Black Cat Alley is a vibrant outdoor art gallery comprised of murals painted by local and visiting artists. Located on Milwaukee’s east side near the Oriental Theater, this one block alleyway is filled with large scale murals, each unique and spectacular in its own way. This unique artistic alley is constantly evolving as artists from…
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…
Along the southern shore of Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula lies an amazing outcrop of ancient volcanic basalt composed of the remnant cooled lava flows of ancient volcanic activity. This amazing outcrop, estimated to be 1.7 billion years old, is located on Presque Isle, a 323-acre peninsula extending into Lake Superior on the north…
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 native spring wildflowers emerge. Also known as spring ephemerals, these beautiful native plants appear in early spring before the leaf canopy has filled out. They are here for…
New Mexico’s Santa Fe National Forest is home to clear blue skies, stunning scenery, wildflowers, 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 wide range of stunning landscapes, colorful sunsets, indigenous culture,…
The southern Lake Michigan shore is home to beautiful beaches full of unique finds. Racine, Wisconsin’s Zoo Beach is a top Lake Michigan beach to search for hidden treasures, comb for beach glass, fossils, pottery, and other unique treasures. This beautiful stretch of Lake Michigan’s southern shore is a great way to spend a day!…
Wisconsin is home to over 1,700 miles of biking trails. This vast network of trails includes over 40 rail trails, crushed gravel, paved, mountain biking, and multi-use trails. Wisconsin is also home to diverse landscapes, shaped in large part by receding glaciers of the last Ice Age. Among the more notable rail trails in the…
The Holy Hill Basilica and National Shrine is located in southeastern Wisconsin in the beautiful town of Hubertus. Located at 1525 Carmel Road in Hubertus, the Basilica sits perched at 1,335 feet in elevation, one of the highest elevations in southeastern Wisconsin. This gorgeous basilica sits elevated within a gorgeous setting on 435 acres within…
Located just 30 miles north of Madison, Wisconsin, in the town of Baraboo, you’ll find a true geologic gem. Parfrey’s Glen was the first state natural area ever to be established in Wisconsin, in 1952, by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. This scenic glen is part of Wisconsin’s 1.6 million year old Baraboo Range.…
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…