Vista Point, on the Beartooth Highway, is truly a great place to be. Especially if you’re coming from the east, this is your introduction to the Beartooth area, and it’s a great one! The views are spectacular—into the valley, across…
Da Beau’s: Lovely Retreat on Holden Beach (Review)
In early January of this year (2013) we returned to Holden Beach. However, because of some restraints/properties already being booked/price hikes/the need for internet access/etc., we decided to rent a house we’d never been to before: Da Beau’s, 936 Ocean…
The Best Hikes in Big Bend
After having visited Big Bend numerous times over the past several years, I thought I’d share what I’ve found to be the best hikes in Big Bend National Park, and which trails are overrated. Then, I thought, What if someone…
Mammoth Hot Springs: Should I Go?
Whether or not you want to visit Mammoth Hot Springs depends on a lot of things. First, if you’re looking for short, easy hikes, this is a good one: going over all of the boardwalks will likely take you less…
Some of the Best Views in the Cascades from Sahale Arm
Surrounded by Cascade Peaks…overlooks of Middle Earth-like lakes…waterfalls…glaciers…views that take your breath away…yup, that’s Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm in North Cascades National Park. I don’t recall ever seeing a view like this, not because the views are so spectacular…
Marufo Vega / Strawhouse Trails Loop: The Dry Desert
Looking for a very desert-ish trail? The Marufo Vega Trail, located in the far southeast of Big Bend National Park, is the remnants of an old sheepherders’ trail. However, it also offers nice views and, when combined with the Strawhouse…
Rare History at Aladdin Tipple
Sometimes trips don’t go as planned. Sometimes even the best plans don’t work out. That’s what happened on a recent trip to the Northwest US. After a week of beautiful weather, it was raining – and the forecast said it…
Fun on The Chimneys Trail, Big Bend
The Chimneys. They’re just rocks sticking out of the ground – nothing grand in the southern area of Big Bend National Park. Yet it’s quite an interesting destination. For one thing, there are petroglyphs on one of the Chimneys. I’m…
Whale Rock: What a View!
Whale Rock isn’t a long hike. Whale Rock isn’t a hard hike. Whale Rock isn’t even difficult to drive to. So why I haven’t heard more about it from day-hikers is beyond me. The trail is fun (you get to…
Deserted View of the Tetons on Mount Leidy
Last summer, while hiking in the Tetons, I needed a short hike with a nice view. Deciding that the description of Mount Leidy fit nicely, we set out on an adventure. The road was both worse and better than expected,…