Category Archives: Travel

Orange Blossom 10K Race Recap

Posted on March 6, 2022 by Kelsie Lou

It’s hard to drive anywhere in Polk County, Florida without seeing orange groves. It was only right that the major running event in Haines City be named after the state flower that adorns a growth stage of orange trees. The … Continue reading →

Posted in fitness, Florida, half marathon, Photography, running, Sports, Teachers, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Points of Interest in Senegal

Posted on February 10, 2021 by Kelsie Lou

Senegal, Africa is divided into 14 regions, which are broken down into 45 departments, branching to 103 subdivisions, and several ethnicities.  The term “African” should not be used loosely as a generalized term to identify people who are born or … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Culture, Education, family, landmarks, Photography, restaurants, Senegal Africa, Teachers, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Gorée Island, Senegal

Posted on January 31, 2021 by Kelsie Lou

“Welcome home.” Those two words held so much power when I was greeted at the historic site of the transatlantic slave trade which took place on Gorée Island.  The largest slave trade area off the west coast of Africa is … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Culture, Education, family, landmarks, Photography, Religion, Senegal Africa, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

The Original Dakar Rally

Posted on January 30, 2021 by Kelsie Lou

One of the world’s most dangerous off-road endurance events is called the Dakar Rally.  Thierry Sabine was a French motorcycle racer who established the Paris-Dakar rally almost 40 years ago.  Lac Rose in Senegal was the final leg leading toward … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, automotive, Beaches, Culture, landmarks, Senegal Africa, Sports, Teachers, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Peace & Harmony in Joal-Fadiouth

Posted on January 28, 2021 by Kelsie Lou

Joal-Fadiouth is in the Thiès region of Senegal.  The village and commune names are combined because the narrow peninsula of Joal is linked to the small island of Fadiouth.  Fadiouth, also called Shell Island, is a name given from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Beaches, Culture, Education, landmarks, Religion, Senegal Africa, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

African Safari: Bandia Wildlife Reserve

Posted on January 25, 2021 by Kelsie Lou

Move out the way Disney Animal Kingdom.  During my two week visit to Senegal, Africa I went on a real safari at the Bandia Wildlife Reserve, also known as the Foret de Bandia.  A 30 minute drive from the coastal … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Culture, landmarks, Senegal Africa, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Central Florida’s Best Kept Secret

Posted on January 18, 2021 by Kelsie Lou

Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens is a Japanese inspired botanical garden retreat between Gainesville and Ocala, Florida.  The once abandoned lime rock quarry was purchased by Dr. Raymond Webber to build his residence.  What miners used as a resource to … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Gardens, Kayaking, landmarks, Photography, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

When the Reward Outweighs the Risk

Posted on November 3, 2020 by Kelsie Lou

I went to visit my Grandma in West Virginia after a long interruption to protect her from possible exposure to Covid-19.  We spoke on the phone and she genuinely wanted to see me.  My Uncle Rodney, who is her primary … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, family, landmarks, Photography, Teachers, Travel, West Virginia | Tagged , , , , | 21 Comments

Meet Me in the Mangroves

Posted on August 10, 2020 by Kelsie Lou

I’ve been back and forth from KY to FL all summer in between teaching and professional development training.  I was helping my Mom recover from knee replacement surgery, and reminding my Dad of how wonderful a daughter I am.   This … Continue reading →

Posted in Beaches, family, fitness, Kayaking, landmarks, Travel | Tagged , , , , | 13 Comments

The Little Rock Half Marathon & 5K Recap

Posted on March 3, 2020 by Kelsie Lou

The Little Rock, Arkansas race series have been on my radar for quite some time.  They are known for their huge, over-the-top medals and unique race themes. The 2020 theme was “Totally Awesome” as a tribute to the 80s. Training … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Education, fitness, half marathon, health, landmarks, running, Teachers, Travel | Tagged , , , , | 36 Comments