Recent Stories
Estes Park celebrates elk with festival
ESTES PARK, Colo. — As we drive along Trail Ridge Road, high into Rocky Mountain National Park, our ears begin to pop. We’re at almost 10,000 feet, when all of the sudden, the cars in front of us stop suddenly. We peer through the windshield, as our car slows toRead More…
Park offers colorful leaf peeping in fall
ESTES PARK, Colo. – Picture this: Driving up through Rocky Mountain National Park as September creeps into its last remaining calendar days. The temperature on the car thermometer slowly drops one digit at a time – 40, 39, 38, as we increase altitude. Road-trip jams softly play on the radio,Read More…
Estes Park offers getaway for city dwellers
ESTES PARK, Colo.— In this quaint town about 60 miles north of Denver lives a lively population of just under 7,000 people. While the small town might seem like it lacks a large quantity of things to do, it is actually full of high quality nostalgic activities and breathtaking views.Read More…
Visitors unwind at Snowy Peaks Winery
ESTES PARK, Colo. — Tracey Martens, a tourist from Oklahoma City, Okla., and frequent Colorado visitor, shared that while she initially drove past Snowy Peaks Winery, its quaint and inviting atmosphere lead her to pay it a visit. “I usually frequent wineries. This one has a great atmosphere of gift-typeRead More…
Hurricane leaves mark on Big Cypress
OCHOPEE, Fla. —Sept. 10, 2017, was the dreadful day that Hurricane Irma made landfall in South Florida. It is seven months since the hurricane, but its unexpected route through Florida and the damage that came with it are impossible to forget. One of the many areas that were affected wasRead More…
Everglades works on diversity dilemma
FLORIDA CITY, Fla. — There is a slight buzz hanging in the dirk baked, humid South Florida air. There are no houses in sight, no buildings period. Mangroves tangle into each other, sawgrass sits soaked in water. A group of students, uniform in Miami Shores Elementary t-shirts and the remnantsRead More…
Camping for a honeymoon at Joshua Tree
TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. — Camping is one of the best ways to embrace Joshua Tree National Park, easily reachable from either Los Angeles or Las Vegas. The higher and cooler Mojave Desert is the special habitat of Joshua tree, whose scientific name is Yucca Brevifolia. Combined with giant boulders andRead More…
Everglades, an alligator, crocodile paradise
COOPERTOWN, Fla – Established in 1974, Everglades National Park continues to be a monumental environmental staple. Located in the South Florida, the calm-moving shallow water is known for its protected ecosystem and wildlife. Beginning near Orlando and extending across to the southern tip of the Florida peninsula, the Everglades isRead More…
Biscayne: Watery wonderland under siege
HOMESTEAD, Fla. —The clear waters of Biscayne National Park reflected back a prism of greens and blues. Looking out into the vast area that separated the mainland from the Florida Keys, the steady hum of the boat taking passengers to Boca Chita sped along. The ornamental lighthouse at Boca ChitaRead More…
Art takes charge each fall in Zion park
SPRINGDALE, Utah — Dramatic landscapes have inspired great art around the world. The unique scenery of America’s national parks, such as Zion National Park located near here, is no exception. National parks and great artists always have a special relationship. Artists have long painted and photographed the beautiful scenery andRead More…
Kayaking offers a scenic arm workout
HOMESTEAD, Fla.— As a child, my dislike of nature was apparent— so apparent that my mother sent me to summer camp at a local park where I learned about leaves and bugs and dirt. Every Friday, our camp counselors would bring out the kayaks and canoes to give us lessons,Read More…
Glades’ bike trail provides gator adventure
SHARK VALLEY, Fla. — As soon as I passed the Miccosukee Resort and Casino at SW 177th Avenue on U.S. 41, I knew I had entered new territory. The 20-mile drive encompassed a beautiful untouched landscape with an unsettling, impression that left me feeling like Dorothy in “The Wizard ofRead More…