Ashley M. Biggers Archives - ԹϺ Online /byline/ashley-m-biggers/ Live Bravely Fri, 29 Jul 2022 01:09:37 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 https://cdn.outsideonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/favicon-194x194-1.png Ashley M. Biggers Archives - ԹϺ Online /byline/ashley-m-biggers/ 32 32 The Difference Between National Parks and Monuments /adventure-travel/national-parks/whats-difference-between-national-parks-and-national-monuments/ Wed, 13 Mar 2019 00:00:00 +0000 /uncategorized/whats-difference-between-national-parks-and-national-monuments/ The Difference Between National Parks and Monuments

The primary difference between national parks and national monuments lies in the reason for preserving the land.

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The Difference Between National Parks and Monuments

To laypeople, the distinction between lands designated as national parks and national monuments can appear finite. The primary difference lies in the reason for preserving the land: National parks are protected due to their scenic, inspirational, education, and recreational value. National monuments have objects of historical, cultural, and/or scientific interest, so their content is quite varied. For example, national monuments protect wilderness areas (such as ), fossil sites, military forts, ruins (such as the ), and buildings (such as , where President Lincoln was assassinated).

On the bureaucratic bent, the National Parks Service oversees all parks and some monuments. However, the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Department of Defense, and Bureau of Land Management may also supervise monuments, depending on the location of the lands and the reason for their protection. Some of these agencies are better than others at providing visitor information. Congress designates national parks; in general, presidential proclamations establish national monuments.

In this case, size matters. Although some national parks are quite small—the smallest is Pennsylvania’s  at 0.02 acres—the minimum size today is 1,000 hectares. By requiring that much space, nearly 2,500 acres, the NPS ensures national parks have sufficient area for recreation and natural diversity. The largest national park is the 13.2-million-acre  in Alaska. National monuments are generally smaller, and the designation requires only one item of interest (not a variety, as parks do).

The Most-Visited National Parks In 2018

  1.  (Tennessee and North Carolina) 11,421,200 visits
  2. (DzԲ) 6,380,495 visits
  3.  (Colorado) 4,590,493 visits
  4.  (Utah) 4,320,033 visits
  5.  (Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho) 4,115,000 visits
  6. (䲹ڴǰԾ)4,009,436ٲ
  7. (ѲԱ)3,537,575ٲ
  8. (²dzԲ)3,491,151ٲ
  9. (²󾱲ԲٴDz)3,104,455ٲ
  10. (ѴDzԳٲԲ)2,965,309ٲ

Popular National Monuments

Because various agencies administrate national monuments, nailing down a list of the most popular is challenging. Here are ten that are widely acknowledged visitor favorites:

  •  (New York)
  •  (New York)
  • (Ჹɲ)
  • (䲹ڴǰԾ)
  • (ǰ岹)
  • (DzԲ)
  •  (South Carolina)
  • (䲹ڴǰԾ)
  • (ǰ岹)
  • (Maryland)

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A Fall Guide to the Michigan Coast /adventure-travel/destinations/fall-guide-michigan-coast/ Fri, 07 Nov 2014 00:00:00 +0000 /uncategorized/fall-guide-michigan-coast/ A Fall Guide to the Michigan Coast

Summer on Michigan’s southwest shoreline is hard to beat if you are looking for a place to kick back. Fall, however, turns the region into an idyllic adventure destination. Warm days, bigger waves, and beautiful dunes make the coast of Lake Michigan the perfect autumn escape.

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A Fall Guide to the Michigan Coast

Summer on Michigan’s southwest shoreline is hard to beat if you are looking for a place to kick back. Fall, however, turns the region into an idyllic adventure destination. Warm days, bigger waves, and beautiful dunes make the coast of Lake Michigan the perfect autumn escape. And when the sun goes down and you’re looking to recharge, the region boasts some of the best food and craft brews you’ll find anywhere in the country.

Grand Rapids

As the largest city in this region—and Michigan’s second most populous, Grand Rapids is a perfect jumping off point for mountain biking. Eight miles north of the city, the West Michigan Mountain Bike Alliance built the , a flow trail with table-top jumps, waterfall crossings, rock overs, and log skinnies. After that warm up, take on a muscle-burning climb at the , which hosts some of the most challenging terrain in Western Michigan.

(Rachel Kramer/)

In Holland, 28 miles southwest of Grand Rapids, cyclists will find 140 miles of paved bike paths. With snowstorms blasting this coastal town with 90 inches or more, these trails double as cross-country skiing routes in winter. The trails meander through the town’s scenic parks, including Winstrom and Dunton, along the Macatawa River, and past the town’s landmark Dutch windmill DeZwaan. The Lakeshore Connector Path, which begins at and runs 20 miles to downtown Grand Haven, is a favorite among local cyclists.

Gear up: If you need to rent a bike or tune up your own machine, should be a one-stop shop.

Drink up: Grand Rapids earned the moniker Beer City USA in a 2013 poll, and it lives up to its name with 15 breweries in the city proper. is among the world’s top breweries and has earned six World Beer Cup medals. Beer Advocate Magazine named one of the 50 best bars in the U.S., which serves its own as well as regional brews. is the spot for a post-ride bite and brew in Holland, just west of Grand Rapids. The pub serves savory beer-cheese starters and rustic pork chops that pair with the likes of Monkey King, a farmhouse ale inspired by L. Frank Baum, the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz who summered in Holland.

The Dunes

Three hundred miles of golden sands stretch along the state’s Lake Michigan shoreline from , at Traverse City, south beyond St. Joseph. If you want to out yourself as a tourist, call it “The Gold Coast”—an apt name, though not one the locals use.

Michigan adventure outside online sleeping bear dunes
(Jim D/)

In Saugatuck, hitch a dune schooner for a family friendly ride with . You’ll zip through sections of the largest freshwater dunes in the world, made even larger when the bordering oak, maple, and Michigan white pine forests were logged to rebuild Chicago after the 1871 fire.

At Oval Beach, enjoy the waters of Lake Michigan, and the adjoining , a 173-acre tract with scenic walks along Lake Michigan, the Kalamazoo River, and among the threatened interdunal wetlands.

Dune Dining: Saugatuck lies in Michigan’s breadbasket, an area so fertile that its apple production may surpass Washington’s in 2014. , a fifth-generation family farm, grows more than a dozen varieties of apples in their U-Pick fields, including the Blondee, an early season sweet and tart type with a crisp bite. Just past the farm’s seasonal corn maze, its restaurant is a slice of Americana with specialties like a cinnamon apple pie. An early arrival on the now bountiful local wine scene, bottles several award-winning varietals, all of which you can taste in licensed as a tasting room, proprietor Doug Welsh and his team lead grape-to-glass tours during which you can taste the fruit straight from the vine and the wine it creates.

Wave Riders

Wind-driven lake swells are a blessing to Lake Michigan surfers. In the fall, strong northern winds make southwest Michigan the best place in the state to catch waves, starting at Muskegon and heading south. The lake is hardly Pipeline, but local surfers claim the occasional six-foot breaks. The weekend warriors favor the south side of the Grand Haven pier and the clean swells off St. Joseph. Some of the best conditions roll through during winter, but the hardy locals aren’t ones to be dissuaded by water temps in the 40s and air temps dipping even lower.

(Jordan Fischer/)

Gear Up: For surf boards, lessons, and rentals hit up in Grand Haven or in St. Joseph. To outfit for kiteboarding, head to , also in Grand Haven.

Surf and Turf: If you’re ready to thaw your icicle beard, The is just up the berm from the beach in St. Joseph. Chow down on crispy bacon smothered in The Buck’s secret spice blend while perusing the 62-tap beer menu with many local selections. If its in season, the Zombie Killer Mead, blended with local cherries and apple cider, is a not-to-sweet pick me up. The burger menu is nearly as expansive as that of the brews, with favorites including a sundried tomato behemoth.

Paddling Inland

Of course, Lake Michigan promises all types of paddle sports with enough open water to challenge even those with top endurance. However, as one local put it, “After you’re out there for 15 minutes, you’ve seen what you’re going to see.” For more varied scenery while kayaking or SUPing, head down the Paw Paw River. The Paw Paw navigates through much of the southwestern part of the state, passing under paw paw fruit tree forests for which the river is named. These waters befit a relaxing row, with few rapids on the course. But if you get tired, turn your bow and take it easy; the current will carry you downstream and back to Lake Michigan. For an extended stay, reserve a spot at the .

(Donaar/)

Gear Up: will outfit your trip with kayak and/or SUP rentals. And, if you so desire, a friendly guide will lead your trip. The shop also offers rentals and excursions along the Galien River outside of New Buffalo.

Just a Splash: For a post-paddle drink, sip single malt Scotch at , in Three Oaks, where the craft spirits are surprisingly mature for a distillery that only opened in 2011. Journeyman is one of only a handful of organic distilleries in the U.S. It creates 14 types of spirits, including the popular Ravenswood Rye Whiskey and Bilberry Black Hearts Gin, made with—yep—bilberries, the close relative of blueberries, and a complex blend of botanicals.

Come Aboard

According to the sailors in South Haven and Holland, boating is the only worthy endeavor on the local waters. Lake Michigan, with its connection to Lake Huron, was a great transportation channel during the 1800s when tall-masted shipping vessels sailed there. Today, the only tall-masted ship you’re likely to find is the Friends Good Will, an 1810 merchant sloop that was captured and flew under the British flag in the War of 1812. Today, her voyages are mostly day tours, departing from the in South Haven, where the exhibits on Great Lakes shipwrecks are worth a look.

(Cathy Smith/)

To captain smaller vessels, join the , operated by Kim Grotenhuis, where you’ll learn to avoid the boom on the Dorothy Gale, a rebuilt 1965 Columbia ’38 sailboat, and other similar size vessels. You’ll often find the Dorothy Gale zipping around Lake Macatawa, an inland lake at Holland that connects to the Great Lake and is popular with boaters. For a day cruise, book with , with which you’ll have all the fun and not do any of the work.

Post-Sail Grub: All destinations are walkable in South Haven, so stroll from the Maritime Museum to the intimate for an authentic Italian meal, with a few house specialties, too. To start, try the three-minute truffle eggs and finish your meal with coconut or pistachio gelato. In Holland, hit up for authentic Dutch baked goods and filling meals, all prepared by fourth-generation family bakers.

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What’s the Best Family-Friendly Day Hike in Yosemite? /adventure-travel/advice/whats-best-family-friendly-day-hike-yosemite/ Thu, 28 Aug 2014 00:00:00 +0000 /uncategorized/whats-best-family-friendly-day-hike-yosemite/ What's the Best Family-Friendly Day Hike in Yosemite?

Yosemite is known for epic wall climbs and strenuous ascents. But what if Half Dome isn’t on the agenda and time with the tykes is? Here are a few easy-to-moderate treks, all five miles or shorter, that are accessible to the whole family. In Yosemite Valley At 11.5 miles, the entire Yosemite Floor Loop Trail may not be … Continued

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What's the Best Family-Friendly Day Hike in Yosemite?

Yosemite is known for epic wall climbs and strenuous ascents. But what if Half Dome isn’t on the agenda and time with the tykes is? Here are a few easy-to-moderate treks, all five miles or shorter, that are accessible to the whole family.

In Yosemite Valley

At 11.5 miles, the entire  may not be suitable for your family, but it can easily be hiked in manageable sections. The trail follows the Valley’s first east-west trails on a fairly flat course beneath Three Brothers and El Capitan. The trail often nears the Merced River, so weary kids (and parents) can easily wade in. Begin at Lower Yosemite Fall (Shuttle Stop No. 6). This trail has an optional spur to the next family-friendly trail, .

This half-mile, round-trip trail there leads to the first waterfall visitors see upon entering Yosemite Valley. It plunges 620 from cliff to base and is known for its gauzy flow. The trail is easy, but reaching the base of the falls can be challenging, requiring scrambling up boulders that are ankle-turning and slippery even when dry. The trip to the top of another popular valley sight, Vernal Fall, may be a strenuous 1,000-foot gain, but kids can easily reach the , a 1.4-mile roundtrip with 400 feet in gain, for vistas of the falls. Begin at Happy Isles (Shuttle Stop No. 16). 

yosemite lodge yosemite village yosemite yosemite valley yosemite national park trees mountains snow national park park half dome el capitan california sierra sierra nevada pine tree fog rock climbing climbing alex honnold chin free solo face path route outside online outside magazine outside travel agent escapes ashley biggers raising rippers el cap
You're ready to tackle El Cap, but are your kids? (Wasim Muklashy/)

Water play is also underway at , reachable via a two-mile roundtrip trail up an easy grade. Mirror Lake reflects the surrounding cliffs and is fullest in early spring and summer. Come July, sand and knee-high grasses are more plentiful there than water. Fit families can extend the hike to create a five-mile loop tracing Tenaya Creek, past a decorative cairn field, across two bridges, and back along the south side of Tenaya Canyon. With the exception of an alabaster granite scree field beneath the flat side of Half Dome, the trail is largely shaded. Along this trail parents will also find plenty of boulders and for teaching rippers basic climbing and rappelling techniques. Begin at Mirror Lake Trailhead (Shuttle Stop No. 17).

To take in views of Yosemite Valley, follow (which also offers incredible vistas of Half Dome) to the Sentinel Dome/Taft Point trailhead. In July, wildflowers bloom along the forest path in popsicle hues (grape, orange, cherry) along the 2.2-mile round trip route. At Taft Point, highliners harness in for aerial walks between the fissures and hikers can look upon El Cap from the south side. 

Off-the-beaten path views are the payoff for a hike to Artist Point, which offers perspectives of Clouds Rest, Bridalveil Meadow, and the Merced River. It’s the same panorama afforded at Tunnel View, without the hoards of park goers elbowing for the perfect shot. The two-mile hike begins at the Tunnel View parking lot. Hikers will likely have the route to themselves after the Pohono Trail section. 

ԹϺ Yosemite Valley

Near the park’s south entrance, the Mariposa Grove is home to some 500 mature giant sequoias including named trees such as Grizzly Giant and California Tunnel Tree, reachable via an .8-mile path with only 500-feet in elevation gain. Follow the Mariposa Grove Road, open April through November, to the parking area or take Wawona-Mariposa Grove shuttle. 

california mariposa grove yosemite family friendly hikes outside online travel agent yosemite national park giant sequoia
A few of the 500 giant sequoias that call Mariposa Grove home. (Miles Sabin/)

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How Can I Compete in Holland’s SUP 11-City Tour? /adventure-travel/advice/how-can-i-compete-hollands-sup-11-city-tour/ Fri, 22 Aug 2014 00:00:00 +0000 /uncategorized/how-can-i-compete-hollands-sup-11-city-tour/ How Can I Compete in Holland's SUP 11-City Tour?

The SUP 11-City Tour covers a grueling 136 miles, making it by far the longest stand-up paddleboard race in the world. Divided into five daylong stages, it’s the Tour de France of paddling, taking competitors through some of Holland’s most scenic terrain. Native Dutchwoman Anne-Marie Reichman, a professional windsurfer, followed the five-day route as a personal challenge … Continued

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How Can I Compete in Holland's SUP 11-City Tour?

The  covers a grueling 136 miles, making it by far the longest stand-up paddleboard race in the world. Divided into five daylong stages, it’s the Tour de France of paddling, taking competitors through some of Holland’s most scenic terrain.

SUP stand-up paddle stand-up paddleboard stand-up paddleboarding ashley biggers travel agent outside magazine outside online escapes netherlands SUP 11-City Tour Anne-Marie Reichman dutch Sloten Workum Franeker Dokkum
| (Courtesy of SUP 11-City Tour)

Native Dutchwoman Anne-Marie Reichman, a professional windsurfer, followed the five-day route as a personal challenge in 2008, then took it to the masses in the first open event in 2010. The race route stems from a historical ice-skating path that farmers once took to create a round through Friesland, a province in northwestern part of the Netherlands.

It follows narrow canals—of mostly flat water—through “the pearls of Friesland,” historical cities built from the 1700s. The loop begins and ends in Leeuwarden, traveling through Sloten, Workum, Franeker, Dokkum, and several smaller towns between. When you aren’t ducking your head to pass beneath bridges, you can take in countryside views of windmills, open pastureland with sheep, cows, and horses, and forests. 

SUP stand-up paddle stand-up paddleboard stand-up paddleboarding ashley biggers travel agent outside magazine outside online escapes netherlands SUP 11-City Tour Anne-Marie Reichman dutch Sloten Workum Franeker Dokkum
| (Courtesy of SUP 11-City Tour)

Some 200 paddlers participated in the various stages of the 2013 race. Even more are expected for the 2014 event, which will take place September 3–7, particularly since organizers plan to vie for the Dutch record for the most stand-up paddleboarders on the water at a time.

SUP stand-up paddle stand-up paddleboard stand-up paddleboarding ashley biggers travel agent outside magazine outside online escapes netherlands SUP 11-City Tour Anne-Marie Reichman dutch Sloten Workum Franeker Dokkum
| (Courtesy of SUP 11-City Tour)

“Elite participants need to be able to paddle hard five days in a row…This is demanding,” says Reichman. “Athletes get meals and massages offered every day. However, a distance of 44 kilometers is tough, and then there are four more stages.” For those in the elite category, the payoff is a solid test of performance and recovery, and preparation for the rest of the season.

SUP stand-up paddle stand-up paddleboard stand-up paddleboarding ashley biggers travel agent outside magazine outside online escapes netherlands SUP 11-City Tour Anne-Marie Reichman dutch Sloten Workum Franeker Dokkum
| (Courtesy of SUP 11-City Tour)

Even if you’re not an elite athlete, you can still enjoy this challenge by participating in the amateur category (which doesn’t give out rankings). Form a two- to five-person team to take on different stages, or try out the weekend-only portions of the tour.

SUP stand-up paddle stand-up paddleboard stand-up paddleboarding ashley biggers travel agent outside magazine outside online escapes netherlands SUP 11-City Tour Anne-Marie Reichman dutch Sloten Workum Franeker Dokkum
| (Courtesy of SUP 11-City Tour)

Along the route, you can lodge for the evening on an authentic Frysian sailing ship. You’ll be bunking with up to 26 other participants, but as Reichman observes, “This is an experience in itself and participants bond throughout the entire event becoming family.” Maybe a pep talk from a newfound family member will be just the thing to help you complete this epic challenge. 

SUP stand-up paddle stand-up paddleboard stand-up paddleboarding ashley biggers travel agent outside magazine outside online escapes netherlands SUP 11-City Tour Anne-Marie Reichman dutch Sloten Workum Franeker Dokkum
| (Courtesy of SUP 11-City Tour)

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How Can I Make the Most of Summer’s Last Weeks? /adventure-travel/advice/how-can-i-make-most-summers-last-weeks/ Thu, 21 Aug 2014 00:00:00 +0000 /uncategorized/how-can-i-make-most-summers-last-weeks/ How Can I Make the Most of Summer's Last Weeks?

Summer's winding down, but there’s still time for a few more fair-weather hiking trips. Even better: pick one that lets you give back to the forest.  Take the volunteer vacations set up through the American Hiking Society that get you outside and donate your time and muscle power to trail maintenance in state and national parks. In … Continued

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How Can I Make the Most of Summer's Last Weeks?

Summer's winding down, but there’s still time for a few more fair-weather hiking trips. Even better: pick one that lets you give back to the forest. 

Take the  that get you outside and donate your time and muscle power to trail maintenance in state and national parks. In 2013, the six- to 15-person crews worked on 61 projects with their “sweat equity,” contributing a value of nearly half-a-million dollars. Plus, the society does most of the planning legwork for you.

You’re responsible for your transportation to your work site, but the $295 trip fee covers food, backcountry permits for a week in the wilderness, your work gear (shovels, gloves), and occasionally airport shuttles to the park.

Sure, manual labor is involved, but you’ll come away from your weeklong vacay with a sense of fulfillment.

“I like the whole idea of working on trails and doing something substantive with a group of like-minded individuals, especially in places I’ve never been before,” says Kevin Thomson, of Derry, Pennsylvania, who has completed seven volunteer vacations with the society, most recently one in Vermont's Groton State Forest. “It’s almost always work that goes quickly because of many hands pitching in, and the results are immediate and remarkable.”

Thomson advises picking an outing that matches your physical abilities—trips are notated according to work levels from very strenuous to easy—as well as one with accommodations to your liking. Housing options range from primitive tent camping to cabin stays.

The trips involve service, but they also include recreational hiking opportunities. During upcoming sessions, you can in California's Inyo National Forest (through August 23), where you can fish Golden Trout Creek before your workday or take a lay-over day hike to Rocky Basin Lakes. Along the (September 14–20), and in a blaze of fall color, you’ll put your amateur survey skills to the test maintaining the boundary of the national park service lands around this scenic trail. And at in northern New Mexico (September 20–27), you’ll access pristine mountains and lakes usually only open to members of the Boy Scouts of America and their leaders.

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What Should I Know About Hiking the Ice Age National Scenic Trail? /adventure-travel/advice/what-should-i-know-about-hiking-ice-age-national-scenic-trail/ Thu, 07 Aug 2014 00:00:00 +0000 /uncategorized/what-should-i-know-about-hiking-ice-age-national-scenic-trail/ What Should I Know About Hiking the Ice Age National Scenic Trail?

There’s no better time than August to hike the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, one of 11 national scenic trails in the United States that’s federally protected thanks to its natural beauty. It’s also the only National Scenic Trail that traces a geologic landscape rather that being a point-to-point hike.  The Ice Age Trail is … Continued

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What Should I Know About Hiking the Ice Age National Scenic Trail?

There’s no better time than August to hike the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, one of 11 in the United States that’s federally protected thanks to its natural beauty. It’s also the only National Scenic Trail that traces a geologic landscape rather that being a point-to-point hike. 

The Ice Age Trail is a stunner, winding 1,200 miles through Wisconsin along a former glacier edge that was created when that frozen mass receded 10,000 years ago. This month, the high heat and humidity of July has dissipated, as have the flocks of mosquitos; the first autumnal weather is settling in, stripping leaves off the trees and making the contours of the glacial formations more identifiable. 

Save for a few portions of the trail that follow the same corridor as some state rail trails, where biking is allowed, the Ice Age is entirely a footpath that extends from northwestern Wisconsin to the Lake Michigan shoreline on the eastern side of the state through the former domain of sabertooth cats and tusked ancient elephants.

For a mammoth-sized walk, thru-hike the trail. “If you want to jump right into the fire, start in the west, where the trail is more rugged. If you want to get your sea legs under you, start in the east,” says Mike Wollmer, executive director of the Ice Age Trail Alliance. He adds that the trail is more popularly used as an episodic route; only 15 to 20 trekkers thru-hike the trail each year, unlike destination trails such as the Appalachian and Pacific Crest National Scenic Trails.

Although the trail is in its dirty thirties—it was founded in 1980—only 650 miles of the anticipated route are officially blazed. The route is contiguous—but only by journeying through the main streets of charming Wisconsin towns and down country roads.

is a popular destination for both weekend and weeklong treks. This trail section is also one of the best developed with backcountry campsites and shelters. Along other trail sections, where finding suitable campsites is more challenging, Wollmer suggests contacting chapter coordinators, who are accustomed to hosting campers or directing them to appropriate sites.

The section through offers a true northwoods experience, while the segment from to Madison is a long-distance prairie walk. The path through , Wisconsin’s newest state park, dishes up lake views and fried walleye for dinner if you toss in a line. This state park also offers several scenic side trails worth the trip, as Wollmer says is common along the trail.

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What Are the Best Last-Minute Hotel Booking Apps? /adventure-travel/advice/what-are-best-last-minute-hotel-booking-apps/ Fri, 01 Aug 2014 00:00:00 +0000 /uncategorized/what-are-best-last-minute-hotel-booking-apps/ What Are the Best Last-Minute Hotel Booking Apps?

Procrastinators are about to get the last laugh. Turns out you can save 10 to 40 percent if you book a hotel at the last minute through an app. According to an Expedia report, more than 65 percent of people who book a hotel room within 24 hours of their stay do so from a … Continued

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What Are the Best Last-Minute Hotel Booking Apps?

Procrastinators are about to get the last laugh. Turns out you can save 10 to 40 percent if you book a hotel at the last minute through an app.

According to an , more than 65 percent of people who book a hotel room within 24 hours of their stay do so from a mobile device. Big-name booking-engine apps have sections devoted to last-minute travel, while other apps specialize in the service. Here are some of our favorites: 

Booking.com Tonight

Priceline owns , so travelers searching either one get the best of both Priceline and . With its extensive directory, this app excelled in the number of options provided (210 hotels during my recent San Francisco–based test) and offered plenty of filtering options at the outset, such as most popular, nearest, best price, and star rating, to refine a search.

Discounted rates on the app are generally 10 percent lower than those on a hotel’s website. Booking.com also has a standard app (simply called Booking.com), through which it’s also possible to book same-day reservations. However, the Tonight app is dedicated to this type of search. So even if you have the former, it’s worth doubling down on the second for ease of use. 

Hotels.com

 searches more than a quarter-million hotels worldwide to find you the best deals. In-app booking is available via your account or as a guest user. Reservations are then available off-line. Although the app advertised savings between 10 and 40 percent off standard rates, when I cross-checked these prices against the each hotel’s website, the savings were between 5 and 15 percent. Still good, just not as good as advertised.

Hotel Tonight

Perhaps  in this category, Hotel Tonight curates deals from area hotels and lists only those offering the best values. It delivers what it promises: Listed rates are indeed heavily discounted, at 10 to 40 percent off the rates available via each hotel’s website. Each property listing provides a user rating as well as a curated “Why We Like It” list. The app also features a sleek, user-friendly interface.

Jetsetter Now

On , day-of deals appear in the “Tonight” section, but only after noon in the city of choice. The app’s strengths lie in its panoramic photos and insights from Jetsetter’s team of expert correspondents. It’s limited in two respects. It covers just a handful of U.S. cities (New York, Miami, Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Los Angeles). Also, when I tested the app in San Francisco, it returned only one result and didn’t offer any savings over the price listed on that hotel’s website.

Last Minute Travel

 delivers deals for more than 100,000 hotels in 4,500 cities. It culls TripAdvisor info, so each listing includes user-generated star ratings, reviews, property descriptions, and photos. The biggest benefit of this app is that many of the rooms it lists aren’t available to book via the hotel’s website, so travelers will have a greater selection—and save time—by launching this app instead of conducting individual searches.

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Where Are the Best River and Lake SUP Destinations? /adventure-travel/advice/where-are-best-river-and-lake-sup-destinations/ Wed, 23 Jul 2014 00:00:00 +0000 /uncategorized/where-are-best-river-and-lake-sup-destinations/ Where Are the Best River and Lake SUP Destinations?

Stand-up paddling isn’t just for oceans anymore. Or Hawaii, Florida, and California, for that matter. In June, Idaho’s Payette River Games awarded the largest cash purse on record for SUP racing. Inland SUPing has arrived. Here’s where to go for upcoming races—all year long.  Kelly’s Whitewater Park, Idaho Kayak athletes will recognize this park as … Continued

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Where Are the Best River and Lake SUP Destinations?

Stand-up paddling isn’t just for oceans anymore. Or Hawaii, Florida, and California, for that matter. In June, Idaho’s awarded the largest cash purse on record for SUP racing. Inland SUPing has arrived. Here’s where to go for upcoming races—all year long. 

Kelly’s Whitewater Park, Idaho

| (Kelly's Whitewater Park/Google CC)

Kayak athletes will recognize as having some of the top whitewater in the country, but now SUPers are navigating these waters too, as they did recently at the Payette River Games, where paddlers competed in downriver sprints, SUP cross, and other events. “I think river SUP is the next big thing and possibly an Olympic sport,” says , a Roxy Pro SUP athlete who competed in the games.


The Great Lakes, Illinois/Michigan/Wisconsin

| (Russ/)

Several SUP outfitters have popped up on the shores of Lake Michigan, including . The fifth annual , a popular Midwest event with six- and three-mile races, is slated for September 13, 2014, on the lake near Holland, Michigan. Also in the Great Lakes area, the , a –sanctioned event, was held in Madison, Wisconsin, on July 12, 2014.


Lake Dillon, Colorado

| (Mark Byzewski/)

Outfitted by , this reservoir two hours outside of Denver offers prime SUP water. It’s also the host destination of the annual , scheduled for August 3, 2014.


Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada

| (Out and About Marketing/Google CC)

Both North and South Lake Tahoe, where cool blue lake water seques into mountain peaks, are popular for the sport. (The number of available outfitters reflects that popularity.) The annual three-part hosted 147 elite paddlers and a field of more than 300 amateurs at its kickoff event at Donner Lake in May. Jam from the Dam (July 12, 2014) and the Tahoe Fall Classic (September 14, 2014) complete the series, which has a $20,000 cash purse.


Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire

| (Gail Frederick/)

Even in the chilly environs of New England, SUPers are hitting the water. Although Cape Cod and Nantucket have long been destinations for the sport, paddlers are heading inland to Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire, says Kristin Artz, public relations director for the World Paddle Association. has offered lessons and rentals at the lake since 2007. Beyond New Hampshire, you can find lake and river paddling in and along the Charles River through Boston. Artz says there isn’t a  state that SUP hasn’t reached.


Willamette River, Oregon

| (Don Hankins/)

SUPers cruise down the scenic Willamette River year round, but come June, paddlers flock to those waters for the , just miles from downtown Portland. Local shop  offers lessons and rentals. Every April in outer Portlandia, racers head to George Rogers Park in Lake Oswego for the (aka W’SUP Cup).

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What Are the Newest UNESCO World Heritage Sites? /adventure-travel/advice/what-are-newest-unesco-world-heritage-sites/ Mon, 21 Jul 2014 00:00:00 +0000 /uncategorized/what-are-newest-unesco-world-heritage-sites/ What Are the Newest UNESCO World Heritage Sites?

On June 22, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) named the Okavango Delta in Botswana the 1,000th site on its World Heritage List. The list spotlights the world’s most important natural wonders and cultural sites, and the Okavango Delta certainly fits the bill.  Instead of ending in the ocean as most river deltas … Continued

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What Are the Newest UNESCO World Heritage Sites?

On June 22, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) named the  in Botswana the 1,000th site on its World Heritage List. The list spotlights the world’s most important natural wonders and cultural sites, and the Okavango Delta certainly fits the bill. 

Instead of ending in the ocean as most river deltas do, the Okavango River empties into a savannah to create the 6,500-square-mile delta. It’s also rare in that “the annual flooding from the river Okavango occurs during the dry season, with the result that the native plants and animals have synchronized their biological cycles with these seasonal rains and floods,” according to the UN World Heritage statement.

The fan-shaped delta is home to several endangered large-mammal species, including cheetah, white and black rhinoceros, African wild dog, and lion, making it a top safari destination in both Botswana and Africa at large.

The delta is best known for explorations by mokoro—dugout canoes that easily navigate the mazelike lagoon channels and papyrus swamps. These nonmotorized boats glide silently through the water, making them ideally suited for game watching. Tented camps at destinations such as Khwai and outfitted by and are launching points for nighttime game drives, during which visitors tour by Jeep when the animals are most active.

The list of World Heritage Sites keeps growing; the committee added . UNESCO identifies natural (Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, for example) and man-made landmarks (the Pyramids of Egypt) that are of outstanding value to humanity. Although UNESCO designates the sites in the name of cultural preservation, it’s up to the individual countries to take action on the directive.

This year, the first site in Myanmar and one in the United States , bringing the total number of World Heritage Sites to 1,007 in 161 countries.

In Myanmar, the site includes the remains of three brick, walled, and moat-encircled towns (Halin, Beikthano, and Sri Ksetra) that flourished between 200 BC and 900 AD. The cities include partially excavated palace citadels and monumental Buddhist stupas.

In the United States, , also a Louisiana State Park, became the country’s 22nd site UNESCO site. At this site, 3,400-year-old earthworks stand as a testament to the master engineering talents of Native Americans who constructed the five mounds and six concentric ridges around a plaza that was a major political, trading, and ceremonial center in its time.

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What Are the Best Travel Photography Workshops? /adventure-travel/advice/what-are-best-travel-photography-workshops/ Wed, 16 Jul 2014 00:00:00 +0000 /uncategorized/what-are-best-travel-photography-workshops/ What Are the Best Travel Photography Workshops?

Have camera. Will travel. And take top-notch shots, too, if these six travel photography workshops have anything to say about it. All workshop outfitters listed here are led by professional photographers and include on-site coaching in real-world environments (versus the studio) and image review. They’re suited for amateurs, advanced hobbyists, and aspiring professionals. Summit Workshops … Continued

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What Are the Best Travel Photography Workshops?

Have camera. Will travel. And take top-notch shots, too, if these six travel photography workshops have anything to say about it.

All workshop outfitters listed here are led by professional photographers and include on-site coaching in real-world environments (versus the studio) and image review. They’re suited for amateurs, advanced hobbyists, and aspiring professionals.

Summit Workshops

Taught by a team of more than 10 photographers and creatives with impressive bona fides, offers on-location classes, including ones on sport, nature, and adventure photography. In the adventure workshop headquartered at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, participants hone their skills at Grand Teton National Park where they’re the center of the action in kayaks, hanging from rock walls, or doing other action sports. The instruction team includes not only photographers, but also photo editors who provide a unique perspective during daily critiques. Of course, networking over a beer each evening with professionals from the likes of National Geographic and Surfer magazine doesn’t hurt either.

Master Image Workshops

Pro photographers Kerrick James, who’s published images in Smithsonian, and Jerry Ginsberg, whose images have been in Outdoor Photographer, lead . Destination-based classes for 2015 are set for Patagonia (February 21­­–March 6), Argentina (February 7–19), and Chile (March 7–14).  

Santa Fe Photographic Workshops

New Mexico’s legendary light, which inspired Ansel Adams, is at the center of many of . However, its instructors also lead trips to destinations such as Iceland (August 10­–15, 2014) and Aspen’s Snowmass (September 9­–14, 2014), the latter which is headed by Ansel Adams Award–winning photographer Ian Shive. 

American Nature Photography Workshops

Experts Tom Bol, named a visionary by National Geographic ԹϺ, and George Theodore, founder of , help participants turn their lenses on destinations such as Utah’s Canyonlands, Yosemite National Park, Glacier National Park, and other natural landscapes across the U.S.

Momenta

Exotic locales are on the agenda at , which specializes in travel and documentary workshops that create global dialogues about social issues. In upcoming sessions in Freetown, Sierra Leone (November 2–14, 2014), and New Orleans (April 8­–12, 2015), photographers will be paired with a local nonprofit to create a photo story about that group’s mission.

Within the Frame Photographic ԹϺs

Founded by and for photographers, specializes in small group–sessions that focus on both technical prowess and creativity. Both fine-art and journalistic photographers lead workshops to destinations such as Istanbul, Turkey (September 6­–13, 2014); Kathmandu, Nepal (October 3­–12); and Maasai Mara, Kenya (January 10–18, 2015). Jeffrey Chapman and Winslow Lockhart lead all three sessions.

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