Many animals may be hibernating, but winter is a perfect time for people to get outside and enjoy America’s national wildlife refuges. Go for a hike. Sight a bird. Restore your sense of wonder. The National Wildlife Refuge System, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is the world’s premier system of public lands and waters set aside to conserve America’s fish, wildlife and plants. There is a National Wildlife Refuge within an hour’s drive of most major cities.
Here is a sampling of upcoming refuge events:
Strap on Your Skis
Now thru mid-March — Horicon National Wildlife Refuge, WI
Hike, snowshoe, x-country ski Horicon Refuge for wildlife watching & photography. Learn more about Horicon Refuge.
Take a Sleigh Ride
Now thru March, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily — National Elk Refuge, WY
Take a horse-drawn sleigh ride past an elk herd numbering in the thousands. Reservations needed. Buy tickets (adults $18; ages 5-12 $14; under 5 free) at the Jackson Hole and Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center, 532 North Cache Street, several blocks north of Jackson’s Town Square. Visitor Center hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Sleigh rides last about one hour, including the shuttle ride to and from the sleigh ride site. Accommodations for visitors with disabilities. Learn more about National Elk Refuge.
Join an Eagle Watch
Friday, January 7, and Saturday, January 8, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. — Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge, OK
Learn about eagles, then take a hayride to an eagle hotspot to see eagles fly in to roost for the evening. Reservations are required. Wear warm, neutral-colored clothing. Bring a thermos or hot mug. Hot chocolate provided.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
a guest article by B&B expert, Marti Mayne
“Aren’t you worried it’s going to be cold?” asked more than one person when I told them I was heading to Sunday River Ski Resort for a weekend of ziplining. For this acrophobe, cold temps were the least of my worries. One of the items on my “bucket list” has always been to conquer my fear of heights, and I was bound and determined to do it on this trip.
I packed my two daughters (Calli, 11, and Kim Han, 9) into the car and off we went with my husband Lincoln for a weekend adventure at Sunday River. We’re an avid skiing family, and a weekend of skiing fun combined with the novel adventure of ziplining sounded like the perfect getaway. The drive included rousing group renditions of “Zippity Do Dah” and Christmas carols on the radio; clearly, everybody was ready!
Read all about the zipline adventure on EasternSlopes.com.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Make your dream a reality in 2011 with Austin-Lehman Adventures.
A vacation in Africa evokes mystery, wonder and above all else, adventure. If you were to ask 100 people what their #1 dream vacation is, a safari in Africa would probably top the list. However, Africa is incredibly diverse and making a decision about where to go and what to do can be an overwhelming challenge.
In 2010 Austin-Lehman Adventures (ALA) director, Dan Austin, spent months studying the available options in Africa. He traveled to South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana, exploring firsthand the diverse options. He met with dozens of lodge operators, did countless game drives, visited villages and got to know at least 10 different tribes. He ate Mopane Worms in Windhoek, Wart Hog in Pamwag and Eland in Katima. He hiked, drove, boated and biked his way across these 5 countries all to understand the best of the best.
Once he had a better understanding of the where, he went to work on the how and who. After talking with a dozen ground operators before leaving the states, he was very pleased to meet face-to-face with 3 of the best in all of Africa. He spent hours poring over maps and researching accommodations, all with a keen eye on value. Working hand in hand, the team worked together to come up with the following 3 diverse and exciting itineraries (see below) that highlight some of the best that Africa has to offer.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE NEW YEAR WITH PROJECTS ABROAD
Projects Abroad makes it easy for a new year’s resolution to become a reality. With volunteer projects in 25 destinations, including new programs launching in 2011, Projects Abroad offers many ways to enrich the lives of others around the world, while providing a sense of personal fulfillment.
“The new year is a time when many pledge to better themselves or the lives of others, and Projects Abroad offers opportunities to achieve both,” said Thomas Pastorius, vice president of Projects Abroad. “Whether making it possible for villages to have clean drinking water, caring for children in orphanages or making strides in environmental conservation, volunteers will find a project that suits their interests.”
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Whether your resolutions are about reducing stress, shaving strokes off your golf game, enhancing knowledge of history, improving your ski skills, or rekindling romance, Marriott Hotels & Resorts offer a variety of packages to keep you motivated.
New Year’s Resolution #1: Stress-reduction therapy
Escape the everyday and experience a world of serenity at The Spa at Doral and Pritikin Longevity Center at The Doral Golf Resort & Spa, A Marriott Resort in Miami, FL (Promotion code SPA).
Now through October 28, 2011, get away from it all with a package that includes the choice of a Doral Massage, Citrus Mango Body Scrub, Shirodhara, Doral Custom Facial, Express Manicure & Express Pedicure or Personal Training; a full breakfast buffet per person per night; complimentary access to spa facility; and unlimited use of spa fitness center and classes. Rates start at $149 per person, per night;$199 per person, single occupancy. For details, call (305) 592-2000 or visit www.doralmarriott.com.
New Year’s Resolution #2: Grand golf and commemoration of the Civil War
The venerable Dogwood and Azalea courses at Lakewood Golf Club have hosted President Gerald Ford, Dr. Billy Graham and Bob Hope and remain showcases for great golf in the South. Golf enthusiasts can discover the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail with The Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club and Spa’s Escape! Package (promotional code SPO), which runs through October 28, 2011. Enjoy a deluxe room that includes one round of golf for two. Both the Dogwood and Azalea courses offer golf instruction to help hone your skills. Rates start at $239 per room, per night. For details, call (251) 928-9201 or visit www.marriottgrandspa.com.
What better place to learn about America’s past while playing outstanding golf than at The Grand on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, with commemorations scheduled from 2011 through 2015. The property first opened in 1847 as a Southern resort, but later became a Confederate hospital guarded by the Alabama Infantry and fired upon by Union troops. A Confederate cemetery is adjacent to the grounds near the Lakewood Golf Club. To honor the Grand’s military history, a patriotic procession travels through the resort each afternoon, culminating with the firing of an 1840’s-era cannon. The military salute is followed by afternoon tea in the hotel’s lobby.
New Year’s Resolution #3: Skiers’ paradise
Practice makes perfect. Now through April 23, 2011, ski buffs looking to improve their skills can take advantage of a special package at the Vail Marriott Mountain Resort in Colorado (for 14 of the past 20 years, Vail has dominated as SKI Magazine’s No. 1 U.S. ski resort). The Stay More, Pay Less! package (promotional code SKI) includes daily lift tickets and resort accommodations. Vail’s Ski and Snowboard School offers private and group lessons and schools for adults, teens and children. Call 1-970-ski-vail or visit www.vail.com. After a day on the slopes, relax in one of the resort’s heated pools or whirlpools. Rates range from $185 per room, per night, for a seven-night stay to $257 per room, per night, for a three-night stay. The offer is blacked out April 17-18. For details, call (970) 476-4444 or visit www.vailmarriott.com.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Meet K2 designers and try unreleased test skis and prototypes for the 2011-2012 season. This limited adventure from Canadian Mountain Holidays is perfect for people who love heli-skiing and testing new products.
Join CMH Heli-Skiing and K2 Skis this winter (March 12 - 19, 2011) and be among the first to test out K2’s upcoming line of 2011-12 skis. You will have access to a variety of unreleased K2 test skis during a Heli-Ski week with CMH. K2 designers will be on-hand with prototype skis, and they will gather your valued feedback on an assortment of performance metrics of each ski model you choose to take for a ride.
The designers will then take your comments back to the K2 Headquarters and fine-tune the skis with your comments in mind. Your reward for all this hard work? A free pair 2011-2012 K2 skis once they are released in the fall of 2011.
Get more Heli-Skiing details at Canadian Mountain Holidays
Source: The Adventure Collection
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".