Reads

Franklin and Nantahala, North Carolina, deliver rushing cascades, layered mountain views and the kind of outdoor energy that surrounds you with the untamed beauty of the outdoors.

If your idea of adventure involves rivers, parks and trails that move at their own pace, then let’s head to West Virginia. Here’s a look at six counties that make the state a top choice for hiking and outdoor trips.

For many travelers, long term exploration begins with a single decisive break from routine. For Aleks (@Aleksxrx) that moment arrived shortly after finishing his studies. The original plan had been to move to Australia and pursue a surf-oriented lifestyle, but a lack of money forced him into full time work instead. During that first year of employment, he used short holidays to backpack through Thailand and later Mexico.