Margaret L

Where else but the Lone Shieling Trail can you see 350 year old sugar maple trees! This area has is one of the largest old growth hardwood forests in the Maritimes. One of the most protected areas of the park, access is restricted to this short loop trail. You can find a replica of a Scottish crofter's hut at the beginning of the trail. It’s like stepping back in time and walking through a fai...

One of my favorite parks in Toronto, Berczy Park boasts the most amazing water fountain you’ll ever see in your life. It is purely dedicated to the love of dogs with a token and symbolic gesture, to our other beloved family pet, the cat. Let’s see if you can find them! Berczy Park is named after William Berczy, a German-born architect, surveyor, and writer often considered a co-founder of mode...

Trail riding can’t get better than this. The Rum Runner trail is a bit tricky to find if you're not from the area, but Google maps will show you the way. This is a popular trail used for hiking, biking, and running, and plenty of places to stop and soak in the amazing views. It starts in Halifax and goes all the way to the colorful town of Lunenburg, which happens to be a UNESCO heritage site. ...

If you're looking to hang out in downtown Dartmouth in green space with a view and no hills, Ferry Terminal Park is the spot! The locals say the best view of Halifax can be seen from there. A great farmers market in the terminal and a nice playground park for kids to explore and play. Great spot for a family walk with amazing views of Halifax. The playground is small but the ground is nice and...

Found in the heart of Dartmouth, Leighton Dillman Park is a great place to stroll through the paths. It is a bit hilly in places, so it can feel like it's more of a hike. The view is worth the climb. There are benches and shaded, covered, areas where you can rest or enjoy your lunch. There is also the community oven and some gardens. From what we were told, the community gets together on occasi...

Fort Needham by far my favorite park in Halifax. We stumbled upon it completely by accident and was pleasantly surprised to find that the entire park was a memorial and is beautifully done. The landscaping has been designed to tell the story of the Halifax explosion. A must for history buffs. Incredible green space in the city overlooking the harbor where 2 ships collided on December 6, 1917. D...

Halifax Public Gardens was first established by the Nova Scotia Horticultural Society in 1836, and grew to its present size and layout in 1875. It was recognized as a National Historic Site in 1984. The gardens are a perfect display of a Victorian garden, carefully laid out and well-tended for public enjoyment. A must see if you're visiting Halifax! Admission and tours are free, and volunteers...

Elephant Seal Vista Point is a favorite place to see the elephant seals. If you’re in the area and have the opportunity, it's a must see. During the Spring, the adult elephant seals and the baby seals are out. Nearby are easy, clearly marked, walking paths, along the cliffs edge. Dogs are not allowed on the paths.

Saddleback Butte State Park is a state park in the Antelope Valley of the western Mojave Desert. It’s oftentimes looked over, but you’d be surprised what you can find there. Definitely a place to stop. It is located east of Lancaster. It can get hot so make sure to bring lots of water and wear sunscreen. in the unincorporated community of Hi Vista. It can get hot so make sure to bring lots of w...

The Salt Marsh Trail is absolutely one of our favourites in the Cole Harbour/Lawrencetown region of Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore. The trail is a former railway line, now converted to a level, fine gravel trail which is part of the rails to trails system. We biked the trail in the Fall and the leaves were bursting with color! It’s a wonderful trail that starts off in the forest and then opens up...

Echo Park Lake in Los Angeles has a loop that is about 1 mile around. It’s a pretty busy park, that has ducks and geese everywhere. Beautiful lotus blossoms and iris flowers in the lake. Generally flat and one tiny incline that can easily be avoided. You can also rent swan paddleboats that light up at night. There is the chain link fence that now encloses the park, surrounding the lake, which s...

Beautiful set of cabins, designed and built by the owner, Ton. Originally from the Netherlands, super nice and happy to share local hikes and adventures. Cabins are affordable and come with your own “comfort station”: a separate building, with your own toilet, sink, and shower. Book your cabin here! 

Recently opened in 2021, right behind the LA Library in Chinatown, you’ll find this secret gem, tucked away in the corner. Covered picnic tables, with checkerboard game boards in place, and all gender bathrooms with changing tables for the little ones. Two play areas as well as a small climbing wall and exercise equipment on two levels. Along the outside of the park is a set of 147 steps you ca...

Great find! Close to Buttermilks and town. Clean vault toilets but bring your own water. The time we went there the pumps were not working. Each site has fire rings, picnic tables and latern hooks. It can get pretty windy and exposed, so bring the appropriate gear. The campground has 49 tent/RV campsites with 4 pull-through parking spaces. There are no hookups, but there are potable water pump...

A historic farmstead, The McPolin Farmstead is north of Park City, Utah. A fun place to visit with the family. It has buildings constructed c.1921 and later, including a large dairy barn. The lovely trail, named after the farm is nearby to walk along.

Beautiful views of the Rose Bowl and surrounding San Gabriel Mountains. A protected .75 mile loop, that offers an easy path, to stroll along. You’ll find convenient water filling stations, clean bathrooms, and a fitness area, along the path. Easy parking all around.

I preferred the steps, before anything was painted on them. Whoever thought it would be a great idea to do that was wrong. No upkeep and these stairs have been heavily vandalized. The steps are a series of stairways you will find throughout Silver Lake and neighboring areas. They facilitated people from the neighborhood in getting to the “red” streetcars, that used to run throughout the city. ...

The steps are a series of stairways you will find throughout Silver Lake and neighboring areas. They facilitated people from the neighborhood in getting to the “red” streetcars, that used to run throughout the city. Cool relics of a mostly-forgotten past. These particular steps take you down from Descanso Street.

The “Piano Stairs” is a stair mural in Silver Lake neighborhood section of LA. Not to be confused with the “Music Box” staircase that is close by. These 90 steps were painted to look like the piano keyboard by the artist Carrey. Great for a cardio workout and not as creepy as some of the stairs have become. Close to local eats so a good excuse to get a short workout in before.

The Mattachine Steps, also known as the Cove Avenue stairway, is dedicated to the Mattachine Society (The name was taken from a medieval French secret society that set out to right wrongs.) in 2012 in memory of Harry Hay, who cofounded the gay rights group. Right along this stairway is a small house where the courageous Harry Hay once resided.

A part of the Nova Scotia Coastal Heritage Park System, Conrad's Beach is a jewel. The system is made up of three beach's - Lawrencetown Beach, Stoney Beach, and Conrad's Beach. Most of the beaches around are made up of rocks and cobblestones. But Conrad's is one of the nicest sand beaches around. There still are cobbles to navigate in some parts, but you’ll mostly find soft sand all around. On...

Climb a historical landmark in LA. This is where the famous, Academy Award winning short, Laurel and Hardy made called "The Music Box”. Filmed back in the 1930's the story is about two movers trying to deliver a piano, up these steps. There is a plaque is dedicated at the bottom to this film. It’s faded but you can still see images of their faces. If you happen to get stuck on the upper level,...

A quiet little beach front, with a raised boardwalk and beautiful views all around. A great place to walk the dog or take small children. Amazing sunsets and A+ for bird watching. Excellent spot to launch a kayak, canoe, or SUP. But watch the tides before you do. The water is usually glassy when it's not windy. Ample parking off of 1st Street. Cute local restaurants to dine at nearby to boot.

The stairs are about 147 steps. Located at Fair Oak View Terrace and Edendale Place in the Silver Lake, a district of Los Angeles. They are famous for where the Three Stooges short "An Ache In Every Stake" was filmed in 1941. It is a classic scene of where they have to deliver a block of ice all the way to the top of the stairs and with the stairs being so long, the block melts into a cube.