Ted Alan Stedman

Love Triangle

A three-peat journey to the U.S. Virgin Islands confirms that a diver's love is never lost

The 16 most epic hikes in the world

Koalas resting in eucalyptus treetops, wallabies scampering along the headlands, whales breaching right off shore -- come along.

Adventure Diving

Taking the Plunge Might be the Best Passport to the Greatest Show on Earth

Denver by Pedal

Bikes are the Perfect Way to Explore the Mile High City

In the Lizard's Lair

Besides being home to a mythical reptile, Lizard Head Wilderness has some great hiking

Places of Remembered Beauty

Do you have somewhere you yearn to go whenever living in the world gets to be too much?

Peak Season

This winter, plunge into powdery slopes and trek through snowy trails, then pamper yourself in alpine paradise

Hike, Hike, Hut!

Colorado's mountain huts make backcountry adventures accessible -- all surprisingly comfortable -- year-round

Dominicanized

Lose yourself on an island with an overwhelming abundance of waterfalls, jungles and oceanic treasures

Alpine Waters - Flyfishing the Pecos

It's only natural for skiers to take to the water

Small Wonders

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

Caribbean Destinations

13 Caribbean destinations you've never dived, but should

High and Dry

Go for a ride in the shadow of Pikes Peak, near Colorado Springs

When Backpack Meets Snow Pack

Extend the hiking season at these three destinations, all perfect for winter newbies

Desert Waterworld

Paddling New Mexico's Rio Grande

Tropical Tranquilo in Honduras' Bay Islands

Settling into the pulse of the ocean

Diving the National Parks

From sea to shining sea, America is brimming with parks open to divers

Cast Away

For women, catching trout may not be the biggest lure of flyfishing

Learning the Ropes

Canyoneering takes hiking to another level in Colorado's canyon country

On the Rebound

Resuming the fitness regime after the flu

Perfect 10: Martinique

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

Skiing the West

Letting it fly in Crested Butte, Colorado

Nouveau Nomads

Yurts give backcontry wanderers shelter, solitude

It's Ski Town, USA

Colorado's Steamboat Springs is the ultimate snowy getaway

Luxury Card | Dive In

Pristine coral reefs are increasingly rare. See them now.

Adrenaline Rush

These sporty sojourns offer all the creature comforts you need to reward your efforts

Colorado Day Trip

Pawnee Buttes

Soar with the Eagles

Gain a raptor's-eye view of the world in Colorado's Eagle Nest Wilderness

Weekend Wilderness: Closer than you think

Denver-Salt Lake City

24 Reasons to Dive the Cayman Islands

This one-stop drop zone clearly covers all the bases

Peak Encounters

Colorado's second-highest mountain is a first-rate summer hike

The Anatomy of a Liveaboard

Form actually does follow function in this liveaboard lineup catering to divers of any persuasion

Golden Rules

Golden is prime territory for fall escapades close to home

Cool Cats

Colorado snowcats are a passport to powder and more

Set Sail: The 12 Best Destinations to Explore by Liveaboard

The searing desert sands straddling the Red Sea contrast with a lush undersea world of ­dramatic soft corals and upwards of 1,000 species of fish - 20 percent of which can be found nowhere else

Southwest Sizzle

Arizona's Lake Havasu offers 60 miles of shoreline to explore

Highest Ground

Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks offer goal-oriented exhilaration

Classic State

Traditional cross-country skiing is comfortable with its progress

Daredevil Dives

Creatures that will give you wicked thrills, and operators who will get you back in one piece

Sweet Desert Treats

Natural Attractions Lend to the Grown-Up Appeal of Lake Havasu

Outfitting the Kids

Good ski and boarding gear can be had for reasonable prices

Zoo Land

Kangaroo Island, Australia

Riverside rocks and rolls

Whitewater parks bring life to older river towns

Keepin' it Easy

Sixty years on, Grand Cayman dives are as spectacular as ever

The Works: Trek Tasmania

Australia's Island Apart

Gimme Shelter

Add igloos to the list of winter options to get you outdoors

How To Plan A Weekend Dive Vacation in Palm Beach County, Florida

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

Then and Now: Sixty years ago, recreational diving had its beginnings in the Cayman Islands....

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

Winter Immersion

Snug backcountry retreats open the door to winter fun

Find Big-Time Fun

St. Croix, USVI

Go Climb a Tree

A forest-friendly sport takes root in the Front Range

Easy Riders

Snow bikes offer a fun alternative when it comes to shredding the slopes

Scratching the Surface

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

Fluid Worlds - Flyfishing the Animas River

Nothing says summer like the rushing of a mountain river or rippling of a mountain lake

The Skinny on Fat Bikes

Big tires add up to big fun in cycling's newest niche

Rocky Mountains, Defined

Exploring the wilder, uncrowded reaches of our highest national park

Winter fair in Colorado

Head to Steamboat Springs for family fun and serious ski jumping

High on the Hinsdale

Backcountry ski tours on West Slope offer hut-to-hut shelter and adventure

Standing Tall

Add stand-up paddleboarding to Colorado's line-up of aquatic adventures

Pack Mentality

Human's "second-best friend" an ideal trail companion

Prime Time in the Palm Beaches

Florida's Palm Beach County features a cast of thousands for divers

Best Bike Paths in the West

Get to know these Western routes the way the locals do―on two wheels

Perpetual Motion

Estes Park's "off-season" can be the best way to enjoy the Rocky Mountain winter

Great Fall Hikes: 15 Gorgeous Trails for Fall Foliage in the West

These great fall hikes span from Arizona to Washington and deliver plenty of fall color, crisp air, and beautiful panoramas.

Jurassic Footprints

Hike, bike or four-wheel to longest dinosaur trackway in North America

Latin Heat

Eco-Advantage, Belize

A Guide to Scuba Diving in Palm Beach County, Florida

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.

Ready, Set, Go: Spin Cycle

Black Hills Treasures

Slim-Jim Dandy

When you dive in Panama, there's an inescapable sense of adventure

Bike Idaho: Top 5

Move over Moab, back off Boulder.

Fall Finish

With a little planning, October can be the perfect time to set up camp

Best of the West

Discovering the beauty of badlands, black hills and buffalo in South Dakota

Road Trip to the Arctic | Via

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.

Sophisticated Seoul

South Korea's Capital Harmonizes Past and Present

Wild on Africa

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

Walking England

Crossing England one step at a time

Cheyenne, Wyoming

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

A Different State of Mind

Key West -- a celebrated island where Florida ends and the fun begins

Churchill Polar Bear Tours

Journey Into Middle Kingdom

A Yangtze river cruise offers a seamless look at China's past and present

A Natural Finnish

A summer jaunt in Finland exploring the country's dense forests, lakes and islands

Spectacular Sydney

Energy and elegance define Australia's city by the sea

10 eco-friendly travel companies you can feel good about booking with

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.

Magnetic South

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.

Gourmet Getaways

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.

Some Like it Hot

Colorado's thermal springs are a can't-miss Rocky Mountain experience

Uniquely Canadian

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

Full Tilt: Bangkok After 5

Bangkok goes all out after dark

A South African Odyssey

From wine tasting to spotting wild game, the "Rainbow Nation" offers diversity of many kinds

Wildlife Getaways

Getting up close and personal with some of America's most capricious creatures

Colorado Day Trip

Upper Fraser Valley

The Bold and the Beautiful: Dominican Republic

It doesn't take much homework to realize what a select few have known for years

Limin' on Nevis

On St. Kitts' languid little sister, the clocks are set to island time

Wild West Show

Colorado's wildflowers inspire oohs and awe

Winter Wranglers

Ranchers and skiers take to the slopes for a celebration of winter in Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Caribbean Calm

Escape to the quiet corner of the West indies

Four Seasons: Denver

There's more than mountains to enjoy in and around the Mile High City

All Aboard the Tequila Express

Nomads Have More Fun

The coolest trips, trends, expert advice and best new places to get lost

Tropical Breeze

Set an easy pace and explore the natural beauty of Belize

Fire and Ice

From volcanoes to glaciers, nature has the upper hand in Iceland

Front Range Foray

An autumn road trip offers a great taste of Colorado

An East Africa Safari

Nairobi is the gateway to adventures in Kenya and Tanzania

State of Serenity

Bordered by mountains and sea,India's southwest state possesses a tranquility all its own

Into the Light

On the darkest night in October, Ted Alan Stedman experiences India's favorite festival while on a Caribbean island much closer to home

Breathtaking Belize

This eco-diverse Central American nation offers sea and land adventures

Africa in Style

Take a modern safari in South Africa

Colorado Day Trip: Salida

Bask in a Rockies hot spot

Nights Out: After 5 in Lima

With trendy districts, museums and restaurants, Lima’s lights stay on late

Colorado Escapes: All that Glitters

Aspen's winter season -- from skiing to dinning to art gazing -- is nothing short of epic

Out and About Denver

Mile-High City Stroll

Best of the West

Lake escape

Vikings in Vogue

Course traditions mean Iceland's fiercest fighters are alive and well

Summer on the Slopes

Soak in some sun -- and work up a sweat -- in Red River, New Mexico

Desert Wonder

White Sands National Monument is an otherworldly oasis in the New Mexico wilderness

Mystic Journey

Peru's unrivaled diversity

Alone in the Wild

A serene Alaskan kayak trip can lead to a heart-stopping encounter with "The Bear Horrible"

Arts of Deception

With scams on the rise, travelers beware

Name that Dune

It's a great Colorado autumn escape, and our newest National Park -- and you've probably never heard of it

Mythic Encounters

For a trip beyond compare, explore the many faces of Peru

Far Down, Far Up, Far Out

Vast and Quirky, Southeast New Mexico is a Road-Tripping Riddle

Exploring New Frontiers of the Vanishing West

That's New Mexico for you, a land of superlatives and oddities that seems out of whack with the rest of the country

Journey to the Top of the Earth

Canada's New Arctic Highway Makes for the Ultimate Northern Road Trip

Colorado Wellness

Wellness Comes Naturally for the Colorado Community of Steamboat Springs

Lofty Pursuit

An ambitious trek hits the peaks and valleys of Peru's diverse geography

Jordanian Odyssey

Nature, Culture and Adventure Await

Kuna Castaway

Sapibenega, Kuna Yala, Panama

The Emerald Crown of Lanna Kingdom

Welcome to Northern Thailand, a Verdant Nature Hub for Adventurers

A Quiet Corner of the Caribbean

Island Hopping St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Wild Side of the USVI

Virgin Islands' wild side offers night snorkeling

Quebec, Au Naturel

Communing with nature comes easily in this land of forests, mountains, water and wildlife

Swiss Grand E Tour

The Switch has been Flipped for the New E-Grand Tour in Switzerland

Cities on the Side

For many Americans, smaller is better in this new age of travel

Things to do in Denver, Colorado

Rock the South Platte River or simply relax on the banks

Fabulous Fiji

A Journey to the Enchanting Archipelago Showcases the Many Forms of Warmth

Mile-High Summer Fun

Exploring Denver's natural beauty and downtown renaissance

South Pacific Shangra-la

Exploring the tropical paradise of Fiji

Maritime Quest

Quebec's Maritime Lighthouse Trail is a beacon for travelers in search of natural history, diverse culture and abundant wildlife

Drive the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway | Via

Travel back in time along the jaw-dropping Dinosaur Diamond Scenic Byway through Colorado and Utah

El Malpais National Monument day trip

Experience the lava fields, breathtaking views, and some of the oldest Douglas firs around in this New Mexico fantasyland

Primordial Splendor

Cast away to the Palawan Archipelago for a bounty of nature adventures

The Broadmoor

The historic "Grand Dame of the Rockies" is a renowned destination

Great Fall Hikes: 15 Gorgeous Trails for Fall Foliage in the West

These great fall hikes span from Arizona to Washington and deliver plenty of fall color, crisp air, and beautiful panoramas

Searching for Elvis in Cozumel

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?

Moab, Utah: Explore the finer side

If you haven't been here since your dude days, you're in for a pleasant, even refined, surprise

A South Pacific Tale

The Cook Islands are plush with Polynesian culture and natural beauty

Bonaire, A Dutch Treat

Bonaire blends aquatic delights with Caribbean culture

A Walk on the Welsh Side

Walking the Wales Coast Past is like stepping into a storybook

Autumn in Steamboat Springs, Colorado

The "off" season is the right season for this northern Colorado recreation hub.

Colorado's Hidden Escapes

These covert destinations boast thrilling adventure and endless entertainment without the crowds or clout of bigger mountain towns

Desert Dwellings

Colorado's Canyon of the Ancients

New Mexico Travel: One perfect day in the Albuquerque outdoors

It's prime time for a getaway filled with kayaking, biking, and dining

Travel Tech: The Paperless Route

Smart technology streamlines travel and keeps passengers in the know

Wild at Heart

Let these outdoor locales help set the mood

Denver's feisty Santa Fe Drive

It's rising art and theater scene has stolen some of LoDo's mojo

Good Vibrations

There's a lively and optimistic mood in Cape Town

True Alaska

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: Disappearing Lakes, Rising Seas

Climate change and human activity are destroying some of the world's most iconic lakes, while rising temperatures are causing coastal flooding worldwide

Vanishing Act

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

Namibia -- a wildlife photographer's paradise

A good news story about African wildlife conservation that's great for travelers, too

The US' surreal alien landscape

Hidden in the remote stretches of north-west New Mexico, the Bisti Badlands are one of the US' most surreal sites.

The Physics of Basketball

Everyone agrees that making a basket takes some degree of skill, but understanding the physics of basketball is another matter

Luxury Card | Save the Species, Save the World

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.

Do the Right Thing

Adopting and enshrining conservation measures is the new normal in the dive industry

Fooling Mother Nature

Plant scientists make a world-class investment in CU-Boulder's new greenhouse

Unraveling Old Yarns

Youthful expert examines textiles for clues to ancient Maya

So ugly they're...

With a face only a mother could love, these little-seen beasties are beautiful to divers

A Tale of Two Islands

Frigid Iceland and tropical Hawaii couldn't be more different. Or could they?

Taking it Outside

Colorado non-profits help soothe injuries with invigorating outdoor sports for the disabled

A moment of 'incomplete isolation'

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.

A Life Worth Living

With the untimely death of Galen Rowell, mountaineering and photography lose their preeminent practitioner

The Mountain Biking Quandary

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?

The View from Here

NASA executive launches leadership class in CU-Boulder business college

A Wolcott Winery Offers Wine Enthusiasts a Stomping Good Time

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.

Frisco's First Family of Nordic Skiing

Multi-generational Daytons serve community with groomed cross-country trails, social hub

After the Fall

Postmortems of a failed business are rarely pleasant: How things at Sorel went so terribly wrong.

The West: Old Lands, New Directions

Growth pressures on the West focus of natural resources lawyer

Ninja Climber

Boulder sport climber aims high while teaching kids upward mobility

The World's Fastest Cowboy

Montana-bred Tom Burkland was raised on a ranch but hungered for speed

Building Community through Eco Travel

Dive travel and community a natural fit

Cape Town: Scoring Opportunity

Cape Town gets a big assist from the 2010 FIFA World Cup

Art District on Santa Fe, Denver

Art thrives in Denver's original and historic Hispanic neighborhood

The XX Factor

Introduction of elite Woman's USA Pro Challenge division has female racers on a roll

It's a No-Brainer

Doctor crusades for helmet use on ski slopes

Watching for Wildfires

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.

Play Favorites

Outdoor sports gain participants -- especially among the hard-core

Kelty a happy camper in Boulder

Outdoor-equipment maker's best year coincides with relocation

Executive Class

Adult education could mean the difference between moving up the ladder in your career or losing the job you have.

The Business of Being Ed

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.

Wilderness 911

Which First-Aid books should be on your shelves?

Technology Trigger Points

Key Factors that Drive End Users to Purchases of Performance Apparel

The Good Life

Denver is consistently ranked among the country's most livable cities

Creative Classrooms

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.

Buyer's Guide: Travel Luggage

Travel luggage for the long haul

Stylish Form and Function

Twenty-one high-tech marvels that double as mechanical masterpieces

Ready, Set, Go

Going digital

Endless Winter: Frosty Duds

From technical clothes for sport to chic outfits for dinner, here's how to dress like a local

Adventure to Go

Like travel itself, the latest gear for the road is full of wild surprises

Seeing Clearly

Here are SKI's top 20/20 strategies for seeing well on the slopes

The Outfitter: Peak Powderwear

Ultrasport, multisport versatility clothing for harsh winter cnditions

Bag a New Sack

Synthetics are Superior (for most)

Luggage: Stow Away

Wheel it, shoulder it, sit on it, kick it

Toys Story

Smart, portable, often wearable finds - some flying above, others rolling by - are the latest and greatest playthings

Footworks

Let these 10 hiking boots take you on any trail rain or shine

Hot Clothes for Cold Days

You don't have to sacrifice style for function in winter's harsh temperatures

The Essential Trekker

Hut, hut, hike! Hopscotch along in utter comfort - after selecting the best trail-traversing accoutrements

Light Hikers

Try these lightweight trail shoes and boots for a new level of comfort in the field

Flashpacking

Plugged-in vacationers revive the freedom of their backpacking roots

Shooting with Ones and Zeros

Digital cameras have made film obsolete -- but how do they do it?

Buyer's Guide: Tents

Since the dawn of fabric fortresses, tent buying has divided folks

The Eyes Have It

Remember your first pair of polarized sunglasses and that eye-opening revelation on the water?

Buyer's Guide: Travel Luggage

Strong Grips

Ready, Set, Go/Fold Follows Function

Ditch the Winter Blahs

Ready, Set, Go

Communique

Can You Take Me Higher?

Hot Stuff: What's in store for new tents, backpacks and sleeping bags

Gadget Bag: Binoculars

These tools are indispensable for spotting wildlife and other photo opportunities in the field

DLM's 2014 Gear Guide

Leave it to Coloradoans to not only want, but require the latest gear

Buyer's Guide: Travel Luggage

Before you're screened, scanned, searched and seated, remember luggage 101

Luggage/Travel Tech

Stylish and rugged bags for your next journey/Stay connected and powered up on the road with these useful tools

Transit Authorities + Travel Essentials

Transportation evolves yet again with the latest crop of adventure travel luggage and gear

Outward Bound

'Tis the season for familiar products with high-tech updates

Now Trending

The future has arrived with AI and VR taking work and play to new levels

Snow Stompers

Active, stylish winter footwear is attracting even fair-weather consumers

Take it Easy

The latest design inspirations for today's backpacks, tents and sleeping bags

Testing, Testing

We're still years away for a standard rating scheme for sleeping bag temperature ratings

Luxury Card | Clean Machines

The latest household products harness smart technology to get the job done.

Trip Enhancers

Maximize fun with these hand picked travel tools

Body Reboot

New technology-driven products aim to do you good