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Outdoor Adventure

If you love hiking, cycling, paddling, caving and outdoor adventure, you’ll love these articles. Read on and explore the great outdoors with us! We’ve visited some amazing nature hot spots and we’ve got some great tips to help you plan your own adventures in nature.

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Articles, Canada, Outdoor Adventure, Places To Stay, Travel Inspiration

Muskoka, Ontario: 48 Hours Exploring Deerhurst Resort and Ontario’s Scenic Trails

On the drive from Toronto Pearson International Airport to the Deerhurst Resort near Muskoka, Ontario, I understood quickly why people affectionately refer to the area as “cottage country”. We must have passed by hundreds of lakes with cottages scattered around the shores. I could definitely see the appeal and it made me all the more excited for my visit to The Deerhurst Resort, located directly on Peninsula Lake. My partner, Garrett, and I were about to spend the next 48 hours in lake country and we couldn’t wait.  There are over 250,000 lakes in Ontario which makes up approximately 20 percent of the world’s freshwater supply. With plans to explore some of Muskoka and travel on some bumpy backroads, we …

Kelsey Olsen
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Manitoba northern lights
Articles, Canada, Experiences, Outdoor Adventure, Things To Do, Travel Inspiration

Manitoba Northern Lights: A Bucket List Adventure

“Does anyone wish to stay out later or should we head back to the hotel?” Mark Dunsmuir, our guide from Frontiers North, asks the group. It’s our last night in Northern Manitoba searching for the aurora borealis, and we are exhausted from an early morning and late night the previous day. It’s 11:15 pm, and all of us are napping in the Tundra Buggy. I’ll admit, I’m ready to head back and sleep in a comfortable bed rather than the Tundra Buggy seats. It’s been an overcast day, and I’m convinced the Manitoba northern lights won’t come out tonight. A couple of people speak up and say they’d like to go outside one last time to do some stargazing. I’m …

Kelsey Olsen
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Articles, Hike, Outdoor Adventure, Things To Do, USA: State-Arizona

Best Hiking Trails Sedona, Arizona: Exploring Red Rock Wonderland

Sedona holds a special place in my heart as one of the most captivating destinations Garrett and I explored during our road trip through Arizona. If you’ve had the pleasure of experiencing it yourself, you’ll understand the enchantment: majestic red rock formations envelop you, transporting you to what feels like the surface of another planet. Situated within this breathtaking landscape lies the charming town of Sedona, where it’s evident that many residents are drawn by the promise of boundless outdoor adventures just steps from their door, including discovering the best hiking trails in Sedona. We spent our time in Sedona exploring its hiking trails with our pups Rae and Bowie. Yet, with so many options to choose from, selecting the …

Kelsey Olsen
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Girl sitting on the edge of the Grand Canyon
Articles, Experiences, Outdoor Adventure, Things To Do, Travel Inspiration, USA: State-Arizona

Williams AZ to Grand Canyon: A scenic Adventure via the Grand Canyon Railway

Known as the gateway to the Grand Canyon, Williams, Arizona, is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in experiencing the wonders of the Grand Canyon. Visitors often embark on the iconic Grand Canyon Railway journey from Williams, AZ, to the Grand Canyon, offering a truly unforgettable experience. My partner, Garrett, and I were able to experience this unique opportunity on a recent trip to Arizona and we loved it. If you’re contemplating taking the Grand Canyon Railway form Williams, here’s everything you need to know: There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, Wander Woman Travel Magazine may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your …

Kelsey Olsen
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An image of a woman hiking the wave in Arizona, USA.
Hiking The Wave in Arizona is an experience of a lifetime. Photo by Greg Olsen.
Articles, Outdoor Adventure

Hiking the Wave in Arizona Just Got Easier!

Hiking the Wave in Arizona is an experience of a lifetime, but you have to win a lottery to get a permit to do it. According to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), 200,589 people applied for 7,300 permits to hike the wave in 2019. The odds of success in 2019 were about 3.5 percent and the number of applicants is similar today. My husband and I were in that 3.5 percent. As of Feb 1, 2021 the BLM increased the number of permits from 20 people per day to 64 people per day. This made it a little easier to get a permit for one of the world’s most exclusive hikes. You still need luck, but there are things …

Debbie Olsen
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Girl sitting in mist mountain hot springs
Alberta, Articles, Canada, Canada Provinces, Hike, Outdoor Adventure, Things To Do, Travel Inspiration

Mist Mountain Hot Springs: Nature’s Serene Oasis

As a lover of natural hot springs and hiking, Mist Mountain Hot Springs has been on my bucket list for quite some time. Located in Kananaskis, Alberta, the hike leads you up a trail that provides gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains before arriving at several warm natural hot springs to soak in and enjoy the spectacular views. If you’re not too tired, you can continue up to the peak of Mist Mountain from here, but we only adventured to the hot springs and it was well worth it.  There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, Wander Woman Travel Magazine may receive a small commission at no extra cost …

Kelsey Olsen
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Railay Beach in Thailand.
Railay Beach, a climbers paradise.
Articles, Outdoor Adventure, Travel Inspiration

Rock Climbing in Krabi: Conquering New Heights in Nature’s Paradise

As someone who has always been captivated by the beauty of nature and the allure of adventure, trying out rock climbing had been on my bucket list for quite some time. So when I discovered that Krabi, Thailand was not only a stunning vacation destination, but also a prime spot for beginner rock climbers like myself, I knew I had found the perfect opportunity to challenge myself and fulfill a lifelong dream. I’ll admit it wasn’t my first choice when deciding what we should do for the day, my partner Garrett suggested we go rock climbing in Krabi. After taking a few moments to consider, I realized it would be a great way to experience something new in one of …

Kelsey Olsen
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The view from the summit of Porcupine Ridge in Kananaskis.
Alberta, Articles, Canada, Canada Provinces, Hike, Outdoor Adventure, Photos, Things To Do, Travel Inspiration

Porcupine Ridge – A Wonderful Hike in Kananaskis

I always feel like the summer flies by in a blink and I am never able to complete as many hikes or camping trips as I would have liked. This year, Garrett and I made it a priority to go hiking whenever we both have a free day or even a few spare hours in the afternoon. It was a surprise when we both realized that we didn’t have plans on a random Sunday in June and we quickly decided to head out to the mountains. Since we made these hiking plans super last minute (that very morning!) We were looking to do a hike near Calgary. I was also wanting to do a hike that I hadn’t done before …

Kelsey Olsen
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A girl looking at the view at the summit of Sarrail Ridge in Kananaskis.
Alberta, Articles, Canada, Canada Provinces, Hike, Outdoor Adventure, Things To Do

10 of the All Time Best Hikes in Kananaskis Country

Kananaskis has some of the most beautiful hiking trails in all of the Canadian Rockies and oftentimes it has fewer crowds than many of the hiking trails near Banff or Canmore. Being born and raised in Alberta and living only an hour away from Kananaskis has allowed me to explore the area extensively. I’ve compiled a list of ten of my all-time favourite hikes that you’ve got to add to your hiking list for this summer. The hikes range from beginner to advanced so there is something for everyone. Read on to discover some of the very best hikes in Kananaskis. There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, Wander …

Kelsey Olsen
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An image of a hiker in the Purcell Mountains near Purcell Mountain Lodge in British Columbia, Canada.
An image of a hiker in the Purcell Mountains near Purcell Mountain Lodge in British Columbia, Canada.
Articles, British Columbia, Canada, Canada Provinces, Outdoor Adventure, Places To Stay

Purcell Mountain Lodge – Paradise in Summer and Winter

As we came to the top of a ridge in the bald hills near British Columbia’s northern Purcell Mountains, our guide, Beth Purser, who was leading a yoga retreat at Purcell Mountain Lodge, asked us all to take part in a meditative yoga exercise. She just asked us to pay attention to every detail of the stunning landscape around us. As a writer, I’m used to paying attention to details, but when I actually focused my efforts on the sounds, sights and smells around me, I was surprised by how much I had been missing. I noticed all the different shades of green, the glistening dew on pine needles and the high-pitched squeak of a nearby ground squirrel. And when …

Debbie Olsen
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