As travelers begin summer pilgrimages to America’s cherished national parks, we at Off the Beaten Path take the opportunity to acknowledge the phenomenal work of our partner, National Parks Conservation Association. NPCA has worked fiercely and tirelessly on behalf of national parklands since 1919. In celebration of their centennial year, the organization posted a collection […]

“Here, take a look,” whispered Ricardo. Peeking through the lens, I was six years old again. There was the bird I had been yearning to see, a quetzal as resplendent as I had read about—a vivid dream from my distant past. He sat on a tree branch, preening his feathers, cocking his head and looking […]

Locals call them “speed goats.” Now you see them, now you don’t. In a minute, they can be a mile gone. Pronghorns are the fastest land mammals in North America, capable of impressive speed and endurance. They can sprint away from predators at 60 miles per hour, and keep running for miles at speeds of […]