Baja Trophy Truck. Check.

One of the many things that make the Gateway Canyons property unique is the fact that its the only place in the world you can ride along in a trophy Baja truck with a professional driver. You can even taken a course to drive one yourself.

I had a blast riding along with professional driver Andrew Hendricks…well that is after the first few laps. It certainly was a once in a lifetime experience and I'm glad I figured out the Go Pro enough to get great footage from inside the truck and also outside mounted on the hood.

Helicopter Ride. Check.

My first visit to Gateway Canyons was a few months ago in early December--right after they were hit with a massive snowstorm that dumped a foot plus of snow on the grounds. GC looks a bit different under all that white fluffy stuff! Now that the snow has melted, the red rocks really pop and it's a quite, peaceful place.


My day started off with my very first (and pretty sure my last) helicopter ride. GC has it's own helicopter and pilots, and they were all too eager to get me up in the air to show off the gorgeous  scenery. The views from the copter were stunning--from what I could see. I spent much of the 20 minute ride fiddling with the GoPro and trying not to vomit. I declined the offer to venture out further into Arches National Park at Moab. I'm good. Get this girl back on the ground...

Playing Tourist in NYC.

I was born and raised in the Northeast and now live in Southern California for 8 years. I'm often asked if I miss it. Yeah. I miss the people, the lifestyle, and mostly I miss my family. Do I miss the change of seasons? Hell no. I'm in NYC about 50% of the time for work. Truly living the bi-costal lifestyle. I see as much seasonal change as I need. And I'm always excited to come back to where it's sunny and 75 and steps from the warm sand and cool salt breeze.

Although I'm in NYC frequently, I never really get to see or experience the touristy stuff. I stay in nice hotels down in SoHo (I avoid Times Square like the Plague). So this year I made a promise to myself to see/do at least one touristy thing each trip. First up--the Statue of Liberty!

Considering I'm pretty into my Sicilian heritage and my Grandparents came to this country via Ellis Island, I myself find it fascinating I'm just now visiting here.

It was a cold overcast Wednesday morning in early April and the crown and torch just recently re-opened after extensive damage due to Hurricane Sandy. Many of the rooms at the museum are currently still closed and under renovations. Still, very cool experience. I sat for a long while in one of the rooms just imagining what it was like for my Grandparents to arrive here and go through the processing…oh to have been a fly on the wall in the 1920's...