If you are a human being in this country, you’ve experienced some kind of trauma over the past 18 months. We held our collective breath to ride out the end of a presidency that celebrated bigotry. We watched a coup at The Capitol unfold in real-time. We lost oh so many co-workers, friends, family members, and lovers during a global pandemic. We were reminded over-and-over that we still have miles to go when it comes to race.

As a Black woman, I feel these traumas in my body. I find myself holding space for them — both my own agonies and those experienced by people in my community. Each time I care for my children, my friends, my students, my neighbors … their wounds stick to me. It becomes a lot to deal with.

By spring of ’21, I felt so tired. I wanted to heal. Needed it. So I booked a trip to the Sonoran Desert to restore.

On my flight to Tucson, I thought about what parts of me were asking for the most attention. Number one was my mental health. Honestly, I just wanted a break. Number two was to reconnect with myself. I needed to silence the noise of the world telling me who I am all the time. Number three was to feel luxurious again. Wearing gowns is my self-love language, so I packed lots of long-flowing satin fits.

Miraval Arizona had the ingredients I was seeking with the bonus that it’s an all-inclusive resort. So all thinking stopped the moment the complimentary car service scooped me and my mom (who better to help me rediscover myself?) up from the airport. The first stop for restoration was the outdoor soaking saltwater pool. It was literally everything — the perfect temperature and my skin has never felt so soft, thanks to the water’s therapeutic properties. Since my trip was at the beginning of monsoon season, a traditionally slower time at the resort, I found myself in the pool alone most of the time. Basically, it was my own private oasis.

I wanted space to breathe. Well, I couldn’t ask for more space than the expansive desert at dusk. One of my favorite moments was watching joy light up my mom’s face while horseback riding during golden hour with Tucson Mountain Stables. It was so silent, so peaceful, so beautiful. The dry evening air tasted sweet. Something that I’m taking home with me is how the mountains glow a warm pink at sunset. Everyone needs to experience this delicious magic.

I’ve spent my entire existence caring for other people, so taking a week to care for myself felt truly transformative. I skipped signing up for structured traditional-retreat-like experiences. Instead, I took solo morning desert walks until just before the desert sun began beating down in full. I spent my nights sitting by the fire pit on my patio; letting parts of my past flutter into the flames.

My time in nature helped me face my need to do everything, and do it all perfectly. I learned to surrender. While riding horses, I had to let go of control. They are majestic powerful creatures that can literally do whatever they want whenever they want, making them excellent mindfulness teachers. Plants reminded me to slow down and look, to really see what’s ahead of me. Cacti are beautiful and they also ask you to pay attention. If you lose focus while moving around them you will FEEL it.

WHY 2021:

My retreat made a lasting imprint on how I feel about myself and what I know I deserve and I believe you deserve that sort of refuge, too. I feel more whole. Mostly because I released traumas — many generational and some that I’ve been holding since I was a teen. I gave them all back, returned them to ash, and left them in the desert earth.

Life feels lighter. I’ve never breathed so deeply. We all need that right now.

Check Tucson’s COVID guidelines here.

We’d like to acknowledge and honor the original peoples of this land, the O’odham Jeweḍ, Tohono O’odham, Sobaipuri, and Hohokam nations.

I’m lucky. My family was made up of avid beachgoers from when I was born until today. It was a normal activity for us to go to the beach, to enjoy the sunshine, and to get in the water. But never past our waists. That was the norm. Still, I longed to immerse myself. And as soon as I felt comfortable, I began to go underwater and stay in there as long as I possibly could.

By 17 I was certified to SCUBA dive. It opened a new world for me. A new universe, in fact, with coral constellations and bioluminescent stars.

For Black Americans, in particular, our trauma of the past 400 years brings us to a place where water has been weaponized against us. Whether in transit during the transatlantic slave trade, where my ancestors chose the sea, rather than suffer the events on those slave ships or the rivers and streams and lakes that were used as barriers for enslaved peoples in America to keep them from leaving the plantation. We saw Hurricane Katrina devastate Black communities. In Flint, low-income and marginalized communities are at the forefront of water being weaponized.

We have to take the power of water back. We need to wade in the water and then immerse ourselves to help heal. Because no one else can do that part for us. They can recognize, they can acknowledge, they can apologize, and atone for the wrongs of the past. But at the end of the day, what it boils down to is us as a community, reconnecting with this vital piece of the natural world as one piece of repairing the damage to our communities.

Speaking personally, I know whenever I float in the ocean, or if I’m submerged, it’s the only time where I feel 100 percent present in the moment. And I feel clarity and sense of purpose after I get out. I want everyone in my community, the Black community, to experience that too. Start with AfroSwimmers or check out the Black surf movement. My stepdad learned to swim at 60 — it’s never too late. I really think that learning how to swim is a portal. It’s that doorway for us to be able to walk through and get to the other side of our collective pain and to thrive as a community of people.

WHY 2021:

2020 was a transformative and traumatic year for Black Americans. We’ve witnessed a righteous revolution of people, on the whole, waking up to the marginalization of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) around the world. They’re realizing that access to the most trivial things can be denied in overt and covert ways. Swimming is one of those experiences. And I believe it should be at the top of the list as far as access and opening up new doors for Black people — because I believe with my whole heart that water is the ultimate healer.

We see it as an element that’s critical to life. But, just like our Indigenous brothers and sisters constantly remind us, it goes beyond that — water actually is life.

As third in America’s art market behind New York City and Los Angeles in terms of volume of art available and the number of sales, Santa Fe, New Mexico, is a must-visit for art collectors and fans. The art scene goes well beyond the Indigenous American and western-inspired motifs most people associate with “the land of enchantment.” In fact, there are 250 art galleries in the city, with more than 80 of them located on the famous Canyon Road alone. Galleries such as Alexandra Stevens Gallery of Fine Art and GF Contemporary highlight the best in contemporary and abstract.

Then, there’s the riveting Meow Wolf.

Imagine a domain where sci-fi — think alternate dimensions and parallel universes — meets reality. As you’re intermingling with guests in a Victorian-style house, you feel something is rather…off. You open the refrigerator in the kitchen and an eerie glow emits luring you into a portal to another world. As you peruse the abode, you discover a mastodon skeleton marimba, a neon forest, and many otherworldly sights that make you even more curious about this enigmatic experience.

Welcome to the immersive and interactive multiverse known as the House of Eternal Return — created by Santa Fe-based art collective, Meow Wolf. Initially, Meow Wolf began as a small group of artists and has since grown into a full-on company with several hundred employees. Though the booming collective now has dozens of temporary exhibits in select cities, Meow Wolf’s first permanent exhibition was the 20,000-square-foot House of Eternal Return — launched in 2016 with the support of acclaimed Game of Thrones’ creator, George R.R. Martin.

It’s sweeping, innovative, and offers a fascinating peek into where art may be headed.

WHY 2021:

In a society full of chaos, it’s refreshing to get whisked away to a mesmerizing world where everything is stimulating and nothing is quite what it seems – even if it’s only for a matter of hours.

Check Santa Fe’s COVID guidelines here.

We’d like to acknowledge and honor the original peoples of this land, the Jicarilla Apache and Pueblos nations.

The outdoors should feel safe and welcoming for everyone. Sadly, that’s not always the case — numerous groups are underrepresented across a wide swath of adventure-seeking communities. While there’s still a long way to go in making the outdoors equitable and accessible for all, we are seeing a spike in affinity groups and businesses — focused on creating opportunities for everyone to embrace their communities and learn from each other in the wild.

Here are a few organizations to check out for those who feel marginalized in the outdoors:

Venture Out Project: This queer-led nonprofit hosts day hikes and longer adventures for adults and youth alike in the LGBTQ community. In August, they headed out on a Midwest road trip complete with meetups and culminating in the “Great Queer Campout” in Michigan.

Disabled Hikers: A project by and for disabled hikers, Disabled Hikers’ website helps provide information and resources about a trail so you know what to expect and can plan accordingly. They even have a handbook coming in 2022. Check their website for hiking meetups, typically in the Pacific Northwest.

Dzil Ta’ah Adventures: Dzil Ta’ah Adventures is an Indigenous-owned operation bringing bike tours to Navajo Nation. Book a private tour with founder Jon Yazzie and learn about the land you’re on and the culture of the people who steward it through bikepacking.

Dzil Ta’ah also has provided opportunities for Navajo Youth to enjoy the benefits of backcountry cycling.

Refuge Outdoor Festival: In its fourth year, this camping festival is geared towards Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. To make it more accessible, it’s being offered in-person in August in Washington state, and virtually in September. Complete with art, music, and, of course, plenty of outdoor activities.

Outdoor Journal Tour: Founded by married couple Michelle and Kenya, Outdoor Journal Tour is designed to help women find healing and fulfillment in the outdoors.

Adventurus Women: Gather with other women for unique, all-inclusive, multi-sport adventure weekends complete with women guides, comfortable accommodations, and delicious food.

WHY 2021:

A group outing in nature might be just what you need to feel like yourself again while connecting with other people in your various communities. If you feel alienated in the outdoor space, let one of these groups remind you that you belong while offering a chance to heal together.

Maybe you’ve heard — in many places, weed is legal. That also means that weed tourism is legal, and it’s beginning to seriously heat up. Especially in California.

Northern California’s Humboldt County, which for decades has produced some of the finest cannabis known to man, is ground zero for the new weed tourism scene. In particular, grow operation tours are finally legally accessible to everyday folks for the first time… ever.

Humboldt Cannabis Tours offers group or custom tours, which include visits to individual working farms and a local dispensary where guests can legally purchase cannabis (sales and consumption are not currently permitted on grow sites). The company also arranges overnight stays at bed and breakfasts in the famed “Emerald Triangle.”

For those looking to toke up in style on the road, Humboldt Bay Social Club, which opened in May 2021, is a waterfront 420-friendly property with all the bells and whistles, including top-of-the-line linens and toiletries, farm-to-table dining, and upscale suites and cabins. Down the road in Eureka, sits the brand new Papa & Barkley Social, which is also the hotel’s partner dispensary and consumption lounge. The stylish store and lounge is run by cannabis brand Papa & Barkley and is one of the first consumption spaces in the entire state.

Any bona fide stoner knows that hanging out in nature is pretty much required for a weed vacation. The Redwood Skywalk, which opened in June, is part of the Sequoia Park Zoo in Eureka and has seen plenty of baked tourists wander through. Nestled 100 feet up in the forest canopy, it’s a low impact and very cruisy way to get outside without having to think too much. Visitors can learn about the unique ecology that encompasses California’s earthly giants, which have come to exemplify Northern California and the historic cannabis growing area of Humboldt, Trinity, and Mendocino counties.

WHY 2021:

Weed tourism has never been this above the ground before — touring farms, which were mainly unlicensed, was strictly verboten for security reasons. Hotels and lounges weren’t able to have on-site consumption until recently, either. So we’re talking Wild West Of Weed Travel.

And what better place to check it out than surrounded by gorgeous redwoods?

Check California’s COVID guidelines here.

We’d like to acknowledge and honor the original peoples of this land, the Whilkut nation.

Los Angeles is a pretty colonized city, as far as Indigenous spots go. But the city is also based in Gabrielino-Tongva territory, and there are a couple of really good spots that I think honor the contemporary culture in a way that’s cool to see in America’s second-biggest city.

The Autry Museum of the American West is the first place I want to highlight, as it bridges the past and present in both America and the Los Angeles Indigenous scene. Usually, I don’t like to shout out museums as it relates to contemporary Native culture because they often put us only in the past tense. Museums show us as we were, not how we are today. But something that I really appreciate about the Autry Museum of the American West is that there’s a focus on telling the story of the American West the right way. Their exhibits are very heavily focused on authenticity and also telling the Native side of the story as much as possible. In addition, they really put their money where their mouth is when it comes to boosting current Native artists and current Native events, making this museum feel very “now.”

Whenever a big show or movie comes out in Native Hollywood, the red carpet takes place at the Autry Museum. The museum really caters to those events and if you go to a premiere, you’ll see a whole lot of Natives there, all wearing their best suits and tuxedos, really excited to talk about their projects.

The gift shop for the Autry Museum of the American West also does a lot to support current Native artists. You can definitely buy a lot of cowboy hats and those kinds of accouterment but you can also buy modern-day artwork, books, and items from Native artists who are doing great stuff right now. The museum specifically partners with Native artists and they allow space on their shelves for them, a rare thing in a country that likes to leave us in the past in these spaces.

Something else that I really love about the Autry is that they work with an all-Native theater troupe called Native Voices. They’re a really big theater troupe based out of Los Angeles that a lot of really great Native actors and comedians have gotten a lot of opportunities out of. The Autry hosts their productions right at the museum. When you go, you’re going to see a lot of Indigenous foods, a lot of Native folks wearing really great modern Native fashion, and really great contemporary works from contemporary Native creators and Native artists that reflect our world today.

Seeing Native Voices shows at the Autry is one of the few opportunities in Hollywood where I feel the whole Native community shows up. You see everybody — from kids who are getting interested in theater to elders who have probably never seen their stories on stage who are really excited to see their stories told in an authentic way with Native actors, Native productions, and Native crews. Beyond the theater, the Autry is a good place to see authentic Native history, storytelling, and talks relating to the area’s tribes. Talks are usually running with Native folks telling their stories in academic and artistic ways that highlight the current moment we are on our journey.

I understand that a day at the museum doesn’t always excite every traveler spending a few days in a place as big as Los Angeles. So, I’d also want to shout out a place called Indian Alley. It’s the perfect stop downtown if you want to dip your toe into the Indigenous art scene in a downtown setting.

This area of Downtown L.A. has been a central point of a lot of different contemporary Native communities in Los Angeles in the 1970s and 80s. It has a rich and long heritage of marrying contemporary Indigenous art with activism that resonates today as much as ever.

Today in honor of the original location and the recent heritage of L.A.’s Native people, this alleyway has become a focal point of badass Native street art. It’s a place that you can go to see new murals from people like pop artist Steven Paul Judd alongside tons of other really great Native artists who are applying their contemporary craft right now.

If you’re interested in street art (in general) and seeing modern Native artists doing their thing in graffiti, Indian Alley is a great place to check out. And if that grabs your attention, maybe you’ll end up heading up into the hills and checking out The Autry Museum of the American West too.

WHY 2021:

For hundreds of years, Native culture and history have been put on the back burner in terms of media and cultural representation. I could go into the very sad reasons why — things like genocide and systemic racism. But I think in modern-day 2021, we are finally seeing Native stories taking the forefront and non-natives are finally showing interest in Native culture and the original stewards of the land that they’re on.

That has started to change thanks, in part, to Native voices getting mainstream exposure in TV series like Reservation Dogs, Rutherford Falls, and Spirit Rangers. Thus making places like The Autry and Indian Alley more important than ever before. This fall, as LA’s Native creators step into the limelight, go see the epicenter of the local Indigenous scene.

You can check out the current lectures, exhibits, and Native Voices shows at The Autry here.

Check Los Angeles’ COVID guidelines here.

We’d like to acknowledge and honor the original peoples of this land, the Chumash, Tongva, and Kizh nations.

A shared travel experience is a great opportunity to grow, heal, and accomplish something that might have scared you — all while giving you epic stories to share from the journey. Your shared adventure could be as simple as a day or longer bonding with strangers who will become friends, creating memories and relationships that’ll last a lifetime. Or it could be a whole trip with your old high school crew. This is how we rebuild and expand communities — connecting in real life — through travel while also giving each of us a positive dopamine hit to help us through uncertain days. 
  
Spending time in nature is great; spending time in the natural world with like-minded folks, creating memorable and meaningful moments, is magic. While it feels like solo travel is the safest bet right now, a trip with a tight-knit crew (with a similar approach to managing Covid, etc.) is about more than the destination. It’s about the experience you share together and the laughs you have around the campfire or dinner table later that night, recounting the ups and downs of a day on the road. That sort of camaraderie feels like something we all need a dose of right now.
 
Look, we get it. Thinking about planning an outdoor adventure or even a weekend getaway with a group of friends sounds like an intimidating prospect on the best of days. But we’re here to help. There are a few intimate group outdoor experiences below to help you connect with your family and friends so that you can gather around that campfire and laugh together and maybe even heal together.

–Wilderness Collective features adventure experiences with off-road vehicles in epic settings with a variety of all-inclusive trips to choose from around the U.S.

–My own project, Road Trips With Meaning offers small group van life excursions exploring places like Joshua Tree and the eastern Sierra Mountains. You’ll be deep in nature while evoking authentic conversations as part of the inner journey with daily activities and nightly dinners while sleeping under the stars.

–Outwild is a community and series of excursions in nature for people who want the outdoors as a bigger part of their life.

–Run Wild Retreats Wellness is an exclusive retreat for women. They’re small group experiences that are designed mindfully, combined with world-class trail running, healing wellness experiences, and great eats all immersed in nature. 

Yes, you’ll want to be strategic with how you approach these experiences and any group travel right now. But the payoff is worth the effort.

WHY 2021:

Over the past year, I’ve led intimate curated group trips in nature. I’ve met people who were terrified to spend time in the great outdoors prior to the pandemic but took the leap now. It has been enlightening watching guests authentically and vulnerably share campfire conversations as they radically transform and find a path towards healing with those around them, making this feel like a new moment, more community-driven moment in travel.

I think anyone and everyone is ready to get out of their homes to finally discover something new. For us beer enthusiasts, we not only need a little adventure in our lives but our craft breweries need us now more than ever. How do you kill two birds with one stone? You take a beer-cation.

Not to one of the more prominent beer-centric destinations, either. It’s time to hit a smaller beer-loving town.

While big, shiny beer cities like Seattle, Denver, or San Diego might be high on many a beer aficionado’s lists, now is a good time to consider a smaller town with an excellent brewing scene. Hood River (OR), Asheville (NC), Bloomington (IN)… there are plenty to be found. I started getting into smaller beer scenes on a recent trip to Decorah, Iowa — home of beloved Toppling Goliath. The small-town vibe and incredible beers produced at Toppling Goliath make this an adventure worth crossing the country for, which is exactly what I did.

While Iowa might sound out of the way for a beer-focused trip, it’s easier than you might think. When I went I also spent a full day in Minneapolis — which has a huge airport with cheap flights from most other hubs — to hit their awesome craft beer scene. The next morning I grabbed a rental and started driving the two-and-a-half hours to Decorah.

Once you get to Decorah, head to the brewery! The newly expanded taproom is where all the magic happens. I’d recommend starting with Dorothy’s Old-World Lager. It’s a great way to quench your thirst after the drive and prepare you for their now-iconic pale ale, Pseudo Sue. From there, there’s Morning Sue, a hazy double IPA version of the classic. After that, the world’s your oyster with Goliath’s deep beer list of barrel-aged stouts, beautifully hopped IPAs, and crisp lagers. Do not sleep on their food menu either. Although everything is excellent, the standouts for me were the chicken wings, cheese curds, Thai chicken pizza, and taco pizza! Make sure you save room for the most amazing dessert of all time, a stout ice cream float.

If you do get tired of drinking amazing beer at the brewery (I sincerely doubt you will!), Decorah is also an outdoor lover’s wonderland. The area is in what’s called “The Driftless.” The Driftless is “a part of the country the glaciers missed, leaving hills, rivers, and limestone bluffs that draw outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds.” Basically, the whole area is the opposite of the endless cornfields most of us imagine when thinking of Iowa. Instead, you’ll find river valleys, deep forests, and so much nature to enjoy.

All of this makes a small town like Decorah the best of both worlds for any craft beer and outdoors enthusiast. And Decorah isn’t the only town like this — there are dozens more across the nation. Try Bozeman (MT) or Traverse City (MI). Berlin (MD) practically has more breweries than people.

My point is to find a small town that’s got a cool scene and seems interesting and go for it. Your palate will be expanded and your appreciation for new (to you) parts of the world will grow. That’s what beer-based travel is all about.

WHY 2021:

Now, more than ever, we’ve come to realize how much value craft brewing and community bring to our lives. What a great way to celebrate both while supporting resurgent small-town economies.

Check Iowa’s COVID guidelines here.

We’d like to acknowledge and honor the original peoples of this land, the Sauk and Meskwaki, Wahpeton, and Očhéthi Šakówiŋ nations.

Infusing local businesses with your dollars is more important than ever. Rather than spending money at large chains and conglomerates, consider supporting local artisans directly. In destinations where handicrafts — both traditional and not — are common, seek out small businesses that feature the work of local artists and designers. And if you’re financially able to pay a premium, aim to have something custom created just for you.

I love hats and have collected them for a few years. All but one of my pieces is custom and whenever I travel somewhere new, I look for something unique and worthy of adding to my stash. I was floored when I saw the selection available at Tuluminati in Tulum. Each of the hats in their vast selection is one-of-a-kind, handmade pieces of art designed by a woman in Guadalajara, and a Tulum local comes in every day to customize the pieces that are bought in-store.

I bought a piece that was gorgeous on its own, but I worked with their team to add details that would make it totally mine. Some wood-burned distressing, etched and embroidered details, and additional wraps around the band transformed it into something I know I’ll be wearing for years to come.

WHY 2021:

Whether you’re into hats, suits, jewelry, blankets, or anything else you can add to your home or closet, seek out a bespoke experience that will leave you with a keepsake you’ll treasure long after you’ve returned from your trip. It’s a great way to directly infuse your tourist dollars into the pockets of locals, and that’s more important now than ever.

A lofty Kickstarter with a dream of being an outdoor art museum and playground for hikers, hippies, and festival-goers, Everland Eco-Retreat & Immersive Art Park serves as a combination retreat and educational space centered around yoga, wellness, massage, and other mindful fields of study. All this is centrally located out of a Christian Church that was renovated before being renamed The Sanctuary of The Inner Compass.

This 145-acre eco-leaning wonderland in the Colorado mountains has been home to artists like Android Jones, Tigre Bailando, Art Zeyes, and TreeNet Willy. In addition to being a prized year-round camping destination and a picturesque backdrop for an outdoorsy wedding with Blue Spruce and Ponderosa Pines abounding, the space has become a refuge for out-of-work artists during the pandemic. In addition to making space for large scale art and sculpture from the music festival community (so it doesn’t end up in dumpsters), teams who have worked on art at Symbiosis (the promoter who created the Oregon Eclipse Festival), Lightning in a Bottle Art + Music Festival, Envision Festival, and Burning Man Project have all contributed to the art on display.

Perhaps more importantly, the end of the sprawling, imagination-driven project is nowhere in sight. Groups started visiting the immersive space about a year ago, and now by appointment, smaller groups are starting to get early access to Everland.

WHY 2021:

Whether for festival nostalgia or as a way to observe alternative building methods, it’s a must-do for any hippy hopping through Colorado’s dreamy Rocky Mountains. If you plan to go, do it soon because as the onsite art collection gets more robust and word gets out, the whimsical Everland won’t stay a secret for long!

Check Colorado’s COVID guidelines here.

We’d like to acknowledge and honor the original peoples of this land, the Cheyenne, Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute), and Očhéthi Šakówiŋ nations.