After nearly a year of not releasing new music of her own, Paloma Mami returned with her single “Síntomas De Soltera.” In the celebratory music video that was released today (December 9), the Chilean-American singer teamed up with Pailita and El Jordan 23.
Last year, Mami released her debut album Sueños De Dalí without any features. The LP featured her hits like “For Ya” and “Religiosa.” Outside of that, Mami only featured on other artists’ songs this past year. She jumped on the remix of “Ultra Solo” by fellow Chilean acts Polimá Westcoast and Pailita. Feid and De La Ghetto rounded out that global smash. Mami also featured on Junior H’s song “Veneno” from his Contingente album. Now she’s back with “Síntomas De Soltera.”
“Coming back after almost a year of not releasing music feels like a new beginning for me,” Mami said in a statement. “The way I’ve approached my music right now is very different than it was two years ago. I’m experimenting a bit with this new album, with the lyrics, and the flows, but it still feels very me and very Mami.”
For “Síntomas De Soltera,” Mami teamed up once again with Pailita and another rising Chilean act, El Jordan 23. While lyrically cutting an ex-lover down to size, she celebrates living the single life. The kiss-off anthem blends reggaeton beats with the alternative edge that Mami brings to the genre. She holds her own alongside Pailita and El Jordan 23 with her fierce flow. Mami makes a triumphant comeback with the empowering club banger. In the video, she dons a pink wig and parties with her collaborators in a warehouse.
Surprise album releases have become pretty commonplace in the streaming era, but music fans were still baffled — and somewhat appalled — to see a new album from incarcerated R&B star R. Kelly on their streaming apps this morning. Furthermore, its title, I Admit It, raised more than a few eyebrows, considering he was convicted of both sex trafficking in New York and child porn in Chicago. So, how did a new R. Kelly album end up on streaming?
R Kelly dropped an album from prison. The last 3 tracks are titled “I Admit it (I Did it)”. In part 2 he says he admits he fucks w/ the younger ladies but it being pedophilia is yal opinions, not fact. & he shouldn’t be in jail based on yal opinions.
Billboard did a little digging and discovered that, although the credits appear to cite Sony Music’s Legacy Recordings as the responsible party, the label said that it was not involved at all. Sources at Legacy were conducting their own investigation with Apple, Spotify, and the rest of the streamers to figure out how the album was delivered.
An R. Kelly album in 2022 is nuts. Checking for it is nuts. It being titled “I Admit It” is nuts. https://t.co/2ECZSRBmmu
R. Kelly singing about his love for young women and not understanding how he’s a pedophile on a surprise released album while in prison for years of sex crimes against young women is certainly something. https://t.co/K5go1Ys5WN
Apparently, the actual upload seems to have come from Ingrooves, a distributor under the Universal Music Group umbrella. Ingrooves says that is “severing a relationship” with a label called Real Talk Entertainment, which released the album under a supposed subsidiary called Legacy Recordings — i.e. the same name as Sony’s imprint. This seems like a little sneaky maneuvering on behalf of whoever actually uploaded the album to make it seem like a legit release.
R. Kelly is a narcissist, a sexual predator, and pedophile….. and still releasing albums…from jailpic.twitter.com/vEOJ7K2G5H
Sony, which dropped R. Kelly after the Lifetime docuseries Surviving R. Kelly spurred the #MuteRKelly movement, still owns his Zomba/Jive and RCA catalog of early recordings. Meanwhile, R. Kelly’s reps told Variety today that I Admit It, named for Kelly’s 20-minute 2018 track in which he admits to very little, was not uploaded by him. It looks like this might be another case of rogue fans or scammers uploading a fake album and trying to profit from the resulting publicity. Since the album has been removed from DSPs, it doesn’t look like a winning strategy at all.
We’re deep into the holiday shopping season and by now you’ve probably already picked up gifts for the gym rat, the world traveler, and big nerd in your family or friend circle. Now it’s time to pick up that gift for that person in your life who prefers to end the day with a nice slow sip of the good stuff.
If you follow the world of spirits closely, you’re probably aware that the two agave-based spirits are having a bit of a moment right now and that’s because there have never been more great brands and labels producing mezcal and tequila as there are right now. So don’t beat yourself up if your last trip to the spirits aisle left you scratching your head about all these brands you’ve never heard of. Instead, let us help you out by pointing you toward some seriously great bottles that are sure to make great gifts plus a few tequila/mezcal-specific bar accessories that’ll up anyone’s mixologist game.
If you’re looking for other spirits outside of the agave-based as well as other kits and gear that the alcohol aficionado in your life would love, be sure to hit up our Ultimate Spirits Gift Guide for 2022. For now, let’s dive into 2022’s most gift-worthy bottles and accessories.
If you’re not a hardcore tequila drinker, you’re probably totally unaware that tequila has its very own glass designed specifically to enhance the experience of slow sipping expensive aged expressions. Tequila glasses resemble champagne flutes and are designed to deliver the tequila evenly across the palate while allowing for the aromas to tantalize the nose giving a tasting experience that a shot glass just can’t match.
This two-glass set by Riedel is made from machine-blown crystal and carries just over six ounces. The tequila drinker in your life can now share a sip of the good stuff with their favorite person, which will hopefully be you!
Just like tequila has a specialty glass for slow sipping, so does mezcal — it’s known as the copita. Like the tequila glass, the copita is engineered with the aroma of the spirit in mind with a wide shape that helps to aerate the spirit and open up its flavors and scent. This four-glass set by Glassique Cadeau is made from hand-blown glass, which might not be traditional (copitas are traditionally made of clay) but allow the liquid to show through and come packaged together in a reusable storage box, making each pour feel like an event when you bring the set out alongside a great bottle.
A dedicated salt rimmer is the sort of bar tool that most people won’t be willing to shell out cash for but is insanely useful. Generally, a plate covered in salt will get you by, but a proper salt rimmer features a circular shape that will allow for a better and less wasteful distribution of salt. You can generally pick these up at any big box liquor store but what makes this one by Geiseralie special is that it’s equal parts function and fashion.
Featuring a solid wood build, this rimmer features precision grooves made for trapping liquid to keep it from spreading and making a mess and sports a removable lid that also acts as a cutting board for limes. It’s the tool the drinker in your life needs, even if he or she doesn’t know it yet.
This juicer is easier than a hand juicer and can handle bigger citrus. Sure, a hand juicer might do the trick with limes, but if your giftee loves tequila they probably really love palomas. And the best palomas come from hand juicing the grapefruit — that’s just not up for debate.
I personally own this juicer and it’s just so… easy: to squeeze, to clean, and to look at. Yes, there are slightly more compact products out there, but this one looks the coolest. And in the world of bar-based gifts, that certainly counts for something. – Steve Bramucci, Editor
Hailing from the famed Tequila Los Abuelos distillery (NOM 1493) Fortaleza is a near-perfect reposado tequila and will have even the most snobbish tequila sippers in your life wide-eyed with excitement about taking that first sip. Fortaleza uses traditional stone and brick ovens to roast their pinas before stone-crushing them the old-fashioned way.
Each lot is then individually aged in American Oak for seven months for a smooth and mellow texture and flavor.
Tasting Notes:
Well balanced between the bright and herbaceous characteristics of agave and the sweetened round qualities of American oak barrel aging, Fortaleza’s Reposado features an ever-shifting bouquet of flavors. On the onset, you get a vanilla smoothness with a hint of stone fruit and citrus with a subtle spicy earthy cinnamon spike on the aftertaste.
The Bottom Line:
Simply one of the finest reposado tequilas you and your loved ones will ever drink. A shocking value for the price.
Jose Cuervo gets a lot of justified criticism, their baseline of tequilas is straight-up gross but the Reserva De la Familia line is something else entirely. This top-of-the-line series of expressions from Jose Cuervo follows the handcrafted techniques of the brand’s original master distiller and is produced from hand-harvested agave planted on the Cuervo estate’s richest volcanic soil.
Each bottle is numbered, dated, and wax sealed, also by hand. It’s a craft tequila in every step of its process, and the un-aged Platino is the perfect introduction to this underrated subset of the brand.
Tasting Notes:
Incredibly bright and vegetal as it first hits the palette but it almost immediately settles into a supremely smooth and oily mouthfeel. Notes of pineapple, pear and bell pepper tickle the taste buds before finishing with a bright citrus finish. It’s the perfect tequila for the agave fan who loves cocktails.
The Bottom Line:
Bright and floral, Jose Cuervo’s Reserva de la Familia will elevate any cocktail from great to astounding.
Aside from its absolutely beautiful bottle, Mijenta’s reposado is a multi-award winning tequila, scoring a 99 at Tasting Panel, the Master Award at the 2022 Tequila and Mezcal Masters, and a gold medal from Tequila aficionado in 2021. This small batch spirit is aged for six months in American white oak, French oak, and French acacia casks via specifications from the famed tequila maestro Ana Maria Romero, resulting in an ultra-smooth and flavorful reposado that is among the best in this price range.
Tasting Notes:
Vanilla and honey dominate the nose and pull you in for a sip that takes your palette on a journey through roasted agave, floral honey, and a fruity medley of flavors that seems to shift with every drink. Mijenta never gets boring and you’ll find yourself reaching for another drink just to pin down the flavors until your glass is empty and you’re reaching for another pour.
The Bottom Line:
A small batch tequila with a bottle and liquid that is as beautiful to look at as it is to drink.
Siempre’s entire line of expressions is pretty solid but this special Exclusivo Vivo bottle is on a whole other level of craft. Made from 100% Blue Weber agave from Arandas Jalisco, this plata tequila is made from agave cooked in stone brick ovens and goes through an open-air fermentation process following a traditional Peruvian method of distillation that utilizes fermented aguamiel (agave sap) with living yeast. The liquid is limited to just 9,000 bottles and was made in partnership with Master Tequileros Sergio Cruz and Adam Fodor.
Tasting Notes:
Noticeably peppery with a heavy cracked peppercorn flavor with hints of fresh citrus, apple skin, and mango. For a plata is goes down incredibly smooth with a supple buttery mouthfeel.
The Bottom Line:
Siempre’s finest tequila by a mile. A lot of care and craft goes into this bottle and it’s something that seasoned tequila drinkers will be able to pick up on at first sip.
Kendall Jenner’s 818 tequila was already raising the bar for celebrity-owned tequila brands, but with Eight Reserve they’ve proven they are amongst the best of tequila brands, period, celebrity or otherwise. Not only is Eight Reserve a premium blend of añejo and extra añejo tequila, but it comes in a conversation-starting unique bottle shape that might not win you over visually but certainly will once you give it that first pour.
Tasting Notes:
Dangerously easy to drink, Eight Reserve is a wince-free ultra smooth aged tequila that has all the complexity sought after by tequila snobs without anything that would push away more casual drinkers. The initial taste brings together vanilla, cinnamon, chocolate, and cardamom in near equal balance before introducing subtle notes of fresh orange rind, butterscotch, and crushed raspberries.
The Bottom Line:
Simply the finest celebrity tequila brand in the business, Eight Reserve will appeal to the Kardashian/Jenner-obsessed people in your family and friend circle, as well as the hardcore tequila snobs.
In truth, you could just buy a bottle of Herradura’s regular Extra Añejo expression and still make the tequila drinker in your life happy, but you might as well go all out and reach for the Selección Suprema line, which kicks things up a considerable degree, from great to astounding.
Aged for 49 months in American White oak barrels, this extra añejo expression has scored 25 different gold spirit tasting awards across various respected competitions, and for good reason. It is simply one of the finest aged tequilas on the market right now.
Tasting Notes:
Floral honey greets you and quickly shifts to heavy notes of cooked agave, caramelized butterscotch, and earthy molasses with a luxurious oaky finish that stains the palette in the best way. It’s so good you can still taste it after you exhale.
The Bottom Line:
A super smooth luxurious premium aged tequila for the biggest agave snob in your life.
Great, gift-worthy Mezcal is generally pretty pricey, which is what makes Montelobos Espadín so special, it’s great mezcal at a budget price. Made from organic espadín agave from Oaxaca, Montelobos is born from organic agave roasted in underground fire pits and small batch distilled.
Tasting Notes:
A distinct chocolate flavor dominates this mezcal with a mouthwatering savory aftertaste and a smokey finish that burns in the best way.
The Bottom Line:
An affordable bottle that punches well above its weight and serves as a great introduction to mezcal.
Made strictly from espandincillo agave from Michoacán, La Luna recently took home awards from the SF Spirits Competition for best Mezcal. La Luna puts this particular expression through a slow roasting clay pot distilled process that keeps the flavors bright, present, and a bit fiery,
Tasting Notes:
Citrus-y with a dark edge to it, this Espandincillo mixes heavy smokey almost charcoal-esque notes with a blood orange flavors with a roasted agave finish.
The Bottom Line:
Not for the faint of heart, La Luna’s Espandincillo is perfect for people who love the smokier qualities of mezcal.
One of my favorite mezcals of the year, Amarás Cupreata is made from wild cupreata agave from Tixtla Guerrero grown to 13 years of maturity. Cupreata is a rarer form of agave, so if you’re buying for a seasoned mezcal drinker they’ll definitely appreciate the more unique aspects of this highly floral mezcal.
Last year the mezcal took home the best in show at San Francisco’s World Spirits Competition.
Tasting Notes:
The most fragrant mezcal you’ll ever come across, this cupreata features a balance of vanilla and roasted agave notes with some hints of mango and banana leaf with a smooth cocoa finish.
The Bottom Line:
A truly unique mezcal for the drinker who thinks they’ve tasted it all.
Just as we shouted out the best celebrity-owned tequila brand, we have to give flowers to the best celebrity-owned mezcal brand out there, Dos Hombres, the perfect bottle for the Breaking Bad nerd in your life. Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul’s mezcal brand is made from a blend of espadín agave hand-selected from the Oaxacan hillsides before being roasted in earthen pits in a four-day baking process.
Walter White and Jesse Pinkman made some of the most artisanal meth ever and thankfully that attention to craft has translated into the real world as this legal drug.
Tasting Notes:
Sweet and inviting on the nose with a people-pleasing blend of mango, apple, and caramel on the palate with a distinct burning finish.
The Bottom Line:
The perfect bottle for the Breaking Bad and Mezcal nerd in your life. For the right person, it’s like a two-in-one gift!
While all of the bottles we’ve chosen for this list are truly gift-worthy in the flavor department, Agua Mágica is the only one with a bottle that looks the part. Made from a mix of espadín and the rarer tobalá agave sourced from Oaxaca, Agua Mágica sports a sweet people-pleasing flavor that has enough complexity to wow seasoned mezcal drinkers but is inviting enough for beginners dipping their toes in the spirit for the first time.
Tasting Notes:
Herbaceous and grassy, this mezcal has notes of cherry and almond with a luxurious mouthfeel and a sweet finish. If you like your mezcal to burn, look elsewhere, this comes across as much more buttery, floral, and mouthwatering than your typical bottle of mezcal.
The Bottom Line:
Sweet, smooth, and bright, this is the best choice for drinkers who love mezcal but aren’t completely sold on the smokey attributes.
Two years after it launched in May 2020, HBO Max experienced a meteoric rise thanks to the pandemic and AT&T’s strategy of making the platform a success by dumping a whole bunch of money into it. There was also the highly controversial decision to release Warner Bros. entire 2021 film slate on HBO Max on the same day as theaters. While that cost the studio its longtime working relationship with director Christopher Nolan, the streaming platform grew in prominence thanks to its deep bench of Warner Bros. content.
And then the merger happened.
Following the creation of Warner Bros. Discovery in the Summer of 2022, the newly formed media conglomerate quickly got to work reassessing the streaming strategy for HBO Max and the new executive team did not like what it saw. After pulling the plug on Batgirl for a tax break, WB Discovery started sacrificing titles left and right as people freaked out about their favorite shows. While some popular series like Harley Quinn were safe, others were not.
Raised by Wolves Made for Love Time Traveler’s Wife Close Enough Gordita Chronicles Little Ellen Strange Adventures Batman: Caped Crusader Demimonde Legendary FBOY Island Sweet Life: Los Angeles
WB Discovery also axed several films heading for the platform, including Batgirl, which did not sit well with Brendan Fraser, who already filmed his role as the Batman villain Firefly. You can see the list of canceled HBO Max movies below:
Batgirl Scoob!: Holiday Haunt Wonder Twins Merry Little Batman The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie Bye Bye Bunny: A Looney Tunes Musical Did I Do That to the Holidays: A Steve Urkel Story The Amazing World of Gumball: The Movie
Following Batgirl‘s cancelation, Fraser did not mince words that he was disappointed with WB Discovery and will only work with “trusted filmmakers” instead of streaming platforms from here on out.
Argentina and the Netherlands played on Friday with a spot in the World Cup semifinal on the line. It was a tense affair between two sides with aspirations of winning the whole thing, and in the waning moments of regulation, a brawl nearly broke out between the teams after Argentinian midfielder Leandro Paredes kicked the ball directly into the Dutch bench.
It looked like Argentina was sitting pretty after Lionel Messi converted a penalty in the 73rd minute to give them a two-goal lead. But 10 minutes later, the Netherlands put a scare into them when a Wout Weghorst headed effort found the back of the net.
The goal put the wind in the Dutch sails, while Argentina started to hold on for dear life. And right as the game entered its 89th minute, tensions between the two teams came awfully close to boiling over. Argentinian midfielder Leandro Paredes came flying in while Dutch defender Nathan Aké carried the ball up the pitch and committed a challenge that earned him a yellow card.
And then, Paredes escalated things by hoofing the ball directly into the Netherlands’ bench. A number of Dutch players sprinted onto the pitch, while Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk came sprinting in and laid Paredes out.
Ultimately, all of Argentina’s efforts to see out the game were for naught, as Weghorst scored a second with essentially the last kick of regulation to send the game into extra time.
James Cameron is the mastermind behind Avatar, but it’s not him alone.
The director shares a co-writing credit on Avatar: The Way of Water, the movie that will make you “sh*t yourself with your mouth wide open,” with Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver and a story-by credit with Jaffa, Silver, Josh Friedman, and Shane Salerno. That’s a lot of cooks in the (Satu’li Canteen) kitchen, and the recipe is 800 pages long.
“I set down and just made a bunch of notes for six months. Literally, just every day sitting at my desk, talking about the world, the characters, trying to fill in what happened the day after Jake woke up in a Na’vi body, and just was carrying the story forward. I knew I had certain goals in mind,” Cameron told Screenrant about working on the sequel to the highest-grossing movie of all-time. On his first day of colloborating with the other writers, “I plopped down 800 pages of notes, single spaced,” he said. His message to them:
“Do your homework, and then we’ll talk.”
If James Cameron was a substitute teacher, he would not be the kind of sub who puts on a movie and calls it a day. Unless the movie was Avatar, of course.
Trevor Noah, who has spent the past seven years hosting “The Daily Show,” has officially said goodbye to his late-night fans. While he could have chosen any note to leave on, he made his final words an emotional tribute to the Black women who have influenced him.
Since he took over the spot from Jon Stewart, Noah has made the show his own with a blend of quick-witted comedy and thoughtful commentary. Noah had big shoes to fill, but to his credit, he didn’t try to cram his feet into them. He simply brought his own shoes and placed them right next to Stewart’s, offering his own style of comedy and unique perspectives on the world night after night. Even in his “Between the Scenes” segments, where he chatted with the audience during commercial breaks, Noah frequently added insightful context to current issues.
In his final monologue, he credits those insights to his Black women mentors, from his own mother and grandmother to thought leaders he has had on his show to Black women in general. And it’s quite telling that he managed to keep it together in his final show, right up until the point when he talked about these women.
“I’ve often been credited with having these grand ideas—people are like, ‘Oh Trevor, you’re so smart’—who do you think teaches me?” he said. “Who do you think has shaped me, nourished me, informed me?”
He credited the women close to him, but it wasn’t until he talked about Black women in America specifically that he really began to get choked up.
“I always say, if you really want to learn about America, talk to Black women,” he said. “Because unlike everybody else, Black women cannot afford to f*ck around and find out.”
Watch:
u201cTrevor gives thanks to the fans who supported him over the last seven years and the Black women who shaped his life.u201d
Some of the women Noah mentioned by name responded with their personal stories of their interactions with Noah, and they offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse at who Noah is.
Roxane Gay shared that her book tour for “Hunger” had been “a shit show,” with journalists having no idea how to talk about fatness. She had “prepared for the worst” when she arrived at “The Daily Show,” but said Noah turned out to be “a dream.”
“He came to the green room and asked what language he should use around fatness and I said we can be real,” she wrote on Twitter. “The word fat is fine. It was clear he had actually read Hunger. Not every interviewer could say that.
“We had a wonderful, interesting, nuanced conversation,” she continued. “He was smart and kind and funny. He didn’t condescend or treat me like I was repulsive. This shouldn’t be remarkable but it was. I will always be grateful and never forget the consideration.”
u201cBut once I was at the studio, Trevor Noah was a dream. He came to the green room and asked what language he should use around fatness and I said we can be real. The word fat is fine. It was clear he had actually read Hunger. Not every interviewer could say that.u201d
Tressie McMillan Cottom, author, professor and sociologist, has been on “The Daily Show” several times, but she shared in a series of tweets that her first appearance came totally out of the blue.
“To this day, only two men have ever slid into my DMs. One was a foreign prince of dubious financial means. The other was Trevor Noah. He politely asked me to be on his show. In my DMs. Like he had to ask. Blew my mind.
I was an assistant professor at a state school with a wonky book about for-profit colleges out on a small press. Trevor had not just read it. When we met, I would learn that he had read almost all of my years-long blog. *HE* asked *me* to be on his show.
u201cWhen you see how many Black women he elevated? Thatu2019s him. nnThatu2019s who he reads. nnHe is the opposite of Girl 6. nnBlack women are truly the foundation of his intellectual project.u201d
I had the opposite of a marketing budget. I had the ‘prayers and wishes’ of publishing. Would I do The Daily Show??? I remember asking him backstage, ‘why am I here??’ With sincere incredulity he said, ‘because you’re brilliant.’ News to me.
It’s hard to overstate how much it meant to a writer and scholar without a serious elite pedigree or a major publisher to get a DM to be on The Daily Show. Trevor put together a team that reflected his own intellectual curiosity. If he booked you? He had read you.
When you see how many Black women he elevated? That’s him. That’s who he reads…Black women are truly the foundation of his intellectual project.”
Walking the talk is always nice to see, and it’s clear why Noah decided to close out his run on “The Daily Show” with the tribute he did.
Thank you, Trevor Noah. You will most definitely be missed.
Russ is on a roll. After navigating a nasty breakup on track “Bankrupt,” the rapper bounced back to his usual opinion-riddled self with the single, “What Are Yall.” Now, on his new Boi-1da-produced single, “Too Much,” Russ is in rare form.
Co-written by Matthew Samuels, the track gives Russ the floor to be as braggadocios as he wants. The pre-chorus opens with the line, “Sh*t goin’ crazy on the daily / I don’t see a reason why the f*ck I should stop now / Thought I was the sh*t at the bottom / How you think I feel at on top now? Magnificent / Universe wrote my song, I’m just ad-libbing it.” While others believe humility is the key to success, Russ does not. Instead, the stanza highlights his overconfidence throughout the years, manifested in his achievements thus far.
Another notable line in the track is, “Big sh*t poppin’ / I realized I’m the gift, so this year / I ain’t goin’ Christmas shoppin’ / I be hearing ch-ching often.” Despite admitting that he shelled out millions on an Ed Sheeran feature, in this line, the rapper lets everyone know that his money is reserved for him and him only.
Near the end of the track, Russ takes a moment to address the naysayers as he raps, “Fifty-million for the catalog, I turned down / I’m makin’ money every second, you should learn how / These puppies barkin’ at a wolf, why would I turn ’round?”
If you’re looking for a confidence boost, you can live vicariously through Russ and his new song.
Listen to the whole track above.
Ed Sheeran is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
In the age of social media, National Parks are trending like never before. From outdoor influencers working towards visiting all 63 (oh, hi), to t-shirts and merch with National Park checklists, to endless articles and travel guides all over this site and the internet as a whole – it’s safe to say that National Parks are more popular than ever before.
And while I love to visit any of the 63 officially designated “National Parks” whenever I get the chance, there are – of course – many more wild spaces worth visiting that do not have that particular official designation. Just within the National Park Service there are hundreds of public lands that do not have the “National Park” title. From National Seashores to Battlefields to Monuments – there are over 400 National Park Service sites.
So what’s the difference between these gems and official parks? Usually, parks are larger and have more funding. Also, while National Monuments can be proclaimed as such by the President (under the Antiquities Act of 1906), National Parks are now generally only designated through acts of Congress.
Outside of the NPS system, there are of course endless other wild spaces in the United States alone – from state parks to city parks to National Forest Service and even private land that is made available to recreate on. Often these spaces are less crowded and a pleasant surprise, as they’re not as popular on social media.
As the year comes to a close and you’re planning your adventure schedule for 2023, here are some of the wild spaces slightly off the beaten path I recommend.
Red River Gorge Geological Area/Natural Bridge State Park – East Central Kentucky
Emily Hart
I recently visited Red River Gorge and the nearby Natural Bridge State Parks for the first time, and to say I was blown away would be an understatement. The sheer vastness of the area is incredible, with plenty of hiking trails, climbing routes, and scenic drives – this is a can’t-miss stop.
While not a hidden gem to climbers or outdoors people, it is still totally underrated on the Western-centric outdoors social media feeds.
How to Get There:
Located in the Daniel Boone National Forest and next door to the also impressive Natural Bridge State Park, Red River Gorge Geological Area is just about an hour outside of Lexington, Kentucky, and two hours from Louisville – both perfect spots to base for adventure.
What to Do:
Red River Gorge is known for world-class climbing, and there are plenty of options for guided trips if you’re up for it. If you like to keep your feet on the ground, I recommend hiking Double Arch and Cloudsplitter Trails. In Natural Bridge State Park you can’t pass up the Original Natural Bridge Trail. Follow your adventures up with a pint and a slice (or two or three) at the infamous Miguels Pizza.
Where to Stay:
There are plenty of campgrounds and cabins to rent in the area itself or make the short trip back to Lexington which has plenty of hotel options. Louisville is a bit further, but has a bustling downtown scene and incredible hotels – I love the Moxy Downtown and 21c Museum Hotels.
Ghost Ranch – Abiquiu, New Mexico
Emily Hart
Ghost Ranch may look familiar if you’re a fan of the legendary painter Georgia O’Keeffe. Located just outside of Abiquiu New Mexico, what is now a private retreat center was once her home, studio, and subject of many of her most iconic paintings. Driving into the 21,000 acre site feels nothing but otherworldly, to put it mildly. The red rock landscape and New Mexico skies that just don’t quit have made this ranch a popular spot for filmmakers, retreaters, paleontologists and day hikers. There is a small fee for a day pass payable online in advance or upon arrival.
How to Get There:
The drive to Ghost Ranch is part of the experience. Located about 53 miles North of Santa Fe and 62 miles southwest of Taos, it feels like you’re entering into a secret. From Abiquiu, you’ll drive 13 miles on US Highway 84 through some of the most pristine and awe-inspiring landscapes in the country to the entrance of the ranch.
What to Do:
There are eight hiking trails at Ghost Ranch, with the most popular being the hike to Chimney Rock. Just 2.5 miles out and back, there is some decent elevation gain but it is well worth it for the views unlike any other. Kitchen Mesa is another popular trail to venture out onto before exploring the museums and library on the grounds. You can also book one of several trail rides around the property – one of my favorite experiences of all time.
Where to Stay:
You can stay overnight at Ghost Ranch itself, or in the nearby town of Abiquiu. I love the eclectic short-term rentals in town and the historic Abiquiu Inn (opt for one of the heavenly casitas with screened porches and hammocks).
Colorado National Monument – Mesa County, Colorado
Emily Hart
Colorado National Monument is part of the National Park Service, but as I mentioned, its designation isn’t the official and only “National Park.” But it’s hard to understand why not, with breathtaking views of incredible rock formations and deep canyons, it’s impressive to say the least. Located near Grand Junction Colorado on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains, there has historically been a push to re-designate the park as a “National Park” to further protect the area while bringing in more tourism and visitors.
At over 20,000 acres, it is smaller in size than the nearby National Parks in Moab, but still on par with other smaller designated National Parks. Either way, it is definitely worth your time.
How to Get There:
Colorado National Monument is in a great location for park lovers. Just off I-70 in Western Colorado, it is the perfect stop between a Colorado trip heading into Utah and the parks in Moab.
What to Do:
There are many shorter hiking trails and longer backcountry trails within the park boundaries. I like Serpents Trail and Devil’s Kitchen. Be sure to drive the entire 23-mile Rim Rock Drive and take advantage of the pull-outs for some seriously beautiful vistas.
Where to Stay:
Grand Junction, the largest city on the Colorado Western slope, is just about 15 miles from the monument and there are plenty of traditional lodging options. There are also campgrounds within the park itself. I personally love to drive a bit further (10 miles or so) out of town to reach Palisade – a quaint small town with incredible views and over 20 local wineries – and stay in one of the many AirBnb’s, Bed and Breakfasts or the highly recommended Spoke and Vine Motel.
Quoddy Head State Park — Lubec, Maine
Emily Hart
Many of the spaces on this list might be familiar to perennial outdoor explorers, but I doubt this one would hit many frequent travelers’ radars. Just over 2 hours north up the coast from Acadia National Park (consistently one of the most-visited National Parks) lies Quoddy Head State Park. Known for its red and white striped lighthouse – West Quoddy Head Light is the easternmost lighthouse in the country and for a few weeks around the equinoxes sees the first sunrise in the United States. With miles of iconic jagged Maine coastline, trails, and wildlife watching, it is an intoxicating and welcoming respite from the more crowded areas of the state.
How to Get There:
Part of the charm of Quoddy Head State Park is in its remoteness. The park’s 541 acres are located on the easternmost peninsula in the United States, just 4 miles from the charming town of Lubec – the, you guessed it, the easternmost town in the United States.
What to Do:
Visit the West Quoddy Head Light for history and gorgeous photos, then hike along one of the five trails within the park. The coastal trail is the longest and offers some of the most incredible cliff and sea views I have ever encountered.
Where to Stay:
The area around Quoddy Head State Park is remote, but there are plenty of charming options for lodging. While the park itself does not offer campgrounds, there are some options nearby. I recommend spending a couple of nights in nearby Lubec to experience its quiet coastal vibes (I loved staying at The Inn on the Wharf — a renovated sardine factory) or even cross over into Canada from downtown into Campobello Island, New Brunswick.
Cumberland Island National Seashore — St. Mary’s, Georgia
Emily Hart
Georgia may not be what you think of first when hearing the term “wild spaces”, but the state is a true hidden gem for outdoor enthusiasts. From state and city parks to several National Park sites, Georgia is incredibly diverse. My favorite wild space in Georgia is truly wild: Cumberland Island National Seashore. As an NPS site, it is definitely lesser known and its fans would probably love to keep it that way.
Georgia’s largest and most southern barrier island preserves historic sites, wild horses, marshes, dunes, unobstructed coastline, and only one commercial establishment (the Greyfield Inn). It is truly one of the most breathtaking and fascinating places I have ever been.
How to Get There:
You can only arrive at Cumberland Island by watercraft, private, or via the ferry in St. Mary’s. Just 38 miles north of Jacksonville, Florida, and 112 south of Savannah along the incredible Georgia coast, the town is completely unassuming and quaint.
What to Do:
You can opt for a day trip to Cumberland Island, but at 17.5 miles long there is a lot to see. I opted for a guided tour in a van (the only transport other than bikes on the island) and was able to see most of the historic sights in a day. There are hiking trails, biking trails, beautiful beaches, and historic ruins to explore for as long or as little as your trip allows.
Where to Stay:
There are two options to stay on the island itself: camping or The Greyfield Inn. Camping requires online reservations and everything must be packed in and out – there are no trash cans or commercial areas on the island at all. Another option is the all-inclusive and historic Greyfield Inn – the very private and sole commercial entity on the island.
Outside of the island, St. Mary’s offers several hotels and quaint bed and breakfasts.
Valley of Fire State Park – Clark County, Nevada
Emily Hart
You may not think of a trip to Las Vegas as a chance for outdoor adventure, but it is one of the best bases in the nation for exactly that. There is an incredible amount of beauty in Nevada, with my favorite being just an hour outside of Vegas: Valley of Fire State Park. The aptly named park is like stepping onto another planet. The fiery red rock formations, slot canyons, petroglyphs, and dramatic vistas are well worth a day trip off the strip.
How to Get There:
Valley of Fire, Nevada’s oldest state park, is just over 46 miles northeast of Las Vegas in the Mojave Desert. The drive could not be easier and offers a nice break from the bustle of the city.
What to Do:
Even just a drive-through of the park is a worthy activity here – the views are outrageous at every turn. There are also many great hikes like the Fire Wave and Seven Wonders Loop and White Domes Trail. Be sure to stop off at the iconic Mouse’s Tank Road for some epic photos.
Where to Stay:
There are two campgrounds at Valley of Fire, but most people will visit as a day trip from Las Vegas.
Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images; Background: IMOGI/iStock via Getty Images
Since the moment wacky Kari Lake announced that she was running for governor of Arizona, it was clear that the one-time news anchor’s campaign would not end well. Either Lake would win, giving yet another unhinged conspiracy theorist a vote in the way our country is run, or she would lose — and refuse to accept the results because the only way she could possibly lose (as she told us from the beginning) was if the election was rigged. Which seems as convenient as it is crazy.
Yet here we are, more than one month after Election Day, and Lake is STILL trying to get someone — ANYONE — to take her election fraud complaints seriously. Which is really never going to happen (unless you count Mike Lindell as “someone”). Which is just what happens when you announce your intention to dispute a loss months ahead of actually losing. Yet Raw Story reports Lake has just released another video, in which she looks like she’s being held hostage in a ring light factory, where she explained (AGAIN!) that she’s going to be contesting the results of the election, just before she described our country’s election workers as “clowns.”
As you saw earlier this week, some of the — I call them clowns — of the circus running our elections, actually certified the election. My opponent, Katie Hobbs — who should’ve revised herself, but oversaw the election in a very shady and shoddy way.
Lake claimed that a lot of people had been asking her why she wasn’t contesting the election, but confirmed that it first had to be certified in order to contest it. And now that that has happened, Lake promises that “we will be contesting it.” And says that she’ll be doing that today.
In other words: Watch out, clowns. Kari Lake is here!
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