Park It

Spring is the perfect time to become one with nature. After a long winter battling cabin fever, now is your chance to bond with family and friends in the great outdoors. The United States is teeming with picturesque parks that make for amazing vacation destinations, including: Shenandoah National Park Located in Virginia, Shenandoah National Park features uncompromising beauty that will take your breath away. Set within one of the country’s most famous natural playgrounds, the Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah National Park offers a plethora of family-friendly activities, including hiking, biking, fishing and camping. The park is especially noted for its … Continue reading →

Outdoor Spring Adventures

Contrary to popular belief, the beach and the slopes are not the only places that attract spring breakers. If you are looking for a peaceful retreat that allows you to soak up all the splendors of the great outdoors, then consider taking part in a spring adventure that you won’t soon forget: hiking. The United States is home to thousands of miles of pristine hiking trails, including: YOSEMITE More than 3.5 million people from around the world travel to Yosemite National Park each year. The national treasure is home to some of the planet’s most stunning waterfalls, all accessible by … Continue reading →

Spring Break Camping Trip

Heck, with the record-breaking, summer-like temperatures sweeping the nation, why wait until July to rough it in the great outdoors? Our neighbor’s kids pitched a tent and slept outside Saturday night when the mercury was still in the 60s well after 10 p.m. Mind you, we live in Wisconsin where it snows in June and we’re lucky to see 70s in July. Naturally, my daughter wanted to join in on the fun, but I put the kibosh on that getaway. However, I did allow her to roast marshmallows with her pals and partake in some of the activities featured in … Continue reading →

Winter Wonderland Vacation

If you didn’t find a plane ticket to Hawaii in your Christmas stocking this morning, then you might as well make the most of your chilly surroundings… or someone else’s frigid environment. Tis the season to travel to the world’s most popular winter festivals. The coldest season of the year brings with it a myriad of outdoor celebrations, which encourage travelers to bundle up, and enjoy Old Man Winter and all his Artic glory. If you are looking for a cool place to spend part of your winter break, check out the following freezing festivals: WISCONSIN They don’t call it … Continue reading →

Extreme Winter Adventures

“Cold” is a relative term when you live in Northern Wisconsin. After working at various TV newsrooms in the Dairy State, I’ve learned that people take offense no matter what you say about the weather… especially during the winter months. Whether we’re blanketed in two feet of snow and battling -40 degree wind chills or we’re dry and the mercury is holding steady at 20 degrees above zero, someone will find something to complain about. Interestingly, though, regardless of how bitterly cold it gets in these parts, there are some extreme travelers who will take to the woods in their … Continue reading →

Unique Leaf Peeping Travel Adventures

My ultimate fall foliage travel adventure involves me, a hot air balloon and miles of pristine forests ablaze in orange and red hues. Someday. My dream of witnessing Mother Nature’s autumnal transformation from the sky is one way to spice up an ordinary leaf peeping trip. However, it is not the only adventure that puts a new spin on traditional fall foliage viewing. Cruise: Seasonal sailings to New England and Canada when the fall foliage is at its peak make for ideal family getaways during September and October. In addition to getting a rare view of the changing landscape from … Continue reading →

Camping: Beach vs. Woods

Considering that my idea of “roughing it” is shacking up at the Hilton, you wouldn’t think I would have a definitive opinion in regards to the best camping venues. Generally campers have two venues to choose from: the beach or the woods. Depending on which part of the country you are planning to pitch a tent, your options may be limited if you prefer one over the other. For example, I live in the Upper Midwest, so campsites on the beach are not as easy to come by as they would be in Hawaii. Still, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan are … Continue reading →

West Coast Camping

I grew up in Hawaii, where most people don’t plan too far in advance for a weekend camping trip. Rather, they simply pull up to a beach with a sheet and a packed cooler, and let the good times roll. When I moved to the mainland for college I was surprised by how the other-half camped. One of my first camping experiences took place in northern California, near Lake Tahoe. It was an incredible trip filled with hiking, kayaking and learning the finer points of cooking on an open fire. I’m told that people from different regions of the country … Continue reading →

Super Summer Campsites

Tis the season to soak up the sun, sand and surf, and there’s no better way to do so than to pitch a tent on the beach with friends and family. Summer beach camping is gaining in popularity. While many campsites are typically situated in heavily wooded areas, an increasing number of camping resorts are popping up near lakes and oceans. Among the most popular include: South Carolina Located in picturesque Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Lakewood Camping Resort offers 1200 scenic lakefront or ocean front sites which are able to accommodate tents or RVs. Among its notable features, Lakewood provides … Continue reading →

Spend Earth Day in the Great Outdoors

Uncle Sam is jumping on the Earth Day bandwagon by encouraging you to head outside this week. It may just be coincidence, but National Park Week is taking place from April 17-25, just in time for Thursday’s Earth Day celebrations. From now through next Sunday entrance fees will be waived at 392 national parks. In addition, many parks have organized events, talks, demonstrations and volunteer clean-ups to encourage visitors to check out what Mother Nature has to offer at our nation’s most spectacular natural treasures. Some of the more interesting events include: April 18th-Get ready to cheer while you watch … Continue reading →