*As published in North Canton Living January 2025 "I would make a home for them in the North, and the Lord helping me, I would bring them all here.” Harriet Tubman The road narrowed with dark...
Following Harriet Tubman in Maryland
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Travel Articles & Blog
Extreme Adventure in West Virginia
*As published in North Canton Living December 2025 The canopy was carefully examined and folded. Go Pros were checked and rechecked. The group moved carefully into line reminiscing about their more...
Hidden Ohio Trolls
I sipped water and wiped my sweat as I sat in the shade watching the children dash from tiny faerie house to house. Their faerie house papers flapped in the breeze over shouts of “I found it!” The...
Celebrating Ten Years of the Butler County Donut Trail
*As published in North Canton Living October 2025 My stomach grumbled at the heavy smell of fried dough and sugar. I took my place in line behind two moms with several small children clutching their...
The Urban National Park of Indiana Dunes
*As seen in North Canton Living Magazine February 2025 The waves crashed against the pier with spray arching over the walk. The sky bright blue after several days of storms. In the distance, I could...
Extreme Adventure in the New River Gorge National Park
*As seen in the North Canton Living Magazine January 2024 The train whistle echoed through the hills as I edged closer to the abandoned building. I watched as people quickly crossed the tracks as...
Taking Flight in Dayton
Entering the last of the four airplane hangers, I could feel my mouth fall open as I stared at the presidential airplanes. Not one but four presidential aircraft. After a day of so many types of aircraft, seeing four large planes in one building with room to spare, my head spun. I had only a half hour before closing so I made my way up the steps and through the immaculately preserved pieces of American history.
Into the Depths of Carlsbad Caverns
I watched the monitor as the elevator descended. The park ranger stood quietly by as my ears popped. 30, 40, 50 and so as the elevator ticked on. When we reached the bottom at 79 stories, the ranger reminded us of the low light and gently directed us to the beginning of the self-guided tour. I adjusted my backpack and cane as I stepped into the gloom of Carlsbad Caverns.
Sunny Days at White Sands National Park
I drove the narrow winding road leaving the dessert and entering a white wall of sand. The dunes towered above me with their grains blowing in a constant river of white across the road. The brilliant blue cloudless sky met the white in a glare that confounded the senses.
Distant Worlds at McDonald Observatory
I shivered in the massive sterile feeling room. Surrounded by large pieces of equipment, I stared up at the domed ceiling soaring high above. I could feel the airflow as the aperture opened and the dome rotated on giant rolling pins. The 160-ton Harlan Smith Telescope hung over us. I could imagine the astronomers at night programming in the coordinates and beaming the image to a distant astronomer in another part of the world. A fellow tour group member beamed as he pressed the dome’s giant stop-and-go buttons under the watchful eye of our tour guide.
Exploring the Natchez Trace
I stood under the moonless sky gazing at the stars through the leafless trees. The inky black December night was spooky as we looked around noting the lack of artificial light. Our breath bloomed in front of us as we snuggled into our winter coats. My son turned to me and asked, “Do you think this is what they saw at night while traveling the Natchez?”
Strolling Along the San Antonio Riverwalk
Perched on the edge of a rock wall with our feet dangling over the San Antonio Riverwalk, my son and I watched the people weaving through busy crowds. Holiday lights dangled from the tall trees and a quiet blend of music drifted from the long line of restaurants tucked into the bottom of historic buildings. The air was soft and I pulled my sweater close. This was our last night in San Antonio and my feet hurt. It was the second week of January 2024 and despite the chill, I welcomed the 60 degrees.