Meet the celebs of Saguaro National Park
Cacti are quirky characters with their prickly, spiny exteriors and odd, irregular shapes. You either like them or you don’t. I personally find them beautiful and admirable for their unique qualities.
Find Insight and Inspiration in a Labyrinth
The traditional way to walk a labyrinth is to begin at the clearly indicated entrance and proceed along the path, which is often lined by stones. When you reach the center, you’re halfway; it’s time to turn around and return to the start.
Fall in love with the Oregon Coast
Lighthouses are the sentinels of a coastline, visible from miles away. They serve as points of reference for seafaring folks. And for those of us on land, they are wonderful photograph-worthy subjects and romanticized symbols.
Find serenity amid splendor at Bloedel Reserve
Nature can be a soothing balm, providing opportunities to rejuvenate body, mind and spirit. During challenging times, escaping to the great outdoors is even more essential to our health and well-being.
There's plenty good about the Badlands!
When I began my travel writing career, I set a goal to visit each of the fifty states. Slowly, I began chipping away at this objective and soon only one state remained, North Dakota. Time for a road trip!
Northwest Nebraska is full of surprises
This summer, the road trip is being rediscovered by many travelers during what has become the new “normal.” They’re taking off in cars, campers, RVs and motorcycles, seeking opportunities to explore our country’s natural playgrounds. Some are opting for the road less traveled in order to avoid potentially crowded areas. The upside to this plan is the potential of finding hidden gems along the way.
Explore canyons, dunes and ruins in Southwest Colorado
Hiking trails are typically an inherent part of most National Parks in our country. They offer opportunities for visitors to discover the highlights, as well as the lesser known features of each particular destination. It’s rare when a park doesn’t offer some type of trail system, but such anomalies do exist.
'There is a little bit of boutique in all of us!'
When we begin to get back to travel, the boutique hospitality sector is due to boom. Travelers will want to stay at smaller, more intimate properties that can ensure safety, as well as offer unique experiences.
Find inspiration in the natural splendor of Olympic National Park
Diversity is the hallmark of Olympic National Park. Located in northwestern Washington State, on the Olympic Peninsula, the park protects a wilderness spanning nearly a million acres. It is often referred to as “three parks in one,” as it boasts three distinctly different ecosystems: rugged, glacier-capped peaks, old-growth and temperate rain forests and over seventy miles of wild Pacific coastline.
Twinkle, twinkle, little glowworm!
The North Island of New Zealand has an abundance of natural treasures. Among them is the world-renowned Waitomo Glowworm Caves. The name “Waitomo” comes from the Māoris words wai and tomo, meaning hole or shaft.
Step into Middle Earth with a visit to Hobbition
I’m a petite, or if you must say, short woman. At 5 feet two (on a good day!), I’m height-challenged. If I don’t have a stepstool, I’m at the mercy of asking others to help me reach those unattainable objects. In crowds, I’m constantly jumping up and down to see what’s happening, or trying to inch my way under and around everyone’s elbows. And I always have to take up the hem on my pants. Being short, however, is a plus when you visit Hobbiton in New Zealand, the famed movie set home of J.R.R. Tolkien’s hobbits.
Discover a hiker's paradise on New Zealand's South Island
Travel has always been an active pursuit for me. I typically shy away from coach tours, as I feel they relegate me to being an armchair traveler, who mostly watches the scenery go by outside a window. They restrict me to primarily being a passive observer, having little interaction with the exciting world beyond the narrow viewpoint provided.
Journey through the depths of Mordor
"It's the last push," shouts our guide Connor, with annoyingly, over-the-top enthusiasm. I don't believe him. And neither does anyone else in our group of six hikers. We've all learned by now that Connor's using what I refer to as "guide speak" - the rah-rah efforts that guides employ to motivate their groups to keep moving when the going gets tough.
Discover a mystical lunar landscape at Craters of the Moon
I'm in an otherworldly place that looks like somewhere the lunar lander would have been roaming around on a research mission. Pitch-black lava fragments are scattered amid a sea of cinders, mini volcanoes rise up from the barren terrain and dark, forbidding craters combine to create an eerie and starkly beautiful landscape.
Prepare to be mesmerized by Monument Valley
John Wayne was right on the mark when he described Monument Valley as, "God's Treasure." The iconic actor was taken with the stark beauty of this majestic place when he first laid eyes on it while filming the movie, "Stagecoach," back in the late 1930s.
Trust me, you're going to love Albuquerque!
From my perch in the sky, the view is sublime. The iconic Sandia Mountains appear as sentinels of the high desert and the rugged lava escarpments provide a Mars-like topography. Below, the Rio Grande snakes through the expansive landscape, while matchbox size houses and buildings look like Lego constructions.
Amp up the adventure in Hells Canyon!
“Let’s paddle,” says our guide Barry in a calm, relaxed tone. We obey, albeit a bit distractedly, as we’re busy chatting with one another. Then we hear that telltale roar – the one that signals some mighty big rapids are ahead. Soon, we see them in all their frenzied glory. And now Barry urgently yells, “Paddle hard everyone!”
One island, many adventures
Soaring high above Oʻahu, from my comfy perch in a Blue Hawaiian helicopter, I marveled at the diversity of the island. From craggy cliffs and mountains to dramatic coastlines, verdant valleys and lush rainforests, this special slice of paradise has it all.
Embark on a wellness journey at Hilton Head Health
They come for a variety of reasons. Many hope to get in better physical shape; others want to learn how to eat more nutritiously. Then there are those who wish to destress and recharge their batteries. They are women and men, mothers and fathers, who over the years have put their health on hold to achieve professional or academic success, provide and tend to the needs of their families and care for aging parents.
River Cruise showcases Chicago's gems
Ah, Chicago! Famous for its colorful history, vibrant culture, sports teams, food, and yes, climate, this Midwest hub is a magnet for visitors. Chicago is also an architectural mecca and one of the best ways to appreciate this exciting landscape is via a Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady.
Colorado Springs offers endless adventure
I’m a sucker for a room with a view. It doesn’t matter if it’s water, mountains or a cityscape. I’m not picky. But, some views deserve extra special recognition, like the one at The Garden of the Gods Resort and Club in Colorado Springs.
Get inspired with a visit to O'Keeffe country
Georgia O'Keeffe is synonymous with New Mexico. The famed artist spent the last forty years of her life in the Land of Enchantment. She painted its dramatic landscapes and iconic formations in her own unique style.
The Jetsons would feel at home in this garden!
You might think you've stepped onto another planet at Singapore's Gardens by the Bay. The park, a well-known attraction in the city, takes the traditional conservatory concept up more than just a notch or two.
Hot on the trail of Namibia's Little Five
Everyone touts the Big Five in Africa - the lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo. They're the photogenic celebrities of the savannah that travelers year to see on safari. But, there's another group of creatures who fly way below the radar, yet deserve attention for their own star-studded qualities.
Temple hopping in mystical Bagan
As the sun rises and paints the landscape fiery orange, I finally grasp the sheer magnitude of Bagan's ancient monuments from my bird's-eye perch in a hot air balloon. It's an otherworldly skyline, dotted with pagodas, temples, shrines, stupas and monasteries as far as the eye can see.
Soak up the ryokan vibes at Ten Thousand Waves
It's a bit embarrassing to wake up and find yourself drooling like a baby, especially when there's someone else to witness this cringe-worthy moment. I laughed self-consciously, hoping to deflect the situation humorously. Thankfully, my massage therapist kindly helped me save face by explaining that this was a clear sign I had reached total relaxation during my deep stone treatment.
Nature takes center stage in southern Africa
I am both repelled and fascinated by crocodiles. Their fearsome reputation precedes them and the fact that they outlived the dinosaurs has given their species legendary respect. No one wants to mess with a croc, but many people will seize the opportunity to view one up close, particularly within its natural habitat.
Captivating Cape Town
There’s nowhere quite like Cape Town, the jewel of South Africa. This fascinating city is a meld of cultures, history and landscape, crowned by the magnificent Table Mountain.
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