"Keep close to Nature’s heart... and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean." ~ John Muir Ah, now I understand …
September 23, 2018
Travel Stories
Idyllic Idyllwild: a weekend in the woods
Escape to Minca, Colombia
It’s not the kind of place that comes to mind when thinking about Colombia, but a little mountain village called Minca gets my vote for best of honors. A slow 17 kilometers up and out …
September 9, 2018
Loveland Reservoir: backcountry in San Diego's backyard
Loveland Lake and Dam is a true hidden gem in the backcountry about 40 minutes drive from downtown San Diego off I-8 East. The trailhead can be easily missed if you blink once while driving …
August 27, 2018
Get lost in Marseilles, France's second city
Marseille has never gotten its due as a vacation destination. Most people traveling to southern France pass through Marseille’s airport and move directly on to the more pristine and tony Provencal destinations, such as Aix-en-Provence …
August 5, 2018
Buenos Aires in 48 hours
It's surely one of the most impressive cities in South America, and a must-see for any traveler, even folks who prefer the countryside. Having said that, Buenos Aires is a gigantic mass of humanity, and …
July 8, 2018
Joshua Tree glamping & the Integratron
Oh, Joshua Tree. You are unique, far-flung and downright bizarre.... I first visited the quirky desert town several years ago and took to the creative community. While brainstorming road trip ideas one weekend, I settled …
June 22, 2018
Japan: a land of contrasts
I stare out at Mount Fuji: bright, clear, stately, basking in the morning sunshine. Cherry blossoms frame my view alongside the stunning Chureito Pagoda in the foreground. My timing was implausibly fortuitous. The previous day …
June 4, 2018
I forge a Virginia ham trail
When you visit a region, its cuisine says as much about its culture as paintings in an art museum. Travelers rush to Napa Valley for wine, Wisconsin for cheese, Maine for lobster... but there’s just …
May 27, 2018
Springtime Mammoth Lakes: a travel guide
Springtime in the Western United States generally means snow melt and a lot of muddy conditions. It may seem like an odd time to visit a mountain town... but it's just the opposite for the …
May 20, 2018
Lisbon for foodies and history buffs
Last summer, I visited Portugal to witness one of my closest friends get married. It was a short, whirlwind trip that I will never forget. I promised myself that I would return in 2018; here …
April 29, 2018
The Mitchell Caverns: California's sacred caves
The Mitchell Caverns are not as large as those at Carlsbad, New Mexico, or as well known — but are local, every bit as dramatic, and come complete with a history made for movies. I …
April 22, 2018
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Traditional batik printmaking in a Dar es Salaam …
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Just a typical night on Nola's Frenchmen Street.