Category
- Art 3
- Bike Rides 14
- Boondocking 3
- Capitals 5
- Food on the Road 2
- Hikes & Trails 7
- Historic Sites 6
- History & Architecture 7
- History & Culture 17
- Kayaking 1
- Kentucky 1
- Museum 5
- National Park 10
- Natural History 1
- Nature & Outdoors 38
- Photography 13
- Sculptures 1
- Shorelines & Water 1
- Street Art 2
- Travel Journal 61
- Van Life 82
- capitals 11
- hike 1
- historic sites 6
- parks 3
- photography 3
- trails 2
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.
Cumberland and Yahoo Falls
A day exploring two of Kentucky’s most striking waterfalls—Cumberland Falls and Yahoo Falls—each surrounded by sandstone cliffs, quiet trails, and rich history. From the roar of the Cumberland River to the echoing amphitheater of Yahoo Falls, it was a day of light, water, and reflection.
Lexington, KY
A windy morning bike ride along Lexington’s Legacy Trail led past historic farms, rolling hills, and university research fields. Later, I photographed Henry Clay’s law office, photographed the old Carnegie Library, and wandered downtown at sunset. An unexpected stop at LexArts gallery rounded out a full, laid-back day in Kentucky’s capital of the Bluegrass.
From Shut-Ins To Elephant Rocks
From the rushing waters of Johnson’s Shut-Ins to the summit of Taum Sauk Mountain and the massive granite boulders of Elephant Rocks, this trip through the St. Francois Mountains revealed Missouri’s deep geological history. I wrapped up the day photographing a quiet lake at sunset—a perfect ending to a full day of exploration.
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.
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.
Crazy Horse Monument and Buffalo
A morning at the Crazy Horse Memorial offered history, art, and the powerful story of Crazy Horse and the Ziolkowski family. In the afternoon, I drove Custer State Park’s Wildlife Loop, where I found myself in the middle of a massive bison herd, surrounded by cars and animals moving as they pleased across the plains.
Badlands National Park
From Cold War history at the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site to the rugged beauty of Badlands National Park, my day was packed with contrasts. I wandered the chaos of Wall Drug, stood above the Delta-09 missile silo, and hiked the Badlands at golden hour. History, kitsch, and landscapes all came together in one unforgettable loop.
Sioux Falls: Falls Park and Biking the City Loop
I spent the day in Sioux Falls, starting with the roaring cascades at Falls Park and then riding the paved bike trail that loops around the city and finishing up with spectacular images of the sky.
Quiet Towns on Labor Day: Ellendale and Redfield, SD
Crossing into South Dakota on Labor Day, I stopped in Ellendale and Redfield—two small towns where history lingers in opera houses, train stations, and quiet streets.
Fargo, ND
Fargo turned out to be full of surprises—from posing tourists at the famous wood chipper, to quiet galleries at the Plains Art Museum, to a moving Vietnam memorial of 58,307 dog tags. I explored Murray Lemley’s global photography, Jaque Fragua’s bold Native art, and Anne Labovitz’s soaring installation Convergence, then wound down the day with wood-fired pizza, neon lights on Broadway, and conversations with young artists in Art Alley.
Northwest Angle to the Headwaters of the Mississippi
From the quiet sunrise over a mist-covered lake to the winding roads lined with sunflowers, the journey south from the Northwest Angle to Itasca State Park blended small-town charm with sweeping rural scenery. Stops included a visit to the northernmost post office in the lower 48, the quirky border check-in at Jim’s Corner, and photo-worthy relics of farmsteads past. At Itasca, Minnesota’s oldest state park, the 20-mile bike loop revealed a mix of towering pines, shimmering lakes, marshes alive with dragonflies, and rolling hardwood forests. The day ended at the headwaters of the Mississippi, where a modest stream slips quietly from Lake Itasca, beginning its long journey to the Gulf of Mexico.
A Day at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is a week-long celebration of aviation, featuring everything from military flyovers and vintage aircraft to hands-on workshops, tech talks, and flight demonstrations. With thousands of planes on display and countless events happening across the grounds, it's a must-see for aviation enthusiasts—even a single day offers a glimpse into the scale and energy of the world’s largest airshow.