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Driving the Cathedral Valley Loop in Capitol Reef
Utah’s Cathedral Valley Loop features towering rock spires, soaring monoliths, colorful painted hillsides, and sweeping desert vistas. The spectacular 57.6 mile drive weaves in and out of Capitol Reef National Park and contains some of the American Southwest’s most dramatic features. And yet, despite its beauty, the Cathedral Valley is a place where solitude abounds. Due to poor roads and a lack of travel infrastructure, only a small fraction of Capitol Reef’s visitors bear witness to the area’s unique landforms. Aside from the occasional jeep rumbling down a sandy road,…
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Things to Do in Capitol Reef National Park
When it comes to red rock landscapes, southern Utah has no shortage of awe-inspiring attractions. The swath of fiery-hued land is so striking that even its lesser-known areas are ripe with places to see. I became fully cognizant of Utah’s far-reaching splendor while road tripping through Capitol Reef National Park—a place tourists often bypass in lieu of the state’s other more renowned landscapes. Capitol Reef is the underdog of Utah’s Mighty 5. In fact, the national park receives so little attention that I wondered if it might even be worth…
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Hiking in the Oregon Badlands Wilderness
Bend Oregon is blessed with an abundance of nearby natural wonders. The town sits on the dry side of the Cascade Mountains, where forests and desert converge. Head west out of town, and you’ll be greeted by shimmering lakes, towering ponderosa forests, and snow-clad peaks. Head east, and the desert unfolds outward, as far as the eye can see. It isn’t difficult to understand why tourists flock to the mountains and lakes west of town. The area is a dreamland for hikers, photographers, and outdoor enthusiasts. But when crowds inundate…
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Lake Chelan and Stehekin: A Weekend Getaway Guide
Lake Chelan is an elongated body of water that snakes through the hills of Central Washington. It is a scenic wonder, one of the state’s premier outdoor playgrounds, and a magnet for anyone with a penchant for water sports, wine, and relaxation. On summer weekends, it seems that everyone in Seattle descends on the sunny shores of Lake Chelan. And as a result, the lake is a place where ‘the great outdoors’ and ‘getting away from it all’ do not necessarily go hand in hand. Unless, of course, you decide…
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Visiting the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
The redwoods in California’s Jedediah Smith State Park are among the most impressive and awe-inspiring trees in the world. Like giants of the forest, they pierce the skies overhead and tower above the lush sword ferns that carpet the ground at their feet. These massive trees—tucked away in the coastal hills of northwestern California—have stood the test of time. Many of the Redwoods that still stand today date back more than 2,000 years. They are true examples of perseverance. Pinnacles of efficiency. A testament to nature’s resilience. If you find…
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The Best Beaches in St John, USVI
The tiny Caribbean island of St John is home to untouched wilderness and pristine landscapes. It is a fleck of emerald in a sapphire sea. A place where nature still rules supreme. With its blanket of greenery, its idyllic beaches, and its translucent waters, the small territory is the most scenically endowed of the three main U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). St John wears a thick green cloak of gnarled trees and spiky cacti. These forested hillsides—part of a US Virgin Islands National Park—cover two thirds of the island’s surface. Beyond…
