Recent Stories
Art takes charge each fall in Zion park
SPRINGDALE, Utah — Dramatic landscapes have inspired great art around the world. The unique scenery of America’s national parks, such as Zion National Park located near here, is no exception. National parks and great artists always have a special relationship. Artists have long painted and photographed the beautiful scenery andRead More…
Kayaking offers a scenic arm workout
HOMESTEAD, Fla.— As a child, my dislike of nature was apparent— so apparent that my mother sent me to summer camp at a local park where I learned about leaves and bugs and dirt. Every Friday, our camp counselors would bring out the kayaks and canoes to give us lessons,Read More…
Glades’ bike trail provides gator adventure
SHARK VALLEY, Fla. — As soon as I passed the Miccosukee Resort and Casino at SW 177th Avenue on U.S. 41, I knew I had entered new territory. The 20-mile drive encompassed a beautiful untouched landscape with an unsettling, impression that left me feeling like Dorothy in “The Wizard ofRead More…
Confluence conflict: Protect or develop?
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Turquoise water kisses murky, emerald water and the sun scorches the canyon’s abyss. The only audible sound is the rush of the two rivers colliding, the hum of nature in the secluded depths of the Grand Canyon. This meeting place about 90 miles north of here, whereRead More…
The ‘ultimate kiss’ tells immigrants’ story
“I remember holding in my tears as I climbed the staircase but as soon as I saw him I just knew…. I like to compare it to the big scene; like at the end of those romance films that moment where she runs to him and they kiss. The kissRead More…
Everglades City boasts fresh, tasty seafood
EVERGLADES CITY, Fla. – In the wintertime, thousands of tourists swarm Everglades National Park for a dose of greenery, wildlife and outdoor beauty. As South Florida is known for its desirable temperatures this time of year, which often hover around 75 degrees, a journey through Florida’s swampland is a welcomedRead More…
Canyon educates visitors about erosion
GRAND CANYON VILLAGE, Ariz.—The sun crept over the horizon and the rocks were flashing shades of crimson, mud and blush. Perfectly constructed layers of stone stacked upon one another, built up the walls of the canyon. It was a crevice 18 miles wide, more than one mile deep and 277Read More…
Fire destroys historic Monroe Station
OCHOPEE, Fla. — For many people traveling to Miami or Naples, the route along U.S. 41 through the Big Cypress National Preserve almost always had a stop at their favorite pit stop, Monroe Station. Built in 1928, the station was the only place where residents and travelers along the TamiamiRead More…
A thrilling way to get closer to the Canyon
GRAND CANYON VILLAGE, Ariz. — If you ask people which part of the Grand Canyon National Park they like the most, you will most likely get answers such as Bright Angel Trail, Hopi House or Hermits Rest. But what fascinates me the most is the 25-mile Desert View Drive onRead More…
7,000 feet above the Canyon on a mule
I hope you will not have … anything … to mar the wonderful grandeur, the sublimity, the great loneliness and beauty of the canyon. Leave it as it is. You cannot improve on it. The ages have been at work on it, and man can only mar it.” —Teddy RooseveltRead More…
Biscayne Bay, a coral reef experience
HOMESTEAD, Fla. — The waters of Biscayne Bay are crystal clear and hold 10,000 years of history. Visitors to Biscayne, the northernmost area of the Florida Keys, can experience the wonders of this turquoise paradise in many ways, ranging from exploring the coral reef, kayaking down the waterways, or simplyRead More…
An Everglades guide for the non-outdoorsy
FLORIDA CITY, Fla. — The outdoors. For female readers who hear those words and immediately flinch in disgust, have no fear. Put down your iPhone and your recent purchase of “Camping for Dummies” because, with these tips, you will be ready to play dress up when trekking the trails ofRead More…