The thrill of dog sledding—A northern sport

  • January 03, 2011
  • by Inga

It’s almost time for the annual running of the Yukon Quest, a 1,100 mile dog sled race that rivals the Iditarod in length and challenge.  The race alternates each year between Whitehorse and Fairbanks, AK, and race organizers from both Canada and the US are busy every winter preparing the remote course in their respective …

Falling off a cliff in Quebec-The thrill of Canyoneering

  • October 17, 2010
  • by Inga

Water steamed over my head as I slid off the safety of the rock, suddenly hanging free with nary a surface to push against. My eyes darted up and down hoping to catch a bolstering look from a Canyoning-Quebec guide above or below me, but the constant gush of water created a blurred veil of …

Stanford Rock Hike

  • August 18, 2010
  • by Inga

The heavily forested Stanford Rock hike, located in Ward Canyon, is a rigorous 11 mile loop that rewards the hiker with stunning views of Lake Tahoe, Twin Peaks, Alpine Meadows and many other surrounding peaks. Trailhead The trailhead is located on Ward Creek Blvd. The trailhead has an obvious parking area in front of a …

The call of the Pacific Crest Trail

  • July 20, 2010
  • by Inga

“Those two are thru-hikers,” said Billie, as she was giving us an overview of Drakesbad Guest Ranch at check-in. I listened with half an ear as I gazed at the lean and sinewy young couple scarfing down a big lunch of sandwiches, soup and salad, my mind whirring. After Billie finished our orientation, pointing out …

Peter Grubb Hut offers respite–High Sierra backpacking no paradise

  • July 05, 2010
  • by Inga

We set out on Saturday for a moderate, early season overnight backpacking trip to Paradise Lake, six miles from the trailhead on Highway 80. Despite the calendar noting that it’s supposed to be summer in early July, this is the spring that won’t arrive in the high Sierra, El Nino refusing to loosen its grip …

Napa wine tasting—If you only have one day (Part III)

  • June 14, 2010
  • by Inga

Whitehall Lane and Round Pond wineries in Napa Valley offer an excellent sampling of the fine wines produced in the Napa Valley.

Napa wine tasting—If you only have one day (Part II)

  • June 11, 2010
  • by Inga

Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bistro is another masterpiece.

Napa wine tasting—If you only have one day (Part I)

  • June 08, 2010
  • by Inga

Napa Valley is filled to the brim with wineries, over 400, and selecting just a handful to visit in one day can be challenging. We visited three high quality wineries and one restaurant in a perfect day of wine tasting.

Spring into the backcountry with Pacific Crest Snowcats

  • February 17, 2010
  • by Inga

On a rare sun drenched day last weekend Pacific Crest Snowcats showed off the beauty of the backcountry with a snowcat full of psyched skiers and snowboarders. Eleven clients and two guides piled into a van early in the morning, drove away from the crowded ski areas on a holiday weekend and made fresh tracks …

Whirlwind visit to remarkable Rome, pausing in extravagant Villa D’Este

  • January 25, 2010
  • by Inga

The last time I was in Italy I was 14 years old, my mother and I having just been evacuated with the last of the women and children of Western nations from East Pakistan, leaving my father behind. East Pakistan was undergoing a bloody metamorphosis into Bangladesh in a bitter civil war, and we had …

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