Sue Wolfe

Kenya can only be described as a bucket list trip. I consider myself very fortunate to have been able to make the journey twice. The most recent trip exceeded all my expectations. Having initially only experienced the Mara, it was a bonus to visit Samburu and Lewa Downs. These two parks in Northern Kenya introduced me to the region’s beautiful birds and endangered rhinos. A special thank you to Boss and T-Bell (Dan and Tanya) for another perfectly executed trip.

Romania treated us to beautiful fall colors and a light dusting of snow. While the landscapes “rocked” there were two things that stood out to me … the warm, friendly people and the medieval churches painted inside and out with murals depicting the Biblical stories. Thank you Boss and T-Bell for another fabulous trip! Your workshop formula is perfect … great photo ops, wonderful boutique hotels, unique cultural experiences, and travel buddies that become life long friends.

The Patagonia trip is a study in contrasts. You start out with the hustle and bustle of Buenos Aires and all that comes with it – tango dancers, eclectic neighborhoods and the famous Recoleta Cemetery. But just a 3-hour flight away you enter the southern region known as Patagonia with wide-open expanses, glaciers, guanacos and 8 million sheep. Being out in nature is certainly the highlight of this trip. However, for those that appreciate Argentine wine, Dan and Tanya found this great wine bar in El Chalten that has the best selection of local wines and appetizers. The folks at La Vineria hosted a first-class wine tasting for us and packaged up our favorites for the journey home.

Tanya and Jill’s earlier scouting trips paid off. Everything was planned down to the last detail and with the weather cooperating it was a picture perfect trip. I would not be able to list “a” favorite, but high on the list would be the falconry at Ashford Castle, Dunluce Castle, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Merry Ploughboy Pub and simply wandering the streets of Galway and Dublin. Oh, and let’s not forget the seaweed bath in Sligo and fresh oysters at Morans Oyster Cottage. Thanks Boss and T-Bell for another memorable trip.

This unique archipelago lured me back for a second time. Though I had decided to focus mainly on landscape photography this trip, I will admit that I was thrilled when we made a detour and headed to Genovesa Island with the promise of seeing red-footed boobies. The itinerary was hard to keep up with – eat, shoot, snorkel/sunbathe, eat, snorkel/sunbathe, shoot, eat, and fall asleep to the gentle rocking of the waves. I believe I just talked myself into Galapagos III.

Fall in the Canadian Rockies … think cool mornings, aspens turning golden yellow, turquoise lakes, elk bugling and Tanya across the lake fixing breakfast on her gas stove … and not necessarily in that order. The drive from Kananaskis Country to Jasper along the Icefields Parkway has to be one of the most scenic in North America and our timing was impeccable. Did I mention there were maple cream cookies on the bus!

Back to Alaska for the salmon run. The summer bear trip was about momma bears and their cubs with an occasional trip to the flats for a demonstration on clamming. The fall is all about putting on pounds and getting ready for winter. But don’t think the bears had all the fun. The girls did quite nicely in the fishing category as well. If you are looking for solitude, Lake Clark NP is your destination. Due to its remoteness, it is the least visited in the park system with only 5,000 visitors a year (Smoky Mountains NP averages 9 million). Go check it out!

Hard to beat sailing around the Pacific Ocean on a private yacht soaking up the uniqueness of the island’s flora and fauna and the rays of the equatorial sun. I believe somewhere along this trip I asked Dan “where to next” which later became the domain name for my website. By the way, the answer to that question … Alaska.

No better way to spend the 4th of July (or Canada Day) than with Dan and Tanya on a secluded beach cooking burgers and dogs and listening to oldies music. Throw in a number of brown bears, bald eagles and puffins to round out the week and life gets good. Lessons learned – don’t leave the boat without your fashionable hip waders and a can of mosquito spray!

My first trip to Yellowstone and first trip “officially” with Dan and Tanya after meeting them in Norway. Coming from Texas, I was a little concerned about the frigid winter temperatures of Yellowstone … but no worries. They had all the bases covered. Dan sent out a list well in advance with “clothing must haves” and Tanya was there with her boxes of goodies and hot chocolate to make sure everyone stayed toasty! Thanks for letting me be part of the NE family.