Did you know that a unique desert ecosystem exists in the state of Wisconsin? Located just 38 miles northwest of the capitol city of Madison, WI, you’ll find a unique region of the state that is considered to be the desert of Wisconsin. Home to unique plant communities not found elsewhere in the state, Spring…
Along the Wisconsin River, just 35 miles north of the capitol city of Madison, Wisconsin, you’ll find the small towns of Merrimac and Lodi. These two towns provide access to the historic Merrimac Ferry, connecting Wisconsin’s Sauk and Columbia Counties. The ferry operates from April – November each year (weather permitting). It is free and…
Just outside of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, within Glenwood Canyon is the steep and scenic Hanging Lake Trail. Located within the larger White River National Forest, the trail lies 7 miles east of Glenwood Springs along Interstate 70. This challenging backcountry trail will transport you through a winding canyon with stunning views to an alpine lake…
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…
The beautiful capitol city of Madison, Wisconsin has endless opportunities for adventure, food, and relaxation. Home to a chain of 5 large lakes, scenic views, cultural events, excellent restaurants, and numerous accessible opportunities for biking, hiking, and paddling, Madison has it all. A main attraction of Madison is the Dane County Farmer’s Market, the largest…
Did you know that the Great Lakes hold nearly 20% of the world’s surface fresh water? Contemplating this volume of water is difficult! For context, if the combined volume of all 5 Great Lakes were spread over the lower 48 U.S. states, the depth of water would be close to 10 feet. As astounding as…
Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park is a grand, expansive destination for travelers in search of a mountain adventure. Throughout the park, there are opportunities to hike, swim, travel scenic mountain passes, observe native wildflowers, and observe wildlife in their natural setting. One of my favorite activities within the park is to observe alpine wildflowers or…
Wisconsin’s largest city, known as “Brew City”, is filled with opportunities for those of every age and stage of life. Home to a population of 563,000 people, residents and visitors of Milwaukee enjoy outdoor recreation, cultural events, great food, and beautiful views of Lake Michigan, our second largest and deepest Great Lake. Home to Milwaukee…
In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula along the scenic southern shore of Lake Superior lies a unique piece of Michigan’s iron ore history. Nestled within the Hiawatha National Forest just west of Munising you will find the crumbling ruins of Bay Furnace. One of only two remaining blast furnaces in the Upper Peninsula, Bay Furnace was used…