Anyone else get affected by the travel outages!? Oh my - the stories I’ve been reading about Atlanta airport are way worse than mine so I don’t want to sound like I’m complaining too much but gosh, definitely threw a little wrench in our plans of more global travels this last week. But let’s take it back a week to my “off week” a.k.a. "busy with real life week."
With RV life comes also the real life of needing maintenance and repairs and that’s just not as simple as taking your car in. After a few great training days in Ft Myers and Sarasota our journey was heading north. Having been out of the country so long, we also tried to catch up with as many friends as possible when passing through our former home base of Tampa/St. Pete and Lakeland. Rejuvenating time with friends well-spent while also getting time with DK, my coach, on court.
Training with a weight vest in this Florida heat is no joke
RV Appointments are made months out so this was our week for Frank the Tank to get his checkup, all the way in Orlando for the generator and then in Ocala for the motor. It’s an all day affair and sometimes a couple of days but all needed for the journey to keep rolling smoothly. Our home on wheels continued the journey after Ocala to the panhandle for time with friends in a beautiful spot for training at Watersound, a.k.a. 30A. Taylor Swift has a song about this place! Kids love it. We love it. Training is great. Weather is brutally hot but great for training.
Our trip to Dubai was on the calendar to start Sunday. Sans kids. First time out of the country without them as it was a pure work trip with a very fast turnaround. Grateful to the Clarke family who took our kiddos under their wing and had a blast together. I don’t think JR ever noticed we were gone.
Ryler and I went off to the airport after saying our tough goodbyes to the kids. Dubai here we come - so we thought. First obstacle at Panama City beach airport, delayed flight not letting us get our connection in Atlanta so quick adjustment in the schedule needed. Ryler and I drove to Atlanta five hours to make it happen. Every flight a day delayed, meaning our trip was shortened to 36h in Dubai. Not ideal, but worth it for the cause of growing the game.
On top of Burj Khalifa, tallest building in the world
Dubai was incredible. Nothing I really had envisioned. Built within the last 50 years, this city is magnificent. Stunning architecture. Modern. Clean. People were vibrant and hospitable. Landed at 8 p.m. and out the hotel door within 20 minutes to see the city and dinner and meet people. And it just never ended. From the tour of the Burj Khalifa to playing an exhibition match with the gorgeous view on the 12th floor, interviews, introductions, to meeting World Champ Indian cricketer Yuzi who’s wife enjoys pickleball to seeing the Saudi Prince come check out what pickleball is all about… I’m not sure how this all came together, but this pickleball life is truly something I had never dreamed of. Grateful to the people organizing our trip and the exposure and the growth of pickleball. The future of the game is mind blowing.
Pinching myself, seriously pickleball on the 12th floor
Pickleblall with most gorgeous backdrop, Burj Khalifa
As expected our trip flew by and we were back on the plane getting back to the kids, but one more hiccup had to be overcome - missed connection in London. We were just not meant to get back just yet and got stuck in London for two days. Ryler and I decided to make the most of the opportunity and continue to enjoy our anniversary celebrations by going full tourist mode. Also had the joy of meeting up with my sister and my little niece, Avery, who live in London. Don’t get to see them enough so this was pure joy! Covent Garden, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, tube rides, red double decker bus rides, fish & chips, high tea with scones and all the English things you can imagine, it was fit into 24 hours and now finally sitting on a plane back to American soil. ✈️
Big Ben!
My little niece, Avery
Shoutout to my hubby for being the best travel buddy through life. Celebrating our 10-year Hawaii wedding anniversary this entire week all over the world seemed rather appropriate for our life nowadays. Yes, we’ve actually been married for 13 years but the first time was just him and me, so 10 years ago, we celebrated our renewal with family and friends in Kauai, Hawaii where Ryler was born. Maybe it’s time for another fun renewal in another beautiful part of the world. It’s a great excuse to get everyone together!
Happy 10 year hawaii wedding anniversary ❤️
Thanks for following the blog. I’ve got a very hectic August ahead so this week is mental and physical prep work for that. More info on that in my next blog.
Don’t forget to follow me on my socials. Thanks for reading!
Comments