Tag: Camping
Camping in Brevard, North Carolina
This past summer I went on a spontaneous camping trip with my father to Brevard, North Carolina. The quaint town sits just at the edge of a national park, and my dad had been excited to try out some of the new camping gear he had recently acquired.
Sponsored Content
A Summer Sojourn Along Europe’s Rivers with AmaWaterways
This summer, elevate your vacation experience with award-winning AmaWaterways. Offering a seamless blend of unparalleled luxury, authentic cultural experiences and unrivaled service, AmaWaterways cruises are the perfect way to uncover the heart of Europe during the sunniest season with itineraries that glide along the continent’s most iconic rivers, including the Danube, the Rhine, the Seine and the Douro.
Big Trees, Big Skies
For the second installment of “Where Did Maria Go?”, I take you to one of California’s most stunning national parks, Sequoia. Did you know the Sequoia redwood was named after Sequoya (a.k.a. George Guess, 1760–1843), a Cherokee man who invented a system of writing his people’s language? Some internet sources say the word sequoia means "sparrow," but I also saw "hog," so I’ll have to confirm with someone of the Cherokee Nation. Aside from my fascination with etymology, I love nature and the great outdoors. I am a proud National Parks passport holder and own a mug with the famous John Muir quote, “The mountains are calling and I must go.”
Great Smoky Mountains
Henry David Thoreau once said, “I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees.” There is no better ‘woods’ to walk in than the Great Smoky Mountains, a mountain range rising along the Tennessee and North Carolina border. The range is sometimes called the Smoky Mountains and/or commonly shortened to the Smokies. It is home to Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and with more than 11 million visitors per year, it is the most visited national park in the United States. The mountains are part of an International Biosphere Reserve. It consists of 187,000 acres of old-growth forest, constituting the largest such stand east of the Mississippi River. The Great Smokies have also been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Sponsored Content
Madrid: The Charm of an Authentic City
They say Madrid is in vogue for many reasons: its lifestyle, its heritage, its cuisine and all of its new attractions. And it’s true, because Madrid is on the radar of travelers looking for a cutting-edge destination that still holds onto its essence. Join us as we explore its charms.
Paws Up in the Big Sky
Last week I took a much-needed vacation to somewhere I’ve never been before but have heard about for years: Montana. The Big Sky, roaming bison and utter quiet compared to the hustle of Los Angeles were such draws, and they surpassed all my expectations.