You can drive to the Chaffin Cowboy Camp on Waterhole Flat (almost) in the Maze District of Canyonlands National Park, Utah. However, it’s more fun to bicycle or hike the access road to fully appreciate the views. (My hiking companions…
The Great Channels Slot Canyons
Possibly my favorite adventure in western Virginia last fall was The Great Channels, located north of Abingdon. The hike was steep, forested, and fairly uninteresting, but the top boasted great views before dropping you into a labyrinth of slot canyons…
Jasper Forest-Eagle Nest Rock Road Route
If you want an easy-to-follow official off-trail route to hike in Petrified Forest National Park (or maybe you just love history), the Jasper Forest is a good choice. Sure, there’s no trail, but you’re following an old road for most…
Eagle Falls and Vikingsholm
Eagle Falls and Vikingsholm was a surprising and delightful discovery when I visited Lake Tahoe. In fact, it was so amazing that we decided to go back the next day after hiking Castle Rock when we weren’t able to hike…
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…
Rock Art at Martha’s Butte
Martha’s Butte is an unofficial hike in the southern part of Petrified Forest National Park. There are several ways to get there and get back, so I did a loop (which included a road walk – you can trade that…
McNeil Point and Up Cathedral Ridge
Some of you may remember when I tried to get to McNeil Point in Mount Hood National Forest back in 2016 via the Mazama Trail. That didn’t work out very well, as the clouds socked in the entire meadow and…
Walking Plymouth Harbor to Jenny Grist Mill
When I was in Massachusetts a few weeks ago, we spent an evening in Plymouth. The town is fairly commercialized, but I still found green spaces to wander. Actually, we started the evening with seafood platters at Wood’s Seafood (according…
Hiking the Harvard Campus
When I was visiting Boston a few weeks ago, a friend asked if I’d like to walk around the Harvard campus. Yes, please! It turned out to be a lovely way to spend the later part of a hot summer…
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,…