Bigfoot Beach State Park

Bigfoot Beach State Park - Trout fishing area

I’m posting out of order today in honor of the #optoutside movement started by REI to encourage people to skip the evil that is Black Friday shopping and instead get outdoors.  Luckily today in Wisconsin we had a mini heat wave and tied record highs around 65 degrees which made it an easy choice! Before … Read more

Max Patch Mountain

Max Patch Mountain - Kelly looking down the trail

Woke up and left Gatlinburg with some time for day hiking before the next destination.  Cold and wet weather killed most of our planned hikes, but we decided to try our luck on Max Patch, one of the most popular viewpoints along the Appalachian Trail.  Remember that smoky fog from yesterday? Well that doesn’t look too … Read more

Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Clingmans Dome

Clingmans Dome - Kelly posing in front of the amazing foggy views

Several days into the trip and we finally made it to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.  First stop was Clingmans Dome, the highest point in Tennessee and the infamous Appalachian Trail.  Views here looking over the mountain range are normally quite amazing, however today Mother Nature had other plans. Driving up the 7 mile … Read more

Fleet Foxes @ Chicago Theatre

Fleet Foxes @ Chicago Theatre

Got lucky and scored tickets months ago to see Fleet Foxes at the Chicago Theatre.  First balcony booth seats with a table and waiter service thanks to an awesome pre-sale deal. Opening band Nap Eyes was OK if nothing else.  Super chill sleepy-time music.  Guess it’s not just a clever name? Fleet Foxes went on around … Read more

2016 Road Trip Astrophotography

As you may have guessed by my other posts and this blog as a whole, I have always been interested in photography.  My goal was always to try and capture images from my trips while not consuming the whole experience – that is to say, I wanted to live in the moment rather than focus … Read more

2016 New Mexico Elk Hunt

Dad sneaking into a better position for the shot on a monster bull elk

After several weeks of travel and about 5,000 miles driven, I arrived in Las Cruces, NM and reunited with my family. Took one day off to rest and prepare for the elk hunt season.  My Dad drew a bull tag for NM unit 34 which is located in the Lincoln National Forest.  Based on intel … Read more

Kanarra Falls

Hiking trail to Kanarra Falls in Utah

Ended up back in my favorite wilderness shack again last night.  Cheap rates, bed, heat, and showers make a very happy and rested camper!  Also very happy to be out of Nevada – not my favorite state, but some excellent geological features I wish I could have seen.  Maybe some other trip. Woke up early … Read more

Wall Drug

Wall Drug - Jackelope statue

Once again against my better judgement I went off course and stopped at a tourist trap.  This time it was Wall Drug.  They had signs littering I-90 for 200 miles before you even get there.  This place was made for old people who collect crappy knick-knacks.  On the plus side I saw a giant jackelope … Read more

Corn Palace

Corn Palace

Against my better judgement I decided to stop at a tourist trap called the Corn Palace.  It’s the world’s only one so they have that going for them.  Cool points for the huge eternal Willie Nelson and Elvis corn murals but not much else.  Kinda corny.  Only about 55F outside and feels like fall so … Read more

Des Moines River Rest Stop Sunset (Redux)

Des Moines River Rest Stop Sunset

Pulling off the highway to give my eyes a rest from the blinding low sun was the right call. Stopped at the Des Moines River rest stop in Jackson, Minnesota just in time to watch an incredibly vivid sunset. Next stop is Sioux Falls where I found a place to stay via Couchsurfing. Author’s note: … Read more