TRAVELS & ADVENTURES
After an arduous day and a half of travel, I've finally made it to Ushuai, Argentina. This is the southern tip of South America, the gateway to Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. I've been planning this trip for 13 months, and now it is all coming together.
It's a crisp November morning in Papua New Guinea, the second largest island nation in the world. Cliff and I have flown to Tari near the center of this land mass in a 4-seat, single-blade propeller plane. Feeling quite lucky to be alive after having braved a field landing, we're told that we'll soon be making the acquaintance of the Huli Wigmen. Who are these natives, and where do their wigs come from? I guess we'll find out in short order!
It's October in Wyoming, and it will be snowing here soon. We're in Jackson Hole, one of my favorite ski areas in the country. I've been here several times in the winter and have been challenged by the incredible mogul skiing this resort offers. This time, however, my purpose is to explore the national parks with my family. With camera gear in tow, we hit the road and head to Grand Teton National Park. This should be fun!
When I planned my trip to Yellowstone, the first thing that popped into my mind was seeing Old Faithful. After doing my research, however, I soon discovered that this national park has a treasure trove of wildlife. There is an extensive variety of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians that exist within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Today we are going to get a feel for what is out there.
I've finally made it to Yellowstone National Park after seeing photos of the geysers, reading about them, watching videos and talking to people throughout the years. Today we're going to see firsthand how this unique part of the world is a manifestation of a hotspot below the earth's crust. Let's do it!
Cliff and I get off the plane in Madagascar after a 28-hour marathon from the USA. Bleary eyed, I'm thinking to myself, "How in the world did Cliff come up with this one?" The answer consists of one word: "lemurs."
As the summer approached this year and I perused my calendar, I began thinking about where my travels have taken me. I made a decision many years ago to travel internationally while my health and stamina were up to the challenge of navigating time zone changes and language barriers; however, I was always aware that there are endless places to see in the United States, and you don't need a translator to visit them. With this in mind, I made a conscious decision to start seeing our national parks. I zeroed in on Acadia National Park on Maine's beautiful Atlantic coast to start with. It was a great move! Let me tell you about my experience there.
My wife, Lisa, and I have been touring in Ecuador. We've been hearing about a cool market that some say is one of the most important and spectacular in all of Latin America. That's enough for me. This place deserves a visit.
I've been planning this trip to South America for quite some time. It has been fun taking the long way by bus and boat over the Andes from Chile to Argentina. We've spent time in Bariloche which is a really cool place. Buenos Aires, the "Paris of South America," has been fascinating to tour; however, the culmination of the trip is at hand: the Iguazu Falls. I'm psyched.
I'm in Gloucester in Cape Ann on the north shore of Boston where I come every summer. This year I've made it in time for the Greasy Pole Contest, an extravaganza that is well worth seeing. I grab my camera and head to Gloucester Harbor where I know, if the weather cooperates, I'll get good photos of the locals participating in the annual event.
