Adventure

Exploring Capital Cities: Paris, Dublin, and London

Posted on by Nicole DiGiose

It was the middle of springtime. The sun was glowing strong, the birds were singing, and with a new season comes fresh adventure. So it was time to hop on a plane and travel to France, Ireland, and England. There’s a forever growing bucket list to feed, and I was in need of putting an extra spring in my step.

Along with my travel-bug-bitten cousin, Brittany, we mapped out a European escapade that would have us spending almost three days in France, a little over three days in Ireland, and three days in England. Now that I’m back in the States, it’s time to break it down. Read More

Monkeys and Ziplines and Yoga, Oh Pura Vida!

Posted on by Nicole DiGiose

After returning from a getaway to the Caribbean, I was hit with a wave of post-vacation blues. Fortunately, I knew this would happen and lined up a trip to Costa Rica for New Year’s. But because the typical 9-to-5 doesn’t allow much freedom in terms of time off, and because money can also be an issue when […]

via Monkeys and Ziplines and Yoga, Oh Pura Vida! — Sprangled

Getting Away on the Getaway: An Inside Scoop from a First-Time Cruiser

Posted on by Nicole DiGiose

Before I set foot on the Norwegian Getaway, I had never been on a cruise ship. After spontaneously planning a trip with one of my favorite people in the universe, my sister-from-another-mister, Stefania, I could barely contain my excitement. We planned and paid for our cruise back in June, and had five months to go, as […]

via Getting Away on the Getaway: An Inside Scoop from a First-Time Cruiser — Sprangled

Kayaking through a Lily-Pad-Infested Floridian Lagoon

Posted on by Nicole DiGiose

It was a warm April morning during my long weekend in Deerfield Beach, Florida, and I was packing for my flight back home that afternoon. Of course, a last-minute kayaking adventure was in order. But not your ordinary smooth water-gliding adventure, but an experience through a lagoon clogged with lily pads. Challenge accepted.

Bring_it_Lagoon

Along with my brother, Ryan, and his girlfriend, Mallory, I plowed through the vegetation with muscles and laughs and maybe a few “Hell nos!”

Lagoon_Kayakers

So where is this mystical-looking work-out wonder world? Located in Fort Lauderdale, the lagoon is part of the Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. Kayaking aside, the natural community also includes activities such as stand-up paddle-boarding, canoeing, segway tours, hiking, biking, and camping, all at reasonable prices. From what I’ve experienced, the staff is friendly, chatty, and knowledgeable about their surroundings. Read More

Living the High Life: Mountains, Waterfalls, and Zip-Lining

Posted on by Nicole DiGiose

This was originally posted on my new adventure-based website, Sprangled! Check it out for fun times and inspiration, and submit your own experiences, advice, and reviews. We all share this world together!

When most people think of North Carolina, what typically comes to mind is farmland — a state that’s not typically a destination, but rather one you drive through or fly over. While North Carolina’s largest cities, such as Charlotte and Raleigh have plenty to explore, there’s nothing quite like escaping to mountain country.

Triple Falls

Pictured above is my smiley self in front of the 125-foot waterfall, Triple Falls, located in the DuPont State Forest in Cedar Mountain. After a scenic three-mile hike, the rushing sound of water drew me in to this wild wonderland, and it was powerfully stunning.

Triple Falls Stream

Just standing in front of Triple Falls in the misty air is enough to get any adventurous spirit bursting with life. The location is also where scenes from the 2012 movie, The Hunger Games, was filmed (Woohoo, District 12!). Read More

My Day-Trip to Raleigh’s State Farmers Market

Posted on by Nicole DiGiose

This was originally posted on my new adventure-based website, Sprangled! Check it out for fun times and inspiration, and submit your own experiences, advice, and reviews. We all share this world together!

Appropriately located on Agriculture Street in Raleigh, North Carolina, the Raleigh State Farmers Market stretches across a 30,000 square-foot building and is open year-round. There’s also a strip of market shops filled with homemade treats and crafts. There’s much to explore, but what if all of that food makes you hungry? No worries — there are three restaurants that dish out meals made of locally raised meats and fresh produce right on the market grounds.

NC_State_Farmers_Market

The main farmers market building is packed with locally grown fruits and vegetables.

Perfect for a day-trip that will please just about anyone, this North Carolina farmers market is in a category of its own. With an abundance of fresh crops, locally raised meats, wines, cheeses, jellies, jams, and household decor, it’s pretty much an ongoing miniature fair. And the best part is, by purchasing basically anything at all, you’re supporting local business. Read More

Up Close and Purrsonal: Touring the Carolina Tiger Rescue Sanctuary

Posted on by Nicole DiGiose

I fell in love yesterday — in love with wild cats of all sizes. From a curious ocelot to a chatty cougar to a pride of majestic lions roaring enough to make the ground rumble, I got to meet these species and more, all in one admirable place, the Carolina Tiger Rescue in Pittsboro, North Carolina.

As a lover of wildlife and putting my weekends to good use, I signed my boyfriend and myself up to tour the big cat sanctuary I’ve read so much about, three weeks ago, and thought about it every day until the afternoon we drove out there for our visit. It was worth the wait and was as exciting as I expected. Read More

Rocking Around Nashville

Posted on by Nicole DiGiose

As expected, this place has rhythm — the good kind that keeps you up at night. Decked out in legendary honky-tonks and history, Nashville was a blast. With live music and homey cookin’, this little city has heart.

My group and I made sure to check out plenty of restaurants and bars for some barbecue, original tunes, local beer, party bikes (I call them beer trolleys) karaoke, bull-riding, and line-dancing to get the full experience of Tennessee’s capital. Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge was a great spot for wings, drinks, and music, and the same goes for the Wild Beaver Saloon, which has a mechanical bull that will hate you. And if you’re into multitasking and would like to tour the city while getting your drink on, Nashville Pedal Tavern is the way to go (it’s a “beer trolley”). Read More

Sprangled.com is Open to Submissions

Posted on by Nicole DiGiose

Here on Earth, a lifetime isn’t forever, so it’s important to live to the fullest, creating life-growing memories to look back on. Inspire and be inspired — take that chance and don’t wait for the second one. Be proud to share that snippet of your existence, because adventure is the best way to learn.

SPRANGLED

Hi fellow bloggers! I’ve created a new website, sprangled.com, and it’s open to submissions! It’s all about coloring in life and sharing experiences, no matter if it’s about your hike up a mountain, crafts you’ve designed, or a review on one of your city’s events — I’d like to showcase your awesomeness.

You can read more about submitting here or simply email hey@sprangled.com with your story and images.

As always, thank you for reading!

Nicole