Just 23 miles north of the city of Chicago, in Glencoe, IL, the Chicago Botanic Garden is home to over 385 acres of beautiful blooms of all shapes, sizes and colors. The expansive and beautiful grounds are home to over two dozen uniquely themed gardens, including a Japanese Garden, English Walled Garden, Rose Garden, Aquatic…
Tucked into the northwestern corner of Ogle and Lee Counties in Illinois is an ecological treasure. The expansive Nachusa Grasslands is home to 4,000 acres of restored and remnant prairie, 700+ native plant species, conservative grassland birds, and a herd of nearly 100 American bison. Beautiful in all seasons, a visit to Nachusa will transport…
Jefferson County, Colorado is home to many scenic mountain hikes. With over 275 miles of trails, 75 parks, and 58,000 acres of open space to enjoy, there is something for everyone. For a commanding view of Denver, the Continental Divide, and downtown Golden, Colorado, consider a hike on the Galbraith Loop Trail just outside of…
In the Great Lakes region, spring is a treat for the senses. As winter transitions to spring, birds begin to nest, trees and shrubs begin to bud, and my personal favorite – native spring wildflowers begin to emerge. Also known as spring ephemerals, these beautiful native plants appear in early spring before the leaf canopy has…
The Military Ridge State Trail is a 40-mile crushed gravel trail located in Wisconsin’s Dane and Iowa Counties. This scenic trail passes through nine communities from Dodgeville, at the western end, to Fitchburg, just south of Madison. The name “Military Ridge” trail was chosen due to the trail forming a divide between the Wisconsin River…
Wisconsin’s Kettle Moraine Forest is comprised of five main units, encompassing over 56,000 acres in southeastern Wisconsin. The Ice Age National Scenic Trail, one of only 11 National scenic trails in the United States, travels through varied terrain is the Kettle Moraine. This beautiful trail encompasses over 1000 miles and 28 counties in the state…
Wisconsin’s Ice Age National Scenic Trail is one of only 11 National scenic trails in the United States. This beautiful trail encompasses over 1000 miles and 28 counties throughout the state, from hills and bluffs to woodlands and prairies rich with native plants. Dane County, Wisconsin lies within the Driftless Region, (comprised of the northwest part…
The Santa Fe National Forest in New Mexico is home to stunning scenery, vivid blue skies, and an abundance of hiking trails. Each time I visit New Mexico, I am reminded why the state is known as the Land of Enchantment. New Mexico is home to a range of stunning landscapes from high plains and…
Illinois is home to picturesque Midwestern landscapes. Known as the Land of Lincoln and the Prairie State, Illinois is generally known for its agricultural land and gently rolling landscapes. However, Illinois is also home to a wide diversity of landscapes, from savannas and oak woodlands and wetlands and remnant prairies. The Des Plaines River Trail provides…
Wisconsin is a state of diverse landscapes. Home to rolling hills, remnant prairies, sparkling lakes, cathedral pines, agricultural land, bluffs and rugged terrain, and shorelines of two of our beautiful Great Lakes, Wisconsin has scenic views in every corner of the state. One of the best ways to enjoy Wisconsin’s scenic landscapes is through biking…