Talley Your Adventure – The Blog

Adventure Awaits!

At Talley Your Adventure, we don’t just plan luxury and culturally rich travel experiences—we live and breathe them. Our blog, travelingtalleys.blog, is where we share the real stories behind our adventures: kayaking alongside glaciers in Alaska, exploring temples in Japan, chasing waterfalls in Iceland, and wandering through storybook towns in Germany. If it’s unforgettable, chances are we’ve done it—or we’re planning it next.

Nicolette brings deep experience in travel and heritage. With a Master’s in Public History, she’s worked as a Supervisory Park Ranger, Revenue Manager, and Program Analyst across multiple national parks for over a decade. Her career has taken her from managing interpretive boat tours in Alaska’s wild backcountry to overseeing large-scale visitor service projects with million-dollar budgets. And yes—she’s also a licensed 100-Ton Inland Master Boat Captain who’s led cultural and ecological tours from riverboats to remote beaches.

Clinton’s travel roots run just as deep. He’s worked in logistics and operations for the National Park Service and was a key member of the hospitality team aboard National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions. From managing guest services on remote international voyages to coordinating facility software systems stateside, he knows what it takes to deliver seamless, high-end travel experiences—even in the most unpredictable places.

Together, we created Talley Your Adventure to bring our experience, passion, and attention to detail to your travel planning. Whether it’s a fully curated group trip or a personalized vacation built just for you, we combine expert-level service with insider know-how—so you can focus on the magic of the journey.

Want us to help you on your next adventure? Head over to www.talleyyouradventure.com!

@talleyyouradventure_dv
Sakura Blooms – Inuyama, Japan

  • Adventure Cruising: My Unforgettable Panama Experience

    Back in 2010 when Clinton and I first met, it was aboard the Sea Lion, a US flagged ship with Lindblad Expeditions that sails from Colon, Panama to Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica. Clinton was working at the time as a Lead Steward with the Hotel Department, and I was working as a Deckhand with the Deck Department. Simply put, we had control of the ship! Ha, I kid. Working on a ship is filled with long hours, compacted days (no. days. off!) but lots of adventure and travel packed into multiple months working onboard a place where you also live. It was definitely an experience and led to not just great travel experiences, but amazing friendships that I still enjoy today!

    One of those amazing experiences was traversing across the Panama Canal. This fifty-mile stretch of the Panama isthmus was built in 1904 and through a signed treaty, was transferred to the United States in 1914. It would be my first time working on board a ship as a deckhand going through a canal! The bummer, for me, was that the Panamanians were the actual line handlers – I was tasked with assisting them if they needed any help – but being able to take a step back and watch the process was fascinating. The electronic ‘mules’ that move the boat through the lock, watching the gates lift, and slowing rising or falling with the boat…I cannot give a true explanation! It is worth the experience going through the canal. Funny enough, for us, we ended up taking HOURS to get through the canal. It is HUGE!!

    After making our way through the canal, we had made it to the Pacific Ocean! What a cool way to get from one ocean to the other! I had actually flown into Panama City, taken a taxi to Colon to join the boat, to come back to Panama City for a night! Panama is a beautiful country that lives within the local landscape. While Panama City is a larger city, towns found on Isla Coiba and other coastal towns were smaller and had a more intimate feel with nature. Food may not be presented in a manner we are use to back in the US, but it is delicious and absolutely worth trying. Take a stroll, meet some locals at a bar, and sample some of the local food. You will not be disappointed!

    Isla Coiba was a cute island that we stopped off for the day. My shift had started overnight, so I was exhausted when 7 a.m. rolled around after starting work the night before at 7 p.m.! I was able to go out on a zodiac (inflatable boat with engine) and go to a remote part of the island and sit there for a couple hours to relax. It was nice looking back at the boat and Panama from the ocean!

    The clients on board this trip loved every minute – from the personalized food options on board to the amazing excursions offered in Panama and Costa Rice – booking an adventure cruise is worth the extra expense! These boats are much smaller as well, which allows them to get closer to shore and to other areas where the larger boats simply cannot go! More importantly, it lets you learn more about new countries, customs, and cultures.

    The rest of the cruise traveled into the neighboring country of Costa Rica – so make sure to follow me here to read more about Costa Rica and the remainder of this amazing cruise trip!

  • First International Travel Experiences #Advice #TravelingTalleys #TalleyYourAdventure

    Drinking Absinthe in Prague, Czech Republic

    Recent personal events have lead me to planning my next trip to Europe! #TalleyYourAdventure thought this is a great time to talk about personal experiences traveling abroad and a few tips from our adventures.

    Europe 2010

    The first time that I traveled internationally was about a year out of college to work for Lindblad Expeditions. I had previous experience working on a ship, so at least I knew about boat life. The first country I ever visited was Panama City, Panama. (Photo disclaimer –I did not have a cool, high tech smart phone back then so no pictures– this one is when Clinton and I first went to Europe in 2010!)From there I got into a taxi and drove a few hours to Colon, Panama where I stayed in a hotel for a few nights before getting on the boat. Our destination was through the Panama Canal to Costa Rica, and from there Mexico. While those stories are for another time, looking back on my travels I remember trying to be as smart as I could before leaving to a country where I would have no communication for possibly a few weeks. No cell phone plans that I could afford included the same things they do today and most hotels did not have internet. I gave my parents the information that Lindblad provided (ship information, flight itinerary, even emergency contact information)and told her that I would send her an email when I got internet access. I ended up getting internet access for free when I got on the boat because as a new crew member I received internet credit. 

    Guess where we were!?

    After that you paid for internet while working on the ship. If you actually got internet! We were on a boat in remote areas, remember! I actually typed my letters in a word document so that when/if I got internet access I could copy/paste my letters into an email and send it really quickly. I finally was able to contact my mom about a week after I left the United States. During my travels, I tried to make sure I was as safe as possible.I had specific instructions from Lindblad on where and who would be driving the taxi. I verified that information before I got into the taxi. When I got into the hotel I met the other new employee as well, and she was from the area. She walked around with me that night. I did not travel or walk away from her, and she in turn stayed with me as well. We both walked back to the hotel together. We communicated and had a plan!

    Trying goat cheese and plum brandy in Romania!

    Clinton’s first time traveling was when he was sixteen and he flew all the way to Tasmania, Australia! Under a great program called Youth for Understanding, Clinton lived with an older, retired couple close by other kids in the program. They studied the culture and history, including hiking Ayers Rock.. He was even more cut off from contacting his family back in the United States because of the time (1999) and it was literally on the other side of the world. Immersion in the program provided a great opportunity to really connect to the area and learn as much as possible while away from family. Many of the friends that he met during this time in his life he still remembers fondly because of the shared experiences they had. Programs like this we highly encourage because we’ve found that the best times are spent with others out in nature. One of the most important thing to remember with long trips such as the United States to Australia is to give yourself a break and make sure that you don’t overwhelm your brain. If you need more time for a layover, take it. If you need more time after you arrive and need to take a day extra off, do that as well. Don’t forget that you’ll need to go through customs and FOLLOW THEIR LAWS. They are not kidding and don’t be disrespectful!

    First real Italian pizza!

    We have lasting friendships with many of the friends that we’ve met throughout our travles or those who’ve used a program to come to the United States. We’ve both been to Europe twice and many different states throughout our travels. We always try and make sure that someone, usually my mom (thanks mom!) knows where we are going or a general camping area if out in the middle of nowhere. If she doesn’t hear from me after a few days she starts calling. We keep tabs on things like what we are packing, how everyone feels, and what energy level we really have. If you do end up traveling internationally alone, just be smart about it, and have fun! Don’t let language, custom, or food hold you back from visiting places! Get out there and #TalleyYourAdventure #International soon!

  • From Summit to Kīpahulu District: Visiting Haleakalā National Park

    One of the best experiences I have had so far in 2023 is visiting three of the islands of Hawai’i. Oahu, the Big Island of Hawai’i, and Maui were stunning examples of history and culture that blended so well it created its own identity. My first stop along our trip was the Summit District. At over 10,000 ft, it was COLD!

    It was awesome having the clouds part as we drove to the top. Close to the parking lot at the top of the summit – House of the Sun – is a small visitor center and a hike to see the land that Pele and her sister Namakaokahaʻi found over centuries ago. Today, their battle continues at Kilauea (which we also were able to view in all her glory later in our trip!) The short hike further uphill to the viewpoint is easy and short, but be aware you are already at over 10,000 feet – it is no joke! I stopped a few times to catch my breath. Even in the middle of summer, at the top of a summit in the middle of the ocean can still catch you short of breath. It is worth the hike and drive to the top. The view is stunning. The picture I took does not do the colors and beauty of the crater justice. Hearing a talk from the park ranger on the cultural story of the Deity Pele was the perfect way to end our trip to the summit. If you are able to listen to a ranger talk, make sure you do take the time. I learned a lot over the thirty minute program. Spent time realizing how quite the area really is – walk away from others!

    The next day we went to the second part of our trip. The Kīpahulu District can be accessed after driving 12 miles along the Hāna Highway. Not for the faint of heart – I warn you now! The road is incredibly windy and narrow. Parts of the road become one way – mostly over a bridge or the bend in the road – and yield signs will be on both signs for the drivers to figure out based on their arrival time. Confused? Yeah. I was glad that someone else was driving, but that someone else was a very erratic driver. So, my advice to you: Definitely do not miss this part of the island, but if you plan to drive, make sure you know who your driver is and make sure if you get car sick you take precautions based on that driver. When you arrive, you will be greeted by amazing views of volcanic rocks meeting ocean waves. It is a gorgeous site no matter where you walk – and the culture is predominant on this part of the island. Mostly Native Hawaiians live in this district, and it shows. They were welcoming and full of smiles in all instances, and we had a great time interacting with any cultural interpreter we met during the day. We had a blast eating fresh tropical fruit while listening to the waves hit the side of the rocks. It was definitely a completely different world when compared to the side of the island we had left the other day!

    I loved the fact that, as long as you can make it out there, you are able to camp in the Kipahulu District. The campsites are fantastic! Absolutely gorgeous views like the one in my picture, with incredible access to a serene landscape and neighboring hikes. The district is small and feels like there isn’t much around, but that is because most of the homes and areas where people come together are integrated into the surrounding forest and landscape. Roads are narrow and usually one way – people seem to know each other at every intersection, routinely resulting in a small traffic jam while they exchange pleasantries. It was a slower pace and one that was evidently more intimate and peaceful, which was appreciated after such a long and harrowing drive. It will take you the whole day to drive back and forth if you start in Kahului like we did, so plan accordingly. I don’t remember really seeing many accommodations on this part of the island. I loved the area and hope to go back in the near future!

    The food and drinks of Maui are amazing – but a bit expensive. Mai Tai’s are the way to go and they make them pretty strong no matter the place you eat! This island was by far the most expensive of all the places we visited in our two weeks of island hopping. As long as you are good with tropical fruit, which I am, then you will have a great time with any drinks that are offered. I have never had such a great time with coconut options! Feel free to stop by the stands alongside the road – they are AMAZING. We ended up trying a lot of random fruit – most I don’t even remember their name – so definitely experiment. If you like seafood – THIS IS YOUR PLACE! Everything was fresh and each place seemed to experiment with their own recipe or take on a simple concept, like fish tacos. Which I also recommend. 🙂

    Renting a car is highly recommended as that was the only way we could get from one part of the island to the other, or even around time. This island did not seem as big with public transportation as others. Make sure you take time and swim in the ocean! We had a hotel that was right across from a small beach and I went every day – either morning or evening – to swim in the ocean. Even if all you do is watch sunset or sunrise, it is a must when visiting Hawaii. Have a great time no matter which part of the island you visit, but when going to Maui, try to visit both the Summit and Kipahulu Districts! The roads are usually only a few lands on each side. It isn’t like back on the continent where they have multiple highways intersecting in cities. Even their most major city on Maui, Kahului, is rather small. I loved that when we landed I was able to walk across the terminal and find my teammates with ease! Hawaiian Airlines has great prices between the Hawaiian islands, so be sure to look through their flight options if you plan to island hop. Have fun!!