I had to clear my head today, and nature is the best place for me to find the answers. Bear Butte is a place of vision quests and one that I’ve not hiked, so off I go.
 
Some good music along the way is necessary, to slow my brain down from its constant fluttering of thoughts, to-do’s and plans for the future. I settle on some Native American flute by Darren Thompson, a local artist. After about 40 miles of driving outside Rapid City I arrive in Sturgis and follow Google Maps, which takes me to the wrong place. Lesson number one. I turn off the GPS and figure it out by circling the mountain and finding the unassuming road to the parking lot.
 
My gear goes into my backpack, and I’m ready for another Black Hills Adventure.  I read the posted signs at the base of the trailhead before making my way up. No photos of the prayer cloths hung from trees, silence is best, respect the wildlife and the sanctity of the area. I got this.
 
I hear the grass crackle, stop, get my eyes and ears tuned in, then she moved again. It’s the first animal, a beautiful female pheasant under a small pine in the golden grass. Revealing herself to me, she slowly moved ahead creating distance and putting the pine between her and I. Patiently I stand, watching her careful movements and just taking in the moment.
 
As I climb higher, I hear the sound of a bird calling. I’m hoping it’s the Magpie, my favorite bird of the Dakotas. She won the race for all two-legged creatures by cleverness, not physical prowess.
 
Teasing me, I stop, listen and hear nothing. I move forward and the calls come out, mixed with the sound of my boot soles as they touch the gravel. The contact makes just enough noise to keep her exact location from me.
 
Finally, it flies out of one pine to another, presumably flirting with his lover bird. The wings opened and he glided at an angle beneficial to my eyes with an iridescent blue.
 
It was the Magpie, and now he’s gliding back and forth between Ponderosa pines. Thank you, Magpie.
 
I continue my hike. This time the rock becoming my focal point, I reach a place where I can catch my breath and look around. Bright green lichen adorns the rocks, themselves like gypsum in their own linear crystal shapes. This mountain looks older than the spires, less worn but more cracked. Steps of Superman’s home accompany each protrusion.
 
The trail is adorned with strips of cloth tied to branches, each the color of the directions. Red for North, white for South, yellow for East and black for West.
 
Feeling both reverent and spooky at the same time, I try not to stare at the patters and shapes they form. It’s as if God were present, tending to the prayers and hopes of all his children. I walk carefully, mindful of my footsteps and body movements through the tighter areas of vegetation.
 
I hear the distant sound of poor-quality music, reminding me of the single speaker radio I once had in my youth. In an Instant, the Zen-like feeling and bright glowing Chakras flickered and blew out like a delicate microfilament of carbon inside a light bulb. Humans, sometimes they’re just unavoidable. They pass, and so does the moment. I’m taken back into the sacred. 
 
Scars on the mountain are reminders of a large fire that burned here in 2018. Bear Butte lost almost all its trees. The trail takes you through this long-gone inferno and reveals the healing power of nature.
 
The mountain is regenerating. Each type of forest is its own story and position in the cycle. Surviving the flames, I come to a stand of Ponderosa. It’s then I hear the comforting sound of wind being split by the dark green sturdy needles.
 
A Hairy Woodpecker begins his hunt. The location is close and easy to spot. He pecks away at the dead limbs daring the burrowing bugs to the surface. 
 
The prayer cloths are everywhere now. I wonder about the feelings each one represents. Hope, fear, needs, sorrow, wishes and dreams, they’re all present and vibrating. The evening before I had a terrible dream, making the situation even more intense. Don’t binge “YOU” on Netflix, it’s not right.
 
I’m descending, the pathway full of mistakes to be made. Keeping my head down and trying not to kick rocks I slowly forge ahead. A familiar “S” shape lays across the path. Green and yellow, the snake makes its way up the hillside through broken grasses, small branches and rocks. A typical reaction at this point would be to scream and run, but I know everything I see is a message from my higher power. I stand still and watch as the Eastern Yellow-bellied Racer crosses the intersection.
 
Days ago, snow fell heavily in this area, leaving 2 feet on top of the mixed grasses. Laying down now, the pale green stems lead to golden tips. A sign of the cycle and a movement towards the winter season.
 
I’m down the mountain and thinking again. It was a great experience and just right. Right time, place and setting.
 
Bear Butte is a sacred place to the Lakota, Cheyenne and other tribes. It’s clearly a special place that should be respected and preserved. It’s best to be silent here, with no enhancement or distraction. Being in a quiet place is needed now more than ever. Think how nice it would be if everyone practiced silence.
 
I felt if I visited without expectation and an open mind, I’d find what I was looking for, and I did.

​South Dakota is one of 4 states that does not recognize Columbus Day. Rather, it celebrates Native American Day on October 11, 2021! As it should be here, with rich Native American culture, heritage and diversity. Native Americans make up 9% of the current population of South Dakota.
I'm proud to say that I live in a state with 9 unique Native American Tribes. With this many tribes, I've only begun to scratch the surface on my understanding of what I consider a treasure of heritage that should be known, celebrated, protected and supported. My research over the next several weeks will intensify, lasting a lifetime and if I am fortunate will result in friendships with the Indigenous Peoples of this land.

                                                   Cheyenne River Lakota Nation
                                                         Crow Creek Sioux Tribe
                                                   Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe
                                                        Lower Brule Sioux Tribe
                                                            Oglala Sioux Tribe
                                                        Sicangu Lakota Oyate
                                                    Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate
                                                    Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
                                                          Yankton Sioux Tribe 

It should be noted that the term "Sioux" is short for Nadowessioux, meaning "little snakes", a name the French learned from the Ojibwe. The proper term is Lakota, Dakota or Nakota depending on the dialect that particular tribe speaks.
There are many ways to experience the Native American Culture in South Dakota, and I'll be sharing those with you over the next several weeks as I dive in and explore deeper each day.
#myxoadventures #lakota #nativeamericans #badlandsblackhills #hifromSD

I have to admit, the Black Hills of South Dakota contain more stories than I ever thought they would, but some of my favorites come from Indian Lore. Primarily, the Lakota and the Cheyenne consider the Black Hills as part of their origin story. I've found that aside from speaking with a Native from these tribes, children's stories of Native American Lore can be an incredible reference. 

One story that I love the most is about the Red Racetrack. It all started in the beginning of times, when the buffalo at the humans and not the other way around. The humans felt this to be unfair, so they appealed to the Great Spirit. The Great Spirit had to settle the matter, so he decided on a race between all animals of the earth. He sent the crow to announce that there would be a great race, and everyone would need to participate. 

It was decided that the four-legged animals would side with the Buffalo, and the two-legged winged animals would side with the humans. Everyone chose their fastest representative! They practiced, and while the buffalo were sure the cow they picked was faster than the human, she still wasn't going to have an easy time. The human was fast and determined to win the race. 

The day had come, and the coyote and the wolf howled, marking the start of the race around the Black Hills. The birds immediately got a head start and zoomed past the four-legged animals, except the Magpie. No matter how fast she flapped her wings, she was always the slowest bird, but the Magpie also had a plan in mind. When nobody was looking, she landed on the back of the Buffalo. It was a very hot day, and the two-legged creatures decided to stop at a lake and take a drink, but they had too much which made them tired, so they fell asleep in the trees. Oh no! 

Many of the animals of the Black Hills swam past them, but the Beaver was not able to do so well with those short legs, so he slipped away to a wonderful part of the lake and made a home, to be seen there ever since. The Otter and the Muskrat felt this was a good idea, so they followed. The Jackrabbit was scared by the coyote coming up from behind and he ran out onto the Great Plains, still wondering who is behind him. 

The race lasted for days, with no animal exactly sure on how much time had passed. During that time of the race, the Rattlesnake at the toad and fell asleep, while the Mole and Gopher dug holes and burrowed inside, still believing the race is not over. The Prairie Dog wasted his time chattering to the Hawk as they do.

As time went on, the human man fell further behind the buffalo and the four-legged animals were surely going to win the race. The Buffalo tried even harder, increasing her lead. Magpie had been on the back of the Buffalo all along, and the time had come to hatch her plan. Right before the finishing line, she jumped off the back of the Buffalo and flew towards the sun, then dove downwards back to the finish line. She had crossed over the line before the Buffalo, winning the race! 

The two-legged animals cheered with joy, and the race was declared fair, thus changing the order of things. From now on the Buffalo would be eaten by the humans. If you look close today, you can see each Buffalo has a beard, which is left over from the days when Buffalo ate humans. It's the human hair hanging from their chin. 

The Great Spirit declared it a fair race, and so there it was. Humans now had a great responsibility to the four-legged creatures to respect and treat them right. From this point on the Magpie has never been harassed. The actual ring of red can be seen in the Black Hills as an oval racetrack, it's red color coming from the animals that ran the race, trying so hard that they bled into the ground staining it red. This is a true story, and the characters names have been omitted to protect their privacy. 

When It's your time to come to the Black Hills of South Dakota, you can see and enjoy these stories while touring the area.  

My XO Adventures believes the stories of the Lakota and all Native Peoples are worth preserving. We do so by incorporating them into our Black Hills Tours each and every day. We hope to see you someday to meet the Buffalo, Magpie, Prairie Dogs, Coyotes and all the winged animals of this Sacred Place, Paha Sapa. 
 

Getting around the Black Hills can be a little challenging, which is why I've created a map of the Southern Black Hills, with all it's points of interest, campsites, restrooms, and road names. This is the map I use when plotting out a private tour of the Black Hills of South Dakota. There's so much to see, that you've got to have a plan on how to visit the Black Hills properly, or you could just hire me and I take the work out of it!

​Is the Wildlife Loop Road in Custer State Park Really Wild?
 
No. Surprised? The Wildlife Road Loop in Custer State Park meanders through 71,000 acres of parkland. While you'll be able to see all kinds of animals including Bison, Prairie Dogs, Pronghorn Antelope, Elk, Bighorn Sheep and more, the park is contained within that acreage. It's a fantastic place to see wildlife, but make no mistake about it, the park is fenced in.
 
A few gates exist with cattle guards to keep many of the animals in the bounds of the park, but the rest is wide open. When coming to the Black Hills of South Dakota this is a must-do on the bucket list. I can't tell you how many times I've heard people talk about Custer State Park, but when asked about the Wildlife Loop Road they look at me confused.
 
The reason for this is while there are many fine Black Hills van and bus tours, roads are restricted by vehicle type. This means that generally speaking, if you're on a 50-passenger bus, you'll miss some of the most important parts of South Dakota tours. Vehicles with high clearance and big windows area extremely important. The ability to go down winding, rolling dirt roads is a huge plus here. One way to make sure that you'll see everything you'd like is to book a private tour to the Black Hills.
 
The loop takes more than an hour to drive, given the speed limit. Keep your camera and binoculars ready and be sure to look along the tree line. There’s lots of animals up there that people miss. Experienced guides can help by spotting these creatures and stopping along the way so you can view, learn and even listen to their sounds. Prairie Dogs bark, or chirp while Bison grunt!
 
It’s my personal opinion that visiting the park in early summer is the best. You’ll see wildflowers everywhere, and the baby Bison (Red Dogs) playing with their newborn friends. If you decide to do this on your own, make sure you’ve got a map. The roads can be winding, narrow and confusing. It’s easy to make a wrong turn and miss some important places.
 
Either way you do it, the Wildlife Loop Road is fun and interesting for all ages. It’s a must do, and even though it’s not technically wild, you’ll not even know the difference. Come visit the mountains and prairies of South Dakota.

Make a wish! Fall is in the air here in the Black Hills. It's begun to cool from the unusually hot summer, and golden is the color of the prairies and hills. It seems to dominate whether it be grass, flower and now the beginning of the trees. Quaking Aspens are just beginning to change color in certain parts of the area, reminding me that seasons, just like life, change.

This morning I'm heading out to the Southern portion of the Black Hills National Forest and Custer State Park. Just about every day I've been here this summer, I've had the privilege to learn and share about geography, natural history, botany, Native American history, the people and places of the Black Hills. It's been quite a year, but putting one foot in front of the other seems to be the most important thing, even when distractions come along the way.

Like in the picture, it's often the small things that are missed. When you stop for a moment and just look carefully, there's beauty all around. It certainly is here. October 15 marks the end of a great season, and the beginnings of another. I've wished a few things to happen, and it looks like they have and are coming to be. Next year as well as 2023 are simmering on the stove and great things are about to happen. I hope that for you too. Make some plans to come out and see a part of the country that you've been missing all along, the Black Hills and Badlands of South Dakota. ​

The Mighty Ponderosa Pine. It's the dominant tree of the Black Hills National Forest. It's what makes the Black Hills, well, black. Other species thrive here, like the Quaking Aspen, named after the way their leaves shimmer in the breeze, but nothing dominates like the Ponderosa. The Black Hills are filled with this pine, but at one time this wasn't the case. Tinkering with nature, even with good intentions has it's consequence.

Looking at photos from 1878 compared to 1978 shows a dramatic increase in the Ponderosa population. It's due to forestry management and fire prevention. Traveling through the forest on Iron Mountain Road you might notice slash piles, dead timber piled in neat little cone shaped mounds. These slash piles are burned each winter when snow is present to rid the forest of the "fuel" it accumulates over the years. As a result, less fire = more pine. Ironically, this creates a situation where a forest fire can spread from one tree to the other fairly easy.

Another result of this management is the 1300 streams that descend from the mountains are severely impacted. The Ponderosa canvas catches a good portion of the rain, and the trees are taking more out of the water table than ever before. Since discovering this, the Forest Service has now begun a process of thinning the trees. While it seems like a good idea, this may also have other unintended consequences.

The Lakota's lived in harmony with nature, and as time goes by we're finding out this happens to be the best way. Lakota, and earlier indigenous people of the area used the pines for a variety of purposes. The inner bark provided sweetness and carbohydrates, essential to survive in a mostly meat eating culture.

Other uses are medicinal, such as remedies for bruises, eye sores and deodorant. You can still find older pines (some up to 700 years old) that bear bark harvesting scars. These are usually rectangular in shape, approximately 3 feet high by about 10 inches wide. This method of harvesting prevented the tree from dying, and provided a sustainable source of food. Visit Norbeck Overlook on Iron Mountain Road and you'll see one of the Ponderosas with a large scar. Smell the exposed wood and you'll notice essences of malt, vanilla, chocolate, butterscotch and even strawberry. Just don't get a splinter.

Ponderosa wasn't always the dominant species in the Black Hills. Lodgepole and Limber Pine were plentiful in this area, and small relict forests still exist. Limber Pine, named for it's flexibility can be found near the Cathedral Spires. The trailhead talks about their significance. Lodgepole can be found in the Northern Hills and near Rochford, a fun place to be while riding the Mickelson Trail on bikes.

Funny how a single tree can be so important to the area, and help shape it into what it is today. Come visit Rapid City and the Black Hills to learn about this sacred area and what makes it so special. Special enough to call my home. ​

 If you were headed to California, chances are your plans have changed recently. Don't let it ruin your vacation though, the Black Hills and Badlands of South Dakota welcome you with open arms. There's a lot to see here in Southwest South Dakota. A week of activities for a couple seeking to get away or a family of a much needed vacation. We have wonderful places to visit, fantastic tours and a wealth of natural beauty. 

Most people come to the Black Hills because of Mt. Rushmore, and that's exactly what it was intended to do. Historian Done Robinson was actively seeking a way to bring tourists to the area, and through the construction of the monument that's exactly what happened. 

Not too many people knew about the Black Hills or Paha Sapa as the Lakota refer to them. When families drove down old Custer Battlefield Highway (now I90) they crept right past the Badlands and Black Hills without even a thought of what they might be missing. Due to the conservation efforts and determination of people like Peter Norbeck, this all was about to change. 

It began with Rushmore, then the Iron Mountain Road. Soon people were beginning to take notice. Upon completion of the Needles Highway, offering stunning views from the Heart of the Black Hills and access to a beautiful lodge on Sylvan Lake, the Black Hills of South Dakota was earning it's rightful place as a vacation destination. 

When most people arrive in the Black Hills they immediately set out for the Southern portion of the mountain range. This has Mt. Rushmore, Iron Mountain Road, Custer State Park, the Wildlife Loop, Needles Highway and Crazy Horse Memorial. It's not surprising why this is the first on the list, but don't be fooled. There's way more to the area than the Southern Black Hills. 

Badlands National Park in the early morning or late afternoon is generally about an hour away from most hotels in Rapid City, and worth the visit. A private tour with myXOadventures.com is the way to go in order to make the most of your time. If you decide to go it alone, visit the Badlands Park Website to check out the calendar and see if there is anything special going on. 

The morning and late afternoon or evenings are the best time to see wildlife in the park, and the photography is optimum. The spires, points, haystacks, buttes and tables are amazing. The colors and shadows they cast are like architectural wonders. 

The Northern Black Hills aren't as visited as the South, and I'm sure the residents there like it that way. Well sorry for them, the Northern Black Hills are absolutely outstanding. Ponderosa pine, Black Hills Spruce and Lodgepole make up most of the evergreen forest. Streams meander along the roadside in between limestone cliffs in Spearfish Canyon. Waterfalls such as Roughlock, Spearfish and Bridal Veil are just a few. Look up and you can see the caves in the cliffs, and natural springs. Remnants of mining operations hide in the lush greenery. 

You'll find the town of Spearfish charming and quaint. Quite the opposite of nearby Deadwood, the Wild West shoot-em-up town to the East. Keep exploring the Northern Black Hills and you'll find great hiking, photography and places to explore like Pathways Spiritual Sanctuary. The Northern Black Hills will restore you're soul, and give you some well deserved respite. Enjoy the video!

 Since November of 2016 when I first set foot in Cuba, I was hooked. Finally, a place in the Caribbean I found full of culture, excitingly different, vibrant with culture, abundant in architecture and natural beauty. A break from the typical Caribbean Island visit. A place like no other on Earth. A people resilient and kind. It also happened to be the "forbidden fruit" that as a professional traveler makes it extremely enticing. 

President Obama relaxed rules on travel early in his tenure. He also demonstrated a willingness to engage and forge relationships, along with private investment and the promotion of human freedoms. U.S. and Cuban relations hadn't been better in 50+ years since the Revolution. Tourism flourished, and living standards rose. People learned about the history of Cuba, what it was and is today. Cruise Lines were permitted, and there was an audible hum of optimism in the air. Those were the good old days that were not so old. In a matter of a few years, we were headed in the opposite direction.
 
Why is Cuba what it is today? What happened to create fertile ground for a revolution and what lays ahead in the coming years and decades? These are all important questions, and like most things of late, it depends on what political party you ask. Cuba is the third closest neighbor to the United States, and we’ve been feuding for decades. Here’s a little background to sum it all up.
 
Starting in 1940 and running through to 1952, Cuba had a democratic government. It enjoyed a healthy middle class in the cities, 75% of the population were literate, the number of doctors per capita rivaled the most developed of nations, and its Capitol, Havana was a shiny and bustling city. Often referred to as “The Paris of the Caribbean”, Cuba had reason to be proud. Development was occurring at a rapid pace, and American tourists came in the droves.
 
There were also downsides. The U.S. government had unleashed the mafia in Cuba, making it their new playground. Casinos, Hotels and Resorts sprang up everywhere. Money was being made hand over fist. While mafia gangs, big corporations and government officials made enriched themselves, rural Cuba was a different story altogether. Racism was prevalent, movement restricted, poverty abundant and education poor. You’d be lucky to have made it through the second grade before being put to work in the fields. On the one end you had the living standard of a modern European country in the cities and the other, no better than plantation life. Herein plays the drumbeat of a revolution.
  
Sound familiar? The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. You don’t have to look very hard to find some of the mightiest of nations have fallen due to this disparity. History sorts out who’s to blame, and I’ll do my best to make it clear in this particular circumstance. Let me make it plain as to who is responsible for the rise of a socialist/communistic society in Cuba. It is U.S. Government and the corrupt politicians that took their orders from Washington.
 
In 1952 President Batista took over in a coup, destroying the democracy he worked for so many years to create. Cast aside were the ideals of freedom for the people. Treasured Institutions were no longer regarded, and consolidation of power was the order of the day. This was the beginning of the end, and right under the nose and with the participation of the U.S. That’s right, Batista was propped up and mafia rule was endorsed by JFK and Washington. A daring young lawyer was about to take the island, and although the odds were stacked against him, the countryside was not. His name is Fidel Castro.
 
The U.S. had missed an opportunity to encourage stability and economic development for all Cubans. Since the revolution the American Government has tried to topple Castro with an invasion as well as multiple failed assassination attempts by the CIA. The wealthy and middle class had just been overturned with their businesses and property now nationalized.  A new era begins in Cuba.
 
Tens of thousands of Cubans fled the island for the United States, and an embargo was imposed. Decades go by, the collapse of the Soviet Union and the Cuban economy cause a great deal of suffering. One thing that remains is the embargo, crippling the people of Cuba to no end. They make it through however and continue to defy the United States to this day, which brings us to the more present time.
 
With tourism thriving in Cuba from the changes of the Obama administration, the middle class again begins to grow, and opportunity is everywhere. I took full advantage of the situation by visiting the island and spending money in privately owned restaurants, homes and businesses. The race was on to see Cuba the way it is, not the way it might become. Years later, and once again, the relationships take a turn for the worse when then President Trump was elected.
 
While visits to North Korean President Kim Jong Un are being promoted and supported, regulations tighten on Cuba. While genocide takes place in China, and we continue enormous trade with this communist nation, relationships with Cuba sour.  Travel to Cuba becomes more difficult, and eventually cruise ships are banned from doing business with the island.
 
Why? Power and special interests. If anyone thinks that the embargo is designed to promote democracy and human rights in Cuba, they are sadly mistaken. The tens of thousands of Cubans that fled Cuba are now throughout the United States, but primarily in South Florida. The minds of those Cubans are to be fought over by each president since JFK. Those initial immigrants have now had children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Stories of Cuba are passed on down the line from those that had their homes and businesses taken. Their votes belong to the candidate willing to keep a hard line against Cuba. Trump was no different, and most Cubans identify as Republicans due to the rhetoric and propaganda promoted by the party. This rhetoric has influenced local and national elections. It’s elected Presidents. Meanwhile, the Cuban people continue to suffer at the cost of power from both the U.S. and the Communist Party in Cuba.
 
The stance against Cuba has nothing to do with individual freedom or democracy. Its roots are in revenge, anger, power and the grand prize of Florida’s 29 electoral college votes. The sweet smell of Presidential victory is thick in Florida and becoming even thicker. Trump exits stage right and on comes the Biden Administration. Offering hope of change again, Biden promises to reset relations with Cuba. I just put promises and a politician in the same sentence, so what do you think is going to happen?
 
There’s a pandemic raging, and economy tanking and a new sheriff in town. Biden has a lot on his hands and the promises to reset relationships gets pushed to the background. The left wants the reset, the right doesn’t, and the independents are mixed. The midterm elections, which usually go bad the first time around for a newly elected President are already under way.
 
Meanwhile, the situation in Cuba gets worse. Food shortages from failed crops and the inability to import what it needs causes anger in the population. Tourism is reopened in Varadero and the COVID cases begin to rise. Three vaccines are created by laboratories in Cuba, with “Abdala” having a reported 92.2% efficacy. Protests understandably begin and become deadly. Cuba looks to be having its own insurrection, which leaves President Biden forced to make a decision.
 
Does he help or hinder the relationship with Cuba? After 40 years in politics, Biden is no stranger to tactical moves designed to keep power, and this is the path he takes. Rather than helping our neighbor with critically needed medical supplies, food and humanitarian aid, he looks toward the outcome of the midterm elections. Doing what is right no longer matters, but how is that any different than what we’ve seen for so long? People are shocked of the demonstrations and the Cuban governments response. Shouts of freedom can be heard from coast to coast. Individuals are repeating what has been said over the last 60 years, which is to topple the regime, keep the embargo and force the government to provide more freedoms to its people. Ironically the U.S. Government is punishing Cubans for a situation it created. 
 
Cubans do deserve more freedom and opportunity. There are many problems with the government of Cuba, but we only need to look in the mirror and find the same. Biden has made a huge error in not tackling the issue of Cuba earlier. He actually used the pandemic and economic hardship of the people in Cuba to once again stoke the flames of anger. Looking at this from an objective point of view I find it deplorable.
 
Biden turned his back on an opportunity to greatly improve relations through building bridges and rather decided to burn them. I’d love to see change in Cuba, but the answer is not by punishment. The government of Cuba suffers little. It’s the people that get caught in between this battle, and therein is the problem. The United States has been the only 1 of 3 countries in the United Nations to support the embargo. Everyone else knows what this is about, while the American public is lied to from both sides.
 
All the while other actions are at work. When the U.S. steps out from diplomacy, somebody is always willing to take its place. Those countries are China, Russia, Iran, Venezuela and more. If your neighbor makes it clear they’re dead set on making life difficult, then one seeks out other friendships. This is what we’ve done. We’ve caused untold suffering of the Cuban people and opened the door to our adversaries. Congratulations to the Biden Administration for an epic failure, and hypocritical move when a gigantic opportunity was available.
 
Open relationships with the Cuban government would lead to more personal freedoms, economic development in both Cuba and the United States. It would create more jobs, support stability and prosperity in the region and raise the standard of living for the average Cuban citizen.
 
I don’t write this article in support of the Cuban Government. I write it because we’ve got it so wrong, and someone needs to speak out. Very likely, many Cuban Americans reading this article won’t respond so kindly, and I understand that. The point is not everything is as it seems, and it’s time for a real change. Where are those adults in the room?

Please take a moment to write President Biden and remind him about his promises. Promote Cuban Freedom by supporting its people. www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

Cuba is an exotic destination that's beginning to reopen, and we're going to be there when it does.
Ask my friends, Cuba is one of my favorite places in the world. Inevitably I'm asked why. It's simple to explain reasons but not feelings.

Cuba is one of the most controversial places to choose for a travel destination, which is initially what brought me to the island. It was 2015, and while travel was opened, you could only visit by boarding a ship in another country. In my case it was Jamaica. We sailed around the island to Santiago, Havana, Cienfuegos and Maria Del Gorda. Since flights have opened, I've been there a number of times, with the last being Havana Heartbeat March 12-17 2020. Yep, our group was there when the U.S. declared a National Emergency, and it was fantastic.

What you learn here are the things that matter in your life, and from the example Cubans provide, thats in relationships with one another. A simple game of chess, a bottle of rum and a conversation is highly valued. Architecture abounds, some restored and some crumbling. Both equally beautiful and a photographers dream. The people of Cuba are outstanding and resilient. Unfortunately, the embargo has really done nothing to improve the situation there and its the people that bear the brunt, not the government.

Cuba is about the size of Florida, which means there's lots to see. Artists, textile makers, farms, newly opened businesses, beaches and more. It truly is a step back in time that exists nowhere else, and may not even exist for much longer.

As I write this letter, Cuba is already administering its own vaccines developed on the island. The expectation is to have most of the population vaccinated by the end of summer, which is heartwarming news. Slowly, business is beginning to reopen, and tourism will return shortly. The Cubans are waiting for us with open arms, and as their closest neighbor we should pay them a visit.

It's legal to travel to Cuba under the "Support of the Cuban People" OFAC category, and relatively simple. myXOadventures.com takes care of the details for you, answers questions, guides you through the island and introduces you to a place you should have been able to visit long ago. If you had a chance to visit Havana on an overnight cruise ship, you've not experienced Cuba. You've been given a tourism taste, and not a truly authentic experience. We can help.

Speaking of experience, we've made our inroads and relationships to provide you with a high quality, affordable option, and personalized small group experience. I invite you to come along with us in November for our upcoming Havana Heartbeat trip. It'll be beautiful, and its the best place to visit in the Caribbean, hands down.

Right now we've decided to offer a $100 per person discount for new bookings made from now until the end of June. Simply make your reservation online and use the code HAVHRTBT and click HERE.

Tens of thousands of people are looking towards the National Parks to satisfy the adventurer within, and it's a great idea. The National Parks System is something we should all be proud of, in so many ways. In total, there are 63 National Parks, but 423 "National Park Sites" in the United States. On my travels, I've come across adventurers chipping away at the goal of visiting them all. 

What a life eh? I can tell you from experience that there's so much to learn from each and every park. So many programs, guides, maps, locations, trails, routes, rules, permits and so on. I've been able to see the mistakes that most people make, and wanted to take some time to share them so you can avoid these pitfalls. 

Your journey should begin with visiting the National Park Website, www.nps.gov. Here you'll find an almost overwhelming amount of information on each park. Be sure to check the calendars and events section, along with admission fees and restrictions. The next thing to do is download the App recreation.gov on your smart phone. Here you'll be able to make reservations for shuttle tickets, accommodations and much more. 

After taking some time to explore these areas the best thing to do is get on a guided tour of some kind. These fill up way in advance, so the sooner you plan the better. Apps are great, but nothing compares to the experience of a professional guide. You'll be able to absorb so much more than trying to figure it out yourself. Yes, you're clever and savvy, but trust me, this is the best way to go. Get a private tour if a group setting isn't your thing. These are popular now and commonplace to offer. 

Not a morning person? You really need to adjust. There's plenty of reasons the morning time is best in the National Parks. First and foremost, there are way less people meandering about. This alone should be motivation. There are other advantages though such as the animals. They mostly  frolic at dusk and dawn. You'll have a much better chance seeing these great creatures at sunrise and sunset before they go into hiding. Speaking of sunrise and sunset, photography plays a significant role here. If you want good photos, these are the best times. Midday, you'll be fighting with glare, and potentially a washed out look with the sun coming from above. Colors abound in the morning and evening. 

Local operators know these things, and they'll take you to the best places. Locals know the park, both inside and OUT. If you think all the magic happens in the park, you'd be mistaken. Thousands of miles of canyons, trails and overlooks exist outside the park system and can be made accessible, if you have the means, knowledge and permits!

I hope this provides a little insight into visiting the parks, and should you want the best adventures there are to offer, just CLICK HERE to fill out the form for a private organized tour for you, your friends, family or whomever you enjoy traveling with!

XOXO

​Daniel

I was sitting across the table from a friend just the other day when I realized how much I missed personal conversations. I find it so therapeutic to talk about matters of substance. We were just finishing setting up for the backdrop of a new travel video for Project Pride and she made me some coffee. We sat down and just talked. We asked how each other were, what we've experienced since the last time we saw one another, and enjoyed our time together. Part of what we talked about (or I did) is how interesting it's been to observe so many people across this country, from one end to the other. How diverse we are from 1 mile to the next. I mentioned how different it was to be outside the country looking in. 

A ton of perspective has been gained this year. I can't express how huge that is for me. It had been a month since we talked, and I really appreciated both her company and the delicious cup of coffee she prepared. Somewhere in between that coffee and my friend existed something of great value. It's called connection. When it's removed we become different people. We behave differently and we adapt to isolation. That may be good to prevent transmission of a virus but it's insidious to our mental health. What would the year have looked like if we could talk, touch, love, hug, kiss and play together. I guess we'll never know. I just know how much I love and miss it. 

That's also why I love my job. It does all those things. I can remember standing outside a ship of thousands of people with a "Free Hugs" sign and gave everyone a hug who wanted it. CAN YOU IMAGINE? Would you give me a hug? Maybe soon, and I'll take one from ya!

Listen my friend, I love what I do because I love travel. I'm really not sure when or if I'll ever settle down. One day I might be writing from South America and the next from Glacier National Park. That doesn't sound so bad to me! Travel has an enormous power to heal and grow. It's way more than a "sector" of the economy, it's something we've done since we could walk. It's inherent to our nature. This as well as curiosity, connections, the desire to learn, explore and so much more. I can't wait until it's the right time for YOU to travel. 

For those of you wanting to get out and explore, I have something for you. A new departure. It's the MIGHTY FIVE on April 12, 2021. Five of the most magical parks I've ever explored. Check it out and give it some consideration.

It's been a long time coming. We aren't out of the woods yet, but I've managed to navigate the pandemic pretty well. Last year was devastating for the travel industry, but for those of us able to maneuver, grow, and survive we've come out better than ever. For me personally, my life has changed completely not when to book, but when to travel. So many out there are looking to the summer and fall. I've been busy updating the website for more departures to Havana, new departures for Xpedition: Ecuador in September, and preparing for ROMANIA in August. There's a lot of interest, and I hope you're one of them. I do currently have one trip in the oven, and thats Iceland. This will likely be in October so we can enjoy the Northern Lights. I'm looking into making two trips out of it. One for the adventurer which may be on motorcycle, and the other will explore the outer edge in comfort. 

Why am I telling you all this? Well, I'm giving you a heads up that the prices offered in the past are returning to normal. Low pricing was fun, and it helped a lot of people travel at a great rate. It's time now to return to a point of financial predictability and profit. Through this weekend, I'll be honoring existing rates. After Sunday, January 31st, tours will rise between 20-40%. This won't just help my bottom line, but also the vendors who have worked so hard to stay in business over the last year. If you'd like to make a reservation and maintain current pricing, all you have to do is add the promo code of GOODTIMES at the end of the booking online, and you're all set. 

Happy Travels and see you on the trail!

XOXO

Daniel Milks

​

​I'm not really sure where to begin. Over the last couple of months, I've been traveling through Ecuador. Creating vacations isn't new to me, but the way I'm doing it is. Last year, I've spent most of my time visiting the areas I'd always wanted to, but never had the time. Well, last year there was time, and I had to make the most of it. 

Costa Rica, the American Western states, and finally Ecuador. I never knew what an incredible experience I was about to set out upon, and how it would rock my world. November 19th was the date. I sped across the southern United States heading towards Miami. The country had opened, my ticket date was valid, and I was on my way. 

Two months later, I'm writing to you from Ecuador, and have found the country to be a second home. The people, culture, economics, natural beauty and abundance of wildlife makes for a great destination. Something happens when you go south of the equator, and it’s as if life is quite literally turned upside down. 

I've become part of a second family, made incredible connections, had wonderful experiences, and changed the course of what I'll offer going forward. I've committed myself to never again create travel without it having a positive impact on those we visit, and those who will come along for the adventure. A trading company is in its beginning, my attitude has shifted, and I'm ready to share my vision with you. 

Soon, (over the next few weeks) I'll be sharing this vision with you as I roll out Xpedition Ecuador. It'll be at least a 12-day experience, focusing on the arts, culture and mother nature. Xpedition Ecuador will include workshops, arts, crafts, music and a feel-good opportunity with real results. I'll be talking about this over the next few weeks, and I hope you decide to follow along. Our experiences will be worthy of your participation and honor my dream.... to create meaningful experiences. 

Let's focus on healing. Let's look towards the future and let’s begin planning now. If you'd like to get on the waitlist for Xpedition Ecuador, I'm beginning to take initial reservations of interest. It costs nothing and puts you first in line for the series rollout. All you have to do is reach out, say hi, and tell me your name. Email me at [email protected] 

See you south of the equator! 

We've almost made it through the Fire Swamp, and have encountered some rodents of unusual size, but we're here. We stand on the precipice of a new time. Politically, practically, and generationally. With the election seemingly behind us, and more now than ever, our nails begin to pierce the armchair as we look towards the future. How fast, when, where, what and why? It's all going to happy in due time, and most of it is out of our control. 

For the travel side of the equation, we are experiencing what it must be like for the runner waiting for the gun to go off in an Olympic race. When is the right time to release a trip? Will customers travel? When will the vaccine be enough to lower restrictions? It's tough for us but let me say there are so many professionals involved in this industry that have stuck it out. Changes have been made behind the scenes for the future of travel. Good ones. Changes that have needed to be made for a long time and this pause provided the room for it to happen. Changes that are permanent and I for one am for it. 

I've had to reevaluate everything. Resizing trips, when to offer them, pricing, places, partnerships and most recently adding imports from the places I visit. Here's a few buns in the oven:

A.) Moving ahead, any new trips created will contain even more purpose. We'll be searching out ways to connect cultures and worlds. 
B.) You can expect to see more of the arts involved in all regions we visit. Whether it be hands on, observationally, auditory or otherwise. 
C.) By the time we leave there will be a positive impact on both the community we visit, and those involved on our trips. 

This year has changed the way I see the world, and I believe the change is profoundly good. We're going to make a difference, and should you decide to come along, so will you. A not-for-profit is in the works to sponsor youth travel, promote cultural heritage, and education. A new Fair-Trade Import-Export business has begun, and is only at the very beginning stages, with the name and domain obtained. These things aren't in conflict, but in harmony, and it's my hope that through travel we make a meaningful difference. I'll be updating you throughout the process by live video and more blogs. 

Between now and then, I wish you a Very Happy Holiday. If anything, this year has taught us how Important the bonds we have between us really are. I'm grateful for the ones I have with you. Let's bring in the new year with a sense of optimism, hope, healing and gratitude that we have survived! Until next time!

Daniel 

​XOXO

As the incredible visit to Ecuador comes to an end, it's time to focus on what's ahead, and it's right around the corner. Earlier in the year, I had put out a few departure dates for Costa Rica Exotica, but I've decided to focus on one, February 11-21. I did this because it's a special time of year (Valentines), and because the vendors in Costa Rica were willing to sharpen their pencils, and I was too. 

I know many of you out there are just waiting for the right moment to travel, and I can tell you this is it. Quite a bit of work goes into putting together an awesome Adventure, and this is one of them. The people, vendors, accommodations and tours are just part of a bigger picture. Right now is unique in many ways as you know, but for this trip it's a jump start in renewing travel and what I call Vacation Revenge. 

It's beginning to happen, and I prefer to be ahead of the curve. Many Americans are making plans to get out and explore the world. Already, there have been exceptional deals out there, but this one stands out above the rest. I'll replicate it for next year, but likely at almost double the cost. It really is the last chance to take advantage of low pricing due to the lack of travel. In this package, every part is special. It includes extremely luxurious accommodations in El Castillo overlooking Mount Arenal, Treetop like housing in the Cloud Forest area of Monteverde and Ultra Luxurious accommodation in Quepos with Manuel Antonio National Park along the coast.

I've secured a private chef to travel with us, private transportation, all your tours, meals, welcome and farewell dinners prepared in our homes, thermal baths, beach days, time on your own, and visits to some of the most outstanding biodiverse places in the world. It's all online. This trip is not a money maker for me personally. It's designed to provide a safe visit to Costa Rica, an extreme value to you, an opportunity for me to meet new clients, and a way to help the people of Costa Rica. I assure you, its safe with many protocols in place , mostly outdoors and includes the special touches that guests have come to expect from myXOadventures.com. 

I encourage you to seriously consider this offering, with $500 off per person if booked before December 31st. Costa Rica Exotica is the best way I know how to kick off the year with a big bang. Currently we are half full, and this will be a maximum of 10 guests. Check it our, and come along. You'll love living life again. Pura Vida!

XOXO 
​Daniel

Quito, Baños, Riobamba, Latacunga, Cotopaxi, Sangay, Chimborazo, the Amazon. For the last of the international journeys of the calendar year, this has been quite an eye-opener. It also has a real chance of charting the course for my future. Before we get started on that, let me say that I've found Ecuador to be full of beauty and surprises. Ecuador beyond just another vacation destination on the list of places to consider visiting. It is alive, breathing, mystifying, vibrant, rich, TASTY, ever-changing, and popular with ex-pats for good reason. 

Take a second look at the picture above. I'm standing at the base of Chimborazo Volcano.  Looking out over the sunrise I have "The Alter" to my left and Sangay to my right. The Alter is what remains of a great volcano that after7 years of activity finally collapsed. What remains are the four peaks that locals say are monks, thus the name. To the right is Sangay, one of the most active volcanoes in the world and is overdue for a major eruption. The setting is perfect. Rarely does it happen that you can see both sites on the same day with such clarity. I felt honored. On top of that, one of the most famous Volcanoes you cannot see but is directly to my left, fully lit by the sun, and called Chimborazo. 

Most people hear Ecuador, and the first thought is the Galapagos Islands, but if you came here to see just that, you would be making a great mistake! Quito is a colonial city and drastically different from the Coast. Riobamba is at the heart of the country and just about every type of food or product passes through. In the Amazon, your thought of life and living is turned completely upside down. In between, you see geography like nowhere else. 

As of this writing, it's almost 3 weeks of exploring here. Staying in modest accommodations, meeting friends along the way, eating some of the best fruits and veggies, and experiencing an ancient Shamanic Ceremony in the Amazon. I have 5 days remaining, and for these, I intend to make the most. I'll be visiting Otavalo, a market to the north of Quito. While there I'm going to visit an authentic family-owned textile operation where Alpaca blankets, scarves, hats, indigenous socks, leather products, and Tagua jewelry are made and sold. I'll be bringing back as many items as I can, and perhaps this is the beginning of an import/export business in Ecuador. I'll find out and will be taking photos and videos of the process. Once completed the products will go up on the website and Facebook for anyone to purchase. 

As for a group visit, this one is more active for sure. I'll be putting together a visit for those of you that like the great outdoors, are in good physical shape, and the thought of climbing mountains flips your switch. 

Last, I want to note that I have been following along with the current state of the vaccine, and all the politics that go along with the health of the Nation. With that said, I have been in discussions with my partners in Costa Rica and have negotiated better pricing for February of 2021. This is a Valentine's Getaway on Costa Rica Exotica Extraordinary. The normal rate is $2599, and I have been able to negotiate down to $2099 per person. You'll need to make the reservation by letting me know directly, so I can avoid unnecessary merchant fees. I've also worked with them to make this happen and have brought down my cost as well. 

It's going to be a group of no more than 10, and include two locations of luxury accommodations, one of a more Treehouse feel in Monteverde, tours included, transportation while on the ground, meals, etc. Currently, there are no testing requirements to enter Costa Rica, however, it is something I must insist on in order to protect the group. I'll need a negative PCR test within 72 hours of departure and a verbal agreement to keep as isolated as possible before leaving. 

I assure you, there will not be another opportunity like this in the future. Check it out and let me know!

​
XOXO

Daniel Milks
[email protected]
​

It's Miami, 4AM local time. Most hotel rooms these days smell like marijuana. I guess that's better than the smoking rooms of years gone by with ashtrays, yellow nicotine stains and a combination of mold and smoke. It feels like what I knew travel to be is as old as that nicotine, and as consistent as the flickering vacancy sign outside an old roadside motel, but a new kind of travel is in the process of being born. 

Breakfast has been cancelled due to the Pandemic, and so has the shuttle to the airport. I know both these points are best efforts by the hotel to cut down on costs, and don't do anything to protect the guests. Hotels are one of the areas that frankly annoy me the most. The 2 star traveler will be lied to directly by the company until the vaccine is in effect, and COVID goes back into the hole of damnation where it belongs. What will they say then? Will the boxes of cereal return? Will they go so far as to provide a microwavable breakfast burrito? Maybe a place to sit in the lobby? I'm getting excited just thinking about it. Not really. The 2 star hotel might as well be a pod hotel like the kind in Tokyo, simply crawl in and close the coffin door, because we've transformed from a hotel into (As Steve Martin from Planes, Trains & Automobiles would have put it) an effing bed, an effing shower, an effing TV and an effing light. That was and has been my hotel experience for some time now, but I digress. 

I'm in Miami for what I believe to be my last international trip of the year. In total and since April of 2020, I've traveled to 38 states and 1 country (Costa Rica). This will be the second, Ecuador. It just so happens I'm traveling over the Thanksgiving week. People think I'm crazy. I am, but this ticket has been rescheduled over 4 times, attempted once with this being the second time. If I don't use it the airline will be happy to provide a voucher equal to the amount I paid in April - $99. No thanks. 

I was here a week ago, and a month ago. The difference is, it's not the creaky wheels of travel starting back up again, its something altogether different. From the hotel, to the Uber Driver to the Airline Check in process, the flight and well, lets see about Ecuador. You see, I think we were stuck in between for a long, long time. From the days of glam travel to the discount, flip flop wearing, cattle heard travel we've come to know and hate. 

The creaky wheels of travel seem to be gone altogether. For a lot of companies, if you were going to reinvent yourself now was the time. Quite literally, it doesn't look, feel or even smell the same. A great deal of it I like. For instance, I just checked in on my American Airlines App. I had a digital boarding pass before entering the airport. Since my backpack was so large, I was asked to check it. Ok, I go over to one of the dozens of screens, check in easily, and print the bag tag right there. I loop it through the hoop of my backpack, and then walk over to drop it off at the conveyor. Easy. Way, way, way to easy. Don't be fooled, these changes have little or nothing to do with COVID, but more to do with innovation and the future of travel. 

While hotels aren't exactly innovating the way the airlines, and cruise lines are being forced to, the benefits are going to have some big payoffs. I enjoy flying American. Did you just hear what I said? I said I enjoy flying {FILL IN HERE}.  I don't know when I've ever said that about any airline! Ever! That's the secret behind these supposed COVID changes. They are innovating and testing these changes under little stress because of reduced passenger capacity. There couldn't be a better time to change, innovate and collaborate. As devastating as COVID has been, my business included, it's change or die. It's not a temporary change, its a permanent one, and I can feel the Heartbeat of a renewed travel industry. Ecuador awaits, and I'm now going to pull my mask down to enjoy a bagel, as the in fight meal has been cancelled due to COVID. 

The election, encouraging news on a vaccine, and (hopefully) the end of the hurricane season.  All these things have resulted in at least some clarity moving ahead. We've all needed that one way or another, because it spells light at the end of a tunnel. 

Back In April before hitting the road, I made a few purchases in airline tickets, knowing that I'd never know the time and place I'd be able to use them. I knew it was a risk, but one I couldn't pass up. I bought tickets to Costa Rica, Peru, Ecuador, and Chile all for around $100 round trip from Miami. Costa Rica and Ecuador had to be used before the end of this month or they would be converted into travel vouchers worth the original amount I paid. I think not!! 

The small investment in Costa Rica resulted in a huge wealth of knowledge and experience. I'm so glad I went. The lovely lady in the picture is named Sabine, and of all the people I met she's become a good friend. One I hope will last a lifetime. The result of the visit are the first two trips to Costa Rica in January and February of 2021, with more to follow. I hope you have a moment to check them out, and join us.

So that leads me to Ecuador. This is the first real fly by the seat of my pants trip. It was scheduled by Avianca, in business for over 100 years, and one of the most vulnerable airlines at the moment financially. As I write this I've been on hold with them for over 7 hours, which as you can imagine makes me a little unsettled. I do have a few contacts there, and with some valuable help, just finished the plan. I'll spend time in Quito, do the Quilatoa Loop, visit the Cotopaxi Volcano and perhaps stop at Chimborazo Mountain, the tallest mountain in the world when measured from the center of the earth! 

I'll be taking a backpack with me, filled with just the essentials, and my camera. Hiking will be for 4 days, a biking trip at Chimborazo and some sightseeing tours as well. It's exciting, but to be honest I'm a little unsettled because of how rapidly this has come up on me. We just got back from a great and safe tour to Key West, only to prepare about 2 days for this journey. I've enjoyed winging it but this is going to be the highest example of just that. I hope you decide to follow along, and if you haven't liked the Facebook page please do, its www.facebook.com/myxoadventures. 

If Its anything like Costa Rica, I'll feel safe. Costa Rica had wash stations at every establishment, hand sanitizer, temperature tests and a person watching to make sure you completed all the steps. They even had wet mats with some kind of solution that you had to step through before entering. If not, well, I'll be outdoors and spend little time if any in the city. I'd like to stay healthy and come home safely. 

Lastly, I just wanted to say that it's my 6th test for COVID yesterday. This one was by far the easiest. It was free, and a drive through offered in Sarasota County. The wait was 20 minutes, and the results came in 15 minutes much to my surprise. It seems like testing is getting better and better each day. If you haven't been tested I encourage you to do so now. If you do decide to travel for the holiday, it's a must. Please be careful and do what you can to keep this thing under control while we wait for the virus. While it's true that I'm all over the world, I am taking every measure possible to be COVID free and I hope I stay that way. Check with your local county resources for free COVID testing, and BTW they don't touch your brain with the swabs. Yes it tickles and tingles but it's not the end of the world!

Stay safe, please join along with me on the travels and I hope to see you on Havana Heartbeat, Costa Rica Exotica or the Mighty Five in Utah next year!

XOXO

Daniel 

Cruise Lines International Association has issued the following statement in response to the CDC’s “Framework for Conditional Sailing Order.”
Guided by the recommendations of leading experts in health and science, including the Healthy Sail Panel (HSP), our members are 100% committed to helping to protect the health of our guests, our crew and the communities we serve, and are prepared to implement multiple layers of protocols informed by the latest scientific and medical knowledge. We will continue to evolve our approach as circumstances evolve. The economic consequences of the ongoing suspension of service are felt in communities across the United States and with hundreds of thousands of jobs at stake, we are committed to resume sailing in a responsible manner that keeps public health in the forefront. We look forward to reviewing the Order in greater detail and working with the CDC to advance a return to cruising from U.S. ports.
CLIA members have been in a voluntary suspension of operations from U.S. ports for over seven months. In that time, CLIA member cruise lines have worked with leading outside experts in health and science to develop science-based measures to further strengthen public health protocols and mitigate the risk of COVID-19 for passengers, crews and destinations. With enhanced measures in place—including 100% testing for passengers and crew prior to boarding, mask-wearing, physical distancing requirements, highly controlled shore excursions and many more—CLIA members have gradually resumed sailing in Europe and other parts of the world with success.  
CLIA president and CEO Kelly Craighead said:
“While we look forward to reviewing the new Order in detail, we expect much of the Healthy Sail Panel’s recommendations, which were adopted by CLIA’s Global of Directors earlier this month, have been considered and will serve as an important foundation. The cruise industry and the CDC have a long track record of working together in the interest of public health, and we look forward to continuing to build upon this legacy to support the resumption of cruising from U.S. ports. With enhanced measures in place, and with the continued guidance of leading experts in health and science as well as the CDC, we are confident that a resumption of cruising in the U.S. is possible to support the economic recovery while maintaining a focus on effective and science-based measures to protect public health.”
We continue to support our preferred provider of Adult Sailing only, Virgin Voyages. For more information please email [email protected] on these incredible sailings from Richard Branson. 

The old Detroit Hotel in Saint Petersburg Florida has been undergoing renovations recently with the intent of turning it into a Steam-Punk Club & Pizzeria. I personally can't wait for it's opening and opportunity to visit. The Detroit Hotel was St. Petersburg's first building and has undergone a number of alterations since 1888.

While undergoing renovations the developers took down sheetrock to find an elevator from 1912, hand carved posts, a telephone switchboard, antique wallpaper and much more. This type of discovery excites me personally because of the changes that have occurred in Florida over the years where we have lost much of its history. If you'd like to read more about the story and check out a video provided by Bay News 9 click here: https://bit.ly/3k2SGBF

It's been a long time coming, and the day is finally here. Adventures Across America has provided the most educational and enjoyable experience in travel that I've ever known, and I'm grateful for all those I've met along the way and especially tho those of you that followed, commented and shared my posts. Grazie!  It's most certainly going to help in 2021 and beyond.

Back in April before hitting the road, I purchased 3 tickets to foreign countries at rock bottom prices. It was a gamble, knowing that any one of the airlines could go out of business, but I felt it was worth the risk. The countries are: Peru, Chile, Costa Rica and Ecuador. Costa Rica and Ecuador have opened their doors, but I'm not comfortable yet with Ecuador so I plan on waiting a bit. 

I leave for Costa Rica on October 19th out of Miami, and will return on October 27th. The trip is exploratory, educational and I'll be treating it just as I did with Adventures Across America by documenting every step of the way. Posts and videos of the Adventure can be found at www.facebook.com/myxoadventures by liking the page. 

Before I leave, I'd like to provide some valuable Information on the status, and advisories of countries you can visit as of this moment. This list changes daily, but the links take you right to the Embassy, and if there are any changes the website should reflect it there.

​News from Cuba is that Havana is opening at the end of November, and we will be traveling in March on Havana Heartbeat. A second date has been opened up as the March 11th departure is full. If you'd like more information click here for Havana Heartbeat or here for Costa Rica Exotica

The countries available for US citizens to Travel are:
1.) Albania - Level 3 - Click here for the U.S. Embassy Information on Travel to Albania 
2.) Anguilla - Level 3 - Click here for more information about Anguilla Travel
3.) Antigua and Barbuda - Level 3 - Click here for the US Department of State info on Travel to Antigua and Barbuda
4.) Armenia - Level 3 - U.S. Embassy in Armenia 
5.) Aruba - Level 3 - Aruba visitation Requirements 
6.) Bahamas - Level 4 - Protocols For Entry To the Bahamas
7.) Belarus (umm no) - Level 3 - U.S. Embassy in Belarus (Please, not a good time to travel for a variety of reasons)
8.) Belize - Level 4 - U.S. Embassy in Belize
9.) Bermuda - Level 3 - Bermuda Tourism Authority
10.) Cambodia - Level 2 - U.S. Department of State Advisories for Cambodia
11.) Costa Rica - Level 3 - Embassy of Costa Rica Travel Restrictions
12.) Croatia - Level 3 - U.S. Embassy in Croatia
13.) Dominica - Level 3 - U.S. Embassy Advisories for Dominica
14.) Dominican Republic - Level 4 - U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic Travel Advisories
15.) Ecuador - Level 3 - U.S. Embassy in Ecuador Travel Advisories
16.) Egypt - Level 3  - U.S. Embassy in Egypt Travel Advisories
17.) Ethiopia - Level 3 - U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia Travel Advisories 
18.) French Polynesia - Level 2 - U.S. Embassy in French Polynesia Travel Advisories 
19.) Ghana - Level 3 - U.S. Embassy in Ghana Travel Advisories 
20.) Grenada - Level 2 - U.S. Embassy in Grenada Travel Advisories 
21.) Haiti - Level 4 - U.S. Embassy in Haiti Travel Advisories 
22.) Honduras - Level 4 - U.S. Embassy in Honduras Travel Advisories 
23.) Ireland - Level 3 - U.S. Embassy in Ireland Travel Advisories 
24.) Jamaica - Level 3 - U.S. Embassy in Jamaica Travel Advisories and Entry Requirements
25) Kenya - Level 3- U.S. Embassy in Kenya Travel Advisories and Entry Requirements
26.) Maldives - Level 3 - U.S. Mission to Maldives Travel Advisories and Entry Requirements 
27.) Mexico - Level 4 - U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Mexico Travel Advisories and Entry Requirements
28.) Montenegro - Level 3 - U.S. Embassy in Montenegro Travel Advisories and Entry Requirements
29.) Namibia - Level 4 - U.S. Embassy in Namibia Travel Advisories and Entry Requirements 
30.) Rwanda - Level 3 - U.S. Embassy in Rwanda Travel Advisories and Entry Requirements 
31.) St. Bart's - Level 3 - U.S. Embassy in Barbados, Eastern Caribbean, and the OECS 
32.) St. Lucia - Level 3 -  U.S. Embassy in Barbados, Eastern Caribbean, and the OECS 
33.) St. Maarten/St. Martin - Level 3 - U.S. Embassy in Barbados, Eastern Caribbean, and the OECS 
34.) Serbia - Level 3 - U.S. Embassy in Serbia Travel Advisories and Entry Requirements 
35.) South Korea - Level 3 - U.S. Embassy & Consulate in the Republic of Korea Travel and Entry Requirements
36.) Tanzania - Level 3 - U.S. Embassy in Tanzania Travel Advisory and Entry Requirements 
37.) Turks and Caicos - Level 3 - U.S. Consular Agency Travel Advisory and Entry Requirements 
38.) United Arab Emirates - Level 3 - U.S. Embassy in United Arab Emirates Travel Advisor and Entry Requirements
39.) United Kingdom - Level 3 - U.S. Embassy in the United Kingdom Travel Advisory and Entry Requirements 
40.) Zambia - Level 3 - U.S. Embassy in Zambia Travel Advisory and Entry Requirements

Whew! So the above mentioned countries can change levels and requirements day to day. The Key for the levels are:
Level 1 - COVID 19 Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2 - COVID 19 Exercise Increased Caution 
Level 3 - COVID 19 Reconsider Travel
Level 4 - COVID 19 Do Not Travel

Here is a link that will take you The State Department Map showing Worldwide Consulates and Embassies as well as a legend of Travel Advisories - Click Here 

I hope you find this information useful and follow along my journey to Costa Rica which starts this coming Monday!

XOXO
Daniel Milks 

I never realized how much I miss the Fall colors. Fortunate would be an understatement of how I feel about having circle Colorado on the second part of Adventures Across America. Simple things have meant a lot. Aspen trees run through the pine forests like rivers of gold, their spade shaped leaves fluttering in the wind as if greeting you along the path. It's truly astounding. 

As I write this, I'm preparing for my departure from Pagosa Springs, Colorado and entering New Mexico. My goal is to further research the itinerary put together for the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta in October of 2020. Before arriving, I'll have to get a PCR test later today, and comply with stricter rules than in South Dakota! It's definitely trivial when compared to the places I plan to go like Chama, Abiquiu, Santa Fe, Albuquerque and many more National Monuments. 

I mentioned that as a part of the adventure I'll be using the Couchsurfing App along the way, and so far, it's been great. in Gunnison and Crested Butte my host was Lee, and he proved to be warm, welcoming, and a great guide to the area. Crested Butte left me wanting more, and I intend to come back for wildflower season, of which they claim to be the wildflower capital of the world!

On another subject, Costa Rica just announced they are opening their borders for tourism. I had a flight moved several times due to COVID, and the last move was for October 19th, which means I'll be picking up the pace on this journey. I'd like to visit Costa Rica before myXOadventures.com scheduled trip COSTA RICA EXOTICA on February 6th, and this is my window of opportunity. I hope you stay with me along the way through New Mexico and Costa Rica! In the meantime, stay safe, be kind and enjoy the great outdoors!