Travel and Adventure Gear: 2020

How To Celebrate New Year’s Eve At Home This Year

Reflect on the past twelve months, think about the future ahead, and acknowledge the new year while safely at home with these New Year's Eve celebration ideas, published in Forbes.

5 Ways To Experience Chicago Right Now

Yes, it's cold and winter-y outside, but there's still a bunch of things you can do in Chicago—with your family, social bubble, or quarantine pod in tow. Here's my latest published story with a few ideas, published in Forbes.

Holiday Gift Guide 2020: The Best Hygge-Inspired Gifts For Grounded Travelers

Currently, international travel is a no-go for most folks, yet that doesn’t mean woolgathering about far-flung destinations is off the table for when it’s safe to, once again, move about the cabin and roam the planet. For those in your inner circle who love to explore the far corners of the globe, yet appreciate downtime at home between trips, here are the best hygge-inspired gifts to encourage comfort and wellbeing, published in Forbes.

Holiday Gift Guide 2020: The Best Gifts For Road Trippers

I love assignments where I get to write about the best gear for travel. I've spent a lot of time with my road-warrior family, driving across our great country, visiting nearly every U.S. state and loads of National Parks. Here are my picks for the best gifts that every adventurer would want under their Christmas tree or Chanukah bush, published in Forbes.

Holiday Gift Guide 2020: The Best Travel Books To Inspire Wanderlust

When people ask me what they should do to become a travel writer, my first piece of advice is to become a voracious reader. Here’s my story for Forbes on the top books to inspire wanderlust, where the reading was the best part of the research.

What It’s Like To Visit Chicago Right Now

When will this all be over and when will travel be safe again? These are questions that are top of mind for many of us as we navigate a new normal, which includes ever-changing quarantine and health guidelines for work and play. International borders continue to be closed and the pandemic has made traveling problematic, however, one thing is for certain: Americans are still traveling; we’re just doing it within our own orbit, hopefully adhering to safety protocols. And, if you’re from the Midwest, chances are, you’ll want to journey to Chicago, home of deep dish pizza, multiple parks, an expansive lake front, and impressive architecture. (Published in Forbes.)

This Company Makes Exploring The Outdoors With Kids Feasible, Affordable, And Fun

As families flock to the outdoors in the wake of a pandemic, camping, hiking and backpacking have become increasingly popular social distancing activities. Instead of hotel stays, vacationers are choosing tents and this trend is expected to continue into autumn. (Published in Forbes.)

8 Travel Gift Ideas For The Grounded Jet-Setter

The best travel gifts for jet setters are the items that inspire forthcoming trips, capture memories, bring comfort, or are useful for when on-the-go. And, while travel looks a bit different right now, it doesn’t mean world wanderers have stopped dreaming of new destinations to visit in the future or past ones worth remembering. (Published in Forbes.)

Backcountry Camping in British Columbia

50 Ways To Travel The World Without Leaving Home

Now is the time to research different destinations, learn about interesting cultures and languages, and map out your future plans. Remind yourself why you love traveling in the first place. (Published in Forbes.)

Paddle, Hike, Camp: Best Outdoor Gear For Dogs

Here’s the best gear for romping around outside with your dog. From harnesses to leashes to life jackets, these are the best adventure kits, published in Forbes.

How to Backpack with Kids, A Rite of Passage

As a parent, you may be wondering how to honor the impending status changes of your brood as they inch closer to the coming-of-age dots on their timelines. With nature as your teacher, Polaris as your guide, consider testing your children’s mettle through backpacking, giving them an opportunity to grow, mature, and believe that they can accomplish hard things, published in Forbes.

Finally, Body Positive Cycling Kits For Women

I've learned a lot about the women's cycling space and Machines For Freedom is at the forefront of innovation for women's kits, inspiring folks of all shapes and sizes to get outside and bike. Inclusivity and diversity is the ethos of this woman owned and operated business. (Published in Forbes. )

Six Great Hikes Near Chicago

Grab your backpack, and essential gear, and head out for one of these scenic hiking trails to enjoy fresh air and much-needed time outside. (Published in Forbes.)

Top Gear For Adventuring In The Outdoors

Summer is here and spending time in the great outdoors, close to home, is the current modus operandi for many folks, especially due to safety concerns over the coronavirus. When you decide to get up and get moving, here’s the best gear for adventuring in the outdoors, published in Forbes.

9 Best Travel Toys and Activities to Keep Kids of Every Age Entertained at Home

I'm thrilled to have contributed to Condé Nast Traveler on this piece about the best travel-themed toys and gear for kids.

A Powerful Way To Travel Through Your Sense Of Smell

Tap into your sensory memory via nostalgic aromas and daydream about your past travel adventures. Here's my latest story for Forbes.

Drool-Worthy Gear To Add To Your Wish List

When adventuring outdoors, you’ll need some gear and creature comforts to enhance the experience. Whether you’re camping, traversing the country in an RV, traveling with kids in tow, backpacking or tailgating at a sporting event, here are well-designed items made-to-measure for the get-out-and-explore type of folks. Read my story, published in Outdoorsy.

Best Shorts to Wear for Spring Hiking

Warmer weather is nearly here and it’s time to plot out your fresh-air adventures. Whether you plan on hiking in the mountains, along a beach, through the desert, or across the prairies, bogs, and marshes, you’ll need a pair of shorts that can stand up to the task. I’ve compiled the best styles for active trekkers, ones that are hard-wearing and well-made, as well as a couple of designs that are good for chilling out around a campfire or while venturing off to your next awesome hike in the ol’ RV, published in Outdoorsy.

Unique Holiday Gifts for Every Type of Mom

Read my article, published in SheKnows, for my top pics for the cerebral mom, the eco-friendly mom, the traveling mom, and more. And if you see something on this list that you’re hoping will end up under the tree for you, well, just go ahead and “accidentally” leave your laptop open or print off this article and stick it to the fridge. When it comes to #momlife, who cares about subtlety anyway?

5 Underrated Things to Pack for Your Next Trip

Pat yourself on the back. You’ve secured an awesome RV and you’re ready for your road trip adventure to begin. The next question you’re probably asking yourself is what to pack, published in Never Idle Journal, Outdoorsy.