I’ve been fortunate enough to visit many beautiful destinations around the world, but something always draws me back to Scotland, and more specifically, the magical Isle of Skye. At 639 square miles, this rugged island is the largest in the Inner Hebrides and showcases some of the country’s most dramatic landscapes. Moreover, it is of…
Destination :: Canmore, Alberta
Feature Image Courtesy of Tourism Alberta Enjoying a cup of coffee one morning, I gazed out the window of my ground-level apartment in Canmore, Alberta, when a herd of elk suddenly appeared, mere steps away. As they gracefully walked by, exhaling clouds of vapor in the brisk morning air, I was utterly dumbfounded by the…
Destination: El Mistico Ranch, Nogal, New Mexico
El Mistico Ranch is located at 7,300 feet above sea level on 30 acres of high desert mountain terrain, in Nogal, New Mexico. Part Air BnB and part glamping retreat, El Mistico delivers an escape from day to day life, with quick access to New Mexico’s Lincoln National Forest which is directly adjacent to the…
Destination: McCarthy, Alaska, and Kennecott Mine
In Alaska’s Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, there sits a village called McCarthy. If you search for this place on Google, you’ll find it says, population: 0. But people do live here. A 2020 census lists 107 residents, up from 28 in 2010. I rode my BMW G 650 GS to McCarthy in 2016. I sat…
Destination: Senja, Norway
In early 2019 I made the 10-hour journey north from my temporary base in Reine, Lofoten, to the lesser-known yet magical island of Senja. At 612.5 square miles, it’s the second-largest island in Norway and home to almost 8,000 people. Characterised by dramatic mountains, white-sand beaches, and a luscious green interior during summertime, it’s regarded…
Destination :: Al Ula, Saudi Arabia
Photography by Richard Giordano Amid the northwestern Saudi Arabian desert lies the oasis town of Al Ula. Nestled amongst palm trees, bordered by red sandstone cliffs, and flourishing with citrus and dates, Al Ula is ripe with history due to its location along the Incense Route, where goods such as Arabian frankincense and myrrh travelled…
Destination :: Carpenteria, California
If you are making your way up or down the California coast, Carpenteria is a great little beachside community worth stopping for an overnight. It’s only an hour and a half West of Los Angeles, yet Carp has a totally different, relaxed atmosphere about it. The Spanish name of Carpenteria, which was bestowed upon the…
Overlanding Tibet to the Gyantse Horse Festival
I put my hand in the air and flagged down a taxi at the Chengdu International Airport in Sichuan, China. I lugged my large pack into the trunk and slid into the pleather seats. Thus began the same Chinese conversation I’d had hundreds of times before: Where are you from? How did you learn to…
Destination: Baviaanskloof, Western Cape in South Africa
The Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve includes a Wilderness Area that is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Located in both the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces within close proximity to the incredible Garden Route, which sits along the southeastern coast of South Africa, it’s a breathtaking destination that is well-known to many travelers. Photo credit: Sam vd…
Avoidable Missteps Teach a Serious Lesson About Carelessness
As we look back at nearly eight years of full-time, vehicle-based travel, we consider ourselves fairly experienced travelers. So it’s embarrassing to admit we make rookie mistakes from time to time. We should know better. Over the past weekend, we completed a whirlwind but magical tour of La Huasteca Potosina, a tropical region in interior…
11 Tips for Visiting Baja, Mexico, This Winter
Photography by Richard Giordano From sunseekers to snowbirds, surfers, and off-roaders, it seems like nearly everyone I’ve talked to is planning to visit Baja this winter. The promise of warmer temperatures, beach camping, and finding solace in remote desert locations has mass appeal. Waking up to the sound of coyotes chattering, frolicking in sparkling bioluminescence…
Destinations :: San Martín de los Andes, Argentina
In Patagonia’s northwest region, you’ll find forests, lakes, volcanoes, and best of all, the endearing town of San Martín de los Andes, Argentina. Sitting along the glacial shores of Lake Lácar and surrounded by rugged beauty, San Martín was the one place my husband and I seriously considered moving to while on our round-the-world trip….
Destination: Reine, Lofoten Islands
North of the Arctic Circle, nestled amongst dramatic snow-peaked mountains and surrounded by ocean, is the dreamy Norwegian fishing village of Reine. This remote settlement, characterised by wooden rorbuer (traditional fishing huts), and located on the island of Moskenes in the Lofoten archipelago, has been a trading post since 1743. In more recent years, it…
Destination: Sequoia National Forest, California
Covering 1.1 million acres of terrain across three counties in Southern California, the Sequoia National Forest is a diverse and beautiful landscape with opportunities for overland travel and human-powered outdoor recreation. Located in the heart of the Eastern Sierras, it encompasses both King’s Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, Giant Sequoia National Monument, Golden Trout Wilderness,…
Chefchaouen – This Blue Moroccan City Will Steal Your Heart
Early in 2019, we were traveling across the rugged Rif Mountain range in Morocco and suffered a breakdown which would leave us stranded in the blue city of Chefchaouen for six weeks. We grew to love the city and her people as we became temporary residents. We camped high above the small city. The first…
Destinations :: Cumberland, British Columbia
On the east coast of central Vancouver Island, British Columbia, you’ll find Cumberland, a gateway to Comox Lake 60 miles northwest of Nanaimo. What makes Cumberland and its 3,000-plus residents unique is the welcoming community and world-class recreation possibilities. Unlike other touristy stops on Vancouver Island, like Tofino and Coombs, Cumberland has kept its quaint…
Killer Bees and Killer Cracks: Overcoming Fear at Cochise Stronghold with 57 Hours
Photography by Richard Giordano “Have you heard about the killer bees?” my climbing guide Jayci asked. We were scrambling over boulders that dotted a dry riverbed in Arizona’s Cochise Valley. “I have not,” I responded nervously, eyeing trunks of decayed oak trees and overhead branches, urgently scanning for a hive. We were hiking the approach…
36 Hours of Adventure :: Grand Canyon Overland Trail Ride
This 36 Hours of Adventure is Presented by: Red sand clings to the deep treads of our Defender as it slowly claws its way up a steep, rocky stretch of trail above the ghost town of Grafton. We’re just outside St. George, Utah. Originally homesteaded in 1859, Grafton’s population topped 168 individuals at its…
Escapar a la Baja Tres: A Vanlife and Overlanding Meetup, Feb 2022
Escapar a la Baja, an Overlanding and Vanlife Meetup Baja season is approaching quickly, and for those heading south of the US border this winter, you’ll definitely want to check out Escapar A La Baja Tres. This weekend-long vanlife and overlanding rendezvous at Playa El Tecolote (just 30 minutes outside La Paz) is scheduled for…
Destination: Mujib Biosphere Reserve Chalets, Jordan
Photography by Richard Giordano As one drives south on Highway 65 (also known as the Dead Sea Highway) in Jordan, a teal-blue body of water appears. Located at 423 meters below sea level, the Dead Sea is not only one of the saltiest lakes in the world; it is officially the lowest place on land….