While I was in Monterey, California for the conference, I took a few vacation days to see the sights.
My favorite day off was when I rented a bicycle, and rode all day long on the Monterey Bay Coastal Bike Trail.
Tag Archives: Landscape
The Black Lagoon
If I had to pick a favorite scenic spot in Wisconsin, it would be this one. The Black Lagoon on the Star Lake Nature Trail.
I’ve mentioned that trail before — it’s my favorite hiking trail in the state. While hiking there, you’ll walk through a thick boreal forest, a bog, a plantation of century-old pine trees, and along the lake shore. You’ll see (and hear) loons and other birds, and if you’re lucky you might get a glimpse of a bald eagle. Beautiful views can be seen all along the trail, but there is none better than the Black Lagoon.
The Star Lake Nature trail is located off of Hwy K, about a mile west of the intersection with Hwy N in Vilas County. Map
Sunsets on Trout Lake
I just returned from a vacation at my favorite place for camping, the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest. In addition to doing a lot of biking and hiking, I was treated to unique sunsets on five nights of my stay on Trout Lake. Here are the best photos from each of those sunsets.
The cloudy Smokies
During the afternoon of our last day in the Smoky Mountains, some clouds moved in along with a little rain.
At first I was disappointed in the change of weather, but then I saw familiar scenes made beautiful in a different way.
Rhododendrons and rushing water
Mountains aren’t the only things to look at in the Great Smokey Mountain National Park. Dad and I didn’t see a big variety of flowers, but in the lower elevations there seemed to be rhododendrons everywhere.
Land of blue smoke
Shaconage, the Cherokee name for the area of the Smoky Mountains means “land of blue smoke.”
Smoky Mountains, day one
My father and I just returned from a trip to Tennessee, where we spent most of our time in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
When you drive through the park, it’s difficult to keep your eyes on the road as scenic views emerge.
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Cox Hollow Falls
I came across this scene while hiking at Governor Dodge State Park today.
Dormant grasses
Frozen Monona
Despite the continuing below-normal temperatures, I needed to connect with the outdoors today. Late this afternoon, I visited a frozen Lake Monona.