Explore the journey — one trail, museum, meal, and memory at a time.
Ozark National Scenic Riverways
The Ozark National Scenic Riverways felt like stepping into living history—where clear spring-fed rivers still run wild and small towns like Eminence hold onto their frontier spirit. I spent the day exploring Alley Mill’s red reflection on the Jacks Fork, hiking around Round Spring’s turquoise waters, talking with local craftspeople and riders in Eminence, and watching the light fade over Rocky Falls. It’s a place that reminds you how deeply people and rivers are connected.
Scenic Overlook, Ice Cream Detours, Branson, Missouri
A day meant for scenic overlooks turned into something richer—a coffee stop with students, a visit to a one-of-a-kind college, and a peaceful night tucked away in the forest.
Dogwood Canyon Nature Park
A day at Dogwood Canyon feels like stepping into a postcard version of nature—meticulously designed but undeniably beautiful. Between the waterfalls, wildlife, and scenic walkways, this Ozarks retreat balances conservation with comfort.
Wilson’s Creek National Memorial Park
My morning at Wilson’s Creek National Memorial Park unfolded across quiet trails and haunting history — from Gibson’s Mill to the Ray House, where the Battle of Wilson’s Creek once raged. It’s hard to imagine such peace in a place that once echoed with cannon fire.
Frisco Highline Trail – Springfield, Missouri
Starting from Springfield’s northwest trailhead, I rode the Frisco Highline Trail, a 35-mile rail-to-trail conversion that follows the historic Frisco Railroad. From paved sections to rugged stone, from Halloween decorations to a steady headwind, the day offered everything I love about cycling—history, landscape, and the people you meet along the way.
Exploring Lake of the Ozarks: From Bagnell Dam to Ha Ha Tonka’s Castle Ruins
I woke to a quiet morning at Lake of the Ozarks State Park and met a professional cyclist riding 8,000 miles across North America. The day led me through dam history, conservation trails, and the haunting castle ruins of Ha Ha Tonka State Park—each stop revealing a new side of Missouri’s landscape and resilience.
Jefferson City-Missouri Capitol
From quiet mornings in Rocheport to the grandeur of Missouri’s Capitol, this visit to Jefferson City revealed a blend of history, art, and unexpected stories — from Benton’s mural to the mysterious extra star in the state seal.
Katy Trail – Rocheport, Missouri
My overnight at the Rocheport trailhead led to a 60-mile ride on the iconic Katy Trail—through tunnels, past river bluffs, and alongside friendly strangers. From early-morning owls to the kindness of fellow riders, the day reminded me why this 240-mile Missouri treasure is more than just a bike path—it’s a journey through time, nature, and community.
Nelson-Atkins Art Museum
I explored the Nelson-Atkins Museum in Kansas City, wandering its sculpture gardens, discovering Noguchi’s stone pieces, marveling at El Anatsui’s Dusasa I, and losing myself in Monet’s water lilies. This mix of outdoor whimsy, modern masters, and Impressionist calm made for one of my most rewarding museum stops.
Joslyn Art Museum
I expected little but found a lot at the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha. Free admission, diverse collections, and even a Kenneth Snelson sculpture made this Nebraska stop far more rewarding than I imagined.
Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum
I spent a day at the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Nebraska, exploring Cold War bombers, the legendary SR-71 Blackbird, and even a high school robotics competition. Aviation history, engineering, and inspiration all under one roof.
Homestead National Park
I visited the Homestead National Historical Park to see Daniel Freeman’s first claim site, learn how diverse settlers pursued land on the prairie, and wander the restored grasslands around the Freeman homestead.
Nebraska State Capitol & Sunken Gardens
A visit to Lincoln starts at the Nebraska State Capitol, with its mosaics, marble floors, and murals telling the story of the state. The tour highlights Nebraska’s unique unicameral legislature and even the governor’s office, complete with a life-size pig in a Huskers jersey. Just across town, the Sunken Gardens—once a neighborhood dump and later a Depression-era project—now bloom with flowers, ponds, and statues. Two very different places, but together they capture the history and character of Nebraska.
Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park
Ashfall Fossil Beds preserves entire herds of rhinos, horses, and camels buried in volcanic ash 12 million years ago. The Rhino Barn, exhibits, and trails reveal Nebraska’s Pompeii, a window into prehistoric life and a perfect vanlife adventure stop.
Cowboy Trail / Smith Falls
Cycling a short stretch of the Cowboy Trail from Valentine offered prairie views and a dramatic railroad bridge over the Niobrara River. Later, a stop at Smith Falls State Park brought Nebraska’s tallest waterfall, quiet trails, and a glimpse into the Krzyzanowski family’s history of preserving this landmark.
Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge lies deep in Nebraska’s Sandhills, far from towns and paved highways. Visitors who brave the rough roads discover a landscape of quiet lakes, prairie dunes, and birdlife. It’s one of the most remote refuges in the lower 48, where solitude and sweeping skies define the experience.
Carhenge, Courthouse & Jail Rocks
From Bayard’s free camping and historic Courthouse & Jail Rocks to the oddball wonder of Carhenge and the ghostly ruins of Antioch, this stretch of western Nebraska packs history, humor, and unexpected roadside stops into one memorable drive.
Scotts Bluff & Chimney Rock
Scotts Bluff and Chimney Rock were key landmarks on the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails. From sheer cliffside hikes to stories of fur traders, emigrants, and frontier art, these sites bring the hardships and hopes of westward expansion into focus.
Agate Fossil Beds
Agate Fossil Beds preserves Miocene mammals, while Toadstool Geologic Park offers strange hoodoos and badlands trails. I explored both before camping lakeside in Nebraska.
Fort Robinson & Toadstool Geologic Park
I started the day with a deep clean of the van before heading to Fort Robinson in Crawford, Nebraska. The museum and film walked me through the fort’s long history—from Crazy Horse’s death to Buffalo Soldiers, cavalry horses, and even German POWs in World War II. Later, I drove north to Toadstool Geologic Park, where a rough road and a hike on the Bison Trail led me through Nebraska’s strange badlands and geologic puzzles.