There's nothing quite like a Big Sky Montana summer — and in particular, Big Sky hiking trails in the summer. It's stunningly beautiful and (with a few exceptions) largely uncrowded, one of the few remaining places where you might actually have a trail or stream all to yourself. Might. If you're even remotely outdoorsy, summer in Big Sky is paradise. Waterfalls are flowing, wildflower[...]
It's safe to say that after 2020 – AKA the year that just wouldn't end – people all over the world are experiencing a collective case of major wanderlust. Fortunately, infection rates continue to decrease and vaccines are being distributed on a wide scale, so international borders are slowly but steadily beginning to reopen to travelers. While that's wonderful, it also means that th[...]
Are you an occasional hiker or interested in getting into hiking? Or at the opposite end of the spectrum, do you regularly explore new trails with your family or put in for every famously hard-to-get hiking permit there is? Whichever applies to you, there's no question that high-quality hydration packs for women make a world of difference. A properly-fitted hydration backpack holds all[...]
I'm unquestionably adventurous, but I'm not necessarily a thrillseeker or what you'd call an adrenaline junkie. I love hiking and snorkeling, and floating the Snake River in the Tetons was one of my all-time favorite experiences — but you're not likely to catch me, say, skydiving. That's precisely why hiking Angels Landing in Zion National Park (or any other most dangerous hikes in th[...]
I remember every detail of my lunch date on January 1st, 2020. That was the day I found out about winning The Wave Arizona lottery — the first time. As we waited for our food, my lunch date said, "I just got my email about The Wave Coyote Buttes permit!" I assumed it was a rejection letter, identical to the one I received. But he started reading and it wasn't a rejection at all. It st[...]
I'm a national parks geek through and through and I'm always game for camping or hiking. I also enjoy life's finer and more romantic offerings, things like spa treatments and wine tastings. So when we started planning a San Francisco/Wine Country weekend trip for Valentine's Day, I set out to find the most romantic wineries in Napa. With several hundred wineries in the Napa Valley, this[...]
Moab, Utah, is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. From mountain biking and off-roading in Moab to hiking, camping, and much, much more, you’ll find it in this small but incredibly impressive mountain town. Being that the iconic red slickrock is some of the most famous terrain in the world and two of Utah's "Mighty 5" are here, it's common for visitors to research the best hikes in Moa[...]
As soon as we settled on visiting Moab in November for a 30th birthday trip (not mine!), I began planning our itinerary. We agreed almost immediately that off roading in Moab was a priority — in addition, of course, to hiking and exploring two of the country's most iconic national parks, Arches and Canyonlands. For the uninitiated, off roading in Moab is legendary. The enchanting red[...]
You might be surprised to learn that I didn't get much exposure to Mother Nature as a child. I've always been drawn to the outdoors, but I didn't have many opportunities to experience it until later in life. We definitely weren't the family hiking and exploring national parks. I was born in New York, moved a lot — I lived in four states by the time I was 10 — and had what most would co[...]
There's the old saying that the journey is the destination. While I generally agree with that — y'all know I love a good road trip — there are exceptions to every rule. Take, for example, these six off the beaten path restaurants that aren't accessible by car. Getting to the unique dining experiences is certainly a journey, but the destinations themselves are pretty spectacular too.[...]
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