Paddle
Some adventures come from spontaneous ideas, and this was one of them. Kristin and I, both having grown up near Lake Tahoe, realized that despite our roots, we had never spent a full day kayaking its iconic waters. So, we woke up at 3:30 a.m. with a bold plan: hit three stunning kayaking spots in a single day—Emerald Bay, Bonsai Rock, and Zephyr Cove.
Read MoreJust ten miles south of Mammoth Lakes along Highway 395, Convict Lake is an alpine lake surrounded by rugged peaks waiting to be kayaked on. This glacially carved gem in Inyo National Forest is a favorite for outdoorsy people, offering year-round kayaking and paddleboarding. The lake’s mirror-like surface reflects the towering mountains, creating a breathtaking backdrop as you glide across the calm waters.
Read MoreThere's a tranquil beauty that comes with gliding across the still surface of a calm lake, river, or pond, surrounded by nature's serenity. If you've ever been captivated by the idea of exploring these peaceful waters up close, then you're in the right place. Welcome to our beginner's guide on how to embark on the exciting journey of flatwater kayaking.
Read MoreEmerald Bay, a stunning destination in Lake Tahoe, sits among the Sierra Nevada Mountains with its crystal-clear waters, dramatic landscapes, and captivating history. This enchanting bay draws visitors from around the world, and it’s easy to see why. If you’re planning a trip, here’s what you can look forward to.
Read MoreWe had a crazy idea, let’s road trip down Highway 395 in our self-converted van (watch the video tour of our dodge promaster 2500) with kayaks and explore as many bodies of water as possible. We only had a week, so how much could we cram into a single outing? We were not sure, but we wanted to try. So, would five bodies of water be too many, ten? Now, I’ll admit neither of us are good at kayaking, heck we can barely get in the kayaks without flipping, but that doesn’t matter. What matters is that we committed to the idea and have loads of fun along the way.
Did we succeed? Kind of.
Read MorePaddleboarding, also known as Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP), is a fantastic way to enjoy the water, get some exercise, and explore new places. For beginners, however, getting started can seem daunting. Here are the top 10 tips to help you ease into the sport and enjoy your paddleboarding experience.
Read MoreAs the flowers bloom and the weather turns warmer, spring invites us to step outside and embark on new adventures. While big trips and long vacations may not always be feasible, microadventures offer the perfect solution to satisfy your wanderlust. These bite-sized experiences are designed to fit into a single day or a weekend, allowing you to explore, discover, and rejuvenate without extensive planning or time commitments.
Read MoreAfter a quick paddle, we hopped out of our kayaks and banked the SUPs, so we could jump off the granite boulders around Bonzi Rock along the east shore of Lake Tahoe.
“Yahooo!” We shouted just before splashing into the brisk 52-degree water.
Lake Tahoe is one of the premier lakes in the world boasting stats like the "cleanest motorized lake in America" and "largest natural lake in California" but not many talk about how to enjoy this water. Why is that? Well, the water temperature of Lake Tahoe ranges from 43 degrees in the winter to 64 degrees in the summer. That is cold! So, how do you enjoy this blue wonder without freezing? Boating.
Read MoreI’ve driven past this bay hundreds of times in my life. I’ve stopped a handful of those. Recently, I made it a priority to stay roadside and explore Emerald Bay so I could understand what makes this place so memorable to others. Well, I must say, I now understand! Emerald Bay, regardless of the time of year, holds an energy that sucks you into its grasp. When you are here, you realize that you can do just about every outdoor activity in one of the most outstanding locations in the world.
Read MoreHalfway between Lake Tahoe and Mount Whitney there are two lakes tucked away in the Eastern Sierra mountains filled with fish, readily available fishing, and a glassy waters that are asking to be paddled upon. Located in Bridgeport, California, Twin Lakes are a hidden gem perfect for a weekend get away, or a week long family camping trip. Not only does Twin Lakes have some of the best flatwater kayaking, accessible to all levels of kayakers, but there is stellar hiking, hot springs to soak in, and trees to hang a hammock.
Read MoreForty miles southeast of Anchorage, on the Seward Highway, lies the small town of Girdwood, Alaska. Full of character and outdoor enthusiasts, this seemingly sleepy town has some of the best access to adventures big and small. With the Chugach Mountains as a backyard and the Turnagain Arm as the front yard, the options for adventure are endless, so you just have to decide what you want to do. Which can be hard. So, I tried to make it easy for you and created this of the best adventurous things to do near Girdwood, Alaska.
Read MoreWith Lake Tahoe being such a huge lake, surely you are asking yourself, “Where the best spots to kayak and paddle-board around Lake Tahoe?” Well, look no further because Zephyr Cove is one of the best places to kayak and SUP in all of Lake Tahoe, giving you access to those giant boulders everyone is posting about on social media.
Read MoreEmerald Bay is an iconic location on Lake Tahoe. Located on the southwest shore within California, this California State Park, offers one of the most diverse grouping activities. One of the most popular activities at Emerald Bay is kayaking. The waters are flat and protected from the wind, so many outdoor enthusiasts come to Emerald Bay to kayak. Also, there is an island in the middle of the lake, called Fannette Island, that has a tea house on it.
Read MoreNow that you have discover where these flat water locations are, what makes them special, and additional activities in the area, it is time for you to explore the best flat water kayaking in Northern California for yourself.
Read MoreGoing to Alaska during the summer is the best time to visit because the weather is great, the wild life is active, and the days are long. One of the first things you will notice when you arrive for summer in Alaska is the length of the days, which are 20-22 hours long. These long summer days give the time needed to explore the largest state. So, what should you do during a summer trip to Alaska?
Read MoreWith 72 hours of “free-time”, so we headed out on a kayaking adventure. Starting our kayaking outing at Emerald Bay in Lake Tahoe, CA for sunrise, it ended in a breathtaking sunset over the Emerald Range. As the road trip continued, our bodies grew tired, the milky way was overhead, and we cuddled in the van.
Read MoreAs we began planning our road trip to Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula, one of my bucket list ideas was to rent a couple of kayaks, paddles, and PFDs so we could see a glacier at its source. While searching the internet for ideas, I stumbled upon a couple photos of people kayaking to a glacier, I was sold. Portage Glacier was added to the ideas list.
Read MoreSome of the best adventure travel trips are close to home, here is a surf trip to Maverick’s Beach in Halfmoon Bay, California. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
As a kid, I had two dreams. First, to play a sport in college. Second, see the world. The outtake above is from a childhood conversation I distinctly recall as a kid. As an avid lover of the History and Discovery channel, I have always been blown away by this planet, the diversity of landscapes, and the endless adventures. With curiosity often at the root of my adventures, I have taken this mindset into adulthood.
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