Traveling is awesome – but there are some things about home that I always miss. Here are the 5 things I can’t wait to get back to.
Scenes from Chicago in the Summer
If you’re planning to visit Chicago, summer is the best time. Check out these photos and you’ll see a city that comes alive in warm weather. It’s nowhere near my favorite American city. But I still had a decent time.
Best of Arizona – Pima & Dynamite Trail Network
The Pima & Dynamite trails in Scottsdale, Ariz., are some of the best mountain biking around – and a great opportunity to see desert wildlife and scenery.
Best of British Columbia – Vancouver
This city of Vancouver really is as cool as you’ve heard. Here are some of its highlights.
The Iceland Epic – Hverir, Viti, Krafla
Volcanic fumaroles, explosion craters and endless plains of cooled magma make the landscape near ReykjahliÄ‘ one of the most incredible places you’ll ever see.
Kaffitar Stands Out as Reykavik’s Best Espresso
Reykjavik has some great cafes, but hard-core espresso fiends will recognize Kaffitar as the city’s best.
Images from Avondale, Ariz. – 2011 Hedgehog Hustle
Check out the action from the 2011 Hedgehog Hustle at Estrella Mountain Regional Park. Garish uniforms, funny hair, out-of-control beards – this race had it all!
"Hell Walking" and Tramping – How to Hike Abroad
Planning to take a hike outside the U.S.? Well, beware – even English-speaking countries have some very different ways of saying “hiking.” Here are a few of my favorite examples.
Iceland Diaries – Day 6 (Skaftafell, Vik)
Eating rotten shark meat, hiking Skaftafell National Park, a second hike in search of puffins in the cliffs near Vik – That’s all part of Day 6 in the Iceland Diary.
The Iceland Diaries РDay 5 (Skaftafell, Fallj̦kull, J̦kullsarlon)
Sarah and Wandering Justin join Glacier Guides to check out Falljökull glacier in southern Iceland.
Los Angeles is Perfect for Alternative Thanksgiving
There’s more than one way to celebrate Thanksgiving. If stuffing yourself with overcooked turkey no longer holds its appeal, here’s an idea for an “alternative” Thanksgiving getaway.
Restoring Sanity Through Mountain Biking
Sometimes, it’s easy to let everyday life get to me. But a good mountain bike ride can restore some perspective – and remind me that things ain’t so bad.
New Phoenix Trails Bring Recreation – and Dose of Controversy
The west side of the Phoenix metro area have some solid new biking and hiking trails. But they come with some legal drama and controversy.
Escape Winter’s Clutches in New Zealand
Snow is great when it first starts falling. But give it a month, and you’ll be ready to get away from it. So where should you go? New Zealand, no contest. Here’s why.
Iceland Travel Tip – Is the Winter Fare Sale Worth It?
During the winter in Iceland, daylight is scarce and temperatures are low. Is it worth shelling out $379 for a flight from the U.S.? Absolutely – there’s still plenty to do without freezing to death.
Airport Needs to Cut Specialty Lines, Improve Signs
During a recent flight from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, I had a reminder that the security screening processes are concocted by people who are disconnected from reality.
3 Odd Buildings Still Stand Tall in Phoenix
Despite its short history, the Phoenix metro area has amassed some unusual architecture. Here are three of the best-known odd buildings you’ll find in the Valley of the Sun.
Desert Museum is Worth a Drive to Tucson, Ariz.
Visitors to Phoenix probably don’t give enough credit to Tucson. That’s a mistake – the area has some great museums, and the outstanding Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is one you shouldn’t miss.
Gear Review – The North Face Rock 22 Tent
True love came between me and my tent. And forced me to shell out for a Rock 22 by The North Face. Here’s my review of this 2-person, 3-season tent.
Update on Flying with MREs
Here’s the answer to an increasingly popular question among traveling backpackers: Can you take military MRE rations on an airplane.