Fort Desoto Beach, FL

There's something about being close to everything yet so far away. Fort Desoto Beach on the Southern tip of the St Pete area of Florida fits that description. Fifteen minutes to downtown St Pete or Trader Joes, but out here you'd never know it. At least at 7:00 am. 

The sand is that super fine, almost baby powder variety, closer to the surf zone it packs nicely and is great for walking or searching for shells. This morning there were LOTS of birds along the shore... probably a few hundred so this videoscope has lots of birds walking or flying thru the frame.

It's quiet this morning, a saw a few people about 1/2 mile up the beach but for the first 45 minutes I saw and heard no one. A beach in Florida is usually only like this from Midnight until a bout 90 minutes after sunrise. So about 8:15 people and associated noises started showing up. Boats, Planes, and yes People.

I've learned that to find that magical peace and quiet means being at these location at or just before sunrise. So, if you're looking for that early morning beach experience, I got here early just for you! - Enjoy!

Location: 27.638073, -82.740872

AudioTrek.io ... Focus. Relax. Explore. Meditate. Sleep.

Orlando, FL

Years ago, in Santa Barbara, Sunday afternoon down at the beach there was a large group (sometimes well over 100 people) just "being" while banging on a drum all day (think Todd Rudgren).

The energy of the drums, the dancing, the additional percussion made for a very unique and invigorating afternoon at the beach... Fast forward MANY years later and I stumbled on an article about drum circles here in Florida. So. I did some research and found a group in Orlando doing a full moon drum circle.

Of course I went out and got a drum and headed into Orlando to find and participate in this drum circle. Like I said earlier, it's been MANY years and the joy of being in a large group (probably 60 - 80 people / families). Sitting in the circle and playing my drum was an energizing experience that I still feel a few days later. Of course there was drums, bongos, tambourines, cowbell, long horns, conch shells, wood blocks, etc. PLUS. In the middle of the circle was a fire pit with about a dozen people dancing to the beat... All in all, a really great experience.

So how do you use this? Maybe if you're feeling a little low in energy, find a spot in the sun, play this episode and close your eyes... 

Enjoy!

Location: 28.494939, -81.386829

AudioTrek... Focus. Relax. Explore. Meditate. Sleep.

Anna Maria Island, FL

Sometimes it’s time for something a little different. While each beach / wave episode set is unique due to many variables… strength of tide, movement in or out, the angle of the beach under the water, the wind that day, etc… 

I wanted to provide something that may be useful for those meditating or doing yoga. I came to the beach with two different sets of chimes. One was of bamboo, and the other was made of aluminum pipes. 

With these wind chimes, I’ve created three different episodes… Bamboo Chimes with Waves, Aluminum Chimes with Waves, and Both Bamboo and Aluminum Chimes with Waves.

Here is the first published set… Aluminum Chimes with Waves. I got up early and was on the road by 5:00 am to head down to Anna Maria Island on the Gulf Coast, South of Tampa Bay. 

I hope you find these episode sets provide something a little bit different that may be just the thing for your Meditation and/or Yoga practice.

As always, enjoy!

Location: 27.498515, -82.713705

AudioTrek… Focus. Relax. Explore. Meditate. Sleep.

Anna Maria Island, FL

On Anna Maria Island, just North of Sarasota we can enjoy the early morning quietness (except the waves of course) as we begin our day. The Island is not that big, only a few blocks wide, but a great escape just a short drive South of the Tampa Bay.

I'm always looking for a new beach, a new place to "hang out" and with a nice variety of restaurants, and LOTS of small, intimate lodging options, what a great place for a quick escape!

This beach is located in Manatee Beach Park, which is not only one of the few parking areas along the beach, put home to some pretty good All-You-Can-Eat pancakes at the Island Beach Cafe.

So, when you're looking for a place to hang out listening to the waves, feet in the sand, and maybe some pancakes... this may just be the spot!

 - Enjoy

Location: 27.499077, -82.714190

AudioTrek... Relax. Explore. Meditate. Sleep.

Costa Rica

While visiting Costa Rica, and filming at the beach, I turned around. Yep, behind me was a rain forest where they measure annual rainfall in feet. So, this was a windy day the forest was filled with its own unique sounds. When I was done recording on the beach, I began moving all my gear away from the beach and in towards the forest. Now, I was able to capture the sounds of the leaves moving in the winds.

These sounds were calming yet different from the waves as they were crashing a few hundred feet away. You can hear the winds build and then relax... kind of like a giant, breathing. 

I hope you enjoy the sounds and find it relaxing in a moment you really need it. 

~ Enjoy!

Location: 9.644192, -82.718722

AudioTrek... Focus. Relax. Explore. Meditate. Sleep

7-Mile Beach, Grand Cayman Island

Another stop on the birthday cruise, 7-Mile Beach on Grand Cayman Island. I got up early to catch one of the first tenders from the ship to Georgetown. It was only a 5-10 minute ride, and the views of the island as we approached in the early morning was of beautiful villas along the bluffs.

After catching a ride to 7-Mile Beach, I made my way to a shady part of the beach away from the bulk of the beach goers and set up to record.

The weather was beautiful, but a little chilly for Grand Cayman at only 74 degrees with a consistent breeze, but all in all a beautiful morning. The waves here of what I like to call the “Thumper” variety. You can definitely hear the “Thump-Crash” with a nice roll off of the waves coming up the beach.

For me I’d categorize these as Brown maybe Pink Noise waves. Again, you will know what is best for you. So, imagine that relaxing day under the sun, your feet in the sand, and maybe a tropical drink in your hand! ~ Enjoy!

Location: 19.347673, -81.383214

AudioTrek… Relax. Explore. Meditate. Sleep.

Hill City - Mt Rushmore, SD

The 1880 Steam Train runs from Hill City to Keystone (Mt Rushmore) in the Black Hills of South Dakota. 

While the train originated to support the many gold mines in the area. Today, the train transports visitors between Hill City and Keystone. The rail cars have been purchased from other railways from around the Country and refurbished to run this route. Each car is a trip into the past all by itself as they have been lovingly restored with stained glass and beautiful woodwork. 

Once everybody is settled in their seats and opened their windows, we pull away from the station with a few whistles from the steam engine along with that familiar “chugging” of the pistons.

As we pass thru the Black Hills, we are reminded of the various mines that used to be along this route. The original claims are now homesites or ranches. The scenery ranges from wooded forests, cleared ranch land with stunning views to the narrow canyons of granite. 

So, not only do we get a visual of the early American West, but we get to enjoy the rhythmic sound of a steam engine and the cars rolling along the tracks. Enjoy!

Location: 43.933510, -103.572742

AudioTrek… Relax. Explore. Meditate. Sleep.

Stevensville, Bitterroot Range, MT

As the weather began turning from Summer to Fall, I was visiting friends in the Bitterroot Valley in Montana. While we were chatting, they told me about their favorite hike. Kootenai Creek. The following afternoon I made my way across the valley to the trail head. It was a beautiful, sunny afternoon, about 70 degrees as I got my gear ready to head up the trail. Important after the hike note… I later realized that hiking on this trail, an important accessory is bear spray. Got lucky this time.

Here I’m going to something a little different… While on this hike, I experienced three different and unique parts of this creek as it finds its way down this canyon.

– Random Boulders in the Creek… kind of like it sounds. Here was a “kind of” shallow and level section of the creek. As the water fell over these boulders, it created a small babbling creek experience. While the water is moving pretty quick, the volume of water made for that nice super relaxing audio.

– A Long Cascade… As I cleared a small rise in the trail, I was rewarded with this amazing view of about 5-6 cascades as the creek flowed down this gorge. The visual experience was stunning, and the audio had that “busy” sound with multiple audio details. 

– Random Boulders in the Creek… kind of like it sounds. Here was a “kind of” shallow and level section of the creek. As the water fell over these boulders, it created a small babbling creek experience. While the water is moving pretty quick, the volume of water made for that nice super relaxing audio.

So… As I publish these Video and Audio Soundscapes, I’ll be using this description again and again as there are 3 unique soundscapes here.

For today, with these random boulders with water quietly flowing over them this is great for the quiet meditation and relaxing moments. Enjoy!

Location: 46.537901, -114.150986

AudioTrek… Relax. Explore. Meditate. Sleep.

Island of St Lucia, East Caribbean

After a morning catamaran cruise along the coast to the Pitons with a little snorkeling along the way, I was back on the ship by early afternoon. Looking at the map, I found what is probably the closest beach to the airport… literally on the other side of a fence. Vigie Beach. I made my way over for an afternoon on the beach and of course a beer. This long stretch of beach was filled with lots of locals cooling off in the waves and picnicking. I walked around a bit, found my palm tree, and planted myself underneath. 

It was a little breezy, which was pretty common the entire time I was in the islands. The clouds blowing by and over the other side of the bay made for a great backdrop to the waves rolling ashore in front of me. So, sitting in the shade, with a slight breeze, and the sounds of waves was just another perfect Caribbean afternoon.

- Enjoy! 

Location: 14.020857, -60.994601

AudioTrek… Focus. Relax. Explore. Meditate. Sleep.