by Melanie McManus | Jan 18, 2024 | Exploring and Experiencing, Stories, United States, Wisconsin
Read This Article, Published in the Star Tribune For decades, Wisconsin Dells was pretty much a summer-only destination. This was the era before indoor waterparks became a phenomenon, attracting winter tourists in droves. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links...
by Melanie McManus | Mar 17, 2023 | Exploring and Experiencing, Stories, Wisconsin
Read This Article, Published in the Star Tribune When I started dating my husband, he said, “Never ask me to take you to The House on the Rock.” I hadn’t heard of the attraction, which he said was more than a home built atop a rock. It included...
by Melanie McManus | Aug 1, 2022 | Hiking, Stories
Read This Article, Published in the Star Tribune My quest to hike all 11 National Scenic Trails hit a snag when I started my thru-hike of NST #5: the Potomac Heritage Trail. It was March 2020 and … I’m sure you know where this is going. The COVID-19...
by Melanie McManus | Aug 20, 2024 | By Location, Colorado, Continental Divide 2022, Trail Journals, United States
Unlike my normal hiking routine, I didn’t head to Monarch Pass the day after I arrived in Colorado. Instead, I gave myself an extra day in Salida to acclimate (a little) to the altitude. I stayed at the Salida Hostel on the edge of town. I arrived Sunday night, after...
by Melanie McManus | Aug 21, 2024 | By Location, Colorado, Continental Divide 2022, Trail Journals, United States
Before I talk about today’s trek to Sargents Mesa Trailhead, a quick recap on last night. I found an OK campsite (a little slanted) and, as I noted last night, a little rain came while I was in my tent. Well, in the middle of the night it rained quite a bit. I heard a...
by Melanie McManus | Aug 22, 2024 | Colorado, Continental Divide 2022, Trail Journals, United States
Today’s trek to Lujan Creek was one for the books. First, it rained for HOURS last night. Second night in a row. Around midnight I put my cooking pot outside to collect water, since I was low. But despite the fact that it was raining hard, little went in the pot. For...
