American Nomad Blog
About this blog
American Nomad covers the best of U.S. travel—from vacation deals to festivals, weekend getaways, travel tips, and more. A seasoned traveler and Moon author, Laura is the perfect guide to help discover new gems when traveling domestically.
Recent Posts
- A Southern Girl's Wintertime Adventure in Yellowstone
- One Novelist's Odyssey Across America
- Gearing up for a Family Camping Trip
- Mint Juleps and More at Oak Alley Plantation
- Avoiding Identity Theft While on Vacation
- Money-Saving Travel Tips from Nomadic Matt
- Fashion, Fun, and Convenience for the Modern Traveler
- In Search of Irish Museums Across America
- The Inspiring Journey of a Solo Kayaker
- Getting Fit for Treks in Yosemite and Elsewhere, Part 2
- Getting Fit for Treks in Yosemite and Elsewhere, Part 1
- Experiencing Yosemite with YExplore
- Two Travel Contests Worth Mentioning
- A Word About the TSA's No-No List
- A Reader's Advice About Airport Security
The Inspiring Journey of a Solo Kayaker
Growing up as an only child in a single-parent home, I was, perhaps not surprisingly, an avid reader from a very young age. Although my reading tastes have always been incredibly eclectic, ranging from fantasy epics and crime novels to Westerns and historical fiction to literary classics and travel memoirs, I'm particularly fond of stories that have the ability to transport me to other places. It's no wonder, then, that books like Jules Verne's Around the World in 80 Days, Jack London's The Call of the Wild, Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, and Isak Dinesen's Out of Africa remain some of my favorites. It's also no wonder that, besides stimulating my imagination and igniting my passion for travel, reading has often been a very therapeutic pastime. more >>
Getting Fit for Treks in Yosemite and Elsewhere, Part 2
In my last post, I offered you several fitness tips, courtesy of certified personal trainer Erin Desharnais, to help travelers get into shape for their next adventure trek in Yosemite, Yellowstone, or elsewhere. Besides sharing her tips with me, Erin fortunately agreed to answer some additional questions via email: more >>
Getting Fit for Treks in Yosemite and Elsewhere, Part 1
Earlier today, I posted a recent conversation with John DeGrazio, co-founder of YExplore – an adventure tour company that leads an assortment of birding tours, wildflower walks, snowshoeing treks, yoga hikes, overnight backpacking excursions, photo workshops, and other guided tours through Yosemite National Park. As John mentioned during the interview, some tours, such as the 15-mile Clouds Rest hike, are more suitable for avid fitness enthusiasts, but even if you're not in the best of shape, it's certainly possible to get more fit before your next adventure and prepare yourself for an array of outdoor activities. more >>
Experiencing Yosemite with YExplore
Over the past few years of writing this blog, I've made no secret of the fact that I'm an ardent fan of America's national parks, and as I've mentioned before, one of my favorites is Yosemite National Park (209/372-0200) in northern California. Established in 1890, Yosemite is not only one of the nation's oldest and most famous parks, it's also one of the most popular options for a family vacation, especially during the summer months. No matter when you choose to visit, though, you'll find no shortage of outdoor activities – including guided tours. more >>
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Moon Travel Guides make independent travel and outdoor exploration fun and accessible. With expert and adventurous travel writers delivering a mix of honest insight, first-rate strategic travel advice, insider travel tips and an essential dose of humor, Moon Travel Guides ensure that travelers have an uncommon and entirely satisfying experience. Each travel book is filled with unique trip ideas, easy-to-use maps, and detailed information on sights, restaurants, and accommodations. Moon Travel Guides not only point you in the right direction, they inspire new ideas and adventure. Whether you are seeking a relaxing beach trip to Hawaii, or an adventure travel trip to the rainforests of Costa Rica, Moon guidebooks—and Moon.com—are with you every step of the way. Founded in 1973, the Moon Travel Guides series includes Moon Handbooks, Moon Outdoors, Moon Metro, Moon Living Abroad and Moon Spotlight travel books. Moon is based in Berkeley, California and is a proud member of the Perseus Books Group.