Chiricahua National Monument – First Attempt 2019

Storm clouds forming over Chiricahua Mountains

Spent the night in Sierra Vista, Arizona hanging out with my Dad who was on his own mini motorcycle vacation. Headed out in the morning with intention of visiting Coronado National Monument but it was windy, drizzling, and threatening rain all morning. Instead I decided to spend most of the day driving east-northeast. Passed through … Read more

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum - Sunset over the desert

Winter weekends in Tucson apparently bring everyone out to play and crowds were swarming today. I left Saguaro N.P. because trails were packed and it was the same story at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Came here because I wanted to finally see a rattlesnake and mountain lion in person, and because everywhere I went people … Read more

Saguaro National Park (West)

Saguaro National Park - View of the mountains and petroglyphs from atop Signal Hill

Had enough of the Phoenix area for a while so I started heading east. Ended up at Saguaro National Park, West Section (Tucson Mountain District) which is of course in Tucson, Arizona. Weather was a perfect 72°F and partly sunny, however I forgot it was a Saturday which means National Parks regardless of location are … Read more

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument - Hazy desert view from atop the Bull Pasture trail

After booking a terrible AirBnB in Maricopa it was time to get back on track with my plans. The original idea was to fly in and immediately drive to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and hike a couple days. Now plans have changed but at least I get one full day until I can come … Read more

Wave Cave [Failed]

Wave Cave fail - Views from the Carney Springs trailhead

My afternoon was mostly a failure but still got to enjoy some cool scenery. Second and final stop was at the Carney Springs Trailhead for a failed attempt at hiking to the Wave Cave in Gold Canyon, Arizona. The drive to get here is down well maintained dirt roads and weather looked good all the … Read more

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument – Entrance sign

Rental car snafus blew apart my original plan but that’s okay – it pushed me to some places I probably wouldn’t have visited otherwise. First stop was Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Coolidge, Arizona. This site was the first prehistoric and cultural reserve established in the United States and a sacred place to the … Read more

Pelletier’s Restaurant and Fish Boil

Pelletier's Restaurant & Fish Boil - Fire boiling over

Didn’t feel like eating dinner at camp. Door County is loaded with local restaurants and I highly recommend you give the local fare a try. Tonight I ended up at Pelletier’s Restaurant & Fish Boil because it’s right near the park entrance and because I had no idea what a fish boil is but desperately … Read more

Peninsula State Park – Eagle Trail

Peninsula State Park - Niagara Escarpment along the Eagle Trail

The weather has changed for the better and this afternoon is blue skies with only partial clouds and some great sunshine. With the lack of available daylight hours I’m wasting no time. Drove out to the Eagle Panorama for a hike on the Eagle Trail. Not surprisingly views in cheerful conditions are better than what … Read more

Peninsula State Park – Hemlock Trail to Sunset Trail

Peninsula State Park - Sunset Bike Route trail

The rain has mostly held off but winds are still whipping violently along the coast. Decided to try a hike along the Hemlock Trail starting at Weborg Point. Waves from Green Bay decided that I’m not allowed to fully walk out on the point so I headed inland hoping the trees would give a bit … Read more

Peninsula State Park – Eagle Bluff Lighthouse

Eagle Bluff Lighthouse

The rain has broken a bit but the wind is still ferocious. I decided to visit the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse next to give the trails a little more time to drain off, and to catch part of the historical tours. It had not hit me until seeing the pumpkins now that Halloween was approaching as … Read more