-
6 days ago | 
onlyinyourstate.com | Melanie Johnson
Fishing is a way of life for many Coloradans. It’s a year-round sport where pro-anglers compete for the best catch. For many of us, it’s simply a pastime activity - a way to relax and connect with the stillness of nature. I relate more to the latter – it’s a fun hobby that clears my mind and rejuvenates my soul. There are so many places to fish here in Colorado, but none are as intimate as Serenity Ponds Waterfront Cabin in Bailey.
-
1 week ago | 
onlyinyourstate.com | Melanie Johnson
What’s better than spending a peaceful day on a pristine lake? Give up? When that tranquil waterway is right at your doorstep. Having easy access to boating, swimming, kayaking, and paddle boarding is what vacation dreams are made of — well, at least mine are. Even better, imagine spending relaxing days casting a line in the water, while you clear your mind and feel your stress melt away. Intrigued?
-
1 week ago | 
onlyinyourstate.com | Melanie Johnson
May is mental health awareness month. Do you know what that means? It’s the perfect time to unplug for a much-needed digital detox. Like many of you, I am addicted to my electronics and my schedules, but I’m so ready for a change. For this month, let’s become more mindful by adopting a slower pace and spending our days connecting with nature. I can’t think of a better destination for slow travel than Echo Canyon State Park, one of the least-visited state parks in Nevada.
-
1 week ago | 
onlyinyourstate.com | Melanie Johnson
It’s no secret that Utah is the ultimate outdoor playground. Bucket-list-worthy destinations like the Big Five (Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef) are easily the most visited attractions in the country. And rightfully so, these national parks are…magical. But I love giving flowers to our over-shadowed state parks, too. One in particular is Dead Horse Point State Park in Moab.
-
1 week ago | 
onlyinyourstate.com | Melanie Johnson
Imagine sparkling emerald waters, sandy shores, and towering cliffs surrounded by gorgeous woodlands. Doesn’t that sound like a fairytale destination? I can’t speak for you, but this is definitely a spot where I'd spend my days soaking up the sun. And on those days when it gets toasty, cooling off in this quarry swimming hole in Indiana is what summertime dreams are made of. Intrigued? Plan a day trip to Old Kenneth Quarry tucked inside France Park.
-
1 week ago | 
flipboard.com | Melanie Johnson
4 days agoPhilippines: Scuba diver swims alongside giant turtleBatangas, Philippines - April 21, 2025 A scuba diver glided underwater alongside a giant sea turtle. Footage shows the nature explorer wearing a suit with an oxygen tank following the marine mammal as it swam over coral reefs. The pair wandered together near the sea bed, with the gentle creature allowing humans to join it in Batangas, the Philippines, on April 21. Diver Arjay Magadia said: ƍLife is beautiful underwater.
-
1 week ago | 
onlyinyourstate.com | Melanie Johnson
Something in which I found unexpected joy during COVID lockdown was watching YouTube videos of herds of animals frolicking across empty streets. I found the visual quite peaceful, albeit eerie, since no humans were in sight to hinder their space. Perhaps the animals felt a sense of freedom inside the concrete jungles we constructed? It was in those fleeting moments that I realized our world would never be the same. Everything would be upside down; the “new normal” had, in fact, manifested.
-
2 weeks ago | 
onlyinyourstate.com | Melanie Johnson
When it comes to covered bridges, Ohio is not at the top of the list - that recognition goes to Pennsylvania, with over 200 of these relics. So, it came as a surprise when I discovered that Parke County, Indiana, claims the title of “covered bridge capital of the world,” with 31 in the county. Although Ohioans can’t claim those bragging rights, we can boast about the longest covered bridge in America: the Historic Smolen-Gulf Covered Bridge.
-
2 weeks ago | 
onlyinyourstate.com | Melanie Johnson
What is your perfect summer day in Ohio? Is it sliding down Point Plummet at Cedar Point Shores or spending a lazy day floating on the scenic river in Hocking Hills? When I think of my favorite summertime activity, it includes a trip to a sandy beach and soaking up the sun along beautiful shorelines. To take my day to the next level, I would have a picnic, enjoy a stroll in nature while listening to the soothing melodies of the songbirds, and then sit and watch the pretty sunset.
-
2 weeks ago | 
onlyinyourstate.com | Melanie Johnson
Nature has a way of inspiring us when we least expect it. Just when we think we’ve seen it all, another hidden gem is waiting for us to explore. Have you walked through the White Domes slot canyon at Valley of Fire State Park? If not, you’re in for a real treat! The White Domes Trail is my favorite kind of hike: it’s short, it’s sweet, it’s incredibly scenic, and the rewards are huge! The otherworldly landscape with towering rock formations and dramatic colors is nature’s artwork at its best.
