The Beautiful Cocora Valley of Colombia

Cocora Valley, Colombia

Colombia’s endangered Quindío wax palms provide the backdrop for an enchanting visit to the real-life setting of Disney’s animated film Encanto. Let’s talk about Colombia’s Cocora Valley. The bona fide setting of Disney’s Encanto beguiles those who wander among its sky-high and century’s old palm trees, but it will take more than a miracle to […]

Chile’s Atacama Desert: An Arid, Alien World

In the darkness of a waning night, our cramped van wound its way up an Andean roadway in a desolate corner of northern Chile. Against the black sky, the profusion of stars stretched all the way to the horizon, cocooning us in a sparkling dome. 

Roosevelt River Expedition

[dropcap]L[/dropcap]ooking down at the dark roiling river reflecting the dense jungle, I almost couldn’t believe I was actually here. I have imagined this place ever since I was 11 years old and first spotted the familiar name Roosevelt curiously in the heart of the Brazilian Amazon. Since that time, I have read all about that […]