Rim Rock National Recreation Trail

02 March 2024By Brett
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

03 February 2024By Brett
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

20 January 2024By Brett

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

18 January 2024By Brett
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

31 December 2023By Brett
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

20 December 2023By Brett

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

Eifel Germany Aqueduct Adventure!

17 December 2023By Brett
an excavated and exposed roman aqueduct with a stone wall and cross section of stone with a flat bottom, vertical sides, and an arched top about 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide in the eifel region germany

Are you ready for an Eifel Aqueduct adventure through history? The Eifel Aqueduct was the main source of water for the city of Cologne in Germany. Aqueduct construction began around 80 A.D. It was used for hundreds of years until it fell into disrepair. Today, you can follow an official route from the start to…Read more

Killers of the Flower Moon Locations

24 October 2023By Brett
a black and white photo of old western buildings, dirt road, and oil derricks in Osage County Oklahoma's whizbang

Killers of the Flower Moon Locations The Osage Reservation Osage County is also the same as the Osage Nation and it’s coincidental with the same geographic area. There are several Osage Nation Heritage Markers along the main road through the county and you can learn about the history of the Osage on these roadside stops….Read more