Carryonqueen

During our last holiday to the Big Island in March 2020, literally the week before the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic, when borders closed and flights were suspended, we spent two weeks exploring, blissfully unaware of what was to follow. It’s that memory, and travel which continues to be restricted a year later, which made revisiting this material, yet to have been published, bitter sweet. But I hope this piece will inspire others to explore the Big Isl...and, beyond just the beaches, when travel regulations, flights and personal comfort levels allow it. For my American friends who are able to travel there freely, or are perhaps on the island right now reading this, lucky you! This article (link in comments) "Seven Adventure Day Trips on Hawaii's Big Island" shows you how to explore beyond the white sandy beaches and aqua blue water that Hawaii is known for. Come visit Green Sand Beach, Pololu Valley, Waipi’o Valley, Uncle Roberts Night Market, Captain Cook monument hike, Snorkeling Kealakekua Bay, and Mauna Kea for sunset. #hawaii #bigisland

Life sized ice castles are just one of the many attractions at Lake Louise in the winter. They're pretty fun to check out after an afternoon of ice skating on the frozen lake or hiking some trails in the snow. (Given current travel restrictions - put this one on your bucket list for the future, but check out this article for how to plan your perfect day!) https://carryonqueen.com/ice-skating-on-lake-louise-the-es/

Lake Louise in the winter - Does it get anymore Canadian than spending a day ice skating, playing hockey and walking in the snow? How about adding epic life sized ice castle sculptures to the mix? Be sure to bundle up and grab a warm drink by the fire pit or inside after too. Check out this complete guide to planning your day. https://carryonqueen.com/ice-skating-on-lake-louise-the-es/ (Given the current travel restrictions - put this on your bucket list for the future!)

This announcement today pretty much kills sun destination travel for Canadians, but I suppose that was the point. They’re looking to shut the door on non essential international travel as of Sunday - test to get on the plane when returning home, test upon arrival in Canada, quarantine upon arrival at a designated hotel, at your own expense for minimum of 3 days until a negative test can be shown, otherwise it’s 14 days on your own coin at some motor inn, in Mississauga or sub...urban equivalent at other designated city entry airports. If you clear after 3 days it’s quarantine at home, for the balance of 14 days, with being subject to random checks by authorities. It’s basically what Australia did from the get go. Is it too late for the hammer? But now it’s the variant, Canadian sun seekers and March Break imminent plans that are at play. It’s likely the right move for our collective health, but I fear for the airline industry. This basically will shut them down, or end service to many areas. We’re likely to be left with only one strong airline at the end of this - let’s hope it’s still Canadian owned, and others the subject of mergers or buyouts after bankruptcy’s. I wish I had somewhere to go to use those WestJet credits and Air Canada points. Credits and points don’t mean a thing if the big birds are no longer flying. I smell a bail out coming, and some serious consolidation. This can’t continue for as long as it will take to get things righted. Thoughts? https://www.theglobeandmail.com//article-canada-covid-19-/

There's more than just skating during the winter at Lake Louise! How about wandering through some life sized ice castles? I wrote about the experience in a Vancouver Sun article last February, weeks before travel came to a halt. It's memories like this for the adventures yet to be written, that will get us through. If you'd like to learn how to plan your iconic winter skating experience to Lake Louise sometime in the future, check out my article. LINK IN BIO... #LAKELOUISE #hockey #pondhockey #Canada #Alberta #iceskating

I sure had to bundle up, but boy was this fun! It doesn't get much more Canadian than lacing up for a little pick up hockey on a frozen lake with mountains as your backdrop. I wrote about this experience at Alberta's Lake Louise in the Vancouver Sun last February. The article ran just weeks before Covid brought all the fun of travel to a halt. It's memories like this for the adventures yet to be written, that will get us through. If you'd like to learn how to plan your iconi...c winter skating experience to Lake Louise sometime in the future, check out my article. LINK IN BIO #LAKELOUISE #hockey #pondhockey #Canada #Alberta #iceskating

Fun seeing this run in The Province yesterday. As much as I love having articles published online, there is something about seeing your words in ink and paper in a newspaper that warms the soul. Old school I know. If you missed it, the same piece will run in the Vancouver Sun in the Travel section this Saturday Jan 30, or the following weekend depending on space. I'll share the electronic link once available - I think they do just one for both once they've appeared. I was as...ked by the Travel section editor to submit an accompanying photo for this article. Since it's really not location specific, I wasn't sure what to suggest, so I riffled through some images that looked reflective while being forward thinking and this one jumped out. It features my daughter Pat, facing west into setting light at the top of the Grossglockner High Alpine Road in Austria, during a summer trip in 2018. The dying day sun had broken through only briefly between clouds, creating a ray of light only on her - captured at that moment lost in thought, reflecting on the view and her place in this world. I had no way of knowing at the time that this photo would in the future accompany an article about post-pandemic global travel. I suppose it just serves to remind us even more the importance of savoring these experiences.

Interesting development for my ski friends in CO. But it also shows how important being diligent with limiting spread during social time after skiing will be this coming season.

Thank you Dune for the animated conversation this morning on your Conversations with Dune & Friends broadcast. You are a gracious host. I enjoyed the format, and embraced the unexpected "jam session" approach to the interview - questions, photos, videos, and poking into different corners of my life! You made magic of the mixed bag of content I sent you. This is likely the first time I've articulated (in a recorded format anyway) the way my www.fiveminutemarketing.com brand wa...s launched and grown, the more recent addition of my travel content creation site, www.carryonqueen.com, how it emerged, my hopes and dreams for it, and where the two have collided in the midst of the pandemic. But we dig into so much more than that! On business: - Launching a speaking career - Tips on starting a new business - Where marketing is shifting today, and how to adjust your efforts On marketing & trends: - Understanding the impact of changed behaviours becoming habits, and habits becoming trends - The power of word of mouth, and how to generate it online and off during the pandemic - The emergence of self formed closed groups, 1:1 private channels & how you can't buy your way in - you have to earn it - How fear may have long term impact On life: - Ontario roots, with a life built on the west coast - The importance of life partners, family, friends, consistently growing through new interests & staying curious - Being physically active - Generational leadership, passing of the matriarch baton On Passions: - Adventure travel, writing, skiing, playing hockey, kite surfing, hiking, surfing, motorbike riding & so much more... But really what I thank you for is the opportunity to pull back the curtain, faults and all, and just be human. It was a candid conversation that spanned years and topics. I've always believed that people buy from those they know, like and trust. Part of that equation is being vulnerable, while also being helpful. It's what I do in my weekly Five-Minute Marketing Tips e-newsletter and blog posts, and I think it is also what we managed to achieve in this interview. Thank you my friend. Until we meet up again in person...

Looking forward to this conversation with Dune. Will you be joining us live?

I had a blast reliving this road trip while preparing a travel presentation for a client which I delivered this morning. We recorded the presentation for those unable to attend live. If you're feeling the itch to escape, and feel the freedom that only being on the open road can bring, why not come along for the ride in this presentation? (It's a 39 minute smooth ride!) It features a motorbike tour starting and ending in Las Vegas, that covers historic Route 66, the Grand Cany...on and Zion National Park. Along the way you'll check out the Hoover Dam and it's impressive depression era engineering that continues to hold natures forces at bay, stay at an iconic 1937 vintage motel where Elvis used to go - the El Travatore, and sip coffee at Westside Lilos, a charming old time diner. You'll find the least crowded way to experience the Grand Canyon through the Eastern Entrance, and secret access places to hike. Plus you'll get a unique glimpse into life along the Navaho Nation Reserve lands, before checking out the Marble Canyon area and Vermillion Cliffs, famous for their recreation activities - hiking, fishing and rafting, on the way to Zion National Park. Get an overview of hikes not to miss while at Zion, the best view points, and accommodation tips in the areas. Then wrap it up with a final leg, on your circle trip back down to Vegas, through the Virgin River Gorge. Filled with tips, insight, and a few laughs along the way, this might just help you get through yet more weeks of Covid alerts, and squelched international travel plans. #route66 #grandcanyon #zionnationalpark #motorcycle #roadtrip Watch it on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ0AwcYnqlA