149 articles tagged with hiking
The morning mist clung to the slopes of Mount Batilamu like a lover reluctant to leave, revealing glimpses of emerald valleys below as I sipped my coffee from a chipped enamel mug. Most travelers come to Fiji for the postcard-perfect...
As someone who's spent decades exploring the world's great adventure destinations, I've found that sometimes the most surprising discoveries come in the most unexpected places. Green Bay, Wisconsin—known primarily for its football fervor and cheese-filled tailgates—has quietly been building an...
The midnight sun cast an ethereal glow across the Arctic landscape as I stepped off the train at Abisko Turiststation. The station's humble appearance belied the magnificent wilderness that lay beyond - a pristine expanse of tundra, mountains, and crystal...
Standing on the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar, with the vast Mongolian steppe stretching before me like an endless sea of grass, I couldn't help but think how this landscape rivaled even the most dramatic vistas of my native New Zealand. After...
When I first visited Bloomington to give a guest lecture at Indiana University's Risk Management program, I expected the typical Midwest flatlands. Instead, I discovered a verdant paradise of limestone ridges, glacial lakes, and forests that transform into a kaleidoscope...
When the Boston summer heat starts cranking up like an overclocked gaming PC, most folks head to Cape Cod. But this catering manager-turned-birder has a secret escape that won't drain your wallet or waste precious hours in traffic. Lynn, Massachusetts...
I never expected to fall for Arkansas. My bridge-hunting expeditions typically lead me to the Pacific Northwest's moss-covered spans or Belgium's canal-crossed landscapes. But when a fellow craft beer enthusiast raved about Springdale's burgeoning brewery scene nestled in the foothills...
You know that feeling when you escape the daily grind and suddenly find yourself surrounded by towering evergreens with the scent of pine filling your lungs? That's Federal Way, Washington for you—a hidden gem nestled between Seattle and Tacoma that's...
Twenty-five years defending Montana's pristine landscapes in courtrooms gave me intimate knowledge of its terrain, but experiencing Kalispell's wilderness firsthand with my nephews last summer delivered a perspective no legal brief could capture. Nestled in the Flathead Valley with the...
The first time my boots touched the dusty trails outside Jericho, I felt like I was walking through the pages of history itself. At 260 meters below sea level, Jericho isn't just the world's oldest continuously inhabited city—it's a gateway...
As I stood in the shadow of Matsumoto Castle's imposing black walls, a gentle autumn breeze carried the scent of roasting chestnuts from a nearby vendor. The crowds that typically flood Japan's popular destinations were noticeably absent here, replaced by...
When my husband Rahul suggested Provo, Utah for our summer adventure, I was skeptical. Trading Mumbai's vibrant chaos for a mountain valley in America's heartland? But as someone who's tracked game through New Zealand's backcountry and navigated night markets across...
As someone who's spent decades helping others navigate emergencies, I've discovered that planning family adventures requires the same blend of preparation and adaptability. Portland, Oregon—with its quirky charm, natural beauty, and family-friendly vibe—offers the perfect balance of structure and spontaneity...
As someone who grew up with Manitoba's flat prairies, Vancouver's mountainous backdrop still takes my breath away every time I visit. While Whistler gets all the glory (and the crowds), I've discovered that some of the most soul-stirring mountain experiences...
When someone mentions Kansas, your mind probably conjures endless wheat fields and tornado warnings, not adrenaline-pumping outdoor adventures. I get it. Three years ago, a medical conference brought me to Wichita, and I arrived with exactly zero expectations for adventure....