South Dakota is not only one of my favorite states, it is one of my favorite places on the planet. Wonderfully desolate and geographically stunning, South Dakota is intriguingly not at the top of most traveler's list of places to explore. This is to great benefit for the Explorer and outdoors inclined traveler, as the … Continue reading The Top Places to Visit in South Dakota
Location: La Plate County, Durango, Colorado, USA Population: 19,413 Notable Landmarks: Mesa Verde National Park, San Juan Mountain Range
"Why the hell did I eat that?” I thought aloud, while my stomach vibrated and my elbows laid squeezed between the arms of fellow passengers on a train from Lijiang to Dali. I kept my legs and feet hunched under the seat as there was no leg room in this extremely crowded and cramped train … Continue reading Yunnan Dreams, Part 2: Dali
Climbing Mt Hood's South/Palmer Glacier Route
Making the decision to climb Mt Rainier is a serious undertaking that requires honest consideration and elaborate planning. It is difficult for climbers who have climbed (hiked) other peaks in the lower forty eight states to grasp the magnitude and scope of Mt. Rainier's terrain. Mt Rainier, standing at 14,411, is the most heavily glaciated … Continue reading Mt Rainier: Climbing The Big One
Overlooking Naxi Villages and Rice Terraces in The Tiger Leaping Gorge It was late August of 2017 and I had spent the last couple days wandering around the culturally vibrant city of Lijiang in China's northern Yunnan province. Resting in the foothills of the Himalaya, Lijiang is the ethnic home to Naxi people who have … Continue reading Trekking Through China’s Tiger Leaping Gorge
The Dingle Peninsula, reaching out of the northwest side of County Kerry in the southwest of Ireland, is one of the most rugged, majestic and ancient places in all of the North Atlantic. The Peninsula is home to over 2000 identified archeological sites, dating all the way to the Mesolithic era; 4000 BC and before. … Continue reading Dingle, Ireland; The Last Port of Call…
Luang Prabang in north central Laos is an ancient town resting on the Banks of iconic rivers; The Mekong and Nam Khan. It is a UNESCO world heritage site and a location where western colonial and traditional Lao Buddhist influences combine to form a truly historic and culturally unique city in Southeast Asia. French Colonial … Continue reading Luang Prabang; Explorer Shot
Snap from Swedish Archipelago (July 2010) The following is an Excerpt From My Book "Stranger In The Village of The Spiritual" “Shit that was close!” I yelled after almost barreling into a car head on and nearly killing Lydia and I. Oh my god, why did I let you drive?” Lydia yelled in my ear … Continue reading Gamla Stan
I arrived in Lijiang with fatigue and an upset stomach. After spending the previous week, battling a horrendous stomach that probably came about from consuming unfiltered water, I was still a bit queezy and sleep deprived. The Outskirts of Lijiang I stepped off the crowded bus onto the streets of the prolific Yunnan city and … Continue reading Meandering Through Lijiang