F E A T U R E S

COVER STORY
THE NEW AMERICAN DREAM TOWNS
Looking to settle in Shangri-La? Check out ten towns that are making a strong play for perfection, with eco-smart designs, adventure-friendly innovations, and plentiful outdoor playgrounds—plus a commitment to the good life that really hits home.
By Mike Grudowski

PLUS: Eight honorable mentions for best place to live —and a sneak peek at Buena Vista, Colorado , where a pair of twenty-something kayakers are building an urban wonderland around a world-class whitewater park.

RAISING THE DEAD
At the pitch-black bottom of one of the world's deepest underwater caves, extreme diver Dave Shaw found the body of a young adventurer who'd perished while exploring the sinkhole ten years earlier. He vowed to come back, recover the victim's remains, and return them to a still grieving family. It was a quest that would end with vindication—or haunt the survivors forever.
By Tim Zimmermann

THE BOOK
Spend time on South America's vagabond highways—particularly if you're a young Israeli—and you'll hear about a legendary compendium of tips, tirades, and travelers' wisdom called simply the Book. Join our man on the back roads of Bolivia and Chile, in search of the planet's wildest guidebook.
By Patrick Symmes

D E P A R T M E N T S

DISPATCHES
» After becoming the first American to climb all 14 of the world's 8,000-meter peaks (without oxygen, to boot), ED VIESTURS says adios to all that high altitude—or does he?

» Take it outside: Build a badass BACKYARD HANGOUT with waterproof appliances, plush seating, and (sorry, Mr. Foreman) a stainless-steel infrared grill.