Adventure
Kimberly Clark
Hiking at Sylvan Lake

The trails at Sylvan Lake provide some of the best views in all of South Dakota’s Black Hills. Hike the easy and flat 1.1 Lake Shore Loop around Sylvan Lake, and add in the 3.1 mile Sunday Gulch Loop for a fun but challenging hike past a creek with several small waterfalls and then up into the mountains of the Black Hills. Other trail options also include Little Devil’s Tower, my favorite viewpoint within the Black Hills, and Black Elk Peak (formerly known as Harney Peak) which is the highest point in elevation east of the Rocky Mountains. The trail to Black Elk Peak gains 1350ft, making it a tough trail. Little Devil’s Tower is shorter with less elevation, but involves a significant rock scramble at the end. There is also a spur trail to Cathedral Spires, a unique set of towering rocks.

Hiking at Sylvan Lake
Adventure
Kimberly Clark
Hiking Oberg Mountain

Oberg Mountain is a 2.5-mile loop hike with a gradual elevation gain of 500ft. This is a relatively easy hike with amazing views around the entire loop of the surrounding hills, Lake Superior, and Oberg Lake.

Hiking Oberg Mountain
Adventure
Kimberly Clark
Hiking Caribou Falls

Caribou Falls is an approximately 1-mile out-and-back hike, off of MN-61 between Tettegouche and Temperance State Parks. This is a subtly marked hike, meaning that although it is just a short distance away from the scenic highway that runs along Lake Superiors shore, you just might get to enjoy this waterfall by yourself. Enjoy the peacefulness of the Caribou River along your hike to the falls.

Hiking Caribou Falls
Adventure
Kimberly Clark
Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks

Vacation Ideas to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park - Plan a trip for your family.. This post includes favorite hikes, places to visit, and ideas on where to camp.

Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
Inspiration
Kimberly Clark
Why I Hike

Plan your next hike, reduce some stress, and fall in love with Nature

Why I Hike

Wilke Glen and Cascade Falls in Osceola, Wisconsin

Wilke Glen and Cascade Falls in Osceola, Wisconsin

If you are looking for a place to have a beautiful afternoon or evening stroll, I would suggest heading across the state border into Osceola, Wisconsin to walk the Cascade Falls Trail. At 0.6 miles (out and back), this is an easy walk minus some steps at the beginning and end, which passes a moderate sized waterfall, features enchanting boardwalks, and ends at the St. Croix River. Head back to the trailhead the way you came to continue an easy walk, or if you are up for a challenge, take the Eagle Bluff Trail back. This results in a 0.3 + 0.8 mile loop back to the trailhead. The Eagle Bluff Trail ascends up a short but steep hill (~200ft) along a dirt path.

Willow River State Park - Wisconsin

Willow River State Park - Wisconsin

If you are looking for an impressive waterfall worth hiking to near Minneapolis and St Paul MN, check out Willow Falls at Wisconsin’s Willow River State Park. Trails access the falls on both sides of the river. The Willow River trail is 1.2 miles round trip and the Burkhardt Trails is 2 miles round trip.

Banning State Park - Minnesota

Banning State Park - Minnesota

Looking for a great place to explore the woods with your kids? Check out MN’s Banning State Park. The trails include a bit of rock scrambling and follow along the beautiful Kettle River. Trek out to Wolf Creek Falls or drive into Sandstone and visit Big Spring Falls.

A Day in Joshua Tree National Park

A Day in Joshua Tree National Park

Here’s your guide to spending the day in Joshua Tree National Park. Included are trail reviews for Bajada Nature Trail, Cottonwood Springs / Mastodon Peak, Cholla Cactus Garden, Arch Rock, Skull Rock / Discovery Trail, Ryan Mountain, Hall of Horrors Slot Canyon, Cap Rock, Keys Viewpoint, Hidden Valley, Barker Dam, and Rattlesnake Canyon.

Life with an Electric Vehicle - How to Estimate your Driving Range in the Winter

If you are considering an electric vehicle, most likely you’ve heard the term “range anxiety” meaning the driver feels insecure about how far the electric car can drive in-between charging sessions. I own a 2018 Nissan Leaf which I love, but range anxiety is real. In this post, I will share how I estimate how many miles I can drive before I need to charge when the temperatures are less than 40 deg F. I also include real data from my own driving experiences in this 2019-2020 winter.

A Picture's Worth a Thousand Miles

Have you ever looked at a beautiful picture and thought to yourself, I want to go there?  Have you ever convinced yourself that you actually need to go there and then planned an entire vacation around getting to be in the middle of the picture you saw? Pictures create the itinerary for my family trips. Find some inspiration for your next adventure.

Exploring Minnesota and Wisconsin Interstate State Parks

Exploring Minnesota and Wisconsin Interstate State Parks

Interstate State Park along the St. Croix River is one of my family’s favorite parks to explore near Minneapolis and St. Paul. Enjoy views of the river from the bluffs and explore glacial potholes, including the largest pothole in the world - Bottomless Pit.

Save the Bees

Bees are responsible for one out of every three bites of food that we need, and that is a problem because the bee population has been declining 30% annually for the past 10 years. We need to step in and help re-stabilize and re-build their populations. This article includes basic information about pollination and bees, and describes the main known reasons that the bee population is declining. At the end of the article are 5 simple actions that can make a true difference for the bees - see what you can do and then encourage your family, friends, and neighbors do the same.

Great Basin National Park

If you are looking for a less visited National Park, check out Great Basin National Park. Situated along America’s Loneliest Road, this National Park sees only 90,000 visitors annually, meaning you will have this park to yourself. Enjoy a tour in Lehman’s Cave, hike up to Wheeler Peak, and see the Bristlecone Pine Tree groves (the oldest type of living organism on our planet).

A Beginner's Guide to Backpacking

If you’ve ever thought about backpacking and are hesitant to try or unsure where to start, this is the guide for you. This blog post includes how to plan to your trip, what to bring, and a story of my first backpacking adventure.

Black Hills: Family Adventure Guide

Everything you need to know about planning a trip to South Dakota’s Black Hills - Including guides to the Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, Needles Highway, Wildlife Loop, Sylvan Lake, Black Elk Peak, Jewel Cave, and Wind Cave.

Traveling Through Badlands National Park

Traveling Through Badlands National Park

Badlands is one of my favorite National Parks. It is conveniently located off of I-90. Watch the sunrise at Big Badlands Overlook. Hike Notch Trail, Cliff Shelf Nature Trail, and Saddle Pass. Stop and check out the views at White River Overlook, Panorama Point, and Yellow Mounds Overlook. Watch for Mountain Sheep near Ancient Hunters Overlook. Keep an eye out for Bison near the Pinnacles entrance. Stop at the Minute Missile Site for a humbling experience learning about our nuclear warheads. Enjoy a quick supper at Wall Drug.

Hiking Capitol Reef National Park with Kids

Capitol Reef, the lesser visited National Park of Utah’s Mighty 5, is a quiet adventure awaiting you with less crowds but just as amazing views. Our itinerary consisted of hikes at Capitol Gorge, Cohab Canyon, Sulphur Creek, and Hickman’s Bridge. We also visited nearby Goblin Valley Sate Park, a must-do if you have children.