Perhaps no single other point in the United States can claim to be more the crossroads of America than the confluence of two of its greatest rivers, the actual spot where the 2,541-mile Missouri River flows into the 2,320-mile Mississippi River (see note below*). Although not in the exact center of the country, the confluence is the moment when the two longest rivers in the country meet, and it is where Meriwether Lewis and William Clark moved away from what might in 1804 be accurately described as the very extent of the “known” world on their 8,000-mile-plus trek to reach the Pacific Ocean.

Standing at the edge of the Columbia Bottom Conservation Area in Missouri, watching the two waters combine and imaging this history and geographical uniqueness, is one of the nation’s finest things to do. St. Louis is fewer than 10 miles to the south. ... Read More

If you’re looking for a beautiful area to visit in the fall, consider the New River Gorge region of southern West Virginia, an area I’ve previously visited with my brother Steve.

Originally planned as a “manly man” camping trip, we ended up “camping” at the EconoLodge in Summersville due to a forecast of steady rain and forty-degree temperatures. I have to credit Steve with being the manlier one of us though, as he refused to carry an umbrella; apparently this would be neither cool nor manly. 
 Not to be deterred by a little wet and... Read More

Is there a pot of gold at the end of a moonbow?

One afternoon while visiting relatives in Corbin, Kentucky, we decided to have lunch at the Dupont Lodge at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park.  From most tables you have a lovely view of the Cumberland River and outside the windows are feeders to attract the resident birds and delight the diners. The food was plentiful and enjoyable.  I had catfish and the usual array of buffet vegetables, salad fixings, green beans, mashed potatoes and some yummy hush puppies. One person in our group ordered a Kentucky favorite – A Hot Brown (a... Read More

I’ve visited Wekiwa Springs State Park many times since moving to Orlando, but I’d never managed to get past the park’s most appealing feature, which is, no surprise, the springs. When temperatures reach the mid-90s—and let’s face it, they do for about half the year in Central Florida—how do you resist a dip into clear spring water bubbling up at a constant, skin-chilling 68 degrees? The answer: you don’t. Not easily at least. ... Read More

 
     I recently agreed to meet family members in Daytona Beach, Fla., for a mini-reunion during the week prior to the Daytona 500. Neither the time nor location was my preference, but since I live in Orlando, it wasn’t exactly a huge sacrifice to drive an hour on I-4 in the interest of family harmony.

Despite the trip being all about togetherness, I found myself with some time on my own, and since I’m not a NASCAR fan and the weather was cool and I hadn’t had a chance to go hiking in months, I chose to explore a 6.8-mile trail stretching... Read More