The Blue Mesa Trail is an overlooked gem in central Petrified Forest National Park. Because it’s off on a sideroad – plus it’s away from the main areas of the Painted Desert and the Rainbow Museum – fewer people drive…
40 Miles on the Cuyahoga Valley Ohio & Erie Canal Path!
The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath in Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a gem for bicyclists. I’ve actually now done it twice, once back in 2022 and again this past spring (2025). Both adventures were great, with smooth trails, wildlife,…
Patriotic 4th of July Fun at North Bridge
The first shots of the American Revolution – “The shot that was heard around the world,” according to Ralph Waldo Emerson – were fired across North Bridge, about 17 miles outside of Boston, Massachusetts. (Of course, Mr. Emerson might have…
See the USS Constitution Fire its Cannons on July 4th!
I found out something new: Every July 4th, the USS Constitution sails from Boston Harbor out to Castle Island where it blows off its cannons. The army on shore responds with its own gunfire, and then the Constitution sails back…
Walking Upper Cove Canyon near the Maze District
About 19.8 miles from the pavement of US-95, the Waterhole Flat Road crosses an unassuming wash. It’s actually fairly easy to find because a sideroad goes off just before the road dips to cross the dry watercourse. This is Cove…
First Forest Point in Petrified Forest
So I’m trying something new in hopes of streamlining some processes here on the blog. Some of the posts (at least for the time being) will have this new way of showing the mileages, etc. They’ll also probably have fewer…
Every Ride at Seabreeze Amusement Park, Ranked!
Seabreeze is a family tradition for many people who live in the greater Rochester area. However, I’d never visited until last weekend. (I can scramble to the top of the highest peak in the Rocky Mountains, walk to the lowest…
Short but Steep Path to Trout Lake
The hike up to Trout Lake in Yellowstone National Park sounds so easy: A 0.4 mile trail to a lake. What could possibly be hard about it? Well, let’s start with the fact that the trail is exceedingly steep. …
Upper Cascades in Hanging Rock State Park
The Upper Cascades in Hanging Rock State Park, NC, are a quick and somewhat easy hike to one of the park’s waterfalls. It’s a pretty falls, though to really enjoy it, you’ll need to scramble down the slippery rocks to…
Devils Garden and Beyond
If you can only do one full-day hike in Arches National Park, I’d vote for Devils Garden. No, it doesn’t showcase the famous Delicate Arch (well worth the time in its own right!), but it does have a minimum of…