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. Impact-Site-Verification: 8a69d429-4a55-4b53-b8f6-72c437661af5

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

  • Scenic Drive to #CallendarHouse and #CuzUKs day visit to @Scotland

    Welcome back to another great post about traveling overseas for the #TravelingTalleys and #CuzUK! During our trip to England, Emily and I had the opportunity to visit both Wales and Scotland for a day trip. When we were in Sunderland we were definitely closer to the border so we decided one of the days that we were in the area would be a day trip to Scotland. Besides the gorgeous views we were sure we would see our true destination was the Callendar House. The drive was past Edinburgh, so we also stopped at a bar/restaurant for a bite to eat before stopping on the border of Scotland and England and snapping a few pictures. It was a long day, but definitely worth the adventure!

    Like I mentioned in my last blog post, Emily was the driver for the entire trip. I was the navigator and attempted to take my role seriously – maybe a few times too seriously! All in all we seldom ran into problems, but one huge difference from the United States was the lack of stop signs and stop lights. Most intersections were roundabouts and only when exiting the highway/freeway did you start to see a stop sign/light. Since we were on the opposite side of the road, going through a roundabout was super strange! The signs were definitely different but at least we understood the language. I have to admit that was very strange at first. I’ve traveled overseas four times now – Mexico/Panama, Germany, Germany/Netherlands and now Iceland/England. When we landed first in Iceland for our connection flight to London I knew to look for symbols and had a feint idea of what I was looking for navigation wise for the language barrier (I try to look up something before visiting a country where I do not know the language well so I have a general idea – try it, you’ll thank me later!) When we landed in England and I read English it was so strange at first to be able to instantly know where and what I was suppose to be doing instead of reading the body language of the locals or trying to decipher a sign. Ha! Traveling is always so much fun. We landed in London and planned to spent at least a full week in London, but our first stop was a few days in Sunderland, which is North England. That is a full five hour drive so by the time we arrived in Sunderland that first day we were exhausted from travel and the time change. We had dinner and went to bed. Not before deciding to spend one of our days in Scotland! It was another five or so hours from our hotel to the Callendar House in Scotland, but we got up early that day and took off into the countryside so we could arrive in time to self tour the house.

    Emily has been researching her family history and wanted to see if she could look more into a possible link to the Callendar House. Since the house itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and hosts not only the house but an entire park I was super excited to see a lovely and historic side of Scotland during our day trip. Walking through the house it quickly became apparent how stunning the house and surrounding landscape truly looked to me. The kitchen was magnificent – a fully working Georgian period kitchen and the staff in period costumes were cooking and let us have a taste. I didn’t really like it, but hey, I tried! On our way back to Sunderland we stopped at a bar/restaurant The Green in Edinburgh and took a short walk around the surrounding town but it was raining so we didn’t spend too long out of the car!

    While our time in Scotland was only a day it was a very nice drive. We stopped at a little cafe and had breakfast before heading into Scotland from Sunderland in the morning, and on the way back we stopped at the border to take some pictures and read about the area. If you have the chance to visit the country take the opportunity even if it is only for a few hours or a very specific destination. The Callendar House had a very interesting history with its various owners and contributions to the area – definitely worth a visit. We didn’t have more time to spend in other areas but we did divert when we could to different parts of the country when we felt that we either needed a break or to see a great sight. Driving along the highway was completely different. In the United States as you drive by a city you see the skyscrapers, the restaurants, and the attractions of the town. Every where in the United Kingdom was long rolling hills and fields with sheep, trees were used as natural fences, and you could not see any restaurants or even gas stations – we started to realize once we hit about half a tank that we hadn’t seen a gas station in awhile. The signs are few and far between, and the names of a “gas station” or equivalent escaped our vocabulary. It was truly an experience! We did figure out that a central gas station/convenience store was a fantastic stop for a quick refill and some fantastic snacks. No kidding, I had a fresh sandwich and an amazing berry smoothie on more than one occasion. Their chips are baked and amazing. We actually started looking for this store whenever we could because of the quality. I have to admit I wish we had those types of stores here!

    Fast forward a few days later and after the concert we were scheduled to head back to London to drop off the rental car and head to our hotel that we booked for the rest of the trip in England. Our 25 hour layover in Iceland we decided to get a hotel but it was really a nice hostel…more on that in a future post! Our trip back to London was strategic in nature because we had to get from the airport rental car area to our hotel. The only way to do that was via bus or train. We got there in time to meet the train into London and from there found our way to the Underground. Most of our confusion really took place with the signage in the city and what was a bus, train, the Underground, the Overground…while London had fantastic public transportation, it was rather difficult to really understand where a station was, what time it would arrive, and if there was a delay or a change in the rail line, you may not know because they won’t update you in any fashion. Once we figured out the Underground it made our lives much easier, and we could move from our Camden-area hotel to the gardens and palaces in central London quickly. We ended up walking a lot of the time which helped orient me and gave us a grand view of the various architecture and landscape of the city. I enjoyed walking when we could but we did clock in about 25,000 steps each day so we were exhausted!

    Sunderland and Scotland were absolutely amazing places to visit! The temperature was always nice, and weather was sweet, and we had a great time experiencing the culture before heading to London. Keep you eyes to the #TravelingTalleys blog for more on our adventures with #CuzUK in England!

  • #CuzUK Visit Sunderland, England for History, #GirlPower, and a view of the North Sea #TalleyYourAdventure #TravelingCousins #SpiceGirlsUK #VivaForever

    When my cousin Emily randomly messaged me asking if I was at all interested in visiting England solely (at the time) under the pretense to see the Spice Girls reunion tour it only took me asking Clinton if I could spend that type of money on a flight before I was planning a trip to England. When I first saw the Spice Girls I was 12 and saw all five of them with my mom. While Emily and I knew that one of the fearsome five wasn’t going to make it, that didn’t seem to dampen our enthusiasm. We decided the best thing for us to do since we weren’t sure if we ever would get back to the country was to maximize our time and take two weeks to see the area. We decided to see the concert in Sunderland, but fly in and out of London. We planned to stay only a few nights in Sunderland for the concert and some sightseeing, and then head to London for the rest of the trip. While we visited Sunderland we had a chance to also visit Scotland, and when we were staying in London we took a day trip on a bus to Wales. We drank tea, waved to the Queen (I’m sure she saw), and walked through many different gardens. Sit back and grab a pint while I relive the amazing time had in quaint England!

    Sunderland is about five hours away from London in the North. Sunderland originally grew as a small fishing settlement on the south side of the River Wear. In the 12th century it was granted a charter and grew as a port city with trade in coal and salt. The city grew by the 19th century as shipbuilding became a major economic benefit and the city absorbed Bishopwearmouth and Monkwearmouth, two nearby cities separated by the river. By the late 20th century, shipbuilding was no longer an economic importance and the are grew into a commercial center for the automotive industry and service sector.

    No trip with a #TravelingTalley is truly complete without a visit to a historical site. Emily also loves to visit historical sites, especially old churches with graveyards (so much history!) so one great place mentioned that we both agreed on was the Washington Old Hall, which is beautifully upheld by the National Trust. Located in Washington village, it was once the home to the ancestors of George Washington. What a fantastic reason to visit a historical place in England! The historical connection is from a family member who departed from Durham, England in the 13th century who eventually moved to Sulgrave in Northamptonshire. When we first arrived we stopped at the cafe since we were pretty hungry. Our travel overseas was loooonnnggg (but surprisingly no delays) but our hotel was super cute and the staff were really nice and helpful. They booked our taxi for the concert, which for us was a huge deal since we were still figuring out our phones in another country. I digress…this made for a really strange food schedule, which did not always include breakfast.

    The cafe at the Old Hall was very nice and the woman who rang in our order was delightful. She talked to us about the land and house we were about to visit, and explained our delicious food. I had potato soup and tea. For the first time real English tea! We had a great brunch before heading onto the grounds. The house sat on one section of the land with the gardens on the other. I very much enjoyed the gardens and could see myself walking around them each morning if I lived in the house even today. The house has the original 17th century kitchen and large Great Hall. The neighborhood surrounding the Old Hall was just as adorable as the Hall itself. Emily and I strolled around the town a little and had a great time looking at the church next door, the cemetery, and the beautiful houses. The National Trust does a great job of keeping the land pristine and incorporating the history of the area. What a gem of an area – we were so happy that we decided to visit this area for the concert!

    Speaking of the concert, that night we took a taxi as close as we could to where we thought the party would be and found many ladies basically our age partying and ready for the Spice Girls! The concert was at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland and the stadium did not disappoint. I was thoroughly impressed with the acoustics during their performance, especially for such a large outdoor arena. I loved the casual attitude that the Spice Girls took when performing – they hired dancers and in the beginning just sat on a couch talking to the crowd like we were just hanging on the weekend with our girlfriends. I’m not gonna lie, it was amazing! Walking to the stadium we crossed the River Wear before settling into a very long but quick line. It was quickly apparent that we were one of the only Americans in the crowd. I guess most of them either didn’t go or decided London was the choice! Emily and I did visit the stadium and hang with the Spice Girl crowd in London the next week, but it would have been crazy to go to an even bigger stadium I think! The concert was worth every penny and we had the time of our lives. Truly this was the reunion tour I envisioned. If Posh had been there, it would have been even better, but this is a great way to come full circle to a band that I followed during my early teenage years!

    Before we left Sunderland we stopped at Roker Beach, a rocky beach that stretches along the North Sea. A storm was heading in and it was already raining but we were determined to touch the North Sea! We parked along the top and walked down the walkway to the water, but this was mainly for easy leaving capabilities. In England you drive on the other side of the road, remember, and I was not driving! I don’t even think I could drive even if I wanted to drive, and Emily was doing a really great job to begin with that it never came up as an issue during our travels. Later, when we were navigating London between the bus and the Underground, we got lost frequently (wait for those blog posts! Travel is always fun!) but in this case it wasn’t too bad navigational-wise. Just park so it is easier to get out and you do better than most! Roker Beach has a really long, beautiful pier that was unfortunately closed, but at the end was a magnificent lighthouse. I can only imagine how cool it is to walk out on that pier and stare into the sea! One day!

    Our time in Sunderland and the surrounding area was short, but it was some of the best memories created during this trip. I had my first sip of tea while enjoying potato soup and a leisurely stroll through the gardens of the original Washington’s. #Winning!

    Keep you eyes to the #TravelingTalleys for the next adventure of #CuzUK!

  • #FindYourPark with the #TravelingTalleys @Tonto National Monument

    Arizona may be one of the last to officially become a state in the United States, but if the #TravelingTalleys could rank states it would be pretty close to the top on our list! The amount of recreational opportunities that are available, the breathtaking views, and amazing changes in the landscape that you don’t get in any other state that I’ve seen so far – that is true Arizona.

    One of the best parks to view in Arizona is Tonto National Monument. Surrounded by the Tonto National Forest, a visitor could easily drive by the entrance if they weren’t paying attention! Lake Roosevelt is just around the corner and one of the largest attraction in the area for recreation users. Tonto National Forest is huge, and butts right up to Coconino National Forest. While the drive to the monument may seem long and a bit out of the way, trust me– it is worth the detour. From Page it takes about 3.4 – 4 hours depending on where we end up camping. We’ve had great experiences driving up from multiple different locations, including a large loop that included Petrified Forest National Park!

    Tonto National Monument is the only monument in the United States set aside to preserve and protect the cultural history of the Salado people. Geographically, the monument is located on the southeast facing side of a steep hillside within a well protected natural cave that overlooks the Tonto Basin. Originally the Salt River flowed from the White Mountains through the area on its way to the Gila River, leaving it well established and fertile for civilizations to possibly form around. In fact, there are other remnants of prehistoric cultures in the monument besides the Salado. The Salado lived in the Tonto Basic between 1250 CE and 1450 CE. As a true culture melting pot, the Salado culture arose from the many different civilizations that moved into the Tonto Basin – Ancestral Puebloan, Ancient Sonoran Desert People, and the Mogollon. Early in the fifteenth century the Salado abandoned their villages for a sudden, unknown reason. As they left, however, other native people used the valley. By the 1500s the Spaniards had arrived, followed by the pioneers. What we see today in Tonto National Forest is very different than what the native peoples may have seen, but luckily in 1907 President Theodore Roosevelt signed the Proclamation 787, which created Tonto National Monument. This proclamation allowed the national monument to protect the Salado impact on the valley and preserve the culture that they created.

    The Salado culture was a combination of different native populations and the evidence is extraordinary. Ancestral Puebloan and Mogollon multistoried adobe and masonry structures are cultural characteristics that are obvious with even just a quick glance of the area. Pottery, ground-stone tool design, residence location, and mortuary treatment are all evidence from Mogollon groups in the north and east. The term “Salado” is not necessarily what the people called themselves, but rather it is a Spanish name for the Salt River. This particular cultural group constructed two dwellings in the caves while taking advantage of the surrounding desert resources. The Salado people created elaborate pottery and wove exquisite textiles while obtaining vital water and cultivating crops such as cotton, corn, and beans. Negative climate change, stressful environment, and resulting depletion of crops and population affected the Salado culture and people immensely in their decision to leave.

    There are a few ways that you can visit the park, but each of them involve getting out of your vehicle! There is no scenic drive – the whole park and drive up to the park is the scenic drive! The Lower Cliff Dwelling is what Clinton and I visited. We came too late the day before so we planned to arrive the next morning bright and early – which was a great idea! Thanks to the helpful Rangers in the Visitor Center (open 8 a.m. To 5 pm., and there is a gate to access the park) we arrived in plenty of time to hike up with no one around! The hike is only 0.5 miles but it is almost completely uphill. We were able to take the dogs, but they are not allowed in the Cliff Dwelling themselves – there is a sign where to stop. Clinton and I were able to trade off who held the dogs while the other looked. You must start your hike before 4 p.m. and it is highly recommended to start the hike before noon during the summer months. It is hot and there are not a lot of shade spots! There are tours offered to the Upper Cliff Dwelling November through April Friday – Monday. While we have not been on one of these tours personally, it looks like a next great adventure!

    Preserving culture and history is important because once that voice is gone, if it wasn’t heard or recorded…it’s gone. It is important to take time out of your travels to research the local history, know the local customs, and try to learn something new that you can share with others. While we may only have pieces of pottery and abandoned adobe structures, they still tell the story of our world. Share your experiences with other and take time to be outside! You won’t regret it. 🙂