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Stories from the Field — Outdoor Taste & Tour Blog
Stories from the Field
Trails, backroads, shorelines, culinary finds, and gear worth carrying — dispatches from the places we explore.
177 posts
Sitka Sea Kayaking Guide: Paddling Alaska's Most Beautiful Port
Sitka faces the open Pacific on the west side of Baranof Island, surrounded by volcanic peaks, old-growth rainforest, and some of the richest marine habitat in Alaska. Sea kayaking here is as good as it gets in the Inside Passage.
Skagway Gold Rush Trails: Hiking History at the Top of the Inside Passage
Skagway is where the Klondike Gold Rush began in earnest -- a boomtown that went from zero to 10,000 people in a year and sent stampeders over the Chilkoot Pass into the Yukon. The trails they walked are still here, and they are extraordinary.
St. Thomas Shore Excursions: The Best Things to Do in the USVI
St. Thomas is one of the most visited cruise ports in the Caribbean — and one of the most rewarding for outdoor travelers. Here is how to spend your time ashore in the US Virgin Islands.
Alaska Cruise Guide: The Complete Outdoor Traveler's Itinerary
Alaska is the greatest cruise destination on Earth for outdoor travelers. Glaciers calving into the sea, humpback whales breaching at dawn, brown bears fishing salmon-choked rivers, and port towns where the fishing charter leaves at 5am. Here is how to do it right.
Alaska vs. Caribbean Cruise: Which Is Right for You?
Alaska and the Caribbean are the two most popular cruise destinations in the world -- and they could not be more different. One is wilderness. One is warmth. Here is how to decide which one belongs on your itinerary.
Best Cruise Lines for First-Timers: Ranked by Experience Level
Not all cruise lines are built for first-timers. Some are overwhelming. Some are too formal. Some are perfect. Here is an honest ranking of the best cruise lines for people who have never cruised before -- organized by what kind of traveler you are.
Best Cruises for Families with Kids: Lines, Itineraries, and What to Actually Expect
Family cruising works -- but only if you pick the right ship. The wrong line means bored teenagers, overwhelmed toddlers, and parents who spend the whole trip managing logistics. The right line means kids who never want to leave and parents who actually relax.
Caribbean Cruise Guide: Island-by-Island Breakdown for Outdoor Travelers
The Caribbean is not one destination -- it is thirty. Each island has its own character, its own reefs, its own mountains, its own food. Here is how to navigate the Caribbean by cruise ship and actually experience it, island by island.
First Time Cruiser's Complete Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before You Sail
Never cruised before? Here is everything you need to know before your first voyage -- from choosing the right ship and itinerary to what to pack, how embarkation works, and how to make the most of every port stop.