Superior National Forest: Hike to Bass and Dry Lake

There are several magnificent places to hike near the Boundary Waters Wilderness and Canoe area in Ely, Minnesota, and one of my favorites by far is along the Superior National Forest trail to Bass and Dry Lake. We discovered this little treasure last summer when we went to Ely for vacation and instantly fell in love with its magical pristine blue lakes, dramatic views, waterfalls and forests. Continue reading

Brasov, Romania: Hike to the Seven Ladders Canyon

At the base of the Piatra Mare Mountains outside of Brasov, Romania lies the trail to the Canionul Sapte Scari or “The Seven Ladders Canyon”. It is a gorgeous hike through rich, deep Romanian forest followed by seven ladders leading you up the canyon into the Carpathian Mountains. Up top is a lovely lodge where you can eat, spend the night or continue on hiking. Continue reading

A Weekend Getaway to Bayfield and the Apostle Islands

“Bayfield and the Apostle Islands – Where the Water Meets the Soul” Growing up in Minnesota, I have spent many years enjoying the rugged North Shore of Lake Superior which is filled with excellent hikes along the Superior National Hiking … Continue reading

A tribute to the beauty of Mother Earth

“Sooner or later, we will have to recognise that the Earth has rights, too, to live without pollution. What mankind must know is that human beings cannot live without Mother Earth, but the planet can live without humans”. –  Evo … Continue reading

Surf, Sun and Fun at Chicabrava

A week at Chicabrava, the first all women’s learn to surf camp in Nicaragua, is bound to be on any female adventurers bucket list. Created by American Ashley Blaylock in 2008, an all time Nicaraguan surf champion, Chicabrava’s mission is all about empowering women, one wave at a time, and I can attest it is true. Continue reading

Chicabrava: Empowering women one wave at a time

A few months ago, I got an email that set in course an experience that would teach me a powerful lesson on overcoming my fears. It was an invitation to attend a press trip to experience and review Chicabrava, an all women’s learn to surf camp in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. I read the email with both the usual excitement I feel when learning about a new opportunity to travel as well as slight apprehension about what I would actually be doing on the trip: Learning to surf. Continue reading

How to remain optimistic in winter: Head South

“In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer”. – Albert Camus Here in Minnesota we are in the midst of winter. The days are short and cold and in January it rarely … Continue reading