Fathoms below the ocean’s surface, a diver has a close encounter with a sea turtle. (Photo by Richard Segal on Pexels.com)
When they first met, they had no idea that they would one day set off on an epic adventure together, venturing from one place to another in search of the best places to slip into their wetsuits and dive deep beneath the surface of the world’s oceans. But that is exactly what writer Carrie Miller and professional diver Chris Taylor have done in order to pen National Geographic’s latest travel guide, A Diver’s Guide to the World. The result is a must-read for anyone who loves to dive or has ever even dreamed of doing it!
Northern Saw-whet Owl at Malheur Headquarters, Harney County, 12 October 2003 (Photo by Noah Strycker, Facebook)
I’ve always loved birds. Living in Southern California and coastal Massachusetts, I enjoyed watching big white sea birds like gulls and albatrosses soar overhead anytime we went to the beach. Later, when we relocated to Arkansas, I marveled at the huge blue jays that would dive bomb our cats and dogs and send them scurrying for cover. In New York City, sparrows built a nest on my apartment’s windowsill, and I checked every day to see if their tiny eggs had hatched. And then in Ohio, when we lived in our old farmhouse and owned some land, we watched all kinds of birds make their homes in the trees surrounding our property.
The point is, no matter where we live, birds surround us (although thankfully not in the eerie way Alfred Hitchcock depicted in his classic film The Birds). Even in the most urban areas, these airborne creatures are our constant connection to nature. This is a lesson ornithologist Noah Strycker learned early on in fifth grade when his teacher mounted a bird feeder to the classroom window. The birds he saw sparked his imagination and began a lifelong love affair with his feathered neighbors, and his fascination with them has given him a career and led him around the world. Now, in National Geographic Birding Basics, he shows us how all of us, regardless of where we may live, can become birding enthusiasts too.
Mickey and Minnie Mouse await your visit. (Photo by Bo shou on Pexels.com)
For many, their relationship with Disney may not extend beyond the beloved films and television shows Walt and company have created over the years. Then there are others whose childhoods included trips to Disneyland in California and Walt Disney World in Florida. (I’m grateful to be among this group!) Still, if these vacations max out your Disney experiences, you have only scratched the tip of the iceberg of what the company now offers. Since Disneyland opened in 1955, Walt never stopped dreaming up new ways to entertain his guests. Now, in National Geographic’s 100 Disney Adventures of a Lifetime, Marcy Carriker Smothers shows us all the magic we’ve been missing, and I promise you’re going to want in on the action!
There’s nothing quite as memorable as a fine meal. (Photo by Elina Sazonova on Pexels.com)
We are definite foodies. Anytime we travel, our trips almost always include exploring a farmer’s market, taking a cooking class to learn how to prepare regional cuisine, perching on a stool inside the tasting room at a vineyard to sample delicious wines, or finding the restaurants the locals love to eat at most and sinking our teeth into their most renowned dishes. So, when National Geographic’s second edition of Food Journeys of a Lifetime crossed our desk, we couldn’t wait to read it. Within its pages, we were delighted to discover that several of our favorite places made the cut and made an appearance. But we were equally delighted to learn even more about the very topic that makes us reach for our luggage and call our travel agent: food!
Sustainability isn’t black and white. You can still travel in style and be ecofriendly. (Photo courtesy Canva)
Transportation, destination, and lodging. All these elements and more come to mind when you plan a trip to remember. However, one factor usually falls through the cracks of even the most detailed of itineraries: sustainability. While the tourism industry as a whole isn’t known for being the most environmentally friendly, every vacation you take doesn’t have to make you feel guilt-ridden. That’s because sustainability isn’t black and white. Taking small steps and making mindful choices within your control makes a difference.
Jathan & Heather 