Colorado
An American state in the Rocky Mountains, renowned for its breathtaking beauty, abundance of outdoor activities, and a contagious spirit of adventure.
Saram 사람
Korean for “person,” “person of,” or “person from”
Pronunciation: (sah-rahm)
Rhymes with (.com)
Welcome to Colorado Saram, the travel blog of John Buckley, a Colorado native and lifelong traveler. Born and raised in the ski resort town of Vail, I worked in resort PR before a travel bug bit. This led to a ski season in New Zealand in coordination with a year-long, solo, round-the-world adventure.
That year abroad changed my life’s trajectory, eventually leading me to consider South Korea a second home. Through many years of international travel, I’ve always kept my Colorado roots close to the heart.
My goal is to use my passion for international outdoor adventure to serve as your guide to:
Colorado-Inspired Travel Adventures in Asia & Beyond
![Gangwon Province Winter Trekking Winter trekking in Gangwon Province, South Korea](https://coloradosaram.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Gangwon-Province-Winter-Trekking.jpg)
![Jeju Island Dog-Friendly Conan Beach Colorado Saram and dog (Winnie) at Conan Beach, Jeju Island - Korea.](https://coloradosaram.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Jeju-Island-Dog-Friendly-Conan-Beach.jpeg)
Whether you live in Colorado, have visited it on vacation, or have never even heard of it, if you seek to explore the natural world, then you are a Colorado Saram.
Translation: a Colorado person.
Imagine it like the movie ‘Goodfellas’. You ski, you hike, and you like to travel to interesting places. You seek outdoor adventures. Maybe you even have a dog.
In the words of Henry Hill from the movie:
“Like you’d say to somebody, ‘You’re gonna like this person. They’re all right. They’re one of us.”
They’re a Colorado Saram.
My goal is to embrace the wonderful qualities that define us as adventurous spirits, but also to inspire exploration beyond our home borders, whether you’re from Colorado or anywhere else in the world.
![Befriended by Myanmar Monks](https://coloradosaram.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Myanmar-Monks-e1702960807641.jpeg)
Getting Off the Beaten Path
Yangon Township, Myanmar
![Annapurna Circuit Trek in Nepal](https://coloradosaram.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/nepal-trekking.jpg)
Heading into the Himalayas
Annapurna Circuit, Nepal
![Teaching the family trade to my new wife in Korea](https://coloradosaram.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_4583-scaled-e1692602247861.jpeg)
Teaching a New Colorado Saram to Ski
Vivaldi Park, South Korea
![Teaching the family trade to my new wife in Korea](https://coloradosaram.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Windmill-Sunset-at-Conan-Beach_Jeju-Island.jpg)
Dog-Friendly Travel
Jeju Island, South Korea
Fresh Tracks
Latest Blog Posts
Untethering from WiFi in Vietnam: A Traveler’s Guide to Airalo eSIM Cards (2024)
For a two-week trip to Vietnam in summer 2024, I decided to purchase my first eSIM card.
Prior to this experience, I knew very little about what eSIMs were, how to buy and activate one, and what to expect once I set foot abroad and attempted to put my phone to use without the need to connect to wobbly airport WiFi.
The following is a guide to the setup process and everything I learned along the way.
Embracing Sobriety: Reflections on My First Year Completely Alcohol-Free
As I celebrate my first full year without alcohol, I look back on the journey and reflect on all the positive changes its absence has brought to my life.
Without minimizing its power, the hold alcohol had on my life feels released. I have no desire to go back to it.
Although it may always be lurking over my shoulder, I rarely even think about it anymore.
I don’t hold any grudges towards it; it gave me some of the best memories of my life. However, it became unsustainable.
They say the opposite of love isn’t hate; it’s indifference. And that’s where I choose to place alcohol for as long as I can.
I just don’t need it anymore.
Drive in South Korea: A Complete Foreigner’s Guide
South Korea has a remarkably affordable and well-run public transportation network, making it relatively easy to get around without a car, especially in the major cities.
However, whether you are traveling in South Korea for a short time or living there long-term, having the ability to drive a car can make traveling around the country much easier.
It opens up difficult-to-access parts of the country and allows you to explore much deeper and get off-the-beaten-path.
Ruffwear Front Range vs. Switchbak, Singletrak, and OneTigris: Dog Pack Review
The review explores the Ruffwear Front Range Dog Day Pack, which was trail-tested with my Border Collie, Winnie. Although pleased with the sturdiness and design, I reflect on the fact that a more compact option like the Ruffwear Switchbak may have been more suitable for my dog and our lack of deep backcountry adventures. I delve into additional alternatives such as the pricier Ruffwear Singletrak, which offers hydration bladders, and the
more economical OneTigris Dog Pack.
Exploring Jeju Island: A 5-Day Dog-Friendly Adventure Itinerary
In summer 2023, we packed up the family car in Daegu, South Korea and traveled to Jeju Island by ferry. This is a dog-friendly, 5-day itinerary of our adventure.
Smooth Sailing: An In-Depth Guide to Jeju Island Ferry Travel
If you’ve decided to visit Jeju Island, South Korea, you’ll soon confront a crucial question: How do I get there? Unless you’re an Olympic swimmer, you essentially have two options: fly or take a ferry. I share my personal experience and explain why opting for the ferry might be your best choice. I’ll also guide you through the process, including how I brought my own car and dog along, to help you decide if Jeju Island Ferry travel is the best option for you.
Sukoa Premium Padded Ski Bag: My Top Pick for Air Travel in 2024
After years of using rental skis in South Korea, I recently purchased the Sukoa Premium Padded Ski Bag to transport my old K2 Pontoon skis from Colorado to live with me in Korea. Though the Sukoa was the right choice for me, I delve into several more expensive options like the TOURIT Rolling Ski and Boot Bag Combo and the Thule Roundtrip Ski Bag which may suit those willing to pay a bit more for rolling capabilities.
Recognizing Alcohol Abuse Warning Signs: My Journey to Sobriety
Like many people around the world, 2020 was the tipping point for an already problematic drinking career. With a sense of gallows humor, these are the 7 warning signs that finally pushed me to address my alcohol use.
Trail Map
Content Navigation
Boards
International Adventures on Boards
Boots
International Adventures in Boots
Beaches
International Adventures in Sand
Paws
Dog & Pet Friendly Travel
South Korea
Life and Travel
AF Life & Travel
Exploring Life and Travel in Sobriety
Story of Colorado Saram:
![The author of Colorado Saram skis at Silverton, Colorado.](https://coloradosaram.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Colorado-Saram-Boards.jpg)
The story begins in Colorado
![Atop Mount Kinabalu, the tallest mountain in Southeast Asia](https://coloradosaram.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Mount-Kinabalu-e1692603285654.jpeg)
A hike in Borneo leads to a new path
![While living and working in New Zealand, I met a great group of friends and explored some of the South Island's best ski fields: Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Treble Cone.](https://coloradosaram.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/New-Zealand-Ski-Field-e1692602907247.jpeg)
A ski season in New Zealand broadens my horizons
![Colorado and Hanguk Saram Wedding Photo](https://coloradosaram.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Korean-Hanbok-Wedding-Photo.jpeg)
Korea becomes a second home.
Colorado Saram is born.
Are you a Colorado Saram?
If you’ve found yourself on this blog seeking information and inspiration for international outdoor adventures, the simple answer is “yes, you are indeed a Colorado Saram.”
Though native Coloradoans can be a bit prickly about who qualifies as a “local” and who does not, rest assured that I won’t be checking IDs at the door.
Colorado Saram aims to infuse the spirit of Coloradoan adventure into international travel. I’ve skied, trekked, biked and explored my way around the globe, and I hope to help you do the same.
“Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.”