For those of us who love to travel the world helping families in need of decent homes, OH HOW WE HAVE MISSED IT! The pandemic has been hard on us all, but perhaps no one has felt its detrimental effects more acutely than the world’s hard-working poor. Thanks to the reopening of The Fuller Center … Continue reading
Hiking the Inca Trail, PERU | Know Before You Go!
Unquestionably one of the greatest experiences of my life. Definitely the greatest physical challenge of my life. I regret nothing but I would not do it again! Hiking the Inca Trail is not for everyone and I don’t know why I chose to see Machu Picchu this way. There are easier ways. Perhaps after being … Continue reading
6 Days in Cuzco, PERU
After finishing another successful volunteer house build with The Fuller Center for Housing, I was fortunate to extend my stay in Peru. If you plan to visit Machu Picchu while in Peru, most likely your jumping off point will be one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the Western Hemisphere and the former capital … Continue reading
Global Builders, PERU | La Florida
It had been 18 long months since I built houses overseas, and nearly as long since I had left the United States. WAY too long for me. I had been leading volunteer teams abroad to partner with families in need of decent shelter with Habitat for Humanity—two or three times a year! You can imagine … Continue reading
24 Hours in Lima, PERU
Lima is known for many things, perhaps best as the gastronomic capital city of South America. Given some advance warning, you can try to get reservations at some of the hottest foodie destinations anywhere. I flew into Lima just one day in advance of meeting my Global Builders team, 15 volunteers who would be building houses with me and The Fuller Center for Housing. Without a lot of time to get to know this enchanting seaside city, I could only check a few items off my list. Guess that means I’ll have to come again! Here are a few highlights that I highly recommend and the ones I would have done if I’d had more time. Continue reading
Black Mountain, NC (USA) | Art in Hours
Final stop on our week long journey through southeast Tennessee, northern Georgia and western North Carolina—the tiny town of Black Mountain, North Carolina. We had the better part of an afternoon here, on our way to the Asheville regional airport, where we’d drop our rental car and fly home. We started with a visit to … Continue reading
Asheville, NC (USA) | History Hub to Hops
My roadtrip adventure continues to Asheville, North Carolina. So far, we’d flown to Chattanooga, TN then drove to Blue Ridge, GA on our way to Asheville. I’d never been to the vibrant bohemian artist town with a reputation as ‘Beer City’. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is probably still best known as the … Continue reading
Blue Ridge, GA (USA) | Perfect Mountain Town
If you don’t have friends with houses in places you’d like to visit, make some! I’ve hosted loads of visitors in my life, and thankfully, I have friends who reciprocate. I’m always happy to trade lovely housewarming gifts for their hospitality and company. My friend and I flew into Chattanooga, rented a car and drove … Continue reading
Chattanooga, TN (USA) & Beyond
A short flight from Baltimore, Chattanooga represented another starting place to spread my wings during the heinous Covid-19 pandemic season of thwarted travel. Lucky for me, I have a few friends who are usually up for an adventure, and this road trip with just that. My friend and I flew from Baltimore to Chattanooga, hopped … Continue reading
Morning Ritual | Veggie Soup #1
To all my whole food plant eaters out there and to those who have yet to discover the joy and benefits of eating plants, I give you a new idea. It was new to me anyhow. A few months ago I took my doctor’s advice and read *Chef AJ’s The Secrets to Ultimate Weight Loss: … Continue reading