Spotted salamander with yellow spots during nighttime spring migration in Brecksville Reservation Ohio
Food, Lifestyle, March, Ohio, Ohio Nature Calendar

Nature Nerd Ohio: What to See Outside in March

March in Ohio means muddy trails, salamander migrations, maple syrup festivals, and the first signs that spring is finally waking up. Hereโ€™s what nature nerds should look for outside this month.

Steam rising from maple sap evaporator inside the sugar shack at Malabar Farm Maple Syrup Festival
March, Ohio, Ohio Nature Calendar

Malabar Farm Maple Syrup Festival: Ohioโ€™s Sweetest Spring Tradition

Visit the Malabar Farm Maple Syrup Festival in Ohio and see how maple sap becomes syrup. Explore the sugar shack, ride draft horse wagons, meet farm animals, and learn the science behind maple season.

Spotted salamander with yellow spots during nighttime spring migration in Brecksville Reservation Ohio
Destinations, Ohio, Ohio Nature Calendar, Wildlife

How to See the Spotted Salamander Migration in Brecksville Reservation (Ohioโ€™s Wildest Spring Event)

Picture this: it's a dark, rainy spring night in Brecksville Reservation. You're standing on a quiet stretch of road with a flashlight in one hand and rain slowly working its way down the back of your collar. You're wet. You're questioning your life choices. The woods are silent except for dripping leaves and the occasional… Continue reading How to See the Spotted Salamander Migration in Brecksville Reservation (Ohioโ€™s Wildest Spring Event)

Scenic sandstone cliffs rising above the Wisconsin River in the Upper Dells on a sunny summer day
Destinations, Great Lakes, Hiking, wisconsin

Great Lakes Loop Road Trip: Days 4โ€“5 โ€“ Exploring Wisconsin Dells and Mirror Lake State Park

Canyons, crowds, and concession stands... Wisconsin Dells reminded me that sometimes even the โ€œmust-seeโ€ spots are better seen once. Wisconsin Dells had all the makings of a highlight โ€” sculpted sandstone cliffs, winding river canyons, and the promise of adventure. But reality checked in fast. Two days of overpriced everything, endless crowds, and a campground… Continue reading Great Lakes Loop Road Trip: Days 4โ€“5 โ€“ Exploring Wisconsin Dells and Mirror Lake State Park

Monarch butterfly with wings fully open, resting on green leaves in Cleveland, Ohio during fall migration.
Ohio, Ohio Nature Calendar

From Canada to Mexico: Monarch Migration Through Ohioโ€™s Lake Erie Shore

Every fall, one of the most magical migrations in the world sweeps quietly through Ohio: millions of monarch butterflies fluttering south on their 3,000-mile journey from Canada to the mountains of central Mexico. These tiny travelers weigh less than a single coffee bean, yet they cross a continent powered by instinct and the pull of… Continue reading From Canada to Mexico: Monarch Migration Through Ohioโ€™s Lake Erie Shore

Sandy trail flanked by dune grasses under a pastel orange and pink sunset sky.
Destinations, Great Lakes, Hiking, Indiana, National Parks

Great Lakes Loop Roadtrip: Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan โ€“ Day 1: Dunes, Wildflowers & an Epic Sunset

We kicked off our Great Lakes Loop with soft sand, sunset skies, and the perfect blend of peace and adventure. Indiana Dunes National Park gave us winding trails, wildflowers, and lake breezes that melted the stress of daily life right off. We ended the day with live music, ice cream, and a private view of the sun sinking into Lake Michigan. Not a bad start.

Large flock of purple martins swirling in the evening sky above Nimisila Reservoir, with reeds and water in the foreground.
August, Kayaking, Ohio, Wildlife

Purple Martins of Nimisila โ€“ Ohioโ€™s August Sky Ballet

If youโ€™ve never paddled under an August sky at Nimisila Reservoir while thousands of Purple Martins swirl above you, you are missing one of the most magical things our late summer skies have to offer. Forget Netflix โ€” this is the real evening show. By day, these little acrobats shimmer in the sunlight, scooping bugs… Continue reading Purple Martins of Nimisila โ€“ Ohioโ€™s August Sky Ballet

Letchworth State Park Lower Falls
Destinations, Hiking, New York, Waterfalls

Chasing Waterfalls: My Road Trip Through New Yorkโ€™s Most Stunning Falls

New York might be famous for its skyline, but some of its most jaw-dropping views are found in the gorges, forests, and hidden glens upstate. On a recent road trip, I set out to explore some of the Empire Stateโ€™s most iconic โ€” and a few lesser-known โ€” waterfalls. From fire-lit caves to roadside cascades,… Continue reading Chasing Waterfalls: My Road Trip Through New Yorkโ€™s Most Stunning Falls

Camp on top of Mt Rogers - Backpacking Grayson Highlands State Park
Backpacking, Camping, Hiking, virginia

๐ŸฅพSpring Hiking & Wild Ponies: Grayson Highlands Weekend Recap

March in the mountains means mud, magic, and wild ponies. This weekend trip to Grayson Highlands gave me all three. 3 Day / 2 Night Backpacking Trip -- My very first! This list is in no way meant to be an ideal--it was my starting point. And it was heavy! There were some things I… Continue reading ๐ŸฅพSpring Hiking & Wild Ponies: Grayson Highlands Weekend Recap

Destinations, Kayaking, Kentucky, Trail Summary

Exploring Grotto Falls, KY: A Kayaker’s Hidden Gem

I took a spontaneous trip to Grotto Falls, KY in May after seeing a post in a local adventure group. I was already thinking about taking the week off from work since it would be a slow week and after Googling directions and realizing it was just a few hours away, I turned in my… Continue reading Exploring Grotto Falls, KY: A Kayaker’s Hidden Gem