Toledo Botanical Gardens

The Scout Trail at Oak Openings Preserve Metropark in Swanton, Ohio is an easy hike that covers a lot of beautiful ground! I love this hike and do it several times each season (REALLY recommend the fall for the gorgeous colors!). I am constantly surprised by how few people take advantage of this trail. It is fairly well maintained (though you will definitely encounter fallen trees) and easy to ...

You can launch from many points along Argo Pond (which is the name of this dammed portion of the Huron River), but the most abundant parking is located at Argo Park, Bandemer Park, or Huron Bridge Park. This is a popular place for paddleboarders, kayakers, canoers, and rafters during the summer. Stay away from Argo Dam - it is marked with buoys. One-way trip from Argo Park upstream to Barton Da...

This adventure starts at Argo Park. Rent a kayak for $21 (including shuttle service back) or bring your own. Caution: parking can be limited on the busiest summer days, so be sure to check out the overflow lots and shuttles. Check the livery website for hours and additional parking information. From Argo Park to Gallup Canoe & Livery, you will travel 3.7 river miles. This will take you ...

This is a fun, short trip.  Could be completed in about 30 minutes and rentals are available if you cannot supply your own kayaks.  The island is small, with adequate cliffs.  It has littered the water around it with fallen boulders and rocks.  Best done at sunset, as the reflection of the sun off the water makes the rocks and cliff faces seem to glow.  It is an easy and beautiful trip, but can...

Having lived in Michigan and the greater Detroit area for only one year, I'm still constantly looking for the next place to take my mind off the day-to-day work grind. Michigan, the Great Lake State, is certainly not a bad place to be to do so. Roughly one hour outside of Detroit rests Bird Hills Nature Area. Technically in Ann Arbor, Mich., most notably known for being home to the University o...

North Country Trail: Bawbeese Lake to Osseo is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Hillsdale, Michigan.