Walking around a 40-acre lake and checking out the fast-moving Missouri River was my hike at River’s Edge Park in Chesterfield, Mo. At the Start of the Hike Parking for River’s Edge Park is on the far west corner of what was known as Chesterfield Outlets and now is The District at Chesterfield. The trailhead for the 1.9-mile gravel trail is directly in front of…
Brentwood Park Hike
Hike by a destination playground and along rock-filled Deer Creek on paved trails at Brentwood Park. This 2-mile walk has 52 feet of elevation gain on a paved trail using Brentwood Park trails, Sycamore Trail along Deer Creek, and the Dee Creek Greenway Connector along Manchester in Brentwood, Mo. The playground includes a zip line, splash pad, net climber, slides, climbing wall, and swings. At…
Webster Park Hike In St. Charles
You can take a one-mile trail through the woods and along a creek at Webster Park, near the Family Arena in St. Charles, MO. This loop hike is mostly along gravel with a short section of pavement from the front of the lot where I parked. It has 108 feet of elevation gain and crosses a few small hills. The walk also goes into Heatherbrook…
See a Natural Spring in Webster Groves
A walk that leads to a natural spring and through woods is part of a day at Blackburn Park in Webster Groves, Mo. I walked 1.3 miles through the outer area of the park, which combines paved, wood chip, and natural surface trails. The elevation gain was 98 feet. At the Trailhead I pulled into the parking lot in the middle of the park, off…
Tallest Bridge Observatory Located in Maine
Take in the harbor views from the tallest bridge observatory in the world and see one of the best-preserved forts on the East Coast in Bucksport, Maine. If you are planning a trip to Canada by car you can visit Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia all in drive and stop in Maine on the way home. This is what we…
Hopewell Rocks and Fundy National Park Adventure
Walk on the sea floor at low tide among rock formations at Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park and explore the forested coast at Fundy National Park in New Brunswick. After staying the night in Halifax we headed to Hopewell Rocks. We only stopped for lunch and had to manage our time for the drive based on the tides, which is important if you want to walk…
Staying at Starved Rock Lodge and First Hike
Our family spent a night at Starved Rock Lodge and then took a walk to see bright orange sundown over the Illinois River bluffs. Staying the night at the lodge at Starved Rock State Park means being close to the trails, taking a dip in the large pool, eating at the restaurants, and having a place to relax after hiking. Starved Rock Hike After checking…
PEI Ferry, Titanic, and Halifax Citadel Exploring
We took a road trip through various Canadian provinces including Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. Highlights included a bottle village, Point Prim Lighthouse, the Citadel, and the Titanic exhibit in Halifax. We also enjoyed beach walks, seafood, ferry rides, and a fascinating museum showcasing maritime history and Titanic artifacts.
Parlee Beach Fun and Prince Edward Island Touring
Shopping at Fredericton’s Farmers Market, and swimming at the warmest beach in Canada, Parlee Beach, before staying the night in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. This was our first full-day itinerary in the Maritime Provinces. (If you’re planning a road trip from the Midwest to Canada, you can visit Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia all in one drive. So here was…
Dad Hikes: Red Bluff Was More Swimming Than Hiking
Picture Red bluffs towering above along Huzzah Creek, carved by the elements over the past 10,000 years. Red Bluff Recreation Area in Mark Twain National Forest was once home to timber mills, but now provides a serene place to enjoy nature.