We wandered up to the Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve in Clifton Park, NY, to see what kind of wildlife we could spot. We really hit the jackpot! From birds to turtles to flowers, there is so much to see in this nature preserve that hugs the Mohawk River and Old Erie Canal.
We’ve been having some really beautiful and warm fall days this year here in Upstate New York. As a person who tends to hibernate all winter, this extension of summer, as my husband calls it, is allowing us a bit more time to wear shorts and tromp through the woods. We spent a beautiful morning hiking along the Vlomankill Trail at Five Rivers and have some pictures to prove it!
My recent exploration of the Plotter Kill Preserve and Indian Kill Nature Preserve in Schenectady, New York led me to the small, quiet, and very peaceful Great Flats Nature Trail. Walking paths and boardwalks loop visitors throughout a protected wetland habitat, providing close access to flaura and fauna usually reserved for those lucky enough to be venturing in rain or “muck” boots.
Nestled just a short drive outside of the city limits of Schenectady, New York, is the lovely Indian Kill Nature Preserve. We got the chance to explore around on a beautiful sunny day. There was a wonderful feeling to the place. Especially walking down around the creek edge, it felt simply… magical.
I’m always amazed to find such wonderful and vast areas for hiking within a short drive of the Capital District. The Plotter Kill Preserve in Rotterdam in upstate New York is a wonderful place that provides miles and miles of trails in addition to scenic waterfalls and is great for those who want to get out into nature but who don’t have a lot of time.
If you’re visiting Virginia Beach, just a few minutes up the road along the Chesapeake Bay is the wild and wonderful First Landing State Park. As Virginia’s most visited state park, there is so much to do, from hiking, biking, and camping to swimming and the seashore itself. We enjoyed a nice and quiet afternoon here hiking along the peaceful Osmanthus Trail with our son.
Natural Bridge State Park in Virginia is centered around a giant and beautiful natural bridge limestone landform that has been carved out by Cedar Creek over millions of years. This was once considered one of the great natural wonders of the Americas, and one that tourists have flocked to for centuries. We visited Virginia’s newest state park on our drive up north from the Carolinas. I can honestly say that in real life, it really is so much more impressive than any picture can ever convey. I mean, look at those tiny trees up top!
It was a lovely spring day and we decided to celebrate it with a visit to the Hollyhock Hollow Sanctuary in upstate New York. This nature preserve has over 140 acres with plenty of trails for hiking, a babbling creek to calm the soul, a little pond to sit beside, and a diverse mixture of woods that attracts a variety of wildlife. I even saw my first spring flowers popping up.
The village of Mhamid is located in the southeastern part of Morocco, on the edge of the Sahara Desert. It’s coveted spot in the more lush Drâa Valley of the Zagora province, was the last stop for caravans before crossing the desert sands. We stopped by Mhamid and Mhamid Bali (the old location of the town) to look at the kasbahs, ride some camels, drink some tea, talk with the locals, and had a wonderful time!
When traveling through the southwest, one of my favorite national parks by far was the Petrified Forest National Park. This park located in northeastern Arizona is naturally and culturally significant and quite beautiful. This area is strewn with colorful fossilized logs that date back to the Late Triassic Period. About 2,000 years ago, humans settled in and built little communities here.
Meandering trails take you throughout the park, giving you glimpses of trees that look like works of art and pueblos from hundreds to thousands of years ago show you how these prehistoric people lived. There’s even one home that looks like it was made from precious stones, which it kind of is.
