130 articles tagged with outdoor activities
The ferry's wake faded behind us as Block Island emerged from the morning mist, its undulating green landscape promising adventure. As a marine biologist who's cycled coastlines from Okinawa to Sardinia, I've developed a particular fondness for exploring island ecosystems...
San Francisco might be known for its iconic Golden Gate Bridge, steep hills, and the infamous Alcatraz, but as someone who's spent countless hours analyzing structural details and exploring mountain terrain, I can tell you this city offers way more...
Much like a misaligned premolar that reveals its true character only upon closer examination, Bakersfield sits somewhat awkwardly in California's landscape—neither coastal paradise nor mountain retreat. Yet after a recent weekend detour while traveling between golf courses in Southern California,...
The first time I laid eyes on Door County's limestone bluffs rising dramatically from Lake Michigan's turquoise waters, I was immediately transported back to my assignment covering extreme cliff diving in Azores. Yet this Wisconsin peninsula—often celebrated for its cherry...
The moment our feet touched down in Puerto Vallarta, I could feel that familiar tingle of excitement. This wasn't going to be one of those lazy beach vacations (though PV certainly delivers on that front too). My girlfriends and I...
Man, I never thought I'd be writing about Brookings, South Dakota, but this little prairie town completely blindsided me with its charm! While passing through on a cross-country fitness workshop tour, what was meant to be a quick overnight turned...
Chicago holds a special place in my heart as one of America's most underrated family destinations. Having just returned from a week-long adventure with my four-year-old daughter Mia, I'm convinced the Windy City rivals any European cultural hub we've explored...
After 27 expeditions to 14 African nations, I've developed what my wife used to call my 'statistical certainty' that Tanzania offers the continent's most diverse adventure portfolio. While the quintessential safari remains the crown jewel of Tanzanian tourism (and rightfully...
G'day adventure junkies! After five years of chasing thrills across six continents, I've finally found my adrenaline paradise – Wellington, New Zealand. Most travelers hit Auckland or Queenstown for their Kiwi adventure fix, leaving Welly criminally underrated. But trust this...
When I landed in Denver last summer after a climate conference in Boulder, my wallet was feeling the pinch from professional travel. But I wasn't about to miss exploring the Mile High City just because of budget constraints. With some...
Twenty years ago, when my wife's back injury led us to discover Costa Rica's healing thermal waters, I never imagined this small Central American paradise would become such an integral part of our family's travel legacy. Now, in my sixties,...
Though my travels typically take me through textile villages in rural India or ancient markets along the Mediterranean coast, last month found me in the heart of America's Midwest—Indianapolis. My sister relocated there with her two children last year, and...
While my travels typically take me to innovation hubs across continents, a recent detour to Sterling Heights, Michigan revealed an unexpected laboratory of family entertainment innovation. This Detroit suburb—Michigan's fourth-largest city—has transformed itself into a remarkable family destination that balances...
The Mississippi River curves through Saint Cloud like an ancient serpent, carving a landscape that has beckoned humans for millennia. While my academic pursuits typically lead me to amphitheaters echoing with history, I've discovered that this unassuming Minnesota city offers...
When I first stepped foot on São Miguel four years ago, I was immediately struck by how this Azorean island seemed to exist in a category all its own—neither fully European nor entirely Atlantic, but rather a magnificent hybrid of...