Jessie on a Journey

In Breckenridge, Colorado, there are myriad Rocky Mountain hikes to experience. After doing numerous ones myself, one of my favorites is the trek to Upper Boulder Lake. This moderate hike is about six miles each way, with a combination of uphill climbs, and downhill slopes. The altitude takes you to [...]

Considered “America’s First Wilderness,” the Catskills in New York offer endless outdoor adventures. While some excursions are more leisurely, others are pure adrenaline rushes. To help you get your heart rate up in the beautiful setting of the Catskills, here are my top picks: Ride North America’s Highest And Longest [...]

While destinations like New Zealand, Nepal and Ecuador are well-known for their adventurous offerings, there is actually an off-the-radar region in Ohio that offers an array of thrills: Hocking Hills. While I’ve talked about the region’s quirky, cultural and sustainable offerings, it’s now time to shed some light on its [...]

While most people head straight to the city of Burlington when visiting Vermont, a lesser-known but worthwhile area to stay is West Townshend. This charming town is full of bed and breakfasts, outdoor recreation, farm stands, antique shops and a feeling or honest, rural living. Additionally, it’s a great homebase [...]

The Republic of Guinea–not to be confused with Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, nor Papa New Guinea–may be a country you haven’t heard much about. Tucked snugly in the middle of Francophone West Africa, Guinea is a nation generally known for its painfully inefficient leadership, a startling lack of basic infrastructure, and, [...]

For those looking to do a scenic and semi-challenging winter hike, one worthwhile option is heading to the Delaware Water Gap in New Jersey/Pennsylvania and trekking to Mount Tammany. At 1,526 feet tall, the mountain sits on the New Jersey side of the Delaware Water Gap, across from Mount Minsi [...]

Kangaroo Island is an Australian destination that has remained relatively untouched. People work together to create a sustainable community, wildlife can be spotted in its natural habitat, food is sourced locally, beaches are blissfully quiet and the bush is a place of solitude. To experience the best this untouched island [...]

While many travelers to Japan choose to stay in Tokyo, the islands of Okinawa are easily accessible via Japan Airlines and by boat. If you’re adventurous, your first stop in Okinawa should be Iriomote Island, a haven for backpackers offering jungle trekking, kayaking, diving, snorkeling, mud clamming, exploring star-sanded beaches [...]

For the past two weeks, I’ve been lucky enough to have been invited by Victoria Tourism to come see the best of what Victoria, Australia, has to offer. After a road trip from Melbourne down to Halls Gap, here are 10 highlights from the experience. 1. Touring Melbourne’s Hidden Lanes [...]

While Saint Lucia is often touted as a romantic destination to head with your beau and relax on the beach, the Caribbean island has much to offer the more active and adventurous couple. After exploring the destination’s west coast with my boyfriend, I learned exactly how to mix romance with [...]