Adventure Travel Photography Blog
Hunt Lake Trail is located in the San Isabel National Forest near Salida, Colorado. As I mentioned in my previous post about Kroenke Lake, both Salida and Buena Vista are great towns to visit while exploring the surrounding wilderness area that feature some of Colorado’s famous 14ers.
HAPPY HIKING!
Kroenke Lake lies in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness and is just a short drive from Buena Vista. Buena Vista and Salida are wonderful small towns to visit while exploring this amazing wilderness area chock full of Colorado’s famous 14ers.
HI HO, HI HO, IT’s OFF TO THE LAKE I GO!
Sometimes in my blog posts I flip flop between stories and information. I find when I google something, I am usually looking for an answer to a question, thus I try to write informatively. Other times, however, the experience was just too good to pass up. Our hike to Lake Katherine was just that. We laughed so hard, we were likely a nuisance to anyone seeking solitude. Soooo sorry to you folks!
A FUNNY ADVENTURE!
My first day staying in Volcano Village, I spent exploring west of town on the Ka’u Coast and then ate lots of macadamia nuts at the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Visitor Center before spending a peaceful hour in Liliʻuokalani Park and Gardens in the late afternoon. I spent the entire second day in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.
LET’S GO
Mill Creek Canyon, located just east of Salt Lake City in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, is an extremely popular hiking destination. Not only is it popular for its proximity to the city, it is also attractive to dog owners as it is the only dog friendly canyon in the area. Much of the Wasatch Mountains is restricted to dogs because over 60% of Salt Lake City’s drinking water comes from the watershed, and therefore must remain clean.
HAPPY HIKING!
While most people have heard of Nashville, Tennessee, I imagine not as many have heard of Nashville, Indiana. Nashville, Indiana is a small artist community located in Brown County. A few years ago, Nashville was named as one of the 20 Best Small Towns to Visit by Smithsonian Magazine.
I stumbled across the town nine years ago during my year-long road trip around the USA and have wanted to return to stay at the nearby Story Inn which is rumored to be haunted. Finally, I made my return trip after going to Kentucky for the Derby.
I arrived Sunday night and stayed through Tuesday. Monday and Tuesday are very quiet days in Nashville. Some of the restaurants and museums are closed. I liked the quaintness, but for those who want more activity, visit on a weekend, as Nashville is a popular tourist destination and hopping.
EXPLORE!
I’ve always wanted to go to the Kentucky Derby, but have never been able to talk anyone in to going with me. Either they’ve been once, and that was enough, or they weren’t interested due to the exorbitant price of a seat.
Finally, I decided to go on my own through my vacation club Dreamtrips, who offered a package that included three nights at a hotel in Lexington (not Louisville), transportation, a reserved seat in the Grandstand for the Derby, a horse farm tour, and a bourbon tasting for only $1,860 after I applied 630 points.
Given a package from the Kentucky Derby for the same seating with the addition of a concert, food and beverage cost $1,799 not including lodging which was $1,600, I thought I got a pretty sweet deal.
WIN,PLACE, SHOW
So, I have always felt that as an American, I needed to visit Graceland. I’m not sure why given I’m not an Elvis fanatic, but I finally decided to visit Memphis in between my trip to Dallas for my high school reunion and my trip to Louisville for the Kentucky Derby. I was pleasantly surprised by Memphis and Graceland!
EXPLORE!
So, I have wanted to visit Graceland for some time now. Don’t ask me why because I’m not an Elvis fanatic nor do I know much about him. But I feel as an American, it’s my duty see what all the craze is about.
Over the years, I’ve scanned Graceland’s website thinking I might get to Memphis soon. Tickets used to be a reasonable $30, but recently with a massive renovation to the complex, the price to enter has sky rocketed. Tours range anywhere from $41 to see the mansion only to $174 for the Ultimate VIP experience.
VISIT GRACELAND!What a gorgeous weekend in Denver! It called for a short hike, despite my pesky ankle. JB, Chelsea and I set out for Boulder to hike the Mt. Sanitas Trail Loop. My Google Maps tried to take me to the summit, so we took a slight detour before we found the trailhead. Luckily, we were the most directionally challenged in the car. Once we found the trail, it was relatively simple to follow the loop as it was well marked and somewhat populated, though not too bad given we arrived at 9 am, and it was glorious.
I started out in a jacket and hat because I was cold standing in the shade, but I shed those once I started walking in the sun. Within 20 minutes of climbing the log and rock stairs beneath ponderosa pines, we were shedding our long sleeves. JB was the only one to start in short sleeves and remain that way…no wonder he likes winter so much!
We maneuvered along the winding trail through large sandstone formations as we gained 1,323’ over 1.2 miles to the summit. The summit provided a panoramic view of snow capped mountains to the west, the eastern plains, as well as the City below.
After enjoying a small snack and petting countless unleashed dogs (made me miss mine), we descended down Sanitas Valley Trail…more climbing through giant rock formations. It was pretty cool! Once we reached the valley, we found the trail was closed from the floods, we were diverted to the Dakota Ridge Trail. This trail ran somewhat parallel to the Valley Trail though it wasn’t quite as level as the valley floor, and it undulated through the trees. The small detour may have added a little distance to the 3.1 mile loop, but I don’t think it added as much as the “Map My Hike” App calculated. Map My Hike claims we hiked 4.4 miles, and estimated that I burned 850 calories! Regardless, I don’t really hike for exercise. I hike for my zen experience of the week. I just love it! ETB
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