When National Geographic invited me to contribute to Great Outdoors U.S.A., I leapt at the chance. I had no idea that this assignment would spark a whole new chapter in my life.
At the height of the pandemic—cut off from family, friends, and most public transit—we found ourselves craving freedom and fresh air. So we hit the road. Road trips and wide-open outdoor spaces became our escape hatch from cabin fever and worry. What started as a stopgap soon turned into something much bigger: a new way of seeing the world, and eventually, a new way of living.
We didn’t realize it then, but those socially distanced adventures were quietly training us to be digital nomads. So when our landlords decided to retire into the condo we’d been renting, we didn’t look for a new lease—we hit the road for good.
Many of those early road trip stories found their way into this book. Across five chapters, I share my favorite adventures from my home states (Pennsylvania and New Jersey), my adopted state (Florida), and two states I can’t stop going back to: Maine and Georgia.
Great Outdoors U.S.A. – Book Description
Discover the adventures located right in your own backyard! From exhilarating mountain biking trails and forest rope courses to easy day hikes and lake excursions, this comprehensive collection offers more than 1,000 exciting escapades to experience across the United States.
In this information-packed guide, uncover the best walking, biking, and hiking trails in your home state, along with other outdoor activities including birdwatching, outdoor yoga, ziplining, kayaking, forest bathing, skiing, snowshoeing, tubing, and so much more. Consider experiencing:
- An Instagram-worthy stroll through the Elizabeth Park Rose Garden in Connecticut
- A beginner-friendly horseback ride from vineyard to vineyard in Virginia
- A waterfall-filled hike in Starved Rock State Park, Illinois, where you’ll wind through 18 breathtaking canyons
- A birdwatching trip just outside the Manhattan skyline in Brooklyn’s nature preserves
- An accessible trail along the south rim of Arizona’s Grand Canyon
- A 30-mile bike ride along Copper Harbor Trails in Michigan
- Canyoneering through Moab, Utah’s slot canyons and ancient ruins
- Ziplining across an Olympic course in Lake Tahoe, Nevada
- Taking on class IV rapids in the rushing waters of West Virginia
Featuring 20 activities in every state geared to a wide range of experience levels, as well as family-friendly activities and accessible options with inclusion in mind, this beautifully illustrated book will make it difficult to stay indoors—and it will inspire you to create your own bucket list of exhilarating adventures. So get ready to get out there! The magic of the great outdoors is right in your own backyard.
Buy a copy:
Happy Trails!
I hope this beautiful guide inspires you to take the trail less traveled and discover something new.
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