Namibia’s northern Atlantic Coastline was given the unofficial title of the Skeleton Coast in 1944 due to the whaling industry’s activities which left a surplus of bones littering its sandy shores. These days, you are less likely to find the bones of whales; however, you will find the skeletons of numerous shipwrecks scattered up and…
Destinations :: Custer—a Small Adventure Town in the Black Hills of South Dakota
I knew Custer, South Dakota, would be beautiful in its own way, and that the “Black Hills” meant there had to be hills somewhere, but I had no idea of the mountainous wonderland I’d be immersed in for almost three weeks. My friend, and fellow rider, Michelle Lamphere, invited me to Custer when I mentioned…
Destination: Three Fingers Fire Lookout, Mount Baker-Snowqualmie National Forest
Photo by Alexrk2 – Own work, CC BY 3.0 Part of the National Registry of Historic Places, the Three Finger Fire Lookout in the Mount Baker-Snowqualmie National Forest is one of the oldest and longest-enduring observation posts in the Forest. Its lofty perch is also one of the most improbable locations for a man-made…
Destination: A-frame Cabin, Flagstaff, Arizona
The city of Flagstaff has some of the best access to outdoor recreation an adventurer could ask for. It is located in north-central Arizona, just south of the San Francisco peaks and the Kachina Peaks Wilderness which contain the highest summit within the state (Humphreys Peak, 12,633 feet). Additionally, the 1.8 million-acre Coconino National Forest…
Telkwa Pass—British Columbia’s “Shortcut” between Smithers and Terrace
Photos provided by ridingfullcircle.com, Uncle “M” (advrider.com), and Jillian Kofoed (Totem Auto Group) He’s about to suggest riding something I won’t like and will do everything he can to convince me. Dave’s been scouring Google Earth and paper maps for a few hours now and has found a little side tour over Telkwa Pass—a rugged 71-mile…
Destination: Cochise Stronghold, Coronado National Forest, Arizona
East of Tuscon, Arizona, the remote Dragoon Mountains rise high above the surrounding desert landscape, reaching elevations of over 7,000 feet. This arid, rocky landscape was the final stronghold of the indomitable Chiricahua Apache Chief, Cochise. After many failed attempts by the US Army to imprison Chief Cochise (he escaped every time he was captured),…
Destination: Manshausen Sea Cabins, Steigen, Norway
If you love remote coastlines and simple, modern architecture, then be sure to add the Manshausen Sea Cabins in Steigen, Norway, to your must-visit list of Arctic Circle destinations. Located southeast of the Lofoten Islands, you’ll find this collection of seven unique cabins perched on the rocky shores of a 14-acre island just off the…
Destinations :: Texas Borderlands – Black Gap Wildlife Management Area
I would venture to assert Black Gap Wildlife Management Area in the Big Bend region near the Mexican border is not only the most remote place in Texas but one of the most remote areas of the country. The WMA is the lesser-known state park here in Far West Texas and sits adjacent to Big…
Destination: Cannon Beach, Oregon
Photo: Kirkouimet, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Ask anyone to describe the quintessential Pacific Northwest coast, and they will likely paint you a picture of windswept pines overlooking expansive sand flats punctuated by silvery driftwood logs and rocky sea pinnacles. That’s this week’s destination in a nutshell. Cannon Beach is a city in Northern…
36 Hours of Adventure :: Exploring Colorado’s San Juan Range
This 36-Hours of Adventure is Presented by: Colorado’s San Juan mountain range is arguably one of the most spectacular groupings of peaks within the state. Characterized by extremely steep (and often crumbly) multi-colored slopes interspersed with vibrant green meadows and expansive stands of aspens, this region in Southwestern Colorado was formed by the collision of…
Destination: Peachland, British Columbia
Photography by Richard Giordano Nestled on the western shore of Okanagan Lake, the charming town of Peachland, British Columbia, is located in the south-central region of the province, midway between the sizable cities of Kelowna (to the north) and Penticton (to the south). While Peachland itself is worth a visit, what truly captures the hearts…
Rwandan Legacy
There is a mist that hangs over this small landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley. The clouds fall gently over the mountains, quietly holding the land and shrouded forests even when the sun shines. Rwanda is not the first place you would visit in Africa, but it’s a short distance from Tanzania or Kenya…
Destination: Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick
Beyond the deep, verdant green of the Acadian Forest, past the wildflowers, cascading waterfalls, balsam fir trees, and woodferns, lies a 250-kilometer stretch of rocky shoreline on the eastern coast of Canada that lays claim to the highest tides on the planet. Located between the Maritime provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, the Bay…
United States Lighthouse Society Database of Lighthouse Rentals
All photos courtesy of the United States Lighthouse Society The United States Lighthouse Society is a non-profit historical and educational organization that seeks to preserve and share the history of lighthouses and maritime culture in the United States. As part of its mission, this organization maintains a database of lighthouses that are available to…
Destination: Earthship Biotecture Community, Taos, New Mexico
Photos courtesy of Earthship Biotecture One quality that I believe all overlanders can appreciate is self-sufficiency, and in many ways, we put it into practice every time we venture out on the road or trail. It manifests in many forms, including preparedness with items like extra fuel, a water filter, and recovery equipment. But…
Destination: Kelowna, British Columbia
Photography by Richard Giordano Kelowna, British Columbia, lies in the heart of the Okanagan Valley and is known for its dry, sunny climate, wineries, fruit orchards, and lakes. Located in the south-central region of the province, the Okanagan Valley’s Highway 97 provides a scenic alternate route for those heading north or south along the Pan-American…
Destination: Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah
Sitting on the border of Utah and Nevada, the Bonneville Salt Flats Special Recreation Management Area is an incredibly flat and barren 30,000-acres of brilliant white salt crust in Utah’s Great Basin Desert. Formerly lake Bonneville, this dry lake bed dates back to the Pleistocene era and is one of the largest salt deposits on…
Destination: Casa Mar, Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico
Images courtesy of AirBnb If remote beachfront eco-retreats are your thing, check out Casa Mar in Puerto Escondido, Mexico. Designed by architect Alberto Kalach and located near Hotel Escondido and the Casa Wabi Foundation for Artists, Casa Mar is characterized by natural materials and 360-degree views of the surrounding beachscape and ocean. Amenities…
Destination: Sisters, Oregon
If you find yourself in central Oregon and want a beautiful destination with free dispersed camping and plenty of public lands to explore, consider a stopover near the small town of Sisters, Oregon. Located on the eastern edge of the Deschutes National Forest, Sisters is home to excellent coffee and baked goods. It also offers…
Destination: The Shady Dell Trailer Court, Bisbee, Arizona
Photos courtesy of The Shady Dell The Shady Dell trailer court in Bisbee, Arizona, is a little slice of vintage heaven. It dates back to 1927 when it got its start as a rest stop for motorists toting their families, camping gear, and RVs along Highway 80 which runs between Georgia and California. Now the…