Featured Articles

Explore the Burren in Ireland's County Clare

by Laura Read
Sierra Magazine
My guide is Peter Curtin, brewmaster, founder of the Burren Tolkien Society, and owner of the Roadside Tavern in the nearby village of Lisdoonvarna. He is helping me with my mission to visit the various habitats of the Burren, a 220-square-mile rolling limestone massif on Ireland's west coast. Today we're going to the top of bare-bones Turlough Hill...Read more.

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Will You Survive

by Laura Read
San Francisco Chronicle Magazine
On Dec. 20, 1996, Bay Area teenager Harley Augustino and his dad, James, a 48-year-old developer and political activist, lost their way on cross-country skis in a brutal Sierra snowstorm. When darkness fell, they carved out a snow cave and huddled in it. Read More.

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Two Tales of Spillville, Iowa

by Laura Read
National Geographic Traveler
When 19th century Bohemian immigrants settled in Iowa’s lush Turkey River Valley, they couldn’t have imagined one village would nurture two very different creative passions. The town was called “Spielville,” then, after its German founder, Joseph Spielman. Read More.

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Best Secret Islands on Earth: Inis Meáin, Ireland

by Laura Read
Travel + Leisure
The pleasures of Inis Meáin are simple: a walk along the coast to the thunder of Atlantic swells; a tableau of fissured limestone that glimmers in the mist; the best potatoes you'll ever taste. At the stone-walled Inis Meáin Restaurant & Suites (353-86/826-6026; inismeain.com; suites from $350; dinner for two $125)...Read More.

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Saving the Family Farm

by Laura Read
San Francisco Chronicle Magazine
The nectarine's skin wrinkled into folds, releasing the sweet-tangy flesh underneath. Before the juice could dribble, I sucked it into the pockets of my cheeks and savored its goodness. I ate another. Read More.