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2021 March

Lake Tahoe – freshwater alpine beauty

As we wrapped up our exploration of rugged and rural California, Alex and I headed northeast from Sacramento to the state’s border with Nevada. Lake Tahoe is the second deepest in the United States, and known for its jaw-dropping alpine beauty. While visitor information for this vast body of water is generally divided into north or south, we chose to drive the full length of Tahoe, turning off interstate 80 and heading down a 72-mile journey. 

Stopping off at Camp Richardson to enjoy horseback riding and alpine food, we had to make the well-known stop-off at Emerald Bay and stop off at some of the historic buildings along the route. We also checked in at Truckee, a railroad town that is picture-postcard pretty, as well as Meeks Bay, the ancestral land of the Washoe Indians. We both agreed that it felt amazing to feel so much closer to nature on this trip.

Legend has it that mobsters often chose Lake Tahoe as the final resting place of their foes. At a maximum depth of 1645 feet, and with a noticeably convex surface due to it’s impressive scale, it sure does make for a good place to disappear. Luckily for us, we enjoyed hours of swimming, diving, and waterside activities alongside the shoreline – no encounters with mobsters or their victims. Our favorite spot along the route was Meeks Bay, where

the forest meets the sand. Like most areas of incredible natural beauty in the United States, Lake Tahoe has a long history going back around two million years, as well as a deep connection to Native Americans. The lake is at the center of Washoe Indian territory, and we never felt closer to it than we did taking the trail up at Meeks Bay. This is a really special place to visit and we felt honored to be here. 

The natural Cave Rock formation along the Nevada state line is known to be sacred to the Washoe Indians, in part because of a face-like shape overlooking the lake.

June 2021

Iceland – nature in every form

Words can hardly describe the immense natural forms, colors, and smells that make up much of the landscape of Iceland. The most sparsely-populated country in Europe, this Nordic island needs to be seen to be believed. From black beaches to glaciers, lava fields to geysers, you can encounter scenery here that you probably didn’t think you would ever see in real life. A lot of Iceland truly feels like it came out of a storybook. 

The country is known for being an expensive place to enjoy, especially as it grows in popularity with tourists from around the world. That shouldn’t stop you from wanting to explore this majestic place, though. Go for the volcanic views, the wild and beautiful animals, and that feeling you get when your lungs are filled with fresh air and your skin feels pure. It really is a once in a lifetime kind of destination. 

It’s believed that the pony-sized Icelandic Horse was introduced to this island by Viking Age Scandinavians back in the 9th century.

The people of Iceland were extremely welcoming and kind, as well as very eager to introduce me to their healthy cuisine. 

2021 April

Grand Canyon & Utah – rugged mountains

My travel companion, Alex, and I drove across Nevada into Arizona to visit the spectacular Grand Canyon National Park. Exposing nearly 2 billion years’ worth of history in its formation, this breath-taking natural environment was more beautiful in real life than we had ever expected. We initially visited the popular South Rim, open year-round and an area packed with historic buildings surrounding the Grand Canyon Village. While it felt like a tourist trail, we were so pleased to be here.

We carried on up towards Utah, where a 7-hour drive in our trusted campervan took us into the tiny town of Emery. The next adventure takes us into Manti La-Sal National Forest, a similarly beautiful place filled with lakes, mountains, and deep sandstone canyons. The plan from here is to hike, white-water raft, and take advantage of all the cool stuff this 1.2 million acre forest has to offer a couple of travelers. Stay with us on the journey to find out what we decide to do next.

The ancient land surrounding the Grand Canyon, carved by the Colorado River, was known to have been first inhabited by the Ancestral Puebloans. 

2021 June

Group tours

Life is more fun when you have people to share it with. After the success of our previous group tours in Italy and Myanmar, we are looking to stay local and make the most of our rekindled love for the natural splendor of the US with group tours of our favorite states. From off-roading to white-water rafting, camping to hiking, horseback riding to bee conservation, and everything in between, we know that this country has so much to offer. 

Along with my closest adventuring companions, those who have joined me as I visit some of America’s most incredible natural landscapes, I will be putting together a series of week-long group tours that make the most of what our national parks, beaches, mountains, forests, and deserts have to offer. Stay tuned to find out how you can join me – in real life this time – on the adventure of a lifetime. 

I believe everyone should explore the world, take photos, make memories, and say yes to the adventures that make your heart race.