Together With

Behind the Scenes on the Proposed Chuckwalla National Monument

Endless sand dunes, colorful rock canyons, spiny cacti, and animals that thrive in arid conditions make up the southern California desert. The area has lured visitors for decades. Now, the proposed Chuckwalla National Monument aims to expand the protected area and make a positive impact on everything that lives there.

The United States has 133 different national monuments. Like a national park, these areas protect land for conservation and recreation. Compared to a national park, though, these areas are easier to designate. That said, designating a national monument often leads to some level of debate over protected land and its use. Chuckwalla National Monument is just the latest area to navigate this fight.

Comprised of 660,000 acres, the Chuckwalla area is south of Joshua Tree National Park and northeast of California’s Salton Sea. The desert landscape provides an outdoor escape for hiking and camping. Chuckwalla is also an essential area for conservation efforts of migratory birds and has a long history for the indigenous people who still call the area home. On top of that, it could be part of the future of green energy. It means a lot of different things to a lot of people.

Together with Inside Hotels

Hotels We Love: Tradewinds Carmel

If you love great views, this Northern California town needs to be added to your travel list. The lesser-known cousin of Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea is a storybook village on the coast with ocean views that you’ll have to see to believe, and plenty of outdoor fun to be discovered. At the award-winning Tradewinds Carmel, you’ll have an easy time checking into the simple life. The hotel’s Japanese, Balinese, and Chinese-influenced decor creates a resounding sense of calm bolstered by amenities such as a meditation garden and firepit, providing guests with plenty of space to tune in with their surroundings. And when you’re ready to explore, take a drive like no other with an epic road trip around Big Sur. For some sea life discovery, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, one of the very best aquariums in the world is also nearby. Here you can learn about the incredible research they do on the health of our oceans, and then explore more of the rugged coastline back to your home away from home.

How to Prepare For an Epic Antarctic Adventure

With light dancing on icebergs, penguins sliding on their bellies, whales swimming by, and seals lounging on pieces of ice, Antarctica is an ultimate bucket-list destination for nature lovers. It is also a destination that requires some planning and preparation to have the best experience.

It may be one of the most remote places on the planet, but people do go there. During the 2022-23 season, the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) recorded more than 104,000 visitors traveling to Antarctica. The majority—more than 71,000 were able to “land” and set foot on the continent, while more than 32,000 visitors were on “cruise-only” voyages. Additionally, around 800 other visitors traveled to “deep field” locations. 

Would you like to be one of the relative few who visit this icy continent? Read on to learn what a visit to Antarctica entails.

‘The Scariest Moment I Ever Experienced’

A diving instructor recently shared a clip of a swim in Mexico where a crocodile followed him. The video went viral and kept enough people on the edge of their seats that the diver shared a second clip to show what happens next.

⛺️ The Packing List

Featured Guide: The Best Women’s Ski Jackets for 2024

Winter is the season for taking on epic runs and different snowy terrains. But it can be very hard to enjoy your time at the ski resort when you don’t have a solid outer shell jacket that will keep you warm and dry when you’re out in the frozen terrain.

As we enter peak ski season, it’s important to make sure your ski gear is in good condition before you get out on those frigid chairlift rides to the top of the slopes. If not, you might be in need of an update.

The best women’s ski jacket is the Columbia Whirlibird IV Interchange 3-in-1 Jacket. Made for fast-changing conditions out on your favorite slopes, this jacket is versatile enough to have you covered in just about any situation.

But that’s not all: we’ve got picks for dry snow conditions, snowboarding, or even just hanging out in town. Read on to see our picks for the eight best women’s ski jackets for 2024.

• Best Overall: Columbia Whirlibird IV Interchange 3-in-1 Jacket

• Best for Dry Snow Conditions: Columbia Kruser Ridge II Softshell Jacket

• Best for the Resort: Patagonia Insulated Powder Town Jacket

• Best for Backcountry Skiing: Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Jacket

• Best for Regulating Body Temperature: Columbia Ava Alpine Insulated Jacket

• Jacket with the Most Features: REI Co-Op Powderbound Insulated Jacket

• Best for Skiing or Snowboarding: The North Face ThermoBall Eco Snow Triclimate 3-in-1 Jacket

• Best Pullover Jacket: The North Face Driftview Anorak.   

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