Cerro Negro is a very young volcano. At a mere 161 years old, it’s a newborn baby in fact. “The Black Hill” is one of 25 volcanoes in Nicaragua, of which 9 are active (or at least erupted in the last two thousand years). Cerro Negro is very definitely one of the active ones; in […]
Recently I was musing on all the incredible things I’ve seen and people I’ve met around the world — and how many amazing things still await me, as the more I travel the longer that bucket list gets. Many of the fondest memories I have from my life have been when traveling, so I thought […]
My last backpack was getting pretty pathetic; after seven years and many journeys throughout the world, I was ready to retire it after my last trip to India in November. On that trip, two of my travel buddies were rolling with Eagle Creek luggage, which they both loved, so I decided to look into the […]
For all the “serious” travel, the cultural exchange and immersion that makes voyaging to new places so rewarding — there is also something fun, almost childishly silly, about doing some really cheesy tourist things sometimes. It kind of wakes up the kid in us and after all, that’s what travel is meant to do, I believe. […]
The 32 miles of sugar-white beaches along Alabama’s Gulf Coast shoreline is a family-oriented destination that offers great nature and outdoors adventures, some of the most fantastic seafood in the U.S., and plenty of child-friendly activities. The sister cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach lie a true island, 27,000 acres separated from the mainland […]
If thoughts of Idaho conjure images of plains and potatoes for you, think again. The northern panhandle region is home to towering mountains, glacial lakes and some of the most incredible outdoor adventures you can imagine. And it’s home to one of the best bike rides in North America—the Hiawatha Trail, located at the Idaho/Montana […]
Nashville, Tennessee is known as Music City. Home to honkytonks, dozens of recording studios and the Grand Ole Opry, it has a well-deserved reputation for its musical cred. From the Country Music Hall of Fame and Ryman Auditorium to Studio B where Elvis recorded and the Johnny Cash Museum, you can fill your days with […]
Some trips need the big bag, and some just a carry-on. I’m a huge fan of packing as lightly as possible, and carrying-on whenever possible. Ever-increasing checked bag fees and fun lost/delayed luggage experiences just reinforce this for me. Sometimes I do need the bigger, checked bag — for longer trips of several weeks or […]
It’s here – my annual “Year in Travel” video. I had many travel experiences this year (which I share – the good and the bad – in this post). I wish you all the best for the new year – Happy New Year! I also thought I would share what some of the most popular […]
I saw and did some amazing things this year, to be sure! And let’s face it – travel isn’t always fun and games. Sometimes you just don’t dig a place, or have a travel experience that sort of sucks. The good definitely outweighed the bad, but I decided to be honest about both sides of […]
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I'm Shelley, a journeyer and learner of the world, freelance journalist and author, yoga chick and dog lover. I pound the keyboard from home barefoot every day, and while my boss is demanding she also occasionally lets me have the early afternoon cocktail. I think not going into an office or collecting corporate paychecks are very good ideas, though not always profitable. I have written for National Geographic, USA Today, The Guardian, Texas Monthly and CNN, among others. Neither the New York Times nor Johnny Depp have answered my letters yet.
I love animals, yoga, indie movies, cooking, wine, books and chocolate, though not necessarily in that order. I believe in karma. Mean people suck. If I could have any dream job I would like to be a superhero. I have performed a catch on the flying trapeze, boarded down a live volcano, snorkeled with seals and was once robbed by a monkey in Nepal. But, I don't know how to whistle.
My mantra is "travel with a purpose."
See the world like a local!
A book I wrote with my partner Keith, that lays out how we travel as much as we do, for damn near free.
Trading Places 