Category: Uncategorized

Disclosure: This is a paid collaboration with Unigear.

I learned the hard way how important it is to pick the right gear for winter adventures. When you’re comfortable, you can stay out longer and you’ll probably even ski better. I’m always cold, and when I started skiing without the right gear, my fingers and toes got painfully cold to the point that I had to go inside and rock back and forth in pain for 20 minutes as the throbbing gradually subsided. I’ve also worn goggles that were wrong for the light, and quickly fogged up.

I got much better about planning and using the right gear this season. I actually check the weather and pick my gear accordingly. When it’s really cold, I use heated boots and heated mittens. When it’s warmer, I use winter gloves by Unigear. And I remember to choose my goggles based on the light and visibility.

So if you’re looking to buy new ski gear, here’s what I recommend:

• Do your research and choose good brands with high quality products (Unigear makes some great products so I recommend trying them out).
• Know what makes you uncomfortable and try to address that. For me, it’s being too hot or too cold. So I got heaters for my boots and heated mittens for when it’s cold. When it’s warm, I don’t use the heaters and I go for my Unigear gloves.
• Pick the right goggles. I’ve tried skiing in a snow storm with goggles for a bluebird day. Needless to say, that didn’t go well. Checking the weather takes a minute and could save you a lot of trouble. And you can always bring extra goggles just in case!
• Be safe. Wear a helmet.

1. French Polynesia: I always thought French Polynesia was an expensive honeymoon destination. And it can be. But it can also be a great place to go on adventures with friends! The islands are filled with more waterfalls than you can count, great diving/snorkeling, and hiking. United has direct flights from SFO (anddddd they aren’t red eyes 🙌🏼)
2. Cuba: Cuba is, in a certain sense, stopped in time. Cars from the 1950s line the streets of Old Havana. Buildings haven’t been repaired in ages. WiFi is close to nonexistent. It’s now fairly easy to go from the United States. Go see it now before things change.
3. New Zealand: New Zealand is at the top of everyone’s bucket list lately – and for good reason! The nature and hiking is unbeatable.
4. The Balkans: Everyone loves a summer Eurotrip. But not everyone’s wallet does. Want to experience the cute city charm and wild nature of Europe without breaking the bank? Head to the Balkans. Still relatively un-touristy compared to Western Europe, the Balkans offer a similar experience without breaking the bank…and with a few less tourists around.
5. The Maldives: You may not have much more time to visit the Maldives, with some scientists expecting that it will be completely submerged in 30 years. Visit this beautiful paradise while you still can. (Also, do your part to help slow climate change so things like this don’t happen).
6. Central America: Mexico has been a popular destination for years now, but the rest of Central America is beautiful too. Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala aren’t too crowded and are filled with jungles, volcanoes, bland sand beaches, and hot springs.

If you’re looking to get exposure on Instagram by having your Arizona photos shared, check out the following Arizona feature accounts. You can tag them in your photos on Instagram and use their hashtags for a chance to be featured.

1. @ilov3az #iloveaz
2. @capturearizona #capturearizona
3. @arizona_hiking.co
4. @only_in_arizona #onlyinaz2019
5. @instagramaz #ig_arizona
6. @arizonaisgorgeous #arizonaisgorgeous
7. @conquerarizona #conquerarizona
8. @arizonasfamily #azfamily
9. @arizonahikersguide #arizonahikersguide
10. @sunsets.arizona #sunsets_arizona
11. @arizonadaytrip #arizonadaytrip
12. @visit_arizona #visitarizona
13. @natural_arizona #naturalarizona
14. @see_arizona #see_arizona
15. @visit.arizona
16. @arizonatourisme #visitarizona
17. @igsouthwest
18. @lifeisgoodarizona #lifeisgoodarizona
19. @hikearizona #hikeaz #hikearizona
20. @abc15arizona #abc15
21. @12newsaz #beon12
22. @weownthenight_az #weownthenight_az
23. @arizona_hiking #arizonahiking

1. If you plan on paying for anything, bring cash. Cubans do everything in cash. And I mean everything. Want to buy a car? Better bring bags of cash. A house? Cash. So don’t plan on using your credit card at any restaurants, hotels, or stores.
2. Cuba is communist. Almost everything – from hotels to restaurants to stores to taxis – is owned by the government. Government rations are low, and often not enough to live comfortably. Therefore many Cubans count on tips for a better lifestyle. Despite this, many Cubans are highly educated and very intelligent, even, and in some cases especially, in what would usually be considered less desirable jobs. While a lawyer or a doctor will work for the government on a government wage and can be sent to live wherever, a tour guide has more control over his or her life and because of the ability to earn tips, will likely be better off financially than a lawyer or a doctor. Therefore you can expect to meet incredibly intelligent tour guides.
3. Grocery stores have about 6 items. if you’re looking to buy liquor, milk, water, tomato sauce, beans, or rice…you’re in luck! If you want anything else, sorry, but Cuban grocery stores probably won’t have it. I expected to at least find soy milk, but had no such luck. Markets sell tomatoes, avocados, onions, garlic, and peppers. And most restaurants have menus based off of this very limited food selection. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to bring a few bars and maybe some hot sauce for added flavor.
4. WiFi is difficult to come by. It’s not like other countries where you’re likely to have free WiFi in your hotel, hostel, or bed & breakfast. No such luck in restaurants and cafes either. WiFi is relatively new to Cuba. There are certain areas throughout the cities that have WiFi connection, typically town squares and hotels. However, WiFi is controlled by the government and you’ll need a WiFi card with a username and password to use the WiFi. You can buy a WiFi card at various stores for about 1 CUC for an hour of connection. The card will only work on one device. The WiFi is slow. I highly recommend doing the majority of your research and planning prior to arrival.
5. Hotels are expensive, and most tourists stay in Casas particulares. Expect a nice hotel in Havana to put you back about 500 USD per night. An average hotel – and I really do emphasize the word “average” – will cost about 300 USD per night. Casas particulares are bed & breakfasts that range in price from about 20 USD to 50 USD. Casas particulares can vary greatly in terms of cleanliness and comfort; however, they are much more reasonably priced than hotels. And if you’re from the U.S., you need to be careful with hotels because staying at certain hotels is a violation of OFAC sanctions. I’d recommend staying at casas particulares because it’s a great way to immerse yourself in Cuban culture and hotels are just so expensive. Having said that, be aware of what you’re getting into and don’t expect high-end accommodations.
6. The U.S. has sanctions against Cuba. While travel to Cuba is at the time of this post allowed under twelve categories of general licenses, it is restricted and you do need to make sure your trip is allowable based on current regulations. As an attorney in the US, I’m going to refrain from interpreting the law or giving legal advice on my personal blog, but make sure you do your research.

If you decide to go to Cuba and want some advice on what to do when you’re there, check out my five day Cuba itinerary here.

I’ve always been fascinated with waterfalls and Instagram makes it clear that I’m not alone in my love of waterfalls. Here are five of my favorite photogenic waterfalls:

1. Mooney Falls, Havasupai, USA
2. Brandywine Falls, Whistler, CA
3. Fauaua Waterfall, Tahiti, French Polynesia
4. Falling Spring Falls, Virginia, USA
5. Beaver Falls, Havasupai, USA