Find your Southern California Oasis in Joshua Tree National Park

Swaddled in the San Bernardino Mountains southeast of Los Angeles, more than 1,200 square miles of arresting geologic anomalies and humdingers settle placidly. The convergence of the Mojave and Colorado deserts emphasizes millions of years of Earth’s erosion and evolution. Joshua Tree National Park is both humbling and enigmatic with its leggy, spiky yucca trees … Continue reading Find your Southern California Oasis in Joshua Tree National Park

The 8 Best Sunset Spots in the Southwest US

The American Southwest is a sprawling amalgamation of desert and mountainous landscapes, with large swaths of uninhabited land that serve as wonderful viewing points for stunning sunsets. Whether you’re in Colorado or California, here are some of the best sunset spots in the American Southwest. Yavapai Point, Grand Canyon, Arizona The Grand Canyon is the … Continue reading The 8 Best Sunset Spots in the Southwest US

4 of the Best Hikes in the Southwest

The desert isn’t always given the credit it’s due when it comes to beautiful destinations. While everyone else is planning tropical vacations, they’re missing out on colossal natural rock formations, unique desert flora, and unmatched red, orange, and yellow sunsets found right in our backyard. Not to mention, the low humidity (not that you were … Continue reading 4 of the Best Hikes in the Southwest

7 Beautiful Camping Locations for the Summer

Simply put, camping is its own form of medicine. Days spent hiking give away to breathtaking sunsets to magical campfires. You’re forced to unplug and simply be in the moment and whether that moment is the sense of accomplishment when you reach the peak or the peacefulness of a morning waking up to the sound … Continue reading 7 Beautiful Camping Locations for the Summer

Nature and Nightlife: Outdoor Adventures Near Fun Cities

Some trips are enlightening, arduous backpacking excursions with a few close friends who know how to manage rattlesnake bites, and others are more in the spirit of opulent bachelorette parties. But what if you could have both? These cities are ideal for adventure seekers who relish the nightlife. Put these laid-back destinations at the top … Continue reading Nature and Nightlife: Outdoor Adventures Near Fun Cities

Fun US Destinations for Memorial Day

As Memorial Day approaches, it’s a great time to break out the nautical stripes and cozy tunics in preparation for long weekend excursions. Whether you’re looking for quiet reflection on equable, humid beaches, or a summer cocktail at the end of a purifying hike, these easygoing getaways will gladly welcome you to summer 2017.   Key West, … Continue reading Fun US Destinations for Memorial Day

I Drove Over 6,000 Miles Alone and Here’s What I Learned

For years, I’ve wanted to go on a road trip around the U.S. In college, I spent some longer periods of time abroad; and while I love international travel, there’s something about a domestic road trip that has always seemed like the ultimate chance at freedom. After all, it’s sort of the American dream, in … Continue reading I Drove Over 6,000 Miles Alone and Here’s What I Learned

Protecting National Parks in the Face of Conservation Challenges

In the kernel of 19th century New York, noted American artist Thomas Cole agonized over the often complicated relationship between mankind and nature in his painting The Oxbow. The Romantic-era image illustrates a quiet, overdeveloped Connecticut Valley on one end, and a remorseless thunderstorm above unmarked forests on the other. Through the use of evident … Continue reading Protecting National Parks in the Face of Conservation Challenges