Target Rock is an 80-acre Refuge on the Lloyd Neck Peninsula of Long Island's north shore. The Refuge, made up of mature oak-hickory forest and a half-mile rocky beach, supports a variety of songbirds (particularly warblers in the spring, mammals, shorebirds, fish, reptiles and amphibians). During the colder months, diving ducks are common offshore while harbor seals use the beach and nearby rocks as resting sites. Spring bloom at Target Rock will remind you of its days as a formal garden with flowering rhododendrons, azaleas and mountain laurel.
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service manages the Refuge to protect this special habitat for migratory songbirds, shorebirds, waterfowl and other wildlife. From April 1 through August 31, a portion of the beach at Target Rock is closed to public use, in order to provide undisturbed nesting areas for bank swallows and a safe place for shorebirds like the piping plover to nest and feed.
If you visit the beach at Target Rock NWR, you will likely see a 14-foot rock jutting out of Huntington Bay. Legend has it that the British Navy used that rock for target practice during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.
The Eberstadt family eventually took ownership of this land, transforming it into magnificent gardens. The hints of their work bloom every spring with flowering daffodils, azaleas and rhododendrons. The Refuge was established in 1967 via land donation from the Eberstadt family, under the Migratory Bird Conservation Act.
You can power walk, jog, stroll and bike through Lilburn, thanks to the Camp Creek Greenway Trail, which runs east to west within the city limits.
The trail, comprised of pavement and boardwalk, connects Old Town with Rockbridge Road (1.36 miles) to the west and Killian Hill Road (1.04 miles) to the east. Both ends of the trail meet at Lilburn City Park.
Including the half-mile trail in the park, there are three miles of easily accessible trails that can accommodate walkers, runners and cyclists of all skill levels.
The Greenway weaves through wooded areas and alongside the railway that runs through town. There are bridges, rest areas and a passive park with a small loop trail. The trail has become a popular lunch hour activity for people who want to get a little bit of exercise in the middle of the workday.
Pets are allowed, but owners are expected to clean up after them.
Calaveras Big Trees State Historic Park has been a major tourist attraction since the 1800s when (prior to it being declared a state park in 1931) it suffered extensive damage at the hands of visitors. The resulting devastation is now part of the park's current draw: A lesson on the importance of nature preservation unlike any other. This includes the 'Discovery Tree' which was cut down in 1853, leaving a giant stump large enough to be used as a bowling alley, and the 'Pioneer Cabin Tree' which had an actual tunnel cut through it in the 1880s. The park has two groves of giant sequoia trees that encompass 6,498 acres and with four furnished post-war rental cabins, two main campgrounds, six picnic areas and hundreds of miles of established trails, it offers something for everyone.
Parking and public transportation at Calaveras Big Trees State Historic Park
Although no public transportation options are available since the park is located so far out of town (four miles northeast of Arnold, CA and a 35 minute drive from Angels Camp), adequate parking is offered. The parking lots are paved, clearly marked and well-maintained. As an added bonus, the drive is very scenic and highly recommended.
Best and worst time go to Calaveras Big Trees State Historic Park
The area is especially beautiful during the winter when the park offers exceptional opportunities for playing in the snow and even cross-country skiing but the road conditions can be icy (chains are often required) and some areas of the park and campgrounds are prone to closures. To best experience the sights and enjoy the park trails with the least chance of weather interruptions, the summer months are ideal. June through August, the park also offers many extra activities like evening ranger talks, junior ranger programs, bird watching, mountain biking and educational programs.
Admission to Calaveras Big Trees State Historic Park
There is a fee to visit the park, which must be paid at a kiosk prior to entering the parking areas. It runs about $10 per car but discounts are offered if there is a senior in the vehicle. Various types of annual passes are also offered, which can be a great deal for frequent visitors.
Must see/do at Calaveras Big Trees State Historic Park
If you only have time for one trail, make it the North Grove Trail. This easy walk is ideal for young children and the elderly because of the level path and relatively short length, yet takes visitors to several historically significant landmarks. It's only about a mile and a half long but allow 1-2 hours for the hike because there are numerous photo opportunities and markers along the trail that describe the significance and history of various spots. If you forget your camera, just stop by the gift shop afterward. Postcards featuring the most magnificent of the trees are available for purchase and make great (and affordable) souvenirs.
Other places to visit near Calaveras Big Trees State Historic Park
If you enjoy the sites of the park but camping isn't your style, check out The Murphys Historic Hotel, a short drive away (in the town of Murphys, CA) where you can stay in a room once occupied by Mark Twain or sleep in the same bed where President Ulysses S. Grant once rested his head. It was also featured in an episode of "Hotel Hell" so the hotel's restaurant now offers menu items from renowned chef Gordon Ramsey. Otherwise, for a more low-key (and affordable) dining option that still holds some television fame, check out "Hillbillies". Located up the road and around the corner from the hotel, Hillbillies was featured on an episode of "Restaurant: Impossible" and boasts a menu and décor makeover provided by Chef Robert Irvine and his team.
Insider tip for visitors to Calaveras Big Trees State Historic Park
On your way to the park, follow the signs along Highway 4 (four miles east of Murphys) to "The Red Apple". There you can pick up a warm apple pie and some freshly pressed sweet cider to add the taste of authentic mountain-grown apples to your Big Trees picnic. At the very least, do what the locals do and buy a few of their famous apple cider doughnuts to snack on during the drive (if they even make it back to your vehicle).
Author's bio: Ann Milligan is a wife, mom, author and artist who resides in California's beautiful Motherlode region. She can often be found photographing local wildflowers, dancing with her kids and nom-nom-noming.
The Manitou Incline is largely considered one of the most challenging hikes in Colorado. What was once a railroad track is now 2,744 steps that, while only one mile in length, average a 41% incline and climb 2,000 feet in elevation. The Incline is one of the most strenuous activities in the Pikes Peak region.
Parking and public transportation
Driving to the Summit of Pike's Peak is extremely beautiful but not for the faint of heart. The average grade is 7%, but some spots go as high as 13%. The road closes from time to time when driving conditions are not safe. The Pikes Peak Cog Railway is located in Manitou Springs, CO. on Ruxton Ave and parking for the Manitou Incline is available at the Iron Springs Melodrama for just $5.
Best and worst time to go to the Manitou Incline
Because of the altitude, the temperature is always about 30 to 40 degrees colder at the top of the incline, so make sure you pick a hot day before doing any serious climbing. Also, Pikes Peak features several bicycle races throughout the year. Try to avoid the mountain on these days as they cause closures and delays.
Admission
The cost to Drive on Pikes Peak Highway is $12 for adults, $4 for children and $10 for seniors. Information about costs for other local attractions can be found at http://www.pikes-peak.com/pluspass/.
Must see/do at The Manitou Incline
Experience Pikes Peak by bike by signing up for Challenge Unlimited. Make sure you sign up for a morning trip as snowstorms in the late afternoon are not uncommon no matter what month it is.
Other places to visit near The Manitou Incline
Garden of the Gods, located in nearby Colorado Springs, features some of the most unique and beautiful rock formations in Colorado. Whether formed by the Gods or due to geological shifts, the formations truly are one of a kind.
Insider tip for visitors to The Manitou Incline
Don't try to tackle the Incline as soon as you get to Pikes Peak region, give your body time to adjust to the high altitude and wear plenty of sunscreen. You get closer to the sun with every step.
Author's bio: Andy Thomas is a Colorado native. He is a journalist and touring musician. He has most likely slept on a floor in your hometown.
Holy Jim Falls Trail is a hiking, mountain biking and walking trail located in the Cleveland National Forest in Trabuco Canyon, CA. This trail is accessible year-round and is a good hike for visitors of all skill levels. The Holy Jim Falls Trail also features a waterfall in its 2.8-mile loop.
Parking and Public Transportation at Holy Jim Falls Trail
Visitors to the Holy Jim Falls Trail will need to park in the lot at the trailhead. Forest Adventure Day passes cost $5, and year round passes cost $30. There is no direct public transportation access point to the trail.
Best and Worst time to go to Holy Jim Falls Trail
Since the weather is temperate, visitors can plan on visiting the Holy Jim Falls Trail at any time of the year. It is recommended that visitors arrive early to avoid crowds and ensure enough time to get to the trailhead. Weekends are the most popular time to visit Holy Jim Falls Trail.
Admission to Holy Jim Falls Trail
Admission to the Holy Jim Falls Trail is free, with the exception of the Forest Adventure Pass in order to park.
Must see/do at Holy Jim Falls Trail
The waterfall at the end of the Holy Jim Falls trail is one of the highlights visitors look forward to. Many visitors pack lunches and enjoy a picnic in one of the trail's rest points.
Other places to visit near Holy Jim Falls Trail
Cook's Corner is a popular restaurant and bar located a few miles outside of the trail for visitors looking for a drink or a quick bite after their hike. O'Neill Regional Park is also located a few miles away and includes a campground, equestrian trails and picnic areas.
Insider tips for visitors to Holy Jim Falls Trail
Visitors should pack plenty of sunscreen and bug spray for the hike. While hiking boots are not necessary, it is recommended that visitors wear closed toed shoes.
Allie Fisher is an Orange County native who loves writing about food + travel. Follow her food adventures on Twitter and instagram @socaliallie and on her blog, www.sweetpotatobites.com.
The Pearson-Arastradero Preserve is a combination of grasslands and evergreen forest. It offers a lake and numerous trails for hiking, walking and horseback riding; on-leash dog walking is permitted. The preserve has a 275- to 775-foot elevation and is home to bobcats, deer, coyotes and numerous birds.
Haverford Reserve Trails is a recreation area that features three miles of hiking and biking trials. The trails are of varying degrees of steepness and are covered in woodchips or remain natural. To obtain a map, visit the website provided.
Established in 1971, Caratunk Wildlife Refuge is an expansive, protected habitat for local plants and animal life. Educational programming is provided for the public throughout the year and the grounds are host to local children's summercamps. Trails at Caratunk navigate through 200 acres, exhibiting the area's forests, fields and wetlands to the community. Vehicles, including bicycles, are prohibited within the refuge beyond the parking lot. Call the number provided for more information.
Central Park is the largest of San Ramon's multi-feature parks, offering 55 acres of recreation that includes a skateboard park, tennis courts, soccer and baseball fields, a lighted basketball court, a new playground and acres of open parkland with trees, picnic benches and fountains.
It also has a new playground adjacent to the Community Center. Kids can slide down the colorful slides, climb on the rock-climbing wall, and dig in the small sand patch for play fossils remains.
The annual San Ramon Art & Wind Festival takes place at the park each Memorial Day weekend, drawing huge crowds to kite-flying demonstrations, live entertainment, kids' activities, and art and craft booths.
In the summer, it hosts a free concert series. Families can bring blankets and picnic dinners and enjoy bands ranging from jazzy blues to music of the '80s.
It is also home to the San Ramon Community Center, which hosts conferences, classes and the Lindsay Dirkx Brown Gallery.
Lost Mountain Tennis Center is an athletic complex located on Dallas Highway in Powder Springs, offering public tennis courts for the community. The facility is owned by the Cobb County Parks Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department, and offers 12 lighted hard courts and a pro-shop building. The center has tennis classes, camps, ball machine rentals, cardio classes, specialized leagues, and summer programs. Check the main site for a schedule of events or for more information on the complex.
Blue Mountain is one of Westchester County's largest parks. It is located in the center of the town of Cortlandt, with its northeastern corner in the city of Peekskill. Blue Mountain is known for its hiking and mountain biking trails. A small lake and beach are enjoyed by families and summer day-campers. There are picnic tables and grills near the lake. A county park pass is not required, but it does come with a parking discount. At the southern end is the Sportsmen's Center, providing archery, pistol and rifle ranges. Free instruction is available from range experts. Children under 12 are not allowed to use the facilities of the Sportsmen's Center. The fees for the center are listed on the county's website.
NH Audubon's McLane Center offers trails and picnic areas for walkers that are open from dawn to dusk. No admission is charged, though donations are welcomed. The center provides environmental education to people of all ages, showcasing exhibits, live animals -- such as a bald eagle, screech owl, peregrine falcon and red-tailed hawk -- and function rooms. A nature store is available and it carries books, bird seed and feeders, gifts, jewelry, clothing and more.
This summertime favorite features a sandy beach beside a chlorinated and filtered pool built into the Arlington Reservoir, which straddles the Arlington-Lexington line on the north end of town. The beach is open from 10 a.m. to dusk, late June 22 to late August and is supervised by certified life guards.
Beach-goers must buy a tag to enter the facility and present proof of residency to avoid paying an out-of-town fee. Summer passes are also available, and swimming lessons are provided for a fee. For full information, go to the Recreation Department's website.
The beach park also has a small sandy playground with swings and slides. Bikes, pets, ball playing, throwing discs and toys are prohibited in the beach area. Children under 12 must have adult supervision.
The beach is also on a 0.9-mile path that circles the reservoir and connects with Hurd Field, a park off Drake Road with two baseball diamonds and a soccer field, and Rindge Park, a shady Lexington park with a small playground overlooking the reservoir.
Pantera Park occupies 15.5 developed acres and 7.5 undeveloped acres of land overlooking Diamond Bar and the San Gabriel Valley, right across the street from Pantera Elementary School. The park's athletic fields are all lighted, including two baseball fields, two tennis courts, three basketball courts, one multi-purpose court and two soccer fields. All of the park's athletic fields and courts are lighted until 9 p.m. The park also offers space for picnics, barbecues, a playground, meeting facilities with offices and storage and a total 160 parking spaces.
A trail entrance on the east side of the park, up the hill beyond the tennis and basketball courts, offers a 0.6 mile hike.
The Mount Pleasant Recreation Department Park West Recreation Complex features a variety of facilities for the entire family to enjoy. This includes a pool, baseball, softball, soccer and football fields, tennis and volleyball courts, batting tunnels, an activity building, an outdoor track, walking trails and a pavilion.
