Explore the journey — one trail, museum, meal, and memory at a time.
Spruce Knob & Seneca Rocks
I woke to fog and rain in the Monongahela National Forest and set out for Spruce Knob, the highest point in West Virginia. After exploring the summit’s alpine forest, I continued to Seneca Rocks for a steep hike, sweeping mountain views, and unexpected conversations about shutdowns, miners, and the strength of small mountain towns.
Falls of Hills Creek & Cranberry Glades Botanical Area
From steep trails and roaring waterfalls to quiet bogs preserved since the Ice Age, this stretch of the Monongahela National Forest reveals a wilder side of West Virginia. I hiked the three falls at Hills Creek, wandered the boardwalk through Cranberry Glades, met a few unusual characters, and ended the day camped high on Route 150 under a glowing fall sky.
Red River Valley
I camped at Koomer Ridge in the Daniel Boone National Forest, one of the few out in the cool, rainy weather. The day took me from a steep climb to Kentucky’s largest natural bridge to a kayak tour through the flooded tunnels of an old limestone mine. I ended the loop drive near Morehead after passing through narrow mountain roads and a one-lane tunnel cut through stone.
Blue Heron Mine / Trail
I stayed a few days at Bear Creek Horse Camp in the Big South Fork National Recreation Area, then hiked the Blue Heron Loop Trail. The 6.5-mile path winds past sandstone cliffs, coal seams, and the re-created mining camp of Blue Heron. It was a day of quiet forest, unexpected encounters, and a glimpse into Kentucky’s coal-mining past.
Berea, KY
Berea, Kentucky, is built around its arts community and the spirit of Berea College. I spent the day exploring the artisan shops, learning about the town’s history, and hiking the East Pinnacles Trail. The views were worth every step, even if the rest of the day didn’t quite match the hype.
Riverfront Trail-St. Louis
Bike along St. Louis’s Riverfront Trail and experience history and art side by side—from the iconic Chain of Rocks Bridge to bold street art and sites marking the Lewis and Clark expedition and the fight for freedom.
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.
Petrified Forest Theodore Roosevelt National Park
My day started boondocking outside Theodore Roosevelt National Park and led me deep into the North Trail of the Petrified Forest. Between herds of cows blocking the road, wild horses watching my every step, and a lone bison cooling itself among fossilized tree stumps, the hike was a mix of ancient geology and living wildlife. Wide-open prairies, sweeping badland views, and even a glowing cell tower at sunset made it a day to remember.
Gooseberry Falls & Split Rock Lighthouse
A smoky sunrise over Lake Superior kicked off a slow Sunday along Minnesota’s North Shore. From a quiet riverside overnight near French River to scenic hikes at Gooseberry Falls and golden-hour photography at Split Rock Lighthouse, the day unfolded with good food, helpful park rangers, and a perfectly quiet night beside an old steam engine in Two Harbors.
Canyon Falls, Cinnamon Rolls
A quiet morning hiking through Canyon Falls — a short, lush trail along the Sturgeon River, with mossy rocks, twisting roots, and the rush of water dropping into Michigan’s hidden ‘Grand Canyon.