It’s a fine feeling to be a stranger at a big party and feel fully welcome. It’s an even better feeling when everybody at the party seems like they are having the time of their lives. And if the party goes on for 17 days straight, well, I guess that’s 17 days of good feelings—though you might want to nap now and then. In Stuttgart, Germany, they’ve been having a whale of a party for a mere 200 years or so. I was just at the 199th year, and … [Read more...]
Truly a Special Place, Chamonix in the French Alps
I have been fortunate to have visited France a number of times - but by far the trip that has stood out in my mind over the years was a trip to Chamonix in the summer with my brother as part of a longer trip backpacking through parts of Europe. Traveling on train from near Geneva to Chamonix is anywhere from 2 to 4 hours - we felt good because we had a Eurorail pass which covered most train travel within Europe for 30 days. But at the time we … [Read more...]
My Solo Adventure in the Mount Baker Wilderness
Many people associate Washington State with Mount Rainier or Olympic National Park. North of Seattle, however, is filled with wonderful mountain trails to entice any type of hiker or mountain enthusiast. As a former resident of the state, I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't get a chance to explore much of the trekking destinations in Washington. Luckily, on a trip to California for a travel conference that I attended as part of my social … [Read more...]
Adventure Travel in Quebec
“Blessed are the curious, for they shall have adventure.” I admit I only know a little about Quebec, that francophone region located right in the heart of North America. I am aware that it is Canada’s second largest (and second-most populous) province. And that 90% of its population lives within just a couple of hours of the border with the United States. But what about the other 10%? Where and how do they live? What’s there to do beyond … [Read more...]
An Austrian Journey: Salzburg, the Alps and Hallstatt
When I think of the Alps, Switzerland most often comes to mind. This summer however, I trekked over the Austrian Alps and realized what a hidden gem this country is! Austria has it all, from amazing hut-to-hut trekking to musical Salzburg to the charming salt-mining village of Hallstatt, which is like stepping into a fairytale. DESTINATIONS Salzburg This city is divided by the Salzach River, with medieval and baroque buildings of the … [Read more...]
Uluru, Australia – November 2017
This great rock has long been a focal point of the indigenous people's who have lived in the area for more than 20,000 years and who still live in its shadows. Sunrise and Sunset points are appropriately named and are great places to watch the suns hello and goodbye for the day. One can hike around the "rock" on a trail - or visit significant geological formations or places of significant cultural heritage. The Cultural Centre is in the … [Read more...]
A long weekend exploring Geneva
My idea of a good way to spend a bank holiday weekend is none other than jet setting off to a foreign land. My best friend was traveling in Italy and Switzerland, so I decided to meet her in Geneva for 3 days. Let me start off by saying that Geneva is not cheap. Ranked as the most expensive city in Europe, anywhere you go for food or drinks, is generally overpriced. So if you’re a backpacker on a budget, Geneva (and the majority of … [Read more...]
Mushroom Madness in Mendocino County
MENDOCINO COUNTY, CALIF. – As the flavors of fall arrive in Northern California's Mendocino County so does the annual crop of coveted candy cap, chanterelle, porcini and hedgehog mushrooms. Straddling historic Highways 1 and 101 with nearly 2,500 sq. miles of live oak and stately redwood groves, the region is a natural hotspot for some 3,000 mushroom varieties, 500 of which are edible. The annual haul is nothing short of historic, nurturing … [Read more...]
Backpacking to Conundrum Hot Springs
There are a number of commercial hot springs in Colorado ranging widely in setting and price. Some are rustic, and others are more like hot swimming pools; some are full of boisterous children, others are quieter, some are within an easy drive of major towns, and others take some more time to get to. Conundrum Hot Springs requires a 9 miles hike and more than 2000 feet of elevation gain to reach, and still manages to be incredibly popular and … [Read more...]
Catching Fish and Memories at Waterfall Resort, Alaska
On an unusually clear day in Southeast Alaska, I find myself peering out the window of a float plane several thousand feet above a swath of wilderness alternating between dense forest and sparkling dark blue lakes. Our pilot was in shorts and a t shirt displaying a prominent skull decked out in a red bandanna framed by the 'cross hairs' of a propeller. I was with a group of journalists on a plane operated by Pirate Airworks. Our departure city … [Read more...]
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