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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

September 10, 2025September 23, 2025Anna--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!

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Pixie and the Brasstown Falls, Pawsing in Long Creek, South Carolina

May 31, 2025September 23, 2025Anna--The Adventurer Leave a comment

The feature image photo isn’t the most flattering of myself. Still, I thought it was adorable of Pixie (my wee doggy). It captured the waterfalls well in the background.A kind walker snapped the photo upon asking and one won’t complain or belittle a thoughtful act.

The drive there was about 45 minutes from Clemson. (I am using Clemson University as a marking point for distance reference.) The drive was beautiful. The last 5 or so miles were back country roads. Thankfully, my Google Maps still worked even though I was out of cell-phone range. Yes, I recommend you use a mapping app to get there. It’s “out there” and the last bit is dirt roads. The track is often very narrow, so slow down, take your time and enjoy!

The parking area at the trail head is very spacious and it’s a hidden gem. There were other locals there whom obviously never spilled this great kept secret. There isn’t an entrance fee and it’s family, pet friendly, which makes it even more spectacular! The rules do state, on the information board, that visitors please keep pets leashed.It also asks to leave no trace behind that you were there. What you bring in, please take out with you!

This trail and gorgeous site are pet friendly. Nevertheless, horse back riding, bicycles,scooters and ATV/dirt bikes are not allowed. It’s not wheelchair accessible (in my opinion). Although, I believe, it is easily managed for even people like me whom aren’t the fittest and have joint damage. I would gladly take my 90 year old grandfather here. I would also bring my nieces and nephews, all under age 10. It’s a joy for all.

Pixie thoroughly exasperated herself while she was hiking. She sniffed all the wonders of the trail. She was quite popular with the other walkers and seekers. I don’t know which she enjoyed more. She loved socializing. She bubbled over the water splashing. She also notified me of critters and other crawlies she spotted. She tells me all kinds of things. She communicates without chase or barking. She talks in her own huffs and squeaks, with ear tips wiggling with delight.

There are 3 deck platforms along the trail’s length. They allow viewing of each section of the waterfalls’ multiple parts. Along the paths an abundance of flora, fauna grow prolifically.

The site is definitely worth the effort. Pixie and I walked, I estimate, about 1.2 miles total (round trip) and we both made it easily. I gave her a treat or two along the way (and always provided water for both of us, when needed.)

To quote Siskel and Ebert, 2 thumbs (and 4 paws) way up!

The paths are well maintained and serviced for ease of use

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Station Cove Falls–4 Foot Bridges in- 1 Mile Round Trip-Easy Walk!

May 10, 2025September 16, 2025Anna--The Adventurer Leave a comment

A lovely visitor came to see me for the weekend from North Carolina. I couldn’t have asked for a better adventure buddy than my cousin, Amy Reid. We enjoyed a lovely afternoon in the outskirts of Walhalla, South Carolina.

Going to the waterfall at Station Cove was enjoyable. The whole walking trail, from where we parked at the trail head to the waterfall and back, was 1 mile. It was super easy terrain. The natural flora and fauna is outstanding. There are ferns, mushrooms of all sorts, and song birds in multitude. Plus, there are lots of trees and so much more. The walking trail and park is free!

We donned our comfy sneakers and off we went, bottled water in hands–the trail head information sign states that it takes about 30-40 minutes to go round trip from parking area to waterfall and back. Amy and I, though, took our time and spent a total of about 2-2.5 hours as we chilled on the flat table rocks on the edge of the waterfall pool and did what we do best, talked, looked at the waterfall, splashed our feet, and talked a whole lot more!

The trail is super easy for walking. At one point, it splits off into another trail that leads to another site 2.7 miles away.We weren’t brave enough to trek through that today! The trail is easy, as stated, and allows bicycles (non motorized). The trail is also very family and pet friendly. However, I don’t believe it’s accessible or usable for mobility aids like wheelchairs.

Saona Island–National Park, Speed Boat and Catamaran

September 15, 2024October 25, 2024Anna--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

Tortuga–adventures in Punta Cana have started–Macaws included!

September 11, 2024October 25, 2024Anna--The Adventurer Leave a comment

The group of 8, myself included, arrived yesterday, via ways of Newark, New Jersey airport! We arranged this vacation some months ago and it has come to fruition! I am the youngest of the group and my grandfather is the senior adventurer at a few months shy of 90!

Yesterday, upon arrivel in the evening, we all checked in to our prospective rooms and got ourselves set up and met up for dinner at the all inclusive resort.

The “first” day on the restort, I spent the bulk of it on Tortuga beach at the enclosed resort–which included playing with a local Macaw and got a beach side pedicure–from a beach pedicurist–an absolute delight and much needed–which inspired my grandfather to also get his feet worked on–we both were calloused and crunchy but when our lovely lady was finished, we became beach worthy!

The other’s in my group decided to spend the day in the pool with the swim up bar and live entertainment, about 1 block away–and enjoy the full amnenities of the resort.

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

March 10, 2024October 25, 2024Anna--The Adventurer Leave a comment

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

December 3, 2023December 4, 2023Anna--The Adventurer Leave a comment

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!