I never thought I would ever travel on a cruise ship, but here's how it compares to my typical road trip adventures. Hint: Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska has some pretty breathtaking views. #WhereGalsWander #HollandAmerica #HollandAmerica150 #hosted #cruise #alaska

When I was a girl, my dad always tried to teach me about cars.  He pointed to what this thing was and he explained how it worked.   And I remember none of what he tried to teach me.  I remember looking at his tan, scarred hands, that grime under the nails that would never come out.  I can close my eyes and smell the mix of diesel fuel and cigarette smoke. That was the smell of my dad after a long honest day's work in the shop.  The literal blue collar with his name stitched across his chest.

Life Lessons Carson Valley teaches my kids on Spring Break: "Don't wait," he said. I can't remember his exact words after that, his wisdom mixed with the wind, the nay of the horses, the crunch of earth beneath our boots. It was along the lines of life is short. People put off their dreams, or traveling for too long. Sometimes, you just have to go for it. This is a man who truly follows his passion.

Mountains are better than people, I prefer talking to trees and nature eases my peace of mind. We are in a weird time right now where in order to come together, we have to stay apart. The #GetOutside hashtag is now replaced by the plea to #StayAtHome.

As our final trip of 2017, JD and I met up in Palm Springs...