No, you won't find soaring mountains, deep canyons, or herds of roaming buffalo at Congaree. But the easy two and a half mile boardwalk provides views of its distinctive blend of ecological richness. This includes one of the largest remaining tracts of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the United States – some of the tallest trees in the eastern U.S.  And if you’re lucky enough to see them, synchronous fireflies provide visitors with a rare natural light show in the late spring. Congaree is definitely worth a visit. Oh, and entry is free......... Click photo or title for story.

After navigating primitive forest trails, hikers generally don’t expect to encounter a multimillion-dollar science museum at the end of their trek. However, this unique reward awaits visitors who complete the fairly easy mile-and-a-half nature trail through LeFleur’s Bluff State Park and reach the state-of-the-art Mississippi Museum of Natural Science in Jackson ........ Click photo or title for story on page 10.

A hike through Rainbow Springs State Park offers beautilful clear blue waters and lush gardens - you feel like you've walked into a tropical paradise ........ Click photo or title for story.

If walking the rim of a (hopefully) extinct volcano is on your bucket list, Capulin is calling you........ Click photo or title for story.

Despite its tragic history, Arizona’s Antelope Canyon remains a popular tourist destination. Sunlight filters through slender opening 100 feet above the canyon floor, creating spectacular waves of color that reflect off sandstone walls...... Click photo or title for story.

More than a million alligators call Florida home, but encountering the predators in a city’s business district is a rarity—and residents openly embracing their presence is even more unexpected. Yet in Inverness, the county seat of Citrus County, the waters and marshes of Cooter Pond harbor an abundance of scaly reptiles that coexist with local humans..... Click photo or title for story.

Admired for its dramatic mountainous beauty, diverse wildlife, and range of outdoor activities, Rocky Mountain National Park is a top destination for tourists. Each year, millions flock to the Colorado park and navigate the winding Trail Ridge Road just to experience the scenic beauty of the seemingly endless 2-mile-high mountains towering over the pristine region. Click photo or title for story.

With more than 50 miles of trails spread throughout some 40 public parks today, seniors visiting the seat of Gallatin County will find plenty of opportunity to stretch their legs along the meandering pathways throughout the park system. While many are flat and paved, attempting some slightly more ambitious trails, such as Peets Hill, is worth a try.  Click photo or title for story.

More than 700 alligators call Alligator Alley home. The 160-acre privately onwed property in Summerdale, Alabama, is just a few miles north of Gulf Shores. A long boardwalk takes you out through swamps to view these amazing animals. Click photo or title for story.   

Venturing south along Route 15 toward Deer Isle, Maine, eager to spend a day exploring some of the area’s short trails, we weren’t disappointed, beginning with the splendid Little Deer Isle bridge that gracefully spans Eggemoggin Reach. Click photo or title for story.