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Say ‘SUP to Your New Summer Hobby Obsession

‘SUP. Once a colloquialism for “what’s up,” today SUP has gained popularity as an acronym for standup paddleboarding.

With roots in surfing, you may doubt SUP can be your new summer hobby obsession. But, trust us, this workout – turned summer hobby – turned obsession is perfect for people of all ages, athletic ability, and proximity to the ocean.

Here are six reasons why you should make SUPing your new summer hobby obsession.

  1. No ocean required: We get it – not everyone is lucky enough to live by the ocean. But, if you have a lake or a river within driving distance, SUP is for you.
  2. Mastering Mindfulness: You can choose to SUP alone or with like-minded people who want to enjoy nature. With a low environmental impact, taking to your board is a brilliant way of slowing things down and really seeing a place.
  3. No athletic prowess required: Have you seen the yoga SUP’ers?!?!?! Yea – so have we and that’s definitely a case study in extreme SUPing. Standup paddle boarding is surprisingly easy – just be sure to find the board that fits your height, weight and ambitions.
  4. It’s for introverts and extroverts: Whatever your personality, SUPing is for you. Want to avoid people for hours and enjoy the great outdoors? Want to pretend to hang out with acquaintance but be just far away to say “I can’t hear you – tell me later?” SUPs got you. On the flip side, want to relax with your friends while lounging in the middle of a body of water, drinking a beverage, listening to music and getting some great pics? SUP’s got ya! SUP is whatever you want it to be – and you look good doing it.
  5. DTT: Down To Travel. So, here’s the deal. Kayaks and canoes are heavy. SUPs weigh, on average, 25 pounds and there are a ton of functional SUP roof racks for sedans and coupes that are the perfect balance of sporty and functional. Inflatable SUPs are also popular and fit perfectly into a duffle bag, which means you’re always DTT to the next picturesque paddle.
  6. Here’s what the experts say:  “SUP puts nearly every single muscle in your body to work, but one area that’s targeted the most while you’re out on the water is your core,” according to Jose Gonzalez, ACE Certified personal trainer and REI outreach market manager. “It works your core and legs through the movement of bringing the paddle to the board.

“A casual paddle will burn about 430 calories an hour, according to SUP World Mag.  Upgrade your session to a yoga workout, and you’ll get through 540 calories in an hour, while an hour of SUP touring (paddling for a distance without stopping at moderate pace) will burn 708 calories.

Ready to make SUP your next summer hobby obsession? Check out DFW Surf, a DFW-based SUP rental company with locations all over the metroplex.

This was written for SMU CAPE Social Media by Angela Peterson.

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What Would House Hunters Call It?

HGTV’s House Hunters always have the cutest nicknames for the properties they visit. So, when my partner and I were searching for the perfect place to call home, we too had to name each house (which I’m sure our good ol’ Texas oilman-turned-landlord-turned-realtor loved.)

We eventually landed on the “Driveway AC House,” which has zero of the HGTV glitz and glitter I was hoping for. We are DIY-wannabes with small pockets, big ideas and now a mortgage.

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LaQuinta Inn Dallas: My short-term stay, thanks to “long-term” guests

I’ve always been a fan of ghost stories.

While I love a good ghost story, I also scare super easily and am the first to run away from any situation that seems the slightest bit sketchy IRL. However, in the last several years, I’ve had a few ghosty encounters of my own. Since I love the spine-tingling goosebumps of other people’s scary stories, I thought I’d share a few of my favorite encounters!

I live in a city about 45 minutes north of Dallas, TX. In 2018, I was volunteering at the annual Dallas Marathon (ok, volunteering is a bit of a stretch and makes me sound like a much better community member than I am). I was in charge of a booth at the marathon for work so had to have it set up and ready to go by 7 am each day before the rest of my co-worker volunteers arrived.

The marathon is always in early December, and this particular weekend, the weather forecast predicted heavy rain and the possibility of freezing temperatures. Eeek!

If you are a Texan, you know better than to attempt to drive on the highways in this weather. So, I decided to get a hotel downtown within walking distance to my booth. 
Since this was a last minute decision, nearly every hotel was already booked for the weekend. Bummer.

Finally, I spotted a LaQuinta with rooms available. I’m a bit of a hotel snob so I weighed my options:

1. Die driving on icy roads

2. Stay in a LaQuinta

I decided to take my chances at the LaQuinta. It was recently remodeled, had decent reviews and had a bar in the lobby – how bad could it be? I told myself to suck it up and make the reservation.

Fast forward to late Friday night following a long day of fake smiles and conversation with thousands of eager marathoners. Cold and wet from being outside, I arrive at the LaQuinta, place an UberEats order, and check in.

I get a super creepy vibe from the place – but I try to ignore it and tell myself to stop being a snob.

I get on the elevator. . . again, the creepy vibes envelop me. The door won’t close at first. . . but it finally snaps shut. Perfect.

Up to the 10th floor and to my room. My room was not on the main hallway, but off on it’s own a bit by the stairs. A wave of ickiness washes over me. But again, I tell myself to suck it up.

The room was surprisingly nice. I flip on the TV and sit down. I feel like someone is there. I look out the windows, check the closet and behind the shower curtains . . .the feeling of being watched is definitely coming from the window. . .

The sad, empty, heavy aura in the room was inescapable.

The next thing I know, I had to leave – ASAP. I still don’t know if I left anything in the room. . . I just made a beeline for the elevator. When it arrived I got on. The door half-closed about 10 times. I got off, tried to call the other car but no luck. I got back on the original elevator and tried to video the elevator not closing – but as soon as I pressed record, the door closed.
I was freaked out.

But, I do have priorities. . .  so I waited for my UberEats to arrive – caught the delivery guy in front of the hotel, got my food – and promptly drove myself to a newer hotel a few miles away. I spent the next week embarrassed that I ran from the hotel.  

Then I got an email from the app I had reserved the LaQuinta on asking me to rate my stay. But it was for the wrong hotel. It was for the Hotel Lawrence. Weird – but, I clicked on the link anyway. It was a picture of the LaQuinta but with a different name.

It turns out, the LaQuinta had previously been the Hotel Lawrence. If you google the LaQuinta in Downtown Dallas, you get all of the regular reviews. Google the Hotel Lawrence and you get the complete story.

Built in 1925, several mysterious deaths, suicides and murders have taken place in the hotel. The common denominator in all the deaths has been the 10th floor.

From what I’ve read, cold spots, disembodied voices, and feelings of being watched have been frequently experienced by guests and staff. In rooms and hallways of the tenth floor patrons have seen shadows and heard crying.

I’ve always had a love of all things haunted or creepy and believe I have had several brushes with the “other side.” But, I wanted to share this story because the hotel is still operating. So, if anyone is looking for a fun haunted hotel to check out (once we can all travel again) I suggest the Downtown Dallas LaQuinta.

And, check out the history then say hi to Mr. Smiley for me 🙂