Photo of a Lonely Planet guide to Spain lying on top of two newspaper articles about Spain and a map of Spain.

Is Planning Part of Travel? A Debate.

Posted on October 9, 2022 by Al

Stipulated: Planning for travel is a part of the travel experience. Begin. Affirmative: Researching a place teaches us about its… Read more Is Planning Part of Travel? A Debate.

Photo of a male hiker standing atop a ridge overlooking a vast panorama of green mountain peaks just below the clouds.

Uncertainty Principles

Posted on September 5, 2022September 5, 2022 by Al

Once again, we are leaving our summer retreat without a solid plan. It’s not for lack of trying (see “Vis-a-Visas”… Read more Uncertainty Principles

Photo of a sunlit mountain range in the distance, past a wide green valley, with a porch deck railing and roof in the foreground.

Hostel Life

Posted on June 26, 2022August 8, 2022 by Al

Imagine a summer camp for adults: strangers share space, meals, and recreation, sign up for activities, and form bonds quickly.… Read more Hostel Life

Photo from above, looking down on a long, narrow, white canoe next to a brown dock attached to a thatched-roof hut, sitting on reflecting, brown water and surrounded by leafy trees.

Photo Gallery: Amazonia

Posted on June 7, 2022August 8, 2022 by Al

To wrap up our time in Ecuador, we spent a week in the one zone that had eluded us so… Read more Photo Gallery: Amazonia

photo of a snow-capped peak rising above low-lying clouds. In front are rolling green fields, a fence, and grazing llamas.

Photo Gallery—Avenue of the Volcanoes

Posted on May 20, 2022August 8, 2022 by Al

We just finished two weeks hiking in the spine of the Andes, Ecuador’s famous Avenue of the Volcanoes. Check out… Read more Photo Gallery—Avenue of the Volcanoes

photo of a crowd of people waving white and red flags, some in traditional Andean clothes, marching in a disorderly parade across a cobblestone courtyard in front of colonial-style buildings.

The Parade

Posted on May 8, 2022August 8, 2022 by Al

We didn’t realize that we were arriving in Quito on May Day, or that May Day even mattered. In the… Read more The Parade

photo of an orange and black butterfly hanging from a silver chrysalis while other black-and-white and shiny silver and gold chrysalises hang above.

Mindo Surprises

Posted on April 12, 2022August 8, 2022 by Al

In the cloud forests of Mindo, I rediscovered the fresh joy of mountain air. After two months in the equatorial… Read more Mindo Surprises

photo of a ceramic mosaic of four volcanoes spewing lava behind a sea with waves, a sandy beach, and two tortoises being ridden by white birds.

Galápagos Dreaming

Posted on March 22, 2022August 8, 2022 by Al

I dreamed I was in a land full of giant reptiles; lumbering, armor-plated creatures that hissed at me and yet… Read more Galápagos Dreaming

Photo of a brown, sunlit sea turtle swimming through green water.

Photo Gallery—Isla Isabela, Galápagos

Posted on March 16, 2022August 8, 2022 by Al

Island and week #2 in our visit to the amazing Galápagos brings images of incredible undersea life and one of… Read more Photo Gallery—Isla Isabela, Galápagos

photo of a large gray land tortoise looking warily at us from under his rounded shell

Photo Gallery: Isla Santa Cruz, Galápagos

Posted on March 6, 2022August 8, 2022 by Al

There’s so much to see in the Galápagos! Check out a few of our favorite photos from our first week… Read more Photo Gallery: Isla Santa Cruz, Galápagos

photo of a sign in Spanish, saying "Precaucion no salir del sendero" with a steep, green mountain ridge in the background.

Adventures in Learning

Posted on February 24, 2022August 8, 2022 by Al

When I pictured learning Spanish in Ecuador, I imagined myself swimming happily in a sea of language that I could… Read more Adventures in Learning

photo of a distant stone ridge, blue sky, green hills, taken from inside an open air, wood floor yoga studio with deep golden brown wooden pillars

Namaste (Vilcabamba)

Posted on January 23, 2022August 8, 2022 by Al

In Vilcabamba, we started every day with yoga, facing a rock ridge called Mandango as the sun rose over the… Read more Namaste (Vilcabamba)

Photo of the welcome sign to Podocarpus National Park by a wooden bridge.

Two Doors to Podocarpus

Posted on January 10, 2022August 8, 2022 by Al

To the south and east of Loja lies Parque Nacional Podocarpus, an Ecuadorian national park that spans two provinces and… Read more Two Doors to Podocarpus

Photo of blue church domes above a courtyard with white lights in the shape of an angel.

Feliz Navidad from Cuenca

Posted on December 25, 2021August 8, 2022 by Al

We just wanted to wish everyone who celebrates Christmas a very merry one today, and all of our family, friends,… Read more Feliz Navidad from Cuenca

photo of three blue domes of a cathedral about a market plaza with white-walled buildings and red tile roofs

Cuenca: A Day in the Life

Posted on December 14, 2021August 8, 2022 by Al

Each weekday morning, we walk an hour to school. I did not expect I’d be saying that in my retirement!… Read more Cuenca: A Day in the Life

photo of river rapids, trees, and a green bush with orange flowers

Day 1 of 3,650

Posted on November 30, 2021August 8, 2022 by Al

The day begins with the bed shaking us awake. Having lived in San Francisco, Rachel quickly identifies the rumble and… Read more Day 1 of 3,650

photo of a cobblestone street with storefronts and a sign reading Bienvenidos

Next Stop: Ecuador!

Posted on November 19, 2021August 8, 2022 by Al

At the end of November, all of our planning and preparing ends and our adventure takes flight. We will fly… Read more Next Stop: Ecuador!

New Mexico Photo Gallery

Posted on November 4, 2021August 8, 2022 by Al

Our last stop on the Great Western Tour was Albuquerque, with its wide blue sky, Sandia mountains, adobe architecture, and… Read more New Mexico Photo Gallery

photo of snow-covered Hahn's Peak in Colorado

Colorado Photo Gallery

Posted on October 28, 2021August 8, 2022 by Al

Driving east from Utah, we passed into Colorado, visiting family and seeing the Rockies in Steamboat Springs and Denver. Check… Read more Colorado Photo Gallery

Utah Photo Gallery

Posted on October 21, 2021August 8, 2022 by Al

We flew from Oregon to Utah in mid-October to continue our Western U.S. tour, starting in Salt Lake City, then… Read more Utah Photo Gallery

Red leaves and berries frame snow-capped Mount Hood against a bright blue sky.

Oregon Photo Gallery

Posted on October 14, 2021August 8, 2022 by Al

After leaving Maine, we spent a week in New England and a week in Oregon. In the Photos area of… Read more Oregon Photo Gallery

heart-shaped rock in the center of a weathered stump

Roots

Posted on October 10, 2021 by Al

“So how does it feel to be rootless?” The question was asked in a lighthearted way, while sharing a meal… Read more Roots

Rachel looking north from Borestone Moutain, Maine

Farewell Maine, Hello…?

Posted on September 30, 2021August 8, 2022 by Al

In September, we knew that our days in Maine were numbered. Temperatures began to drop, leaves started their colorful celebration… Read more Farewell Maine, Hello…?