All in North America

Hiking the Lost Coast Trail in the Fall | California

The Lost Coast Trail is not for the faint of heart. This 25 mile trail mostly follows the rugged California coastline four hours north of San Francisco, named for its inaccessibility and lack of roads, towns, or civilization. You spend most of your time hiking on wet sand or shifting pebbles, and have to time your hiking according to the tides in order to not get swept into the freezing Pacific. But the ruggedness is also the reward. Stunning coastline, black sand beaches, and wildlife barely accustomed to seeing humans makes you feel like you are truly passing through untamed and untouched territory.

A Weekend in Two Rivers | Wisconsin

A reasonably priced Frank Lloyd Wright rental brought us to the small town of Two Rivers, Wisconsin, deep in the heat of July, to celebrate my mom’s 60th birthday. The clear, cool waters of nearby Lake Michigan provided respite from the muggy air, and a well run alpaca farm brought us unexpected cuteness and our (now) warmest pair of socks.

Lodging Review | Hacienda del Sol, Tucson

Where to stay in Tucson? Tucked in the desert foothills of Tucson, Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch is a wonderfully preserved Old West resort with plush beds and private patios looking out onto desert vistas. We loved roaming the meticulously maintained grounds, wandering from one charming adobe courtyard to another, on the lookout for road runners and hummingbirds. For a full throwback to what this place was like for Hollywood stars in the 40s, book the Hepburn-Tracy suite, which is the casita that Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy shacked up in on more than one occasion. A stay here is great for those looking for a classic Western experience, with all the modern amenities.

A San Franciscan's Guide to Carmel

Only two hours from San Francisco, but seemingly worlds away, the charming little town of Carmel almost transports you to another country or another time with it’s signature fairytale cottage architecture and location just steps from the Pacific ocean. As I walked through town, exploring courtyard after courtyard plush with potted annuals and window boxes pregnant with greenery, the sidewalks buckled beneath my feet, tree roots slowly disrupting the bricks yet adding to the coziness of this small town. I breathed in the smell of pine and eucalyptus mixed with a wisp of sea breeze, and exhaled the stress of city life that I left behind for the weekend.

24 Hours in Joshua Tree | California

Joshua Tree has long been a haven for those seeking to recalibrate, find their muse, cure writer’s block, or for Angelenos like myself in search of a quick getaway to disconnect from city life.  With an area larger than Rhode Island, encompassing the Mojave and Sonoran deserts, the landscapes are as diverse as the visitors who come to tune in and drop out. From the thrill-seeking rock climber to the casual hiker, the art collector and the meditator, there are activities to suit each personality.

Hiking the Skyline Trail | Jasper National Park

“I have seen your toothbrush touch so many different surfaces,” my friend said as we divided up the remaining food into parcels to distribute the weight
between the packs. The face accompanying this statement was something I can only describe as amused disgust - brow furrowed, nostrils flared, but a slight, positive incline in the corners of the mouth. She was right. I am not one to protect my bristles on a 25-mile slog through rain, mist, hail, and wind.  And in grizzly bear country to boot.  Plus, I am not disillusioned in thinking that brushing plaque off my teeth makes my mouth actually clean; I have seen some gnarly infections originating from human bites.