Michael GabbertExplorer

While many people see and experience Ayers Rock, few do it in such a manner as camelback. Sunrise at Ayers Rock is particularly fascinating due to the unique colors of the landscape and its subsequent effect on the rock itself. Changing from Red to Orange to even Purple, the changing appearance of Ayers Rock is as fascinating as the rock itselfThe camel tours need to be reserved, but can be don...

In the middle of nowhere within the Northern Territory Red Centre desert sits an amazing and iconic site of Australia - Uluru. Also known as Ayers Rock, this sandstone rock is said to be the largest monolith in the world standing at 1142 ft high.To get to here you’ll fly directly into Uluru airport (AYQ). The hotels and all other structures here were built strictly for the tourism around Ayers ...

An hour outside of downtown Vancouver lies the beautiful 150,000 acre Provincial Park of Golden Ears. The park has a myriad of hikes and adventures all with varying degrees of difficulty. The Spirea Nature Trail likely clocks in as one easiest amongst the dozens within the park. However, don’t let the level of difficulty throw you off. This short trail packs a punch.  Once you reach the park en...

Located in the Montmarte district of Paris, the Wall of Love--or as the French call it Le mur des je t'aime--is an off-the-beaten-path place to explore. For a city known for so many different sights to see, a simple wall full of "I Love You" over and over is easy to get lost in the mix. However, this lack of attention along with the simplicity of the square and its surroundings make the Love Wa...

Starting at the Fushimi Inari-taisha, the head shrine of the Inari, the hike to the top of Mount Inari is a refreshing yet surprisingly demanding hike within Kyoto, Japan. The Torii gates, thousands upon thousands of them in a row, provide a gorgeous setting for a hike. The gates, which have varying hues of vibrant orange and bright red, line your route as you hike to the peak.Located just sout...

Exploring this classic Five-Storied Pagoda overlooking Fujiyoshida City and Mount Fuji does take some effort due to its distance from major metropolitan areas of Japan. Yet exploring the pagoda is a great day trip from Tokyo. There are a variety of ways to get there, each with different costs, timing, and predictability. Rail (~2 hours):  Starting from Shinjuku station, take the JR Chuo Express...

Sitting on a 140 acre bluff top, the Pillar Point Bluffs are a simple, easy hike with breathtaking views throughout. The bluffs are 22 miles from San Francisco – a 30 minute drive depending on the traffic. There is a small 10 car or so parking lot off of Airport Blvd, but there are two additional trail head entrances in the Seal Cove neighborhood at Ocean Blvd & Bernal Ave. or Alvardo Ave &...

Just west of the city of Knysna, halfway on the southern coast of South Africa, sits Brenton-On-Sea - a beach town on the Southern Ocean. Sand dunes and crashing waves dominate the scenery here, lending itself to a the thrilling experience of Sandboarding.To get here you’ll head west on N2 from Knysna and exit towards Brenton-on-Sea on the right, directly after the N2 bridge along the lagoon. F...

If you are in or around Monument Valley, the drive and corresponding effort to get to Forrest Gump Hill is minimal. The location is known most notably as the spot where Forrest Gump ended his cross-country run in the movie. It's also simply an unbelievable view. From the most iconic site within Monument Valley, the Mitten Buttes, take Indian Route 42 East 3.7 miles to the West and turn right o...

With less than 500 feet of total elevation and 4.4 miles of round trip hiking, the Barclay Lake trail is a perfect hike for beginners, families, or those looking for a quick morning or afternoon jaunt. Yet dont let the simplicity of the hike fool you. The end result of the hike is nothing short of amazing. At 6,129 ft in elevation (2444 ft in prominence), Baring Mountain is an awe-inspiring, su...

Situated just southeast from the shores of the University of Washington, the Washington Arboretum Loop is a short yet gorgeous paddling excursion. What it lacks in length, it more than makes up for in its peaceful escape from the city and its beautiful path carved out through fields of lily pads. The loop, which goes around Foster Island at the north end of the Washington Park Arboretum, sits b...

The San Juan Islands are a gorgeous collection of islands situated 90 miles from Seattle. While most people enjoy the island at B&Bs, and join one of the dozen whale watching tours, the hands down best way to see the islands is by kayaking.Jones Island is a great place to set as your initial destination for a kayak trip. To get to the ideal launching point, first head to Anacortes and board...

For any fans of Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure or The Wizard, the Cabazon Dinosaurs are instantly recognizable. A roadside attraction off of Hwy 10 - 90 miles east of Los Angeles - the dinosaurs, heralded as the “World’s Biggest Dinosaurs", are a quick adventure.To get to the dinosaurs, you’ll travel on Hwy 10 and take the 106 exit. As is any good roadside attraction, the drive once you exit the highw...

The Cypress Tree Tunnels are a quick jaunt from San Francisco (22 miles) and make for a great half-day trip. Getting here depends on traffic, but 30 minutes from the center of the city is doable. Parking is relatively easy. You can either park at the south end of the area at the Cypress Cove entrance (off of Cypress Ave & Beach Way) or north end at the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve Parking area...

A 25 minute drive outside of Vancouver, Grouse Mountain is a great escape from the city for a myriad of winter activities. If you can swallow the pricey ticket for the gondola ride and accompanying activities at the top, you’ll be welcomed by spectacular views with relatively little effort. Whether it be skiing, snowshoeing or simply taking the gondola to the top of the mountain for some food ...

If you're traveling along Hwy 90 in the middle of Washington State, the Wild Horse Monument is a fun and rather quick area to explore. Located 30 miles east of Ellensburg and 60 miles northwest of Yakima, the monument is located just across the Columbia River as you head east. As you drive, there are a couple signs which will indicate the location and distance to the monument. Once off the high...

The ‘back way’ to the ever popular and still somewhat illegal Haiku Stairs, the Moanalua Middle Ridge hike brings plenty of beauty and even more challenges than the path down the Haiku Stairs. To get to the trailhead, park outside the Moanalua Valley Park and the trail begins just after the green gate. The first 2.9 miles are fairly straightforward with only 100ft of elevation each mile. The pa...

From the trailhead, you’ll travel along a cascading creek ascending through gravel, rocks steps and a couple boardwalks within a dense hemlock, spruce and yellow cedar forest. The first part of the trail is by far the most difficult, with a couple steep areas and tight rock passageways. In total, the Herring Cove section is 1.6 miles long. The highlight of this trail consists of a view of a mag...

Bean Point is the northernmost tip of Anna Maria Island. It is here where the waters of Tampa Bay and the waters of the Gulf of Mexico collide and is also arguably the best place on the island to view the sunset. Additionally, this stretch of beach front is usually less busy and populated than the easier to access beach fronts as you go further south on the island.There are a myriad of options ...

An experience unlike any other in the world, camping on the Great Wall of China is a truly once in a lifetime adventure. The ability to legally camp on the actual wall is limited to the Gubeikou section. The section is considered ‘wild’ as it has never been restored since its original construction, which only adds to the intrigue and experience. Beyond the camping, the section is truly special ...

Interlaken, Switzerland; a city known for its extreme sports and gorgeous scenery is a European city that is not to be missed. While you can experience the traditional extreme sports such as paragliding, bungee jumping or skydiving here, it’s a slightly less extreme yet more unique option you should consider - canyoning.Canyoning at its core involves jumping, rappelling, and swimming through an...

The pitons are the iconic symbols of St. Lucia. Located at the southwest part of the island, Gros Piton and Petit Piton rise dramatically out of the Caribbean Sea. At 2619 Feet, Gros Piot is both taller and far less technically challenging than its sister piton. It’s a can't-miss hike if you ever find yourself on St. Lucia.To get to the hike, head to village of Fond Gens Libre (it's toward the ...

With a pier stretching 100 feet into Tampa Bay, the Rod & Reel Pier is the perfect spot to be for sunrise. Located on the northern tip of Anna Maria island, the Pier itself is quite easy to get to and enjoy.There is a parking lot next to the pier which has plenty of space of park. Another option is to walk the beach from any of the beach access points on North Shore Drive. In walking the be...

The quintessential family friendly hike,  Gold Creek Pond is a simple yet spectacular hike next to Snoqualmie Pass. Easily accessible from the top of the pass (4.5 miles, 12 minute drive), the Gold Creek Pond hike is a simple addition to any itinerary if you're in the area. From Hwy 90, take exit 54 toward Hyak/Gold Cr. From here you'll head north to Lake Mardee Road (the first right once you e...