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 ...

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 ...

Not surprisingly, due to the beautiful natural surroundings and many cultural attractions, there are endless free things to do in Southern California. Even if you are strapped for cash, you are bound to have enough free activities to entertain yourself on your trip. No need to concentrate on ...

On our second visit to Blue Hills Reservation, a beautiful 7000 acre hiking oasis in Milton Massachusetts, we decided to hike the popular “Red Loop Trail.” This scenic trek takes you to an observation tower with great views of the city. Blue Hills is one of the best hiking destinations ...

Emilie Ruecker Wildlife Refuge is an ideal escape in Newport County, Rhode Island. Mike and I stopped here for a hike after a day out in Newport. Tiverton is located about a 25 minute drive away. This beautiful hiking oasis is the perfect place for a nature walk. There are no steep hills or ...

Islesboro, a small island located off the coast of Maine is the perfect peaceful summer getaway. This popular New England summer destination is the perfect place to refresh and renew yourself in a serene setting. Perhaps the most unique attribute of this island is the process of getting here. ...

Camden Hills State Park offers over 30 miles of scenic hiking trails. The park is located in beautiful Camden, Maine whose fitting slogan is “Where the Mountains Meet the Sea.” Camden is one of the 2 locations along the Atlantic Coast where the mountains meet the sea, which leads to ...

One of my favorite vacation destinations, gorgeous Lake Tahoe on the California/Nevada border, offers a multitude of recreational activities no matter the season. Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America and the second deepest in the US. From beaches, scenic aerial rides, and boat ...

Camelback Mountain is a challenging hike in Phoenix, Arizona. At 2704 feet, it is the highest mountain in the city. Camelback is an extremely popular recreation area with both locals and tourists. The hump-like shape of the mountain gave this iconic hike its’ recognizable name. I love the ...