There’s nothing quite like a Big Sky Montana summer — and in particular, Big Sky hiking trails in the summer. It’s stunningly beautiful and (with a few exceptions) largely uncrowded, one of the few remaining places where you might actually have a trail or stream all to yourself. Might. If you’re even remotely outdoorsy, summer in Big Sky is paradise. Waterfalls are flowing, wildflowers are in bloom, the weather is perfect, and every outdoor pursuit imaginable is at your fingertips. Fishing, mountain biking, paddling, horseback riding, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, golf, and of course, hiking in Big Sky Montana....
It’s safe to say that after 2020 – AKA the year that just wouldn’t end – people all over the world are experiencing a collective case of major wanderlust. Fortunately, infection rates continue to decrease and vaccines are being distributed on a wide scale, so international borders are slowly but steadily beginning to reopen to travelers. While that’s wonderful, it also means that throngs of people are flocking to well-known vacation destinations. Overwater bungalows, Caribbean islands, stunningly beautiful U.S. national parks, Iceland’s waterfalls, Santorini, and resort towns in Mexico have all seen historic tourism rates in the past year....
Are you an occasional hiker or interested in getting into hiking? Or at the opposite end of the spectrum, do you regularly explore new trails with your family or put in for every famously hard-to-get hiking permit there is? Whichever applies to you, there’s no question that high-quality hydration packs for women make a world of difference. A properly-fitted hydration backpack holds all your hiking essentials, offers plenty of lumbar support, and keeps you comfortable all day so you can very literally go the distance. But how do you go about finding the best hydration packs for hiking, much...
Growing up, our dogs always came to the beach and on road trips, and they got their own stockings at Christmas. So it makes perfect sense that as an adult, my dogs became my adventure partners. From camping and family hiking to watching sunsets at the beach, everything is a little better with a dog. However, not every place necessarily welcomes dogs with open arms. People travel with their pups more and more today, so I set out to learn about the most dog friendly cities in the US. Of course, dogs can’t go everywhere we go. For example,...
Destinations•The Great Outdoors
Angels Landing Zion: Top Most Dangerous Hikes in the World?
February 19, 2021I’m unquestionably adventurous, but I’m not necessarily a thrillseeker or what you’d call an adrenaline junkie. I love hiking and snorkeling, and floating the Snake River in the Tetons was one of my all-time favorite experiences — but you’re not likely to catch me skydiving. That’s precisely why hiking Angels Landing in Zion National Park (or any other most dangerous hikes in the world, for that matter) was never on my bucket list. Until recently, that is. After winning a highly-coveted permit to The Wave in Arizona (for a second time!), we decided to make a longer trip out...
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Travel Tips•Destinations•The Great Outdoors
The Wave Arizona Lottery: The Truth About Winning a Permit
February 1, 2021I remember every detail of my lunch date on January 1st, 2020. That was the day I found out about winning The Wave Arizona lottery — the first time. As we waited for our food, S said, “I just got my email about The Wave Coyote Buttes permit!” I assumed it was a rejection letter, identical to the one I received. But he started reading and it wasn’t a rejection at all. It started out, “Congratulations! We wanted to let you know the lottery drawing recently took place and you’ve been awarded a permit reservation at Coyote Buttes North...
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I’m a national parks geek through and through and I’m always game for camping or hiking. I also enjoy life’s finer and more romantic offerings, things like spa treatments and wine tastings. So when we started planning a San Francisco/Wine Country weekend trip for Valentine’s Day, I set out to find the most romantic wineries in Napa. With several hundred wineries in the Napa Valley, this task is easier said than done. A trip to Wine Country is romantic in and of itself, but I wanted something extra-special and memorable. I specifically wanted to visit smaller, lesser-known wineries as...
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Moab, Utah, is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. From mountain biking and off-roading in Moab to hiking, camping, and much, much more, you’ll find it in this small but incredibly impressive mountain town. Being that the iconic red slickrock is some of the most famous terrain in the world and two of Utah’s “Mighty 5” are here, it’s common for visitors to research the best hikes in Moab. However, “best” is subjective and information on hiking trails in Moab can quickly become overwhelming. From the best hikes in Arches National Park and the best sunset trails to the best...
Destinations•The Great Outdoors•Travel Tips
Off Roading in Moab Utah: A Comprehensive Guide
December 9, 2020As soon as we settled on visiting Moab in November for a 30th birthday trip (not mine!), I began planning our itinerary. We agreed almost immediately that off roading in Moab was a priority — in addition, of course, to hiking and exploring two of the country’s most iconic national parks, Arches and Canyonlands. For the uninitiated, off roading in Moab is legendary. The enchanting red “slickrock” is a mecca for off-road enthusiasts (and mountain biking enthusiasts, and hiking enthusiasts, and camping enthusiasts, and horseback riding enthusiasts…), drawing over three million visitors annually. There are dozens of options for...
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You might be surprised to learn that I didn’t get much exposure to Mother Nature as a child. I’ve always been drawn to the outdoors, but I didn’t have many opportunities to experience it until later in life. We definitely weren’t the family hiking and exploring national parks. I was born in New York, moved a lot — I lived in four states by the time I was 10, and had what most would consider a non-traditional childhood. Even before I became a mom, I knew I wanted to immerse my future children in nature. I hiked regularly throughout...
