round the world

If there’s anything we humans are good at, it is building. Skyscrapers mark our urban environments and rows of cookie-cutter houses line the suburban landscape. We have constructed communities in cities and towns. We have traversed the world via manmade vehicles specializing in air, land and even sea.
But perhaps… Read the rest

Running is one of those things that sounds miserable on a cold, dark morning but is actually really great once you get your butt out of bed and go do it. For one, there’s something about how the air feels in the lungs and the power pulsing through your legs… Read the rest

According to my calendar, spring starts Monday (in the United States, anyhow). And all I have to say to this cold, wet winter is good riddance. Not only did I never get the snow that was promised me here in Portland, but the rain and cold temperatures have continued—as per… Read the rest

One of the things I love about traveling is that wherever I go, so long as I can escape the city, I’m bound to see some sort of farming operation. And most of those farms include barns.
A building in the middle of a field, surrounded by horses, sheep, cows… Read the rest

Besides beer, I think it’s safe to argue (I’m not using any statistics here, so don’t quote me) that wine is one of the top choices of alcoholic beverage across the world.
Perhaps you’re sipping some champagne—which, as we all know, is just carbonated wine—and you’re feeling classy. Or maybe… Read the rest

There are few things in nature more sublime than lightning. It’s full of violence—causing destruction wherever it strikes—and beauty, lighting up the sky.
Don’t worry, I’m not going to get all philosophical on you by bringing up any Kant quotes or anything. I just think lightning is one of those… Read the rest

More difficult than riding the traditional two-wheeled, the unicycle might remind the average individual of parades, carnivals and entertainment of the like.
But unicycling is becoming more commonplace and it’s less unusual to see someone balanced (or not) atop the single wheel riding through town. As it should be. So… Read the rest

It rains pretty much everywhere. You could be backpacking across Europe, trekking through South America or bicycling through Africa, and any day could be made just a little bit harder with rain drops falling from the sky.
So here’s a sneak preview, in case you’re curious, of what rainy days… Read the rest

This last week, Punxsutawney Phil delivered his annual weather prediction in Pennsylvania. The famed groundhog did not see his shadow, calling for an early spring for only the sixteenth time since 1887.
In honor of this prediction—though, let’s be honest, it’s a bit bunk—enjoy the thought of hitting the trails… Read the rest

Canoeing, while it is generally considered to be the same as kayaking, deserves some glory of its own. Most often open-deck (wildwater styles excepted), the wider canoe tends to have a single paddling system, compared to the double-bladed style of the kayak.
This distinction alone gives more than enough reason… Read the rest

Crossing waterways, creating scenic routes among the trees, bridges connect land and life. From the architectural feats of Spain and France, to the old, wooden wonders in Malaysia and Kyrgyzstan, there are certainly some spectacular bridges out there.
So sit back, relax, and prepare to take a visual journey through… Read the rest

It’s generally common knowledge that if you’re purchasing your produce and meat from the grower of said produce and meat, then it’s probably the freshest produce and meat you’re going to find.
Whether the local market is one of the only places to find food in your small village, or… Read the rest

If you haven’t been up to the mountain yet, you’ve been missing out. But if you, like some people out there, don’t ski or snowboard, then this post is especially for you (to live vicariously through). So sit back, relax and prepare to take a visual journey of Skiing, ‘Round… Read the rest

It’s 2011, the beginning of a new year and a new decade (A.D. time started at year one, which means this is the official start of the new decade). And even though you probably had your fill of beer, champagne, what-have-you last night, we raise our proverbial glass to you… Read the rest

Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, the fat man in red is a holiday symbol that most recognize. And, as it turns out, Santa shows up all over the world (and not just because he’s delivering presents).
So regardless of if you’ve seen him with a donkey on the side… Read the rest