San Gerardo de Rivas, Costa Rica – At 3820m, Mount Chirripó is the highest peak in Costa Rica. It’s higher than any mountains in New England, which are the only mountains I have ever climbed. And it’s certainly higher than…
Appleton Farms
Ipswich, Mass – Did I mention that I am going to climb a mountain next month? As part of my research for Lonely Plant Costa Rica, I will summit Cerro Chirripó (3821m). In preparation for hiking Costa Rica’s highest mountain, I…
Wachusett Mountain
Princeton, Mass – Fall is in the air. I have been dying to get outside and admire the changing leaves and breathe the fall air and move my body. It’s harder than it used to be to convince my kids…
Mount Vesuvius
Ercolano, Italy – After an amazing day exploring the ruins of Pompeii, the obvious next stop was the fiery mountain itself. And so we ascended the infamous Mount Vesuvius (mostly by bus, but also on foot) to peek into the…
La Pedriza, Sierra de Guadarrama
Madrid, Spain – La Pedriza is part of Sierra de Guadarrama national park, 30 minutes north of Madrid. Spectacular day, spectacular place.
Hiking the Dolomites
Soprabolzano, South Tyrol – After a cloudy day yesterday, on our second day, the sun came out and we trekked all over these mountains. Bolzano is an excellent base for hiking the Dolomites. From the center of town, a cable…
Diving Vis Island
Vis Island, Croatia – Spotted while diving Vis Island at Lighthouse Host: three octopuses (including one who squirted ink at me), dozens of red sea stars, and a couple of fire worms. Not to mention thousands of Ancient amphorae left…
Adventure awaits in Costa Rica national parks
Covering some 10% of Costa Rican territory, the country’s national parks protect a stunning array of landscapes – wetlands and forests, caves and volcanoes, and habitats for creatures galore. This is the country’s greatest natural resources, and it’s all yours…
Sochi: Russia’s Black Sea Playground
Sochi, Russia – Prior to its 2014 debut on the world stage, Sochi was celebrated in Russia for its sunny skies and balmy temperatures, which attracted privileged Party members to seaside sanatoria. Even Comrade Stalin had a vacation home near…
Sammallahdenmäki
Rauma, Finland – Did you get the title of this post? Sammallahdenmäki. Easy, right? It is a Bronze Age burial site in the midst of the Finnish forest. And if you’re not sure when the Bronze Age is… oh, it’s…