
John Clairmont
I have a passion for outdoor adventuring, and I love taking opportunities to encourage others to go explore.
Kayaking Windmill Island
Holland, Michigan
4.5
Windmill Island features an authentic and operational Dutch windmill called "De Zwaan" (The Swan) as well as gardens planted with over 100,000 tulips. The windmill was built in 1761 and moved to Holland in 1964. Notably, this windmill is not only the oldest authentic, working Dutch windmill in the United States, but it is also the last windmill to ever have left the Netherlands.
Begin your tri...
Run Across the Grand River
Grand Haven, Michigan
4 mi
Begin the run at Connor Bayou, where this adventure's directions lead to. You will follow the Idema Explorers trail into the woods, where you will wind around for about 0.4 miles. As soon as you exit the woods, continue to follow the paved trail that leads to the left along the road. After another half mile, you will reach a parking lot just before the bridge. Pass the lot and take a left up th...
Conquer the Glacier Ridge Challenge Course
Plain City, Ohio
0.25 mi
This quarter mile course is perfect for those looking for athletic competition, fun challenges, or ninja training. It is located adjacent to the parking lots in the main area of Glacier Ridge Metro Park, so there will always be plenty of parking for your group. There are water fountains at the beginning of the loop, and bathrooms just a short walk across the parking lot. Instructions for each o...
Experience the Holland MI Tulip Festival
Holland, Michigan
5.0
Each year in May this festival is held all across Holland, Michigan, with schedules of attractions, flowerbed locations, and additional information found at the Tulip Time website. It is well known internationally and has been awarded Best Flower Festival, America’s Best Small Town Festival, and the 2017 – 2018 Tulip Festival of the Year.
If you're familiar with tulips you know that some bloom...
Kayak Pigeon Creek to Lake Michigan
West Olive, Michigan
4.0
The start and end of this adventure is at the dead end of Holly Drive. There is a small boat launch parking lot that sometimes has a porta-john, although I would not count on it. You can kayak upstream (to the right) to enjoy a peaceful paddle around and through the reeds, and I have seek many muskrats up that way.
This adventure focuses on paddling the ever increasing difficulty that downstrea...
Climb the Stairs up Mt. Pisgah
Holland, Michigan
4.3
0.5 mi
/ 80 ft gain
Feel the burn in your calves and thighs! If you don't feel it, pick up the pace or do it all again! The good news is it is actually just a large dune, not an entire mountain. It should not take you very long to run, even though there are over 200 steps here. Every 25th stair is marked and there are benches kindly placed on the way up and at the top.
There is free parking at 2280 Ottawa Beach Rd...
Explore the History of George Rogers Clark Park
Springfield, Ohio
5.0
The George Rogers Clark Park has over 6 miles of nature hiking trails as well as a fishing pond. There are large A-frames at several points in the park to set up for the afternoon and grill some hotdogs, and plenty of field space to lay out some blankets and break out the picnic basket. The biggest attraction for this park, however, is the opportunity to take in some history, both of this land ...
Swim at Holland State Park
Holland, Michigan
5.0
Holland State Park has a variety of activities available, the most prominent of course being swimming and relaxing on the beach. You can lay out towels and sunbathe, throw a frisbee or football in the large sand area away from the water, or play sand volleyball on one of the many courts. There is also a basketball court and a few good trees to set up hammocks. When the conditions are right I've...
Photograph Cumberland Falls
McCreary County, Kentucky
5.0
The Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is home to several waterfalls, with the Cumberland Falls being the largest, most prominent, and most well known. It is also called the Niagara of the South due to its size and volume of water flow. It is famous for being the only place in the Western Hemisphere where a moonbow (rainbow caused by moonlight) is regularly seen, and access to the falls is open...
Climb at Mad River Gorge
Springfield, Ohio
1 mi
Just a short hike down from the parking lot lies a half mile of cliffside full of climbing opportunities! Plenty of variety for different skill levels, although someone in your group will need to lead climb to set up the route first. There are hooks already in place on each route, and you are not allowed to drill and add more. Top rope climbing is also not allowed here.
When we came, the parkin...
Hike the Unicoi Lake Trail
Helen, Georgia
1.9 mi
Unicoi State Park is a pleasant, refreshing park just outside of Helen, GA. There is a hiking trail, kayaking/canoeing launch, paddle boat rentals, camping area, and even a 3 segment zipline course (all three were fantastic)! Fishing is allowed, and when we went last there were a few kayakers fishing along a bank of the lake. There are bathroom facilities and a park office on-site.
There are se...
Trail Run at Sweet Arrow Reserve
Sugarcreek Township, Ohio
4.0
3.1 mi
/ 164 ft gain
Like forests? Like fields? How bout running in them? If so, this is the park for you!
There's a map at the parking lot to help you navigate each trail and plan your route. The parking lot also has plenty of space and a porta-john. Trails are short, but you can mix and match them to create the distance you want to go that day. If it is warm you can run through the woods, but if you're seeking so...
Explore Tunnel Park
Holland, Michigan
4.0
Of course, you can come any time of the year, this is always a lovely small park! It is guaranteed to be crowded and cost money (unless you have the Ottawa County park pass) in the summer, though, and I've had better luck with parking and personal space at Holland State Park. I've found that the fall is the perfect time to enjoy the sunset and the waves here without getting lost in the crowds a...
Picnic at the Sunrise Mountain Pavilion
Frankford, New JerseyThis pavilion is one of the key features along the New Jersey section of the Appalachian Trail. There is a parking lot a very short hike part way down the mountain, but I recommend backpacking in from a different area to take in more of the beauty of the trail, mountains, and views in this area. Depending on the time of year, you may encounter resting thru-hikers who are willing to share their ...
Climb Monte Garzon and Ring the Bell
Illasi, Italy
3 mi
/ 836.6 ft gain
Start your adventure by parking along the road or by the church. Head north up what initially looks like a driveway, though you'll want to stay to the right and follow the path. From there keep following the path straight, and when in doubt follow the red/white blazes or the signs for the cross (croce). The path is fairly wide, and you may have to share it with bikers at times since this is jus...
Photograph Elk in Moraine Park
Estes Park, ColoradoThe perspective here is vastly different from other areas in Rocky Mountain National Park as Moraine Park is essentially a large, very flat valley surrounded by tall mountains. You'll want to come during the elks' rutting season, which is between mid-September and mid-October. Park at the lot on South Moraine Road, just off of Bear Lake Road. There will be a large gated fence here that is used ...
Hike the Tre Cime di Lavaredo Loop
Auronzo di Cadore, Italy
6.75 mi
/ 1200 ft gain
This is a spectacular and majestic undertaking, completely different from hiking it in the summer. In the winter, you can hike or snowshoe and witness the amazing, expansive views of snowcapped mountain peaks. The contrast between the dark mountains and the pure white snow is breath-taking and absolutely awe-inspiring.
The route you'll follow is the same as the summer route. Starting at Rifugi...
Hike at Bill Yeck Park
Dayton, Ohio
5.0
3 mi
/ 177 ft gain
Take the whole family out on an afternoon adventure to Bill Yeck Park!
This park has over 6 miles of hiking trails, spanning all levels of difficulty and terrain, including pavement, crushed gravel, mowed grass, and dirt paths. They range from 0.5 miles (red trail) to 3.0 miles (yellow trail), with the longest one following and crossing over Sugar Creek several times. If you enjoy hiking or ba...
Explore Verona Arena
Verona, ItalyThis is one of the best preserved structures of its kind. Originally used for gladiatorial battles, jousts, and circuses, the arena is still in use today but hosts slightly different events. There are mainly operas and concerts held here now, but in 2026 there will be a Winter Olympics closing ceremony! Guided tours are available if you plan far enough ahead, or you could attend one of the many...
Explore the Castello Di Illasi
Illasi, ItalyBefore you get your hopes up too much, I do need to disclose that the castle grounds are barbed-wire fenced and off limits. Hence why this adventure is focused on photographing the castle, not exploring it.
The castle was originally built to control the valley floor paths running in the area, with the more popular castle in Soave also supporting this endeavor. You can get some great pictures f...
Walk the Pier at Silver Beach
St. Joseph, Michigan
4.0
You'll walk on the concrete pier just barely out of reach of the waves (for the most part), allowing for some pretty cool wave and shoreline photos. An occasional wave may wash over low areas of the pier, so always be alert! Also, be careful of the slippery algae, especially close to the edges. There are ladders if you accidentally fall in the water, but the waves can be pretty rough here so it...
Take a Stroll around the Pond at Delco Park
Kettering, Ohio
5.0
The main attraction at the park is of course the large pond, with paved walking trails leading around it. Jutting out into the middle is a covered fishing pavilion, and you're likely to see several people casting rods there and along the southern banks.
This metro park also has high quality sand volleyball courts with officiating platforms, four softball diamonds, and several soccer fields. If ...
Disc Golf at Sol Arnovitz Park
Xenia, OhioThis course has some tough points, especially with some water hazards, but for the most part is very forgiving. In many places you can retrieve any discs you lose to the creek, and there aren't any areas of dense thicket or tall grasses that are prone to hide discs so well. Most of the holes are par 3, and I appreciate the variety as each hole is quite interesting and distinct. There are elevat...
Hike the AT to Culvers Lookout Tower
Sandyston, New Jersey
3.2 mi
Start your journey in Stokes State Forest at the Culver Gap Parking Lot, located at 41.180239, -74.787954. From the parking lot, jump on over to the Appalachian Trail and hike Northbound. You know you're headed the right way if you are going away from the small town and cross over Sunrise Mountain Rd after about 800 ft on the trail. The hike to the Tower is about 1.6 miles from the parking lot ...
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