Exciting Year Ahead

March 31, 2025 jpetesd9 Comments

I am beyond excited to share that the next twelve months will be packed with incredible experiences and unforgettable milestones. There’s so much in store, and I can’t wait to take you along for the ride. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s coming up!

A Journey to Africa

In mid-May, Kris and I will be setting off an adventure of a lifetime…our first trip to Africa! We’ll meet Kris’ cousin Mary in Johannesburg, South Africa, and from there, we’ll dive headfirst into a sixteen-day journey across some awe-inspiring landscapes.

Our adventure will take us to the breathtaking Victoria Falls and on thrilling safaris across Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Zambia. I’m excited to witness Africa’s incredible wildlife firsthand and share our experiences with you. Our journey will culminate with four days of exploration in the vibrant city of Cape Town, South Africa. I’ll do my best to post updates along the way, but please bear with me if they’re a bit sporadic. I’ll be out in the bush where Wi-Fi is hard to come by!

New Book Release: It’s Just sMiles

I have some exciting news on the literary front, too! I’m thrilled to announce the publication of my next book: It’s Just sMiles: Just Pete on the Camino de Santiago. This book will take you on a journey through the breathtaking landscapes of the Camino de Santiago while exploring the transformative power of a simple smile.

The Camino is a pilgrimage like no other, and I can’t wait to share the stories, lessons, and unforgettable moments from this remarkable adventure. I hope to have it published in the second half of the year. Stay tuned for more details as we get closer to the release date!

Another Adventure: The Florida Trail Awaits

For those of you who have been following my adventures, you know I’m always looking for the next big challenge. In early January, I’ll be trading the mountains and bears of the Appalachian Trail for the swamps and gators of the Florida Trail.

This 1,400-mile trek will take me from the Everglades to Pensacola, navigating through Florida’s diverse landscapes and ecosystems. It will be a completely different challenge from anything I’ve done before, and I’d love for you to join me along the way as I explore the wild beauty of the Florida Trail. As I go, I’ll share my experiences, lessons, and stories from the trail, so don’t miss out.

Stay tuned for more updates and stories as we embark on these exciting adventures together. Your support and encouragement mean the world to me, and I can’t wait to share every moment with you.

Here’s to an extraordinary year ahead!

Happy Trails!

Just Pete

Jervis Bay

March 23, 2024March 23, 2024 jpetesd4 Comments

Today, we embarked on a mission to explore Australia’s wild, untamed wilderness. What was the mission, you ask? Well, let’s just say it involved a lot of hopping. And no, it wasn’t a pub crawl.

Our adventure was sparked by our son-in-law, Austin, who encouraged us to visit Jervis Bay after spending significant time in Australia several years ago. So, we hopped (get it?) into a rental car and cruised 125 miles south of Sydney to check it out.

Jervis Bay is the kind of place that makes you wonder if Photoshop exists in real life. Pristine beaches and crystal-clear water are abundant. The Booderee National Park also surrounds the bay, which adds to its unspoiled beauty.

Our base of operations for the day was the Huskisson Hotel in the quaint seaside town of Huskisson, where the views are stunning and the birds are plentiful.

In the afternoon, we ventured into Booderee National Park, armed with nothing but our spirits and iPhones. At the gate, we asked a park ranger where we could play paparazzi with kangaroos. Her answer? “You have a 90% chance of seeing them at Green Patch and are virtually guaranteed to spot a few at Caves Beach.” Clearly, it was game on!

Booderoo!! Crikey!!

Kangaroos are herbivores and like to graze in the park’s many grassy areas.

Witnessing these roos in their natural habitat was nothing short of surreal. Contrary to my belief that they were skittish, they were chill. Like, “Yeah, mate, come take a selfie” level of chill. Too cool.

If you’ve had enough kangaroo pictures, here’s a wallaby for you.

If you want to see more roos, we have a very interesting outing planned for tomorrow. It promises to be hopping.

G’day mates.

Bay of Islands

March 11, 2024March 11, 2024 jpetesd4 Comments

Welcome to New Zealand!

After 1,300 miles and 2 ½ days of a roller coaster ride on the high seas, we are anchored in the Bay of Islands.

New Zealand has a North Island and a South Island. The Bay of Islands is in the northern region of New Zealand’s North Island.

The Bay of Islands is a cluster of 150 islands that are rocky, rugged, and easy on the eyes.

New Zealand’s earliest Maori settlers migrated here more than 700 years ago. Maori and British missionaries first met here in 1814. Charles Darwin took a break from evolving theories to stop by shortly after that. And in 1840, the Treaty of Waitangi was signed here between British colonists and Maori chiefs.

Despite being tossed around like a salad for a couple days, we decided the best way to see this slice of paradise was, ironically, from a boat.

The many undeveloped beaches are surrounded by a vibrant blue and turquoise color water.

The area is also a haven for marine life. We saw bottleneck dolphins, schools of fish, a couple of chill seals lounging about, and even a penguin.

Seal barely visible to right of penguin.

Hole in the Rock is an iconic landmark on Piercy Island. The archway was formed over centuries by wind and waves eroding the island’s sorter rock, creating a large hole that boats can pass through when the tide and conditions are right. We had the right conditions, and our boat passed through the arch. Nature’s own thrill ride.