Explore the Great Outdoors this Summer

While my calendar states that the official start of summer is still a couple weeks away, as far as I'm concerned, it's already started. I've already got my first farmer's tan, I've worn shorts several days in a row, and I've been riding around this week with the windows rolled down. These things all feel like luxuries to me right now since the traditional summer months in San Francisco often means wind, fog, and cool temperatures; a far cry from my summers growing up in North Carolina.

However, I'm looking forward to velcroing my Vibram FiveFingers, donning a pair of aviators, and hitting the great outdoors this summer as I'll be spending it house-sitting in Northern California wine country and traveling through Europe, Quick, name a few things you want to do outdoors this summer, but never have? One such thing for me is surfing. While I recently took my first surfing lesson, I'm looking forward to my first surf camp this summer, taking place on the Spanish island of Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands.

My first camp experience since I was a kid, it's still unclear whether I'm supposed to bring the Capri Suns and Gushers or whether they'll be provided. This list of outdoor activities I want to do this summer is sure to only grow because of the Twitter chat that will be taking place Wednesday with Expedia and G Adventures on the topic of exploring the great outdoors.

If you're a regular reader on my blog or follow me on Twitter, then you may already know about #Expchat. It's part of a partnership between me and Expedia that includes a weekly Twitter chat on different travel topics each week that range from traveling with kids to travel and romance to destination-specific topics. The chat is sponsored by Expedia and features different travel experts, writers, and bloggers who serve as hosts. This week's chat on the great outdoors will be co-hosted by special guest G Adventures, which is one of largest adventure travel companies in the world. We'll be chatting all things outdoors travel, from once-in-a-lifetime trips to important tips for traveling this summer.

So where do your travel plans take you outdoors this summer? Is it that same vacation beach spot or are you looking for something new? Whatever the case, get a head start exploring the great outdoors this summer by joining in on #Expchat on Twitter this Wednesday from 1:30 p.m. EST / 10:30 a.m. PST until 3:00 p.m. EST / 12:00 p.m. In addition to host Expedia and guest host G Adventures, I'll also be joined by travel blogging couple Jade and Bob of Vagabond3.Your next summer trip may even be closer than you think, as Expedia and G Adventures will be giving away a prize package for one participant. You can find out more details about the chat and how to participate on Expedia.com.

What one outdoor activity do you want to do this summer that you've never done?