clair034

Boulder City recently hosted the 24 Hours of Bootleg Canyon , a hardcore mountain bike race, but you don’t have to be that crazy to enjoy the more than hundreds of miles of bicycle-friendly routes, lanes and paths in the area, including the tough but easy-to-navigate River Mountains Loop Trail. Boulder City borders picturesque Lake Mead, the biggest reservoir in the country, and not only is there plenty to do on the lake itself, but Las Vegas is only about a 40-minute drive away, as is the funky, old-school Railroad Pass Hotel & Casino , which holds the oldest active gaming license in southern Nevada, in nearby Henderson. The view of Lake Mead from the River Mountains  Loop Trail. (roadtripster) But why would you spend time inside when there’s so much to do out in the nice, warm temps this time of year, especially if you come from somewhere cold? There was a bit of wind – ok, that’s an understatement; we nearly got blown off the trail – one day, but otherwise it was toasty enou...

Summer isn’t quite over, it’s true, but it’s never too early to start thinking about the cooler weather – especially if, like us, you’re in one of those areas where it feels like the heat will never break. Fall temps mean fall leaves, and the frenzy over where to peek at those leaves is always fun. Here are some options around the country where the drive takes you through some of the best and most colorful views. And, as always, visit the Go Camping America site to check out the great options for campgrounds and RV parks along the way. Columbia River Gorge, Oregon From late September through mid-October, the area along the Historic Columbia River Highway, which starts 13 miles east of Portland, Ore., on Interstate 84, is a smorgasbord of color, with maple trees, ash and cottonwoods all vying for best in show. The waterfalls en route   – check out Multnomah or Wahkeena falls – are dramatic against the brilliant foliage, and there are other attractions, as well, including the Bonnev...

Old time charm meets newfangled recreation when you take a road trip near New Haven along the Long Island Sound in lower Connecticut. Many folks think of Yale University when they think of New Haven, and rightly so – it takes up the western edge of town and is a fun tour (free, visit the site for more info ). But there’s a lot more to this architecture-laden place that started as a colony in 1638: churches, art galleries, libraries and museums are tidily interspersed around well-manicured squares. If it’s a nice day for a picnic, Lighthouse Point Park is suitable for swimming, and has a cool old carousel. Stony Creek is just southeast of Branford and a destination for those looking to take a cruise around TheThimbles , tiny islands with their own weird and unique histories. Just east of this is Hammonasset Beach State Park , two miles of soft, clean sand with amenities such as restrooms, showers and picnic areas. Start driving east along Interstate 95 into the Lower Connecticut Rive...