The White Mountains National Forest is most well known for being home to Mt. Washington, the highest mountain in the Northeast (6288 ft) and one of the windiest places on Earth (wind speeds reached 231 miles per hour back in 1934). The area is very popular for recreational activities, especially ...

Starved Rock State Park is frequently rated the top attraction in Illinois. The park is very popular with over 2 million visits a year. Known for its’ beautiful canyons and waterfalls, Starved Rock is one of the most popular escapes from the hustle and bustle of Chicago. The legend of the ...

I have always wanted to spend the day riding along Chicago’s magnificent 18 mile long Lakefront Path. Despite living in the city for years, I never managed the opportunity. Most of my visits have taken place during the snowy winter months. There are plenty of fantastic things to do in ...

Dixon, Illinois, a small town in Northwest Illinois, is most well known for being the hometown of President Ronald Reagan. In addition to the Reagan house, there are plenty of other historical attractions in town, including: the Memorial Arch, the Lincoln Memorial, and Veterans Memorial Park. The ...

Little Red School House is one of my favorite places to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Located just 20 minutes outside of Chicago, this hiking and nature area is easily accessible for a weekday or weekend outing. There are 2 nicely shaded trails here: The White Oak Trail and the Black ...

Lake Katherine is a scenic nature preserve located in Palos Heights, just a half hour or so from downtown Chicago. This beautiful recreation area includes a walking path, gardens, an arboretum, and a waterfall. Mike & I got up early one morning during our Chicago trip as we knew crowds would ...

Lowden State Park in Oregon, Illinois is most famous for its’ historic 50 foot tall, 100 ton Blackhawk statue. The impressive Blackhawk statue, which is dedicated to all Native Americans, stands as the world’s second largest concrete monolithic statue. We were able to get up close and ...

Castle Rock State Park is a 2000 acre park located on the Rock River, near the small town of Oregon, Illinois. The park is well known for its’ scenic overlook on top of Castle Rock, which provides fantastic views of the river. Castle Rock is made up of St. Peter sandstone, making it one of ...

Cleveland: a great Midwest city with a lot to offer, including an active downtown, several professional sports teams, plentiful outdoor recreation, and an endless variety of unique local restaurants. It is an ideal road trip stop for those traveling between Boston and Chicago. Cleveland is also a ...

The amazing Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath stretches over 80 miles through Cuyahoga, Stark, Summit, and Tuscarawas Counties in Ohio. The trail follows the old Ohio & Erie Canal. This popular biking/walking/jogging path is one of the longest in the state. When fully completed, it will run over ...