Find Joy Where You Don't Expect It
From the Far West to the Middle East.
Where have you been looking for your happy? We found it everywhere. Here’s the latest from Fathom:
a no-guilt California wellness spa
in the middle of a war-torn Middle East
meeting badass ladies in Taos
foraging in Healdsburg…
…then feasting and sleeping it off
on the ski slopes (buy your lift pass now!)
From Yoga to Yellowtail, Indulge All the Senses at Sensei Porcupine Creek
At the last minute, my friend Emily agreed to join me, and we made some resolutions on the drive to Palm Springs. For one, we wouldn’t drink alcohol because we’ve been getting all the memos about how it’s terrible for our health. No dessert either. Sugar is the devil! Forget those past girls’ weekends of getting wasted and feeling like shit when we got back to our jobs and kids. We were middle-aged ladies now, and we were going to be virtuous. After massages, I met Emily by the beautiful pool, surrounded by palm trees and waterfalls with koi fish. The desert sunset turned the sky pink, inspiring us to order rose wine to make the happier hour even happier. Resolutions are made to be broken, right? We felt zero judgment about it.
Jordan: A Week of Peace and Plenty in the Middle of the Middle East
We’d been promised Petra by Night, and no one wanted to miss our first glimpse. We made our way down a long road lit by thousands of candles, leading to the Treasury. As we arrived, a man played the haunting radaba. Colored lights and candles illuminated the façade. Even in the dark, it was mesmerizing. The next morning, we set out early to learn about the area’s caves, temples, and tombs, some 2,000 years old. What a surprise to realize the long road we had traveled the night before was dotted with spectacular sights we had been unable to see in the dark. This usually overcrowded site was empty with just a few visitors strolling near us from time to time. If you’ve ever wanted to experience this world-famous wonder, now is the time.
The Women of Taos Are Not Messing Around
It all started in what’s now known as the village of Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a living community. This is where I met Bear, a millennial who lives here but straddles two worlds. She has silky black hair with short bangs that frame her round face. She wears false eyelashes that accentuate her almond-shaped eyes rimmed with black liner. Her acrylic nails are long and lacquered, painted bright turquoise-blue. They look to me like millennial-chic bear claws. We stood next to the pristine, protected Red Willow Creek and chatted about elders, colonialism, respect for nature, #NativeTikTok (she’s not a fan), and the need for everyone to be a little more human.
Beyond the Vines, Healdsburg's Homegrown Culinary Scene
One afternoon in Healdsburg, I went for a tasting at Van Z Vineyards, a small, family-owned winery that produces fewer than 500 cases of wine annually. What I had anticipated — a few formal swirls and sips of cabernet and chardonnay — was not what I experienced. Instead I found a family home filled with neighbors, winemaker friends, and locals celebrating the kickoff to harvest season. Before the plucking began, the winemakers roamed the vines, sunbathing among the grapes that would fill their glasses in a few years. I spent the entire afternoon at the vineyard, slowing down to appreciate the gift of good wine, new friends, and the magic of watching nature unfold.
Where to Eat, Drink, Feast, and Sleep in Healdsburg
Welcome to Sonoma County, the little sister (but never second fiddle) to more popular Napa County next door — the stars of California wine country. Healdsburg, the charming small town along the Russian River that's the unofficial capital of Sonoma, is a culinary wonderland. Abundance and community are at the heart of everything, as is slowing down to pay attention to nature's bounty. Everyone is welcome, and these are the top places to eat and drink — then sleep it off in style.
Shred It! The Time to Buy Your Ski Pass Is Now
Here's something a casual skier may not know: The best time to buy a ski pass is before you hit the slopes. The worst time to acquire a lift ticket is on the day you want to ski — especially if it's a weekend or a holiday when tickets not only cost the most but may be unavailable if the mountain is at capacity. One way to make skiing more accessible and affordable is to buy a ski pass that bundles many slopes onto one ticket, and to buy the pass well in advance of the winter season. Prices are at their lowest in the spring and increase throughout the year. Buying early also guarantees you'll get a pass, as some can sell out by autumn. Here's a closer look at the passes and the deadlines to track.