Glacier Point is graced with some of the most stunning views in Yosemite National Park, with a panorama of peaks, valleys and waterfalls, including the iconic Half Dome rock formation front and center. There could hardly be a more spectacular start to a multi-day hike. Add to that a plethora of trailheads and potential routes …
I have not pursued cold soaking or stoveless food options because I really enjoy my cup of hot tea in the morning and a warm meal at night. What grabbed my attention a few months ago was a statewide stove ban in all of California’s National Forests during our unprecedented fire season. I realized that …
Gaia GPS is a map application that allows you to plan routes, navigate on the trail, record waypoints and tracking. With a paid subscription, you can get access to different maps and map layers that can be downloaded for offline use. It can be used with mobile devices (Apple or Android) or the Gaia GPS …
The John Muir Trail (JMT) is a classic trail that covers 211 miles of scenic beauty in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California. The trail starts at Happy Isles in Yosemite National Park (YNP) and ends on the summit of Mt. Whitney, the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States at 14,500 feet. However, …
When Steve and I spent a month in India, I found that there was a lot I didn’t know about the foods of India. If you like Indian food, you probably go to restaurants in the U.S. and if you’re like me, you always get the same few dishes you know you like. I was …
In November 2017, Steve and I traveled independently through India for a month. We started with the Golden Triangle, a tourist circuit that takes in Delhi, the Taj Mahal in Agra and the city of palaces in Jaipur (see Up, Down and All Around in India: A Sample Itinerary). We loved it but some of …
India turned out to be a lot more conservative than I was prepared for. I brought my below-the-knee skirts and dresses with tops that covered the shoulders but these weren’t quite right. These had served me well in South East Asia but I realized pretty quickly that exposed legs were not the norm even in …
One of the reasons I prefer O’ahu over other Hawaiian Islands, all of which have their charms, is the high quality and variety of fine dining options. Many of the best restaurants and innovative chefs are located in Waikiki, which means a quick walk if you’re staying there. In a previous article, “Eating and sleeping …
Why do I like Waikiki so much? It’s personal. I’ve been coming to Waikiki since I was four years old and it has always represented a place of peace for me despite the high rises, din of traffic and jam-packed sidewalks. Growing up, my expat family traipsed back and forth across the Pacific as my …
The Hungry Spork TRAIL RECIPES is now available in print and ebook. With more than 50 recipes, this book is a companion to the first Spork book, which focused on planning for a thru-hike, with an emphasis on recipes. You will find vegan and meat alternatives for most recipes and feedback from a fleet of …