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…
Clam Basin & Red Beds Route
The Clam Beds and Red Basin Loop is the longest of the official off-trail hiking routes in Petrified Forest National Park. It’s also one of the most amazing (the Wilderness Route wins as the best off-trail route IMO, but the…
A Few of the Best Trails in SW Virginia
I never thought I’d voluntarily explore southwestern Virginia. East Coast scenery just pales in comparison to the Rockies and beyond, so I spend most of my travel time west of the Mississippi. But a few weeks ago, I found myself…
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,…
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…