This is the case for “Chimney Tops” in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. These nearly 5000 foot twin peaks are more or less in the center of the park, reachable by Newfound Gap Road, the one main road that crosses from Gatlinburg to Cherokee over on the North Carolina side.

The hike to the top and back is four miles, and requires about three to four hours. In terms of being strenuous, it would fall somewhere on the middle of the scale. The vertical rise is about 1700 feet, with the last 100 feet or so requiring a climb up a rock face of 60 plus degrees.

But that climb is worth the spectacular views from the top. Actually the last portion of the trail runs along the ridge line where you are looking down on both sides, and the views even on the lower part of the final ascent are great – so don’t worry if you choose not to make all of that last climb.

The trail itself runs along lots of cascading whitewater and falls – in fact there is often water running down the rocky trail. The vertical rise over only a couple miles make this hike a fair challenge, but one that can be done in just a half-day. At the lower end there are bridges crossing the rushing water, and also excellent swimming in the river below the falls.

The first half of the trail is the easiest. It’s the second half where the incline increases significantly, and more attention is required navigating the loose rocks that are quite slippery when wet. At the end of the trail are several yards of gnarled tree roots to clamber over to reach the last obstacle – the rock face itself.

To reach the very top, you need to be comfortable with heights as it’s a steep climb with nothing to break a fall. In fact there is a picture on a sign at the start of the trail pointing out that to get the full panoramic view, one needs to climb this rocky incline, which can be quite hazardous, especially when wet.

This is a popular trail, so if your visit is during the busy summer months, getting an early start is mandatory if you want a parking spot anywhere close to the trailhead. Another option that worked for us though was getting a late start – actually mid-afternoon when we got a close-in space vacated by earlier hikers.

The marine mammals are displayed in the museum for you to get to understand better. There are polar bears, seals, walrus, and bowhead whales with stories to help you understand the importance these mammals are to the world.

See some of the clothing worn by the different clans and how the decorations of these, made with beads and buttons, are different from one to the other. You will also see how the animals provided many of the necessary items for the people to survive along with products from the forests made into household utensils.

Between1854 and 1861 the citizens of Fort Scott experienced the violence resulting from the clash between free-state abolitionists and pro-slavery advocates. The era described as Bleeding Kansas described the murder, arson and mayhem committed by both sides during the fight to determine whether Kansas would be admitted into the Union as a free or slave state.

Despite admission as a free state in 1861 the violence of the Bleeding Kansas period continued throughout the Civil War. Fort Scott was re-established as the Union Army district headquarters which included the first African-American unit for the Union entering service in 1863.

After the Civil War, Fort Scott became one of the largest cities in eastern Kansas rivaling Kansas City several times as the largest railroad center west of the Mississippi. Fort Scott later became home to three brick factories-some of which were used to pave the Indianapolis Speedway and in construction of the Panama Canal along with many of the streets and buildings of Fort Scott. Agriculture, small industry and insurance have also played a large part in the development of Fort Scott.

The Fort was restored in 1978 and was designated a National Historic Site. It remains the centerpiece of our historic downtown where we have just completed a $2 million Streetscape Project which added period street lights and park benches to our shaded sidewalks.

Interesting Fort Scott tourism places to visit include:

• 1873 Old Congregational Church
• Fort Scott National Historic Site
• Narrated Trolley Tours
• 1862 U.S. National Cemetery

Also in the area – Kansas vacation getaways:
Marais des Cygnes Massacre Site and Wildlife Refuge
Mine Creek Battlefield State Historic Site
Kansas Rocks Recreational Area
Bourbon State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area

Eastern Kansas vacation is nationally known for its Fort Scott National Historic Site and its National Cemetery. But, the community that was built around a frontier military fort well over 160 years ago is a thriving community rich in historic heritage, unique shopping opportunities, industry, culture, education and outdoor recreation. Recognized for its small town hospitality, Fort Scott and its residents are even the proud owners of three World Records!

There is even a stream running through part of the caverns bringing with it the carving ability to make the caverns even larger than they are today.

With three different tours available you will be able to choose the one that best suits your physical ability and your desires. Making this an Arkansas vacation stop that you will be able to tell your family and friends about for years to come.

The area’s main attraction is by far the beautiful climate: hot sun with soft ocean breezes. During the months of June, July, and August expect your sunshine to be interrupted with a rainshower. The rainy season peeks in September and October, so plan your visit accordingly.

There are several rentals that are so enormous and elegant that you’ll never want to leave, so your major decision will be having to decide how much time to spend basking in the sun and how much time you will spend exploring the area. A typical day at one of the many Puerto Vallarta resorts might include relaxing by the beach or by the pool, taking some time for tennis, water skiing, or, maybe, parisailing might be your thing! Not so adventurous? How about a relaxing spa treatment?

Shopping can be done in the hotel shops and even on the beach where local peddlers offer a variety of merchandise. If you’re lucky, you might even run into one of the young boys toting around 3′ to 4′ iguanas. For a couple of green backs, they will let you take pictures with the beast.

Puerto Vallarta resorts boast dramatic dining rooms. Most have a couple. They can range from casual to formal. They have a perfect setting to create a very intimate feel. The food is wonderful and the menus offer a nice assortment so everyone can find something there they like.

There are also many attractions outside the hotel. Enthusiasts can take day trips into the jungle by either horseback or jeep. One can also spend the day on a fishing excursion. If golf is your game, Puerto Vallarta also offers beautifully kept courses with a scenic landscape to enjoy.

After a day of fun and the sun goes down, there is still a lot of action in Puerto Vallarta. There are several bars to go dancing or you can catch a variety of shows. You can also indulge in a sunset dinner cruise or lobster dinner cruise.

At the end the day Puerto Vallarta is a wonderful destination spot. If you ever get the opportunity to explore, you have to go. You will leave with smile on your face and a lifetime of memories.

What I love about the preserve is the overall cleanliness of the park and the meticulous and humane care that is provided to the animals – and that is all due to the passionate (and compassionate) owners, Dean & Prayeri Harrison. Park visitors can come up and touch the snakes! The park has two primary tours, which are a wildlife photographer’s dream come true:

The Wildlife Preserve is an educational hour-long tram or trolley tour, which circles the large-habitat homes of lions, tigers, wolves, hyena, bears, mountain lions and other predators. Unobstructed photo decks are the perfect staging for an unforgettable photograph of the park’s majestic animals. Highlighting the best of Arizona tourism – the VIP tour also includes lunch and hands-on animal encounters.

Here you can have your kids take rides on a pony, pet the animals at the petty paddock, play the games designed for the kids. For you the craft fair may be the thing that you want for yourself or for gifts since Christmas will soon be coming. Maybe you would rather spend some time looking at the antique tractors that are on display.

Coming to this community to enjoy the festival will be a great wrap up to the summer festivities. You will find great people, fantastic food and beauty of the northern Vermont area all waiting to welcome you.

Skittish, jumpy trout are really more so when they are in the warm waters of the tributaries than when they are in the colder waters of Lake Michigan. They have to come into the tributaries to breed but you will have to be prepared for them when the time is right. You will need all your talent to induce them to take the hook.

Late February to Mid-April is the time that two of the types of trout that come into Wisconsin begin their run. The weather begins to increase and the fish begin their run.

Put the hook above the bottom, tease it to the face of the fish and be prepared to react when it takes off, which it may. The fish will try to snap the line if it can get any slack in it. The fish are often larger than the 10 pound line most fisherman utilize but you can get them if you run them to tire them out and then start reeling them in.

There are quite a few Lake Michigan tributaries in Wisconsin, many of them are Kewaunee, Root, Oconto, Manitowoc, Menominee, Milwaukee, East Twin, Peshtigo, Ahnapee, and West Twin rivers. Additional steelhead rivers include the Pigeon, Little, Pike, Menomonee, and Kinnickinnic streams; Stony, Oak, Heins, Sauk, Whitefish Bay, Fischer, Silver, and Reibolts creeks.

There just aren’t many Central Wisconsin vacation that will appeal to the fisherman like the rivers with the steelhead competitions. You will be so happy you spent the time to come and experience the people, face the elusive trout and feel that you have been in some of the most gorgeous countryside in the world.

Perhaps the most moving exhibit of all is the final exhibit. This solemn space remembers the stories of one hundred men, women and children, not only from the American civil rights movement but internationally- by honoring Mahatma Gandhi and the courageous Chinese students who laid down their lives in Tianamen Square. The International Civil Rights Center and Museum encourages you to explore your own place in the equal rights movement.

You leave the International Civil Rights Center and Museum in Greensboro, North Carolina with a deep understanding and emotional connection to landmark places and incredible people. Four men sitting at a lunch counter caught the notice of a nation.

The International Civil Rights Center and Museum is easily accessible from downtown Greensboro, North Carolina on the corner of South Elm Street and February One Place. Call the offices at (800) 748-7116 for more details.

Fortunately, many of the courses in and around Myrtle Beach are open to the public all year, including those connected to resorts. That’s why more than a million golfers annually trek to the Palmetto State to play in Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head Island and Charleston.

From designers Tom Fazio, Pete Dye, Robert Trent Jones, Rees Jones…they all have done some of their finest work here. So have top player-designers that include Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, Greg Norman, Davis Love III and Tom Weiskopf.

To find more about a few of the best Myrtle Beach resorts that offer incredible golfing opportunities, read on.

Harbor Town

Any list of South Carolina courses has to begin with this classic Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus collaboration. Bring plenty of golf balls and even more money for the near $200 green fee.

Harbor Town is tight and tree-lined with water hazards guarding several of the fairways and tiny, bentgrass greens. Ocean breezes are always a factor too. Most of the resorts in the surrounding Hilton Head area offer golf packages that include this fantastic course.

Kiawah Island Resort and Golf Course

Pete Dye was given prime oceanfront land and told to build the toughest, most spectacular course he could to test the world’s finest players at the 1991 Ryder Cup. He did exactly that. Half of the Ocean Course’s holes butt up against the beach. The wind can be brutal and peril awaits every shot. But somehow, the course is great fun.

The course is part of the luxury Kiawah Island Resort, and though the course is a bit pricey, it’s well worth it for a once-in-a-lifetime golf experience. It’s also located closer to Charleston than Myrtle Beach, but worth the drive.

Pawleys Plantation

Built along wetlands in lightly populated Pawleys Island south of Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Plantation is far different than most resort courses. Originally a country club, Pawleys Plantation is somewhat secluded in a tranquil location dissected by a huge wetlands area that’s part of a wildlife preserve.

Out of all the most popular Myrtle Beach resorts, Pawleys offers the most authentic South Carolina experience alongside some of the best golf. If you’re looking for a slower pace away from the crowds of Myrtle Beach and more in tune with the state’s strong heritage, you’ll find it here.