here it was, a real-life La Jolla moment. I could stay all day and watch, but I felt like momma wanted her privacy.  She will be a great caregiver to her baby I’m sure.  Did you know that baby sea lions memorize their momma’s bark?  The barking all sounded the same to me, but even each sea lion is unique.  This is their place, and we were just visiting.     I felt honored just to see this special moment and connect with the land and nature.  When we ask, "Is There More To Life?" these are the moments we are looking for. The real moments that make up our lives. 

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.

My desire to see Bali had been a long-held dream, after studying Indonesian at school and most of my Australian friends making the pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime. So when the stars aligned and I found an opportunity to take a solo trip, I couldn't have jumped faster.

One thing I miss about the Midwest is Fall.  Driving along roads full of...