North America Archives - Page 12 of 73

Hiking Silas Lakes Trail

If you are following along on my road trip journey, you know that I changed campsites last night from Hugh Otte Camping Area to a more secluded area off of 302. I’m now in a high meadow with a few other big rigs in sight, but not too close. I am parked by Townsend Creek which runs through the willows. I awoke to a foghorn type sound at 5:30am!

I could only liken it to a cow, but upon peering out VANgo’s window, I did not see any animals. On the other hand, Annie was trembling with excitement as she stared outside. Knowing she sees something and I don’t is sometimes disconcerting! I guessed that maybe a moose was tucked in the willows, but by the time I returned in the afternoon, there was a herd of cows lining the Louis Lake Road, so perhaps I heard a “moo” after all!

HAPPY HIKING!

Sinks Canyon State Park

In between my campsite at Hugh Otte Camping Area and Lander, Wyoming is the Sinks Canyon State Park. Generally speaking, I tend stop in a park Visitor Center only about half the time. With limited cell service at best, I decided to stop in for some brochures and hiking information about the area. I was hopeful they could provide some guidance on hikes in the nearby Shoshone National Forest, but most of what they offered was on Sinks Canyon State Park.

HAPPY HIKING!

Popo Agie Falls Trail

It has been a few months, and I’m back on the road again…this time with an upgraded Hellwig sway bar, Koni shocks, a Maxxair Fan, and a more powerful 300ah battery! VANgo will take us through parts of Wyoming (but not Yellowstone with the floods), northern Idaho and western Montana over a two month period.

My dog Annie and I pulled into Lander, Wyoming Wednesday night and found a camp spot with rock fire ring at Hugh Otte Camping Area in Shoshone National Forest. We got in just before dark and the road was not well maintained, so I took a spot a little more out in the open than I prefer. It was fine for a week day, as there weren’t too many people around.

I moved closer to some trees today, but it is near the circle drive to the pit toilet, so we shall see how many visitors I have at my campsite. Hopefully no one will park in it like they did in Idaho and Colorado! Regardless, after spending much of my last two-month road trip in Florida in parking lots, this free camping area feels like paradise.

The cell service is intermittent at best, but it is only 10 miles outside of town, close to Sinks Canyon State Park, as well as several hiking trails, including the hike to Popo Agie Falls.

HAPPY HIKING!

Cedar Hill State Park

Cedar Hill State Park is located on the eastern shore of Joe Pool Lake approximately 20 miles southwest of downtown Dallas. The 1,826 acre park features 350 campsites near restrooms with hot showers, ample fishing and boating opportunities, over 27 miles of biking and hiking trails, and the historic Penn Farm.

I visited Cedar Hill State Park to take my dog Annie on a hike. A selection of shorts trails which combine to make a five-mile hike is located centrally near the historic Penn Farm. There are also three longer DORBA loops in the southern section of the park which cater to mountain bikers.

HAPPY HIKING!

Lake Grapevine – North Shore Trail

About Lake Grapevine

With a sprawling 8,000 acres, Lake Grapevine is mecca for boating, water-skiing, fishing, and kayaking. It features multiple marinas, campgrounds, cabin rentals and even a floating water park. Many parks (operated by the Corps of Engineers or a local municipality) and trails also surround the lake.

One of the most popular trails in the Dallas-Fort Worth area is the North Shore Trail. The 22.5 mile trail follows the north shore of Lake Grapevine beginning at Rockledge Park and ending at Twin Coves Park.

HAPPY HIKING!

Things to Do in Covington

The quaint town of Covington, Louisiana is part of the Greater New Orleans metropolitan area. I only visited for a day as I made my way back from Florida to Texas and wished I had scheduled more time to stay, as the city of 11,500 is quite charming.

EXPLORE!

Things to Do in Ocean Springs

After visiting Gulf Shores, Alabama, we continued west toward Texas, albeit slowly. We made a stop at the Mississippi Visitors Center. I asked the lady working at the counter, who was a hoot, to name her favorite small towns. Oceans Springs was the first she mentioned, and she raved about it. So, after Annie and I took our token state sign picture (dressed for a lobster boil), we made Oceans Springs our next stop.

EXPLORE!

The Quieter Side of Gulf Shores

Gulf Shores is the southernmost settlement in Alabama. Located just west of Pensacola, Florida, the resort town with a population of 12,000 attracts many tourists, especially during spring break. For some reason, I expected a quainter city, so I was surprised by all high rises which lined the beach and the amusement park. That said, during the 24 hours I visited Gulf Shores, I didn’t even make it to the built-up area.

RELAX!

State Sign Challenge: Florida

It’s that time again. Time for another state sign challenge. Annie and I reused our Halloween costume of a SCUBA diver and shark. Only this time we were at least near sea level rather than in the mountains and seems appropriate for the State of Florida.

Florida is known as the shark attack capital of the world and accounts for more than half of the total shark attacks in the USA each year. But please don’t let that statistic scare you given, the percentage of people swimming in Florida waters year-round probably far outweighs most other states. Not to mention, I’m a firm believer that most animals, including sharks, don’t hunt humans for the heck of it like the media portrays.

TAKE THE CHALLENGE!

Seaside and The Truman Show

On the recommendation of a friend, during my yearlong roadtrip across the USA 11 years ago, I visited Watercolor and Seaside in the Florida panhandle. On my shortened journey this year (due to some challenges with VANgo and changing my travel priorities to horses), I made Seaside my last stop in Florida upon my return home from Texas.

Last time I visited the area, I hiked with the dogs in Grayton Beach State Park, strolled the beach, and enjoyed lunch at the Shrimp Shack. This time, since I learned that a histamine intolerance is causing my migraines and eating seafood is out of the question, I made my tour about The Truman Show, a movie which came out in 1998.

TAKE THE TOUR!