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Visiting the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
The redwoods in California’s Jedediah Smith State Park are among the most impressive and awe-inspiring trees in the world. Like giants of the forest, they pierce the skies overhead and tower above the lush sword ferns that carpet the ground at their feet. These massive trees—tucked away in the coastal hills of northwestern California—have stood the test of time. Many of the Redwoods that still stand today date back more than 2,000 years. They are true examples of perseverance. Pinnacles of efficiency. A testament to nature’s resilience. If you find…
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The Best Beaches in St John, USVI
The tiny Caribbean island of St John is home to untouched wilderness and pristine landscapes. It is a fleck of emerald in a sapphire sea. A place where nature still rules supreme. With its blanket of greenery, its idyllic beaches, and its translucent waters, the small territory is the most scenically endowed of the three main U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). St John wears a thick green cloak of gnarled trees and spiky cacti. These forested hillsides—part of a US Virgin Islands National Park—cover two thirds of the island’s surface. Beyond…
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Making the Most of One Day in Maui
As a flight attendant, I’ve grown accustomed to seeing the world from a birds-eye vantage point. In fact, the notion of lounging on a beach merely hours before floating through the sky is nothing really out of the ordinary. It is just part of my life. But until I drove to the top of Haleakala Volcano for aerial views of the Hawaiian island chain, I didn’t know it was possible to view the world from sea level and 10,000 feet—within the span of two hours—without setting foot on an aircraft.…
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Alvord Desert and Steens Mountain: A Southeast Oregon Road Trip
Southeastern Oregon is a special place. And not just because it is where Dan proposed to me under a blanket of stars during our brief Oregon road trip in 2018. It is special because it is one of the last outposts of off-the-beaten-path wilderness in the continental United States. Driving through the lower-right corner of Oregon is like navigating the surface of the moon. It is desolate. It is stark. It is parched. It is often viewed as a wasteland; a barren stretch of flyover country that is defined by…
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Day Hike to Panorama Ridge from Vancouver
The Garibaldi Provincial Park in British Columbia is home to some of Canada’s most spectacular hikes. Draped in verdant forest, framed by towering peaks, and home to glistening lakes, it is a wonderland for lovers of the outdoors. The crown jewel of the provincial park is Garibaldi Lake—a brilliantly blue body of water surrounded by soaring snowcapped mountains. After seeing photos of Garibaldi Lake from the Panorama Ridge hike, Dan and I immediately knew we would have to make the trip to Canada. So on a warm sunny weekend in…
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How to Spend 4 Days in Baja California Sur
Baja California Sur, often called “Baja Sur,” is a sun-drenched peninsula extending from Mexico’s western coast like a wayward thumb. This narrow Mexican state occupies the southern half of the Baja California Peninsula. It is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, where the desert meets the sea. From the cactus-studded Sierra de la Laguna mountains to the crystal-clear waters of the Sea of Cortez, the region boasts stunning scenery, colorful Pueblos Mágicos, windswept beaches, and secluded bays. Four Day Itinerary for Baja California Sur I’ve visited Baja California on two…
