Back in 2014, I took my first bike trip on the Genesee Valley Greenway. It was a fantastic ride between Mt. Morris and the Brookdale Preserve just south of Rochester, New York. We passed through farmland, crossed plenty of creeks…
Exploring Corkscrew Canyon
I read about Corkscrew Canyon on the internet. There was an old mining area, they promised, and a slot canyon. There was no trail, but it was pretty easy to walk up an old road. Alas, more research told me…
Trip Report: Cuyahoga Valley & New River Gorge
Would you believe that there are national parks within a few hours of my childhood home that I’ve never visited? They just never seem to fit into any trip: Too far away for a day trip, too close as a…
Views of Rainbow Canyon from Father Crowley Vista
Father Crowley Vista, also known as Rainbow Canyon Overlook, is little more than a nice parking area and a couple of primitive restrooms on the Darwin Plateau between the western border of Death Valley National Park and the Panamint Valley. …
The Big Bend Road in Letchworth
A few years ago, a couple of us were riding our bicycles on the Genesee Valley Greenway through Letchworth State Park. As a side-trek, we ended up on the Big Bend Road in the state park. It was fun, so…
Devils Hole, Whirlpool, and Niagara Gorge Railroad Grade
One of my favorite hikes I did around New York State last fall was the Whirlpool Trail Whirlpool State Park (though it might as well be in Niagara Falls State Park given how close it is to the falls –…
Death Valley Road Trip Hiking Itineraries!
Death Valley is a spectacular area to spend a few days in the desert! The park is big enough to hide hidden gems and limit crowds, but it also has popular destinations that are very worth visiting. I’ve visited Death…
Erie Canal: Meridian Center (Rochester) to San Souci Park (Brockport)
For Rochester locals, the Erie Canal Path is one of “the” places to go biking, running, and hiking. I even knew some kids who would hitch up their dog to a sled and go for a ride on the canal…
Death Valley Oasis at Darwin Falls!
A perennial waterfall? In Death Valley? You’ve got to be kidding! But really – blazing hot summer, parched autumn, or during the (slightly less arid) winter/spring, Darwin Falls in the far west of Death Valley National Park is a beautiful…
Biking the Catharine Valley Trail
One day at the library, I got out a book about hikes and rail trails in western New York State. There were quite a few great trails there (including many I’d hiked or biked before), but one that intrigued me…