I loved hiking the Mustang Pass Trail outside of St. George, Utah. The views were great, especially after a snowfall on the nearby mountains. The trail also ties into many other trails in the Red Cliffs Conservation Area, so we…
Ducks at the LeHardy Rapids
An overlooked little gem in central Yellowstone National Park is the LeHardy Rapids. The hiking is easy (just a little boardwalk), and while the rapids aren’t spectacular, they are pretty. The real attraction, though, are the multiple varieties of ducks…
Lower, Middle, and Upper Blue Lakes – and Blue Lakes Pass!
I heard Blue Lake in Colorado was implementing a permit system, and I determined I would visit before the system went into place. That was no easy feat, but we did it, and I’m so glad we did! The scenery…
Mossy Ledge Falls in Big Cottonwood Canyon
Mossy Ledge Falls is one of those almost-unknown secret hikes in Big Cottonwood Canyon near Salt Lake City, Utah. It’s named for the picnic area that once sat at the trailhead. Calling it a “trail” is a bit of a…
Slit Canyon off Hole in the Wall Road
I had high hopes for Slit Canyon. And to be fair, the first part of the hike was gorgeous with scenery not typically experienced on the more famous trails in Death Valley National Park. However, the canyon itself wasn’t as…
Island Lake to Becker Lake, Albino Lake, and Jasper Lake
Island Lake is considered one of the premier places to hike along the Beartooth Highway. From the parking area, you can access such gorgeous destinations as walking around Island Lake, Beauty Lake, Becker Lake, and/or hiking all of the way…
Hiking and Swimming at McCloud Falls
I heard about the wonders of McCloud Falls from a social media friend who used to live in the area. His pictures were lovely, and it was said to be a great local swimming hole. Now, I’m well aware that…
Peek-a-boo Trail to Paul Bunyan’s Potty
I put off visiting Paul Bunyan’s Potty for many years. (And if you’re wondering what in the world I’m talking about, the “potty” is an arch along the Horse Canyon Road in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park, Utah.)…
Photos from Death Valley’s Lake Manly
About two months ago, I was editing my final photos from 2023, which included our visit to Lake Manly at Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park, California. I was sad about editing the photos because I figured I’d never…
Rochester’s Secret Sidewalk
The Secret Sidewalk is a Rochester, New York, secret. Tucked behind mansions on Beach Avenue, most people park at Ontario Beach Park and walk the regular sidewalk down to the beginning of the secret one. I recommend going on a…