Keith Sykes, a native of New Orleans, is known for his carefree nature and passion for adventure. His social media page features captivating images showcasing his stunning photography skills of places he has visited, his spectacular thrill for life, and out of this world poses such as hanging from a rock. His photos captivate viewers, prompting them to comment, “Where’s that at?” Surprisingly, some of those pictures are in the heart of Fayetteville and in North Carolina, which the average person would never have imagined.
A fun day of full of adventure with Keith Sykes and Life’s a Trip Adventure Club members; Courtesy of Keith Sykes/FACEBOOK
His photographs are so captivating that they move viewers to join him along the naturalistic journey and to get the thrill of adventure through his social and traveling club, Life’s a Trip Adventure Club. With Life’s a Trip, Sykes takes his fan base on a journey to discover scenic places locally, within and outside North Carolina.
Some of the places the group visited are Greenville, South Carolina; Wilmington, NC; Catawba Falls, NC; Savannah, Georgia; and his favorites—Asheville, NC, and Washington, DC, to name a few. He also customizes trips to introduce members to local eateries, Saturday Strollz and Trail clean-up at the Cape Fear River Trail, ice cream parlors, social events, and other establishments, broadening their horizons and introducing them to various local activities.
Sykes’ travel bug began in his younger days, when he would visit his older sister, who moved to New York City when he was a child. When he joined the military, he was able to explore the world even more outside of New Orleans.
“When I joined the military, I moved five times within my first four years. I saw so many places I had never seen before,” Sykes told The Exclusive Press (EP).
“Of course, being a photographer, I enjoy the visual appeal of so many [traveling environments],” he added.
The places Sykes traveled to were so fascinating that he wanted to share those experiences with his friends so they could visually see the world outside their environment. The more he planned the trip with his friends, the more pressure he felt from them to start a traveling group.
Additionally, he has been hosting events for over 20 years, which includes running the Better Opportunity for Single Soldiers program at Fort Bragg (now Fort Liberty), hosting citywide events for the unhoused community, and hosting recreationally related events in his post-Army retirement career. This experience has unknowingly prepared him for his upcoming venture, Life’s a Trip Adventure Club.
In November 2022, the name ‘Life’s a Trip’ emerged in his mind while lying in bed one night. The name carries a dual meaning, symbolizing both the adventurous nature of “Life’s a Trip” and the negative connotation associated with the word ‘trip’ in New Orleans, as he explained.
The group, which started with eight of his friends traveling to Elk Park, NC, has grown to over 1100 members on Facebook. His fan club boasts over 1100 followers on Facebook alone. Next month, ‘Life’s a Trip Adventure Club’ will celebrate its second anniversary. To mark the occasion, he’s planning a meet-and-greet at Anchor Allie’s, 1204 Bragg Blvd, Fayetteville, NC 28303.
Keith Sykes traveling photos of him enjoying the nature and city view, and Life’s a Trip fanbase; Courtesy of Keith Sykes/FACEBOOK
When planning trips, Sykes solicits suggestions from club members and conducts research on potential destinations, which he then incorporates into a yearly calendar. This collaborative approach ensures that the group’s trips cater to the diverse interests of its members, making each adventure unique and exciting.
Next year, the traveling club will go to Drake Crossing, Oregon, from May 29th to June 1st, a 10-day Norwegian cruise line to Greece and Italy from August 22nd to September 1st, and Asheville’s Biltmore from December 12th to December 14th, 2025. Viewers can also join the group’s Facebook page, ‘Life’s a Trip Adventure Club,’ to check out more trips for the 2025 calendar year.
Sykes is proud of the numerous testimonials detailing how his group has helped people struggling with mental health issues like depression and anxiety, people overcoming their fear of crowds, and people new to Fayetteville who are looking to meet new people. The club provides a platform for adventure and serves as a support system, connecting members with other like-minded individuals and fostering lasting friendships.
After hearing the numerous testimonies, Sykes understands his purpose.
“I consider myself to be a positive person, so I want to spread that [positivity] to other people because I feel that we have enough going on to deal with, day to day—whether it’s work life, home life, the economy, politics, social media, or whatever.
So, I look for opportunities to [do] something positive,” he stated.
Sykes exemplifies the dissemination of positivity, inspiring others to embark on life-changing adventures.
Readers interested in joining the group can follow and like its Facebook page at Life’s a Trip Adventure Club and on Instagram under the username lifeatripac.
