Driving around parts of Colombia, you will see military standing along the side of the road giving the thumbs up as you pass. They are just letting you know that everything is all good on the road ahead. The government started doing this when the countryside of Colombia was more abundant with guerilla presence back in the 90’s. It is customary to give them the thumbs up back to let them know all is good in your hood too.

Whoosh.* -Colombians say this a lot, especially when watching futbol. An entire stadium will say it in unison, usually when something is a close call.

Some sweaty coffee field workers