The Great Wall is the most recognizable site in Asia and hiking the Great Wall of China is an iconic experience. I had to do it, but I didn’t consider its history until I was in China. “Construction on the wall began in the seventh century B.C. It spread more than 21,000 kilometers over almost 2500 years of […]
Hiking the Great Wall of China from Jiankou to Mutianyu Read More »
Seneca Lake will always have a special place in my heart, since it’s where my husband and I got engaged. Despite this connection, I hadn’t been back since then. As always, life gets busy and half-hearted excuses interrupt good intentions to return. With such a long hiatus between visits and such an exceptional set of
Eighteen million people live within sixty miles of Channel Islands National Park but that’s nothing compared to the number of animals that make their home there. Just like the Galapagos, long-term isolation created a home for unique animals and plants. The Channel Islands and the surrounding waters are preserved the way coastal southern California once
Kayaking the Channel Islands, California’s Unknown National Park Read More »
I can’t imagine living without four seasons. I know some people love waking up and knowing it’ll be blue skies and 75 degrees every day, but I think I’d miss the changing weather. I love winter’s snowy landscapes and excuses to play outside before snuggling up by the fire. I can’t get enough of spring’s thunderstorms
It looked like it was going to pour when I woke up in Juneau. But they say there’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing, so I gathered up my rain gear and decided to make the best of my day on a Mendenhall Glacier Trek. My plans in Juneau would be the
Mendenhall Glacier Trek in Juneau AK – Is it Worth It? Read More »
Everyone raves about the beauty of Switzerland, but few talk about the adrenaline rush. Travelers save stories of epic mountain adventures for destinations like New Zealand, Patagonia, and the Himalayas. For some reason, Switzerland is left out from a worthy conversation on alpine excitement and instead is known for its (equally worthy) scenic train rides, downhill skiing, and expensive
When traveling in the United States, my absolute favorite thing to do is visit national parks. The amount of variety in natural settings within the USA is mind-blowing: in the past year alone I’ve seen the glow of a volcano, gone rock scrambling in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and driven through desert landscapes. With 401 sites of
Unlimited Entry to U.S. National Parks with America the Beautiful Pass Read More »
What does the Big Island of Hawaii have that no other Hawaiian island can claim? The world’s youngest volcano, a record that seems fitting for the most recently added state in a young country. Kilauea Volcano is one of the world’s most active volcanoes. Its name even means “spewing” or “much spreading” in Hawaiian. And so, visitors
Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii: a Travel Guide Read More »
In Antigua, it’s hard to forget that Guatemala is home to roughly 30 volcanoes. At times, you can even hear nearby Fuego’s eruptions, echoing through the city like a crack of thunder, almost beckoning you to come closer and check it out. To get closer, you have to hike Acatenango volcano: a strenuous trek with tremendous
If you’ve ever opened up a Guatemalan guidebook, you’ve probably seen a picture of Semuc Champey’s tiered turquoise pools. Five years ago, this area was relatively unvisited, but now this national park is gaining a ton of popularity on the gringo route despite being close to absolutely nothing. To check out the spectacular scenery and do
