When we scouted places we might want to live in South Dakota and Wyoming, the Black Hills area was at the top of our list. One of our favorite days was driving Needles Highway and down through Custer State Park to our accommodations in Hot Springs, South Dakota. We promised ourselves we would be back, …
This weekend we headed back to Curt Gowdy State Park for a bigger hike around Crystal Reservoir. By stitching together Cliff Hanger, Canyons, and Crystal Ridge trails, we created a giant loop around the lake. Just for fun, we also added in the Highline loop, which was absolutely worth it! Our final hike clocked in …
Continue reading Wyoming Hikes: Cliff Hanger Loop and Highline Loop
Aside from a long weekend in Rocky Mountain National Park a couple years ago, I haven't spent an appreciable amount of time in Colorado. So when our friends told us they were attending a week-long work conference in Denver, we immediately made plans to head down the weekend ahead of time to catch up! Denver …
Continue reading Exploring Colorado’s Red Rocks and Lookout Mountain
When we were considering our move to Wyoming, one of our criteria was proximity to mountains and places to hike. With 109 named mountain ranges and sub-ranges in Wyoming, we thought it was a safe bet we'd be able to access something of interest no matter where we landed! If you've visited Cheyenne, Wyoming, which …
Continue reading Wyoming Hikes: Crow Creek to Hidden Falls Trail
While Mount Rainier is the volcano most people associate with Washington, Mount St. Helens is the one Washington residents most like to discuss, especially on the anniversary of its May 1980 eruption. My work colleagues in particular each have a vivid recollection of where they were during that time and in the days and weeks …
Continue reading Visiting Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
As we were scouting places to live near Cheyenne, Wyoming, we took the opportunity to ask some locals where we could find great hikes nearby. One recommendation that piqued our interest was the Pole Mountain area of Medicine Bow National Forest, which is about 35 minutes west of Cheyenne. The 55,000-acre area has countless trails …
During our recent trip to Wyoming and South Dakota, we spent a good deal of time in the great outdoors, hiking and exploring new national parks. While this was a particularly wonderful way to spend our mornings, we were open to other ideas to beat the heat in the summer afternoons. Our Rapid City AirBnB …
Continue reading South Dakota Sights: Needles Highway and Custer State Park
Finding direction and purpose on the road, in the outdoors, and on the page
Finding direction and purpose on the road, in the outdoors, and on the page
Finding direction and purpose on the road, in the outdoors, and on the page
Heather's Compass 