Lisa Zook

Kerry Park: Seattle's Most Iconic Viewpoint Located at the top of Queen Anne Hill, Kerry Park is a favorite destination for photography and one of Seattle's most recognizable viewpoints. On any given day you'll find tourists and locals relaxing in the park and enjoying the beautiful view of the Space Needle, downtown Seattle skyline, Elliott Bay, and Mt. Rainier on clear days. This compact ur...

Tucked away in Michigan’s scenic Keweenaw Peninsula, the Mount Minnie Nature Preserve is a quiet, off-the-beaten-path destination for hikers, nature lovers, and anyone seeking peaceful views over Lake Superior. Protected by the Keweenaw Land Trust, this rugged 120-acre preserve features a short but steep trail to a rocky overlook, where visitors are rewarded with expansive vistas of the lake,...

The Bass Lake Loop is an approximately 3.5‑mile loop nestled within the Platte Plains trail network of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. It winds gently through a lightly rolling terrain of pine-hardwood forest, passing Bass Lake, Deer Lake, and wetland areas—perfect spots to pause, rest on a bench, and take in the tranquility and wildlife. Permits & Access A park pass is required...

Just over the Tacoma Narrows Bridge is a small, quiet, and tranquil town of Gig Harbor. The best way to experience the town is from the water.Tucked beneath Anthony's restaurant is Gig Harbor Rent-a-Boat, a small rental company that will outfit you for your afternoon on the water. Most days the company has rentals available, but it's worth calling in advance to reserve, especially on sunny day...

Park at a the north side of the Dungeness Spit Recreation Area, in the Refuge parking lot. There is a kiosk at the Refuge where you can pay an entrance fee ($3) and check the Tide Table. Only attempt the hike at low tide or the sand spit becomes narrow and you have to climb over logs.Follow the Refuge Trail for about 0.5 miles through a forest. You will come to an overlook where you can see the...

If you find yourself cruising M22 between Crystal Lake and Lake Michigan, be sure to check out this beautiful lighthouse. Turn off of M22 on to Point Betsie Rd. and follow the curving road all the way to Lake Michigan. There isn't a designated parking lot for the lighthouse, but you can park anywhere along the road. You'll see cars lined up, especially around sunset!The entrance to the beach is...

The Virunga Mountains straddle the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda, and Rwanda. Nearly half of the world's remaining mountain gorillas live in these mountains. You can enter the mountains from any of the 3 countries but each country has it's own regulations and costs. This particular adventure describes entering the mountains from Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.Gorilla trekking...