Probably one of the more memorable destinations we’ve visited on our travels is Pueblo Bonito in Chaco Culture National Historical Park. From the first time we saw a photo of it on the cover of our American Automobile Association Southwestern…
Hidden Densmore Falls
There are many hidden waterfalls in the eastern US. Many are protected by state or local parks, but there are so many that many are on private or not-quite-private property. In search of one of these waterfalls on not-quite-private…
Frigid Summer Fun at Zapata Falls
Zapata Falls is a very cool hike – well, the end is cool, both interesting and cold. It’s not a long hike, which makes it a haven for families, especially on hot summer days, but the trail up to the…
Autumn at Harriet Hollister Spencer State Park
If you want a scenic scene in the Finger Lakes, I highly recommend the view over Honeoye Lake from Harriet Hollister Spencer State Park. The lake spreads out below in a forested green valley, and views extend all the way…
Climbing the Ladders to Alcove House
Probably one of my favorite hikes in Bandelier is Alcove House. One of the great things is that it’s not that much longer to take the Main Loop to the Alcove House Trail, so you get to see the cliff…
Climbing Ladders into Caves on Bandelier’s Main Loop
It’s not every day you get to climb a wooden ladder into the home of ancient American Indians. Maybe in Mesa Verde, on an official tour, or another tour with a guide or park ranger standing close by. But on…
Autumn in Barnes Gully to Barnes Falls
The Finger Lakes Region of New York State is filled with gullies. These watercourses – some dry except after a rain, others flowing with creeks year round – would have different names across the country: washes, canyons, gorges, and so…
Incredible Rock Formations in the Valley of Dreams
Last week, I posted about our trek to and through the Valley of Dreams East. As spectacular as it is, even more interesting (to me, at least!) was the Valley of Dreams. It’s only about 1.25 miles down the…
Visiting the Valley of Dreams East
I’ve loved the rock formations in the Bisti area ever since my first visit in 2003. Somehow the ability to explore without trails, to discover rock formations – the first person ever, maybe – with no signs telling you what…
Sneak Peak: Southwestern Variety at its Finest
I just got back from another hiking-adventure trip across the western US! It was different than any before, even as we visited old and new sites across Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and even Utah and Wyoming. There were high…