The Long Way Around— a living record of the journeys that keep calling

I’m drawn to places that are hard to reach and impossible to forget — places where landscape, weather, and time still shape the human experience. This bucket list isn’t about ticking boxes; it’s about seeking moments of real immersion in a changing world.

Some journeys call for slow miles on foot, others for long days in a kayak or the steady rhythm of a bike. Whether I’m hiking high alpine trails, paddling remote coastlines, or riding along wild roads, each way of traveling offers a different way to listen to the land. What ties them together is the same goal: to move through the world with curiosity, effort, and respect for the places that still feel beautifully untamed.

Next on the bucket list for 2026. Photo credit Google Gemini

Coming Up — 2026

These are the journeys I’m actively shaping for 2026 — the ones that already live in my calendar, my training plans, and my daydreams. Each one offers a different way to move through the world, from high mountain trails to wind-swept roads and remote southern seas.

Alta Via 1 — Dolomites, Italy (July)

A classic high-route through the heart of the Dolomites, where limestone towers glow pink at sunrise and small rifugios offer refuge after long days on the trail. I’m drawn to the blend of rugged alpine terrain and deeply rooted mountain culture — days of steep climbs and wide horizons, followed by simple meals and quiet nights above the valleys.

NC500 — Cycling Scotland’s North Coast (August)

A full circumnavigation of Scotland’s wild northern coastline by bike. Long, empty roads, shifting light, Atlantic winds, and the slow rhythm of pedaling through fishing villages, moors, and cliff-lined shores. It’s a journey built for solitude, weather, and the meditative flow that only long-distance cycling can bring.

Kayaking Tierra del Fuego — Chile (December)

At the far end of the world, where mountains plunge straight into cold southern seas, I’ll be paddling through one of the most remote and dramatic coastlines on Earth. Strong tides, unpredictable weather, and vast, empty spaces make this the kind of expedition that demands full attention — and offers a rare sense of true wilderness in return.

Completed Adventures

So far, this wish list has more than lived up to its promise. Every journey has unfolded in its own way — shaped by weather, terrain, effort, and chance encounters — and each has left a lasting imprint on how I see the world. These aren’t just trips I’ve checked off; they’re experiences that continue to echo in memory long after the miles were behind me.

Read all about these adventures

Havasupai Falls — 40 Miles to Paradise

A deep hike into one of the most surreal canyon systems on Earth — turquoise water against red stone, and the feeling of earning every view through sweat and time.[Read the story →]

Grand Tetons Crest Trail

Four days of high-alpine solitude, granite spires, wildflower meadows, and nights spent sleeping above the clouds.[Read the story →]

Grand Canyon Rafting

A journey through geologic time, floating between towering canyon walls, running powerful rapids, and camping on hidden beaches beneath star-filled desert skies.[Read the story →]

Pacific Coast Bike Route

Thousands of pedal strokes along the edge of a continent — rugged cliffs, foggy mornings, quiet backroads, and the slow, intimate way a bicycle reveals a landscape.[Read the story →]

Long-Term Dreams

Some places stay with me long before I ever arrive. They sit just beyond the near-term plans — not because they matter less, but because they deserve time, space, and the right moment. These are the journeys that continue to call, shaping how I imagine the years ahead.

The O Circuit — Patagonia, Chile

A deep loop through Torres del Paine, where wind, ice, and granite define the landscape. This is the Patagonia I’m drawn to — big skies, long days, and the feeling of walking inside a living, shifting wilderness where glaciers, rivers, and mountains meet in constant motion.

Madagascar

An island like no other, where evolution took its own path. From towering baobabs to dense rainforest, Madagascar offers a rare chance to see ecosystems that exist nowhere else on Earth. It’s not just about wildlife sightings — it’s about stepping into a world shaped by deep time and extraordinary biological diversity.

Galápagos Islands

A place where nature still feels startlingly close and unafraid. I imagine drifting over reefs, swimming alongside sea turtles, and watching giant tortoises move through volcanic landscapes — all quiet reminders of how delicate and resilient life can be when left to follow its own rhythms.

Machu Picchu & the Inca Trail

A journey through both mountains and history. Reaching Machu Picchu on foot — following ancient stone paths through cloud forest and high passes — feels like the most meaningful way to approach a place so deeply connected to human endurance and ingenuity.

Adventure Awaits

This list will keep changing, just as I do. Some dreams will move closer, others will quietly fade, and a few will surprise me by becoming something I never expected. What stays constant is the pull toward places that demand effort, curiosity, and a willingness to be shaped by the journey.

Whether on foot, by bike, or across open water, these adventures are my way of staying connected to landscapes that still feel wild and alive — and of remembering why they’re worth protecting.

If you find yourself drawn to similar places, I hope this list sparks ideas for your own paths into the world. I’ll keep sharing the stories as they unfold.