School
Antioch University
Expertise
Hiking, Sailboat Racing, International Travel
- Hillary's earliest memories are of living with her hippie parents on a tugboat moored on an island in the Columbia River.
- In 2014, she was part of a sailing team that won the women's trophy at Antigua Sailing Week.
- She is a world traveler and outdoor adventurer who joined the Islands writing team in 2024.
Experience
Hillary has earned her living as an author and journalist for the past three decades. As a magazine writer, she has won multiple awards for long-form storytelling. She has been nominated for the City and Regional Magazine Association's award for best profile five years running and has won twice. Hillary loves to immerse herself in other people's words to understand them better, whether shadowing a climate change author on a boat or learning to cast from a master of Tenkara fly fishing.
Education
Hillary studied English and psychology at Antioch University.
Islands content is created by a team of veteran writers and editors passionate about travel. Outside experts with deep field knowledge sometimes inform our work with additional context and perspectives by way of exclusive commentary. Our goal is to offer readers well-rounded and diverse articles that inform, entertain, and inspire.
Our editors consistently review and update articles to ensure they're providing current, relevant, and useful information. Complete information on our editorial process is available here.
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Hiking
By Hillary Louise Johnson
For the best outdoor hiking adventure, head to this East Coast trail where you can see leaves changing as you hike past waterfalls and cute covered bridges.
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United States
By Hillary Louise Johnson
This panhandle city is worth a visit, but Rick Steves says the state capitol building is the ugliest in America, so you can safely leave it off your itinerary.
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United States
By Hillary Louise Johnson
There are many reasons to visit Cincinnati, Ohio, but the awe-inspiring Jungle Jim's International Market is no doubt one of the biggest and most unique.
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Outdoor Adventure
By Hillary Louise Johnson
Experience stunning autumn scenery and pedal through vibrant fall colors on this Virginia rail trail that attracts hundreds of cyclists each year.
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Hiking
By Hillary Louise Johnson
California's John Muir trail is beautiful, but very crowded. Hikers interested in exploring the area should check out this underrated trail instead.
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United States
By Hillary Louise Johnson
We combed through social media to come up with the best tourist attractions along the California coast. These are the most memorable, according to reviewers.
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United States
By Hillary Louise Johnson
Embark on a road trip through the American Southwest to discover breathtaking scenery and incredible historic sites along this iconic route.
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Outdoor Adventure
By Hillary Louise Johnson
If you're looking to take a good, old-fashioned scenic road trip, then this classic stretch of road in the Pacific Northwest might be calling your name.
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Hiking
By Hillary Louise Johnson
Rocky Mountain National Park has some spectacular views, and this hike offers an easy introduction with a shimmering emerald lake as your end goal.
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United States
By Hillary Louise Johnson
Not all museums are indoors. In fact, one of the best museums in the country is a Midwest park featuring some of the most iconic sculptures in history.
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Hiking
By Hillary Louise Johnson
Yosemite Valley is undeniably beautiful, but there's another California destination with views that are just as stunning but far less crowded.
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United States
By Hillary Louise Johnson
Tourists flock to the San Juan Islands every year, but there's another island on the way there that deserves to be more than a layover stop on your trip.
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Hiking
By Hillary Louise Johnson
If you're looking for a challenge to go with an absolutely stunning view, then you might want to try hiking this famously tough Colorado mountain.
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United States
By Hillary Louise Johnson
Sometimes, no matter how great a destination is, you just don't want to deal with hoards of people. If Lake Mead is too busy for you, head to this lake instead.
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Africa
By Hillary Louise Johnson
One of the most rewarding hikes in the world can be experienced in a beautiful South African national park, but it can also be very dangerous.
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Dining
By Hillary Louise Johnson
Embark on a historic gastronomic journey and taste traditional Spanish cuisine at the world's oldest restaurant, visited by famous literati throughout history.
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National and State Parks
By Hillary Louise Johnson
If you want to experience some of the most awe-inspiring canyon views in the United States, you need to visit Utah's largest national park.
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United States
By Hillary Louise Johnson
This small beach town was literally designed from the ground up to give vacationing families a classic all-American vacation experience.
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Arts and Culture
By Hillary Louise Johnson
Airports have stepped up their game in recent years, becoming hubs of culture and art in addition to being where you go to catch your next flight.
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Hiking
By Hillary Louise Johnson
If you want to experience a hike as gorgeous as Angel's Landing but without the crowds, Utah is home to a smaller yet equally stunning attraction.
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Travel Gear
By Hillary Louise Johnson
Say goodbye to cold hands and hello to Ocoopa - a rechargeable hand warmer brand that you won't want to live without on your next outdoor adventure.
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Outdoor Adventure
By Hillary Louise Johnson
If you're looking for the perfect fall getaway, look no further than this state park in Texas Hill Country for a relaxing and scenic outdoor adventure.
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Camping
By Hillary Louise Johnson
Not many people know you can camp on this San Francisco beach, but if you're lucky enough to secure a spot, you're in for some incredible views.
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United States
By Hillary Louise Johnson
Adventurous travelers seeking amazing views and incredible natural beauty should have this Washington rainforest at the top of their travel wish lists.
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Europe
By Hillary Louise Johnson
Ireland is considered one of the safest European countries, but one of its most iconic landmarks comes with its fair share of dangers.
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Mexico
By Hillary Louise Johnson
Getting sick is never a good experience, but getting sick while on vacation is worse. Here's what to do if you find yourself sick while on vacation in Mexico.
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United States
By Hillary Louise Johnson
This stunning sight is one of Oregon's most picturesque destinations. This bit of nature makes an ideal backdrop for photo ops, so don't forget your camera.
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