Diving the Blue Heron Bridge

Posted on by

One of my 2023 New Year’s Resolutions was to start scuba diving again. When I put my gear into storage after moving to Chicago from Australia, I never imagined it would be 8 years before I used it again! I was a little worried I would have forgotten everything and would have to get re-certified, but thanks to the help of some patient friends I was able to dive again after just a quick little refresher with the equipment.

I have actually already been diving twice this year, but the first time we went too deep for me to take my camera with me. We dove the Princess Anne wreck off West Palm Beach, which is at about 100 feet. The second time I went diving, my friends and I headed to the popular Blue Heron Bridge in Riviera Beach, FL. It’s a very shallow, easy spot popular with snorkelers and divers. There are lots of tropical fish and starfish as well as lobsters.

I’m so glad to be adventuring again, and will do my best to keep up with the blog! Thanks for reading.

Continue reading →

A Fall Hike at Starved Rock

Posted on by

DSCN2017

A view from the bottom of one of Starved Rock’s sandstone canyons

Starved Rock State Park is consistently ranked the most beautiful place in Illinois. I finally was able to get out there with a few friends on a gorgeous fall day to explore the canyons. Unfortunately there wasn’t much water flowing as far as waterfalls go, but the changing leaves more than compensated.

There are 14 main canyons that are accessible with a boardwalk. There are some stairs to climb, but the walking is relatively easy. The further away you get from the visitor center, the more peaceful it is! It’s easy to spend a full day wandering around and it’s nearly impossible to get lost.

Continue reading →

Memorial Day Hike at Governor Dodge

Posted on by

DSCN1950

Dandelions beside the river at Governor Dodge

On Memorial Day weekend I went to Governor Dodge State Park in Wisconsin with a few friends to do some hiking. It was my first trip out of Chicago since coming home from New Zealand and I was long overdue for some greenery. We braved the mosquitos and walked around the Stephens’ Falls area, which is an easy loop that has a storage houses and other remnants from when the Stephens family occupied the land in the late 1800s. The namesake waterfall is tranquil, and the track is well maintained. There are many wildflowers, such as the Virginia waterleaf, daisies, dog roses, wood violets, and dandelions.

Continue reading →

Picton and the Queen Charlotte Track

Posted on by

DSCN1886

A weka on the Queen Charlotte Track

One of my last weekends in New Zealand I headed up to Picton to do a long day walk on the Queen Charlotte Track. As with most other places on the South Island, it was stunning and peaceful and the town was filled with friendly and quirky people. I also had some of the best food during my whole trip, especially the mussels and other seafood. The Queen Charlotte Track is easily accessible and home to gorgeous views. I also walked up the Tirhohanga trail in town and got a view of the town.

Continue reading →

Christmas Road Trip: Part 3

Posted on by

DSCN1809

An other-worldly pond near Fox Glacier

For the final leg of my trip I traveled up the west coast of the South Island through Haast, Fox Glacier, Hokitika, and Punakaiki. Unfortunately the weather became pretty stormy so the photography wasn’t as spectacular, but I still saw gorgeous sights and lots of wildlife. Major highlights were Ship Creek, seeing glow worms in the Tatare Tunnels, and the Pancake Rocks at high tide.

Continue reading →