Fall 2011

When people think of wildlife painters, they may imagine someone hunched over a canvas in a peaceful forest, quietly capturing the tranquil beauty of nature. While Brent Fluckiger has spent some time painting in the outdoors—and painting over mosquitoes that get stuck in his wet paint—the majority of his 36 years as a painter and taxidermist have been anything but peaceful. Fluckiger’s career has been filled with everything from near-death encounters with Kodiak bears to 1,000-foot cliffs to strong currents off the shore of Alaska, all in the pursuit of art. But his greatest challenge has been to do what he loves while still being able to provide for his family.We caught up with this active artist and were able to ask him a few questions about his life, his love, and the lessons learned from his nearly four decades of experience.

First Place

I never got used to the rooster that cock-a-doodle-dooed at four o’clock every morning for six weeks while I lived in the small community of El Bonete, Nicaragua. Yet three weeks into my adventure, none of the drastic changes from my city lifestyle had merited the infamous term culture shock. I had no idea the dose of humility I was about to get.

The Trevi, one of the most famous baroque fountains in Rome and home to the oldest Roman aqueduct. Art by Denise JonesBy Jennifer JonesIn order to get accepted as an undergraduate into the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence, Italy, Denise Jones needed $12,000 in cash, fluent Italian, and an exceptional score on a grueling three-part exam. Like most college students, she was broke when she applied. Thanks to an $11,000 mural commission for the public library in Agoura Hills, California, she pulled the cash together in less than three months.

Breathtaking fjords. Majestic mountains. Giant glaciers. In the ninth century, Vikings and other explorers happened upon this peaceful, beautiful island. This idyllic place came to be called Iceland because of the snow-tipped mountains and the drifting ice found in some of the fjords.

When we landed in LAX after 12 months and 28 countries, my wife, Sara, and I looked back and couldn’t believe our trip had cost each of us only around $900 a month—a little over $10,000 a person! It was cheaper to be traveling for that entire year than it would have been to stay home.

There is no better way to celebrate your independence than by casting off the shackles of responsibility and hitting the open road with your best friend.

Chiapas, a beautiful area bordered by Guatemala and the Pacific Ocean, is the southernmost state in Mexico. Wondering where to spend that upcoming week off? Fly to Chiapas, rent a car, and take the road trip of your life.

Most people believe that the United States of America was born in 1776 with the Declaration of Independence. But while that document was vital, it had yet to be truly tested with sacrifice, blood, and hope against its worst enemy—its own people.Only 150 years have passed since this nation experienced the Civil War and eventually emerged as a powerful united force that continues today. Many significant Civil War locations are still accessible to visitors, and five of them are listed below. But many others can easily be visited on the way to or from these sites.

Do more than visit the famous observation tower on your Seattle trip this winter. Instead, why not watch a fish fly, gum a gum wall, or listen to free music—all in one diverse city! Check out these interesting options to make your trip to Seattle unique.As you explore this city, expect the usual weather. Seattle’s winter is mostly rain with only a few snow days. Bring good shoes and an umbrella, and the city is yours.

Researchers at Cambridge University are trying to link the consumption of chocolate with the prevention of heart disease. Although the link isn’t definitive, why risk it? Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, and if something as common (and delicious) as chocolate might help prevent it, you may as well give it a try.

Good food knows no geographic borders, and neither does its vocabulary. This list of fancy food terms will help diners brush up on their French, Italian, and even Japanese before enjoying a world-class meal.

Brigham Young University's newspaper The Daily Universe recently featured Stowaway's award-winning achievements in an article on October 3.

Traveling is glamorous; it’s fascinating; it’s life changing. Unfortunately, along with the fabulous food and breathtaking views, there comes an unglamorous side to traveling: the traveling.

Growing up in a family obsessed with trains, I didn’t think it was weird for my dad and his siblings to give each other train magazine subscriptions and calendars for Christmas. I also didn’t think it was odd to ride a train at every family reunion or to have a cast-iron railroad sign outside our front window. I wasn’t even fazed when I stopped by my uncle’s house in December and saw a Christmas tree surrounded by the biggest train set I had ever seen, including a train tunnel actually built into the wall.

Miquel Riera, “the Godfather” of psicobloc, hangs out above the Mediterranean Sea. Photo by Rasmus Kaessman