Best Hikes for Kids in Arches National Park

Arches National Park is one of my all-time favorite national parks. I love it for sentimental reasons — it’s the first national park my then-boyfriend/now-husband took me to when we were “just friends” 13 years ago. And I love it for its otherworldly, natural sandstone formations. The geological arches, spires and monoliths here are utterly amazing — there’s nothing like this landscape anywhere else in the world. Oh, and I also love Arches National Park because it’s two miles from downtown Moab, a favorite spring and fall destination for all its awesome camping, biking and hiking opportunities.

Famous Delicate Arch

But some of Moab’s best and most popular hiking trails are actually found inside Arches National Park, home to more than 2,000 cataloged arches that range from a 3-foot opening (the smallest a proper “arch” can be) to 300-foot-long Landscape Arch. The marked trails run the gamut from easy nature walks that bring you up close and personal with picturesque rock formations to maze-like labyrinths that require hiking permits. Here are my favorite hikes for kids:

Delicate Arch: Moderately Strenuous Hike for School-age Kids (3 miles round trip)

On our most recent family trip to Moab last weekend, we took the kids on the Delicate Arch trail to see the arch made famous on Utah’s license plates. The last time my husband tackled this hike was in 1997; I was thrilled to introduce my 8- and 10-year-olds to this quintessential Arches trail. It’s three miles long round trip, and it took our family 70 minutes on the way up to the arch, and 45 minutes back down.

Follow the cairns to Delicate Arch.

The trail is quite busy — or at least it was mid-day on a Friday in early May. We had to hover in the car in the Wolfe Ranch parking area for about 5 minutes before someone pulled out to give us a spot to park. We felt comfortable hiking around noon because it wasn’t too hot a day at all; in late spring, summer and early fall, I definitely recommend hiking early morning to avoid the blasted desert heat. Bring plenty of water along on  your hike.

The beginning of the Delicate Arch trail is well marked, with a few switchbacks to start. Then it opens up to slickrock, and you have to follow the cairns (stacked rocks) and/or the other people ahead of you. Views along the way are fabulous, particularly of the snow-capped La Sal mountains in the distance. We also spotted lots of cactus, colorful desert flowers and lizards scooting about.

About 200 yards from your destination, Delicate Arch, you’ll need to traverse a rock ledge (not too scary at all); you’ll also spot a small arch on your right, and if you scramble up to it, you can see Delicate Arch in the distance. It’s worth this little side view, as it’s a cool spot to snap some photos (see below).

Guidebooks say to hike to Delicate Arch at sunset; that’s what my husband did 13 years ago, and we found that dozens and dozens of (mostly Japanese) tourists had read the same guidebooks. It was packed up there at the main viewing and picture-taking spot as the sun set. I recommend taking the kids first thing in the morning in an attempt to avoid crowds, even if the light is prettier in the early evening.

Petroglyphs at the base of the Delicate Arch hiking trail.

Don’t miss the nifty petroglyphs at the base of the Delicate Arch trail; we walked the short distance to view them after we’d already hiked to the arch, but you might consider doing this first if you think your kids will be tuckered out afterwards. These are very cool, well preserved examples of rock art, even if they aren’t “ancient”; they are believed to have been carved into the sandstone in between 1650 and 1850 A.D.

Devil’s Garden with Primitive Loop: Long Hike for Tweens and Teens (7.2 miles)

This is another hike my husband and I did way before we had kids; I don’t think my children could handle it yet, but it’s on our agenda for when they both reach middle- or high school. It’s the longest of the maintained trails in Arches National Park, and it takes a few hours to navigate the loop. What’s cool is that you come across eight different arches along the way — sights that you can’t view unless you embark on the hike. So, it’s rewarding. There’s some scrambling and rocky ledges, so it’s not for the un-sure-footed; but it’s definitely worth the time and energy. I felt proud of myself when I completed the hike, so your tweens and teens should, too!

Balanced  Rock: Easy Trail for Preschoolers and even Toddlers (.3 mile)

Balanced Rock is huge; see the little people to the right of its base?

You can see Balanced Rock, seemingly precariously perched on top of a sandstone formation, from the pull-out parking lot and even from the (great) picnic area across the road. But if you want to check out the nifty geological wonder up close, take the short wheelchair-accessible loop trail around its base. This is a nice place for even the littlest hikers to stretch their legs and appreciate the outdoors.

Delicate Arch Viewpoints: Easy Hike (100 yards) for Preschoolers or Moderate Hike (.5 mile) for School-Age Kids

If your kids aren’t quite old or skilled enough to make the three-mile round-trip hike to Delicate Arch I describe above, you still can view the famous arch by hiking one of two short trails. The Lower Delicate Arch Viewpoint trail is paved and wheel-chair accessible; the Upper Delicate Arch Viewpoint trail involves a rocky climb to the top of a nearby ridge. We did the latter with our kids two years ago — when they were 6 and 8 — and they got sweaty (and complained mildly) on the way up. But the  incline is short, so there is instant gratification.

View pretty desert plant life on hikes throughout Arches National Park, like this Indian Paintbrush.

There are loads of other family-friendly hikes in Arches National Park. You’ll receive a map and visitor guide when you enter the park ($10/vehicle for 7 days), with many details. You can also ask for suggestions on the best hike for your family in the fabulous visitor center. The rangers here know the park like the backs of their hands, and they are chock full of knowledge to help you plan your time in Arches National Park.

Be sure to ask about the parks’ Junior Ranger Program — my daughter loves working on the activity books and earning a certificate and badge at every national park or national monument we visit. It’s a great way for kids to learn about the geology and history, flora and fauna in the parks — and have fun doing it!

Here are some more favorite photos from our hike to Delicate Arch last week:

Gal on the Go – Waterfall Hike in Kauai, Hawaii

Wailua River Kauai HawaiiKauai is the oldest of the Hawaiian islands, and in many senses the wildest. Of the islands most popular with tourists, it’s the least developed – and while Maui and Oahu appeal to those with high-end shopping travel desires, there really are no upscale chain shops (like Coach or Tiffany’s) on this westernmost of the well-traveled Hawaiian islands. What Kauai has, though, is lush old rainforests, stunning canyon hikes, and coastal cliffs to boggle the mind. For the family that likes some adventure in their travels, Kauai is the Hawaiian vacation island of choice.

Kauai Hawaii Hike Adventure

Last year my family and I hiked in Waimea Canyon during our vacation in Hawaii, and were treated to views second only to the Grand Canyon. This year, we had the Wailua River in mind. Now, Wailua Falls is a very popular end point for many people seeking a nice vacation photo, likely because it’s very easy to get to; we saw this 80-foot waterfall along with a bunch of other tourists who basically got out of their cars and crossed the street. Some adventure! If adventure travel is the name of the game in Kauai, we could do better than that.

Secret Falls Kauai Hawaii

There are several kayak outfitters that operate on the Wailua River, some stopping at the Fern Grotto, others going all the way up to where the tributaries become too impenetrable. Wailua Kayak Adventures described its kayak and hike along the Wailua River to the Secret Falls as a pleasurable 5-hour easy adventure…Sounds pretty good. But guess what? That 2-mile kayak trip up Wailua River was against the current, and with one adult/one kid in our kayaks, it ended up being more effort (for the adults) than we’d expected. Following this leg of the journey, our guide led us on a hike up, up, up muddy paths along the river. He discussed some of the native plants and some species considered invasive: These latter had been brought over by Polynesian settlers in the 1400′s as food plants. He showed us a couple of ruins, mossy and overgrown, from the royal Alli’i circa 1450. And all along, there was mud, mud, mud. My kids LOVED the muddiness of this hike, and we all enjoyed the cold, cleansing water of a couple of river crossings,

Great hike in Kauai HawaiiThen, finally there it was, the Secret Falls — exhilarating! We all cheered. This waterfall is so hard to get to, that there were no piles of photo-taking tourists: You know, the type that jump out of their cars, snap a few photos, then drive off to the next vantage point (or Starbucks). Instead, we and other hearty travelers jumped, hooting and hollering, into the waterfall’s pool to clean off. We splashed around and ducked under the waterfall; at 120 feet, it dwarfs the more easily accessible Wailua Falls. It was a wonderful, rewarding experience.

galongoThe other hikers happily chatted on the way back down the muddy hike – yes, a few ended up slipping, but it’s a soft landing – and kayaked back together.  While the Secret Falls is not literally a secret, it takes around 2 1/2 hours of active work to get there.  That level of difficulty makes it feel like a truly special experience for a Hawaii vacation. It’s some adventure! We got what we were looking for, and more.

Ek Balam Maya Archaeolgoical Site & Ria Lagartos Biosphere Reserve: Excursion from Cancun

mexcrocFor travelers who want to explore two off-the-beaten-path sites in the Yucatan Peninsula, far from the development in high-rise Cancun, I highly recommend a tour to visit Ek Balam, a small Maya archaeological site that opened to the public in 2002, and Ria Lagartos, a biosphere reserve that is home to the largest natural habitat of pink flamingos in North America — and perhaps a crocodile or two.

During a press trip to Club Med Yucatan Cancun earlier this month, I had the privilege of spending time at both of these sites on a day-long (7 a.m. to 8 p.m.!) tour offered by Club Med’s on-site excursion company, Ancila Tours. This company’s trips are exclusive to Club Med Yucatan guests, so unless you’re staying at this all-inclusive resort, you can’t take the particular multi-site excursion I describe below. However, other local tour operators do offer the combination — a quick Google search turned up a couple. And you can also inquire about trips to these eco-cultural sites resort hotel’s activity desk once you’re in Cancun. If you have a rental car you can naturally seek these spots out on your own, as well.

View of Ek Balam buildings from the top of the largest structure, the Acropolis.

View of Ek Balam buildings from the top of the largest structure, the Acropolis.

Ek Balam Archaeological Site

From Club Med Cancun, it’s a two-hour drive to Ek Balam, which is 30 miles north of the city of Valladolid in the state of Yucatan. Ek Balam, which means “black jaguar” in the Maya language, is northeast of Chichen-Itza and northwest of Coba (see this map of Yucatan Peninsula Maya sites for reference). Archaeologists believe a Maya community here thrived between 700 and 900 A.D.

The most important structures are in a walled enclosure about a kilometer square. Renovation of the buildings has taken place since 1997, and experts have literally uncovered the temples, archways, platforms and sculptures after low-lying jungle had engulfed them for hundreds of years. Some of the structures are still buried; with foliage covering them, you might walk by a giant “hill” and not even know what’s underneath. Archaeologists have also identified two now-grassy plazas and roads leading to the site.

You've got to climb these steep steps for the stellar views from the top of the Acropolis at Ek Balam.

You've got to climb these steep steps for the stellar views from the top of the Acropolis at Ek Balam.

What’s incredibly cool about Ek Balam is that you can climb some of the ancient structures (unlike Chichen-Itza and Tulum where it’s “look with your eyes” only). A highlight is the imposing Acropolis, nearly 100 feet tall, with steep steps leading to the top (not for the vertigo-challenged). Most striking to me was the incredibly detailed carvings found in the Acropolis that are now uncovered and protected from the elements with a thatched roof. One sculpture is of a giant open mouth of a scary, monster-like creature. There are also angels, animals and various designs that are in excellent condition. Walking to the top of the Acropolis, where a small temple once stood, affords stellar views of the surrounding, undeveloped countryside and the other buildings on the entire site.

Our tour guide, Anja, was super  knowledgeable about the history and culture of the Maya people who lived here and elsewhere in the Yucatan Peninsula. While there are a few informative signs about  the temples and the carved tablets on the grounds, I highly recommend you visit Ek Balam with a tour guide, who can bring the site to life with descriptions of what life was like for the Mayas 1400 years ago. Entrance to Ek Balam is 31 pesos (at time of writing about $2.50 USD).

Ria Lagartos Biosphere Reserve

After Ek Balam we motored for 30 minutes to the bustling town of Tizimin. We relaxed in a second-floor restaurant, with a wrap-around balcony affording views of the town square, and we refueled with pastries, bread, coffee and fruit. Then it was another 45 minutes or so by van to Ria Largartos Biosphere Reserve on the Gulf of Mexico, where we boarded a 6-seater boats (with minimal shade cover) to explore the vine-covered mangroves and murky channels teeming with wildlife.

mexboatWithin a couple minutes our boat guide pulled in close to some vegetation so we could get a close-up view of a perched pelican. After that, we spotted different types of heron along the way to where the flamingos typically hang out. Of course, when we boated too close to the pink birds, they took off in flight. Still, it was pretty neat to see the flamingos in their natural habitat.

Next up, nature’s “Maya spa.” We anchored near a lagoon dense with salt. Here, we buoyantly bobbed in the water as if it were the Dead Sea. After just a couple of minutes of allowing all the good minerals into our skin, we hopped out of the salty lagoon to the fresh(er) water we were boating in. Our boat guide dug his hand deep into the grey, squishy clay — and promptly started rubbing it on the journalist closest too him. Indeed, the Mayas used the clay as sunscreen and as a skin protectant.

Our fearless Ancila Tours guide Anyay, covered in mud and holding a horseshoe crab on the boatt.

Our fearless Ancila Tours guide Anja, covered in mud and holding a horseshoe crab on the boat.

The good sports we are, we kept the clay smeared on our bodies (and faces — some more covered than others) for the boat ride to the town of Rio Lagartos. Along the way is where our boat guide spotted a crocodile; to the chagrin of some of my boatmates, he motored as close as possible to it. Nearing town, we rinsed off in clean water, and then further got the clay out of nooks and crannies (sort of) via an outdoor shower. Indeed, my skin felt soft and smooth to the touch — and did even more so after taking a proper shower back at our resort!

Our tour ended with a set-menu lunch at Isla Contoy, right on the boat docks. Appetizers included sting ray flautas and stewed shark — yep, the marine life I’d just swum with in Belize! My entree of fish grilled in plenty of garlic, plus rice and beans and a cold glass of white wine, filled my belly up so well after our day’s adventures — but I couldn’t resist a small dish of coconut ice cream! I’d recommend this eatery to anyone passing through the area on their own; it’s owned by the same family that runs boat tours in the reserve, so it’s a great place to get the inside scoop.

This tour from Club Med costs $130 per person, with a continental brunch, filling lunch (with alcohol) and plenty of cold water included; all ages are welcome, but I’d recommend it for children over six.  I very much appreciated the opportunity to see some parts of  the Yucatan that are untouched by Cancun commercialism. Most tourists take the combo tour of the Xel-Ha “ecological-styled” man-made attraction and Tulum, with it ancient Maya fortifications perched right on an oceanside cliff. I think these sites are absolutely worth a visit — if you’re a first timer to the Yucatan and you don’t mind crowds. But if you’re looking for an experience that’s slightly more authentic and where you won’t find many tourists, make the trips to Ek Balam and Ria Lagartos.

Pelicans about to take flight in Ria Lagartos Biosphere Reserve

Pelicans about to take flight in Ria Lagartos Biosphere Reserve

Video: Ziplining at Jungle Paw Resort in Belize, Plus Bonus Parasailing Feature

I love it when my travel-blogging friends write my posts for me. In this instance, it’s Christine Gilbert of Almost Fearless, whom I need to thank. Or more specifically, her talented husband Drew, who created this nifty video montage of our blogging group in Belize earlier this month. Here’s the kicker: Christine is six months pregnant and couldn’t do the fun zipline tour at Jungle Paw Resort. Her husband creatively edited together provided footage (thanks, Kate!) just cuz he’s a nice guy.

The video shows us sailing through lush foliage, rapelling from a tree platform and making goofy faces (okay, maybe it was just me with the silly face). Plus, for your viewing pleasure, scenes from parasailing above Ambergris Caye. And a few shots of the van ride along a pothole-dotted Belizean “highway.” Almost makes it feel like you were right there with us, right? (Fine, not really. I’m just trying to make you feel like you were a part of this amazing trip.)

Enjoy the show!

What To Do Outdoors in Sedona, Arizona

Mention you’re planning a trip to Sedona, and you may get some quizzical looks. Really? People wonder. So you’re into that whole vortex-New Age-crystals philosophy? Well, no, but that’s a big part of the subculture in this part of Arizona.  Sedona means many things to many people, and while I tried to feel some sort of otherworldly sensation at the Vortex, all I got was a view. But…what a view it is. Sedona is one of my favorite places to vacation in the United States, and the prevalent New Age culture has very little to do with it. There are many things to see and do in Sedona, almost all of which involve getting outdoors and appreciating one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

Pink Jeep for Off Road Travel Adventure

What to Do Outdoors in Sedona Arizona

Jeep Tours: My family visited Sedona last summer, and since we had our kids with us, this vacation involved more placid activities; the Red Rock Jeep tour took us off the road, but it wasn’t quite an off-roading experience. This past trip was just my partner and I; the Pink Jeep tour was everything an off-roading adventure should be (heart-pounding bumps, access to off-the-beaten-path cliffs and mesas) with a guide who nonetheless knew the local flora and fauna like the back of his hand. This Broken Trail jeep tour was a real highlight of our trip. I recommend both: Red Rock Jeeps for families with young children, Pink Jeeps for teens and adults. There is also A Day in the West jeep tour, but I haven’t personally experienced that one…yet. Earth Wisdom jeep tours offers a New Age experience, going to the famous vortex as well as some sacred sites.

Hikes: Oh boy, the hikes. Hiking in the morning to see the sun rise over the red rocks of Sedona must be an exhilarating feeling, but I slept right through that. The sunset hikes are just as magnificent – I hope, since that’s what I (with my sleeping-in-is-a-vacation-priority self) did. Now, there are over 100 hiking trails in Sedona, so my list of recommendations is by no means complete.

  • Quick, easy, low grade hikes in Sedona include the Vultee Arch wilderness area (elevation gain 400 Cathedral Rock in Sedona AZft), Deadman’s Pass (don’t let the name scare you off) is appropriate for horseback rides with its wide trail (elevation gain 300 ft), Fay Canyon running along Bear Mountain, with views of a rock arch and Indian ruins (elevaton gain 95 ft), the easy Brins Mesa Loop (there’s a hard one, too) which takes hikers through arches and affords a view of Uptown Sedona, and Dry Creek Trail, the longest of the easy hikes at just over 5 miles both ways (elevation gain 450 ft).
  • For those of us who hike regularly and don’t mind some challenges, moderate trails in Sedona include the Secret Canyon, which follows a stream bed along the base of those amazing red mesas and buttes (elevaton gain 660 ft), Lost Canyon at the “Brins Mesa #119″ trailhead marker which takes hikers through small canyons and Indian ruins; follow the marked trail carefully as there are some steep drop-offs here. Other moderate hiking trails in Sedona are Long Canyon, which brings hikers up close to some of the most intricate natural rock formations around (elevation gain 580 ft), Boynton Canyon, off the property of Enchantment luxury resort, through a box canyon with multiple paths and trails to explore and a supposed vortex (elevation gain 400 ft), and Doe Mountain, which at less than 2 miles is a fairly easy part of Boynton Canyon that leads to the top of a mesa with 360-degree views (elevation gain 400 ft).
  • For experienced hikers looking for even more of a challenging hike, the Cathedral Rock Trail off rte 179 has the best views of any on the list; a 360-degree perspective of all of Red Rock County, through to Verde Valley and all the way to Jerome (30 miles away). The strenuous Brin’s Mesa Trail begins in a manzanita forest but gets challenging along the way – this trail begins at the end of Jordan Road.

View of Sedona

View of Sedona

Aerial Views: There are helicopter rides and a hot air balloon tour through the red cliffs of Sedona. I haven’t done either, but I’ll be honest with you: If a helicopter had come chopping through the air during one of my hikes, it would have seriously interrupted my groove. While I can’t speak from experience, I imagine that Red Rock Balloon Adventures offers a much more peaceful aerial tour of the county. That company also doesn’t disturb the peace and quiet of the natural surroundings.

Shopping: There are a lot of shops in Uptown Sedona, along Highway 87A. These range from the tackiest of tourist traps to some pretty awesome art galleries featuring local artists. But a shopping vacation in Sedona really isn’t complete without a stop in Tlaquepaque. The stores here are ultra-high end, yes, and the few restaurants are pricier than a fast food joint. But the enclosed area of Tlaquepaque is modeled after an authentic Mexican village, with lovely architecture and cobblestone streets (cars pack outside). Be sure to check out El Prado Gallery here; it’s probably my favorite art shop in Tlaquepaque. I also like Geoffrey Roth’s gallery and, on the less expensive end, Esteban’s.

Just Outside Sedona: I recommend taking a morning trip to a couple of historic sites of the Sinagua Indians. Tuzigoot National Monument is an ancient pueblo that travelers can really explore, although of course with respect. Montezuma Castle National Monument is an elevated cliff dwelling (and park), hence cannot be experienced in quite the same hands-on way, but my family loved it. There is also the nearby Montezuma Well, which is a visible underground well the Sinagua built for farming purposes.

These are just a few of my favorite things to do outdoors in Sedona, Arizona. There are bound to be countless others; feel free to mention your favorites in the comments below!

Cheap (and Urban) Family Camping: Colorado National Monument

colorocks2A couple weekends ago, we broke out our family’s pop-up camper for a trip to Colorado National Monument in Fruita – a whopping two hours from our house. It wasn’t a “staycation,” however (because I detest that word and put a pox on anyone who actually uses it in travel-related articles). We were instead “exploring our own backyard” and doing it incredibly cheaply, overnighting at Saddlehorn Campgrond in this fascinating national monument that we’d never explored before. And we had a ball doing it — namely because it was “urban camping” and we weren’t too far from some creature comforts (read: microbrews) and attractions for the kids. Plus, our camping weekend was budget friendly and didn’t break the bank.

colojrranger2Colorado National Monument is filled with otherworldly sandstone formations, striking canyons and towering monoliths. In addition to hiking some of the easy nature trails in the park — including the Window Rock and Otto’s trails, which lead to absolutely incredible overlooks — we also took a short bike ride from the campground to the visitors center, where the kids turned in their activity books and earned their Jr. Ranger badges.

We scooted down the hill just six miles to check out Dinosaur Journey, a museum dedicated to the unusual number of fossils in the area (ironically, my kids liked standing on the earthquake simulator better than looking at any old bones). We also hiked the mile around Dinosaur Hill, where a Brontosauras skeleton was found in 1900. We went on an urban bike ride along the paved trails next to the Colorado River in Grand Junction (less than a 20-minute drive away), colobeer2and took in an art show/street festival in downtown Grand Junction, where we took a load off at Rockslide Brewery. (Frankly, one of the highlights of the weekend for me — what tastes better than a cold draft beer after a day of outdoor activity?)

I highly recommend a camping stay or a drive through Colorado National Monument for Colorado residents or anyone passing through the state on I-70. The fee to enter the monument is just $7, and campsites for RVs or tents are just $10 a night. Entrance to Dinosaur Journey is $16 for a family of four, and hiking Dinosaur Hill is free. Of course the memories made while enjoying nature, being together in the outdoors and giggling in a camper during evening storytime — well those are priceless.

Indulge me while I share a few more photos of our urban family camping trip to Colorado National Monument:

coloview2

Peering over a crazy-steep ledge to abyss below.

colokid2

ColoradoKid finds the rocks that resembles a butt crack absolutely hilarious.

colotrio2

The kids climbed through a tunnel in the rocks behind us.

colosunset2

Sunset view just a few yards behind our campsite (#47 in Saddlehorn).

I look forward to other family camping trips this summer — in Colorado and beyond!

Top 10 Summer Adventure Travel Destinations

Let’s talk about summer adventure travel destinations. But first: This happens every summer: I get a new pair of cute sandals that fit nicely in the store, and then the first day out – bam! Sore feet and blisters. This may sound familiar to fellow fans of soft adventure travel. Non-stressful hiking, plus walking tours, pretty much make up the kind of summer vacation (non-aquatic) exercise I get. That’s why, for me, the who-knows-what-technology-based stuff that goes into Gore-Tex fabric, makes their shoes a real plus. The Gore-Tex fabric is waterproof and wicks away heat, and feels kind of squishy in the sole (but it’s not a gel-based insert, so the TSA won’t make you surrender you shoes on the airport security line). My Ecco and Clark’s shoes have the Gore-Tex insignia, and Merrell, New Balance, and Timberland brands also use the special patented fabric. The company joined with the Adventure Travel Trade Association to suggest a Top 10 list of Summer Adventure Travel Vacation Destinations.

Top 10 Summer Travel Destinations, via Gore-Tex and the Adventure Travel Trade Association

  • Australia - From the walkabouts to the rain forests of Queensland to the Great Barrier Reef, there’s koala in australia (wikicommons)adventure travel of almost all sorts here. If shopping is more your summer vacation speed, spend that cash in Sydney and Melbourne.
  • Brazil - The jungles here are disappearing at a rapid clip; tourist dollars may show the government a viable alternate use of this great resource. And the beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana are fantastic!
  • British Columbia - start at my favorite airport hotel, and have fun in Vancouver, Victoria, and Granville Island for your summer vacation. Migratory marine mammals like whales spend their summers here too; they have the right idea!
  • California - Even Los Angeles, with its sad reputation as a faceless city of strip malls, has some challenging hiking trails. I’d also suggest a drive north to Santa Barbara, my favorite spot along the Central Coast. There are also Napa Valley and other less famous “wine countries.”
  • France - Can’t beat Paris as a cultural, historic walking city, but you might wear out your shoes trying to see it all. Then there’s Provence, Versailles, biking in the Pyrenees (bordering Spain), and the forests of Fontainebleau. Adventure travel and luxury vacations both fit together perfectly in France!
  • Madagascar - The Malagasy, native to Madagasacar, could really use some tourism dollars. The forests of this unique island are disappearing at a pretty rapid clip, and ecotourism may help stem the loss. The lemurs, chameleons, and other interesting critters are endemic to Madagascar, and need their habitat to continue starring in all those nature specials.
  • Nepal - Kathmandu is the star here, of course, though getting to Nepal is an adventure in itself. Nepal would be the right fit for someone seeking a special, unique cultural trip; if that’s you, visit Boudhanath Stupa, home to Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal.
  • New York - New York City is hot, humid, and gross in the summer – I lived through too many summers there to be in denial. But the Hudson Valley, Niagara Falls, and Adirondacks region are all lovely.
  • Norway - This one was included on the Top 10 Summer Travel Destinations list, presumably because it’s too dark and cold to vacation there in the winter. The gorgeous waterfalls and fjords can be toured via walking tours, or hiked and splashed in by more intrepid vacationers.
  • Switzerland - An outdoor adventure vacation would feature a hike up the Alps, and possibly hang-gliding back down. Leisure travelers can explore Basel, Geneva, and Zurich.

These disparate vacation destinations were chosen by the quality of both adventure and leisure travel options. Factors considered include uniqueness and authenticity, adventure activity resources (bicycling, hiking, etc), need for sustainable tourism, and undiscovered or little known natural and cultural assets. I think this list represents a nice blend of very popular summer travel spots, and some that are less so.

And me? Well, I have 2 weeks of vacation travel in New York planned for this summer, one of which is in the humid stickiness of NYC. In August! Wish me luck.

Give Mom an Adventure for Mother’s Day

At the top of my list for any gift-giving occasion — birthday, Christmas, Mother’s Day — is a gift certificate for a massage. I love being rubbed. I’d much rather have an hour of bliss on a massage table than a new pair of earrings or a kitchen gadget.

I’ve also appreciated gift certificates to local restaurants and a nearby hotel for my wedding anniversary. My husband and I enjoy getting away for date night (or overnight!) without the kids. Again, I’m all about the “experience gift” rather than material things.

That’s why this website caught my eye. At Excitations, you can purchase all sorts of different adventures and activities for the loved ones in your life. A wide range of experiences includes hot air ballooning, personal fitness training, tandem skydiving, wine tasting, trapeze lessons, NASCAR ride-a-longs and, yes, spa treatments.

Granted, these “experiences” are currently only available in and around certain metropolitan areas of the United States, such as New York City, Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Denver. But if your summer travel plans call for vacations in any of the applicable cities, or you live nearby, what a super-cool Mother’s Day gift to either a) ask for or b) give your wife, mom, sister or best friend. I’m betting any mom you know would love opening her mailbox to one of these nifty turquoise, blue and white boxes with a super-special gift certificate inside!

Gal on the Go – In the Air, above Deland, Florida

I went skydiving! Can you believe it? When I was in Hawaii last year, I made the Jungle Trek zipline guy push me off the ledge because I just couldn’t take that first step into oblivion. I really wasn’t sure I’d have the guts to JUMP OUT OF A PLANE!

But I did, thanks to the incredible tandem-jumping staff at Skydive Deland. (Ray, you rock.) They’re calm, cool and collected. They were ultra-patient with my questions, even when I asked my 80th one in 5 minutes. “Ray, how long have you been skydiving? How many tandem jumps have you done? Have you ever broken any bones? Has anyone ever thrown up in air? Has anyone ever fainted?”

Deland Florida Sky DivingIn the prop plane, as we were sandwiched in together in rows, me in front of Ray Pope, sitting on the floor between his legs, and Marat Leiras, the photographer and videographer (whose shots you see here), sitting between my legs (you’re all family once you strap on a parachute), I was asking, “Who packed your chute? How high are we now? How much longer is the flight?”

Deland Sky DivingAnd the clincher: As we’re seconds from jumping, the door is open on the plane, the toes of my sneakers are hanging over the ledge, I ask, “I am strapped to you, right?”

Thanks Georgia Turner, Daytona Beach CVB and all the guys at Skydive Deland for making this truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. MAYBE, just maybe, I’ll jump again. When my kids are old enough to do it with me!

Deland Sky Diving

Deland Florida Sky Diving

skydiving deland florida

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