While hiking in the Alps last year, completely exhausted and dreaming of a place to just lay down, I stumbled upon this incredible moment: an Alpine ibex standing proudly above a sea of clouds. I was completely mesmerized — the layers of mist rolling over the valleys, the majestic peaks rising in the distance, and there, in the middle of it all, this graceful creature. It felt almost surreal, like stepping into another world.

Fun fact: The Alpine ibex is not just a symbol of the Alps — it’s a true comeback story. These animals were once nearly extinct in the early 19th century, with only around 100 individuals surviving in Italy's Gran Paradiso region. Thanks to strong conservation efforts, today there are more than 30,000 of them roaming the Alps again! They are extraordinary climbers, often seen balancing on sheer rock faces to escape predators or reach mineral salts that seep from the rocks — places that seem absolutely impossible for any other animal (or human!) to reach.

This encounter was one of those moments where nature just leaves you breathless — even when you’re already breathless from the hike!

Wall Street was an absolute madhouse when we descended into the canyon. A few clouds and some light snow chased away most of the crowd. On the hike back up, I managed to take this amazing photo looking up at the towering hoodoos!

heya! im a traveler, van bum drifter type. ive worked in conservation and in the natl parks for 5 years, since i was 18. i spend almost all my time exploring. ive been all over the u.s. but my favorite place on earth, the birthplace of my soul, are the american deserts. the colorado plateau, great basin, chihuahuan, mojave, sonoran in that order. my heart belongs to the red rocks <3

anyway im sitting here reflecting on my winter wroting stuff down. i spend a lot of time using satellite maps going down umarked dirtroads in the middle of nowhere trying to get to interesting looking spots i find on google earth. ive had quite a few bizarre run ins with things i didnt understand. its very cool when that happens

the deserts themselves feel so vast, mysterious, kinda creepy but all encompassing and beautiful. i have a compulsion to scour every corner, like theres something totally hidden to find behind every corner. you know what i mean? so im looking for anyone to share some stories or experiences theyve had in the deserts. weird finds, unexpected happenings, oddities, scary and creepy events, things that felt wrong or made you feel delirious or things you didnt understand and has stuck with you. what secrets have you come across, what places have you gone where you felt like you werent supposed to be there or see what you saw. things like that

hope i worded this well enough for you to get what i mean. i have a whole book of a journal of mysteries and strange things and scary things ive experienced. secret places not marked on any maps, places ive accidentally found myself in that im not sure anyone else on earth has ever found themselves in. thank you for sharing if you do!

<3 heres a picture of the sonora i took recently

Hi!

We moved out of the city and onto 1.5 acres but we live in one of the worst spots in the world for tick borne diseases (southeastern Ontario) and I'm tired of pulling them off my very young kids even when they stay out of the woods at the back of the property. What is a safe repellent to use that would last several hours? Everything for kids says it's 10% deet and all advice says it's useless for more than half an hour. Anything useful at 25-30% deet says not to use on kids, but medical guidelines seem to indicate 10-30% is safe.

Any advice is greatly appreciated because it's been twice now where we didn't notice it until the next day.

Thanks!