hog wild in durango
By: John T. Braun

The call of the wild, the seduction of the roar, the embrace of scenery so beautiful that it makes you weep.  Okay, well, maybe not weep, but it is incredible all the same.  While Durango is known for it’s historic downtown, cowboy history and friendly people, we wanted to experience the sites in a bit more personal way.  How better to do that than with 90 cubic inches of America’s best rumbling between your legs?  That’s right, saddle up on the steel horse, and ride through town with little more than an open mind and a full tank of gas to take in some glorious scenery.

Our adventure began at Durango Harley Davidson, where we had reserved a Harley Davidson Heritage Soft Tail Classic, bespoke in chrome, leather and attitude!  After about a half hour with the friend staff to complete the paperwork, talk about routes, get checked out on the bike and perform a short test ride for the staff (to prove our proficiency in riding), we were off.  

Well, first, we were inside suiting up.  Keep in mind that Durango is in the mountains, and can get a bit chilly.  Dress in layers so that you can shed or don jackets and pants as necessary.

Now, we’re off!  We chose to ride out to Vallecito Lake, about twenty miles or so outside of the historic downtown Durango.  Now, I have to be honest here.  I don’t ride a Harley Davidson back home, so the Heritage Soft Tail Classic took a bit of getting used to.  Not too much, though.  The bike was almost brand new, and in top-notch shape.  In fact, a quick scan of their entire rental fleet showed nothing but beautiful, new or almost new motorcycles.  Nothing in the group that would offend any Harley Davidson die-hard!

Once over the Animas river, heading out of town on 32nd Street, we quickly found County Road 240 which took us most of the way out to Vallecito Lake.  The final leg of the journey out was on County Road 501.  Both of these country roads wind comfortably through the mountains with gentle curves and rises.  Each time we rounded another bend, I’d comment to myself about the perfect motorcycle roads that we were enjoying.  I actually found myself pulling off the throttle a couple of times just to enjoy the ride a bit longer!

Be prepared to enjoy green pastures, complete with horses, snow capped mountain tops and miles and miles of road that seemed engineered by a life-long Harley Davidson enthusiast.  Turning around at the far end of Vallecito Lake, we began our double-back course towards Durango.  Once we reached 32nd Street, our awe of the scenery began to give way to hunger.  To answer the call, we rode through Durango to a fantastic little restaurant called Poppies where we enjoyed a great sandwich.  The fresh ingredients and comfortable dining area were just what we needed to cap off such a great ride.

After fueling up, we headed back to Durango Harley Davidson to return our steed.  Once again, the friendly staff met us, and asked about our ride.  Once they quickly checked the bike out to insure that it was as we accepted it, we were off.  

Enjoying a ride like this on a motorcycle is great.  You simply feel so much more connected to everything around you than if you were in a car, with the windows up and the radio on.  Enjoying a ride like this on a Harley Davidson is just special.  Harley Davidson has a unique cache that cannot be experienced on any other bike.  The attitude of the design, the rumble of the V-Twin and the friendly wave of the hand from other Harley owners all complete the experience.  Finally, there is no better or more convenient way to enjoy this experience than with a Harley Davidson rental from the professional and friendly staff of Durango Harley Davidson.

swimming with the devil
By: Dena Braun

In September and December adventurers in Zimbabwe can swim near the edge of the highest waterfall in the world, Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world.  These massive falls tower 128 meters but intrepid soles can take their swim in what locals call The Devil’s swimming pool.  

While it might seem daunting to get so close to the edge of such a powerful waterfall, the activity isn’t as scary as it might seem.  During the low water flow months there is a natural rock lodge that reduces the current and stops swimmers from falling over the edge.

Guides are available at the falls and for a nominal fee will guide you to the correct spot.

swinging into adventure
By: Marlene Rochwerger

Although I’ve visited six continents, I’ve definitely been an armchair adventure traveler, sticking mostly to hikes, and only reading about exciting possibilities.  Miraval’s On a Swing and a Prayer challenge sounded interesting, but I knew I’d have to see it first before actually committing myself to do it.  I think all 8 of us felt the same way, as there was a very definite pause when we were asked to decide who would go first, etc.  It was no surprise that I chose to be last in line.

Picture two tall poles perhaps 45 ft. high, with a cable between them.  We were hoisted up about 40 ft., clutching the end of a cable in one hand.  The idea is to let go of the cable, and symbolically let go of a worry or problem in life at the same time.  Physically, letting go meant a steep drop down, some pendulum swings and then circular swings.  Mentally, we could let go of whatever we wanted to.  The view up top of the gorgeous Catalina Mountains was serenely quiet and beautiful, but it was a long way down.  The cable hurt my hand, so letting go was surprisingly easy, and the “ride” was great. Several of our group thought that the big drop and the first few swings were like a roller coaster ride, with the same stomach dropping feeling. I doubt I’ll become a roller coaster fan, but I didn’t think the big drop down was too bad. I’d do it again, and maybe even go first! 

We all worked together as a team, pulling the ropes to raise each other up, to help each other down, and to cheer each of us on.  I think I was the oldest of the group, someone else was the heaviest, and each of us found we could do more than we thought we could.  Age and size need not matter to the adventurer.  Who knows what any of us might try next?

Zip lining sounds intriguing to me, and I’d love to try zorbing, which my daughter raves about, but I don’t think you’ll ever read about me bungee jumping or sky diving.  Meeting the challenge of On a Swing and a Prayer, opened up lots of possibilities for future adventures.

Hiking in New Zealand
By: Dena Braun

Hiking Guru Peter Potterfiled is presenting a slideshow on his experiences in Oz during an eight-week tour through REI stores across the country.  The show will focus on the best hiking in New Zealand. 

Avid outdoor enthusiasts attending the events can also look forward to book signings by Potterfield at each store, and Tourism New Zealand drawings for prizes from ExOfficio and Eagle Creek, plus a chance to win REI’s “Discover New Zealand” trip, courtesy of Air New Zealand and REI Adventures – REI’s adventure travel company.

Peter Potterfield is the editor of www.GreatOutdoors.com, one of the most frequently visited online adventure magazines, where he writes his monthly column, Wilderness Notes. He has also penned a dozen books, including Classic Hikes of the World (WW Norton & Co.), and the critically acclaimed In the Zone. Potterfield is a founding editor of MountainZone.com, where he pioneered live reporting of Mount Everest expeditions and other real-time adventure stories from remote locations. A highlight was the discovery – by a 1999 MountainZone-sponsored expedition – of the long-lost climber, George Mallory. A veteran of expeditions to the far corners of the world, Potterfield has roamed the Himalayas, explored the mountains of Canada's Coast Range, crossed the Swedish Arctic solo, traveled on foot through the wild southern reaches of New Zealand, and retraced Sir Ernest Shackleton's route to salvation on South Georgia Island. 

For a sneak preview, you can read about Potterfield’s latest adventures in the land of the long white cloud, by visiting http://www.newzealand.com/travel/about-nz/features/peter-potterfield/peter-potterfield_home.cfm.

To see when Potterfield will be in your hometown, visit http://www.classichikes.com/events.html

SOAR above Colorado
By: Dena Braun

In the last few years, zip line or canopy tours have become popular adventure activities in the Caribbean and Central America. But Americans don’t need to travel abroad to experience the thrill of soaring above the treetops. One of the best (and safest) courses is near Durango, Colorado.

Located at the five-star hideaway of Tall Timber Resort, Soaring Tree Top Adventure, boasts a 1.5 mile zip line course that will have you soaring above the pine trees and over the Animas River during a four-hour high-flyin’ tour.

I arrived at Tree Top resort after an hour on the Durango Narrow Gauge Steam Railroad (the resort is only accessible via train or helicopter). It was the beginning of May and Colorado was experiencing a freak snowstorm. The trees looked amazingly pristine coated in snow, but I was apprehensive about soaring in a snowstorm. The Sky Rangers (zip line leaders) assured me that the course was safe, and thankfully they had extra winter apparel for me to use. Once attired, and looking like Ralphie’s little brother from A Christmas Story, I joined my group and went through some basic course and safety information.

Zip lining isn’t physically difficult. In fact, anyone over five years old is welcome to soar. The challenge is purely mental. You have to get over your fear of stepping off a platform 100 feet high and trust that the zip line equipment will function as designed. The Durango course was certified to be the safest zip line experience in the world. The cable is high-strength stainless steel and the harnesses are top of the line Petzl gear. After just a few platforms, most participants lose their fear and can be seen going on the line hands free or even upside down. The course has four river spans, including one that runs over 550 feet. Unlike other zip lines in the world, there is no need to use your hands on the wire to stop yourself at the end of a line—this course was engineered to use physics to stop you naturally.

Soaring reminded me a bit of hang gliding. Although you’re tethered to a rope, there is feeling of freedom and flying and being one with the Earth. Some of my favorite sections of the course were the ones that I did tandem zips with my husband John.

Soaring is a fun and unique way to experience the jaw-dropping Colorado scenery. The course is open from May-October.

LEARNING to Love Adventure Travel
By: Dena Braun

I’ve always loved travel. It started when my parents took me on my first big vacation to Disney World when I was five. Throughout the years my parents and I would go on an annual trip--Alaska, Hawaii, Europe, the Caribbean—I had seen them all by the time I was 19. But it wasn’t until a trip to Colorado that I realized on all those trips, I was just a tourist. I saw the requisite sites you MUST see in each place, but it was like being a spectator at a tennis match as opposed to a player.

I was on a four-day trek through Southwestern Colorado visiting Ouray, Durango and Silverton. Unlike my past travels, there were no mandatory stops at museums, or a checklist of top ten sites to see. Instead, the focus was entirely on experiencing what Colorado really has to offer in spades—pure, heart-pounding thrills in any season. While I’m a gym rat and former college athlete, I had never considered myself a thrill seeker, and never planned a trip that revolved around physical activity and adventures.

Colorado changed all that. I jumped right in with an ice climbing experience in Ouray. I live in Phoenix because to me 65 degrees is sweater weather, but I quickly found out that with the right gear, even a thin-skinned Arizonian could be comfy in 30 degrees and blowing snow. At the world’s first ice park, armed with an ice pick, crampons and a good guide, I scaled a very small part of what looked like a vertical glacier. It was exhilarating and empowering.

In Silverton, I operated a snowmobile for the fist time. Scaling 12,000-foot peaks, our group crisscrossed the mountains, rarely encountering another living soul. As soon as I got the hang of the machine, I was like the little kid in Talladega Nights, “I wanna go fast” became my mantra. For the first time I (sort of) understand why my husband just had to have that motorcycle. With the wind whipping in my face, I was truly experiencing the scenery rather than watching it whiz by from the seat of a car or tour bus.

My last adventure of the trip took me on a chair lift to the peaks of hell. Purgatory Mountain in Durango that is. Everyone comes to Colorado to ski, but we were doing something different—snow shoeing down the mountain. Away from the skiers we had the mountain to ourselves and I saw the purest snow I’ve ever seen in my life (I grew up in Wisconsin and am no stranger to the white stuff).

This short trip, my first introduction to the Colorado that lay outside of Denver, was a life-changing experience. First it opened my eyes to a whole new way to see the world. No longer am I content with seeing what everyone else sees, I want to really experience the places I go. I want to have adventures in each new location. Since this trip, I’ve whitewater rafted in North Carolina, kayaked in Vail, and hiked all over the place. Perhaps more importantly, this trip showed me that I have an adventurous side, and that I can do anything I put my mind out to do.

Adventure News

5-15-8-Iconic Milford Sound in New Zealand was just named the top destination in TripAdvisor's 2008 Travelers' Choice Destination Awards.  To plan your trip www.newzealand.com

5-5-08-Lonely Planet is relaunching its National Park Gudes this spring.  Look for books on Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, Banff, Jasper adn Glacier National Parks, Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons and the Grand Canyon.

To see the most species in a rain forest you have to get into the trees.  Now in Panama you can use the crane used by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute to get raise up 112 feet and 160 feet out in each direction.  www.coxandkingusa.com

Mount Washington Valley in New Hampshire offers up the Mountain Motorcycle Adventure June 14-22 2008.  To plan your trip, visit http://www.mtwashingtonvalley.org/packages/pkg_business_list.cfm?packageid=84&wreathid=2

Belize boasts the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, but scientists say that over 40% of the reef is damasged due to a mix of developments, overfishing, pollution and climate changes.

Intrepid Travel launched several trips geared to solo travelers with no single supplement.  www.intrepidtravel.com

South Africa is getting record numbers of visitors from the US up 8 percent from last year.  Travelers are drawn by the wildlife and weakness of the rand against the dollar.

Need help planning a green vacation?  Check out http//rezhub.com/ green travel hub.

Big Bear Hostel in Big Bear Lake, CA opened with rates starting at $22/night.  There are a total of 13 rooms.  Private rooms for up to six people are also available starting from $33/night.  www.bigbear.com

Altitude Festival in Meribel France from April 5-20 is Europe’s largest alpine festival.  www.altitudefestival.com/en/index.php.

Last year Silversea surprised the industry when it bought an expedition style ship for adventure cruising.  The former World Discoverer is renamed the HSH Prince Albert II and will begin sailing June 12 after a multimillion dollar renovation.  www.silversea.com

The Petronas Malaysian FI Grand Prix 2008 is slated for March 21-23 in Kuala Lumpur.  Look for additional parties and a fashion week in conjunction with the event. 

Muir Woods National Monument is celebrating its 100th year in 2008. www.nps.gov/muwo

See the world for free in exchange for working on farms through World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms.  www.wwoof.org 

Stay in a luxury cave in Turkey at Anatolian Houses in the Cappadocia Region.  www.anatolianhouses.com 

Scottish cyclist Mark Beaumont spent 195 days cycling around the world covering 18,400 miles through the US, Europe and Asia.  He is hoping to set a new Guiness World Record. 

Cane Creek State Park in Arkansas is dedicated a new trail March 8.  The Cane Creek Lake Trail is a 15.5 mile traiil designed for hiking, biking and backpacking.