Islands of Fire

The Galápagos Islands. The name conjures up images of rare birds, giant tortoises and fearless sea lions, but there is another side to this archipelago. A side may appeal to a geologist more than an ornithologist or herpetologist, because the Galápagos are a classic example of a geologic hot spot.

A hot spot is where volcanic islands are formed as a… CONTINUE READING >> 


The Galápagos Islands. The name conjures up images of rare birds, giant tortoises and fearless sea lions, but there is another side to this archipelago. A side may appeal to a geologist more than an ornithologist or herpetologist, because the Galápagos are a classic example of a geologic hot spot.

A hot spot is where volcanic islands are formed as a… CONTINUE READING >> 


A Quick Trip to (and Overeating in) Colonia, Uruguay

Like most travelers, we enjoy putting another notch on our suitcase handle by adding to our list of visited countries.

We found this remarkably easy to do while in Buenos Aires, just hop on a ferry across the river to Uruguay. The delightful town of Colonia del Sacramento lies on the other side of the Río de la Plata, so after a forty-five minute ride on the Buquebus, we were adding a stamp to our… CONTINUE READING >> 

Like most travelers, we enjoy putting another notch on our suitcase handle by adding to our list of visited countries.

We found this remarkably easy to do while in Buenos Aires, just hop on a ferry across the river to Uruguay. The delightful town of Colonia del Sacramento lies on the other side of the Río de la Plata, so after a forty-five minute ride on the Buquebus, we were adding a stamp to our… CONTINUE READING >> 

Two Sainte Maries

The phrase border town will not usually conjure up an image of anything remotely resembling the two Sault Sainte Maries (the Sault portion is pronounced Soo) that lie across from each other where Michigan’s Upper Peninsula meets Ontario.There is a distinct lack of cacti, dust and adobe, but that’s not to say there isn’t plenty to provide for a different type of… CONTINUE READING >>

The phrase border town will not usually conjure up an image of anything remotely resembling the two Sault Sainte Maries (the Sault portion is pronounced Soo) that lie across from each other where Michigan’s Upper Peninsula meets Ontario.There is a distinct lack of cacti, dust and adobe, but that’s not to say there isn’t plenty to provide for a different type of… CONTINUE READING >>

Fear Conquering and Whitewater Rafting

In my never-ending quest to push the envelope, I figured my next challenge would be to tackle whitewater rafting.

My trepidation wasn’t what most people would expect. I love to swim, I love being out on the water and am generally fearless when boating. What I was frightfully anxious about was the coldness of the water.

I like my water warm. When I use the word “bracing” it is always in a negative context. Never the one to just dive into a pool — no — I… CONTINUE READING >>

In my never-ending quest to push the envelope, I figured my next challenge would be to tackle whitewater rafting.

My trepidation wasn’t what most people would expect. I love to swim, I love being out on the water and am generally fearless when boating. What I was frightfully anxious about was the coldness of the water.

I like my water warm. When I use the word “bracing” it is always in a negative context. Never the one to just dive into a pool — no — I… CONTINUE READING >>

Seal-ing the Deal in the Galápagos (but these are sea LIONS)!

Of all of the fabulous animals in The Galápagos Islands, the one that made it hardest to obey the always-stay-six-feet-away-from-the-animals-rule were the sea lions.

Sea lions, or lobos del mar (wolves… CONTINUE READING >>

Of all of the fabulous animals in The Galápagos Islands, the one that made it hardest to obey the always-stay-six-feet-away-from-the-animals-rule were the sea lions.

Sea lions, or lobos del mar (wolves… CONTINUE READING >>

The Galapagos, South America Live-Blog

Our South American live-blog continues with a week sailing in The Galápagos Islands!

We are absolutely IN LOVE with the animals here – unbelievably friendly and so fun to photograph. The terrain is wild and the snorkeling unforgettable (and we’ve got underwater video!).

Join our adventure aboard the Yolita II… CONTINUE READING >>

Our South American live-blog continues with a week sailing in The Galápagos Islands!

We are absolutely IN LOVE with the animals here – unbelievably friendly and so fun to photograph. The terrain is wild and the snorkeling unforgettable (and we’ve got underwater video!).

Join our adventure aboard the Yolita II… CONTINUE READING >>