Our Life - Travel Guides & Photography » Destinations

Dry Falls

admin — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 13:59:53 +0000

Dry Falls, also known as Upper Cullasaja Falls, is a 65-foot waterfall located in the Nantahala National Forest, northwest of Highlands, North Carolina. Dry Falls flows on the Cullasaja River through the Nantahala National Forest. There is a path which goes behind the waterfall. Visitors can go behind the waterfall without getting wet when the water levels are low. Dry Falls is very popular because of it’s unique walk-behind feature. The path to the waterfalls is a short walk with a few stairs. There is an observation deck (wheelchair accessible) near the parking lot from where visitors can see the waterfall if you do not want to take the steps down to the path which goes behind the waterfall.

Dry Falls is located on US 64 (Mountain Water Scenic Byway) near Highlands, North Carolina. There are numerous waterfalls on this scenic byway.

We visited Dry Falls in the Fall after a rainfall. The Water Volume was higher and mist was sprayed as we walked behind the falls. It was a fun experience. Do not forget to visit the nearby drive-behind Bridal Veil Falls.

Myrtle Beach State Park

admin — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 19:32:55 +0000

Myrtle Beach State Park is located in the heart of the Grand Strand in South Carolina. It is a 312 acre natural retreat with maritime forests, a wide beach, a fishing pier, camp grounds, playground, picnic shelters etc. in an otherwise very touristy location. Myrtle Beach is a very popular beach in South Carolina and tends to get very crowded with tourists specially in the Summer. If you are looking for a laid-back vacation, Myrtle Beach State Park is the place to visit.You don’t have to worry about parking or public beach access once you are in this State Park.

The State Park provides opportunities for Hiking, Lodging, Camping, Fishing, Swimming and Picnicking. Myrtle Beach Hotels and Ocean-front Condos get booked throughout the summer and it can be expensive. Whereas, you could easily make reservations for camping and have fun at Myrtle Beach State Park. The Park is located right next to Myrtle Beach Airport and you get to enjoy the view of planes. You can hike the many trails through the woodlands or swim at the beach or try your luck at fishing. Horse Back Riding and Biking is also popular the park.

The State Park is open to the public all days of the week. There is an entrance fee of $5 per adult. you can reserve Picnic Shelters at the park. The Park has Changing Rooms and Rest Rooms. We visited Myrtle Beach Day Park one afternoon but we stayed at an Ocean-Front Condo in North Myrtle Beach.

Coki Beach, US Virgin Islands

admin — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 13:23:46 +0000

The beaches of St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands are popular for Snorkeling, Wind Surfing, Swimming and so on. The most popular beach for snorkeling is Coki Beach (Coki Point Beach) located on East End of St. Thomas. Coki Beach is a small beach at Coki Point famous for its clear blue waters and soft white sand. The crystal clear water is usually calm and so you get to watch the underwater world really close when you go snorkeling or scuba diving. The water is shallow near the beach and then deepens gradually. You can also go parasailing here. The underwater visibility is really great. The rocky reef area near the shore is a good place for snorkeling. Kids and adults can learn snorkeling in these clear, shallow waters.

The beach gets crowded when cruise ships are in town. Coki Beach is located right next to Coral World Marine Park. The beach has changing rooms and rest rooms. Street Vendors and Stalls are located right on the beach and you can get food, snacks, massages, hair braiding and what not. The locals will often try to sell you anything from rental chairs to drinks. There is a dive shop on Coki Beach. Grab a few fish bones and you are all set for snorkeling. Do not forget your underwater camera.

We enjoyed Coki Beach so much. It was the best snorkeling experience we had. We got to see so many fish really close. Some people complain about the locals but we had a good experience.

Hilton Lake Charlotte

admin — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 20:22:21 +0000

There is a small lake near the University Area in Charlotte known as the Hilton Lake. Hilton University Place Hotel is located on the shores of this lake. There is a boardwalk where people can enjoy views of the tranquil lake setting and a beautiful path goes around the lake. There is a small playground for kids. You can stroll around the lake in the evening enjoying the sight of different birds. Paddle Boats are available for rent. There are many shopping and dining options here. There is a fountain in the middle of the lake. Many people gather at the lake for picnics or for a workout. The lake can get pretty crowded in the Summer.

Here are a few photos of Lake Hilton.

Bridal Veil Falls

admin — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 19:03:58 +0000

Bridal Veil Falls near Highlands, North Carolina is a 45 foot drive-through waterfall. It is located in the Nantahala National Forest on US 64. The waterfall is small but it can look beautiful after a decent rainfall. It is the only drive-behind waterfall in North Carolina. You can park your car behind the falls and take beautiful pictures. There is a parking area on the side of the road, where visitors can park and view the falls as well.

We loved visiting this falls during our trip to Nantahala National Forest. Do not forget to check out the other waterfalls in Nantahala National Forest. Here are some pictures from our trip to Bridal Veil Falls last year.

North Myrtle Beach

admin — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 17:11:21 +0000

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is one of the closest beaches to Charlotte, North Carolina. For Memorial Day weekend, we visited Myrtle Beach and the surrounding areas. We stayed at an Ocean Front Condominium on North Myrtle Beach and the views where amazing. We could see Cherry Grove Beach Fishing Pier and the Grand Strand Stretch from our patio.

The Beaches of South Carolina are very popular and large crowds can be soon on the beach during Holiday Weekends. Myrtle Beach is the place to hang out with family and friends. North Myrtle Beach is less touristy and you can find beautiful villas and condos for rent. Calabash, the Seafood Capital of the South is very close to North Myrtle Beach. You must try some of the yummy Seafood Buffets over there. Here are some photos of North Myrtle Beach.

Triple Falls

admin — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 20:03:34 +0000

Triple Falls is one of the 3 waterfalls of Little River in DuPont State Forest, North Carolina. It was featured in the movie “Last of the Mohicans“. Triple Falls gets its name from its three different cascades :-

Upper Triple Falls
Middle Triple Falls
Lower Triple Falls

Triple Falls is accessible from the Hooker Falls Parking Area on Staton Road by a trail going upstream along the Little River. You can visit Triple Falls after visiting Hooker Falls which is near the parking lot. From the parking lot, you need to cross the bridge over Staton Road and you will find stairs that go down to the trail head. The trail is roughly half mile long and is moderate in difficulty.

Lower Cascades

Just before the trail begins heading uphill, there is a side path that leads out to the river. If the rocks are not slippery and the water levels are low, you can walk over the rocks and go up to the base of the lower section of the falls. The lower cascades are beautiful and you can enjoy the water sprays.

Upper Viewing Area/Overlook

The main Triple Falls Trail runs parallel to the river and ascends a steep slope leading to a Viewing Area on the left. You can get a complete view of Triple Falls from this Viewing point.

Middle Triple Falls

There is a wooden staircase that leads down to the Middle Section of Triple Falls. The middle section is relatively flat and you can sit back and relax over here. You can walk up to the base of Middle Cascades and view the Upper Cascades from a distance.

Here are some photos from our trip to Dupont State Forest.

Lake Michigan Shoreline Chicago

admin — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 03:10:00 +0000

The city of Chicago is located on the south western tip of Lake Michigan. The Chicago Lakefront Trail (LFT) is an 18-mile (29 km) multi-use path in Chicago, Illinois along the coast of Lake Michigan. The path connects various beaches and recreational amenities located along the lake front and also serves as an option to bicycle commuters. It is a great place to stroll, jog or bike specially in the Summer. The views of Lake Michigan are breathtaking.

Some of the popular attractions along the path are the Museum of Science and Industry, McCormick Place, Soldier Field, Chicago’s Museum Campus, Monroe Harbor, Navy Pier, Belmont Harbor, the Waveland Clock Tower, and most of the Chicago beaches. Lake Shore Drive runs adjacent to a large portion of Chicago’s lakefront. Some of the parks along the waterfront include Lincoln Park, Grant Park, Burnham Park and Jackson Park. Grant Park holds Millennium Park, Buckingham Fountain, and the Art Institute of Chicago.

Here are some photos of Chicago Lakefront & Downtown.

Millennium Park Chicago

admin — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 16:06:27 +0000

Millennium Park is a public park and a popular Tourist Attraction located in DownTown Chicago near the shoreline of Lake Michigan. The Park was opened in 2004. It is a part of the larger Grant Park. The Park features attractions like Cloud Gate, Crown Fountain, Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Lurie Garden and Nichols Bridgeway. Millennium Park has free admission.

Cloud Gate is a three-story steel sculpture that has more often known as “The Bean” , because of its legume-like shape. The sculpture is the first public artwork in the United States by world-renowned artist Anish Kapoor.

The Crown Fountain is an interactive fountain, named in honor of Chicago’s Crown family and designed by Jaume Plensa. The fountain has a pair of transparent glass brick towers and water cascades down the two towers, spouting through a nozzle on each tower’s front face. Digital videos are displayed on the inward faces of the towers. The water appears to be flowing from a person’s mouth. The park and fountain are open to the public daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Weather permitting, the water operates from May to October. Kids can splash in the fountain and have some fun.
The centerpiece of Millennium Park is the Jay Pritzker Pavilion with 4,000 fixed seats, plus additional lawn seating for 7,000. The Pritzker Pavilion is Grant Park’s outdoor performing arts venue for small events.

Here are some photos from our visit to Millennium Park.

Sapphire Beach at St. Thomas

admin — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 16:28:02 +0000

Sapphire Beach is a beautiful beach on US Virgin Islands well known for its Sapphire Colored Waters. It is located on the east end of Sapphire Beach Resort on St. Thomas Island, USVI. The beach is a great place for relaxing and enjoying the waters. You can swim, windsurf or jet ski. The snorkeling is not really great as there are large waves and the water is deep and not really clear.You can find lot of Iguanas on the beach but they won’t harm you. Sapphire beach is near to Point Pleasant Resort Resort.

We loved the sapphire color of the water and the white sands. It was such a soothing experience. Here are some photos from our Trip.