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Ayres Natural Bridge at LaPrele Creek, A reprieve along the Oregon Trail-and perfect rest stop for modern travelers and adventures

Anna--The Adventurer Leave a comment

The pioneers are making their mark again along the Oregon Trail here. It is just outside of Jackolope City, Wyoming. The trail is along the I-25, so it’s easily accessible now!

Looming gently over LaPrele Creek, Ayres Natural Bridge provides beautiful splendor amongst the red rocks of Converse County.

According to the tourist site,is only one of three natural bridges “LaPrele Creek flows beneath the rock formation. It creates one of only three rock archways in the nation that span water.” I feel so fortunate and blessed that I got to see one of them!

While driving up to the location, it’s clearly posted that any animal, leashed or not, is not welcome onsite. Tickets with fines will be issued for those bringing in an animal with them. So please, remember to leave Fido and kitty at home.

The drive is an easy method, with wide open colorful views and spectacular scenery. While most of the path to get there is unpaved, it’s still manageable-just take your time!

The area also hosted a small flock of wild turkey.That is the bird, not the alcoholic beverage, just for clarity.

Bring a picnic basket or other goodies. It is an ideal way to spend a lovely afternoon here at Ayres natural bridge and park. Do you want to enjoy it longer? Camping is also available here. I am not sure if I would want to brave the Wyoming chill in the winter for camping. I would consider it if I were in a recreational camper toy. Nonetheless, I am a princess who likes the amenities, and I might not even brave it then.

Watch this little youtube video I made of the area. I hope you thoroughly enjoy it!

La Prele Creek
Ayres Natural Bridge
LaPrele Creek Runs wild under the bridge
Bluffs along the way
Ayres Bridge Park-Perfect location to enjoy a picnic and more
Red Rocks at Ayres
Spectuculars views at Ayres
Enjoying the LaPrele Creek and Red Rocks, Glenrock, Wyoming

Saona Island–National Park, Speed Boat and Catamaran

Anna--The Adventurer Leave a comment

Our group caught a tour/speed boat to Isle Saona, the southern tip of Dominican Republic. We spent a splendid day tour of the National park. There are only 600 inhabitants live in a 1000K radius.

The trip there was taken by Speed boat (as you can see in the video, I was in the front and taking the bounce of every break we hit!)

I have never had much experience with boats/rafts/kayaks/catamarans or any other kind of water or seafaring vessel- so riding in a speed boat and a cataraman in the same day was quite an adventure! the dance party aboard the catamaran on the return voyage as also quite delightful.

While on the Island, the tour company provided us with lunch and beverages, buffet style, and it was lovely–I also picked up a couple of souvenir conch shells as well from a local man.

Enroute to the Island, the speed boat stopped at the lagoon. We swam on and near the sand bars was a splashing good time. According to the tour guide/captain, the area was used for some filming of the movies “Blue Lagoon” with Brooke Shields and some scenes in the Pirates of the Caribbean Movies staring Johnny Depp. Once we re-boarded the speed boat, we left for the Island.

Several hours of play and fun on the island required a 1.5 hour return to Punta Cana, for the end of a splendid day.

The boats are “docked” on the lagoon while we splash and play
Trying to be fancy and fun in the sun with my sun bonnet
Trying to be fancy and fun in the sun with my sun bonnet
Bouncing on the boat as I was placed in the front and bounced with every wave
All of us playing in the lagoon with the sandbars
Our arrival boat
Me and my Sweetness on the island
I got a conch shell on Saona Island
my second Conch Shel a Souvenir for my parents
My sweetness with his UV blocking shirt
Papa and Abuelita Sandra on the Catermerann
Saona Island, Dominican Republic
Speed Boat
Papa and Aunt Margie
Sweetness on the Island
Our Group, including me, Papa, Aunt Margie, Ms. Sandra, and Mr. JED Horton and Sweetness David Jones
Papa and Ms Sandra on Cataramaran
Me adn my Sweetness

Day Light Savings: Springing Forward with a Picnic on the Twelve Mile River, Cateechee, South Carolina

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The days are growing longer and springing forward with the time change today extends the sunshine, albeit cutting an hour of sleep off. What’s a person to do but to catch the rays on the riverbanks and perhaps rock out to the humms of the rapids.

While seeking a different venue (my digital map wasn’t working properly) I came upon the river and it’s idealic location, simply because Lay Bridge Road is closed/blocked off, allowing a pseudo parking area to be created and locals/adventureres to enjoy the serenic setting. Catechese Dam on lay bridge road is also a minor historical site as well.

I stopped by the local store and chose a few items for a picnic, sticking my purchase in a re-usable small shopping bag as I don’t currently own an actual picnic basket and the durable bag makes it easy to carry my food items to and from the site (plus, the handles don’t dig into my fingers, especially important when carrying items on an adventure!)

While I am a fairly skilled person I realized that hunting and gathering for my food isn’t really conducive for feeding myself, packing a picnic is a very affordable way to eat well without breaking the bank or spending a small fortune on take-out (my entire picnic would have easily fed 2-3 people for less than $8 total.) I usually pack a bit extra–in case I stay out a bit longer than expected, meet a new friend, etc-one may never know what excitement adventures lead too and who doens’t like good snacks and food to eat and share?

The weather has been dreary, grey rainy skies lately and with a clear, sunshine filled cool day, it was a lovely adventure to enjoy the river and lay on the banks and soak in the sun, eat my picnic and enjoy the sounds of nature serenade me with their melody. A special treat? A group of 4 kayakers paddled by with their colorful paddles and head gear on!

A little video I snapped of the river, about 1/4 mile from the historical damn sign

Nantahala National Park, Whitewater Falls, and a work out-Chasers/Sapphire North Carolina

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I am not sure of the history but dang, the area is absolutely stunning, not only the drive to get there from Pickens County, South Carolina to the National Park, even in early December, was beyond compare!

The leaves, what few remain, are still very colorful as the remininents of Autumn linger on and the weather very mild, sunny but with a cool breeze– perfect for a trail, a wooden staircase, and a wonderful waterfall just over the state line in the Blue Ridge Parkway and Nantahala National Park.

The trail walk and stairs to the waterfall and returning to my vehicle at the parking area took me almost an hour (which definitly got my heart rate up!) and it’s rated moderate.

Recently I was diagnosed with high cholesterol and prediabetic/diabetic and was put on medicaiton. With this diagnosis, I would like to kick it once and for all and get healthier, so choosing a fun way to get out and get more active, in addition to other lifestyle and dietary changes, more adventures are to come!

waterfall near Sapphire North Carolina