Active Pursuits
I've worked as an independent writer/reporter/photographer for 25+ years. My work spans B2B covering outdoor recreation and environmental topics to general consumer publications focusing on travel, science, recreation and more. I've worked on-contract as a ski journalist for one of the nation's top 10 daily newspapers, as product and gear reviewer for numerous monthly publications, as well as a writer reporting on various aspects of domestic and international travel. My work also includes regular monthly columns in national print media, features in international news media such as BBC and CNN, plus countless stories and reported pieces filed from dozens of countries on six continents.
Active Pursuits
Taking an eco-safari in the Great Bear Rainforest, BC's wildest archipelago
A three-peat journey to the U.S. Virgin Islands confirms that a diver's love is never lost
Koalas resting in eucalyptus treetops, wallabies scampering along the headlands, whales breaching right off shore -- come along.
Taking the Plunge Might be the Best Passport to the Greatest Show on Earth
Bikes are the Perfect Way to Explore the Mile High City
Do you have somewhere you yearn to go whenever living in the world gets to be too much?
This winter, plunge into powdery slopes and trek through snowy trails, then pamper yourself in alpine paradise
Colorado's mountain huts make backcountry adventures accessible -- all surprisingly comfortable -- year-round
Lose yourself on an island with an overwhelming abundance of waterfalls, jungles and oceanic treasures
Wild and wonderful, St. Vincent and the Grenadines isn't dubbed the "Critter Capital of the Caribbean" for nothing. And you'll have it practically to yourself
Extend the hiking season at these three destinations, all perfect for winter newbies
From sea to shining sea, America is brimming with parks open to divers
Canyoneering takes hiking to another level in Colorado's canyon country
With lush mountain rainforests, fishy reefs and a dollop of French Creole culture, this Caribbean department of France has its own distinctive je ne sais quoi
These sporty sojourns offer all the creature comforts you need to reward your efforts
Gain a raptor's-eye view of the world in Colorado's Eagle Nest Wilderness
This one-stop drop zone clearly covers all the bases
Form actually does follow function in this liveaboard lineup catering to divers of any persuasion
The searing desert sands straddling the Red Sea contrast with a lush undersea world of Âdramatic soft corals and upwards of 1,000 species of fish - 20 percent of which can be found nowhere else
Creatures that will give you wicked thrills, and operators who will get you back in one piece
Natural Attractions Lend to the Grown-Up Appeal of Lake Havasu
Looking for the best dive sites in Florida? Here's our weekend itinerary for an epic weekend for scuba divers in Palm Beach County, Florida
Sixty years ago, recreational diving had its beginnings in the Cayman Islands. These scuba pioneers created a dive destination that is the stuff of legend. She's a real looker, all right. easy to get to know, not the least bit fussy
A month-long diving expedition in the Philippines yields mating mandarin fish, a subterranean river black-out, sharks that decapitate -- and that's only the beginning
Nothing says summer like the rushing of a mountain river or rippling of a mountain lake
Exploring the wilder, uncrowded reaches of our highest national park
Head to Steamboat Springs for family fun and serious ski jumping
Backcountry ski tours on West Slope offer hut-to-hut shelter and adventure
Florida's Palm Beach County features a cast of thousands for divers
Get to know these Western routes the way the locals do―on two wheels
Estes Park's "off-season" can be the best way to enjoy the Rocky Mountain winter
These great fall hikes span from Arizona to Washington and deliver plenty of fall color, crisp air, and beautiful panoramas.
Hike, bike or four-wheel to longest dinosaur trackway in North America
If you have the chance to venture down Florida's A1A and visit Palm Beach County, get ready for good food and fun diving. Here's our guide to three days in the Palm Beaches: Blue Heron Bridge This easy-access 12- to 20-foot dive is a renowned macro site with seahorses, pipefish, frogfish, batfish, stargazers and upwards of 100 species of nudibranchs.
Travel
Discovering the beauty of badlands, black hills and buffalo in South Dakota
The Dinosaur Diamond National Scenic Byway is a road trip for the ages
It's quiet here. Except for the distant cries of gulls, there's a muffled silence as we huddle in a gauzy October mist beneath towering Sitka spruce dripping with morning rain. Then Marven Robinson, our Gitga'at bear guide whose ancestors have hunted and fished British Columbia's coastal rainforest since the last ice age, motions us to shush.
Above the Arctic Circle, roads are ephemeral and few, buried beneath drifting winter snows and emerging in summer like a sliver penetrating an endless wilderness of taiga, tundra, and isolated mountain ranges. In 2017, Canada's Dempster Highway slightly tipped the scales in favor of Arctic road travel as the newest of the world's three maintained roads landing at the Arctic Ocean.
South Korea's Capital Harmonizes Past and Present
A journey in southern Africa yields a montage of encounters with majestic wildlife and resolute villages where daily life continues as it has for century
Ted Alan Stedman of Denver, Colo., shot this photo of two elephants in October 2010 at the Sabi Sand Game Reserve in South Africa."The reserve borders the world-renowned Kruger National Park, considered one of the best 'Big Five' parks in Africa," Stedman tells TODAY Travel.
Once home to Wyatt Earp and Calamity Jane, this town still exudes an Old West feel. This year, Magic City of the Plains celebrates its 150th anniversary
Key West -- a celebrated island where Florida ends and the fun begins
A Yangtze river cruise offers a seamless look at China's past and present
Five small towns right here in the US that you'll be glad are now on your radar.
A summer jaunt in Finland exploring the country's dense forests, lakes and islands
5 PLACES TO SEE SPECTACULAR ANIMAL MIGRATIONS WITHOUT LEAVING THE US May 10, 2022 | 8 min read For many people (us included!), seeing the epic migration in Tanzania's Serengeti is a life goal. In the meantime, there are amazing migrations to see right here in the US, and they span the animal kingdom, including insects, birds, sea life and land mammals.
Named after the ancient supercontinent that gradually split to become the land masses we recognize today, Gondwana Ecotours says its mission is to bring people from different continents closer together, one trip at a time.
What sold me forever on Mexico was a 7,500-mile road trip from Minnesota to GuatemalaI took a few years ago. I drove from the Sierra Madre Oriental to the seafood capital of Veracruz. Near Mérida, I biked through Maya ruins. In Tulum I slept exclusively in hammocks.
Whoever said it's the journey and not the destination probably wasn't greeted on arrival with great food and company. Discover a magical gourmet getaway.
Colorado's thermal springs are a can't-miss Rocky Mountain experience
There's nothing like the Great White North for winter thrills and chills - pick any one of these six adventures and you'll understand why
Besides being home to a mythical reptile, Lizard Head Wilderness has some great hiking
Ahh, the swaying palms, the tourmaline colored water, gentle tropical breezes and misty mountains piercing the clouds. Could be Hawaii, but I'm talking about Dominican Republic. Here are just a few travel tips for a Dominican Republic vacation.
The historic "Grand Dame of the Rockies" is a renowned destination unto itself.
From wine tasting to spotting wild game, the "Rainbow Nation" offers diversity of many kinds
Getting up close and personal with some of America's most capricious creatures
Oktoberfest has blossomed throughout the United States, including these 10 exceptional American incarnations offering a lot more than beer, sauerkraut and oompah.
It doesn't take much homework to realize what a select few have known for years
On St. Kitts' languid little sister, the clocks are set to island time
Ranchers and skiers take to the slopes for a celebration of winter in Steamboat Springs, Colorado
There's more than mountains to enjoy in and around the Mile High City
The coolest trips, trends, expert advice and best new places to get lost
Nairobi is the gateway to adventures in Kenya and Tanzania
Bordered by mountains and sea,India's southwest state possesses a tranquility all its own
On the darkest night in October, Ted Alan Stedman experiences India's favorite festival while on a Caribbean island much closer to home
This eco-diverse Central American nation offers sea and land adventures
With trendy districts, museums and restaurants, Lima’s lights stay on late
Aspen's winter season -- from skiing to dinning to art gazing -- is nothing short of epic
Its cowboy roots notwithstanding, Denver's actually a hip, happening gateway to the West. Here's my take on what not to miss when you visit Denver.
Course traditions mean Iceland's fiercest fighters are alive and well
A week-long journey into the Amazon Basin reveals an abundence of wildlife and remote native villages virtually untouched by the outside world.
Soak in some sun -- and work up a sweat -- in Red River, New Mexico
White Sands National Monument is an otherworldly oasis in the New Mexico wilderness
A serene Alaskan kayak trip can lead to a heart-stopping encounter with "The Bear Horrible"
It's a great Colorado autumn escape, and our newest National Park -- and you've probably never heard of it
Vast and Quirky, Southeast New Mexico is a Road-Tripping Riddle
That's New Mexico for you, a land of superlatives and oddities that seems out of whack with the rest of the country
Canada's New Arctic Highway Makes for the Ultimate Northern Road Trip
Wellness Comes Naturally for the Colorado Community of Steamboat Springs
An ambitious trek hits the peaks and valleys of Peru's diverse geography
Welcome to Northern Thailand, a Verdant Nature Hub for Adventurers
Communing with nature comes easily in this land of forests, mountains, water and wildlife
The Switch has been Flipped for the New E-Grand Tour in Switzerland
For many Americans, smaller is better in this new age of travel
Rock the South Platte River or simply relax on the banks
A Journey to the Enchanting Archipelago Showcases the Many Forms of Warmth
Exploring Denver's natural beauty and downtown renaissance
Quebec's Maritime Lighthouse Trail is a beacon for travelers in search of natural history, diverse culture and abundant wildlife
Travel back in time along the jaw-dropping Dinosaur Diamond Scenic Byway through Colorado and Utah
Experience the lava fields, breathtaking views, and some of the oldest Douglas firs around in this New Mexico fantasyland
Cast away to the Palawan Archipelago for a bounty of nature adventures
These great fall hikes span from Arizona to Washington and deliver plenty of fall color, crisp air, and beautiful panoramas
The crashing Caribbean surf is serenading me with its rhythm; the humid ocean air immobilizes like a sodden straightjacket. Frivolous thoughts pour through my mind. Has it been a dozen, or maybe 15 times that I've found myself at this precise latitudinal coordinate, sitting on this exact barstool?
If you haven't been here since your dude days, you're in for a pleasant, even refined, surprise
The Cook Islands are plush with Polynesian culture and natural beauty
Bonaire blends aquatic delights with Caribbean culture
Walking the Wales Coast Past is like stepping into a storybook
The "off" season is the right season for this northern Colorado recreation hub.
These covert destinations boast thrilling adventure and endless entertainment without the crowds or clout of bigger mountain towns
It's prime time for a getaway filled with kayaking, biking, and dining
Smart technology streamlines travel and keeps passengers in the know
It's rising art and theater scene has stolen some of LoDo's mojo
The biggest state in the Union is also the wildest with rugged peaks and raw wilderness hard up against the cities of Anchorage and Fairbanks
Nature and Science
Climate change and human activity are destroying some of the world's most iconic lakes, while rising temperatures are causing coastal flooding worldwide
Scientists have sounded the alarm that may of the world's coral reefs are dead or dying. While some healthy reefs still exist, the future is ominous
A good news story about African wildlife conservation that's great for travelers, too
Hidden in the remote stretches of north-west New Mexico, the Bisti Badlands are one of the US' most surreal sites.
Everyone agrees that making a basket takes some degree of skill, but understanding the physics of basketball is another matter
In 2019, the Australian Koala Foundation declared koalas functionally extinct. Sad social media memes multiplied. Panic ensued. And then, a most important parsing of words. Not yet gone entirely the way of the dodo or the mammoth, koalas live on.
Adopting and enshrining conservation measures is the new normal in the dive industry
Plant scientists make a world-class investment in CU-Boulder's new greenhouse
With a face only a mother could love, these little-seen beasties are beautiful to divers
Frigid Iceland and tropical Hawaii couldn't be more different. Or could they?
Culture, Business, Profiles
Colorado non-profits help soothe injuries with invigorating outdoor sports for the disabled
Otherworldly. Dramatic. Stark. Surreal. Just so weird! Between gasps and quizzical stares, these are common refrains from first-time visitors at Colorado's Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Truth is, these reactions carry a lot of cachet here.
With the untimely death of Galen Rowell, mountaineering and photography lose their preeminent practitioner
As Congress makes decisions on Roadless Areas, Mountain Bikers are going to be forced to choose between two evils: Lose Singletrack to Wilderness, or Lose Singletrack to Roads. Is there another way?
NASA executive launches leadership class in CU-Boulder business college
Want to be invited to the most exclusive wine event of the year? You'll have to join the club. Not a members-only golf club (we have plenty of those), but the winemaking club Vines at Vail at 4 Eagle Ranch in Wolcott, the valley's sole commercial winery.
Multi-generational Daytons serve community with groomed cross-country trails, social hub
Postmortems of a failed business are rarely pleasant: How things at Sorel went so terribly wrong.
Growth pressures on the West focus of natural resources lawyer
As the pandemic subsides, the dive industry is making adjustments to accommodate reinvigorated dive travelers in this new era of global travel.
Montana-bred Tom Burkland was raised on a ranch but hungered for speed
Cape Town gets a big assist from the 2010 FIFA World Cup
Art thrives in Denver's original and historic Hispanic neighborhood
Introduction of elite Woman's USA Pro Challenge division has female racers on a roll
Trends in environmental awareness factor into diving as tools for positive change
Odd Jobs, On the Road, People, Travel Destinations By Ted Alan Stedman https://americanprofile.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/billy-ellis-150x150.jpg Billy Ellis trains his binoculars on the rugged, forested terrain surrounding his 9,748-foot mountain-top lookout in Colorado's Pike National Forest, scanning the horizon in every direction for distant puffs of smoke. "Hello, this is Devil's Head Fire Lookout calling.
Outdoor sports gain participants -- especially among the hard-core
Outdoor-equipment maker's best year coincides with relocation
Adult education could mean the difference between moving up the ladder in your career or losing the job you have.
It took mountains of money to be the first American to summit all of the world's 8,000-meter peaks. Here's how Steady Eddy raised the cast to stand on top.
Working at a dive resort sounds like a dream, but matching skills with expectations is job one.
Key Factors that Drive End Users to Purchases of Performance Apparel
Like the artists it nurtures, the Breckenridge Arts District continues to blossom. Witness September's public coming-out party that previewed new venues in the town's ever-expanding creative campus, which occupies an entire block just east of the Riverwalk Performing Arts Center.
Gear, Gadgets, Products, Reviews
Twenty-one high-tech marvels that double as mechanical masterpieces
From technical clothes for sport to chic outfits for dinner, here's how to dress like a local
Like travel itself, the latest gear for the road is full of wild surprises
Ultrasport, multisport versatility clothing for harsh winter cnditions
Smart, portable, often wearable finds - some flying above, others rolling by - are the latest and greatest playthings
You don't have to sacrifice style for function in winter's harsh temperatures
Hut, hut, hike! Hopscotch along in utter comfort - after selecting the best trail-traversing accoutrements
Try these lightweight trail shoes and boots for a new level of comfort in the field
Plugged-in vacationers revive the freedom of their backpacking roots
Digital cameras have made film obsolete -- but how do they do it?
Since the dawn of fabric fortresses, tent buying has divided folks
Remember your first pair of polarized sunglasses and that eye-opening revelation on the water?
Hot Stuff: What's in store for new tents, backpacks and sleeping bags
These tools are indispensable for spotting wildlife and other photo opportunities in the field
Leave it to Coloradoans to not only want, but require the latest gear
Before you're screened, scanned, searched and seated, remember luggage 101
Stylish and rugged bags for your next journey/Stay connected and powered up on the road with these useful tools
Transportation evolves yet again with the latest crop of adventure travel luggage and gear
The future has arrived with AI and VR taking work and play to new levels
Active, stylish winter footwear is attracting even fair-weather consumers
The latest design inspirations for today's backpacks, tents and sleeping bags
We're still years away for a standard rating scheme for sleeping bag temperature ratings
The latest household products harness smart technology to get the job done.