Warrior Expeditions Helps Vets
Warrior Expeditions, originally named Warrior Hike, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping veterans with PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder. This group was created by a combat veteran named Sean Gobin, who hiked the Appalachian Trail after separating...
North County Trail Re-Route Mired in Politics
In 1980, Congress approved the North Country Trail (NCT) as one of America's National Scenic Trails. In doing so, the NCT joined the famous "Triple Crown" trails – the Appalachian, Pacific Crest and Continental Divide – to become our fourth National Scenic Trail. Now,...
Vía de la Plata Camino Filled with Roman Ruins
I've hiked Spain's Vía de la Plata Camino, which is filled with spectacular Roman ruins, several times. Here is one of several articles I wrote about my experiences. The gravel path unspools before me in an endless ribbon, cutting through a sea of rustling, golden...
What to Know About Snowshoeing the Porcupine Mountains
If you're looking for a great place to go snowshoeing in the Upper Midwest, the Porcupine Mountains (aka the Porkies) are a great spot. The Porkies hug the southern shore of Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. These mountains are also considered a wilderness...
Visit One of the World’s Largest Nativity Collections
Algoma Boulevard United Methodist Church in Oshkosh, Wis., is home to one of the world's largest Nativity collections. The locale seems an unlikely spot. But then again, why not Oshkosh, Wis.? Here's the quick backstory. For Mildred Turner, 1988 was a terrible year....
Extreme Sports Birthed in New Zealand
Ever wonder why New Zealand is home to extreme sports? Some say it's due to the country's Accident Compensation Corporation, or ACC. The ACC pays the medical bills of those injured in accidents on Kiwi soil. In the article above, I explain all about the ACC. But here,...
How to Hike Through Big Cypress Swamp
A foot of snow and sub-zero temperatures await me back home, I remind myself, as I work my way through Big Cypress Swamp. The day's uncomfortable heat and humidity quickly dampen my shirt and cause droplets of sweat to pool on my forehead and rhythmically drip from my...
The Surprises of Hiking Spain’s Vía de la Plata (Camino de Santiago)
There are five main Camino pilgrimage trails leading to the city of Santiago de Compostela in Spain. They are the Camino Francés (French Way), Inglés (English Way), Portugués (Portuguese Way), Camino del Norte (North Way) and the Vía de la Plata (Silver Way). Just...
The Secrets to Biking on Mackinac Island
Biking is all the rage on Mackinac Island, where cars are forbidden. That no-car rule has an interesting history, but it's in the story, so I won't spoil it. So, for those of you who haven't heard of Mackinac Island, it's an island belonging to the state of Michigan....
Climbing the Manitou Incline Is a Novel Challenge
The Manitou Incline is a +2,700-step staircase in Manitou Springs, which is near Colorado's Pikes Peak. This insane incline rises 2,000 vertical feet in just under one mile. That's steep, folks. The Manitou Incline began life as a cable car track used to ferry...
Hiking China’s Popular Tiger Leaping Gorge
The 13-mile (21-km) Tiger Leaping Gorge trail in China's Yunnan Province is one of the country's most popular hikes. Interestingly, it's especially favored by foreigners. I learned about this trail when I was preparing to attend a work conference in China and was...
Exploring Seattle by Kayak
When our family decided to head to Washington, one of our plans was to explore Seattle by kayak. After all, Seattle sports 148 miles of freshwater shoreline and 53 miles of saltwater shore. So what better way to explore this major city than via the water? Our family's...
What It’s Like to Race a Snowshoe Beer Mile
Snowshoe Beer Miles are a rarity. In fact, when my son and his running group held their first Snowshoe Beer Mile in 2016, it may have been the world's first. Extensive Googling did not bring up any other such official event. Today, several years later, it's still hard...
How to Experience Kickapoo Valley Ranch
Kickapoo Valley Ranch consists of eight well-appointed cabins tucked up against the scenic Kickapoo Valley Reserve. Although a travel writer, I'd never heard of it until I attended the Wisconsin Governor's Conference on Tourism one year. There, the owners of the ranch...
What You Need to Know About Sledding at Great Sand Dunes National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park in southern Colorado is home to the tallest sand dunes in all of North America. Why massive sand dunes in Colorado and not, say, a desert? Well, it’s all about the unique geology and wind patterns found here. Together, they've created...
Hike Around Isle Royale to See Moose Up Close
Isle Royale is the largest island in Lake Superior. It's also an archipelago that, along with its 450 smaller sister islands, is one of 50+ U.S. national federal parks. Although Isle Royale National Park has the dubious distinction of being one of the least-visited...
