Category: Adventure

 

Stories and photos about my more adventurous experiences.

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Yes, You Should Visit Fairbanks in Winter to See the Northern Lights!

Want to visit Fairbanks in winter? I am sharing my one week itinerary, personal experiences and tips on seeing the northern lights in Fairbanks, along with ideas for other things to do in Fairbanks and the surrounding area.

Alaska is a popular travel destination. With glaciers, an abundance of wildlife, and the tallest mountain in North America, the diversity of things to see and do is as big as the state.

For most people, an Alaska journey usually takes place in the summer months, but not for my husband and me. Always on the lookout for unique travel experiences, we chose to visit Fairbanks in winter because we hoped to see the northern lights.

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A Luxury Train Ride From the Rockies to the Red Rocks – My Detailed Canyon Spirit Review

In this detailed Canyon Spirit review I describe everything about my luxury train journey from Salt Lake City, Utah to Denver, Colorado

Along with cruising, traveling by train is one of my favorite ways to see the world, especially if it is a luxury train experience. I’ve been on the Venice-Simplon Orient Express from Venice to Paris, the British Pullman in the UK, and the Andean Explorer and Hiram Bingham trains in Peru, and they have all been memorable journeys.

I was thrilled to have the opportunity to experience the new luxury US Canyon Spirit train route from Salt Lake City to Denver, where I enjoyed impeccable service along with regionally inspired dining while taking in the varied landscapes of the southwest.

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August 14, 2025 Podcast: Alaska and Yukon Road Trip – Exploring the Wild

In this month’s podcast, I talk about my three week road trip in Alaska and the Yukon. From Katmai National Park,  to exploring Wrangell–St. Elias and Kluane National Park, driving the Alcan Highway, and staying at the remote yet luxurious Tincup Wilderness Lodge, I share my experiences and tips.

Podcast link: Alaska and the Yukon Road Trip – Exploring the Wild

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Finding the Sounds of Silence at Yukon’s Tincup Wilderness Lodge

The Tincup Wilderness Lodge in Canada’s Yukon was a quiet retreat in the middle of nowhere with all the comforts of home

The first thing I noticed was the quiet – the kind of quiet that is almost impossible to experience in today’s world.

There was none of the background noise that comes from whirring motors, or humming electronics, or airplanes flying at 30000 feet. These are the sounds of modern day life that are always present and have become imperceptible.

Until they are no longer there.

In a landscape where towns and modern amenities are few and far between, Tincup Wilderness Lodge stood out as a luxurious haven of silent solitude that truly was in the middle of nowhere.

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A Day Trip From Tokyo For a Mount Mitake Hike – Where Nature and Religion Meet

Mount Mitake National Park is not far from the hustle and bustle of central Tokyo, but with its peaceful setting, it feels a world away. I enjoyed a Tokyo day trip for a Mount Mitake hike and discovered that in Japan nature and religion come together on top of a mountain.

Mount Mitake in  Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park was a green and peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of nearby Tokyo. Only 90 minutes away, it was easily accessible and provided a non touristy cultural experience as I hiked with the locals past shrines, waterfalls, and a natural moss covered rock garden.

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Experiencing Authentic Iceland in Style – An Iceland ProCruises Review

Iceland has become one of my favorite destinations. With its diverse and stunning scenery, warm and friendly people, and a foodie culture focused on fresh and local ingredients, what’s not to love. On my recent Iceland ProCruises circumnavigation cruise, I had the chance to travel around Iceland in complete comfort and ease while local guides showed off all the best experiences their country had to offer.

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Finding Mars on Earth at a Wadi Rum Bedouin Camp in Jordan

Wadi Rum is a popular desert destination in Jordan. Broad stretches of reddish tinged sand are interspersed with fantastical rock formations that dwarf over tourists riding in camel caravans. I’ve been fortunate to visit twice, each time staying at a Wadi Rum Bedouin Camp while experiencing the unique activities this desert offers. I share my personal experiences and lots of tips for planning a trip to Wadi Rum.

I had not heard of Wadi Rum until I started doing research about what to see and do in Jordan. As it turns out, I had already seen its landscape since this UNESCO protected area has been used as a filming location in many recent blockbuster movies including “Martian”, the “Star Wars” movies and Disney’s “Aladdin”.

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Rogue Luxury – My Lodge to Lodge Rogue River Rafting Trip Experience

A lodge to lodge Rogue River rafting trip in Oregon is an active adventure experience that entertains everyone from ages 10 to 75.

Luxury comes in many forms. There is the obvious five star hotel with concierge service and private infinity pool type of luxury. But for me, experiencing the solitude of pristine, unspoiled wilderness is a more important form of luxury. A lodge to lodge Rogue River rafting trip gave me that experience with the added comfort of sleeping in a bed and hot showers at the end of each day, along with hearty home cooked meals and fine local Oregon wines. Now that is five star luxury indeed.

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My Yellowstone Road Trip – A 10 Day Salt Lake to Yellowstone Itinerary

As I was planning a Yellowstone and Grand Teton road trip focusing primarily on photography, I decided to do a one way Salt Lake to Yellowstone itinerary, which I am sharing here.

I’ve been fortunate to visit Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park twice in the last few years. On my first visit I flew into and out of Jackson and did one big loop through the two parks.  This time, I got a better flight deal into Salt Lake city so I opted for a one way route ending in Bozeman, Montana.

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Skiing Park City Without the Crowds is Possible

Skiing Park City without the crowds is easy if you know when to go

Though we travel quite a bit, my husband’s favorite holiday each year is his annual winter ski trip. Over the years, he has skied most of the major resorts out west; however, in the last few years, the one he keeps going back to is Park City, Utah.

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