A continuation of my exploration of all that is quirky and weird. As I travel throughout the US, I always make it a point to check out strange, historic, roadside, and eclectic places, and really anything else unusual that catches my eye. Below are some fascinating and oddball off-the-beaten path ...

Cleveland Metroparks is a beautiful network of 18 parks in Northwestern Ohio. With over 100 miles of trails, 8 beachfront parks, and a zoo, there are endless opportunities for recreation. In 2021, Cleveland Metroparks was rated the National Gold Medal “Best in Nation” Award for Excellence in ...

While everyone has heard of Yellowstone, The Grand Canyon, and The Smoky Mountains amongst others, many are unaware of the more off-the-beaten path national parks in our country. One of these such places is Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio. Located just 20 minutes outside of Cleveland, a trip ...

The must-do while visiting Pittsburgh is taking a ride on the iconic funicular railway, the Duquesne Incline, up to Mt Washington. The views from the overlook are marvelous. In fact, USA Today even rated it “one of the top ten sites in the world for viewing a cityscape.” The incline ...

Nature lovers will appreciate the endless opportunities for recreation in Western North Carolina. Spectacular waterfalls encompass the entirety of the the WNC region. In fact, there are 200 in Transylvania County alone. Fortunately, “The Land of Waterfalls,” is a quick daytrip from ...

At 4111 feet, Highlands is one of the highest elevated towns in North Carolina. The small community of just over 1000 residents is located within the beautiful Nantahala National Forest. The cool summer temps (typically in the mid 70’s) make Highlands an ideal escape from nearby hot and ...

One of the most amazing waterfall hikes in all of Western North Carolina (a region home to hundreds of beautiful falls) is Glen Falls. On this short hike, you will get to see not one, but three incredible waterfalls. If you are limited on time, Glen Falls is the perfect option as you do not ...

The Smoky Mountains National Park is home to over 100 waterfalls. Fortunately, many of these incredible waterfalls are easily accessible via an easy-moderate hike of no more than a few miles. According to the NPS, ample rainfall (the area sees over 55 inches per year) and elevation gradient ...

There are many beautiful waterfalls within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park sees over 55 inches of rain per year in the lower altitude areas and up to 85 on some peaks. This translates into lush greenery and powerful waterfalls especially during the rainy late spring/summer ...

Bryson City, a charming small community of just under 2000 people in Western North Carolina, is a hub to exploring the southern end of the Smoky Mountains. Along with being home to a very popular scenic train ride, it’s also an outdoor lover’s paradise. With easy access to great hiking ...