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Sedona Summit: conquering Cathedral Rock

From atop the cliffs of Cathedral Rock, I stared down at the Verde Valley, taking in the eruption of color and canyons upon my first Sedona summit. | Photo by Hunter O. Lyle

By HUNTER O. LYLE lyleoleanstar@gmail.com SEDONA, AZ – As I took my last steps off of rock and onto the dusty, dirt path that led back to the parking lot, […]

LYLE: Up on Old Rag Mountain

Needing to stress test my newly-converted Ford Transit Connect travel van, I chose Shenandoah National Park as the arena, spending three days trekking through the Blue Ridge Mountains and three nights sleeping in the cabin. | Photo by Hunter O. Lyle

By HUNTER O. LYLE lyleoleanstar@gmail.com SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK, Va. – As the golden sunlight began drifting away from the valley below, subtly crawling up and out of the hard ridges […]

Fear and Loathing in Grizz Country

After 30-plus hours behind the wheel, I finally reached Glacier National Park for a week of hiking, sight seeing and wildlife photography. | Photo by Hunter O. Lyle

By HUNTER O. LYLE lyleoleanstar@gmail.com GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, Mont. – As I crept along through a corridor of chest-high wild weeds, my eyes darted from side to side, my heart […]

A birthday in the Black Hills

The Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota spans more than 1.25 million acres and contains the state’s tallest mountain: Black Elk Peak, coming in at 7,244 feet. | Photo by Hunter O. Lyle

By HUNTER O. LYLE lyleoleanstar@gmail.com RAPID CITY, SD – Sunday began at 4 a.m. Waking up before the crack of dawn, I slowly wiped the sleep from my eyes as […]

Spring training: A day trip to Cuyahoga Valley

Eager to get out into nature as well as discover a new National Park, the author set out for a day trip to Cuyahoga Valley National Park. | Photo by Jon Komidar

By HUNTER O. LYLE lyleoleanstar@gmail.com By the time we stepped out from under the canopy and onto the sidewalk, it was about mid-afternoon. After checking the time and taking a […]