So you're going on a trip

Giddy. Excited. Slightly nervous. Something new. Feels like Christmas Eve as a wee lad. Packed bag 3 times. Checklist reviewed 3 times. All that's left is to go explore!

We like to have fun. We like to be social. We like to say, "Hey, I'm going on a trip, and that's all there is to it."

That's great and all, but it's wrong. So much goes into having a successful trip, and if preparing is done right then you can avoid a LOT of headaches later on. Of course, you can keep an exciting impromptu feel to your excursions, but get the basics down and you will thank yourself later.

When going to an NFL game in Europe, a jersey is a must

Bear Necessities:
- Passport, ID, Copies of each
- Form of Currency
- Phone (this can take care of boarding passes, maps, notes, camera, itinerary, and so much more)
- Map (if there is no internet for phone....but let's be real...where are you going, the moon?)
- Neck Wallet to discourage thieves

1. Know your trip

What are you taking? Where are you wanting to go? What to see? What kind of trip are you going on? Business/ leisure? Hiking? Walking a lot? How much money will you need? What to do with pets/kids? Hostel, Hotel, Airbnb, Couchsurf? Will there be power to charge phone and internet to access a map?

Answering these basic questions will help you narrow down what to put on your checklist. Every trip is going to be different and require a different set of items to accommodate the tripee.

2. Make a checklist

After answering your basic questions, make a checklist that will make sense for your area of travel. If you are going on a hiking excursion where you will be staying in tents, then it might be a good idea to bring a tent! Other items to bring would be a sleeping bag, lots of water, boots, and a plan for food (whether your food is pre-made or you will be on-the-go eating).

A site that is very good with coordinating a good trip with proper gear is Outfit Me Hub. You can use it to see what they would recommend on a trip you are considering, then pick out gear from the site or arrange your own.

Regardless of where you are going, you will find out quickly that a little prep goes a long way and it will at least let you get that much further. Of course there are spontaneous adventures that happen that can't be planned for, those just have to be taken as they come!

Get Lost

Not in a way your 4th grade crush told you when you were bugging her on the playground. Not the way a store clerk tells a solicitor or a panhandler. Get lost on that trail you haven't taken, but have wanted to. Get lost in some writing or what you believe in and love to do. Get lost in something that makes you say, "Yeah, I know why I'm alive." Getting lost will help you get found.

These pictures are from the Bright Angel Trail in the Grand Canyon. I had no intention of hiking to the edge of plateau and the end of this trail when I started, but it happened. As I began, it was at the canyon edge. I was walking down this myriad of a trail that winded down the mountain side as I peered into the pristine view of the canyon.

The Bright Angel Trail is one of the main trails on the South Rim of the canyon. It takes you deep into the canyon, and directly to the Colorado river. You can see where the trail ends on the plateau, where the River trail continues onto the Colorado river and the Phantom Ranch. Completing the entire trail there and back is intended for somewhat experienced hikers and is not advised to be completed in one day. I did not know this.

Exploring the Best Tropical Island

Paradise Point ($21 well spent)

If Jimmy Buffet had 2 tickets to paradise and he gave them to you, St. Thomas is where you would be heading. "A water lovers paradise". Visit, www.vinow.com/stthomas/ for details on the geography of St. Thomas.

Whether you come by cruise, plane, or sail, you will most likely end up at Long Bay at one point or another.

Long Bay is the central bay port and is the destination for tourists who want to shop, drink, and discover other ways to spend money. The main attraction in this area is Paradise Point.

Paradise Point is a sky lift that takes you to one of the highest points you can reach on the island and you are free to roam around the top and view sites of the entire southwest side of the island. At the top, you will be able to meet other tourists and meet locals who work the attraction. Feel free to grab an adult beverage and enjoy the day away as your senses are overloaded by a beautiful view.

If you are like me, and you like a more interactive attraction with some adventure, you will want to check out a smaller bay with a smaller crowd. I advise you to check out one of the smallest bays on the island- Coki Bay.

Coki Bay - Locals claim this is the best snorkeling bay

At Coki Bay, you can snag snorkeling gear and fish bait for $15 and enjoy the beauty of the sea. From what the locals told me, this was by far the best snorkeling destination as far as scenery goes, and they were right! I snorkeled for about an hour and saw a plethora of different fish (they will literally eat from your hand), an octopus, a sea turtle, sea urchins, crabs, iguanas everywhere, and sea horses, but no sharks. It was the best experience on the island. After I was almost finished, I was swimming around the bay and came across the local lifeguard, Tomi, who exclaimed to me in the most Jamaican/tropical accent, "You just out here swimmin, and you ain't scared of nothin huh?!" We chatted for a while then parted ways.

This island is one of those small islands, but it has a lot going on. You can snorkel, scuba dive, kayak, take boat tours, go on hikes, see amazing views, drink loads of alcohol, shop, interact with locals, or just simply relax on the beach. For more information on this beautiful island, visit - http://www.visitusvi.com/explore_islands/st_thomas.