Don’t Skip: Rotorua, New Zealand
Intro to Rotorua Located on New Zealand’s North Island, a 2-3 hour drive south of Auckland, Rotorua is an established attraction for visitors. The town is located on the southern shore of Lake Rotorua and is part of the Taupo Volcanic Zone. We’d been warned that it might be more “touristy” than we typically like, […]
Don’t Skip: Pucon, Chile
Intro to Pucon Many of the destinations in the Don’t Skip series are off the beaten track. That’s not the case with Pucon, which is hardly unknown. As a matter of fact, it’s long-established as a hub of outdoor activities in this part of Chile. Depending on the season, you can skydive, kayak, ski, swim, […]
Petroglyph National Monument
Diverse Beauty of the Southwest The southwest of the US is one of our favorite parts of the country. There’s something about the landscape that attracts us. On the surface it seems barren and desolate. On closer inspection though, these mountains and mesas, deserts and plateaus are full of life. These are the homes of bighorn […]
Top 5 Animal Encounters: Snakes
One of the things we enjoy most about travel is seeing animals in their natural environment. Our mini-series “Animal Encounters” includes some great memories from our journeys. While snakes may not be our favorite creature, there’s no denying that they are pretty cool to observe. Below, in no particular order, are our top animal encounters with […]
Top 5 Animal Encounters: Monkey and Baby
Seeing animals in their natural environment is one of the highlights of our travels. Our mini-series on animal encounters represents some great memories. Monkeys are common in many parts of the world, and they are always a great source of entertainment. We’ve spend hours at a time just watching their antics. With any species, it’s always special […]
Top 5 Animal Encounters: Ocean Edition
As nature lovers, one of the things we enjoy most about travel is seeing animals in their natural environment. These animal encounters are some of the best memories we have of the journeys we’ve taken. The marvels of the natural world abound above and beneath the sea. Below, in no particular order, are our top […]
Franklin Mountains State Park, Texas
Paso del Norte One doesn’t often associate El Paso, Texas with great natural beauty, but it’s there if you look for it. Tired of spending time in the city, we wanted to get out and get active. A long walk was in order. But where? The Franklin Mountains are the longest sustained mountain range in […]
Have you ever seen “Animals Inside Out?”
The “Animals Inside Out Exhibit” Having visited the “Bodies” exhibit in Atlanta last year, when we saw that “Animals Inside Out” was currently in Dallas we figured it would be an interesting activity for a day off. Dr. Gunther von Hagens and Dr. Angelina Whalley created the exhibit to boost appreciation for the animal […]
Retracing Dinosaur Tracks in Texas
Dinosaur tracks from several species have been found over the years in Dinosaur Valley State Park. The unique geological history of the area, and later preservation by the Paluxy River made it the perfect place to permanently record the footprints of these huge animals that roamed here long ago. In that era, this area of […]
A Hospital for Turtles
We love turtles . . . If you all hadn’t noticed, we’re big turtle fans! Traditional symbols of wisdom, longevity, steadfastness and patience, the turtle is a careful observer, and a truly wise soul. While on land, sea turtles may appear slow or clumsy, but in the sea, their own element, they are graceful and serene. […]