Laura Hill

This is a moderate trail, that gets a bit steep at times.  Great views of the lake and has lots of spots to stop for a quick snack.  Trail is well maintained, and there is a fun waterfall, which is great to splash around in.   The trailhead is super close to Ely, MN and has bathrooms.   Make sure to bring enough water and snacks, and practice leave no trace principals! Also the lupine and blueb...

The grounds of this location are absolutely incredible – food is amazing, and the hot springs are magical.  Each hot spring boasts its own naturally occurring hybrid mix of minerals, which vary from place to place depending on the geology of the area. For the storied history of this location and the hot springs, read more here. Note that you do have to make a decent trek on a pretty road, s...

Begin your hike in the Cholla parking lot, and start Treasure Loop Trail (this is the north side of the loop, heading east).  Once you get to the base of the main cliffs, and the trail starts to veer to the right, this is where you branch off.  Instead of veering right, go straight and off to the left, heading towards Praying Hands (it’s a rock structure that actually looks like two praying han...

This beautiful State Park, which is the original location of the Pendley Homestead, is a historic apple farm (the apple trees are still there!). This is a favorite stop for families in the summertime, so if you come then, make sure to arrive early.  It’s common to find throngs of people in the creek, or at any of the many picnic areas (close to the parking lot).  There is a cute little store o...

Incredibly impressive, no trip to Rome would be complete without a visit to this amazing structure.  There are lots of tours that take you around the inside, and down into the depths of the ruin.  Wonderful spot for photography, and great for adults and families alike.   If you have time, I would also recommend visiting the Roman Forum, which is just a short ways away. Fun fact: Did you know th...

Spanning 9,951 acres of backcountry a few miles northwest of Lake Pleasant and about 25  miles north of Phoenix, Hells Canyon Wilderness area offers a quick way to escape into an untamed swath of desert that’s more paradise than purgatory.I have to say, this entire trail is 36.3 miles (and is technically an OHV road), but if you’re staying at Castle Hot Springs, the first portion of this hike i...

It's not an Arizona summer without time spent on the Salt River!  And there's no better way than by kayak.  Summertime on the Lower Salt is full of people, mostly in tubes and on SUP's.  Getting on the river in the early hours of the morning help avoid some of the crowds. The best launch point by far is from Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch.  Launching from here allows you to get spectacular views of t...

Spend a day wandering the ancient city of Ephesus, and you'll be transported back to ancient Greece.  The ruins that are everywhere you look speak to a long history of the location being the trade center of the ancient world.  This is a very popular tourist location, and I recommend taking a tour while you're there to ensure you learn all the amazing facts and history.   Depending on what time ...

This heavily trafficked, easy trail leads along the edge of the Mogollon Rim, with spectacular views.  There are lots of places for photos, but make sure to be very careful, as it’s more than a 200 ft drop! The first ½ mile of the trail is paved, making it easy for all ages to enjoy.  But again, make sure to watch kiddos closely. There are multiple pullouts with parking along the trail, b...

This hike is a ~4 mile heavily trafficked loop trail that circles Woods Canyon Lake, on the beautiful Mogollon Rim.  Peaceful and easy, this trail is suitable for all skill levels, and is great for families looking to spend a bit of time in nature.  The trail follows the shoreline closely, and for the little bit in which it moves farther into the forest, it is very well marked. There’s a parki...

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is renown worldwide for its almost four-degree tilt, the result of being built with an unstable foundation. This is perfect stop on your Italian vacation, with lots of great shops and restaurants (I had the best pizza of my life in a restaurant with a view of the tower!). The green space surrounding the tower is a great place to relax, take a few photos and people watc...