Good morning. 

Are you an expert at packing a suitcase? Can’t say we are. However, we are feeling much better about travel organization after reading today’s featured story - a suitcase full of tips from former flight attendant (and current Outdoors writer) Caterina McGrail.

In today’s edition you’ll also find some interesting facts about U2’s favorite National Park. And we’ll go in depth about what makes Alaska such an incredible place for outdoor enthusiasts.

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From an Ex-Flight Attendant: Here’s How to Pack Like a Pro

As an ex-flight attendant, a frequent flyer, and a digital nomad, Caterina McGrail has packed a fair few suitcases in her time. From packing weekend-away bags to big backpacks for year-long travels to suitcases for luxury holidays, she’s picked up many tips and tricks along the way—like how to ensure your clothes stay wrinkle-free in your suitcase, what to pack in your carry-on versus checked luggage, how to easily pack as many or as few clothes into your bag as you need, how to pack all those darn toiletries and more.

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Joshua Tree National Park

Despite being less than a three-hour drive from the busy Los Angeles Metro Area, Joshua Tree National Park is packed with miles of untouched arid wilderness and full of desert plants and wildlife.

Joshua Tree’s desert climate drew more than three million visitors in 2022 and 2021. Compared to many other parks, Joshua Tree is packed with cultural significance, whether movie references or album titles by big-name bands. Others consider visiting Joshua Tree a spiritual experience.

Whether that’s your draw to the park, or you’re there for rock climbing or to check out landmarks like Skull Rock, visiting Joshua Tree National Park is an amazing experience.

Here’s a look at some fun facts that keep visitors coming back.

Enjoying the Great Outdoors in the Last Frontier

Nicknamed “The Last Frontier,” Alaska is a place to find expansive wilderness and endless adventure. The massive state is the largest state in the U.S. by far—Texas is the second largest and is less than half the size of Alaska. Home to the tallest mountain in North America—20,310-foot-tall Denali—Alaska also contains up to 100,000 glaciers, though no one knows the exact number and only around 600 are officially named. Alaska is also home to more than 130 volcanoes.

Not surprisingly, there is plenty of room to explore—as well as ample solitude, if that’s what you’re looking to find. The 2020 Census reports more than 733,000 people live in the state, which has a population density of 1.3 people per square mile. However, more than half of the state’s residents live in three main areas: Anchorage (which has a population of 287,000), the Fairbanks North Star Borough (with a population of 95,000), and the state’s capital, Juneau, with more than 31,000 residents. The state is home to more than 220 federally recognized tribes, with more than 180,000 tribal members.

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