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,…
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…
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…
Driving the Echo Canyon Road
Echo Canyon Road may be one of the most popular 4×4 roads in Death Valley (outside of the Racetrack Road). It certainly is convenient and beautiful and offers great views, an arch, and a little bit of adventure. In recent…
Death Valley, Grand Canyon, Canyonlands… and a Lot of Off-Trail Adventures!
If you read my last post, you’ll know that we were in the middle of Death Valley, following routes instead of trails and having a marvelous time hiking off the beaten path. We were about to have even more excitement…
Exploring Petrified Forest and Death Valley – With Very Few Trails!
I recently returned from an amazing trek across the country! We drove nearly 6,000 miles, hiked around 160 miles, and saw some truly amazing scenery both by foot and by van. Of course, we also slept under brilliant stars, watched…
Newspaper Rock in Petrified Forest National Park
In the middle of Petrified Forest National Park is a small viewpoint. It’s not remarkable except that it sits on the clifftop above boulders literally covered in petroglyphs and rock art. These aren’t just the normal squiggles or stick figures;…