One of my favorite hiking areas is located is south east Ohio, about 3 hours drive from Cleveland. I was first introduced to Hocking Hills about 23 years ago on a camping trip. I’ve gone back on my one half a dozen times. In my opinion, the best time to see it is if you can catch the fall season where the leaves are changing color and the temperatures are in a...
Five to six times a year I travel back to Westlake, Ohio for team meetings and professional development. Ohio is currently hitting the fall weather I love. I like to joke that an Ohio fall is a lovely 6 days of perfect weather that occurs between hot humid summer and stupid cold winter that lasts the rest of the year. I couldn’t miss the opportunity to...
“Why do I keep signing up for these?” was the question going through my head over and over. I certainly don’t need any more medals or running shirts. It must be for my health, however everyone keeps saying I am ruining my knees. Thanks to Jet Lag I was already awake at 3am so a 30 minute drive to Long Beach would prove easy. I loitered around the...
For my last day hosting my friend’s visit to So-Cal we cruised to San Diego. First, we took a short walk at Torrey Pines State Beach. Next, we headed down to the bay to explore the USS Midway Ship/Museum. I’ve wanted to see this place for a few years. The best part was hanging out with a Marine veteran. He gave the old Navy guys so much crap. For the most...
What do you do when you live 7 miles from the beach and own a muscle car? Go cruising! My friend had 3 main requests for this day. First, he wanted to see Dana Point, a place connected to his Daughter’s life. Next, he wanted to see the view over Lake Elsenore and revisit the Ortega Highway. Finally, he wanted to try and find the remains of the El Toro Marine...
I picked up a friend in Glendale, AZ. His name is Tim. He was my high school Math Teacher and has been a good friend for over 20 years. He helped me achieve great success in my life as well as assisted with one of my first trips to Alaska (starting much of my travel bug). Having lost his wife a few years ago to illness, he has been slowly working his way back into...
Arriving back at the visitor center, I returned to my Car. I needed to start heading towards Glendale, AZ. Luckily, that same route would let me see a few more canyon spots including Navajo Point and Desert View Tower. Leaving the park I drove into the Navajo reservation. I didn’t plan it, but ended up on the same roads I had driven 2 years ago. A new lesson I...
Continuing on my exploration of Grand Canyon National Park. Because the sun was going to be particularly vicious today, I opted to wear my beach hat. Surfer Selfie time: I came across some amazing views from the Powell Monument and Mojave point. The Greenway trail is near the end of the Hermit’s road so I decided to hike the 2.2 mile section instead of continue...
As the roosters started crowing, I packed up my campsite at 6 AM (an old throwback to my boy scout days). I was determined to maximize my time today at the Grand Canyon. I wanted to make it to one of the ends of the south rim trail. I was also going to figure out the bus system. Each stop of the shuttle bus yielded a new amazing view. Sometimes I would hike to the...
My work week ended on Tuesday. As expected the conference really burned me out emotionally and mentally. Thanks to lingering pain from my bicycle wreak I was also physically shot too. When I moved to California in 2015 I had intended to visit Grand Canyon National Park, however due to a last minute emergency at work, I skipped it, rushed to Irvine, then flew to...