I stepped from the zodiac raft to the cement jetty on the small Island of Plaza Sur; I had finally made it to the Galapagos Islands. I stood there for a moment soaking it in, looking around at the sea lions and iguanas unphased by my presence. Birds circled us overhead. The sun was low […]
Mashpi Lodge – Ecuador’s Premier Lodge Changing Lives and the Planet
Trees towered above our vehicle in layers upon layers of green, birds swooped around us, and big drops of water fell down on our windshield with a heavy splash. As if someone snapped their fingers…just like that…I was in the middle of a rainforest. Just moments before we were driving through wide-open farm land; it’s […]
Best Travel and Outdoor Gear Trends for Adventure Enthusiasts
One of the things that has changed for me since I got a home base is I do much more writing about gear. It’s not that I didn’t want to before, but it was hard to test gear when you don’t have a home! I couldn’t put it anywhere nor did I even have an […]
Neon to Nature – Things to do Outside of Las Vegas
If you think the Vegas area is all gambling, shows, nightclubs, and parties…you are so very wrong! Look out the window of your Vegas hotel…this city is surrounded by mountains. Those mountains and deserts are an outdoor playground! There are plenty of things to do outside of Las Vegas that will bring you peace, quiet, […]
Getting to Wrangel Island in the Arctic Just Got Easier
You’ve cruised to the Caribbean, around the Greek Islands, down the Danube River in Europe, and maybe you’ve even made it to Antarctica – what’s left for you in the cruising world? Why not head north, waaaay north; high above the Arctic Circle lays Wrangel Island. It might just be the last new place on […]
A Journey Through Fear on the Colorado River in an Inflatable Kayak
“In big waves it’s easiest to catch a breath in the trough or low point of the wave instead of the top of the wave where it’s breaking” Dave said as we all encircled him brimming with excitement ready to start the whitewater part of our Cataract Canyon trip. I was listening to the safety […]
Cataract Canyon Rafting During High Water Season: Expect a Wild Ride
I took off my watch and packed it away, I put my phone on airplane mode. I was officially on an adventure now. Our OARS guide Dave started explaining what to expect and what our plan was for our first rafting day. I listened as I watched the Colorado River in its muddy brown glory […]
Watching Bears in BC: 3 Ways to See Grizzlies in the Wild in 2021
I saw it out in the green field, a blackish-brown dot in the distance. A few people started gathering looking in the same direction. I was on a mission to see grizzly bears in BC Canada, and FINALLY, this was it. You see, I have a Grizzly bear curse. No matter what I do, I’ve […]
Bella Coola British Columbia: One of the Last Great Wilderness Areas
You have to want to go to Bella Coola British Columbia, there is little possibility of accidentally ending up there. It’s a small community at the end of the road in a remote region. I’ve always had a thing for communities that lie at the end of the road. There is no way out except […]
Offroading on the Hatfield and McCoy Trails in West Virginia
In an effort to bring you some new voices on Ottsworld, here is a guest post from writer Sherry Spitsnaugle. I met Sherry S at a Denver event and found out that she was a travel writer! So not only does she have a cool name, but she also has a way with words! All […]