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.
If you’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 — this is the real evening show. By day, these little acrobats shimmer in the sunlight, scooping bugs… Continue reading Purple Martins of Nimisila – Ohio’s August Sky Ballet
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 State’s most iconic — and a few lesser-known — waterfalls. From fire-lit caves to roadside cascades,… Continue reading Chasing Waterfalls: My Road Trip Through New York’s Most Stunning Falls
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 🥾Spring Hiking & Wild Ponies: Grayson Highlands Weekend Recap
Area Summary: The Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail is a 90-mile-long multipurpose trail that runs north and south from Canal Basin Park in downtown Cleveland to Canal Lands Park in New Philadelphia, Ohio. Part of the towpath runs through Ohio's Cuyahoga Valley National Park. There are more than 50 trailheads along the trail, and… Continue reading Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad: Bike Explorer Program on the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath
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
Area Summary: "Mohican-Memorial State Forest comprises 4,541 acres in Ashland County. Mohican-Memorial State Forest features 32 miles of hiking trails, 22 miles of bridle trails, 8 miles of snowmobile trails, a 24-mile mountain biking trail, 7 "Park and Pack" primitive campsites, the Memorial Forest Shrine, a fire tower, and the 1.5-mile Discovery Forest interpretive trail."… Continue reading Mohican-Memorial State Forest – Hog Hollow Trail
She is Wild & Free 