Traveling and extreme adventure have been Lesley Carter’s life. Her love of exploring new cultures and countries becomes evident when you hear all of her experiences. She has been an adventure seeker from a very young age. Body-boarding in the ocean is something she started while in elementary school.
When recalling her first extreme adventure, Carter shares,“My first extreme adventure weekend was only about 7 years ago. I went to Interlaken, Switzerland for a weekend of sky-diving in the Swiss Alps, white-water rafting in Class 5 rapids, and bungee jumping over a lake” as she recalls, “It was the most liberating and exhilarating thrill and I’ve been “flying” through adventures since.”
Although her family does travel, extreme sports and adventure are
something she acquired on her own. Her husband, Darren, is an adventure junkie like her so together they are “able to experience all that life has to offer.”
When Lesley and Darren met, adventure and traveling wasn’t a major part of Darren’s life; however, it was something he always desired. Since they met (only two years ago), they’ve been sky-diving, white-water rafting, paragliding, bungee jumping, sky-jumping, helicopter touring/piloting, rock climbing, swimming with beluga whales, surfing and sailing.
In fact, on their wedding day in Jamaica, after the ceremony, they went rock-climbing and did a trapeze act in their full wedding attire. “We made the whole trip about fun and adventure. We wanted our wedding to reflect our personal lifestyle.”
Lesley Carter grew up in Nova Scotia until she was 24 years old. She then lived in Quebec, Manitoba and New Brunswick. Currently she is living in the U.S. with her husband. It would be their first time to live in the U.S. and after a lot of deliberation Lesley and her husband, Darren chose Southern California. They sold everything they owned, resigned from their positions, and moved across the Continent. Carter states, “Although we miss our family, it was a wonderful decision and we have no intentions of moving back.”
When asked how she keeps in shape for her extreme adventures, Carter says, “I keep as active as I possibly can on a regular basis. I ran a marathon a couple of years ago and I exercise daily. After the baby is born, I’d like to start a SUP training program under Pau Hana Surf Supply, I’ll continue kayaking and surfing regularly as well. If you have a busy lifestyle, exercise comes naturally. I love being outdoors and having new experiences; it all relates.”
Since moving to California a little over a year ago, Carter hasn’t been working. When Lesley and Darren moved to Southern California it was with the intent to start a family. She is due in less than two weeks. Prior to their move Lesley had been teaching at various levels for 8 years. She has an Advanced Bachelor of Arts degree in English and History, a Bachelor of Education degree in Secondary Education, and a Masters degree in Literacy.
With 33 countries under her belt, and 7 of those in the last year, she doesn’t have anything set in stone with the arrival of her daughter to visit any new countries. Lesley does want to keep her daughter as first priority and take things day to day. She does feel 100% certain that a few new countries will be visited within the next year, keeping the options open. Lesley states, “Even with a child, we hope to continue our adventurous lifestyle, but maybe at a different level.”
Expecting in less than two weeks, Lesley is still very active in her travel and adventurous lifestyle. She has slowed down with caution for herself and her baby, she says, “but that doesn’t mean that life or adventure has stopped.” While being pregnant she has piloted a helicopter and an airplane; visited Canada and Mexico; “and I’ve been to Vegas, the Grand Canyon, San Diego, San Francisco, LA, and Palm Springs.” She’s also swam with beluga whales and “enjoyed two dolphin and whale safaris.” Flying in a helicopter over LA and the Grand Canyon are added to the many things she has done all while being an expecting mother. Days ago at 38 weeks pregnant she even went Kayaking. She shares, “I’m about to embark on a paddle boarding journey with Pau Hana Surf Supply”
Lesley currently has no plans on writing a book, she says, “life has been a continued adventure and you never know what’s around the corner.” Carter has published work in travelmag.com and traveldudes.org.
Currently, she publishes her own work and has started Bucket List Publications. Her interest is to start her own travel magazine. Since her baby girl is due pretty soon, she wants to be sure that daily posts remain on her blog. Therefore, she has created an opportunity where she will always have content to publish.
While Bucket List Publications is in full swing, she has given others the opportunity to share their “Bucket List” adventures. To date, she has given away a Skydiving Adventure Package, Free tickets to Sleeping Beauty in Irvine, CA as well as making dreams come true with a heli-skiing adventure package including 4 nights at Revelstoke Mountain Resort, ski lift tickets and equipment at the resort, and heli-skiing with Selkirk Tangiers. She’s also in the process of organizing a NASCAR racing experience and another skydiving adventure package.
In getting to know Lesley, I asked her if she had any inspiring words for someone wanting to experience any single extreme adventure she has experienced. Carter shares, “The only thing that gets in the way of conquering an extreme adventure is yourself. Anyone can sky-dive or bungee jump! I try to focus less on the actual process of stepping off the bridge or out of the plane and more on the journey. If I thought too much about it, I would never be able to do it. Extreme sports are totally different experiences from extreme adventures. They often require skill and physical endurance rather than solely mental courage. If you plan on participating in extreme sports, you need to be sure of your skill and abilities; it’s not something you just walk into.”
To plan your trip today:
All About Travel
6104 Northwest 63
Oklahoma City, OK 73132
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415.384.3880
About
Opened in 1978, All About Travel is located in the Oklahoma City area. We are a family owned and operated company that has strived to provide our clients with the highest quality of service for more than 30 years. Our agents can arrange all your travel needs from the individual hotel and/or car reservation to an around the world cruise. Nothing is out of reach.
We can help plan your honeymoon, your destination wedding or the much needed getaway for two. Don’t forget about your business, we can handle all the travel needs for your company as well. Anything from an airline flight and hotel for a meeting or all the planning needed for your next company-wide seminar. We can arrange hotel space for all attendees and meeting rooms for all purposes.
Our agents travel to many destinations on FAM trips (Familiarization trips) these trips are designed by tour operators and cruise lines to make certain that travel agents are up-to-date on popular destinations and cruise ships.
So the next time you need to, or better yet, want to travel…Let us help, it’s what we do.
Anje Vela
All About Travel
All About Travel 