Riviera Maya, known for its alabaster beaches and blue water, is also home to a variety of adventure activities. Some are adrenaline packed while others are relaxing forays into the natural side of the region. So when you are sick of just laying there, get up and find adventure. I recently visited the area on a fast-paced adventure trip with …
An open letter to my readers…
May I ask a favor? It would mean a lot to me if you could take a few minutes to provide me some feedback. I have spent a significant amount of time thinking about how to share more of my passions in The Active Explorer. However, this blog is nothing without you the reader, so the next logical step is …
Photo of the day: Why I hike
Yes, a car ride to the mall would be an easier outing, but I’m more interested in epic views, tranquil lakes and nature. My sister shot this photo of me next to Dardanelles Lake south of Lake Tahoe. It captured my contemplative mood as I took in our surroundings and asked, “how did I get so lucky?” Did you enjoy …
Feeding my adrenaline addiction in Riviera Maya
In case you missed it, I’m an adrenaline junkie. Well, I guess it’s hard to miss if you’re a regular reader of this blog. So when an invitation to experience Riviera Maya’s adventurous side I could hardly contain myself. First, I took a few deep breaths before replying via email so it wouldn’t be too obvious how excited I was; …
Returning to Riviera Maya
This May, I visited Riviera Maya to attend the Word Travel and Tourism Council Summit of the Americas. While I was thrilled to be part of the event, I was restless to get out and explore the more adventurous side of the region. This part of Mexico offers numerous adventure activities from snorkeling to rappelling into deep cenotes. Thanks to …
Photos of the day: Paddling the Chattooga River
Over the last 11 years, I’ve rafted, kayaked and backpacked along the Chattooga River in northern Georgia and South Carolina. The Chattooga is known for its whitewater and for its role in the movie Deliverance filmed along the river in the 1970s. In 1974, the 57-mile Chattooga River was declared a National Wild and Scenic River. No motorized vehicles are …
Tahoe hiking: Bay View to Azure Lake
A little background before I launch into this post. I was raised an only child by a pair of VERY adventurous parents. I knew since I was 11 years old that I had a half-sister (that the last time I’ll use the “half” part) somewhere but I had never met her. About a year ago, Laura found us and it …
Combating stereotypes: Why I’m no ‘proper’ lady
Two personal posts in a month, this is a first. However, I received some very nice feedback from the last one so I guess you don’t mind them too much. Bear with me for a little rant. prop·er adj. 1. Characterized by appropriateness or suitability; fitting: the proper knife for cutting bread; not a proper moment for a joke. 2. …
Canoe camping on the Lower Wisconsin River
I love camping and paddling, but until last month, I had never combined the two sports. The Wisconsin River was the perfect introduction to canoe camping. After about a 3.5-hour drive from Chicago, we were greeted warmly at Wisconsin River Outings in Boscobel, which provided our canoe and transport. We piled our gear into their shuttle and headed to the …
The Dos and Don’ts of Summer Heat Safety
The recent heat wave across the US has affected people not accustomed to, or prepared to deal with, extreme heat, so I thought this would be a good time to discuss the basics of heat safety since, like me, many of you are outdoor enthusiasts. Some of this info may seem elementary, but too often we forget the basics. As …