Trekking, as many may know, is one of our most-loved forms of travel and exploration. Trekking with meaning adds a whole new level. Back in 1996, a wonderfully innovative community oriented initiative called TESFA, meaning “hope”, was started in the Northern Ethiopian highlands. Nowadays, Tesfa Tours, runs multiple community trekking options using the TESFA program of community lodges, and we…

Continue ReadingCommunity Trekking in Ethiopia’s Highlands

We can safely say the Lycian Way is epic… or is it magical… or…merely indescribable!?! it has blissfully undeveloped wild mountain terrain matched only by aqua seas and white limestone beaches that mesmerize and majestic old black pine and cyprus tree forests grow alongside ancient olive groves clinging to life on terraced cliffs. The serene mountain hamlets and hidden under-any-radar…

Continue ReadingTrekking the Lycian Way: A Turk-uoise Paradise

Calling all walkers and hikers! We’ve got another bucket list trek for you…from beginning to end it’s breathtaking, awe-inspiring, and stunning all-in-one! Actually, this hike was so incredibly beautiful it rendered us speechless for much of the hike. The Valbona <—> Theth trek takes you across an especially rugged range in the Accursed Mountains of Albania, also know fittingly as,…

Continue ReadingUntapped Albania: Hiking Valbona to Theth (Days 16-18)

APE CAVES Ape Caves, on Mt Saint Helens, has been on our NW to do list for a while. We had both done the easy lower cave trail before, but this time we had our sights set on the more challenging (and much less populated) upper cave trail. More spelunking than hiking and at a steady 42F it’s essential to…

Continue ReadingThe Ape Caves, Washington State