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Taku Kondo is here to help you forage your own fresh coastal food

On his YouTube channel Outdoor Chef Life, Taku Kondo is the paragon of a California adventurer, foraging for spiky purple sea urchin in tide pools and preparing eel and crab sushi for an oceanside picnic. The 30-year-old sushi chef chronicles his foraging adventures across the United States and beyond—and he’s found an audience that relishes learning how to eat seafood sustainably, straight from the ocean to your plate.

Kondo launched his project back in May of 2018, way before a global pandemic altered life as we know it, while working at Hinata, an upscale sushi restaurant in San Francisco. Spending his weekends foraging around the city, he eventually resolved to quit his job and forage full time — if he hit 200,000 subscribers on Youtube. He reached his goal in 2019 and, today, Outdoor Chef Life, which has 517,000 subscribers, is Kondo’s main professional focus.

“I go out in nature, I go fishing and foraging on the coast and in the woods and harvest what is around,” explains Kondo. “I then create a dish using those ingredients.” Dishes he’s prepared on his channel include a colorful seafood paella, a spicy lingcod sandwich and a kelp burger, all cooked with ingredients sourced directly from the ocean and forests he’s visiting — and usually cooked on site too (rather than in a professional or home kitchen).

In the age of social media and the always online generation, live footage of folks sourcing their own ingredients and cooking them on camera isn’t an original concept. But it’s the scope of Kondo’s videos that sets him apart from the rest. Kondo sheds light on the cooking process in its entirety: the catching of the fish, the filleting and the cooking, all the while showcasing the areas perfect for foraging, which mainly consist of California’s coast but also include Hawaii, Japan and Thailand.

Photo: Taku Kondo

Most recently, the chef visited Alaska, where he’s been for a month. “I converted a sprinter van into a little RV, I put a kitchen and a bathroom and a bed in there and [drove] it to Alaska,” he says.

Kondo credits his success on Youtube to his expertise as a chef. “A big part of my videos is the cooking portion so being a sushi chef and having those skills really took my videos to the next level,” he says. “People don’t realize the potential of what a fresh ingredient can do. [The ingredients I use] are not from the store. They’re all right here in front of us and we can turn them into a dish that would be considered for a menu in a restaurant and that is what people love about my videos. They see what is possible.”

Kondo’s interest in natural ingredient sourcing was sparked by a reading of The Bay Area Forager, by Mia Andler and Kevin Feinstein, which he delved into while in college at San Francisco State. Among the tricks of the trade is the acknowledgement that where you go affects where you eat, which is why Kondo’s selection of destinations is of utmost importance.

​”I select areas based on what is available there and what I can harvest,” he explains. “My main focus is on coastal areas [where I can find] seafood and shellfish.”

Once he arrives in a certain city, he relies on the local community and his YouTube fanbase to tell him about the best places to go fishing and more.

“Every time I go somewhere and post it on Instagram or Youtube, people reach out in that area to let me know they live there and I should go fishing here or there,” he says.

Those followers also tend to chime in on Kondo’s travel plans, suggesting where he should consider visiting next. For now, New Zealand remains his dream stop.

“It would be an amazing place to go to because I love sea urchins and they have a ton of it there,” he says. “Anybody from New Zealand that comments on my videos tells me how big the sea urchins are there.”

Photo: Taku Kondo

That’s the other thing about Outdoor Chef Life: it’s not just about foraging and food, but also about traveling. When watching Kondo’s videos, one can’t help but start day-dreaming about day trips to coastal California or Hawaii, vacations peppered by foraging trips that can mirror the ones taken by Kondo on camera. The chef has been able to marry two passions that people around the world share: traveling and eating, simultaneously educating us on the importance of sustainability and eco-friendly cooking techniques.

Of course, that changed in the past year, when Kondo himself wasn’t able to travel in a world plagued by COVID-19—but he hopes that will soon change, especially given his new RV.

“I hope I can pry people to get out,” he says. “When you go out and harvest your own food, you become more knowledgeable about the environment and start caring more about these areas.”

More like thisFood + DrinkIf you want to eat more sustainable seafood, eat more tinned fish

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Rafting Utah’s winding, crimson Cataract Canyon is the trip of a lifetime

“You ready? I’m going to try to get us to hit that hole head on so we get the biggest ride,” Zia says with a laugh from the back of our two-person, inflatable kayak as she steers us towards roller coaster waves on Cataract Canyon in Utah. We are on the last stretch of rapids here, on day five of a six-day, nearly 100-mile wilderness river trip through Canyonlands National Park.

“I’ll try to remember to keep paddling, you try not to flip us,” I respond from the front. I’m the motor, she’s in charge of steering.

“I think it would be kinda fun to flip,” Zia retorts. Today is her nineteenth birthday, and she is in training to be a guide with OARS, the whitewater rafting company that is leading this once-in-a-lifetime backcountry trip.

Zia and I don’t end up flipping, but we hit the hole head-on and a few more in quick succession after it. It’s enough to get my adrenaline pumping, and my dopamine flowing.

It took us three days of floating and paddling on flat water to reach Cataract Canyon and its 14 miles of rapids. At high water, these are some of the biggest, baddest rapids in the country. Even in low water, which is what I’m rafting, the trip is still a wild adventure.

Planning your own trip to Cataract Canyon

Photo: James Kaiser for OARS

You can run Cataract Canyon in as little as three days, but that requires motoring most of the flat stretches. It doesn’t give you time to take in the deeply crimson rock walls, buttes, and towers that comprise Canyonlands National Park — scenery that can only be witnessed from the river.

Instead, we recommend a six-day journey. This gives you enough time to unwind, to hike up side canyons towards sites of ancient petroglyphs, and to get into the vibe of sleeping under the stars and spending the days paddling leisurely on a SUP board or swimming lazily down the Colorado River. It’s an ideal way to lose track of time and make new friends.

Numerous outfitters run Cataract Canyon rafting trips, and choosing the right one, especially if you opt for a longer trip, is important. I went with OARS based on rave reviews from friends, who said the OARS guides were not just excellent at running boats through walls of whitewater, but also at cooking and entertaining. OARS is also dedicated to responsible travel and stewardship of the rivers they run.

I was not disappointed by my choice.

Good food, good tunes, and unexpectedly good views

Photo: James Kaiser for OARS

Considering the temperatures soared above 100 degrees for the first half of the trip, it was beyond impressive that on the last night on the river they were grilling steaks and had a pitcher of ice for cocktails. The food throughout the trip was high-quality, varied and also highly specialized for every kind of diet.

Beyond cooking, the guides had more tricks up their sleeves. Dave was a singer who also played guitar and he put on almost nightly concerts. He even carried his guitar up a slot canyon hike to play for us when we reached a shady alcove. Having listened to live music at the Red Rocks amphitheater near my Denver home, I found these canyon acoustics equally impressive.

Nights are spent camping. Where you’ll camp changes with water level and the campsites are first-come, first-served. Each night after arriving you’ll help the guides unload the boats and pitch your tent. OARs carries super-comfy air and foam sleeping mats known as paco pads. During the day they are turned into couch seating on some of the boats, but at night each guest has one to sleep on. Pair it with your own air mattress for the ultimate in camping comfort. (You’ll receive a what-to-pack guide before your trip).

Guides will also set up “the groover,” which is their portable river toilet system. Pooping in the wilderness is a lot more posh than one would expect; and the river is kept free of solid human waste. You’ll have a proper toilet seat on top of an ammunition box. Guides go to great lengths to ensure not only privacy but also excellent views: The scene from our groover set facing the confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers was better than nearly any hotel toilet I’ve sat on.

Best time to go, depending on the thrill you want

Photo: James Kaiser for OARS

Although it is impossible to predict exactly how high the river level will be at the time you book your trip, the earlier in the season you go, the greater the opportunity for monster waves and world-record-making rapids. When running above 25,000 cubic feet per second, Cataract Canyon’s rapids are considered some of the most intense commercially run Class V whitewater in the world.

The river drops 30 feet in less than a mile at one point, and on rapids like Little Niagara and Satan’s Gut the waves can be up to 30-feet high. Cataract’s signature rapids are The Big Drops. These are three distinct drops that at max flow become one giant wall of water that feels like riding a rollercoaster on speed.

High water doesn’t happen every year. It requires good snowfall in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains and Wyoming’s Wind River Range, but when the Colorado River is raging you will not be paddling yourself. You’ll ride the rapids in a boat oared by your guide or a motorized craft known as a J-rig and likely be holding on for dear life.

For the highest water levels you’ll want to try to book in May or early June. Although seasons can last longer, when I hit the river in late June this year, it had already dropped to almost its lowest flow level, around 5,000 cubic feet per second.

Running Cataract in high water is a crazy rush for sure, but lower river levels bring their own fun. With less flow, you have more options for how to ride the rapids, including the inflatable kayak I took. A paddle boat, where you row as a team with a guide, is also brought on lower water trips. This is a great way to add a little more thrill without as much risk of swimming through some big waves. OARS makes an effort to swap out crafts as much as possible, so even in a group of 19 we didn’t end up fighting over which boat to be in.

What to expect on your trip of a lifetime

Photo: James Kaiser for OARS

The night before your Cataract Canyon rafting trip departs you’ll gather at the OARS warehouse in Moab for a pre-trip briefing. This is when you’ll meet the rest of the group and learn about what types of watercraft will be floating downstream with you. You’ll also be told what time to return in the morning (usually around 7:00 AM) and given three dry bags to pack your gear into.

It’s about an hour drive from the warehouse to the put-in at Potash and, after a quick safety briefing, you’ll get on the river. The first day everything moves slowly. The river is languid, the sun usually bright and you’ll heat up quickly. It takes a little adjusting to the leisurely pace of life and to figuring out the vibe of your group. By the time you reach camp that evening you’ll notice exactly how relaxed you are feeling and how weirdly freeing it is to not be able to check your email or social media.

For the first three days you’ll float southwest for 47 miles — although what time you hit the rapids and how fast you go through them depends on water levels — before reaching the confluence with the Green River. Here you enter the 46-mile long Cataract Canyon, which has around 14 miles of whitewater. As water levels continue to drop in Lake Powell due to drought, more rapids emerge. After the final rapid, it’s back to flat water until the take out at Hite Point at the northern end of Lake Powell.

But don’t expect the adventure to be over quite yet. The last thrill ride awaits in getting back to Moab. Instead of driving 3.5 hours, you’ll hop in a small plane for a 30-minute scenic flight back. The pilots fly you up along the river so you can see the route you took from above including all Canyonland National Park’s different districts. As someone who doesn’t like to fly, I surprised myself by enjoying this flight. Seeing just how far we’d traveled on the rafts was a pretty momentous experience that left me a little teary eyed.

Back at the warehouse in Moab, it’s time to say good-bye. After spending six days with a group of strangers who are forced to interact with one another, you quickly become a river family with your own set of inside jokes and memories no one else will experience in quite the same way. In a world where we are so often interacting remotely, making IRL friends and having meaningful conversations is an experience I will treasure for years to come.

More like thisSustainabilityRaft Idaho’s Salmon River and actually help the salmon in their fight to survive.

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E-cargo bikes could make urban transit more efficient and eco-friendly

This is the Climate Win, the most positive sustainability news around the world every week.

This week’s Climate Win is all about e-bikes. Not just any e-bikes, however, as we aren’t here to repeat ourselves. Today we’re celebrating a very specific type of electric bicycle: the e-cargo bike, which you may be seeing more of on the streets of your city in the near future. That’s because a new report from Promise, a UK-based non-profit working towards environmental solutions, just released a detailed report on how cargo bikes are on the rise in London and elsewhere as an efficient, eco-friendly means of moving goods about an urban area.

The study was built around GPS data from the ride-sharing app Pedal Me, which utilized human-powered cargo bikes as a ride-sharing and delivery solution rather than cars or vans. It found that over the course of 98 days, Pedal Me kept 3,896 Kg of CO2 and over 5.5 kg of NOx out of the atmosphere, “showing that cargo bikes can serve their customers better than a van without generating many of the externalities currently associated with urban freight.”

Researchers involved in the study believe that cargo bikes could be adopted by more urban areas to offset a portion of delivery van and ride-sharing traffic that clogs up roads and curb space. Even as delivery van fleets electrify in the coming years, issues stemming from their tendency to cause accidents — as evidenced by the report — and the space they occupy on roads can be offset by the use of cargo bikes. The study even found that cargo bikes are faster than vans in making deliveries in many circumstances, particularly in high-traffic and densely populated areas.

What’s more, e-cargo bikes aren’t purely for commercial transport. British bicycle company Raleigh now has a line of e-cargo bikes that are designed for families. These can be used for grocery runs, lugging sporting equipment to the park and back, or simply taking a Saturday morning cruise. This is zero-carbon, yes, and the additional win is purely stylistic: These bikes look far hipper than minivans ever could. Family transit just got way cooler, in addition to being more eco-friendly.

More climate wins this week

Politicians, activists, and Indigenous peoples are coming together in the Northwest to save struggling salmon in the Snake and Salmon Rivers. This looks to include the removal of four dams on the Snake River, and could be one of the biggest bipartisan and cross-sector environmental victories of this century.

A major infrastructure bill cleared the US Senate this week, which includes big funding for EV chargers and other environmental progress in another example of bipartisan progress. A major budget resolution is next — which won’t be bipartisan but, if it passes, would fund the biggest federal-led climate initiatives in our nation’s history across the transportation and energy sectors.

We close this week with an easy way for travelers to Hawaii to support sustainable agriculture. Matador and The Hawaiian Islands partnered to create this detailed list of where to buy local produce on the islands to support local farmers, and why it’s so important to do so.

More like thisSustainabilityHike and bike along old railway lines that are now epic paths in every US state

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Book this luxurious stay in the heart of downtown Asheville for just $149

We hope you love the spaces and stays we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication. See our full Advertiser Disclosure here.

Asheville, NC, is known for its breweries, modern eateries, and live music. Each of these amenities is much better when you can walk there. Such is the case at the AC Hotel by Marriott Asheville Downtown, where your central location on Broadway eliminates the need to identify a fresh parking space each time you want to go somewhere. For example, upwards of one dozen breweries and taprooms are located within a fifteen-minute walk of the hotel. The same is true for dining. From the hotel you can dine Mexican at Mountain Madre, Indian at Mela, chic American at Rhubarb, or casual at Pack’s Tavern, all within a short walk. You can even sample the city’s best dim sum at Red Ginger.

Photo: Marriott.com

Of course, downtown Asheville hotels are in no short supply. What makes this Travelzoo deal so incredible is that it saves you 45 percent off the normal room rate without stripping away any of the on-site comforts that the AC Hotels are known for. The rooftop bar and restaurant, Cappella on 9, offers the city’s best cocktail-hour views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Your room will be crisp and modern, retaining Asheville’s mountain-metro vibe while offering the streamlined comforts and rewards perks of all Bonvoy properties. And because the best rates are offered during the week, it’s important to note that the hotel’s WiFi is lightning fast. If you want to use your laptop outside your room, the lobby and front terrace make for cozy work spots as well.

Here are a few top attractions in and around downtown Asheville, all of which are within walking distance of the AC Hotel:

South Slope Brewing DistrictThe art galleries of Biltmore AveAsheville Museum of ScienceThe famous Chicken Alley Mural

Did we mention the property itself is outfitted with locally-inspired art?

This deal is fully refundable if you decide not to travel, but it will sell out. Book now to get this incredible rate from $149 on weeknights and $329 on weekends, a 48 percent savings off normal rates.

Book Now

Stay near the Biltmore Estate for just $94

Photo: Brookstone Lodge/Facebook

If you want to stay in a hotel near the Biltmore Estate, we recommend the Brookstone Lodge both for its convenience — the Biltmore Estate is a short drive away — and for this low rate of $94 per night. The Brookstone is comfortable and modern. It has an indoor pool. And it is nearby to many other popular attractions including the Cathedral of All Souls and the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area. If historic sights are the theme of your Asheville trip, snag this deal before it’s gone.

Book Now

More like thisWhere to StayThe best Airbnbs in Asheville, from an urban treehouse to a coffee shop loft

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How to plan a family trip to Alaska

Every year, over two million people visit Alaska — many of them as families. They come to explore the country’s most epic landscapes; to bond under the northern lights; to learn about the different Alaska Native cultures around the state; to have the kind of vacation the entire family will remember forever.

It’s a little intimidating at first glance: Countless must-see places and must-have experiences are spread out across an area that could fit 19 smaller US states! With a destination this grand, how do you choose what to do, when to go, where to go, how to go? Ultimately, the decision-making will be up to you, but let’s start with the basics. Here’s how to plan your first trip to Alaska — which just might become an annual family affair.

Begin by choosing a season.

Photo: State of Alaska/Mark Kelley

From whale watching to northern lights chasing to red salmon running, there’s probably a specific activity that’s drawing you and the kids to Alaska. What is it, and when’s the best time to have that experience? Start there. Beyond that, here are some fundamentals to consider:

May–September: This is high season, with June–August seeing the most visitors. You can count on businesses being open and nature being at its most accessible come summer. Think walking the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail in Anchorage, ziplining through the trees in Ketchikan, kayaking with the otters in Prince William Sound, or gallivanting around the fun and educational Pioneer Park in Fairbanks. And with so much extra daylight, it becomes possible to fit more into your day: tack on a short hike after your whale watching cruise in the Kenai Fjords, or spend that extra hour admiring the totem poles in Sitka National Historical Park.

October–April: In the fall and winter months, there will be fewer visitors, more budget-friendly options, and the reward of a more uncommon Alaska experience. While some businesses close, a lot is still possible. Chase the northern lights on a guided excursion out of Fairbanks; visit the Western Arctic community of Nome, endpoint of the famed Iditarod; go snowmachining (aka snowmobiling) or dog sledding through the Interior backcountry; put smiles on the kids’ faces at the Santa Claus House in North Pole (just south of Fairbanks); or take the family skating at Anchorage’s Westchester Lagoon while you’re in town for the Fur Rendezvous Festival. Whatever kind of vacation you’re looking for, Alaska has it.

Tip: Questions about packing and climate? Here you go.

Then, base your trip around a particular region.

Photo: State of Alaska/Matt Hage

It’d be fantastic if you could see it all, but Alaska is one-fifth the size of the entire Lower 48. What are your top activities? Where can you find them? The answers will help you choose a home base and hone in on an itinerary for your trip. But — just to make sure you’re not missing out — here’s a little bit on Alaska’s five distinct regions and what they offer:

Home to the Iñupiat people, the Arctic is rich in history and provides a number of opportunities to explore Alaska Native culture and view the region’s magnificent wildlife. Expect 24 hours of sunlight in summer and some of the world’s best northern lights viewing opportunities mid-August through mid-April.The Interior is the heartland of Alaska, unfolding across vast tundra and up to the highest mountain peak in North America, Denali (meaning “The Great One” in Koyukon-Athabascan). This is also the home region of Fairbanks, Alaska’s third-largest city, where a host of activities — from gold panning to dog mushing to northern lights viewing — are possible.The Southwest includes wildlife-heavy destinations like the Kodiak Archipelago and Katmai National Park and Preserve, showcasing more than 240 bird species across its scenic hills and plains, where you’ll also have a chance to spot a grizzly or ten. The 1,000-mile-long chain of the Aleutian Islands makes this the state’s most expansive region (it extends all the way west to the International Date Line!)The Southcentral region, home to over half of the state’s population, is a one-of-a-kind, urban-meets-nature playground of fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing activities. From the streets of Anchorage to the rivers of the Kenai Peninsula, from the mountain-rimmed Mat-Su Valley to the glacier-studded Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, your options here are limitless.The Inside Passage claims some truly massive glaciers, lush islands, and an abundance of whales, porpoises, sea lions, and bald eagles. Family-friendly adventures like hiking, kayaking, fishing, glacier viewing, and wildlife tours abound here. The Inside Passage is also home to the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples, with plentiful opportunities for cultural education.

Of course, you don’t have to choose just one region. How much time do you have?

Consider how you’ll get around.

Photo: cdrin/Shutterstock

Ultimately, you’ll want to choose a mode of transportation that’s convenient, flexible, and efficient for your family and itinerary. For many, this means renting a vehicle, as the benefits of having your own set of wheels while exploring the country’s largest state are plentiful. You’ll be able to cover more ground while also lugging around a family’s worth of layered clothing and souvenirs. If throwing camping into the mix sounds appealing, Alaska is the ideal place to rent an RV for that classic family road trip.

Here are just a couple examples of what you could do with a rental car or camper:

Head south from Anchorage, around the Turnagain Arm, and onto the Kenai Peninsula. Drive down to Seward, where the kids will love exploring the wildlife exhibits at the Alaska SeaLife Center — follow that up with a whale watching tour to see some of those same animals in the wild. Next, retrace your route back to the Sterling Highway and take it all the way to the Homer Spit. Here you’ll find more wildlife tour opportunities, as well as fishing charters and water taxis to points of interest around Kachemak Bay. (Don’t miss the artist enclave of Halibut Cove.)Serious road tripping families should consider the circle drive that starts in Anchorage and proceeds through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel (the longest tunnel in North America!) to Whittier. From there, it’s a Marine Highway ferry to Valdez and its magnificent waterfalls, followed by a potential side trip over to McCarthy and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. When you’re ready, take the Richardson Highway north and enjoy the views of the Alaska Range as you make your way to Fairbanks. Finally, your route back to Anchorage can include a stop in Denali National Park and Preserve. This circuit is eminently doable yet might just be the best family drive you ever take.

Of course, it’s not essential that you rent a car for your trip to Alaska with the kids. Travel tour groups are always an option, as are ferries, the Alaska Railroad, regional airlines, buses, and bush plane charters. In fact, in some cases a bush plane will be your primary method of transportation.

Let Alaska cater to your family’s needs and abilities.

Photo: Image Source Trading Ltd/Shutterstock

Sure, you and the kids could heli-ski from a remote mountain lodge, go for an epic hike in Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, or whitewater raft the Nenana River near Denali National Park and Preserve. Alaska certainly caters to those who seek adventure. But if you’re traveling with younger children, fear not — Alaska is just as much for you as it is the thrill-seeker. “Adventure” comes in many forms, after all.

Go on a wildlife cruise to view orcas and humpback whales, visit the sled dog kennels in Denali, enjoy a mellow but scenic hike in Hatcher Pass, pan for gold in Girdwood or Fairbanks, or pedal through the Tongass National Forest in the Southeast. Another option to consider is basing yourself out of a lodge — this eliminates the need to hop from hotel to hotel but still gives you access to a wide variety of outdoor activities, conveniently arranged through your accommodations.

Your trip to Alaska with the kids will be a rush, no doubt, but you get to decide what kind and how fast-paced.

Make it educational.

Photo: State of Alaska/Matt Hage

The entire state is a living classroom — use it to your advantage! Take this chance to teach the kids about “Leave No Trace” principles in the wilderness; show them rare wildlife in their natural habitats and at marine or conservation centers; talk to them about Alaska’s melting glaciers and permafrost after stopping by the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center; take advantage of junior ranger programming at one of Alaska’s many national parks. And, of course, encourage the kids to ask questions!

From talking to local Alaskans to visiting sites like the Alaska Native Heritage Center, there are a number of interactive, eye-opening ways to teach your kids about the importance of sustainability, of working with and learning from Indigenous groups, of the need to protect our planet and the life it harbors. Simply being in Alaska is an opportunity to discover and grow — for everyone.

Factor in the time difference and hours of daylight.

Photo: Juancat/Shutterstock

Alaska is so itself, it’s in a time zone all its own: one hour earlier than Pacific. You’ll want to factor in any time difference (likely one to four hours, depending on where you’re arriving from) and consider how that change can feel exaggerated given the season in which you’re traveling. This goes double if you’re visiting Alaska with small kids. In the winter, the sun rises late and sets early; in the summer, it can feel like the sun never sets — and in some parts of the state, it doesn’t!

This isn’t a hindrance to your fun; if anything, it’ll add to it. In summer, you can attend special activities like the Midnight Sun Game (a 10:30pm baseball game) or the Midnight Sun Festival, both in Fairbanks. In winter, there’s night skiing and constant opportunities to catch the northern lights.

It’s important to keep things in perspective, though. When it comes to epic family travel destinations, Alaska is so much closer to home. Direct flights abound from most major US cities and are only a few hours in duration.

Leave things to do for your next trip.

Photo: Troy Larson/Shutterstock

If there’s only one thing you remember, make it this: You don’t have to stress about trying to fit everything into your first trip to Alaska with the kids. And to be honest, you can’t. But the adventures you have will lead to new ideas and fresh curiosities, so that the next time you visit, you and the family can experience a different region or season and draw up a completely different Alaska itinerary to remember forever.

More like thisTravel7 reasons to take your dream Alaska trip THIS SUMMER

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How a midlife gap year could stave off that future midlife crisis

Americans are burning out, in no small part because workers fail to take advantage of their allotted paid time off for fear of falling behind. We’re going to sleep at 23 years old, waking up at 40, looking at our not-quite-empty but not-quite-robust bank accounts and saying with a shrug, “well, it could be worse.”

Yeah, it could. But it could also be much, much better.

As times change, trends evolve. If a classic midlife crisis is calling to you, by all means stomp off into the woods for a week, do your best Thoreau impression, commune with nature, contemplate the meaning of life, and then return dirtier and more pissed off than ever. Or you could take a midlife gap year instead.

The midlife gap year is, or at least should be, the next iteration of the midlife crisis. It’s pretty simple: Just take the concept of a traditional gap year — a year off in between high school and college to travel — and apply it to the adult world. With remote work, it’s becoming more and more feasible to pick up and hit the road while still receiving a paycheck. Depending on your financial situation and relationship status, you could even leave the job behind, too.

Take a year off. Rent a van. Hitchhike. Live in another part of the country, or the world. Whatever you do, don’t do it with a crisis mindset — have a sense of purpose and a commitment to self-discovery, and return with a fresh perspective on your personal and professional future.

Take the trip you’ve been putting off

The standard US allowance of two PTO weeks per year is one issue that seems to unite everybody: it’s not nearly enough time. Between family obligations and mental health breaks, we’re lucky if we can fit one five-day vacation into our schedule each year. The result? Frustrated American workers sitting at their desks scrolling longingly through Skyscanner and Expedia, fantasizing about the trips they wish they could take. While this might be a fun diversion, it certainly isn’t a healthy long-term habit.

Much like a traditional gap year, a midlife gap year is, on its most superficial level, a time for you to venture out of your bubble. When your routine is largely the same every day, life can feel pretty claustrophobic. A midlife gap year gives you some much-needed distance and breathing room. Take the trip you’ve always been planning in your head. Go live on the opposite coast, or abroad. Have the experiences you’ve been daydreaming about while you sit at your desk, bored and waiting for the clock to strike five. You might return to the exact same routine once the year is over, but you’ll do so with a handful of new experiences under your belt.

Avoid burnout

Finding happiness as an adult is as much about fulfilment as it is about avoiding burnout. The workday used to end at five. Now, thanks to technology, it simply continues at home (if we ever left home in the first place) on our laptops and iPhones with the oft-uttered expression, “hold on, I just have to answer this email real quick.” In a world where everyone is constantly plugged in, it can be hugely beneficial to disconnect from it all.

Photo: Photomario/Shutterstock

Even if you continue working from the road, taking a break from your hyper-productive co-workers and results-oriented friends and family can be a major boon for your mental health. We live in a world defined by urgency, where much of our lives revolve around Google Calendar invites. You might be used to it, but there’s a good chance that it’s slowly burning you out without even realizing it. A midlife gap year can lift you out of your stressful environment, give you a change of scenery, and help you return refreshed to your everyday life.

Reevaluate your priorities

The rigors of the daily grind often make it impossible to see the forest for the trees. The big picture is lost in the daily haze, in the tedious minutiae that demand our attention at every turn. The midlife gap year allows you to take a step back and see the forest.

Traditionally, a gap year is a bridge between two major periods of your life: high school and college. Its experiential nature can often inform what that next chapter looks like, giving us time to both reflect and look ahead. For adults, this is even more true. By the time our “midlife crisis” moment hits, we’ve likely been on a professional employment track for quite some time. We’re relatively comfortable in our job, our family, our friends, and where we live. Maybe it all lines up perfectly, and maybe it doesn’t. Taking a year off can offer some much-needed perspective at a pivotal juncture in our lives. The teenage gap year is a time to look ahead to the college years. The adult gap year is a time to look ahead to the rest of your life.

A midlife gap year is the perfect time to reflect and change course if need be. Finding yourself isn’t just for 19 year-olds — it’s something we all need to do from time to time.

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Here’s how you can stay at Real Housewife Dorinda Medley’s Berkshire manor

Real Housewife of New York alumni Dorinda Medley has listed her Berkshire mansion on Airbnb and will welcome guests out for a lavish stay of two nights only. While Dorinda is away promoting her memoir, Make It Nice, two groups of four guests will get to experience her lavish estate for one night on Aug. 23 and 25 for $100 per night.

“Exceptional spaces like this are meant to be shared. Come here to toast with friends, old and new, and ‘make it nice’ at Blue Stone Manor,” Medley said in a press release.

Photo: Airbnb

Blue Stone Manor is an 11,000-square-foot estate known for its idyllic settings, with jeweled clad peacocks, sea-shelled status, a dining room with a green hand-painted ceiling, vibrant purple sofas in the billiards room, and luxury gold-threaded curtains lining the entry hall.

Photo: Airbnb

For RHONY fans who cannot make it to the Berkshires, Medley is hosting an online experience called “Make It Nice and Boozy” on Friday, Aug. 27, at 4:00 PM ET. Up to 20 guests can join this happy hour and intimate cocktail party.

All proceeds from the online experience will benefit Ronald McDonald House New York, an organization that provides services and care for families battling pediatric cancer and other serious illnesses.

Bookings begin on Aug. 18 at 12:00 PM ET on the Airbnb website, and you can book the online experience here.

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Watch a YouTuber find striking Soviet architecture and art in the longest city in Europe

Benjamin Rich, the man behind the YouTube channel Bald and bankrupt, loves a trip down Soviet memory lane. He’s visited Chernobyl; he’s gone to ​​the formerly closed city of Maylisuu in Kyrgyzstan; and he has spent time in Transnistria, a breakaway state located between Moldova and Ukraine.

This time around, Rich takes us to the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, the longest city in Europe, for a treasure hunt. After purchasing a second-hand coffee-table book about life in Soviet Kryvyi Rih, he is determined to find some of the buildings and public art pieces featured in the 1983 book to see what they look like today.

His mission turns out to be a little more difficult than anticipated, as Kryvyi Rih is a vast city and public transportation isn’t as efficient as he’d like it to be. But after a couple of rides on the electric tramway, the cheap and beautiful metro, and thanks to Viktor, an unexpected guide with a simple but functioning car, Rich manages to find a few matches from the book.

His first find is the Taras Shevchenko Theatre, a municipal concert hall with nearly 650 seats that looks just as good today and it looked under the rule of the USSR.

Photo: Stock Kryvyi Rih/Shutterstock

His second find is a monument announcing the entrance of the Park in the Name of Pravda Newspaper (‘Pravda’ used to be the official newspaper of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union). While in the park, he also stumbles onto the Kryvyi Rih Boat Station, a pretty white building right on the river.

Photo: Sashko Tkachenko/Shutterstock

On his visit, Rich also finds the musical college, the post office (still bearing the hammer and sickle), an old airplane with a USSR stamp on one of its wings, the Circus (a circular building that hosts plays, concerts, and shows), and an uncrewed Soviet monument that looks like a memorial. All look very much the same as they did in 1983 and appear to be still operating.

Check out Rich’s video below and take a Soviet tour of a Ukrainian town you’ve probably never heard of.

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Rugged, remote Lanai is perfect for exploring by jeep

While the masses head to the beaches of Oahu and the other more celebrated Hawaiian Islands, Lanai is often overlooked due to its diminutive size and lack of tourist infrastructure. Many people who visit Hawaii regularly haven’t even heard of Lanai. However, for those who prefer dirt roads and wild, empty beaches, Lanai can’t be beaten.

Don’t be fooled by the so-called Lanai City, the island’s capital. The “city” is, in fact, a small town consisting of a couple of tiny supermarkets, a scattering of shops and cafes, and a small theater. The entire population of Lanai consists of 3,000 people, and most of them live here. The heart of Lanai City is focused around Dole Park, a small green area surrounded by towering Norfolk and Cook Island pines. Many of the buildings are colorful plantation houses that were built for the employees of Dole Pineapples, which operated between 1922 to 1972.

As pleasant as the island capital is, Lanai’s main draws lie in its rugged interior, untamed beaches and dramatic landscapes. A mere 30 miles of the roads on the island are paved, and traffic lights are non-existent. The remainder is dirt track, necessitating the use of a jeep. From the otherworldly Garden of the Gods to the remote Shipwreck Beach and a somewhat surprising cat sanctuary, exploring Lanai by jeep offers a taste of adventure for those who like to escape the crowds and make their own discoveries.

Arriving on Lanai

Photo: MH Anderson Photography/Shutterstock

Touching down at Lanai’s tiny airport is very different from arriving on Maui or Kauai. Most of the passengers are islanders returning home and tourists are in the minority. Many visitors come to Lanai on a day trip, arriving by ferry from Maui. The ferry trip takes about an hour and a half. Between December and April, humpback whales can be spotted in the ‘Au’au Channel. For day-trippers, a ferry/jeep hire package can be arranged. A day is enough to see most of the major sights on the island but to really tune into Lanai and make the most of what it has to offer, it’s worth staying for a few days.

Exploring the island by Jeep

Photo: Lynn Yeh/Shutterstock

Hiring a jeep is the way to go on Lanai, as it provides access to the island’s most beautiful and isolated sites. Many of the beaches can only be reached by a four-wheel-drive vehicle. It’s important to check the latest conditions as heavy rain can completely wipe out certain routes. Additionally, a good map is essential, as signs are few and far between. It’s also worth heeding the advice of the friendly locals, who always enjoy offering a tip or two to visitors. Load up with a picnic, snacks, and plenty of water — you’ll be heading to some remote spots. If you’re leaving from Lanai City, Coffee Works is a good place to stock up. Below are a few of Lanai’s best spots to explore by jeep.

The Garden of Gods

Photo: Brandon B/Shutterstock

Keahiakawalo, otherwise known as the Garden of the Gods, is accessed by a long dirt track. Boulders are strewn across the landscape, which is tinged with hues of red, orange, and ochre. The volcanic rock formations here stretch as far as the eye can see, making for a stunning spectacle. At sunrise and sunset, the colors are illuminated in an incandescent glow, enhancing the scene further. In the other direction, Maui can be seen across the channel in the distance. If it weren’t for that fact, you would feel as though you had been transported to another planet. It’s an atmospheric and peaceful spot, and, what’s more, you will likely have the lunar-like landscape to yourself.

Hulopoe Beach

Photo: EQRoy/Shutterstock

You don’t need a jeep to reach this beach, but it’s nevertheless worth including in your itinerary. At the end of a steep twisting road, Hulopoe Beach is excellent for both swimming and snorkeling. Incredibly the weather here is always sunny, even when it’s raining in Lanai City, only seven miles away. A campsite on the beach has grills and picnic tables, making it hard to imagine a more appealing spot to pitch a tent. There are also well-maintained restrooms. A short trail follows the red cliffs, from where you can watch the waves crashing against the rocks and look down upon colorful rock pools full of fish. Puu Pehe, also known as Sweetheart Rock, is an 80-foot rock formation that can be seen from the clifftop.

Lanai Cat Sanctuary

Photo: KnelsenPhoto/Shutterstock

For cat lovers, the impressive Lanai Cat Sanctuary, just a couple of miles from Lanai City, is an unexpected delight of a visit to the island. The cats who live there are all feral and have been given a happy and safe home in this tropical sanctuary. Not only does the sanctuary play an important role in caring for the cats, but also protecting native birdlife. Staff are happy to give visitors a tour and introduce them to the residents. Visitors are encouraged to play with the cats who vie for attention. Meals are served at the cat-fur-teria and younger cats romp around in the kitten-garten. The cats even have a choice of accommodation, from small wooden houses to apartments or snug baskets. Entrance to the sanctuary is free (although donations are gratefully accepted), and cats are available for adoption.

Shipwreck Beach

Photo: RaulCano/Shutterstock

A dirt track winds its way down to the isolated Shipwreck Bay, where the eerie vision of the ship, Liberty, sits marooned on the coral. Due to the strong current, this isn’t a swimming beach, but it’s a beachcomber’s heaven. A deluge of flotsam washes up on the shores, providing foragers with some interesting finds. In addition to beachcombing, the seven-mile-long beach is great for sunbathing, picnicking, fishing and hiking. Again, it’s highly likely that you won’t cross paths with anyone when visiting Shipwreck Beach. It’s wild and windswept, yet alluring and the perfect place to find solitude.

Kaunolo

Photo: WJankowsk/Shutterstock

The bumpy road to the former fishing village/royal compound of Kaunolo is another route that requires a 4×4 vehicle. This was where King Kamehameha the Great lived between 1778 and 1810 with his devoted subjects. The village consists of the ruins of 86 house platforms and 35 stone shelters, all of which are well preserved. A hike up to Warrior’s Leap leads to the spot where the king’s men would dive 63 feet into the ocean below to prove their bravery. Perched on 3,300-foot-high cliffs, Kaunolo is a perfect place to watch the sun go down.

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At-home COVID-19 tests every traveler should be aware of

As travel opens up in fits and starts, negative COVID-19 tests have become a golden ticket for some, and a way to find peace of mind for others.

This is especially true when traveling abroad. Depending on where you’re going, you may have to prove vaccination, provide a negative COVID-19 test taken within a certain time frame, or have both on hand before your departure. The type of test that’s accepted at the border (or whether you need one at all) depends on which country you’re going to. Each country in Europe, for example, has different test requirements and allowances.

When traveling inside the US, at-home tests offer a convenient way to make sure you haven’t picked up the virus whether you’re vaccinated or not. While drugstores like CVS and Walgreens may have options, they may be sold out or unavailable where you are. You can pretty much always have a test shipped to you, though.

That said, at-home testing isn’t the solution for every traveler, and the testing requirements to get back into the US make at-home tests abroad difficult-to-impossible to use for entry. Always check with the country you’re visiting for the most up-to-date guidelines. Still, at-home tests are a great solution for when you’re preparing to travel abroad or if you’re concerned you may have been exposed during domestic travel.

These at-home kits can be shipped to you wherever you’re at in the country, making them perfect for travelers in need of a fast and reliable test.

EverlyWell

One of the first to be authorized by the FDA, the EverlyWell nasal swab tests for both symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19. The testing process is pretty simple. Just insert the nasal swab one inch into the nose, ship the sample for free, and receive a digital and hard copy proof of results within one to two days. EverlyWell also provides an itemized receipt for insurance reimbursement.

Cost: $109

LetsGetChecked

This is a gentle lower nasal swab test that collects a sample for lab evaluation. The test kit includes easy-to-follow instructions for using the prepaid shipping label to mail your test. You can then track it in real time, and receive text or email updates during the process. Once the sample has been received, a medical professional will review your test and go over the results with you. LetsGetChecked provides itemized recipes for insurance reimbursement, and has an expedited traveler option as well.

Cost: $89

Phosphorus

It’s not just a square on the periodic table anymore. Phosphorus is one of the top self-test kits out there, and it was one of the first to receive FDA approval. Its RT -qPCR saliva test provides quick results in just one to two days, and you don’t even have to stick anything up your nose. According to the company, the test has a sensitivity (positive detection rate) of 97.1 percent and a specificity (negative detection rate) of 98.2 percent.

Cost: $119 without insurance
$49 with insurance

Pixel

Pixel is the only at-home COVID-19 test that doesn’t require an upfront payment. Insurance also isn’t necessary to receive the test. If you take Pixel’s intake survey, you can have Pixel file with your insurance, or eligible customers can use federal funds to cover the test cost. Skipping the survey altogether is also an option, though you’ll have to pay up front. You’ll receive the test within two days of ordering, including a nasal swab. Once you self-administer the swab and send in your sample, results will be uploaded digitally. A clinician is also available for a free consultation for those whose results are positive or undetermined.

Cost: $0 upfront, insurance will be billed

Picture

Fulgent Genetics’s Picture test is a nucleic acid amplification test that uses a nasal swab. After you undergo an eligibility screening, Picture will send you a test kit through FedEx within two days. 48 hours after Picture receives your sample, your results will be uploaded digitally to your online portal. You also have the option of scheduling a telehealth consultation to review your results.

Cost: $119

Vitagene

Vitagene partners with RUCDR Infinite Biologics to offer at-home collection test kits. They deliver kits within two to three days of ordering, and once you register your kit on 1health.io, just follow the instructions to collect your sample. Results are uploaded to Vitagene’s platform within three days. Vitagene accepts HSA and FSA as payment, though does not file insurance claims.

Cost: $89

Azova

Azova tests are available at Costco.com. The test results are taken via Zoom call with video observation by a medical expert, and the test is specifically designed for travelers. Results will be made available online through a secure app within 48 hours of the lab receiving your kit. The test is also approved as part of Hawaii’s testing partner program, and for travel to Bermuda — so tropical travelers take note.

Cost: $119

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