Still off the beaten path, Lithuania is one of the three Baltic republics that gained their independence after the fall of the Soviet Union. Its lush forests, beautiful national parks, the medieval Kaunas and Vilnius …
July 19, 2010
Travel off the Beaten Path
Lithuania: Undiscovered Eastern Europe
Lanai, Hawaii – Hiking the Munro Trail to Koloiki Ridge
The Munro Trail is a scenic, moderately challenging and sometimes wet hike through the Koele uplands on the island of Lana'i. On a recent visit, we hiked part of the Munro Trail to Koloiki Ridge, …
June 16, 2010
Lesotho, Africa
There's a hole in the map of South Africa. That hole is a separate little country, Lesotho, which is where I was riding a horse when it started to hail. As I lowered my head, …
June 1, 2010
Anza-Borrego Slot Canyons, California
Most San Diegans have been to Anza-Borrego State Park, but I wonder how many have discovered the (self-declared) Slot Canyons. When entering the park from the 8, take a left after the exit, go past …
Meteora, Greece: Monasteries in the Sky
Greece is most often characterized by its idyllic beaches and ancient ruins, which are fantastic and not to be missed. However, on my second trip to Greece we stayed with a friend who showed us …
May 19, 2010
Arcosanti: Architecture Meets Ecology in Arizona
I headed down an isolated desert dirt road in Arizona to the experimental community of Arcosanti, not knowing quite what to expect. Arcosanti is a creative laboratory for innovative design strategies to combat urban sprawl. …
May 12, 2010
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, Arizona
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument is located in Coolidge, Arizona, about an hour’s drive from either Phoenix or Tuscon. It’s believed that this ancient structure was occupied by one large family of the Hohokam society. …
April 26, 2010
Mount Huang, Anhui Province, China
Having two weeks to kill in China, my group of friends and I decided to brave a train/backpacking trip from Shanghai to Huangshan National Park in Anhui province. We took an overnight regional train (about …
April 19, 2010
Ushuaia, Argentina: the End of the World
Paddling and swimming in the cool waters, the white tuxedoed chests of the Gentoo and Magellan penguins are at home near the southernmost part of the world, Ushuaia, Argentina. The capital of Argentina’s Tierra del …
April 5, 2010
Springfield, Illinois: the Hidden State Capital
Presented with a two-hour delay for my Springfield flight, I made the best decision that any rational person of age would: I paid a friendly visit to the airport pub. “Where are you from?” I …
April 1, 2010
Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
I rolled into Santa Teresa early in the afternoon. The sun beamed down its scathing agenda, burning my tender gringo flesh. Cars and motorbikes threw a lingering cloud of dust from the bumpy dirt road …