THE RAMBLER Responsible Travel. Creating Community. Some links in this newsletter are affiliate links. Your clicks and purchases help us keep sharing stories and tips. Thank you for supporting our work! Hi Reader! I’ll be honest — I’ve been feeling a little guilty lately. As the current administration continues to escalate tensions in communities across the country, I catch myself wondering: how do I dare plan a vacation? How do I talk about birding trips and rafting plans when people are...
9 days ago • 3 min read
THE RAMBLER For travelers who value people, place, and purpose. If you make a purchase using our affiliate links, we will get a small commission at NO extra cost to you. This helps us keep our travel blog and newsletter running and free to all users — thank you SO much for the support. Hi Reader! It’s a new year—and we’re trying something new. Our goal? Shorter newsletters, twice a month. Just enough to keep the connection alive, share stories that matter, and spark inspiration for wherever...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
THE RAMBLER Responsible Travel. Creating Community. Some links in this newsletter are affiliate links. Your clicks and purchases help us keep sharing stories and tips. Thank you for supporting our work! Hi Reader! As the New Year fast approaches, I find myself pondering over what worked well last year. And what didn't. My most successful project was a trip we planned for someone else, an 80-year-old client with a simple request: to see as many Ecuadorian hummingbirds as possible in 8 days. It...
about 2 months ago • 4 min read
THE RAMBLER Responsible Travel. Mindful Giving. The two go hand in hand. Some links in this newsletter are affiliate links. Your clicks and purchases help us keep sharing stories and tips. Thank you for supporting our work! Hi Reader! As the holiday season rolls in, we’re embracing the spirit of mindful giving—and we’ve got just the list for those who travel with purpose. We’ve curated a selection of items that are both practical and planet-friendly. From our go-to Darn Tough Socks (because...
3 months ago • 2 min read
THE RAMBLER Travel Feels Uncertain. But That Doesn't Mean We Stay Home. Some links in this newsletter are affiliate links. Your clicks and purchases help us keep sharing stories and tips. Thank you for supporting our work! Hi Reader! Lately, we’ve been hearing the same question again and again: “Is it safe to travel to South America right now?” The short answer? It’s complicated. The longer answer? Let’s talk about it. Our website stats are telling the story—safety articles are spiking. And...
4 months ago • 3 min read
Not Your Average American, LLC September 18, 2025 We must act today to keep our wild forests roadless. ↓ “The roadless areas are the lungs of our country.” — Ryan Dibala, birding guide and conservationist Roadless forests are under threat - your voice still matters. This morning, I read a message from my colleague and coaching client Ryan Dibala that lit a fire under me. The Trump Administration is once again trying to roll back the Roadless Area Conservation Rule — a safeguard that protects...
5 months ago • 1 min read
THE RAMBLER Occasional Notes on Responsible Travel, Inspirational Stories, and Great Gear Some links in this newsletter are affiliate links. Your clicks and purchases help us keep sharing stories and tips. Thank you for supporting our work! Scott using Swarovski's AX Visio Binoculars Hi Reader! We’re packing our bags for an adventure in Northern Peru! This trip will take us from Lima’s busy streets to the cloud forests of Chachapoyas, where we’ll hike to hidden ruins and breathtaking...
7 months ago • 1 min read
The Rambler Culture Insights, Travel Tips, and Inspirational Journeys with Not Your Average American Hey Reader! We’ve been staying close to home lately—and loving it. With my parents visiting for Mother’s Day, we played tourist in our home city, exploring Portland’s sweet spots (hello, Creo chocolate!) and catching the last of the spring blooms. All that wandering has us thinking: local or far away, every place has a story. Which is why we're expanding our blog to include so much more of the...
9 months ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader! Our favorite backpack designer has a warehouse sale on award-winning tents, packing pods, and more. We wanted you to be one of the first to know: Six Moon Designs Warehouse Sale Looking forward to a summer full of hiking, Angie and Scott Not Your Average American, LLC
9 months ago • 1 min read