Hike along the bluffs of the Missouri River, through deep valleys, and explore a small cave on the Lewis and Clark Trail loop at the Weldon Spring Conservation Area. The complete loop covering the Lewis and Clark trails is 8.4 miles long and gains 883 feet in elevation. This includes a short detour to the Katy Trail and various lookouts, which I also visited. If…
A scenic hike around a large lake and Dardenne Creek, abundant with waterfowl, can be enjoyed at 370 Lakeside Park, located just north of Missouri Highway 370 in St. Peters. This 3.5-mile loop is paved and mostly level, with 33 feet of elevation gain. Beginning the Hike I parked to the left of the prominent Corporate Pavilion, which can accommodate up to 300 people. This…
Hike over 100 feet above the Meramec River and through dolomite woodlands on the Deer Run Trail at Onondaga Cave State Park. This hike is listed at 2.5 but starting directly from the parking lot and with lookout stops I clocked in at 2.8 miles with 351 feet of elevation gain. The surface is a mixture of gravel, rock, and dirt with some hill climbing,…
Spanning 600 acres, Wilderness Resort is America’s Largest Waterpark Resort. During winter, you can enjoy three different water parks, one of which features an indoor wave pool. The resort features three lodging locations: The Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort (Main Lodge), Glacier Canyon Lodge (where we stayed), and Wilderness on the Lake (off-property, reached by shuttle bus or summer ferry). During summer, there are four…
The 2024 Top Ten Hikes includes the longest cave in the world and what was once the largest city north of Mexico before Columbus. This year’s list was compiled from summer travel, midwest hikes, and amazing natural beauty. (Waterfall at Letchworth State Park in New York in Main Photo). Click the Titles for the Full Story. Broemmelsiek Park Hikes Hiking alongside a brook and discovering…
Here are my top five summer travel books for 2024, featuring walks through various cities and beautiful spots we have explored as a family or plan to visit soon. Secret Walks: A Walking Guide to the Hidden Trails of Los Angeles by Charles Fleming This book features exciting urban walks through parks, canyons, and neighborhoods unknown and unseen. Each walk is rated for duration, distance,…
These are my Top five Hiking Books for 2024, which include learning about new areas to explore and national parks to visit. We traveled in the Midwest and discovered books that allowed us to connect with nature while exploring the area. Below are the 2024 Top 5 Hiking Books: Best East Day Hikes Acadia National Park by Dolores Kong and Dan Ring This book includes…
See the First Missouri State Capitol and where Lewis and Clark camped during their first expedition as you stroll around downtown St. Charles. This 2.5-mile walk comprises sidewalks, paved, and crushed limestone sections that are fairly level with only 39 feet of elevation gain. The hike goes through Frontier Park and the streetscape of downtown St. Charles, which includes the historic Missouri’s First State Capitol….
Visit New Jersey’s highest point for mountain views and see the 220-foot New Jersey Veterans’ Memorial monument at High Point State Park. Entering the Park The 16,000-acre state park is just a few miles from Port Jervis, New York. From the high point, you can see Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey, where the three states meet. To reach the monument, drive Scenic Drive to…
Hike around a pond, a wetland, and a prairie at Silver Creek Preserve near Mascoutah, Illinois, in the Metro East. Overview The trail is a 1.1-mile paved path through wetlands and prairie grass. This preserve has plenty of parking and includes restrooms and a picnic shelter. At the Start We walked along a paved trail, heading toward the loop section of the path. I allowed…
