2010 Travel Plans, Winter Olympics and 2009 Highlights

Happy New Year!

A sports and travel highlight of 2009 was a 7-day trip to Vancouver, Whistler and Richmond in British Columbia, Canada, to visit the cities and venues that will host the Winter Olympics next month.  The Games take place February 12-28, 2010, and the Paralympics, March 12-21, 2010.

The Inukshuk, pronounced "in ook shook," is the image of a man that was originally created by the Inuit people to act as a compass or a guide. The stone monument is unique to the Canadian Arctic region. It is the symbol of the 2010 Winter Olympics. I took this photo in Whistler in Feb. '09.

Photo by Karen Kefauver

Another highlight of 2009 was my running vacation with 70 other runners from around the world with The Coastal Experiences in Costa Rica! Check out my photos and story on that trip!

I'm excited about my 2010 travel line-up:

January

Florida. I'm headed to  Orlando for a Society of American Travel Writers workshop and then to see family in Naples.

February

Winter Olympics!

Please help me with my bid for the Olympics - not to compete, just to attend.  I don't have a travel ticket or accomodations YET, but  I am going to make this happen! Any tips appreciated!

The Games will be held February 12-28 and the Paralympic Winter Games will be held March 12-21 in the following Host Venue Cities:

• Vancouver
• Whistler
• Richmond

  Photo by Karen Kefauver

March

Ecuador tops the list! Jorge Perez, of Tierra del Volcan, whom I met through the Adventure Travel Trade Association, has convinced me that Ecuador is the country to check out for amazing mountain bike adventures. In 2008, I sampled the amazing mountain biking in Peru, and now I'm ready to tackle Ecuador.

October

Scotland- The Adventure Travel Trade Association will host their annual world summit in Aviemore, Scotland, October 4-7. I have attended the past Summits in 2006, 2007 and 2008, in Seattle, Whistler and Sao Paolo, Brazil. They were spectacular experiences and it was an honor to be selected as a speaker there in 2007 and 2008 on media panels. I missed 2009 in Quebec, so hope to return in 2010 with an active role there.

Riding in the  Peak 2 Peak Gondola at Whistler Blackcomb in February 2009, I'm smiling at the stunning view during the 11-minute journey over the peaks. It's the longest continuous lift system in the world. 

What adventures do you have lined up for 2010?