Receiving its name from the practice of running goods to and from Canada, most notably alcohol during the 1920s, Smugglers Notch is a much more civilized and well-travelled area these days. Get there by taking highway 108 from either highway 15 in the north or highway 100 in the south. Take Toll Road off of …
Bradley Fork and Chasteen Creek
For a surreal experience, head to Chasteen Creek in June. This entire area is noted for its firefly population that explodes in early summer. However, I saw the biggest concentration along Chasteen Creek. Sit outside in the middle of the night and watch the woods literally light up—it feels as if you were suddenly thrust …
Lake Winnipesaukee
One can easily spend a week in the Lake Winnipesaukee region. First of all, let me suggest motorcycles as your primary means of transport. They are ubiquitous in the region, the winding roads are conducive to their use, and they are available for rent at several location in Manchester, NH. Regardless of your mode of …
Altamaha River
The Altamaha River runs for 137 miles from its conception at the confluence of the Oconee and Ocmulgee rivers, to its expiration at the Atlantic Coast. There are a series of 29 landings along the waterway, loosely maintained by the Altamaha River Partnership. In many ways, you can treat this like a long distance hiking …
Okefenokee Swamp
While it is unlikely you will run into Okefenokee Joe, it is very likely that you will see several alligators. It may be unnerving to float by in a canoe not much bigger than some of these giants, but they are studiedly indifferent to your presence, especially if you are there in early spring when …
Silver Lake
Silver lake is a common name for alpine lakes but in this case I am referring to the one near Mount Townsend in the Olympic Mountains in Washington State. It lies in a cirque at the head of the valley that Silver Creek runs down. The lake itself can be reached either from forest road …
Lake Constance
The wilderness paradox stems from the fact that a sizeable population wishes to experience wilderness devoid of the human footprint, and yet when that population travels to the wilderness they see each other, thereby depriving everyone of a pure wilderness experience. There are some hidden gems that few people know about and whose whereabouts are …
Outdoor Tips: Hiking For Fitness
Aside from being a great recreational outdoor activity, hiking is also a fun and surprisingly effective way to stay in shape. Though nothing beats a traditional workout such as road running or lifting weights, they are often less effective than other, more indirect fitness activities in the long run. How could this be? It’s simple: …
5 Great Hiking Trails in the United States
These five great places to hike in the United States offer a variety of terrains and landscapes to navigate. From lush forests to barren mountaintops, there is no shortage of fantastic sights to take in and challenges to tackle on the many fantastic trails in the contiguous United States. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely …
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