The fire crackled as Sofie put the juniper branch in the fire. This warmth was welcome on this damp, cool hiking day in Jämtland – the southern part of northern Sweden. We had been hiking for about 3 hours through the soft, spongy, treeless tundra towards the border of Norway. This stop for fika, otherwise […]
In an effort to bring you some new voices on Ottsworld, here is a guest post from writer Sherry Spitsnaugle. Sherry has written for me before, so I’m thrilled to have her back to tell this story about her first horse riding experience. I can certainly relate to horse riding fear, I was bucked off […]
The safari jeep pulled away and we were all just standing there. On the ground. With no transportation. My heart raced. I quickly realized I had a whole different perspective doing a walking safari. I suddenly felt what it was like to be an animal living in this tall grass – wondering what predator was […]
The world moves pretty fast. I am often stunned when I think of all of the changes we’ve gone through in the last 12 years since I’ve started traveling. Smart phones, social media, smart watches, Airbnb, ride sharing apps, and streaming television all appeared spearheaded by computer-based change. Technology seems to move at the speed […]
“I’m sorry folks, but we are unable to land because the runway needs to be cleared off. We’ll be diverting to Montreal until they can get the snow cleared and will try again,” our pilot explained. My trip to Quebec actually started by getting delayed by the snow. I was tired and sad as my […]
I bobbed in the ocean, sitting on my board, breathing heavy from the paddle out past the break. I already felt like giving up, but my eyes were zeroed in on the horizon, squinting away the sunrise. My brain was on overdrive. This one? Too big. This one? No, wait…maybe…no. This one? No, I can’t […]
I’m not a person who cruises. However, I am a person who uncruises. I know what you are thinking – “she’s lost her mind – there is not such thing as uncruising – she’s resorted to making up words!” un·cruis·ing /ˈənˈkro͞oziNG/ noun: uncruising – the action of engaging, connecting, and exploring unique places, oneself, and […]
As we drove down the switchbacks of Berthoud Pass I pointed out Winter Park ski hill to my friend Lynn. We both looked at the little ant-like people coming down the runs and kept driving. Even though Colorado has had one of their best early snow seasons that had everyone flocking to the slopes in […]
In an effort to bring you some new voices on Ottsworld, here is a guest post from writer and outdoor adventurer Ben. I was excited to have him write about No-trace hiking and camping! After all, I spend a lot of time outdoors and if we want this outdoor playground to have a long life, […]
Burdens…we all carry many with us. What if you could just choose some to leave some behind? That’s what I was thinking about as I slowly and steadily climbed up the Dovre mountain plateau along the Saint Olav Ways Gudbrandsdalen path. And even though I didn’t have a very heavy pack, I always have heavy […]