Oh, the Alps. Glorious. Majestic. Breathtaking. They’re the mountains of your dreams, every hiker’s delight, and a “must” destination for so many. For the past week and a half, Rick and I have been leading 26 tour members through the Alps from Austria to Italy to Germany and to Switzerland. And now we’ve arrived inContinueContinue reading “Why Climb Every Mountain When You Can Take the Lift?”
Category Archives: Hiking
Conquering Fears and Storming a Castle in Austria
My friend Julie once experimented with “The Year of Trying New Things.” Whenever she encountered something she hadn’t tried or didn’t want to try before (activities, food, routes, ways of thinking), rather than say no to it, she opted to try it…just for kicks. When Rick and I are faced with the choice of doingContinueContinue reading “Conquering Fears and Storming a Castle in Austria”
The Dynamite Dolomites: Easy to Access, Easy to Love
I’m not what one would call an outdoorsy kind of person, and no one ever mistook me for a Birkenstock-wearing “granola girl,” but I sure do love hiking in the Alps. Our outdoor-loving and nature-respecting European counterparts make getting there so easy. From well-groomed trails and mountain huts to clear signage and industrial-strength cable lifts,ContinueContinue reading “The Dynamite Dolomites: Easy to Access, Easy to Love”
Are You Gonna Go My Way?
Not all travelers are created equal. Whether you’re a bold adventurer, culture vulture, foodie fanatic , history buff, or nature-lover, how you travel can be as important as why you travel and where you go. As an avid travel and tour guide, I know that incorporating our personal passions—and even our individual idiosyncrasies—into our travelsContinueContinue reading “Are You Gonna Go My Way?”
The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men
“Please don’t rain yet. Please don’t rain yet. Please don’t rain yet.” My mind looped this mantra, and I plastered an everything’s-alright smile, hoping my face wouldn’t betray my anxiety. Twenty-eight people were following me through the cobblestone streets of Paris, and I didn’t want their only two days with me in my favorite EuropeanContinueContinue reading “The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men”
Best of Europe: Scenes from a Swiss Adventure
For 21 days, Rick and I are tour members on one of his own tours: the Best of Europe. We’re trying to combine vacation with quality control and research. And it’s going great! Join us as we traipse from the Netherlands to Germany, Austria to Italy, and Switzerland to France with a terrific tour guide andContinueContinue reading “Best of Europe: Scenes from a Swiss Adventure”
Life in a Volcanic Landscape
No trip to Iceland is complete without a visit to the highlands. With the help of an expert guide–equipped with a “Super Jeep”, Rick and I made the four-hour trek from Reykjavik to the rugged and almost other worldly landscapes near Eyjafjallajökul (pronounced EY-ya-fyad-luh-YO-kuld, a.k.a. E15–starts with “E” has 15 letters). You’ll recall that thisContinueContinue reading “Life in a Volcanic Landscape”
Slithering Down The Snake River
We got an early start to drive a couple of hours from Joseph, OR to the Hell’s Canyon Dam. That’s where we would “put in” and begin our rafting adventures on the Snake River. There were ten guests on this trip and at least that many staff and crew from Winding Waters, Plate & Pitchfork,ContinueContinue reading “Slithering Down The Snake River”
Losing My Outdoorsy Virginity
As you might guess, I’m a big fan of the conveniences of modern life like electricity, running water, heat, and fly swatters, and I think whoever invented window screens is a genius. While I really enjoy running, I’d rather run on a treadmill than run outdoors so I don’t get sunburnt or rained on. AndContinueContinue reading “Losing My Outdoorsy Virginity”
Sex and Catholic Guilt in a Tide Pool
A half hour ride away from our ship, our skiff beached itself on the coastline of a tiny island. Today we were going tide pooling, and one by one, we abandoned our vessel to begin our hunt for coastal aquatic life. The tide was out, and usually hidden treasures glistened under the early morning sun.ContinueContinue reading “Sex and Catholic Guilt in a Tide Pool”
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