Geneva Switzerland Trip Report

a geyser looking jet shooting up in lake Geneva with blue water all around

What’s better than impromptu trip to Geneva Switzerland?! I drove down to Geneva to visit a friend who was flying in for work so I decided to make the 6 hour trip down there and here’s what you can expect from a quick weekend trip in this lake-side city! You can also check out my…Read more

The American Eclipse of 2024

a picture of the 2024 eclipse with a black background, black center, and white corona around the sun and moon

I went back to Indiana to experience my second solar eclipse! I went to Illinois in 2017 for the first American eclipse in 40 years and I went back to see the 2024 eclipse. Here are a few highlights of the trip and I’m officially a “chaser”! What are Eclipses? A solar eclipse is when…Read more

Lichtenberg Castle Pfalz

a stone tower with 2 windows near the top of Lichtenberg castle in Germany

We went out just for a few hours over the weekend and decided to visit Lichtenberg Castle in the Pfalz. It famously has a very large tower right in the middle of the grounds. It is a great area for some hiking, biking, or driving around, and the grounds are very nice to explore too!…Read more

Garden of the Gods Illinois

the view of camel rock and cliffs around garden of the gods

Garden of the Gods is the crown jewel of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois! It contains impressive cliffs, some hiking, the entrance to thousands of acres of wilderness area, and all in rural Illinois! Here’s what to expect on your next visit. The Garden The Garden of the Gods is truly a special and…Read more

Rim Rock National Recreation Trail

cliffs and a wooden foot bridge in shawnee national forest Illinois

Rim Rock National Recreation Trail is one of the few official hiking trails in Shawnee National Forest and it’s a great spot to get outside! It’s a true gem of the area and a great spot to head to if you’re in the Tristate area. Here’s what to expect on your next visit! The Trail…Read more

Hiking Around Garmisch Germany

a pointy german alp mountain with the sun setting right at the top point of the mountain creating a high contrast shadow

I had a wonderful time hiking around Garmisch Germany during a quick relaxing weekend at Edelweiss Lodge and Resort. It was an easy hike and very quaint to get out and go into the hills a little bit. Here’s what I saw and if you’re ever in Garmisch this is a great way to get…Read more

Vosges Mountains French Airbnb Review

I went to a wonderfully decorated, quaint Airbnb in the Vosges Mountains in France! The Airbnb was decorated beautifully and had a wood-fired hot tub! That was a nice addition! The area was full of hiking, a few ski areas, and lots of streams and snow! There are lots in the area but I mainly…Read more

The Source of the Moselle River

a stone column on the left and a stone wall with a spring coming out of the side with a small channel for the flowing water at the moselle source in france

I was in the Vosges Mountains in France and discovered the source of the Moselle River! It’s an understated memorial park in the mountains. It has a stone column and a small stone fountain to catch the water spilling out of the side of the hill. The spring and a channel which you can jump…Read more

Planning a Rome Trip

a photo from the top of the dome of st peter looking into the square with rome expanding into the distance Photo by DAVID ILIFF. License: CC BY-SA 3.0

I was asked to help with planning a Rome trip for a friend’s upcoming summer vacation. I’ll discuss the places I have already visited and a few places I missed that will be added to a future trip! Enjoy! Tips and Tricks for Rome Here are a few things I’d recommend you keep in mind…Read more

Fire and Ice Airbnb Review

I stayed at a great Airbnb near Gerolstein Germany. It was the home base for our trip up to see the Eifel Aqueduct near Cologne. It is a great spot for a quiet weekend away from it all and maybe some adventuring! The Airbnb is called “Fire and Ice” and is a tiny house and…Read more