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…
Hiking up to the Big Bell Extension Mine
Quite a few weeks ago, I posted about visiting the Keane Wonder Spring and John Cyty’s Mill. Well, that’s a great hike. But for a truly spectacular hike, you can continue up the steep old mining trail behind the mill…
Sneak Peek: A Trip to Utah’s Arches & Canyons!
Well, we’re back! It was the craziest, weirdest, most moment-by-moment changes trip we’ve ever had, but we also saw fantastic scenery, spent time together, and hiked well over 100 miles. We explored central Utah, mostly around Moab (including Canyonlands National…
Fun Hike to Indian Pass & Summit Rock
The last few weeks have been a fun whirl of work and adventures! We never left New York, but we hiked and biked and kayaked old and new trails and routes. One of the new routes was a somewhat random…
Keane Spring & John Cyty’s Cabin
Most people who drive to the Keane Wonder Trailhead do so to walk up to the ruins of the Keane Wonder Mill. Many also climb the steep trail up to the old workings of the Keane Wonder Mine and the…
Saratoga Springs & the Saratoga Mine Road
Many years ago, I visited the Saratoga Springs in the far south of Death Valley National Park. On my last visit, I decided to check it out again and possibly complete the hike (I actually didn’t quite make it, but…
Mabry Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway
On the 4th of July, I had a special treat: I went up to the Blue Ridge Parkway with my aunt and uncle. They’ve lived in the area for years, but somehow we never have time to get up there…