Kim McMahill

Regensburg is one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities, and the oldest city on the Danube. Walking through its cobble-stone streets makes you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time, and a glimpse of the Gothic spires of St. Peter’s Church leave you in awe.

The Danube River flows through the Wachau Valley, the heart of Austria’s wine country. These pictures were taken between Vienna and Melk, Austria

Perched on the cliffs overlooking the picturesque village of Melk, Austria and the Danube River, sits the Melk Abbey. This 900-year-old baroque masterpiece is fabulous inside and out, and the views from its regal position aren’t bad either.

One of the most memorable travel experiences of my life was a trip to Punta Arenas, Chile where we had the opportunity to visit the Otoway Sound Magellanic Penguin Colony.  The chicks hadn’t lost their warm down coats, giving them a soft gray appearance as opposed to the sleek black and white feathers of their parents.  Watching these amazing animals was an indescribable experience I’ll never forget, and I can only hope that I have the opportunity to return one day.

At a small village outside Khao Yai National Park in Thailand, we had an expected opportunity to ride an elephant. Before we could get used to the lumbering sway, we found ourselves slogging through the jungle, belly deep in murky water. This little side venture wasn’t in the plan, but often those are the most rewarding experiences, and our impromptu elephant ride turned out to be an unexpected highlight.

I recently got to spend some time in my home state of Wyoming. We visited family and caught up on the local happenings. Thanks to the pleasant fall temperatures, we also got the opportunity to get off the pavement and take in the rugged arid beautiful landscape of my youth. When I was young, my sister and I had mini-bikes that we often took out behind the house and we would explore for hours. We could also ride our horses from home, and in minutes civilization was left in our dust. I often miss those carefree times, which makes me all the more appreciative of the chance to go back and see that some things haven’t changed.   

Ayuthaya, Thailand served as the Siamese royal capitol and was one of Asia’s greatest, most powerful cities during the 13 th and 14 th centuries. Today all that remains of this once thriving city of a million people are crumbling, yet still magnificent ruins and amazing sculptures. As the forces of nature attempt to reclaim the site, it only makes the relics more fascinating. 

Every hour, 24-hours a day, 365-days a year, visitors can witness the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. Not only did I have the privilege of seeing this elaborate ritual, but it was immediately followed by a somber wreath laying ceremony. More than 400,000 active duty service members, veterans, and their families have been laid to rest in the cemetery. I was honored to have the opportunity to pay my respects to all those who have sacrificed so much in service to our country.

I recently had the opportunity to visit Washington, D.C. for the first time. Despite the oppressive August heat and humidity, it was worth the effort. The city itself was much more user friendly than I thought it would be, and the monuments gracing the National Mall were awe-inspiring and humbling. There was so much to see that I felt we only scratched the surface, so hopefully I can return someday and take in the rest of the historical and cultural sites of the city. 

When I first caught sight of the towering magical spires of the Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis or more commonly known as the St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans, I thought it was a castle. The cathedral is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans and is among the oldest cathedrals in the United States. It's located in the French Quarter next to Jackson Square facing the Mississippi River. Framed by the beautiful gardens of Jackson Square it looked like a scene from a fairy tale.

“The one who follows the crowd will usually get no further than the crowd. The one who walks alone, is likely to find himself in places no one has ever been.”  - Albert Einstein-

Roatan, Honduras is a small island, only about 33 miles long and four miles wide, located about 30 miles off the north coast of mainland Honduras. It’s an idyllic spot of unsurpassed tropical beauty and pristine waters for diving and snorkeling. Beneath the beauty lurks one of its less attractive, but equally fascinating inhabitants, iguanas.  

  Belize is home to many Mayan ruins of varying size, complexity, and importance. Not far outside of Belize City, is Altun Ha, an early classic site which is considered one of the smaller historic Mayan sites in the area, yet one of the richest. Among the treasures discovered at Altun Ha are a jade skull of Kinich Ahau, the Maya Sun God, and the residue from a codex (fragments left after the organic material has rotted away). Only three codices and one fragment of a codex have been discovered, so even the remains of one of these rare Mayan books is a significant find. 

Puerto Madyn’s Valdes Peninsula in Argentina provides an unparalleled opportunity to watch elephant seals sunning themselves on the beach or emerging from the surf. Add the resonating sounds of the seals along with the pounding of the surf and you have an experience to treasure for a lifetime.

Located northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada near the border with California, Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is a fascinating and unique ecosystem. The refuge was established in 1984, and is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service. Over 23,000 acres of spring-fed wetlands and alkaline desert uplands protect a number of threatened and endangered species found nowhere else in the world. Water from over 100 miles to the northeast enters a vast aquifer system, and slowly moves underground until it is forced to the surface by a geological fault. The seeps and springs created as the water reaches the surface make the refuge a unique spot in the dry Mojave Desert. The visual contrast between the desert and the wetlands, along with its wide array of plant and animal life are well worth the detour on the way to Death Valley. For more information visit http://www.fws.gov/refuge/ash_meadows

The Mojave and Colorado deserts are both represented in Joshua Tree National Park. Joshua trees can be found in the higher elevations of the Mojave, while the lower Colorado Desert is populated by cholla cactus, ocotillo, and creosote bushes.   Aside from the namesake feature, there is plenty more to see including a myriad of plant and animal life, unique geological features, and remnants of the area’s human and cultural history dot the landscape. For more information visit http://www.nps.gov/jotr

Death Valley National Park is the hottest, driest, and lowest national park in our National Park System.   Despite its inhospitable appearance, the rugged terrain supports a host of wildlife, which isn’t all that easy to spot in such an immense area. So, we focused on the interesting geological features and colorful landscape.   There is something inherently beautiful in its simplicity and the vast open spaces.   For more information visit http://www.nps.gov/deva

We stopped for a short break at a small village outside Khao Yai National Park in Thailand, and ended up on an elephant slogging through the jungle, belly deep in murky water. This little side venture wasn’t in the plan, but often those are the most rewarding experiences, and our impromptu elephant ride turned out to be an unexpected highlight.

One of the most memorable travel experiences of my life was a trip to Punta Arenas, Chile where we had the opportunity to visit the Otoway Sound Magellanic Penguin Colony.   The chicks hadn’t lost their warm down coats, giving them a soft gray appearance as opposed to the sleek black and white feathers of their parents.   Watching these amazing animals was an indescribable experience I’ll never forget.

The Mayan ruins at Chichén Itzá are not only impressive, amazing, and mind-boggling in scope, but they were the inspiration behind Marked In Mexico .   A unique mix of feelings often overcomes visitors when wandering the immense complex – curiosity, caution, and serenity. So, when fictional hostages are taken at this popular Mayan ruin, an idyllic Caribbean vacation is sure to turn deadly.