Two carabiners are the only things separating me from a fall that would result in instant death, but I’m assured I’m perfectly safe. I can still hear the words of Steve Belkin, the fearless CEO of Competitours, ringing in my ear: “If my 14-year-old daughter can do it, you can do it.” That was just…
Who needs Disneyland when West Virginia has plenty of nature-made thrills along the New River Gorge National River. Now considered the adventure-sports capital of the eastern United States, folks come from all over to enjoy everything from white-water rafting within its deep canyons to rock climbing from its highest cliffs. Here are just a few of…
Far-Flung Travels has won eight awards in the 2014 Society of American Travel Writers’ Central States Writing and Photography Contest, including Best Travel Blog or Website for the second year in a row. “I love my job, so I am grateful when my work resonates with others,” says Laura Watilo Blake, the CEO (Chief Exploration…
13 things you should know about the most isolated island on earth There are few places in the world that are more magical than Easter Island, which is well known for its massive stone statues with large angular faces, known as moai. They have captured the imagination of early explorers and school-aged children worldwide for…
This adrenaline rush will get your Spidey senses tingling [flagallery gid=6] My heart is pounding and my palms are sweating as I step to the open window on the 17th floor window of Hotel Presidente in the center of La Paz, Bolivia. Under any other circumstances, I would be enjoying the incredible views over the…
You can’t do anything in Bolivia without first performing a ritual blessing, also known as a cha’lla, which is performed to bring a person luck by appeasing the earth goddess Pachamama. In the town of Copacabana, not to be confused with the more popular beach town in Brazil, people come from all over to take…
[flagallery gid=5]The Year of the Horse, which according to the Chinese lunar calendar starts January 31, has been predicted to be full of good luck and prosperity. Prognosticators say the coming year will be an excellent time to travel — “the more far away and off the beaten path the better.” There’s no better way…
Adopt these 10 travel mantras for the New Year instead New Year’s Resolutions tend to be lofty goals that no one can keep more than a week. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about getting 2014 off to the right foot. A fresh start is exactly what I need. But instead of eating less and…
[flagallery gid=3] The North Pole is closer than you think — by approximately 1,700 miles. Reset your GPS coordinates to 64°45′04″N 147°21′07″W and you’ll find yourself in the middle of North Pole, Alaska, a suburb of Fairbanks that celebrates the Christmas spirit all year long. Named by developers trying to attract toy manufacturers to the…
“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. This quote from naturalist John Muir appeared in the book “Our National Parks,” which was published in 1901. In an age when conquering the natural environment and adapting it to our own end was the norm,…
