Trips

Vermont, NH, & Maine 2024

2024-10-02 through 2024-10-12

Wednesday 2

Started drive to Lake Placid, NY

Thursday 3

Finish drive to Lake Placid, NY
- Went to The Olympic Center
  - Brooks Arena (Miracle on Ice- 1980 Olympics)
  - Jack Shea (1932 Olympics)
Drove to Shelburne, Vermont
- Stopped at Vermont Teddy Bear Factory
  - Child 1 picked Giggles the teddy bear and got it stuffed
Drove to and through Burlington, Vermont
Drove and stayed night in Stowe, Vermont

Friday 4

Scenic drive around Stowe in Green Mountains
Drove through Smuggler's Notch
Stayed in Stowe

Saturday 5

Scenic drive to Laconia, NH
- Stopped at Vermont Country Store and Weston Village Store in Weston, Vermont
- Had Maple Creemee ice cream
Went to American Classic Arcade Museum in Laconia
Stayed night in Laconia, NH

Sunday 6

Scenic drive to Conway, NH and White Mountains
Went through Franconia Notch State Park on Interstate 93- WORTH GOING BACK TO
- Extremely busy (at least in fall)- look into shuttles instead of trying to find parking, if not spots in parking, you have to get back onto highway and can't turn around, no place to sit and wait
- Things to do:
  - The Basin
  - Flume Gorge (needs reservations and expensive)
  - Artist's Bluff Trail
  - Echo Lake?
Went to Chutter's Candy shop in Littleton, NH
Drove the Kancamagus Highway (very busy and several view points to stop at)
Drove to Mount Washington
- Took the Mount Washington Cog Railway
Stayed in Conway, NH

Monday 7

Rainy day
Drove short scenic drive (colors beautiful but low clouds made for little viewing)
Went to breweries
Stayed in Conway, NH

Tuesday 8

Drove to Portland, Maine
- Went to Portland Head Light at Fort Williams Park 👍👍👍
- Walked around city
  - Lots of shops, restaurants along coast
  - Lobster rolls expensive, maybe worth it
Drove to Freeport, Maine
- Went to Wicked Whoopie's
- Went to Freeport outlet malls (LL Bean, etc.)
Stayed night in Freeport

Wednesday 9

Drove to Acadia National Park
- Drove to Schoodic Penisula
  - Drove loop and got out and climbed on rocks
  - Watched waves crash against rock (best half way between low to high tide, or very windy day)
Drove to Bar Harbor
- Ate at Trenton Lobster Pound (expensive but good experience)
Stayed night in Bar Harbor

Thursday 10

Explored Acadia National Park
- Hiked Beehive Trail 👍👍
  - Get there early (before ~8am for parking spots)
- Explored Sand Beach 👍
- Stopped at Thunder Hole (best on windy days or half way between low to high tide) 👍
- Drove past Otter Cliff
- Jordan Pond (avoid lunch time, extremely busy and hard to find parking) 👍
  - At least walk to edge of pond to look at The Bubbles (walk full loop if have time)
- Went back to Seal Harbor for lunch (sand beach to explore)
- Drove up Cadillac Mountain
  - Need reservation (given out in 30min increments)
- Drove to Bass Harbor area
  - Hiked Ship Harbor Trail 👍👍
  - Visited Bass Harbor Lighthouse 👍👍
    - NOTE: Need to go to far end of parking lot to take trail that will bring you down by the water to get best view of light house
    - Need to do some rock climbing for best view
Stayed night in Bar Harbor
- Saw northern lights (red tint in sky)

Friday 11

Drove to Bangor
- Saw Stephen Kings House
Drove to Rangeley, Stratton, and Eustis in hunt of moose
- We didn't see any... even though it is called Moose Alley
- Height of Land overlook
- Another overlook on same highway
Started drive home
Stayed in Kingston, Ontario

Saturday 12

Drove rest of the way home

Arizona 2024

2024-02-03 through 2024-02-09

Saturday 3rd

Flew to Phoenix
Drove to Saguaro NP (Tuscon, AZ)
- Visited the east part of Saguaro NP
  - Drove the Cactus Forest Dr loop
  - Hiked the Mica View trail out and the Cactus Forest trail back: 😐
Stayed night in Tuscon

Sunday 4th

Visited the west part of Saguaro NP
- Drove the loop drive (Hohokam Dr and Golden Gate Rd)
  - Slow dirt road but well kept (small car can drive it)
- Hiked the Valley View Trail: 👍
- Hiked Signal Hill Petroglyphs: 👎
Drove to Payson, AZ (on way to Petrified Forest NP)
- Hiked the Water Wheel Falls Trail: 👍
  - Only was able to do first mile (?) due to having to cross creek (not young kid friendly)
  - https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/water-wheel-falls
Stayed night in Payson, AZ

Monday 5th

Drove to Petrified Forest NP
- Hiked Long Logs Trail: 👍
- Hiked Crystal Forest Trail: 👍
- Stopped at Agate Bridge (short stop): 👍
Drove to Grand Canyon NP
Stayed night at Maswik Lodge (very nice but probably expensive in peak season)

Tuesday 6th

Drove West Rim Dr (Hermit Rd)
- Stopped at the following view points:
  - Trail View 2
  - Powell Point/Monument
  - Mohave Point
  - Pima Point
  - Hermit's Rest
- Stopped at Yavapai Geology Museum Viewpoint
Drove to Sedona due to bad weather (winter storm caused bad road conditions and reduced visibility)
- Drove Highway 64 to Highway 180 (past Arizona Snowbowl) to Flagstaff
- Drove Highway 89A to Sedona: 👍👍 (worth the drive, through cool canyon along Oak Creek)
Stayed night in Sedona, AZ

Wednesday 7th

Drove to Phoenix due to bad weather in Sedona/Prescott, AZ
Went to OdySea Aquarium at Arizona Boardwalk in Scottsdale: 😐
Went to Pangaea- Land of the Dinosaur at Arizona Boardwalk in Scottsdale: 👎
Drove to Lost Dutchman State Park in Superstition Mountains
- Hiked the Treasure Loop #56 trail: 👍
- Decent view even if you don't hike
Stayed night in Phoenix

Thursday 8th

Hiked the Lost Goldmine Trail: 👍
- Started at the Lost Goldmine Trailhead East
  - https://www.pinal.gov/1102/Lost-Goldmine-Trail
- Hiked to the Carney Spring Trail intersection on the Lost Goldmine Trail, hiked the Carney Spring loop then took Lost Goldmine Trail back
  - https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/carney-springs-trail-and-lost-goldmine-trail
- Need to drive 5-10 miles on slow dirt road- was able to due in small car, fairly well kept road but could be flooded if rained recently
Went to Arizona Coyotes vs. Vegas Golden Knights hockey game at Mullet Arena

Friday 9th

Flew home

Shenandoah NP and Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP)

2023-09-22 through 2023-09-29

Sunday 22nd

Drove to Chicago
Went to Chromeo concert at The Salt Shed

Monday 23rd

Drove from southern Chicago to Winchester, VA
Stay in Winchester

Tuesday 24th

Started exploring Shenadoah NP
Entered through Front Royal, exited Rockfish Gap
Stopped at as many overlooks as possible
Hikes:

1.  Dark Hollow Falls Trail (not enough water when we went but would do again, strenuous hike): 👍

2. Bearfence Rock Scramble (see picture): 👍

Stayed in Waynesboro, VA

Wednesday 25th

Started driving BRP starting at Milepost 0 (drove north to south)
Stopped at Otter Lake/Otter Creek (MP 60), explored the area
Hikes:
- Yankee Horse (MP 34.4), short hike on old railroad that loops up to Wigwam Falls (worth it if water): 👍
- Trail of Trees Trail (MP 63.6) (if looking for a leg stretcher): 👍

Stayed in Roanoke, VA (MP 120)

Thursday 26th

Continue driving BRP (MP 120)
Mabry Mill (MP 176, leg stretcher and worthwhile picture stop): 👍
Had to detour off BRP due to roadwork (left BRP MP 230 and back on at ~MP 277)
Moses H. Cone Memorial Park (ok view, decent place to stop for restrooms and stretch): 😐
Linn Cove Viaduct ~MP 303: 👍
- Parked at visitor center and walked to "overlook" of the road construction aka under the bridge, then took trail at end of the overlook (part of Tanawha Trail) back to Linn Cove Viaduct overlook (either way, would recommend taking pictures on both sides of the road, from down below the bridge on the side of the overlook parking lot and from the other side (take a short trail up to a rock that you climb on for good pictures)
See picture to right for overlooks that were recommended (not necessarily saying they are worth it or that we even did them)
Stayed in Marion, NC (~MP 332)

Friday 27th

Continue BRP (~MP 332)
Take detour (MP 355) up to Mount Mitchell State Park (highest point east of the Mississippi River): 👍
- Worth the detour (especially if you didn't see anything or are planning to stop at Clingman's Dome, since you probably won't see anything; this is more likely to see stuff from)
Craggy Gardens Visitor Center (MP 364) worth a stop and possibly a hike (did not hike but would next time, waterfall near by and unique landscape): 👍
Devil's Courthouse (MP 422 short but steep strenuous hike to a very nice overlook): 👍
See picture for overlooks that were recommended (not necessarily saying they are worth it or that we even did them)
Stayed in Cherokee, NC (MP 469)

Saturday 28th

Drove to Great Smoky Mountain National Park
- Saw elk at the southern entrance (Oconaluftee) into the park
Hiked up to Clingman's Dome (it is a decently strenuous hike), did not see anything due to fog /clouds (0/2 times for being able to see anything)
Drove through the rest of the park (it was very busy due to it being a weekend and fall colors)
Started driving home, stopped at a Chester's (those things are huge!)
Stayed near Indianapolis, IN

Sunday 29th

Drove rest of the way home

Florida 2023

2023-01-23 through 2023-01-29

Monday 23rd through Thursday 26th Morning

Work conference in Orlando, FL

Thursday 26th Evening

Drove to Homestead, FL

Friday 27th

Jones Lagoon kayak trip at Biscayne National Park
Drove round trip through Everglades NP to Flamingo, FL
- West Lake trail
- Nine Mile Pond turnout
- Mahogany Hammock trail
- Pa-hey-okee Overlook trail
- Anhinga Trail
Had dinner at Golden Rule Seafood in Homestead, FL

Saturday 28th

Small snorkel group trip at Biscayne National Park
Drove to Shark Valley in Everglades NP
- Rode tram tour
Drove back to Orlando, FL

Sunday 29th

Flew home

Honeymoon

2022-09-08 through 2022-09-18

Thursday 8th

Left home around 4pm CT
Drove ~8 hours to Mitchell, SD

Friday 9th

Left Mitchell, SD around 8am CT
Drove ~3 hours to Badlands NP
Badlands National Park
- Notch, Window, and Door trails
- Lots of lookouts
Drove to Spearfish
Went on scenic drive
Drove to Hill City
Stayed the night at Sheridan Lake Campground

Saturday 10th

Drove along Needles Highway
Custer State Park
- Sylvan Lake trail
- Hiked to Little Devil’s Tower along Black Elk Peak Trail #4
Scenic Driving
- Iron Mountain Road
- Over to Crazy Horse
- Down to Wildlife Loop
- Took CSP Road 6 / Red Valley RD
Camped at Elk Mountain Campground in Wind Cave NP
Hiked Elk Mountain Nature Trail

Sunday 11th

Wind Cave National Park
- Hiked Prairie Vista Nature Trail
- Wind Cave Natural Entrance Tour
Drove to Sinks Canyon Campground and setup camp
Hiked Popo Agie Falls Trail in Shashone National Forest

Monday 12th

Hiked part of Popo Agie Nature Trail in Sinks Canyon
Drove to Grand Teton NP
- Oxbow Turnout
- Willow Flats
- Jackson Lake Lodge
- Hiked to Grand View Point
- Snake River Overlook
- Teton Point Turnout
- Schwabacher Landing
- Glacier View Turnout
- Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center
- Teton Glacier Turnout
- Camped at Jenny Lake Campground
- Hiked Moose Pond Trail
- Drove to Moose Wilson (only did a mile or two)

Tuesday 13th

Grand Teton NP
- Hiked Cascade Canyon up to Lake Solitude (~14.4 miles)
- Mount Moran Turnout
- Potholes Turnout
- Drove up Signal Mountain (lower outlook > upper outlook)
- Oxbow Turnout, Willow Flats, and Jackson Lodge again

Wednesday 14th

Drove to Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone
- Moose Falls
- Tried to see Lewis Falls, but couldn’t
- Gull Point Drive (lame)
- Hiked Storm Point Trail
- Drove to Old Faithful
- Watched Old Faithful and hiked surrounding area
- Upper Geyser Basin
- Grand Prismatic Spring (lower viewpoint > upper viewpoint, Leslie thinks opposite)
- Firehole Canyon Drive
- Camped in Madison

Thursday 15th

Yellowstone
- Gibbon Falls
- Artists Paintpots
- Attempted to see Virginia Cascade, but it was closed
- Norris Geyser Basin
- Mammoth Hot Springs
- Blacktail Plateau Drive
- Drove through Tower-Roosevelt and saw a small Elk herd
- Tower Fall
- Drove to Canyon Village
- Camped at Canyon Village Campground
- Ate at Soda Fountain
- Drove Hayden Valley
- Mud Volcano

Friday 16th

Drove from Yellowstone to Bighorn Canyon
- Devil's Canyon overlook
- Sullivan's Nob trail

Saturday 17th

Drove through Devi's Tower National Monument
Drove to Mitchell, SD

Sunday 18th

Finished drive home

Isle Royale National Park

2022-06-17 through 2022-06-23

Total hiking distance: ~42 miles

Friday 17th

Drove ~7 hours from Appleton, WI to Grand Marais, MN.
Ate at My Sister's Place
Stayed the night at a Grand Marais Campground & Marina.

Saturday 18th

Drove an hour to Grand Portage, MN.
Rode the Voyageur II to Windigo, Isle Royale.
Hiked ~11 miles from Windigo to South Lake Desor.

Sunday 19th

Hiked ~8.5 miles from South Lake Desor to Hatchet Lake

Monday 20th

Hiked ~9.6 miles from Hatchet Lake to East Chickenbone
East Chickenbone isn't a good campground. There's very little shade and the water source is over a mile away. Stay at West Chickenbone.

Tuesday 21st

Hiked ~6.5 miles from East Chickenbone to Daisy Farm.
Daisy Farm has shelters that are really nice. Probably the best campground on the island.

Wednesday 22nd

Hiked ~7 from Daisy Farm to Rock Harbor.
Rock Harbor also has shelters.
Stayed at one of the cabins.

Thursday 23rd

Rode the Voyageur II to Windigo, and then to Grand Portage, MN.
Drove ~8 hours from Grand Portage, MN to Appleton, WI.

Alaska

2021-09-03 through 2021-09-19

Friday 3rd

AFD Station 3 tour.
Moose’s Tooth (take out).
Tony Knowles Coastal Trail.

Saturday 4th

Alaska State Fair.

Sunday 5th

Beluga Point (saw Belugas!)
Whittier
Byron Glacier
Wildlife Conservation

Monday 6th

Flew to Kodiak
Ate at the Galley (USCG base)
Hiked Barometer
Ate at Henry’s Great Alaskan Restaurant
White Sands Beach
Drove around town
Near Island Harbor

Tuesday 7th

Abercrombie State Park
Drove by Baranof Ice Rink
Pizza Parlor
Drove peninsula on base
Jewel Beach
Buskin River (saw some Seals in the river mouth)
Fished the Russian (caught a Silver)

Wednesday 8th

Hiked Near Island
Flew to Anchorage
Raising Canes
Oriental Express for dinner

Thursday 9th

Hiked Flat Top
Ate at Moose's Tooth

Friday 10th

Kenai Fjord's boat tour (saw Orcas, Harbor Seals on glacier ice, Sea Lions, and a Humpback Whale)

Saturday 11th

Anchorage Farmer's Market (kinda lame)
Drove up to Flat Top parking lot

Sunday 12th

Drove to Denali National Park
Hiked Mount Healy Trail
Ate at 49th State Brewery

Monday 13th

Hiked Savage River trail in Denali NP.
Saw Caribou in NP.
Started drive to Anchorage.
Stopped and Denali Northern and Southern peak viewing points

Tuesday 14th - Trip to Valdez

Drove and walked across Kuskaluna bridge
2 tracked to start of Nugget Creek trail
Stopped at Worthington Glacier
Saw Bridal Veil and Horse Tail waterfalls
Valdez Glacier lake
Ate at The Wheelhouse
Saw four Black Bears and lots of Sea Lions out by the hatchery

Wednesday 15th - Back to Anchorage

Hiked Thunderbird Falls

Thursday 16th

Rode 4 wheelers to Knik Glacier
Had dinner at Palmer Alehouse

Friday 17th

Went to 49th State Brewing to get soda
Alaska Sausage and Seafood

Saturday 18th

Drove up Flat Top to see Denali
Tony Knowles Coastal Trail (different section)
Flew home

Tour Of The South

2021-07-09 through 2021-08-13

Great Smoky Mountains

Hikes

Clingmans Dome
Appalachian Trail ~2 miles
Laurel Falls
Little River ~4 miles

Drives

Cades Cove

Wilmington

Hung out with friends. Can view a superset of restaurants at the Restaurant Index.

Congaree