Sitting on the Utah side of Bear Lake, which is split in half between Utah and Idaho, is the appropriately named Bear Lake State Park. The park is perfect for family trips and for those who enjoy the water. Boats, jet skis, kayaks and canoes all share the lake, which has a bustling summertime marina …
By Cole Clark El Paso is the heart and soul of West Texas, a region of the country about which many songs have been written. Set at 3,740 feet above sea level in the foothills of the Franklin Mountains, (part of the Rockies) El Paso is indisputably a Western town. One of the biggest land …
While you assuredly need to visit Big Bend National Park, its neighbor to the west – Big Bend Ranch State Park – is worth time, too. Ideally, you’ll have at least a few days in each park. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department calls Big Bend Ranch State Park “the other side of nowhere.” And …
Right near the North Dakota-South Dakota border, Shadehill State Recreation Area is on the Shadehill Reservoir, one of western South Dakota’s few large lakes. It’s a great spot to connect with nature and have a relaxing day. So why not stay awhile? The fees are $8 per vehicle per day, or you can get an …
Black Hills National Forest is mainly in western South Dakota, though it bleeds into northeastern Wyoming, too. It is 1.2 million acres of forested hills and mountains, perfect for escaping into the woods. Within the Black Hills is the Black Elk Wilderness and Norbeck Wildlife Preserve, each with its own intrigue. Black Elk, in the …
By Marlene Flynn “It is the most beautiful and authentic garden in the world outside Japan.” Those were the words of former ambassador of Japan to the United States, Nobuo Matsunaga, upon visiting the Portland Japanese Garden during the summer of 1988. Tucked into the hills of Portland’s Washington Park just three miles west of …
In eastern Oregon, bordering Idaho, is the city of Jordan Valley. First populated by the Northern Paiute people, the area is perhaps most notable for the Pillars of Rome, a 40-minute drive west of the city. The Pillars of Rome are 100-foot-high rock formations that got their name for bearing a resemblance to Roman ruins. …
Photo and story by Morissa Pawl-Frederico There are many wonderful drives in Oregon. Some are historic, some are dotted with farms and wineries, and some are simply picturesque. One that stands out is the enchanting Highway 34 between the city of Lebanon and the Oregon Coast. This stretch of scenic byway is known as the …
By Marlene Flynn Big Sky Country is not the exclusive property of Montana. With a number of ways to approach the magic that is Oregon, one of the best is to enter from the east. Baker City has been called the “base camp of eastern Oregon,” and for good reason. About four miles off I-84, …
By Brooke Marshall Save the gambling for Vegas; there’s so much more to Reno than casinos. “The Biggest Little City in the World” is a gateway to outdoor adventures from stunning hikes to desert hot springs, and whitewater kayaking to world-class skiing. You don’t even have to leave the city limits to get your outdoor …
