Fontainebleau, France

Fontainebleau has the dual advantage of being a developed climbing area, and yet feeling like a very natural getaway. It’s a fairly dense forest covered in pretty colors and fallen leaves during the fall, and it’s been a popular bouldering destination for over a century. That means there are guided paths passing by sandstone boulders that are all over the forest, making for a lengthy and enjoyable sort of trek through the area.

Fontainebleau also happens to be one of the better bouldering destinations in the world specifically because of where it’s located. It’s only about 65km south of Paris on the main roads, which means you have a terrific option as far as somewhere to stay and keep yourself entertained. As it happens, in addition to being one of the most popular cities in the world, Paris is full of unmissable things to do during the fall.

Squamish, British Columbia, Canada

Despite its somewhat silly name, Squamish is one of the more popular bouldering destinations in the world. And British Columbia in the fall is considered to be one of the most beautiful places in North America. While you won’t exactly be bouldering on The Chief – a massive granite mountain that can be hiked there are boulders littered across more than 1,000 paths through the  town and surrounding province.

This is frankly a good destination for a full-fledged nature experience without any additional attractions. But it’s also only about an hour’s drive from Vancouver, a beautiful city known for views, a laid back culture, and thriving breweries and restaurants.

HP40, Alabama, United States

This is probably the most unexpected destination on the list, but it definitely belongs. HP40, or Horse Pens 40, is a famous park near the southern end of the Appalachian Mountains, and about an hour outside of Birmingham, Alabama. Sandstone rock formations make for excellent bouldering at several specific locations in the area, and the Appalachian area is incredibly beautiful while the leaves are changing during the fall. Alabama, meanwhile, may not seem like the most exciting place to spend some time.

But if you’re going for fall bouldering, you’ll also be there at the height of football season. The University of Alabama’s football team has made the national championship in the United States two years in a row, and is arguably the strongest overall side in the mix once more. If you work in a few good days of bouldering, you should head to Tuscaloosa for a game – it’s said to be one of the best sports viewing experiences in the country.

Joshua Tree, California, United States

Joshua Tree doesn’t always make lists like these. It’s a national park named for a certain kind of tree that grows there and situated in the Mojave Desert. And while it’s a very popular stop for tourists, it’s more closely associated with sightseeing, hiking, and camping. Nevertheless, for a more casual bouldering experience you’ll enjoy the quartz monzonite boulders that have broken off of the hills and small cliffs throughout the park.

Meanwhile, you can just about take your pick as far as what else to do while traveling to the area. Joshua Tree is roughly equidistant from Los Angeles, California, Las Vegas, Nevada, San Diego, California, and Phoenix, Arizona, all of which have a lot to offer. Hanging out for a few days in San Diego might be a particularly good option; it’s a city famous for great weather, and the fall season might be best of all.

Ticino, Switzerland

Ticino is a renowned bouldering destination that’s sometimes referred to as one of the best in the world, regardless of season. It’s best for moderate-to-expert climbers, and can be a little bit cold already in the fall. But it’s still worth the trip. The forest is typically beautiful throughout the season, and even if you go when it’s particularly cold, it doesn’t tend to snow much in the region. Ticino provides gneiss and granite boulders.

As for a broader vacation, the actual area of Ticino is beautiful enough that you might simply want to relax there. However, it’s also very close to the Italian border (and specifically Milan) if you’d like to explore another country. And Ticino also brushes up against Lake Como, one of the most famous natural landmarks of Italy (you know, where George Clooney famously maintains a villa).

This is a guest post by Charles Kelly. Charles is a freelance writer and artist. He keeps most of his work in line with his passions for travel and the outdoors.

Photo Credit: Gabriel Garcia, Iwona Kellie, Ruth Hartnup, Curtis Palmer

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In San Diego, we are blessed with near-perfect weather year-round and a seemingly endless summer. It can be difficult to find traces of fall, winter, and spring anywhere in the county. Luckily, with just a little bit of a drive, you don’t have to book a cross-country flight to get a taste of Autumn. You can take in San Diego fall foliage simply by knowing where to look for it.

Stay tuned because we are about to expose where to see the best fall foliage in all of San Diego.

Cuyamaca Rancho State Park

Drive about an hour and fifteen minutes east of San Diego and you’ll find one of San Diego’s most glorious state parks, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. It features over 100 miles of hiking opportunities, a plethora of camp sites, and 24,700 acres of oak and conifer forests. At an elevation of 5,000 feet, the seasons come and go similar to Northern California. There is a distinct difference in scenery between fall, summer, winter, and spring. Whenever I am in need of a good hike and dose of nature, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park is my go-to location.

If you’re in need of a good dose of San Diego fall foliage, I’d highly recommend a trip to Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. Just about every hiking trail will have something to offer in terms of cool autumn hues on the surrounding trees. There are also plenty of hiking options ranging in length and difficulty, making this a great option for both kids and elderly hikers.

Check Out this Trail

The Azalea Glen Loop Trail is a short 3.8-mile trail located near the Paso Picacho Campgrounds, which features plenty of changing colors on the abundance of trees found along this trail.

Julian

What was once a prominent gold mining town, Julian is now known for its famous annual apple harvest. A bounty of delicious apple pie aside, Julian is also known for more than just its rich history and delectable desserts. It’s also known for having four distinct seasons: in winter snow is known to dust the countryside landscape, in spring flowers bloom, and in autumn there are no shortage of burnt leaves falling to to the ground.

If you want a true fall experience, Julian is your town to visit. You can experience true San Diego fall foliage as well as the town’s famous apple harvest in the same outing. Spend a day walking the historic streets, visiting an old gold mine, or hiking the nearby trails, or better yet, make a weekend out of it. You can find Julian by driving about an hour and fifteen minutes east of San Diego.

Check Out this Trail

Hike the 1.65-mile Canyon Oak Trail in William Heise County Park to get some of the best fall foliage views from the canopy of oaks looming above.­­

Palomar Mountain State Park

Some weekends it’s nice to leave behind our hectic lives and hit the road to a quiet place to be one with nature. Palomar Mountain is the ideal destination for just this. Palomar Mountain State Park features over 11 miles of trails through oak forests, chaparral, expansive meadows, and staggering fir and cedar woodlands. The views are scenic, the air is crisp, and the foot traffic is minimal.

Aside from all its scenic glory, Palomar Mountain is also worthy of the hour and a half drive to simply see its fall foliage. Thanks to its dense woodlands, high elevation, and remoteness, it is the dream location to watch the leaves change colors. Bring the family or simply a friend to walk one of the park’s many trails. Varying in both length and difficulty, there’s a trail for everyone to enjoy.

Check Out this Trail

The French Valley to Weir Trail is a relatively flat 3.8-mile trail that showcases the best of Palomar Mountain’s woodlands and is a prime destination for fall foliage because of this.

Mount Laguna

If you are a follower of this blog, you know my dedication to Mount Laguna. At just an hour drive east of San Diego, I’m a frequent visitor for many reasons. One of those is its closer than the other destinations mentioned on this list. The main reason, however, is it’s undoubtedly the best place for San Diego fall foliage. There I said it and wrote it, and I understand that’s a bold claim. But it’s one I feel comfortable making and hopefully you’ll agree to if you make the journey out to Pine Valley.

Mount Laguna sits at close to 6,000 feet above sea level in a Forest of Jeffrey pines. It lies on the eastern edge of Cleveland National Forest and features a general store, a restaurant/bar, campgrounds, and plenty of hiking opportunities. It’s also one of the only areas of San Diego to receive snowfall after large storms. Come in fall or even winter for divergent San Diego views, and plenty of outdoor adventures.

Check Out this Trail

The Sunset Trail is a 3.25-mile trail that takes hikers through a dense pine forest. In fall, the trees are dotted with vibrant hues of marigold and mustard.

Have any other destinations or hikes you’d recommend for San Diego fall foliage? Leave your suggestions in a comment below!

The post Best Spots to Experience San Diego Fall Foliage appeared first on Sun Kissed Hiker.

Since you deserve these long-awaited trips, it makes sense to try and get the most out of them. Money can be a bit tight in retirement, so you have to be smart with your travel plans. And believe it or not, this starts by protecting your home.

Keeping Things Safe

A vacation during retirement should be relaxing and enjoyable, but that will be hard if you’re worrying about home security. Criminals specifically look for homes that appear empty, which is exactly what your home is when you’re traveling. You need peace of mind.

Thankfully, Redfin has a great article about protecting your home before leaving for vacation. Some of the useful tips they share include:

• Double-check that all doors and windows are locked.
• Arrange for a housesitter to collect mail, bring in garbage cans, and spend time inside with the lights on.
• Set up lights and even televisions on remote timers.
• Have someone drop by to mow the lawn or shovel the driveway.

But safety isn’t just a concern for your home. Seniors need to worry about security when traveling more than ever. Here are a few tips for personal security when on vacation:

• Before leaving home, make sure you have plenty of prescriptions and get any refilled as needed.
• Enjoy big meals while on vacation, but limit how much grease, spice, and alcohol you have.
• Avoid wearing expensive jewelry and watches, and keep cash to a minimum.

Great Retirement Travel Destinations For Seniors

Getting your house and self secure is a great step, but where are you going exactly? Family and grandkids can dictate where to go, but CBS Money Watch has an excellent list of destinations for seniors.

• Alaska is an exotic location but still within the United States. Alaskan cruises are especially popular with seniors.
• When looking into Europe, consider a river cruise through the Danube or Rhine.
• For warm weather, it’s hard to beat Caribbean islands like Bermuda, the Bahamas, or the US Virgin Islands.
• Canada is also great because it’s easy to visit but still feels like another country.

But one of the biggest travel destinations for seniors is Hawaii, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s part of the US, so there are no issues with visas or currency exchanges. Hawaii is also warm all year round and has an incredible mix of nature and urban experiences.

Tips For Getting There More Comfortably

No matter where your destination is, you still need to get there. Traveling as a senior can be a bit more difficult given your different needs at this age. However, AgingCare.com has a great list of recommendations to make senior travel more comfortable.

• Request special services from airlines, such as free wheelchair use or special food.
• Check all of your documents before leaving to ensure they are still valid.
• Be prepared for security checkpoints in airports by wearing shoes that easily come off.
• If visiting family, make sure they know any health issues you might have so they can prepare for your arrival.

Go Enjoy That Vacation!

Retirement is the perfect time for taking those vacations you’ve been planning for years. To help get the most out of these trips, start by protecting your home for when you’re away. Pick a great destination, and then check for any special services you might need while traveling. And don’t forget to take plenty of photos to make your friends jealous!

This is a guest post written by Marie. Marie is passionate about connecting seniors with the resources they need to live happy, healthy lives. She developed ElderImpact.org to provide seniors and their caregivers with resources and advice.

The post How Seniors Can Get The Most Out Of Retirement Travel appeared first on Sun Kissed Hiker.

Due to the remoteness of this destination, travelers need to plan in advance and accordingly. The hike to Havasu Falls can’t be done in a single day, and requires at least a night of overnight backpacking. Therefor most visiting the area will need to secure a hotel or camp nearby beforehand.

Instead of wondering where you should stay before or after your Havasupai adventure, I’ve taken the research and guess work out for you. Having visited the Havasupai area myself, I can safely say these are my go-to recommendations for a stay near Havasu Falls.

Grand Canyon Caverns Inn | Peach Springs, AZ

Address: 115 Mile Marker AZ-66, Peach Springs, AZ 86434

Driving time to Havasupai: Approximately 75 minutes

The Grand Canyon Caverns Inn is an eclectic 48-unit motel located on the way to Havasupai right off the iconic Route 66. Decked in historic décor every direction you turn, this is the ideal location to stay if you’re looking for a stop with running water and a bed. While the Grand Canyon Caverns Inn certainly isn’t a 4-star hotel, it does offer weary travelers a place to get a good night’s rest before heading out to Havasupai the following morning. Room accommodations are typical of most hotels: a bed, side dressers, shower, warm water, and fresh linens.

Pros

• Clean
• Convenient
• Eclectic

Cons

• Not fancy
• Firm mattresses
• Limited staff
• Food closes very early
• No WiFi

Hualapai Lodge | Peach Springs, AZ

Address: 900 AZ-66, Peach Springs, AZ 86434

Driving time to Havasupai: Approximately 75 minutes

The Hualapai Lodge is an equally attractive place to stay at the end of IR18 near Havasupai, operated by the Hualapai Tribe in Peach Springs. It’s about equidistant to Havasupai as the Grand Caverns Inn, however the main difference is it offers travelers more of a hotel feel. This 54-room lodge is decked in authentic Hualapai design with a lobby, gift shop, family-style dining restaurant, business center, heated outdoor pool, and more. For those wanting a more luxury stay, the Hualapai Lodge would be your best and closest option.

Pros

• Clean
• Hotel-feel
• Many amenities
• Convenient restaurant hours
• More staff on-hand

Cons

• Needs to be reserved further out in advance
• More expensive
• WiFi is very slow

Hualapai Hilltop | Grand Canyon National Park

The Hualapai Hilltop is located on Indian Route 18 and is the location where hikers must park their vehicles before embarking on their journey down to Supai Village. In hot summer months, many opt to camp in their cars or near the trailhead to get an early start on their hike and avoid the long drive in from nearby hotels. This is a good option for those that want to begin their hike early and those that don’t mind spending a little extra time in the great outdoors. This is the most practical option for those hiking from June-September when temperatures soar to over 80 degrees by 9am.

Pros

• Next to the trailhead
• Convenient
• Restroom facilities available

Cons

• May not get the best night’s sleep
• Extra night of roughing it
• Few facilities

The three options above are the best and closest options to stay when hiking to the Havasupai area. The two closest airports to get to any of these destinations are Las Vegas (4-hour drive) and Phoenix (5-hour drive). If you are looking for other hotel accommodations, you’ll need to venture a bit further to get to the Hualapai Hilltop. The town of Seligman offers a few other motels; however, they are about a two-hour drive. The town of Kingman offers a bevy of hotels ranging from a Best Western Plus and Quality Inn, but is also a two-hour drive.

Ready to start packing? Check out my 10 must-haves for Havasu Falls.

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Hiking with your dog brings an inherent responsibility: maintaining its conduct. It is up to the owner to ensure you have control of your dog in any possible situation that might arise. This can range from keeping your dog in control around other animals or simply ensuring it stays near you while you hike. Animal behavior can be unpredictable and unexpected at times, but these 10 rules can aid you in ensuring a pleasant hiking experience for both you and others you might encounter on the trails.

Keep Your Dog on a Leash

Hiking with your dog may seem like the ideal opportunity to let Fido roam free. Letting your dog roam leash free is not only illegal on most trails, but also dangerous. Just a few reasons why it can be detrimental to both you and your pooch include:

• Increasing your dog’s vulnerability to wildlife (mountain lions, rattlesnakes, and other predators)
• Encountering another aggressive dog
• Wandering into dangerous plants (poison oak, poison ivy)
• Walking onto unstable ground
• Risk of getting lost

Be Mindful of Your Dog’s Temperament

Unfortunately, no matter how hard we try, sometimes it is difficult to change our dog’s temperament. We invest in training, watch YouTube videos, implement our own techniques, but are still unable to make our dogs warm up to other humans/dogs. If this is the case with your pooch and you are aware of it, keep a muzzle on them while you hike. One bite on another animal could lead to a huge medical expense, and even bigger headache.

Give Hikers the Right of Way

It can be difficult to assess which direction your dog will step next. One minute they could be walking in a straight line the next they could beeline in front of another hiker. Rather than worry about a potential misstep, give other hikers the right of way. Step to the side when someone approaches or if someone is trying to pass you up.

Control Your Dog

Even if your dog is on a leash, they can still interfere with other hikers. I’ve been on plenty of trails where owners let their dogs jump on me playfully, laughing beneath their breath. Luckily, I am a dog lover. Other people, not so much. Be cognizant of this, and realize not every person will be OK and accepting of your dog jumping on them. Especially while they hike.

Bring Water

Just as it is essential for you to stay hydrated, it is equally as important for your dog. I saw a very sad instance of dehydration on a hike in eastern San Diego, on a blistering hot day. The dog had passed out on the trail of heat exhaustion, the owner claimed it forgot to pack enough water. They also said they’d stopped hikers along the way to ask for water. I’m not sure what ever became of that dog, but know I wouldn’t want my own pet to endure that level of neglect. Bring enough water for both you and your dog.

Pick Up the Poop

Being out in nature isn’t a valid excuse for leaving your dog’s waste behind. Just as you wouldn’t want to accidentally step in a steaming pile of poo on your walkway around your neighborhood, hikers don’t want to step in your dog’s poop on the trails. Be respectful of other hikers and the paths they’re traversing. Bring a bag, and pack out what your dog drops.

Don’t Veer Off Trail

Both you and your dog should stick to the main trail. Do not disrupt the environment by creating your own “road less traveled”. It may seem harmless, but by trampling through plants you may be destroying another living creature’s home. Not to mention unnecessarily destroying the environment. Stick to the paths most traveled.

Keep Your Dog Away from Other Dogs

When encountering another dog on the trail, never allow your dog to lunge at the dog or its owner. This could scare the other dog and cause it to bite, no matter how tame your dog was trying to be. If you do see another dog and the owner ensures their dog is friendly, stop for a brief visit and move on. In the event of a bite, exchange your dog’s vaccination records with the other hiker.

Train Before Trail

If your dog is a puppy or currently undergoing training, it is probably best to take them on neighborhood walks before hitting the trails. A few types of behaviors that might be a good indication your pup may need to sit out your hikes include:

• Barks frequently at strangers or other dogs
• Yanks on its leash
• Doesn’t listen to basic commands
• Doesn’t socialize well with other dogs

Try Not to Panic

Believe it or not, your dog feeds off your energy and can feel when you get nervous. If you’re in a state of panic, your dog will sense it and may start to become anxious or protective. Aggression may be the result of the situation towards other hikers and dogs. Worst case scenario: imagine both you and a hiker heading your direction exhibiting the same fear. A dog fight could very likely ensue.

Bottom line: stay calm for your own well being and your dog’s.

Photo Credit: Virginia State Parks, Taro the Shiba Inu, Alan Levine, Joe Giordano

The post 10 Rules to Abide by When Hiking with Your Dog appeared first on Sun Kissed Hiker.

While the chances of becoming a mountain lion’s dinner are low, hikers should still possess the knowledge necessary to stay safe if they were to encounter one. The following mountain lion safety tips will help you and your hiking companions stay safe while also enjoying your time outdoors.

Appear As Large As Possible

You want to look as intimidating as possible to a mountain lion. Stand tall, spread your arms and legs, open your jacket, pick up your children, and huddle close with a friend to appear as a threat. Do not crouch or sit. The bigger you look the better.

Be Loud

Make as much noise as possible. Yell, play loud music, bang two rocks together, be as loud as you possibly can to scare away the mountain lion. Do not frantic, but instead try to command control of the situation by speaking slow, clear, and firm to discourage predatory behavior.

Do Not Run

According to the Mountain Lion Foundation, mountain lions can sprint at speeds up to 50 mph. Do not try to outrun a mountain lion. It simply won’t happen unless you’re Superman. Running also will encourage the mountain lion’s instinct the chase, further promoting yourself as prey. Instead, slowly create distance, never turning away from the animal.

Bring a Friend

Hiking in mountain lion country is a big no. The more people you are with, the more dangerous your group will appear. Also, try to hike in near proximity of your hiking partner/s rather than straying off or rushing ahead. Additionally, bringing a friend along also provides an additional resource should a mountain lion try to attack you. Many mountain lions have been scared away by the other hiker throwing rocks at the animal.

Fight Back

In the rare instance, you do happen to see a mountain lion, and even rarer, they attack, you must fight back. Unlike bear attacks, you do not want to play dead or crawl up in a ball. Once a mountain lion decides to attack, they won’t stop even if they realize you aren’t a deer.

• Find anything nearby that can be used as a weapon
• Throw rocks at it
• Hit it in the face
• Bear Pepper Spray can also be useful against mountain lions. Spray at their eyes and nose.

Do Not Crouch

Whether you’re taking a short break to refuel or catch your breath, do not crouch or bend over in mountain lion territory. They can mistake you for a four-legged animal in this stance. This also makes you appear vulnerable, which is the best opportunity for a surprise attack. Mountain lions typically grab their prey by the neck, breaking it. Stand tall and mighty to avoid looking like prey, even during breaks.

Stay Away from Dead Animals

If you happen to come across a deceased animal on the trail, avoid it. Do not attempt to move it or get near it. Mountain lions often feed on their prey for the course of several days. They kill it, and typically leave it partially covered and come back to feed on it. Just like dogs, mountain lions are also protective of their food. You do not want to anger it and prompt it to attack you by getting too close to their meal.

Wear Bright Colors

Mountain lions are not able to distinguish color in the same capacity as humans. However, you will better increase your odds of not being confused by a deer by wearing brighter clothing. They are on the lookout for drab, dull, neutral color tones and may be thrown off by a vastly contrasting hue. The more you can differentiate yourself from an animal, the better.

Stay Alert During Dusk and Dawn Hours

Mountain lions are typically on the hunt when their prey is most active: dusk and dawn. Do not walk alone in mountain lion country between these times. If you are hiking at dusk or dawn in mountain lion country, be cognizant of your surroundings. Don’t hike with headphones in.

Avoid Cougar Kittens

If you happen to come across a cougar kitten, leave the area immediately. Just like bears, cougars will defend and protect their young. They will attack anything that appears as a threat. Slowly back away from the cougar kitten, and avoid getting anywhere near them.

As previously aforementioned, an encounter with a mountain lion is rare. Some people spend their entire careers affiliated with the outdoors and never see one. In the extremely rare case you do encounter a mountain lion, exercise these safety tips to avoid an unpleasant encounter between both you and the cougar. Remember, these predators will be just as scared of you as you are of them. In almost all cases, they will want to avoid you even if you are near.

Additionally, if you do happen to see a mountain lion and it has not acted aggressively, do not draw media attention. This will only get the mountain lion killed, even if it did nothing wrong. Help preserve nature and the environment by sticking to marked trails, staying alert, and being equipped with the knowledge necessary to stay safe even in unique, rare situations.

Photo Credit: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Steve Jurvetson

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The open air, the earth skirting beneath your feet, the wind jostling your hair and the sun illuminating every footstep you take. Getting in touch with nature is one of the many benefits to hiking. What seems almost sacrilegious is a cup of coffee before sweating out all of the toxins in your body; however, coffee may just be what you need to jump-start your hike according to new scientific evidence.

Fitness enthusiasts might tout green tea as the best means to get your caffeine; however new research shows that coffee might just be what you need to enhance your endurance during your trek into the mountains. With a host of other health benefits and the endless variety of coffee available, there is certainly a brew for every adrenaline junkie out there.

The Science Supporting the Bean

Caffeine has been proven to help accelerate fat loss, when black coffee – sorry no sugar or milk for us – is consumed. The caffeine can encourage the body to use fat cells for energy instead of glycogen, therefore speeding up the rate at which fat is burnt within the body. Caffeine has also been found to reduce appetite, which means that you should have less of a desire for doughnuts after reaching the summit.

A study out of the journal of Sports Medicine found that athletes who consumed coffee were able to increase their personal performance and train longer and at a greater capacity than they used to. This was found across several sport disciplines and is not solely related to strength training. A further study also mentioned that athletes who drank coffee were able to run 4.2 seconds faster.

Caffeine has also been found to have the additional benefit on mental acuity. People who drank coffee in a study were found to concentrate more on their workouts and their personal performance within the exercise, than without the coffee.

Coffee drinkers were also found to experience far lesser physical pain during exercise than the non-coffee drinkers and thus were able to have more challenging workouts and completed more reps than they previously were able to. Coffee happens to be one of the most concentrated sources of antioxidants within the typical American’s daily diet.

Adding Coffee to Your Workout Plan

It has been found that the best time to drink coffee for optimum benefits to your workout is around an hour before you begin as caffeine may be absorbed by the bloodstream within 15 minutes. However, the effects only reach maximum impact at around 30 to 75 minutes after being consumed.

Additional water consumption is recommended as well after drinking your cup of coffee to keep you hydrated and running at full steam. Bear in mind that too much coffee has been known to have both dehydration and laxative-like effects on individuals, neither of which are desirable before a hike or any activity.

For those choosing to work out later in the day, you may still be able to have some of the liquid gold, due to the fact that people process caffeine differently. Some are able to have their caffeine fix in the evening and not have any negative effects, while others may not be able to sleep until the wee hours of the morning. This is due to individual weight, age, metabolism and other unique factors.

If the idea of eschewing the benefits of caffeine for a night time rendezvous up the Rocky Mountains, or the mere thought of a 5am trail run is enough to send you round the bend, then fear not. Black tea is an option with between 14 and 70 mg of caffeine in a regular size cup. You can also choose dark roasted coffee beans as these have been found to have significantly less caffeine than lighter roasted beans.

Another idea is to start taking your coffee cold. Cold brewed coffee has a far lower level of caffeine in its composition than its warmer counterparts. The great thing about coffee really is that it is so versatile and can be prepared virtually anywhere, from your cozy kitchen to on an open fire in the middle of a campsite out in some corner of nature.

For those afraid of having to succumb to instant coffee, instead of their freshly ground concoctions that normally delight us all before the day begins, fear not. Quite a few recipes can be whipped up in the middle of nowhere, including a well-known favorite the Americano.

Coffee is one of the easiest and most flavorful ways to boost your workout in a natural way, with an increase in your performance ability, recovery, mental acuity, and the ability to aid in weight loss. It is a wonder that it isn’t prescribed as part of a healthy lifestyle. Why not try adding some to your pre-morning hike preparations today?

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Deep Creek Hot Springs | Hesperia California

Deep in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains are the Deep Creek Hot Springs, several small pools of warm, welcoming water. To reach nature’s version of a hot tub, you can take the Pacific Crest Trail for a roughly 12-mile round trip hike or access the trailhead via Bowen Ranch Road for a much shorter 5-mile round trip hike. Note that if you park at Bowen Ranch Road you will need to cough up some cash as you’ll be parking on private property.

The Hot Springs

Sykes Hot Springs | Big Sur

Along the California coast near Big Sur, you’ll find the Ventana Wilderness. Venture deep enough beneath staggering redwoods and along a mountain stream and you’ll eventually find the Sykes Hot Springs. Pick up the strenuous, 10-mile trail beginning at Big Sur Station. The warm tubs that can be found downstream from the camp grounds. At an average of 102 degrees Fahrenheit, these hot springs will leave you feeling relaxed and ready to take on your next adventure.

Crab Cooker | Mammoth Lakes

As the name Crab Cooker suggests, this hot spring can reach blistering hot temperatures, hot enough to cook a crab. Smaller, shallower, and more difficult to find than other nearby hot springs in the Mammoth Lakes area, Crab Cooker allows for a more private experience. Its off the beaten path location and stunning views certainly call for a dip in this pot.

Sespe Hot Springs | Ojai

Just a two-hour drive north of Los Angeles will get you to Sespe Hot Springs, a prime destination for wildlife viewing and backpacking. There are three routes you can hike to get to Sespe Hot Springs including the Piedra Blanca Trailhead (19.5 miles one-way) or Mutau Flats (9.5 miles one-way), or Alder Creek Trail (15 miles round trip). Mountain lions, condors, mountain lions, and big horn sheep are known to frequent the hottest hot springs in all of California, so if you do camp or visit here, come prepared and keep your food tightly sealed.

Travertine Hot Springs | Bridgeport

Travertine Hot Springs is one of the easiest natural heated pools to get to in the state. This also makes it one of the most popular. Just south of Bridgeport, Travertine Hot Springs is made up of 5 different pools and provides breathtaking views of the Sierras. With a quick one-mile walk along Jack Sawyer Road you’ll be basking beneath the California sun, comfortably soaking in a 103-degree pool.

Wild Willy’s Hot Springs | Mammoth Lakes

Picture yourself neck-deep, soaking peacefully in a pool of warm natural water, with picturesque mountains looming in the near distance. Wild Willy’s Hot Springs in the Long Valley Caldera south of Mammoth Lakes is one of California’s highest concentrations of geothermal surface water. With two hot spring pools, you can take your pick of where to admire the views of the Sierra Nevadas to the west and the Glass Mountain Ridge to the east.

Buckeye Hot Springs | Bridgeport

Just north of Bridgeport, you’ll find Buckeye Hot Springs in Toiyabe National Forest. Unlike the nearby Travertine Hot Springs, Buckeye is more secluded and therefor experiences less foot traffic. To reach the springs, you’ll need to take a moderately steep hike downhill. Here you’ll find several small pools of varying temperature. A big bonus: The river water cycles through these pools leaving them a bit cleaner than others you’ll find in this state.

Shepherd Hot Springs | Mammoth Lakes

Located near the Mammoth/Yosemite Airport, Shepherd Hot Springs is another prime location to take in the Eastern Sierras. Whether you’ve spent the day hiking or hitting the slopes, Shepherd Hot Springs provides some much needed relaxation. Though the pool is man-made, it is fed by the nearby spring located about 20 feet away.

Steep Ravine Hot Springs | Marin

One of San Francisco’s best hidden gems are the Steep Ravine Hot Springs. They can only be accessed at negative low tide, which limits your time available to soak in these pools. To reach these elusive pools, walk through the Steep Ravine cabins then continue north along Steep Ravine Beach. Climb over the rocks and continue walking for a bout 500ft to reach the “Grotto”. Note that these springs also go by the names Rocky Point Hot Springs and Marin Tidal Hot Springs.

Hilltop Tub | Mammoth Lakes

The most popular hot spring in Mammoth, the Hilltop Tub is hardly a secret to nearby residents. It is easily accessible, requiring only a 300-yard walk in winter and an even shorter walk in summer, and has arguably the best views in the valley. Because it is the most-known hot spring in the area, don’t expect to be relax alone. You’ll likely have your fair share of company.

Photo Credit: snickclunk, ((brian)), Chris M Morris, John Fowler, daveynin, jcookfisher, Dennis Yang, Rizwan Sattar, Don DeBold

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Recently, I spent a month abroad in Asia. The majority of my trip was spent basking in the sun, thoroughly exploring each destination, and indulging in each country’s culinary delights. Despite extended periods of laziness and consuming more food than probably necessary, I knew I hadn’t walked into the deep end. My clothes fit the same, I didn’t cringe when I looked in the mirror, and I felt comfortable wearing a bikini. When I returned back to California, I realized I hadn’t gained any weight.

As with other hikers, I am a health and fitness enthusiast. Yet I don’t let it stop me from enjoying everyday life. Sometimes I eat pasta at 10pm, lay on the beach for hours, and drink one too many cocktails. Staying fit while traveling doesn’t need to ruin your experience.

I use the following 10 tips when I travel to stay in shape and thus far, they’ve helped me. Hopefully they will inspire, motivate, and encourage you as well.

Walk When You Can

When I learned that there would be a shuttle service from my hotel in New Orleans to the trade show I would be attending, I almost had to chuckle. It was a 0.2-mile walk, yet I saw plenty of people each morning stepping onto the shuttle for a three-minute car ride. If you have the opportunity to walk when you’re traveling, take it. You may not even realize it but a simple walk can burn some series calories. A 140 lb. individual can burn 74 calories just by walking one mile. Avoid the shuttle, bus, or train and walk that mile to your next destination.

Eat Your Biggest Meal for Breakfast

I know plenty of people who are OK with skipping breakfast. I’m not one of them. In fact, I advocate for making your breakfast your biggest meal of the day. Why you might ask? Eating a bigger breakfast helps you stay full longer, helping you avoid empty-calorie snacks to keep you going until lunchtime. It also helps promote faster metabolism and aids your body in processing food quicker. Remember not all breakfast foods are created equal. Choose healthy options when you can, such as eggs, lean meat, and wheat toast.

Drink Plenty of Water

Water is 100% calorie-free, and is rid of the sugars you will find in other beverages. It’s affordable, it tastes good, and best of all, it helps you lose weight. Water helps you burn more calories and may even suppress your appetite if you drink enough before a meal. If you’re on the go, consider purchasing a water bottle that has a filtration system such as LifeStraw. This way you won’t forget to stay hydrated and can easily do so, even by pouring tap water into the bottle for easy and quick filtering.

Choose Outdoor Activities

As tempting as it may be to lounge poolside for days on end on a vacation, there is much more to be seen and experienced. The best way to take in these experiences is usually through an activity. From hiking to the top of a volcano for a prime vantage point to scuba diving beneath the deep blue sea, choose activities that will get your body moving. You’ll be having so much fun, you won’t even notice the energy you’re exerting.

Pack Snacks with You

When I traveled to Europe in 2015, I knew I wasn’t going to be able to solely rely on their food. I know myself and am aware I’m a picky eater. Keeping this in mind, I packed plenty of my own snacks in my suitcase including instant oatmeal, low sugar protein bars, trail mix, and apples. This came in handy on more than one occasion, especially when I’d spend the entire day sightseeing to help hold me over until the next meal. Unfortunately, the 80/20 rule truly applies to how you look and feel. 80% of what you eat will account for how you look.

Limit the Alcohol Consumption

Who doesn’t love a drink or two? I’m guilty of drinking alcohol just about every weekend. Drinking alcohol in moderation with an overall healthy lifestyle won’t affect your waistline to much. However, when we travel we tend to overdo it. We drink by the pool, at night clubs, heck we even drink in our hotel rooms to start the day off right. Keep this in mind: a 12-ounce glass of beer has about 150 calories, a 5-ounce glass of red wine has about 125 calories, and a 1.5 ounce shot of hard alcohol has about 100 calories. Be aware of how much you are drinking and save yourself from weight gain, and a hangover.

Try to Get Good Sleep

It is amazing what a good night sleep can do. It makes your skin healthier, improve your memory, and help you think more clearly. Sleep can even help with losing weight. A study done by researchers at Columbia University found that people who sleep less than seven hours a night generally weight more, gain more weight over time, and have difficulty losing weight. While this can be difficult when adjusting to a dramatically new time zone, do the best you can to get on an adequate sleeping schedule to help you stay fit.

Buy Groceries

If you’ll be staying in an Airbnb or a hotel with a kitchen, opt for making your own food instead of going out. By making your own food, you’ll know exactly what you are putting into your body. It can be difficult to gauge exactly what is going into the food you eat out. Some food is cooked heavily in butter, others are made with heavy creams. When you can pick your own ingredients, you eliminate the need to worry what exactly you’re consuming. Bonus: It will also help you save money.

Use the Hotel Gym

Travelling usually means long days of adventuring or working. But just as you make time to exercise on your regular work days you can also make time to work out when travelling. Into morning exercise? Hop on a hotel treadmill when you wake up to jump start your day. More of a night owl? Jump on the elliptical before you head out to dinner for the night. Poor weather can also be a good reason to hit the gym. Rather than lounge in your hotel room idly watching TV, put on your tennis shoes and head to the gym.

Keep Track of Your Exercise

There is a good reason why the FitBit has become everyone’s favorite accessory. It keeps track of your fitness, is lightweight, and easy to use. Your Fitbit can also be extra motivation to help you get an extra 1,000 steps in your day. Set a goal for yourself to take a certain amount of steps everyday (10,000 is a good place to stop) and challenge yourself to meet this goal during the entirety of your trip.

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Graffiti in natural areas has long been an unfortunate problem. In San Diego a long-time patron of the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy recently donated $100,000 to cover the costs restoring the sandstone bluffs near Encinitas. They were covered with graffiti, carvings, and spray paint. With countless hours of hard work, a newly created trail, and posted signs pleading to people to stop damaging the surrounding area, the trail was finally almost fully restored to its original state. But not every natural habitat gets the same treatment. Some stay forever marked and disregarded.

There are a number of ways graffiti affects natural areas, and we will cover just a few of those here.

It’s Dangerous

Traditional spraypaint is well-known to have toxic effects on the environment. They contain CFCs and other ozone-depleting materials, both counter-intuitive to preserving nature. On rainy days, runoff could carry chemicals from freshly-sprayed graffiti into waterways, leading to a high likelihood of harming animals that use this as a water source. Even if perpetrators are not using spraypaint, a lot of paint is petrochemically-based. This means it comes from oil, leaving quite the footprint behind.

It Brings Crime

Most associate hiking as an activity where you don’t need to worry about other people affecting your safety. Graffiti often comes with a wave effect. Heavily vandalized areas in urban communities seem to experience a spike in crime. The same can be said for graffiti in natural areas. In San Diego, Adobe Falls, a year-round waterfall near San Diego State University experiences more than just acts of vandalism. Residents of the surrounding area complain of loitering, trespassing, and other lawful behavior. This has prompted an increase in security around the area.

It Can Promote Hate

It would be unfair to say that all graffiti expresses hate and resentment. However, some graffiti is intentionally painted to express gang-related or hateful sentiments. Nature should be a place people can turn to to escape the everyday woes of life, not get entangled deeper. The last thing anyone wants to see after hiking a few miles to each a landmark is for it to be disgraced by competing gang logos.

It Brings Unwanted Foot-Traffic

The less known a trail is the better chance there is of illegal activity occurring. There seems to be an allure of exploring a destination that is considered dangerous, difficult to get to, or visually appealing. Hikes with graffiti are no exception. In fact, they generally attract more attention than your average non-defaced hike. Murphy’s Ranch in Pacific Palisades, CA is one hike that garnered much attention for its mass amounts of graffiti sprawled across numerous abandoned structures. Granted much of the hype is credited to the folklore surrounding this area, however this hike has been plagued with demolition threats since this spot has been an “annoyance for the city of Los Angeles”.

It is Costly to Remove

Not only is it a nuisance to remove graffiti in natural areas, it is also time consuming and expensive. Additionally, sandblasting and chemical strippers can cause irreparable damage to natural features, especially if graffiti is on older geological formations. The historic Barker Dam at Joshua Tree National Park underwent restoration recently after a few visitors used instruments to gouge their initials names and messages into the backside of the dam. The restoration project cost $46,000 to prepare the site and $33,000 in work hours.

It Entices Copy Cats to One-Up Competition

When vandalism hits well known places, such as National Parks, it gets a good amount of exposure. Casey Nocket became infamous seemingly overnight after posting images on Instagram of graffiti tagging “Creepytings” at several national parks. Her name spread across the news and her pictures were soon spread across the Internet. Such exposure prompts others to follow in her footsteps in hopes they too gain the same level of notoriety. Nocket even went so far as to admit her graffiti was used with acrylic paint, the most harmful to the environment.

If you know someone in acts of vandalism in natural areas, please remind them of the imminent harm and domino effect it can imitate. Let’s keep our land safe, clean, and enjoyable for decades to come.

Photo Credit: Omar Barcena, Christopher Sessums

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