Arboretums are fickle places to visit. They can be very interesting, or very boring, depending on the upkeep, the flowers, and what’s in season at the moment. I’m glad to say that I’ve been treated to several arboretums that were…
Mount Minsi: Beautiful Views!
This week we’ve been visiting family in New Jersey. However, no one in our family likes to sit around doing nothing (which I guess is why we take cross-country trips, right?) so we’ve been visiting various destinations across the state…
A Hike from Independence Pass to UN 12812 – Spectacular!
Hiking to UN 12812 just above Independence Pass was a life saver. Well, ok, that’s too strong, but it did meet a need rather nicely – and spectacularly. I needed a short hike near Independence Pass – and one above…
Abraham Lincoln Park: Hiking along Irondequoit Bay
The other weekend, we decided to begin to get in shape for our upcoming summer vacation / hiking plans. That means we have to find hills. For many people, just going for a walk along the road is hilly enough,…
Flat Tops Hiking Around the Causeway: So Lovely!
Ah, the Flat Tops Wilderness Area! Where else in the US can you hike for miles across unspoiled, grassy flatlands, see pristine mountain lakes, look over cliffs that make your stomach flip, see Basque shepherds and their sheep, and have…
Camp Cannonville: A Free Campsite with a View
What’s better: A free campsite, or a paid campsite with a view? Or, are you like me, and would say, “Why not both?” However, free campsites with views are difficult to find, so when you find a good one, you…
Pretty Little Lakes in the Flat Tops on the Sand Creek Trail
Although I like long hikes, sometimes we just need a shorter walk. My group does get tired (or just isn’t in the mood for yet another 12 mile (20 km) trek), or we want to do one short thing before…
Faraway Ranch: History in Chiricahua
This week I’d like to do another picture-based post: this time to Faraway Ranch. The ranch is in Chiricahua National Monument, and quite accessible from the road. It was once run as a dude ranch, with the family taking visitors…
Pioneer Park: A Place to Explore Utah
What do you do when you’re suddenly stuck in a strange town because your vehicle has broken down? Whenever possible, I try to make lemonade out of our lemon – or as I said when we were stranded for three…
Off-Trail Hiking to a Flat Tops Mountain: Pyramid Peak
We like to have a destination in mind when we’re hiking. It’s for sanity, mostly. We all know that if we can just “walk until we decide to turn around” we’ll never turn around until we’re way further from the…