In 1961 Douglas Rainsford Thompkins was one of the first to summit Mt. Fitzroy in the depths of southern Chile, and he fell in love with the magnitude and majesty of one of the few remaining wild places on Earth. An avid outdoors man, he founded The North Face outdoor clothing and gear company and […]
In 1961 Douglas Rainsford Tompkins was one of the first to summit Mt. Fitzroy in the depths of southern Chile, and he fell in love with the magnitude and majesty of one of the few remaining wild places on Earth. An avid outdoors man, he founded The North Face outdoor clothing and gear company and […]
Some of the flowers at Blue River Resort. Linda Ballou photo. By Linda Ballou, NABBW’s Adventure Travel Associate Bowers of luxuriant tropical flowers grace the well-tended grounds of the Blue River Resort and Hot Springs. Magenta spikes of torch ginger, mounds of yellow hibiscus, and many varieties of dripping orange heliconia brighten the scene. Meandering […]
By Linda Ballou, NABBW’s Adventure Travel Associate Linda and fellow adventurers, Laura, Patricia and Pelar enjoy rafting Sarapique River Linda, Laura, Patricia and Pelar After enduring hours of cramped airplanes, air-conditioned hotels, and buses, being immersed in nature once again finally settled my molecules into place. My tired body came alive as we rocked and […]
By Linda Ballou, NABBW’s Adventure Travel Writer Since Covid hit our shores, travel insurance has become more important than ever. While it is true flight delays have lessened, flights are still a huge variable when you travel. Travel delays, as well as trip interruptions and cancellations, are not just frustrating and inevitable, they can be […]
By Linda Ballou, NABBW’s Adventure Travel Associate Mobility issues are a problem for many Boomers. I am no exception, so I have investigated ways of ensuring that I don’t take a fall that puts me out of commission. If you, like me, find you need to be in nature and feel the cooling breeze caressing […]
By Linda Ballou, NABBW’s Adventure Travel Associate Hanalei Bay today. Linda Ballou photo When I lived on the North Shore in 1978, there was not one home on the shore of horseshoe-shaped Hanalei Bay. The notorious Taylor Camp treehouse colony, populated by hippies living off the land, was in full swing. The now famous Tahiti […]
By Linda Ballou, NABBW’s Adventure Travel Associate Po‘ipū Cost Walk. Linda Ballou photo. Po‘ipū is the favored spot by visitors to the Island because it guarantees full blown sunny beach days. In 1978 Po‘ipū Beach was a deep azure plunge where I floated in ecstasy. But in 1992 Hurricane Iniki carved out a new coastline. […]
By Linda Ballou, NABBW’s Adventure Travel Associate As a young woman, I had dropped out of society and landed on the North Shore of Kaua‘i. It was a head-spinning transformative time in my life. There, I was introduced to people experimenting with alternate lifestyles and those leading highly creative lives. After a year of Island […]
By Linda Ballou, NABBW’s Adventure Travel Associate Linda’s shot of a couple of happy, young locals, or Ticos, as the Costa Rican natives call themselves. Costa Rica, the poster child of eco-tourism, has so many fun, outdoor adventures options it’s hard to choose. Twenty-five percent of the country is preserved habitat to ensure the continuation […]
