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[Pico de Areiro / Santana, Madeira, May 14, 2025] I had been watching the weather every single day, hoping for a window of opportunity to hike one of Madeira’s best known hikes. At almost 6,000 ft, Pico de Areiro is the third highest peak on the island. An 8-mile round-trip trail connects it to Madeira’s highest, Pico Ruvio. In the Madeira hiking system, it’s marked as PR1. PR stands for “Pequena Rota,”… Read More
[Caniçal / Santana, Madeira, May 12, 2025] After our fun day in Funchal, it was time to leave the walkability of Madeira’s capital behind and start driving around the island. For our first day outside the capital, we decided to head west. Our plan was to check out the highest skywalk in Europe, then continue west to Madeira’s famous natural pools in Porto Moniz. But our day turned out entirely different. We… Read More
[New River Gorge National Park, Apr 13, 2025] Today was the start of a warming trend that would continue into the next few days. It was too bad it was my last full day here! Nevertheless, I donned all the clothes I had plus a scarf I had picked up at Hawk’s Nest State Park the day before. It was going to be cold start (upper 30s/low 40s) for my New River… Read More
[New River Gorge NP, Apr 11, 2025] Two weeks into my trip, I was finally on the way to New River Gorge National Park – my 49th! I knew that spring weather might be tricky, so I allowed myself 3 full days in the park. This seemed like a lot when I planned the trip, but it turned out to be a good call. The forecast called for a cold front to… Read More
[Macon, GA, Apr 5, 2025] Some time ago, I read this article about where the 64th national park might be. Ocmulgee Mounds in Macon, GA, was at the top of the list! Yet another place in Georgia I was just now hearing about! When I originally mapped out this trip, I decided against making it down to Macon. The drive from Helen was 3.5 hours, and then I’d have to drive another… Read More
