Traveling Huntleys

Inspiring travel stories, tips, and guides from a couple exploring the world one destination at a time.

Hiking

Eminence, Missouri: Blue Spring, Alley Mill and the Country’s First Scenic Riverways

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Last Updated: September 3, 2026

Eminence is in the center of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. It’s one of the nation’s first protected waterways — in fact it was the first of them, established in 1964, four years before the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act existed at all. The park encompasses the Current and Jacks Fork rivers. These rivers are known for their clear, calm and cool water which is ideal for swimming, fishing, paddling and tubing. Eminence is a small town, less than 600 people live here. The post office was established in 1844. We knew this because we needed it to mail our taxes on time.

A rainbow over the Jacks Fork River seen from our RV site in Eminence, Missouri
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Cumberland Falls, Bowling Green & Hardin, Kentucky: A Corvette in a Sinkhole, Elk on the Prairie and the Mayfield Scar

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Last Updated: September 3, 2026

Hardin was our last westward stop in Kentucky on our way to spring in the Rocky Mountains. From the Red River Gorge to Corbin, it was a couple hour drive in the rain. It was also our last chance to see elk again until the Rockies. Three stops across the width of the state — Cumberland Falls in the east, Bowling Green in the middle, Hardin out on Kentucky Lake — and between them a sinkhole that ate eight Corvettes, a fenced prairie with elk in it, and the scar of one of the worst tornadoes in American history.

Two bull elk grazing on the Elk and Bison Prairie at Land Between the Lakes near Hardin, Kentucky
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Red River Gorge, Kentucky: 100 Sandstone Arches, the Nada Tunnel and the Dam That Was Never Built

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Last Updated: September 3, 2026

Red River Gorge is in eastern Kentucky, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains about an hour east of Lexington. The gorge is a canyon system cut by the Red River through Daniel Boone National Forest, and it has more natural sandstone arches than anywhere else east of the Rocky Mountains. Hikers, rock climbers, kayakers and mountain bikers are attracted to the area throughout the year. We came in early spring, before the trees leafed out, which is the season when you can actually see the rock.

Looking up at the underside of Natural Bridge, a 78-foot sandstone arch at Natural Bridge State Resort Park near Slade, Kentucky
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Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

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We had driven past the turnoff for Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve more times than we could count during our California coast travels, always telling ourselves we would stop on the next trip. Finally, on a warm July morning, Sandy and I turned off the 101 and hiked it properly — and it immediately reminded us of why it ranked among our favorite spots in all of San Diego County.

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve with views of sandstone cliffs and the Pacific Ocean
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Grand Teton & Yellowstone National Parks, Wyoming: Moose, Grizzlies & Fall Color

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Last Updated: July 17, 2026

Grand Teton National Park is in northwestern Wyoming, just south of Yellowstone National Park, established in 1929 and covering approximately 310,000 acres of some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in North America. We hadn’t been here in over ten years, and were looking forward to reuniting with the striking Teton Range — though wildfire smoke from blazes across the West would test our patience, nearly obscuring the peaks on some days. From Thayne, Wyoming it was a two-hour drive north along the Snake River corridor.

Jenny Lake with wildfire smoke filling the air creating a moody sunset at Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
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Heber City Utah, Beaver Utah & Thayne Wyoming: Fall Colors & Star Valley Adventures

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Last Updated: July 17, 2026

After a busy summer in San Diego catching up on house repairs, RV service, and a string of medical procedures, we were finally ready to hit the road again. Our route took us north through Nevada and Utah before crossing into Wyoming’s Star Valley — a part of the country we had visited years ago but were thrilled to rediscover. Fall colors were just beginning to show their brilliance, and the mountain air felt like a reward after months at sea level.

Early fall foliage glowing against mountain peaks in Heber City, Utah
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