ROVA

I'm not the kind of person who's into New Year's resolutions (possibly because every one I have ever made has lasted a maximum of 17 days). But I do love the idea of reinvention, and I think we all manage to reinvent ourselves more than we know—particularly those of us who seek out new experiences. In this issue, inspired by Erin McGrady's Side Roads column, we're parking tired old resolutions in favour of revolutions. I don't mean the dramatic, overthrow-the-government kind (regardless of how much we might want to). I mean the quiet revolutions. The personal ones. The decision to take the long way. The choice to finally drive the road you've always dreamed about. Agnes Holland and her best friend did exactly that, tracing the full length of Route…

Sultry Spring Fans of Olivia Dean, Yebba, and Adele circa 2008 will be fawning over Katie Tupper. The Canadian singer's debut album, Greyhound, is a soulful and sonically stirring ode to coming and going, chasing and being chased, unrequited yearning and full-steam-ahead romance. “Sick To My Stomach” is a sexy, slow-burn ballad that hits the spot when you're chilling out with a good book by the fire, while “Jeans (fall on my knees)” is the type of tune that pairs well with a moody, rainy drive. For something a bit more upbeat for those sunny spring days, try “Obviously Desperate” or “Right Hand Man.” Either way, enjoy a sultry spring with Tupper's smoky alto voice. katietuppermusic.com Vagabond Van Gogh Want to let your inner artist shine, but worried about your…

Light It Up! The Petzl SWIFT® LT is a tiny powerhouse for your adventures. At just 43 grams, this ultra-compact, rechargeable headlamp packs 380 lumens into the palm of your hand—perfect for tossing in your backpack, strapping onto your head for a sunrise hike, or setting up camp in the dark. Switch between three white light levels or use red to keep your friends’ night vision intact. Meanwhile, USB-C recharge makes it easy to top up on the go, so whether you're trail-running, campsite-hopping, or sneaking a midnight snack in your RV, you'll be able to see clearly. petzl.com, $54.95 Sittin’ Pretty Meet the trail luxury you didn't know you needed: the Little Sit Pad from Gossamer Gear. It folds down small enough to disappear into your pack (just 1.7…

As each year closes, inevitably, someone asks me if I have a New Year's resolution. Most years, the answer has been yes. They've run the gamut: run a marathon, start a photography business, visit the Rockies, learn to play the guitar, increase my flexibility and range of motion, and keep up with my Spanish-learning app every day. I've succeeded in each resolution, except for the flexibility one. I still can't touch my toes. This year, after much thinking, I decided that what was needed wasn't a new skill or achievement so much as giving myself permission to say “Yes.” I'm opting for a revolution. One that resides within me. I guess you could say it's a revolution of the heart, which in my case means more impromptu adventures. I recently…

My best friend, Helena, joined me on a road trip through the heart of America last July. We rented a car and drove from Los Angeles to Chicago with a wad of cash, an eight-hour Spotify playlist, and two disposable cameras. We've been best friends since we were 16, but, living on opposite coasts—her on the east, me on the west—our time together is limited to a couple of weeks each summer, which we usually spend on a travel adventure. Route 66, spanning eight states from the Midwest to Southern California, was bypassed by I-40 in the 1980s. Since then, the original road has been largely left behind—bumpy and unmaintained, with weeds shooting up through cracks in the pavement. Most Gen Zers associate Route 66 with Disney's Cars rather than…

Nothing epitomizes spring more than the migration of billions of birds from their wintering grounds in the tropics to nesting territories across North America. Whether you are a hardcore birder or a casual observer, spring provides you with a seemingly endless array of birds, often in full song and wearing their finest breeding colors. For some birders, spring migration brings back familiar faces—birds that they know well and look forward to seeing every year. For others, it is a time to hit the road and explore new places to find birds they have never seen before. The following sites can give you glimpses into the incredible diversity of bird life across the United States. Each site adds new colors to your travels and new check marks on your life list.…