The Beauty & Strength In Solitude
Chris joins Ben to unpack the paradox of solace and loneliness in an extreme environment like Antarctica, the mental and physical toll of the trek, and how the journey inspired her to write her award-winning book, 'The Expedition'.
Follow Benjamin on X: @BenjaminHallFNC
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Travel + Leisure
3 hours ago
- Travel + Leisure
This Small Town in North Carolina's Inner Banks Is the First in America to Be Named After George Washington—and No, It's Not Our Nation's Capital
Washington, not to be confused with the nation's capital, is part of North Carolina's Inner Banks, was the first U.S. town named after George Washington. The area is rich in history, with nearby Bath (the state's first settlement), and museums like the Washington Waterfront Underground Railroad Museum. Creek State Park is a great spot to explore the local ecosystems—think cypress swamps and forest trails. Dining options range from upscale (The Hackney) to casual like Bill's Hot Dogs and The Mulberry House, offering comfort fare and seafood, respectively. Boutique accommodations such as The West Main and The Ell Hotel provide unique lodging experiences with personalized touches and Southern charm. You may have heard about the Outer Banks, but what about the Inner Banks? This term is used to describe the collection of charming towns on the mainland before you reach the famous stretch of barrier islands. Among them is Little Washington, which may share a name with our nation's capital, but was given its current title in 1776—the first in the country to name itself after our first president. As early as 1585, English explorers were aware of the area, and the state's first settlement, Bath, is only 15 miles away. Washington earned its current name in 1776, later adding the 'Little' to its nickname to avoid confusion. While other nearby ports were under British control during the Revolutionary War, the colonists were able to use Washington for resupply efforts. Today, it's filled with historic register buildings, mostly from after a 1900s fire, and plenty of small-town charm. It's also a great base for exploring other coastal communities like Bath, New Bern, and Edenton, or the Outer Banks proper. Most travelers will fly into Raleigh-Durham International Airport since it has the most flight options, located roughly a two-hour drive away. But you'll also find options to Wilmington and Norfolk, Virginia. While here, check out the seasonal art walks and farmers markets. The Washington Summer Festival is held every June on the waterfront and is another community favorite. Exterior entrance of North Carolina Estuarium. As one of the oldest parts of the state, Little Washington's history can be uncovered in several locales. The Washington Waterfront Underground Railroad Museum is a part of the National Park Service's 'Underground Railroad Network to Freedom' sites, operating out of a converted rail caboose right across from the Pamlico River. It's here that interpreters share the history of the enslaved people in the county, including those able to reach freedom by water. Goose Creek State Park is one of the best places to see the area's ecosystems, including the cypress swamp, accessible on a boardwalk trail or by paddling through. You can also see reminders of the lumber industry with the decommissioned railbeds and tar kilns. The park is also one of several spots in both the Inner and Outer Banks where Blackbeard was known to roam during his heyday of piracy. The North Carolina Estuarium is another highlight, with 200 exhibits on the coastal creatures and Pamlico River tours. You can also get out on the water with a class from Little Washington Sailing School or by renting a kayak from Inner Banks Outfitters. A customer exiting Bill's Hot Dogs. As you'd expect, Washington's waterfront location makes for top-tier cuisine, especially for those in search of seafood. One standout is The Hackney, helmed by James Beard semifinalist and executive chef Jamie Davis. Dishes here are inspired by the cultures that meet here, with an emphasis on local ingredients. The restored 1922 bank building is also home to an on-site gin distillery that creates the award-winning 1000 Piers Gin. The Mulberry House is another local favorite, operating as a 16-room inn, a coffee shop, and a restaurant with live music on the roof and a seafood-heavy menu. Grab a craft cocktail and the tuna crudo for the full experience. Open since 1928, Bill's Hot Dogs is a Washington classic. It only takes cash, and your hot dog comes with chili, onion, and mustard. Shep's Grill is a favorite greasy spoon for breakfast with local art for sale and classic dishes like biscuits and gravy and French toast. The coastal vibes are strong at Backwater Jacks, beloved for its heaping burgers, fried seafood, and rum smoothies, all enjoyed with river views. Come by on the weekends for live music. Store interior of Pamlico Books. This stretch of coastline has long inspired writers, so pick up a title penned by a North Carolina author at Pamlico Books. The store sells new and used titles, plus children's books, games, and gifts. Nauti Life carries clothing and essentials for life on the coast, while Flying Pig Provisions offers locally made products like soaps and candles, plus staples such as milk and bread you can bring back to your rental. The blue room inside The Ell Hotel. You'll find all the standard hotels closer to the highway, but the best way to experience Little Washington is by spending the night in one of the several boutique inns and hotels. The West Main occupies the three-story Savings & Trust Bank built in 1906, with six studios and suites, full kitchens, and a downstairs restaurant with bourbon and whiskey cocktails. The Elmwood 1820 Bed & Breakfast offers the traditional inn experience with five rooms, each with a different theme and vintage furnishings. If it's a true Southern meal you're after, don't miss the daily breakfast, especially the fluffy biscuits. Set in a 1921 home, The Ell Hotel is both female- and veteran-owned, named for owner Ellen "Ell" Brabo. The property has five guest rooms, all dog- and kid-friendly. There's even a playroom for little ones, plus bike rentals and daily tea and coffee.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Skydive Into the Record Books on World Skydiving Day
Leading global skydiving organizations encourage jumpers to be part of history on July 12 for 2nd annual #WorldSkydivingDay FREDERICKSBURG, Va., July 07, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Together, the U.S. Parachute Association (USPA), Australian Parachute Federation, British Skydiving and Canadian Sport Parachuting Association announce the second annual World Skydiving Day, taking place on Saturday, July 12, 2025. This global celebration invites first-time jumpers and experienced skydivers alike to celebrate the thrill of the sport while aiming to break the world record for the most skydives completed on this day worldwide. In 2024, skydivers around the globe set the inaugural record with 30,351 jumps across 51 countries in just one day. As skydivers around the world aim to break the record, some will also create group formations in the shape of the number two (2) in the sky, acknowledging this second annual event. "Last year, skydivers from around the world came together to make history, and this year, we're aiming even higher," said USPA Executive Director Albert Berchtold. "World Skydiving Day is becoming a global tradition that brings people together through a shared spirit of adventure. Whether it's your first jump or your thousandth, this is your chance to be part of something bigger than yourself – a worldwide celebration of the sport of skydiving." To be counted, anyone who skydives on July 12 must submit proof of their jump at Those who take part can also order a personalized certificate commemorating their role in this once-in-a-lifetime event. Those who are ready to be a part of skydiving history can click here to find a nearby skydiving center and book a jump for World Skydiving Day. Hundreds of drop zones will be participating across the country, with notable locations including: Boston Skydive Center – Smithfield, R.I. Chicagoland Skydiving Center – Rochelle, Ill. Music City Skydiving – Waverly, Tenn. Skydive Arizona – Eloy, Ariz. Skydive Atlanta – Thomaston, Ga. Skydive Chicago – Ottawa, Ill. Skydive Cincinnati, Waynesville, Ohio Skydive Coastal Carolinas – Oak Island, N.C. Skydive DeLand – DeLand, Fla. Skydive Midwest – Sturtevant, Wis. Skydive Paraclete XP – Raeford, N.C. Skydive Perris – Perris, Calif. Skydive Raleigh – Franklinton, N.C. Skydive Sebastian – Sebastian, Fla. Skydive Spaceland-Dallas – Whitewright, Texas Skydive STL – Sullivan, Mo. Skydive Twin Cities – Baldwin, Wis. To stay up to date with the latest news and announcements, visit View source version on Contacts Media Contact: Ali Westergren, ali@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Condé Nast Traveler
6 hours ago
- Condé Nast Traveler
The Countries With the Most Islands in the World
From glacier-fringed archipelagos to palm-lined atolls, islands come in every imaginable shape and size. But when it comes to sheer numbers of islands, not every country is created equal. The nations that top this list aren't just tropical destinations or volcanic chains, they're often places where inland lakes, fjord-laced coastlines, and geological fragmentation have produced thousands of discrete landmasses. That raises a deceptively simple question: which countries have the most islands? The answer depends not just on geography, but on how you define an island in the first place. Some nations count even the tiniest landmasses that stay above water at high tide; others apply stricter thresholds for minimum size or coastline length. Advances in satellite mapping have also caused numbers to jump in recent years, as previously unrecorded islets are added to official tallies. In short, no two countries count islands the same way, but that doesn't mean we can't compare the best available data. How the data was compiled This list draws from figures published by WorldAtlas, which aggregates national-level data from mapping authorities, statistical bureaus, and geospatial surveys. Each country uses its own criteria to define and count islands, some include any landmass surrounded by water at high tide, regardless of size; others impose thresholds based on area or coastline length. For instance, Sweden classifies any landmass larger than 270 square feet as an island, while Japan's 2023 recount considered only those with a coastline of at least 330 feet. Modern mapping tools have also changed the picture: higher-resolution satellite data has led to significant revisions in some countries' official totals. These figures include all natural islands, whether inhabited or not. Artificial islands, offshore rock formations, and sandbanks that disappear at high tide are generally excluded. The source The main source for this ranking is WorldAtlas (2020), cross-referenced with 2025 updates from World Population Review. These datasets reflect the most widely cited and reasonably consistent island counts available with numbers drawn from national records and official land surveys. The 10 countries with the most islands Sweden: 267,570 islands
