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

Dessert display case at Milwaukee Public Market with chocolate mousse cakes and pastries.
Destinations, Great Lakes

Great Lakes Loop Roadtrip: Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan โ€“ Day 3 โ€“ Milwaukee, WIโ€™s Lakefront & Historic Third Ward

Day 3 brought us north into Milwaukee, and it didnโ€™t take long for us to realize this was our kind of city. The pace felt relaxed, the people were welcoming, and there was a balance of creativity and comfort that just clicked. Milwaukee reminded me a lot of Cleveland, which instantly made it feel like… Continue reading Great Lakes Loop Roadtrip: Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan โ€“ Day 3 โ€“ Milwaukee, WIโ€™s Lakefront & Historic Third Ward

The Bean sculpture in Chicagoโ€™s Millennium Park reflecting the city skyline and a group of visitors gathered beneath it on a sunny day.
Destinations, Great Lakes, Hiking, illinois

Great Lakes Loop Roadtrip: Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan โ€“ Day 2: Chicago, IL Big City Icons & Butterbeer Dreams

A Big City Adventure Day 2 of our Great Lakes road trip was all about embracing the bustle. We landed in downtown Chicago early and crammed a lot into the day - iconic landmarks, a little fandom magic, overrated food, and topped it off with a perfect view of the lake a top the Navy… Continue reading Great Lakes Loop Roadtrip: Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan โ€“ Day 2: Chicago, IL Big City Icons & Butterbeer Dreams

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

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