Indialantic, Florida
May 2012
Friday, February 20, 2015
Friday, February 6, 2015
Friday, January 30, 2015
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Indiana Sand Dunes
Just a couple of hours drive from Chicago is the Indiana Sand Dunes National Park. It's a lovely place to pack a picnic and explore. There are miles of hiking paths along the shore of Lake Michigan. From several of the viewing platforms you can even make out the Chicago city skyline across the lake on a clear day.
I visited in September 2013 as part of our anniversary getaway weekend. After labor day the crowds disperse and you can have the park mostly to yourself. I've heard the summers are quite busy with families wanting to spend some outdoor time.
We packed a picnic lunch that we enjoyed on the park benches before hiking around the dunes for awhile. We were on our way to Michigan to spend the weekend so we only stayed at the dunes for about two hours. However, it was a lovely place to stop for lunch and stretch our legs a bit during our trip. During road trips I prefer to pack a lunch and stop at a park or scenic spot along the way if possible. It's so much more enjoyable than stopping for fast food. Plus we get to enjoy the beautiful sunshine and stretch our legs in a scenic location.
I visited in September 2013 as part of our anniversary getaway weekend. After labor day the crowds disperse and you can have the park mostly to yourself. I've heard the summers are quite busy with families wanting to spend some outdoor time.
We packed a picnic lunch that we enjoyed on the park benches before hiking around the dunes for awhile. We were on our way to Michigan to spend the weekend so we only stayed at the dunes for about two hours. However, it was a lovely place to stop for lunch and stretch our legs a bit during our trip. During road trips I prefer to pack a lunch and stop at a park or scenic spot along the way if possible. It's so much more enjoyable than stopping for fast food. Plus we get to enjoy the beautiful sunshine and stretch our legs in a scenic location.
What do you enjoy about road trips?
Monday, November 24, 2014
Volo Bog
Before moving to China, I was intent on visiting as many of the local sites around the Chicago area that I could because of the uncertainty of when I would be back. There are so many places in Chicago and the surrounding areas to visit that I still haven't seen much of it after living in the suburbs for seven years. Over the summer I made every effort to check at least a few more off my list. One of those was almost in my own backyard, the Volo Bog.
A bog is a natural water area where plants grow and wildlife lives. Just like the Auto Museum, I'd heard so much about the bog and I was eager to check it out. The bog is set back slightly from the nearest highway. Although there is a little development around it, the bog remains a peaceful and quiet area to enjoy nature.
A bog is a natural water area where plants grow and wildlife lives. Just like the Auto Museum, I'd heard so much about the bog and I was eager to check it out. The bog is set back slightly from the nearest highway. Although there is a little development around it, the bog remains a peaceful and quiet area to enjoy nature.
There are two paths, one that circles a small water area and another longer path that crosses through the bog and into the surrounding wooded area. At several points during my walk I had to cross over paths with bridges that floated directly on the water. I'm glad I took the time to visit, my only regret is that I didn't visit sooner so I could have taken advantage of such a great nature hike so close to home.
Do you have a nature area where you live that's great for hiking or spending the day outdoors?