Bluff Point State Park- Groton, Connecticut

If you have been reading along for some time, you probably know by now that A:  I love to travel and B:  I have had the chance to live in some pretty cool places (oh I am talking about you New England and Utah).  While I love to blog about popular spots like the vineyards of Napa Valley or visiting some of our most famous National Parks, I really love to post about the local treasures in my back yard.  This time last year my back yard looked a little different (truth:  I did not even have a back yard, I lived in an apartment downtown in a city nestled in the mountains and technically what you could call the back yard was the park where the homeless camped).  Living on the East Coast, I subbed the mountain and city views for quiet, humidity, and ocean views here on the Connecticut shoreline.  My back yard now has ocean views.

East Beach - Charlestown, Rhode Island

February probably seems like a weird time to post about the beach. Stick with me for a few more paragraphs and I promise it will all start to make sense.   The small state of Rhode Island is known for its beautiful wide sandy beaches, steady surf, and seafood shacks. Beaches like Watch Hill, Block Island and Misquamicut are always popular spots for beach lovers from June to September.

While summer is the season here in New England, there is something to be said for these beautiful (and virtually empty) beaches in the off season.  For starters, many of Rhode Island's state beaches allow dogs in the off season.  East Beach in Charlestown, Salty Brine Beach in Naraganset, East Matunuck State Beach in South Kingston and Misquamicut in Westerly all allow dogs on their beaches from October 1st to March 31 (ban from April 1 to September 30).

While I have been to many of the areas beaches, East Beach was so different from all of the area beaches I have visited. The main reason is simply that it is one of the least developed of Rhode Island's State Beaches. The real shining star here is that you can even go horseback riding on the beach (BYOH of course). Three miles each way, you have six miles of perfect flat sandy beaches to enjoy a sunny day on horseback.  East Beach in Charlestown with its beautiful beach and critter friendly atmosphere is my kind of hidden gem.  

Malan's Peak - Ogden, Utah

Spring hiking can be a little tough when you live in the mountains.  The high peaks are all covered in snow, and the lower trails are often covered in mud.  The flies take over Great Salt Lake and Antelope Island, and everyone and their mother is on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.  Throw in the factor of finding a dog-friendly trail and you may be scratching your head on just where you should hike when winter slowly fades to spring.  After doing a little bit of research, I found a hike that we could do to a peak, that was accessible due to its (relatively) low elevation at 6,960 feet.

- - - - - - - - - - The History Behind Malan’s Peak - - - - - - - - - - 

"Malan’s Peak was named after an Ogdenite, Bartholomew “Tim” Malan. In 1892, Malan and his family carved out a path up the mountain side along the upper reaches of Waterfall Canyon, into what is now Malan’s Basin and built Malan Heights Hotel and also prepared a campground area. Malan charged visitors $1 per person to be hauled up to the hotel in a horse-drawn wagon that had a “poke” stick which prevented the wagon from rolling backwards down the hill. Passengers were treated to beautiful panoramic views, excellent meals, and lodging at $6 per week (steak included). Unfortunately, the Hotel burned down in 1906 and the only evidence of it’s existence left is the old cast iron boiler laying in the grass near the stream which leads to Waterfall Canyon.

Dog Friendly Mill Creek Canyon Waterfall Hike- Moab Utah

Dog-Friendly, Waterfall, and Free

Let me say this is the Trifecta of Hiking. 

At least, when you are on a budget and bring your dog everywhere.  

And we all love a gorgeous waterfall at the end of a hike.  

After mountain biking, we wanted a short trail where Olive could spend some time in the water before heading back to the campsite.  And lets be honest, there is just something about hiking along water that sings to my soul.  And when it ends at a waterfall?  Bonus. Not only is this a great hike year round, but this hike is perfect for the hot summer months of Moab.  There is water a majority of the way for your dog (no hauling drinking water for fido), and you have to cross the stream in several spots, forcing you to cool off in the stream.

Mountain Biking Navajo Rocks - Moab's newest trails!

After having fun on the M&M trail, and confident in our bikes and legs, we decided to spend another day on our bikes.  I did a little bit of research for another trail while sipping amazing coffee from Moab Coffee Roasters when I came across Navajo Rocks. 

Again, I needed beginner/intermediate levels and dog-friendly trails.  The easy part is virtually everything outside of the national parks is dog friendly.  The hard part can be finding the right trail for your skill and comfort level.  

Dog Friendly! Corona and Bowtie Arch - Moab, Utah

Delicate Arch is always in the spotlight when it comes to Moab's arches. But I am here to tell you there are a few gorgeous and equally as impressive Arches outside of the National Park's borders.  

What is the advantage of visiting Moab 
and hiking outside of the National Parks?  

Well, for starters, it is free.  The National Parks are about $25 a car to enter, where as hikes on BLM land are free and open to the public.  Secondly, while the National Parks do not allow dogs anywhere on their trails (only in parking lots and paved roads), hikes outside the park are dog friendly. Fido is welcome on BLM land and State Parks.   And lastly (and most importantly) you can avoid the mobs and crowds that flea to our beautiful National Parks.  Hiking trails outside the park are deserted compared to the high number of visitors on the trails at National Parks.  While everyone heads to Delicate Arch, head to Corona Arch. 

Dogs, free, and less people.  Have I convinced you yet?

(Dog Friendly!) Cross Country Skiing in Utah

I have been wanting to try Cross country skiing for a while.  I know it's going to be work, but I have this image of me gliding around on skis on a beautiful freshly snowed terrain.  I also have this image of Olive pulling me when I get too lazy to propel myself.  

Let's just stop right here so I can mention neither of these fantasies happened as planned.  Fresh snow was replaced with icy trails and a few diggers, and Olive decided this is the one time in her life she didn't want to drag me around.  Experience and expectations were a little different, but either way, I loved learning to Cross Country ski and having Olive with me. Be prepared to spend a little bit of time on you butt if the downhill is icy.  

But know this... 
the boots are so much more comfortable than regular ski boots. 

Dog Friendly: Rattlesnake Gulch Winter Hike in Millcreek Canyon, SLC

Rattlesnake Gulch to the Pipeline Trail 

Ending at the Salt Lake Overlook 

Pipeline Trail 

Rattelsnake Gulch itself is only a 1 mile segment from the trailhead to the junction of the Pipeline Trail. Even though its short it is steep, gaining about 730'. When you get to the end of Rattlesnake Gulch Trail, you will see a small sign and take a left to the Pipeline Trail. You will follow this flat trail 1 mile on the edge of the mountain, ending at the Salt Lake Overlook.  This is a great spot to have lunch before returning the way you came. 

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco

Any one who doesn’t have a great time in San Francisco is pretty much dead to me. --Anthony Bourdain

There is so much to do and see in San Francisco.  I have some great posts on the bridge, the beaches, and tomorrow, Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf, and the Greenwich Steps.

But before we have some fun, I wanted to cover some important topics.:
How to pay the toll (its confusing!)
Best spots to photograph the bridge (swoon!), and 
Dog friendly beaches along the SF area. 

Lets start with the tolling. 

How to pay the GG Bridge Toll!

Maybe I am getting old, or maybe I am getting stubborn.  I don't own an EZ Pass- you don't need one in Old Lyme, Connecticut! I always have extreme anxiety about having cash on hand for the tolls.  I find an ATM, get over the Golden Gate Bridge to see signs saying "DON'T STOP-AUTOMATIC TOLLING".

Huh?

I don't stop and give you a few dollars?
HOW DO I PAY THIS?
WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME BRIDGE.

 When I got home I did some research and it turns out, you get a EZ style pass, or you pay for your toll BEFORE crossing, or within 48 hours of crossing (or um.... 4 days later if you are me and confused).  You can even set it up over a range of time if you are crossing the bridge more than once.  Wish I knew this before I hit the bridge!

Click Here  to find out more,
or to set up a payment or pay for a ticket.  You are welcome for the lesson!



Now you figured out HOW to pay the toll, you want to take a picture of the gorgeous bridge.
I did some research and found some of the best viewing spots.  

Best viewing spots to see and photograph the GG Bridge!

Here is an article on the best viewing spots, 

but I will give you the quick and dirty version. 

5 Best Viewing Spots 

5. Battery Spencer, Marin County- "postcard view"

4. Hawk Hill, Marin County- panoramic view

3. Fort Point, San Francisco- from below

2. Baker Beach/ The Presidio, San Francisco 

(where these photos were taken! One on the beach and one on a viewing point along the Presidio)

1. Fort Baker, Marin County- "hidden cove"

Taken from a viewing area along the Presido 

Baker Beach, San Francisco

Here is a detailed list of dog friendly beaches in the SF area.  We stopped at Baker Beach and it was basically human and dog heaven.  Wide empty beaches, dog friendly, short walk from the parking lot, protected away from high traffic regions and a sort of protected area if you are worried about your dog taking off.

Here is a summary of dog friendly beaches in the SF area!

1.  Baker Beach Located approximately 1 mile south of the Golden Gate Bridge, this beach is a great spot to take your dog for a view of the famous landmark. Dogs are permitted off-leash on Baker Beach north of Lobos Creek, but they must be on a leash south of Lobos Creek.

2.  Lands End Beach Off Leash Dog Area is un-fenced. Watch for signs designating certain areas that require leash use.

3.  Fort Funston Doggie Beach- An off leash doggie beach with a huge area of tons of trails. There are typically hundreds of well socialized and well behaved dogs for your dog to play with.

4.  Ocean Beach- Pets are welcome to join you on-leash at this San Francisco beach.

Baker Beach, San Francisco

Baker Beach, San Francisco

Baker Beach, San Francisco

Baker Beach, San Francisco

If you are interested in biking over the GG bridge, check out my Sausalito post 

Check back in tomorrow as we highlight some of SF's best attractions.

I checked out the Greenwich Steps to Coit's Tower, and famous Fisherman's pier/Pier 39!

For a more comprehensive guide, check out Well Traveled Wife's San Francisco city guide!  This girl has traveled the world and lived in San Francisco and knows her stuff!

I went to a few spots off her great list! 

Adams Canyon Trail Waterfall Hike - Dog Friendly Hike in Layton, Utah

Adams Canyon Trail

Hike to Adam's Waterfall 

Dog Friendly Hike

Layton, Utah

The Facts:

Distance:  4 miles round trip

Dogs?:  Yes, Dog Friendly 

Elevation:  1,500' 

Level:  Intermediate to hard, a lot of rock scrambling 

Trail type:  Starts off with sandy switchbacks, 

and about .8 miles in follows the stream in a shaded area.  

Caution:  The sand can be really hot for the first part so be careful with your dogs paws.  Also, the trail gets a little rocky and steep in parts.