Natalie F

This is an easy drive with nice views.  On a clear day you can see across Kachemak Bay, showing off glaciers, mountains and Mount Augustine Volcano, a stratovolcano. Start at either West Hill Rd. or East Hill Rd.  Then turn left or right onto Skyline Dr.  Other recommendations in the area: We had a nice dinner at the Little Mermaid. Huge menu, but tiny restaurant, get a reservation. Two sisters...

This man-made lake on the Colorado River is underrated in my opinion.  It has everything an outdoor enthusiast could want from scuba diving, hiking, horseback riding, all kinds of water sports, and plenty of camping options.      This beach is near Boulder City.  Use the Boulder City Entrance, go north on Lakeshore Road for 2 miles. Turn right and follow the signs to the lake.  watercrafts an...

This beach is less crowded compared to other beaches in Santa Cruz.  I got there early on a Saturday and found easy street parking.  There was plenty of space to spread out on the soft sand.  Later in the day I saw dolphins several times!  This is close to the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum.  It’s also not too far from the boardwalk.  Expect to see Monarch butterflies if you come in the winter as i...

Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden is on my list of the top ten most beautiful nature places you can drive to. Hoʻomaluhia means "to make a place of peace and tranquility."  This breathtaking gem was built in 1982 by the US Army Corps of Engineering to prevent flooding.  There’s a lot to do here, you can even camp and fish.  There’s a nature trail by the Botanic Library that takes you to a lake. It...

The city of Glasgow has a lot to offer and this is a gem I am happy we had the opportunity to check out while we were here. It may seem odd to suggest a graveyard, but it’s a beautiful site.  The graves are intricate and the views are endless.   Some history:  The burial ground was intended to be interdenominational The first burial was in 1832: Joseph Levi, a jewellerThere have been 50,000 b...

There are not many sandy beaches in the lovely state of Wisconsin.  This might be the best one.  If you are from Wisconsin, you also might consider Lake Michigan an ocean when you are craving a real ocean.  And it comes close!  Even though it’s not on a real ocean, this beach has it all. There’s tiki bars, beach volleyball, incredible sunrise views, and more!   https://county.milwaukee.gov/EN/P...

It is over 7,000 acres and has a maximum depth of 24 feet.  There are several public boat landings if you are lucky enough to own a boat.  For this specific adventure, you can fish right off County Rd. V in Poynette.  It’s a scenic spot that can get busy, but if you go during the week it’s quiet and calm.  Here, you'll have water on both sides of you!   Fish in Lake Wisconsin include  Largemout...

This beautiful lake is fed by Eklutna Glacier.   There is so much to do here:  Rent bikes or kayaks (bring your own too).  Info about renting is here.   Relax around the lake. There is plenty of space here, walk along the lake and head to a more secluded area, or closer to the parking lot there is a beach area with more people.Walk or bike along the trail that wraps around the lake Hike Twin ...

This lakeside park has a newer bike/walking path. The park itself is an excellent spot for a picnic or catching a sunset! There is a nice play area and a rocky beach.   The path is known as the Lower Yahara River Trail and opened in 2017. It provides a non-road connection between Madison and McFarland via Madison’s Capital City Trail and McFarland’s McDaniel Park.  There is a map at the park wi...

Unlimited photography options with the ferris wheel, beach, ocean, and sunsets Abundant people watching opportunities  Plenty of ways to get a workout in including swimming, volleyball courts, running, or riding a bike There is a bike and walking path that runs along the coast.  One of my favorite things to do is walk the path and look at the beach houses to the north, or head south and chec...

If you come on a weekend expect there to be a crowd, but there is plenty of space for everyone.  You can hang out on the shore, float in the water on an inflatable floatie, kayak, canoe, or spread out on one of the many sand bars close by.  Depending on the time of year and level of the water, you can even walk to the closest sand bar without getting wet past your waist.  Bring a cooler and spe...

I discovered Mathews, VA while watching Beachfront Bargain Hunt on HGTV! It’s a quiet county close to the coast.  There is another beach in Mathews county, but this one is my favorite! It is a beautiful beach and it’s always been quiet the times I have been.  https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/natural-area-preserves/bethel No bathroomsMakes for a great beach to lay out at or walk alo...

The tallest active sand dune system on the Atlantic coast delivers three distinct ecosystems in a single 1.24-mile loop. Jockey's Ridge State Park combines 80-100 foot living dunes that reshape with every storm, maritime thicket thriving in sandy margins, and Roanoke Sound shoreline where kiteboarders ride perpetual coastal winds. North Carolina's most-visited state park offers free admission,...

There is so much to do in Wynwood, however, this adventure highlights the famous street art.  Bonus for Covid times, most of it can be done outdoors!  There are some indoor features, but that is definitely not the main attraction in my opinion.    The late Tony Goldman, a real estate developer who saw potential in neglected areas and made them more attractive and popular, is responsible for Wyn...

Along the famous Ring of Kerry drive, you’ll come across the extremely underrated Kerry Cliffs.  They are over 400 million years old and stand 1,000 feet above The Wild Atlantic.   Like so much of our trip to Ireland it was a torrential downpour when we were here.  We were the only people at the cliffs.  We walked around for less than an hour as we had literally never been more wet in our live...

Great hike right in the city of Newport News.  It is a loop trail that is 4.8 miles and has a moderate level of traffic.   Easy, good for all skill levels Pet friendly Water and wooded views with lots of shade throughoutClearly marked trail No bikesParking at Mariners Museum and at Lions Bridge; I parked at Mariners Museum and that’s where these directions send youBenches throughout the trail  ...

*Puerto Rico’s history is very interesting.  Exploring Old San Juan is fun, informative, and full of culture.   *There are unlimited options for food in Old San Juan, I recommend trying Mofongo, which is made from a plantain. Find a rooftop bar to take it all in (and maybe have a mojito or two!).  *Take pictures of the buildings and streets. It’s hard to find colors like this anywhere else in A...

Down a steep hill you will find this magnificent sandy beach with clear water.  If you come during swimming season there is a lifeguard.  We were there in early March during a light rain and there were just a few other people walking along the beach like us.  The bright color of the sand against the massive rocks make for an incredible foreground for Donegal Bay.   +Bathroom If you are in the a...

This was not quite as large as the Edinburgh Royal Botanic Gardens, but it’s still fun and worth a stop.  Plus, it’s another free activity.  -Founded in 1817  -Indoor (“glasshouses”) and outdoor exhibits -Koi pond -Plenty of seating options -Peaceful atmosphere with lots of areas to walk and explore -There’s even a Tea Room open from April to September: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and in the winter fr...

This stretch of highway is just as beautiful (if not more!) as the famous Pacific Coast Highway on the west coast. You truly couldn’t ask for more.  Beautiful mountains, glaciers, and water provide the scenery here.   There are dozens of pull off opportunities. The highway is marked with mile markers and there is even a book written about each of the mile markers and what is located at each sto...

You'll see tons of animals including bald eagles, bears, moose, muskox, lynx, reindeer, and wolves!  It's a conservation center so they have a great mission.  It is located in Portage Valley and is surrounded by the Chugach Mountain Range and the Turnagain Arm Inlet.   Open 7 days a week, 10 am to 6 pm with last entry at 5 pm. You do have to buy tickets, which you can do ahead of time online or...

Found this hike with some friends after spending some time googling in my car when we were in the area looking for a quick hike with a view!   Dog friendly Free parking (but quite limited) Ocean views Known to have gorgeous wildflower blooms (we were not there during this)Porta-potty type toilet availableLots of history to this area that can be found here Trail map  Head on over to one of Pac...

I discovered Mathews, VA while watching Beachfront Bargain Hunt on HGTV! It’s a quiet county close to the coast.  One of the beaches close to Mathews is Haven Beach. It’s an uncrowded beach with parking and a bathroom (porto potty style).  There’s not much in Mathews, but there is a 7-Eleven that has delicious slushies! State Rte 645, Diggs, VA 23045

I like to put in at the Camp Randall Rowing Club Brittingham Boat House located at 617 N Shore Dr, Madison, WI 53703.  There’s a dock and free 3 hour parking.  Once in the water just paddle straight towards John Nolen Drive and go under the bridge and you’ll be in Lake Monona. Keep going and soak in the lovely city skyline of Madison with the Monona Terrace and the Capitol building.  If you don...