2010 is upon us. Many of us are already turning our minds to vacations and escapes. Sandy beaches, lonely forests, and craggy mountains tend to stir emotion in those of us who love adventure. We crave the thrill of exploration and the peace of solitude as we bustle through our daily lives. So, to help cure some cabin fever, we have compiled a list of places that will get your mind churning on your next trip. It may also get your eyes checking your bank balance to see if you have the funds. All these locales are in the states though. So they should be a short flight, or a road-trip away.

Listed in no particular order, here are our picks for the Top 10 Adventure Destinations of 2010. *US only

Leadville

Lance made this small Colorado town famous to the masses when he won the Leadville 100 mountain bike race. But long before that some climbing buddies and I discovered that this mining mecca could get us closer to the mountains. Resting at 10,200 feet and surrounded on all sides by 14,000 foot peaks you might have to take deeper breaths when you bar hop the saloon laden streets. Mt Massive keeps watch over this small hamlet, and the Arkansas river lies just to it's south. Peakbagging, rafting, mountain biking, and drinking are the main past times here. Take our advice though, locals don't like it when outsiders talk to their lady friends at the bar. Stick to playing pool with your own crew. Oh, and if you like gigantic burgers, Doc Hollidays is the place. Mr Holliday even played cards there and reportedly shot a man in the building. MMMM murder and ground beef.

The Tetons

The jagged peaks of the Tetons have inspired generations of adventurers. Climbing to the summit of the Grand is a goal of many an armchair mountaineer. But below those snowy crags lies a valley filled with hiking, horseback riding, paddling, and fishing. The Snake River meanders through scenery that will make you cry and keep you out of the pricey shops of Jackson Hole for sure. Set your base camp inside the park to avoid the crowded streets of JH. There are many great private Grand Teton Lodging options and the park has some great places to stay as well.

Maui

Sun, surf, hiking, and bathing suits 24/7. It's like an episode of Magnum PI smashed up with an episode of Lost, with a little Jack Johnson playing for the soundtrack. Many thoughts turn to the big waves and beaches of this magical island, and rightly so. But hiking into the primeval jungles can be awe inspiring to say the least. The Besthike.com blog has great trail reports and suggestions. They definitely have me planning my trip to Maui.

Nantahala

Class III whitewater, the Appalachian Trail, and miles of mountain bike trails come together to make Nantahala National Forest a force to be reckoned with in the Eastern US. It's not hard to find a cabin to make your temporary home. Cabins and rental homes dot the hillsides where private property backs up to the national forest. The Nantahala Outdoor Center is your link to all adventure activities in the area. Don't drive through Great Smoky Mountain National Park to get here though, unless you just want to spend 5 hours in car exhaust. The Tail of the Dragon is a great approach from the west (beware if you get car sick, many hairpin turns), and Cherokee is a good entry point on the east.

Channel Islands

Paddlers rejoice! The beautiful Channel Islands lie off the shores of the insanity that is southern California. A few miles off the coast of the Santa Barbara/Ventura area, a chain of 5 islands jut up from the sea floor to create a wonderland of paddling opportunities. Sea caves dot the shores and the land remains much the same as the California mainland would have looked before urban sprawl attacked. Camping on the island is permitted and there are daily ferries to the Channel Islands. But be warned, once you are on the islands it's up to you to take care of yourself until the next ferry shows. Take plenty of water and let someone know where you are. You may be able to see the lights of the coast, but you are worlds away.

Bar Harbor

They call the area "Downeast" but it's about as far north as you can go in the lower 48. At first glance you might see Bar Harbor as a tourist trap filled with lobster ice cream and expensive trinket shops. But spend an hour in town and you'll begin to notice all the paddling, pedaling, and climbing vendors ready to get you away from the quaint downtown. The Atlantic ocean is obviously right there with sailing and fishing opportunities galore. Acadia National Park and it's mountains, valleys, and lakes holds plenty of adventure to keep you busy for a week or even a month if you have the time.

Bighorn National Forest

One of the more remote areas of our country (outside of Alaska) lies in the north central region of Wyoming. The Bighorns are where the prairie meets the Rockies in all their glory. Bighorn sheep aren't the only thing you'll see on the remote hiking trails of these granite laden peaks though. Deer, black bear, grizzly, moose, and elk frequent the high country. For the best wilderness experience in the Bighorns, get away from the campgrounds. ATVs are allowed in the non-backcountry camping areas and on forest roads. But don't fret. The place has 189,000 acres of remote wilderness. So there's room for everyone.

Forks

This tiny town in Northwest Washington has gained recent fame as home to quite a few bare-chested teen vampires and werewolves. Don't let the hormone-driven visiting adolescent girls keep you from the fun. Forks has much to offer. With the Hoh rainforest at it's back door, hiking the trails and paddling the Hoh river are within minutes of town.  Not to mention the mountaineering opportunities in the Olympic Mountains, some of the most rugged and scenic mountains within a days drive of a major city. And then there's the beach with estuary kayaking, sea kayaking, and whale watching. You'll forget all about Bella and what's-his-face.

Sitka

Don't let the cruise ships scare you. After the souvenir shopping is done the town population drops to under 10,000. Sea kayaking and fishing abound in the waters off Sitka. You won't have trouble finding a good guide either. And when you're done there you can go inland for hiking and biking on the trails nearby. Once you've had enough of that (if possible) then head up on a flight-seeing trip with a floatplane pilot, a-la-Northern Exposure.

Key West

The keys have blue Caribbean ocean as far as you can see. And if you get there by January 31st 2010 you can run the 1/2 marathon with some of the best ocean scenery in the South. Paddling mangroves, fishing for marlin, diving, snorkeling, and exploring ancient forts are all on the agenda for a few weeks stay in this string of tiny sun-drenched islands. Oh yeah, did we mention they have an amazing nightlife, steel drums, margaritas, six-toed cats, and roosters?

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*We have personally visited most of these destinations, or got the buzz from someone who has. Let us know what you think we left out, or if we missed the mark on any of these.

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