San Diego County is a big place. With a population of nearly 3.3 million people, the head count here is higher than in 21 entire states. But again: it’s a big place, covering 4526 square …
January 19, 2022
Wildlife
Wildlife
A ranching retreat in Jamul
Wild Peninsula Valdez, Argentina
I first became aware of this enormous peninsula years ago when I heard about the burgeoning whale-watching attraction there. A thousand miles south of Buenos Aires on the south Atlantic coast, this region lies at …
June 30, 2019
Antelope Valley's fields of orange
Officially known as the Antelope Valley Poppy Preserve, the rolling hills of the southern Mojave, 15 miles west of Lancaster, explode with color each spring as 1,745 acres of wildflowers end their hibernation and burst …
February 23, 2017
Glacier National Park: backbone of the world
"I have to stay up here all summer and look at this,” our guide mockingly bemoaned while guiding us across exquisite Two Medicine Lake on the eastern side of Glacier National Park. We surveyed the …
September 28, 2015
Daytrip to the Salton Sea
Crunching fish bones. Foul-smelling water. Skin-scorching sun. It may not sound like an enticing adventure, but in fact one of the most interesting and unexpected getaways to be found in Southern California is a day …
April 27, 2015
Down south in Estero La Bocana, Baja Sur
Dolphins play near the shore at sunrise, whiplashing their tails to form a sand circle to entrap their breakfast. The panicked fish jump up directly into the dolphins' mouths – a nature event I'd only …
January 16, 2015
Cayman Islands: from stingrays to tax shelters
Coral outcrops surrounded by coral reefs, the Cayman Islands are three tiny islands (Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, Little Cayman) comprising the British Overseas Territory of the Cayman Islands in the western Caribbean. Just south of …
Paddling with gators in Florida's Myakka River State Park
Initially I was petrified at the thought of being in a body of water with alligators, but then I realized I didn’t sign up for this kayak trip to see birds. If you’ve spent much …
Kenya's elephant orphanage
Greater Nairobi, home to more than six million people, has a reputation for mayhem. Its international airport just burned; the Kenyan capital’s nickname is Nairobbery. But visitors can still find some extraordinary pleasures. Ranking high …
Perception vs. reality: Peru's Amazon
My wife and I were deep in the Amazonian rainforest of northern Peru, traveling on a small river boat. Our local guide, Uciel, was born and raised in this tropical jungle, and his passion for …
July 30, 2013