Joshua Tree National Park – Barker Dam

Joshua Tree - Barker Dam Nature Trail

From Keys View I stayed on the western side of the park and hiked the short 1 mile Barker Dam Nature Trail loop. Overall this hike is quite flat & easy.  Much of the area is covered in sand or bare stone with minimal rock hopping. Although if rocks are your thing, this is a … Read more

Council Grounds State Park

Council Grounds State Park - Sunset across the Wisconsin River

After another hour driving, home for tonight is Council Grounds State Park.  Thankfully this park is smaller and can be done in about an afternoon.  I wasted no time setting up camp before setting out on the trails. Big Pines Nature Trail -> Unmarked Trail -> Red Trail Right from the campgrounds you can hop … Read more

Glen Park Falls & Junction Falls

Glen Park Falls

Knocked out my failures early this morning but wasted lots of time doing so and it was now 5pm.  Glad for all the sunlight on long summer days.  My next stop of Glen Park in River Falls, Wisconsin was able to snag a quick and easy 2-for-1 by seeing Glen Park Falls & Junction Falls … Read more

Orienta Falls

Orienta Falls - Wide view of falls

After failing to locate Shale Falls I had no time to waste – the day was relatively young and more falls were ahead.  Next stop was Orienta Falls in the small town of Orienta, Wisconsin.  Parking area is easy to reach and not far off Hwy 13.  The trail isn’t much more than a worn … Read more

Saxon Falls

Saxon Falls - View from trail endpoint

Heading farther north and closer to the city of Hurley, Wisconsin I found myself at a hydro-power dam that I thought was a waterfall.  Thankfully one of the trail signs cleared up my mistake and confirmed I was near Saxon Falls.  Pipes leading from the hydro dam cross the Montreal River into Michigan and eventually meet … Read more

2011 Las Cruces, NM Vacation

Visited my family in Las Cruces, New Mexico back in October 2011 and had a blast!  Here are some photos of our adventures for your enjoyment.  Will update the captions and such at some point in the future if I get the time! White Sands National Monument Prehistoric Trackways National Monument National Solar Observatory/ Sacramento … Read more