A Travel, Hiking & Lifestyle Blog
Notch Trail in the Badland National Park is a 1.5-mile out-and-back hike that is loaded with adventure. It has some challenging sections, which include a ladder and walking ledge. Ultimately, the path points hikers to the “Notch” for a dramatic view of the Badlands. Meandering through the canyon to the overlook takes some physicality but […]
Read More
While traveling through South Dakota on our way to Montana, we spent a couple of days at Badlands National Park. Considered the longest route in the park, the 10.3-mile out-and-back Castle Trail was definitely our favorite hike while we there. The overall elevation gain was only 305 feet, so it is relatively flat and considered […]
Read More
Nestled deep within the picturesque Gunnison National Forest in Colorado lies a hidden gem for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers. The name says it all. There is no way one can be in a bad mood when hiking the Oh-Be-Joyful Trail. We discovered the trail in a recreation area located just outside the charming town of […]
Read More
Richie Hollow Trail to Snoop Rock is a beautiful and challenging hike in Tennessee. Located in the Prentice Cooper State Forest the trail offers stunning views and a 30-foot waterfall. It is a 4-mile one way route (8-miles round trip) with over 1,450 feet of elevation gain. The trail quietly winds through lush forests, rocky […]
Read More
Nestled in the heart of Montana’s Gallatin National Forest, Lava Lake is a hidden gem for hikers and adventurers. This stunning, crystal-clear alpine lake sits at an elevation of over 8,000 feet, surrounded by towering mountain peaks and lush forests. Gail and I met up with a high school friend of mine named Anne, whom […]
Read More
On one of our journeys through the panhandle of Texas, we spent 3-days at Caprock State Park. The 15,000-acre park is a scenic canyon with a classically rugged west Texas landscape. We visited this area in late February. The temperatures were in the low 30-degrees at night and the 60s during the day. The desert-like […]
Read More
Palo Duro Canyon State Park is a natural wonder that every outdoor adventure seeker should visit. Located in the Texas panhandle, the park is home to the second-largest canyon in the United States. The rocky gorge stretches over 120 miles in length and up to 20 miles in width. It is often referred to as […]
Read More
Hiking the Black Elk Peak Trail is considered by many to be the best hike in Custer State Park. The 7.5-mile loop starts near Sylvan Lake and winds its way through the Black Forest Wilderness area. At the summit, hikers stand on a 7,242-foot granite mountain that is the highest point in South Dakota. Perched […]
Read More
Little Devil’s Tower was one of our favorite hiking destinations when we visited Custer State Park in South Dakota. On our second day in the park, we met a local couple who strongly suggested we climb the rock tower. They were very knowledgeable about the park generally and convinced us we should add the hike […]
Read More
On a morning in September, the stone spires on the Cathedral Trail in Custer State Park stood tall and imposing. Contrasting the towering rock was a vivid blue-sky background draped with fluffy white cumulus clouds. We were on the trail at the break of day and the picturesque landscape in front of us was stunning. […]
Read More
On an unmarked path, a natural rock formation called the “Subway” off Boyton Canyon Trail is a stunning natural feature. Interestingly, the site is one of the coolest places in Sedona but is not officially listed on area maps or brochures. Somehow, visitors to the area have to learn about it on their own and […]
Read More
Fay Canyon Trail is an easy 2.5-mile roundtrip hike in Sedona. It was the second hike of the day for us and we actually selected it because it was less challenging. Our expectation for the trail was modest. We thought it was a good way to add a few miles for exercise while seeing an […]
Read More
The Cathedral Rock in Sedona is one of the area’s iconic landmarks. The sandstone butte emerges from a relatively flat section of uninteresting land. From a distance, it looks inviting but doesn’t seem that much different than other buttes in Arizona. As we got closer and stood at the base of the mesa, the towering […]
Read More
