american west, california, Hiking, Historical sites, history, Opinion, outdoors, safety, Travel, Uncategorized, writing

Hiking the Angeles: Vetter Mountain Lookout

Vetter Mountain is home to one of the last fire lookout towers in the Angeles National Forest. Today, the Vetter Mountain Lookout Interpretive Site provides shelter for the fire lookout, volunteers who keep watch over the forest to spot signs of fire early to alert first responders. Starting at the Charlton Flat Picnic Area, we hiked up Vetter Mountain for beautiful 360 views of the San Gabriel Mountains. On weekends, the lookout is open to visitors.

american west, Brunch, Camping, Canada, Family, Hiking, Lunch, Opinion, outdoors, safety, Shopping, Style, Travel, Uncategorized, Vacation, wine, writing

Road Trip Canada: A Trek Across Southern British Columbia

This fourth post in our 2023 Summer Road Trip series is a journey through southern British Columbia, traversing the scenic province from Vancouver to the U.S. border crossing at Cristina Lake. The Cranky Camper also discovers what a closed border crossing looks like and reflects on lessons learned.

american west, Camping, Hiking, Historical sites, Museums, outdoors, Style, Travel, Uncategorized, Vacation, writing

Multnomah Falls

The second post of the 2023 Summer Road Trip series follows the adventure to Portland, Oregon. The Columbia River Gorge offers up miles of scenic landscape along the Oregon-Washington border, and Multnomah Falls, Oregon's tallest waterfall, is a popular hiking and photo spot.

Camping, Hiking, Historical sites, midwest, outdoors, Travel, Uncategorized, writing

Missouri State Parks: Table Rock Dam and the Hatchery

Table Rock Dam in the Ozarks of Missouri provides plenty of recreation opportunities as well as hydroelectric power generation. We also visited Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery, part of the Missouri Department of Conservation, which provides trout management for Lake Taneycomo and other areas in Missouri.

california, Dog, Hiking, outdoors, Travel, Uncategorized

Claremont Wilderness Loop

Owen the pup loved his hiking adventure on a popular, local five-mile trail loop in Claremont Hills Wilderness Park.