United States

In 1912 the Mayor of Tokyo City, Yukio Ozaki, donated 3,000 Yoshino cherry trees to the United States as a gift of friendship between Japan and the US. They were planted around the Tidal Basin in Washington DC and each spring the trees flower a puffy pinkish-white flower. Tourists and photographe...

After nearly a year in lockdown (and a month dealing with a COVID case in our household), it was finally time for our annual trip to Pinetop, Arizona. Because property is expensive, we choose to rent a beautiful little cabin from Whispering Pines Resort. The cabins are cozy and spaced out enough ...

As of Tuesday July 10, 2018, there are 14 fires burning over 191,000 acres in Colorado. Over half of that is from a single, human-caused fire. At least one other fire was caused by humans (with 6 more having unknown or under-investigation statuses). There have been at least 130 homes/structures d...

Camping is heaven for kids - dirty hands, non-stop exploration, staying up past bedtime, and campfires. But as a parent, it can be a different story. There are a ton of things to consider based on the age of your kids. How long is the drive? Are there bathrooms? Is there running water? Do we need...

In 1997, the Merced River flooded Yosemite Valley and caused the longest closure in the park's 107 years.  "National Park Service officials said preliminary estimates indicated that the damage to buildings, roads, sewers, power lines and bridges in the park could reach more than $178 million."   ...

When Rumpl forever changed the camp/glamping coziness game with their Puffy Blanket in 2014 it was only a matter of time before they took their lightweight DWR (durable water repellent) nylon ripstop fabric with quilting to other products. The Chillmono, originally conceived as a limited run, too...

Idaho has been dubbed "The Gem State" for good reason. The jagged mountain ranges and smaller, local crags provide over 1,500 different climbing routes in Idaho with gorgeous views of incredible terrain. Each climbing route has a unique perspective to offer, so climbers exploring Idaho's cannot g...

Yosemite is one of America's most popular national parks, attracting over four million visitors in 2015! Like most parks, the majority of that activity occurs during the warm summer months. The days are long, camping is easy, and all the roads are open, which help usher in crowds of nature-seekin...

Mountain biking is one of the best ways to explore Idaho. You can ride deep into the wilderness on a long, challenging adventure or take it easy in the state parks and bring the whole family along for the ride. If you lean towards the need-for-speed rather than the earn-your-turns mentality, you ...

Until this past March, I had never ventured into the state of Idaho. I’d heard rumors of small towns and beautiful sweeping mountains. These rumors were constantly confirmed by my friends who were born and raised in the state. From what I could tell, it was the place to be. A hidden gem of backco...

During the day, Rattlesnake Ledge is one of the most popular hikes within the one hour of Seattle. This means that the parking lot, as well as the road leading to the trailhead, is full of cars. If you hate crowds like this, then this is the time for you to go. You don't need much for this advent...

Artifishal is a film about people, rivers, and the fight for the future of wild fish and the environment that supports them. It explores wild salmon’s slide toward extinction, threats posed by fish hatcheries and fish farms, and our continued loss of faith in nature. The film is currently on tour...

I’ve been following the social media frenzy surrounding a bison calf in Yellowstone National Park. As a wildlife biologist, learning about the unfortunate event in which a man picked up a bison calf and placed it into his car elicited an array of responses, from anger to exasperation to defense, ...

Riding a bike never seems to get old. It brings out the kid in all of us and it’s tough to beat the pure fun of riding downhill with the wind in your face. Plus, biking allows you to cover a lot more ground than you might just walking or running. Whether you’re an experienced mountain biker or ju...

It's Thursday evening, I just found an open chair by the fire, cracked open a beer, and eagerly started reminiscing with close friends about the past several days camping at San Clemente. Days packed with some of the best surf, weather, and community. It is definitely Summer.  Growing up in Ranch...

Enjoy breathtaking scenery and abundant wildlife at the legendary Okefenokee Swamp-one of Georgia’s 7 natural wonders. The cypress trees, light passing through the spanish moss, and the reflections on dark swampy water make this a unique and stunning place to take in. Whether you’re camping, padd...