Traveling Europe with Viator

Once again I find myself with a dream job, this time with travel tour company Viator.  I’ll be toting my camera around Ye Olde World for two months filming over 150 fun travel videos…Alles gut!

Sedona Blows my Mind!

This past week I had the pleasure of visiting Sedona Arizona on a press trip sponsored by SONY and J Public Relations.  They brought together a fun group of tech bloggers, travel bloggers and me, the video guy.  Our mission was to try out some of Sony’s new gear and take pretty pictures of the beautiful surroundings.  This is a a very easy task in Sedona, you can point a camera almost anywhere and it turns out stunning).  The camera I used on all these videos is the brand spanking new Sony HDR-CX760V.  It’s just a little palm sized camera but the steady shot on this thing is incredible! Notice how stable the helicopter shots are when I’m zoomed all the way in.  This is a great camera for an adventure guy like me since I rarely shoot from a stable tripod.   

This area is famous for energy vortexes and people come from all over the world to experience the uplifting powers.  I’m a believer in the benefits of positive energy but I wasn’t overwhelmed with a powerful feeling overcoming me.  I did however feel pretty psyched to be surrounded by some of the most beautiful nature on the planet.  In this video you’ll meet our awesome guides who led us on a meditation beside a river, showed us the famous Cathedral Rock (Second most photographed site after Mt. Rushmore) and played some great tunes on guitar.

The red rocks surrounding Sedona are a sight to see from ground level, but even better when flying in a helicopter.  We sliced and diced between towering canyon walls and even hovered above a few ancient Anasazi ruins on a tour that made me feel like I was visiting a Star Wars planet. 

I’m not usually one for enjoying jeeping, but this tour was actually really cool.  We powered up and down steep trails in the middle of the desert checking out sites where over 60 Western movies have been filmed.   One of the main reasons I don’t like jeeping is because of the degradation to the environment, but Pink Jeep Tours regularly maintains the trails, cool!

Shit Cyclists Say

This video has gone bonkers after being posted on January 22nd.  It’s up to 640,000 views and counting.  Funny thing is, I had NO idea what I was talking about.  I’m a biker all the way, but not a spandex wearing roadie…not at all.  When I walked into the Amante Coffee shop to film this video, the Barista noticed my kit and said, “What the hell are you wearing?”  

Live.Love.Bike.

I began this journey on the beaches of San Diego by quoting Helen Keller, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” 

Well I’ve been on countless daring adventures but none quite like this.  Instead of focusing on the physical aspect, I wanted to take this opportunity to dive deep into my heart and soul, and challenge myself mentally.  I needed a recharge and a little bike therapy was in order.

It felt incredibly freeing to move my body and mind all day long, I’d never felt so alive!  Traveling at 15mph is the perfect speed to really FEEL the world and appreciate all of Mother Nature’s magic.  But it wasn’t the spectacular sights that I’ll remember most about this trip.  It’s the amazing people I met all across this great country.  I was so lucky to have reconnected with old friends was blown away with how quickly I became close with total strangers.  Their endless amounts of kindness and generosity humbled me and solidified my belief that there is a lot more good in this world than bad. 

As I pedaled from big city to small town and everything in between I asked everyone I met a simple question, What do you love most about life? Their answers were simple, heartfelt and inspiring. 

So now it’s my turn to talk about what I love most in life… Every single day, with each stroke of the pedal, I thought about all the people that I love and how lucky I am to have them in my life.  and I thought about all the people I haven’t yet met and will someday love.  My wife, my children, new friends, maybe even a dog.   I love life, plain and simple…I know I’m not always gonna be a pefect human being, but I’m determined to follow my heart and spread as much love and happiness as possible…there’s nothing more important in this world.

My legs might be a little stronger after all this, but it’s my heart that has grown most on this journey.