The fall season is a wonderful time of year for nature-oriented activities. Outdoor fall activities are a great way to stay active and nature can lend a helping hand in many ways. Leaves are changing into wondrous colors and the weather can be just the perfect temperature. Regularly participating in activities such as hiking, rock climbing, nature walks, camping, and other outdoor adventures can be a workout. It's also fun and a great way to spend time with family and friends. One way to be sure you get these outdoor activities in regularly is to form a nature club.

Decide who you are interested in forming the club with. Will this be strictly for family? Are friends invited to participate in the activities? What are the age groups? There could be separate groups for adults and children or it could be all-inclusive. Some may prefer even to ask around the community and make it a more formal club. Decide also if there will be dues or if everyone will just pay their own way whenever there are any associated costs. Many nature venues, such as state parks are free or low-cost, but there may be equipment and supply costs or a number of other small fees.

Scheduling should be something to think about when making plans. The group can decide together on a schedule that best fits all participants. Think about how many times per week or month is ideal, as well as days and times. Also remember to consider holidays, as well as possible weather conditions. Some activities, such as kite flying, would be good on a windy day.

Some may choose to focus a club on one fall hobby or activity. Others may choose to be more versatile. Whatever option you go with, be sure the chosen activities fit the skill levels of your nature club members. A fun way to keep track of everyone while on nature excursions is to get custom-designed t-shirts and matching shoes. Just be sure the shoes are durable and comfy, as well as appropriate for certain activities. Nature activities can be hard on the feet without proper footwear.

Sources:

http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/texas_parks_and_wildlife_promotes_family_nature_clubs

If you think earthquakes only happen in California, think again. It's true that most earthquakes happen west of the Rockies, and California has had plenty, but Alaska has had the most in recent history. But looking farther back, the most earthquakes have occurred in the central U.S., and the worst earthquake in U.S. history was along the New Madrid fault in Missouri over three months in 1811-1812. The effects were felt over 2 million square miles, and three quakes registered over an 8 on the Richter scale.

While geologists are working towards it, they still can't predict when or where an earthquake will strike. They do know that if a quake has hit an area in the past, it will happen again. So, it's possible that you'll encounter an earthquake when you're out hiking, camping, boating, or even skiing.

The first warning you'll have is a feeling of rolling ground, then the real shaking starts. Find the nearest open space, something treeless and not downhill from a rocky slope, and stay there. Most injuries outdoors, just like indoors, come from falling debris and in your case, that means trees, rocks, and even snow. Earthquakes can trigger some phenomenal avalanches. Curl up into a fetal position to make yourself a smaller target.

There will be aftershocks, so stay put. If you're hiking along the coast, though, know earthquakes often trigger tsunamis, so move inland and up, then find open space. When the movement stops, check yourself and the rest of your party for injuries, and treat what you can with your first aid kit.

Wear sturdy but comfortable boots like these new Ledge boots from Timberland. Sick of your old pack? This Ultimatum Gear backpack from Nike is brand new, and along with pockets for everything, it has Max Air straps to take the weight off your shoulders. This waterproof watch from Freestyle has an altimeter, a barometer, and a compass.

Know the history of the area you're hiking, travel prepared, and you can survive even an earthquake in the backcountry.

When the day's activities call for layering and lightweight, versatile pieces of clothing, a pair of convertible pants can help you get through the day's itinerary comfortably. These pants reduce the need to pack extra clothing for your trip because they can keep you warm and dry as a pair of trousers, and cool and comfortable as a pair of capris. Convertible capris are great for Spring and summer excursions in the backwoods, or even when you're hitting the beach for the day. They're a lightweight basic for any outdoor wardrobe, and the conversion process takes only a few seconds; just unzip and store the extra material in your backpack and you're ready to go.

Try on a pair of Kuhl Forester Convertible Capris to put these versatile pants to the test. The fitted waistband and adjustable fit side cinches make for a perfect fit for almost any body type, and the roomy pockets and extra wide belt loops give you plenty of options for carrying extra accessories. These straight-leg pants have a zipper embedded right below the knee, so you can just unzip in seconds to convert them into a pair of comfortable capris.

The pants are also designed for maximum range of motion; whether you're heading out on a climbing adventure, relaxing under the sun or trekking across a trail, you can move fluidly and easily. The two front curve hand pockets around the hips add a flattering touch to the design, and the curved back yoke provides some extra 'give' for those extra challenging trails.

Convertible pants made with lightweight materials will also keep you cool and comfortable when temperatures rise. You'll need the extra coverage of a pant when you're trekking through a rainforest or exploring rough territory, but you won't be weighed down when the pants are made with a light nylon and cotton blend. They can be worn with your favorite tee, a lightweight sweatshirt and any windbreaker or jacket. Convertible pants and capris are best paired up with a mules, clogs or sandals to make a complete outdoor ensemble that's high on comfort and versatility.

Yellowstone National Park continues to attract millions of avid hikers, campers and outdoor enthusiasts each year. If you're one of the many hiker paying respects Old Faithful this season, make sure you're well-prepared for the adventure.

Here are a few essentials for making it through your Yellowstone trail like a pro:

Layer it up
Wearing layers is essential when hiking or camping in Yellowstone's temperate climate. Many areas of the park experience rain showers and chilly winds, especially during the autumn and winter seasons. Make sure you're well prepared for inclement weather with wool socks, moisture-wicking pants and shirts, an insulated vest, a wool beanie and a lightweight puffy jacket for any evening excursions on the itinerary.

Don't get Stuck in the mud
The trails are usually very wet and muddy at the beginning of the year; make sure you're wearing comfortable hiking boots that provide plenty of ankle support and will prevent your toes from getting wet. You may need trekking poles to make it across some of the bogs and marshes on the more challenging trails, so map out your route and factor in weather conditions well beforehand.

Pack up that First Aid Kit
Whether you're putting together your own or picking up a pre-made kit, make sure you're well prepared to manage insect bites, cuts, bruises and small wounds. While you won't have many rocky boulders to conquer on the beginner's trails in Yellowstone, you might find yourself forging through forests, thermal springs and canyons. Wrap up those wounds and treat insect bites in a flash with basic supplies stocked in your first aid kit.

Cook Smart to Avoid Bear Attacks
When you're setting up camp in Bear Country, make sure you're doing everything you can to avoid a bear attack. Many hikers and campers encounter bears in Yellowstone because they're not prepared; leaving food unattended at the campsite or cooking and storing food in open areas will leave a scented trail that attracts bears day and night. Use an efficient cooking and food heating system for your meals to make that food prep and cleanup is a cinch.

From pretty much any vantage point in Seattle, Washington, you can see Mount Rainier. So it makes sense when people think about hiking trails around Seattle, Mount Rainier is one of the first places to come to mind. You could of course hike (and climb) up to the summit, but - at over 14,000 feet - it would take you a fair while. Plus, unless you've done it before, it's also recommended to take a guide and that can be quite expensive. For a challenging, yet not too dangerous hike in the real outdoors, Mount Rainier National Park is still the place, and the Wonderland Trail is the hike.

The Wonderland Trail is a 93-mile trail that hits just about every major zone of the park. You can start the Wonderland Trail at many different places along its way, but it will take you at least 10 to 12 days to complete it if you decide to hike the whole thing, so be prepared.

The Wonderland Trail actually circles Mount Rainier, meaning if you do the whole thing, you'll see the mountain from pretty much every conceivable angle (except from the top, of course). There are also ranger cabins all over the park. Because there aren't any places to purchase food, if you do decide to walk the entire trail, you're going to have to arrange to have food packages mailed to several ranger locations for pick up as you hike.

The weather in this area can be a bit iffy, even in the summer. Park rangers will also warn you to watch out for sudden, extreme changes of weather. If you're walking the whole Wonderland Trail, there's a good chance you'll experience some severe weather during the almost two weeks that you'll be hiking. So make sure you're prepared with all the right equipment.

The Wonderland Trail sounds like it could be too much like hard work, but, in reality, it's one of the best ways to see the park. All kinds of flora, fauna and wildlife exist, not to mention the panoramic views. And let's face it, if you've seen anything of Mount Rainier from Seattle, it'd be kinda cool to see it from so close up.

One place that's wonderful to visit is Big Sky, Montana. I mean, really, how can you not want to go to a place that has such a cool name? Hiking in a place like Big Sky is also amazing, with all that clear blue sky, mountains and massive amounts of land. The Big Sky area has two great places where you can hike: Gallatin National Forest and possibly the world's most famous national park, Yellowstone National Park.

Get in your head a picture of the movie, A River Runs Through It. Dramatic scenery, fresh air, pretty big mountains, rivers, streams and an incredible blue sky. This is what you'll see if you hike in Gallatin National Forest. Just a few miles away from Big Sky, Gallatin has almost 2,300 miles of hiking trails - it's truly enormous. One of the best hiking areas in the country, bar none, and some of the mountain peaks are over 11,000 feet.

To start off hiking in Gallatin National Forest, it's best to go in the summer when the weather isn't too severe. There are five different mountain ranges you can hike. On all of them you'll see incredibly diverse plants and wildlife, including the area's famous bald eagles and grizzly bears. Be very aware of your surroundings though and watch what you're doing. A fall or a grizzly bear attack on many of these trails could leave you badly injured and miles away from help. To get started, you're better visiting one of the park's offices - the main one being in Bozeman - to collect maps, information on good starting points for hikes, estimated times to complete trails and more. Also carry bear spray and wear clunky boots. Bears don't like a lot of noise, so the noisier you are, the less chance you have of accidentally stumbling upon one.

Yellowstone National Park is only a short drive from Big Sky and has 1,200 miles of hiking trails. One of the trails easily accessible from Big Sky is called Tee pee. It's about 13 miles south of Big Sky, right before you get to Yellowstone National Park. The great thing about Tee pee is it's perfect for all levels of hiker, especially kids, and it eventually enters Yellowstone National Park, where you'll find many more hiking trails to enjoy. Get more information about hiking trails from one of the many Yellowstone visitor centers.

A few years ago, I spent a couple of weeks in Miami with my parents. My parents like to hike so, after a couple of days on the beach, we decided Florida's stellar hiking trails were calling us, and off we set.

Jonathan Dickinson State Park
This park is on the banks of the Loxahatchee River and has some great trails, all mapped out for you by the Florida Trail Association. The trails are all looped trails, so eventually you'll end up back where you started, but meanwhile you'll see some lovely mangroves, swamp land and pine woods. You can also camp here in the designated camping areas. Some of the trails are also board walked, which makes hiking easy. You can concentrate on the beauty around you instead of worrying where you're putting your feet.

South Fork St. Lucie Hiking Trail
This trail is about two and a half miles long, but what makes this trail really cool is it's a hiking-canoe trail that can only be accessed by canoe (at least at the moment, though that's likely to change in the future, so try it out soon). You get to the hiking trail by first paddling your canoe for around three miles, then get out at the trailhead. All along the canoe trail and into the hiking trail you're likely to see turtles and alligators. Make sure you watch where you're stepping though as alligators in Florida have been known to eat people.

Corbett Hiking Trail in Palm Beach County
The Corbett Hiking Trail is a bit further out but well worth going to. It's 16 miles long, which is more than 30 miles if you do the round trip, and goes over flatlands, wetlands and into copious amounts of saw palmetto, the famous Florida fan palm. You'll see a lot of wildlife on the Corbett Hiking Trail. River otters, white-tailed deer, bobcats, woodpeckers, herons and many other species have been spotted from Corbett Trail. The trail also has a 1.2 mile boardwalk, which is a great place to stop, take a rest and check out what might be lurking in the undergrowth. The best time for the most sightings is usually either early morning or late afternoon, when the trail is quieter. Make sure you take your camera too.

Miami doesn't have to be about a flashy lifestyle or a nice tan, it can also be about getting out into nature and trying one of the Miami areas' many hiking trails.

A few years ago, I went to Las Vegas with my then-fiancé. We were both into hiking, so after a couple of nights of gambling and fun, we decided it might be a good idea to head out of the city and get some fresh air. Now, before I talk about hiking in Las Vegas, I will warn you about one thing - the heat. We were there in November, so it was pretty perfect for hiking. If you're in Vegas in the middle of July though, I'd give hiking a pass. You're likely to get heat stroke or worse. Save the hiking until the winter months. In the winter though, Red Rock Canyon, just outside Vegas, offers amazing hiking trails with incredible scenery and picture-perfect photographic opportunities.

Red Rock Canyon is about a 15 mile drive outside Vegas. Once you get there, you'll find at least 20 trails you can choose from. Before you decide on a trail though, make sure you go to the visitor center. We found its employees to be very helpful, and we also got some handy maps, saw interesting exhibits and bought a couple of books at the bookstore.

When we finally got to hiking, we decided to start out with the First Creek Canyon Trail. The lady at the visitor center said it was quite easy, and for a first trail, that's what we wanted. We took Charleston Boulevard, followed the signs and were soon on the trail. We were thrilled to find it easy going, but with a bit of minor rock climbing and even a couple of small waterfalls in the canyon. The whole trail was only around three miles round trip. After completing this one and emptying the backpack of our packed lunch, we went for something a bit more difficult.

Turtlehead Peak, north of the visitor center, turned out to be five miles roundtrip, had some fairly tough rock climbing sections, and because of a lot of loose rocks on the ground, it required more concentration than other hiking trails. Turtlehead Peak Trail runs along an old river bed then heads up to the peak of Turtlehead (as the trail name suggests). Make sure you hike all the way to the peak, because the view of Vegas from up here is phenomenal and well worth the climb, even if it is a bit strenuous.

Next time you're thinking about Las Vegas, enjoy the gambling but don't forget there are some pretty cool, nearby hiking trails too.

A few years ago, I lived in the San Francisco Bay area for a few months. At the time, I wasn't into any kind of exercise so looking for San Francisco hiking trails was definitely not an option. Nowadays, though, being the fitness guru I am, hiking trails in San Francisco would be right up my alley, and these three easy hiking trails would be perfect places to start.

Cezar Chavez/ North Waterfront Park Trail - This 1.7-mile trail is a very easy hike. It's pretty much flat all the way and follows the shoreline, which is quite unspoiled and has a beautiful view of Angel Island and San Francisco. This hiking trail is also great for dog owners, because you can take your dog with you. There's even an off-leash area where you can let Rover run free. Open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., it also has a perfect hiking climate year round.

Crissy Field - For something that's a bit longer, try this 5-mile hike from Crissy Field. It's flat, so hikers of any age can do it, but what's great about it is you can keep on going as long as you want to get the type of challenge you're seeking. Start out at Crissy Field and walk down Golden Gate Promenade. Then go over the Golden Gate Bridge (gorgeous views!) and into Marin. Right ahead is Sausalito, a fabulous place to stop for a coffee or a snack, then either walk back or grab a bus. Or you can stay at Crissy Field and walk a 1.6-mile hike up to Fort Point. Turn around and retrace your steps to give you an almost 3 ½-mile hike.

Pescadero Marsh Nature Preserve - Just a little south of Half Moon Bay is Pescadero Marsh. It's lovely, with tons of wildlife, flora and fauna, and is a cool place to bird watch. There are three or four hiking trails through Pescadero Marsh, all of which are only 1-2 miles long. Parts of them can be challenging, because you're walking on open sand, but this pretty location makes it worth the extra work.

The San Francisco Bay area has literally thousands of hiking trails. These three are a good, easy start, especially because they're all such beautiful places to hike.

If you're in Georgia and wanting to hike, you can't do any better than checking out The Cherokee Trail and Carter's Lake hiking trails. They're both pretty remote places but offer great scenery and relatively easy hikes.

Cherokee Trail is what's known as a 'loop trail,' which means it goes in a circle, so there's no need to hike back the way you came. Because it runs in a circle, you can start hiking it pretty much anywhere as you'll always end up back where you started. Cherokee Trail (also known as 'Stone Mountain Loop') is an awesome trail for families, because it's not difficult and has some really fun stuff for the kids to see and do. Near the trail, there's a nature garden, the ruins of an old homestead, a couple of large lakes, a play area and even some old Indian village ruins. On your hike, you can also see the largest stone carving in the world, which took over 50 years to complete. The trail has a nice visitor center and clean toilets (which are, all too often, missing in many hiking trail areas).

The second notable hiking trail in Georgia is Carter's Lake Hiking Trail. It takes its name from Carter's Lake, which is an absolutely enormous manmade lake popular with people who like to fish, camp and boat. There are four very nice trails running around the lake, and because there's a lot of wildlife in the area it's also a good place for bird watching. It's also famous for the beaver pond that was built here. The lake has picnic tables and bathrooms, and if you want to get in a bit of fishing after you hike, there are two cement fishing decks that you can fish from - the fishing is fabulous here too!

The other wonderful thing about these trails is the weather in Georgia is quite mild all year; they're accessible just about all the time. If you're looking for a cool place to take the family for the day or even for a weekend camp, Carter's Lake and the Cherokee Trail would be great choices.

I think Virginia is one of the prettiest U.S. states. Lovely weather, green hilly fields and blue skies in the summer, and postcard-perfect fall colors in the autumn - you really can't beat picturesque Virginia. The Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail is a perfect example of beautiful Virginia countryside. It's also a great place for hiking trails. With 770 miles of hiking available, you can hardly complain about choice.

The Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail runs from the Potomac River itself all the way to Allegheny Highlands in the Ohio Basin. There's even a 100-mile, unbroken section of trail where you could actually walk for three to four days without branching off it. There are literally hundreds of different sections of trail you can hike or backpack but check these three out in Virginia's lower Potomac region, as they are probably some of the best.

George Washington's Birthplace - I can't think of a better place to hike than the birthplace of our first president. Popes Creek Plantation is right on the Potomac. It has a nature trail that runs for a mile and lots of little footpaths that you can take to get in a good hike. There are also historically interesting exhibits scattered around that tell you about colonial life and Washington's early years.

The Dameron Marsh Natural Area Preserve - The wetlands here are home to many birds, insects, flora and fauna. There's almost 330 acres of marshland, much of which you can explore, as well as forest with hiking trails. It's a great area to hike just to see the marshland birds you probably won't see anywhere else and to revel in the beauty of the birdsong.

The Voorhees Nature Preserve - If you're really lucky, you might see bald eagles along trails in the Voorhees Nature Preserve, a nesting place for bald eagles. There are almost 800 miles of trails on the preserve, and it is right next door to Westmoreland Berry Farm. So, you can hike and enjoy nature, and then come back to the farm and pick berries to take home for dinner.

The best time to experience any of these trails is spring or autumn, when temperatures are perfect for a strenuous hike. The summer too can be a nice time to visit, as long as you don't mind the heat.

A few years ago, I moved to Denver, Colorado. Now, not being a freezing cold weather kinda gal, that foray into nature didn't last very long before I moved on to boiling hot Texas. But, during my stay in Denver, I did manage to discover some really gorgeous hiking trails. The wonderful thing with Colorado is the scenery. Pretty much anywhere you look it's just beautiful. (How can you not love snow-capped mountains and clean, fresh air?) Colorado's hiking trails also feature the same panoramic views and natural beauty, so it truly is a spectacular place to hike.

One of my favorite discoveries was Mount Falcon Park near Evergreen, Colorado. To get to it, you can drive west out of Denver on Highway 285. Turn off at the Indian Hills exit, drive for about 5 miles, then turn right onto Picutis Road and go to the park's parking lot. There are tons of trails at Mount Falcon Park and most of them are pretty easy going (no need to do any major mountain climbing here). Castle Trail is the most interesting trail, I think, simply because at the end of the trail you can explore the ruins of Walker Castle. (Kids love doing this!) John Brisben Walker was a Denver businessman who used to own most of the land around, what is now, Mount Falcon Park. He built himself a huge house, which burned down in the early 20th century. Known now as Walker Castle, (it's not a castle, just a big stone house,) the ruins are still fascinating to explore.

What's also interesting about Mount Falcon Park is the sadness that surrounds it when you think of how it bore witness to John Brisben Walker's tragic story. A once-successful business man, when Walker died, he actually died destitute.

The Castle Trail at Mount Falcon Park is around 5 miles long. It goes up to an elevation of about 9,000 feet and the view is spectacular up there. So don't forget your camera. You'll get some amazing photos of Rocky Mountain National Park. Also, don't forget to read the signs along the path that tell the story of John Brisben Walker's life.

I lived in Dallas, Texas (Go Longhorns!) for eight years and used to hike a lot there. The weather in Dallas is hot for at least eight months of the year, but it's also quite dry, so it can be great for hiking as long as you don't mind the heat. Dallas has some amazing areas for hiking both in and around the city. It is a very flat area of the country though, so don't expect much in the way of hills unless you get down into Texas hill country around Austin, where you'll find much more hilly hiking country.

White Rock Lake was one of my favorite hiking places. It's over 2,000 acres of lake and park. It's very pretty and even has an Audubon society and wetlands area. There's a trail around the lake that runs for almost 10 miles. It's quite flat, which is perfect for beginners, but watch out for the bikes as it's also shared by cyclists who fly by very fast. There's even supposed to be a Lady of the Lake, a ghost that several hikers have reported seeing. (I've never seen her though, wish I had!) In the spring, the area around the lake is covered with wildflowers, especially the famous Texas bluebonnets, so it's a great time to hike then. In summer, the park areas will be drier, and it's harder going due to the excessive Texas heat. But, if you want a great workout and don't mind sweating, it's fun to hike at White Rock Lake.

One of my favorite places to hike just outside Dallas is the L.B. Houston Park, which is about 7 miles north of downtown Dallas. This is a fabulous place to hike for beginners, because it's easy and pretty too. There are four trails to choose from. One is as short as a mile, and the longest is about four miles. The great thing about L.B. Houston Park trails is the plant life and the birds. I've seen many unusual looking birds in the park (sorry, don't know anything about birds, but they were unusual to me!), and in the spring, the flowers and plant life are really pretty too. The trails are pretty flat to hike on but still fun. You can get here by going north on Interstate 35, turning left on Northwest Highway (the loop road) and following the signs.

Don't forget, if you do hike on either of these trails, especially in the summer, take plenty of water in your backpack. It's hotter than heck in Texas in the summer, and you can easily get dehydrated. Not fun if you're a long way from a water supply or a 7-11.

Wide expanses of snow, ice and glaciers are what we think about when most of us think about Alaska. Going hiking in Alaska probably isn't something most of us would consider. Surprisingly, Alaska does actually have a summer, and it is possible to hike there then. Alaska also has some fabulous hiking trails in incredibly beautiful country where you can get back to nature more than anywhere else in America. If you're thinking of hiking in Alaska though, you really should consider these two hiking trails: the Kachemak Bay State Park near Homer and the Kenai Fjords near Seward.

The Kachemak Bay State Park is stunning and easily reachable from Homer but only by plane or by boat. Here there are two options for trail hiking. Either stick to the well-maintained trails, which will take you up mountains and glaciers and around hidden coves, or branch out to the eastern part of the park. Here it's basically completely Alaskan wilderness with no marked trails, making it a huge challenge but really gorgeous. The Kachemak Bay State Park is also home to loads of wildlife and birds, so don't forget your camera and notebooks. Oh, and be careful of the bears! They may look cute and cuddly, but they can kill you.

The Kenai Fjords are something else entirely. These fjords will rival anything Norway has to offer, with trails cut through the woodland as well as a lot of hikes that cross the glaciers. If you do these hikes make sure you're fully prepared for glacier hiking. It can be somewhat dangerous for those with no experience. (You don't want to fall down a crevasse or break a leg and have to get the Alaskan rescue service to save you.) Near the Kenai Fjords is also one of the most popular places in Alaska for hikers, a coastal defense depot that operated during World War II. Check out the old buildings and pretend you're a WWII soldier. You can also camp in the Kenai Fjord National Park overnight. Just make sure you stock up on provisions in Seward before you set out, because there's nothing to buy in the national park itself.

There are many more amazing hiking trails in Alaska. Your best bet is to start out in Anchorage, Homer, Seward or Juneau and branch out from there.

I lived in Cincinnati, Ohio for 10 years. During that time, especially when I was attending university, I walked many of the state's trails. The best trail in Ohio is The Buckeye Trail. It's absolutely huge (almost 1,500 miles long) and hits every part of the state at least once. It starts in Cincinnati where two different forks go north and east, goes through a national park in Cleveland, continues on up through the rest of the state and ends at Lake Erie. On its way up the two forks, the Buckeye Trail also goes through Medina, Loveland, Shawnee, Troy, Defiance and Akron, just to name a few towns.

The Buckeye Trail is easy to follow as it's marked by what they call 'blue blazes.' These are blue painted marks that are on trees and signposts all the way along the trail. I've walked the Loveland part of the trail, which actually starts in the Eden Park area of Cincinnati. It goes through city streets here (which is cooler than it sounds as there are some beautiful old houses in this area of Cincinnati), then winds through Little Miami State Park, continues along the riverbank and passes King's Island Amusement Park. It ends up at an Indian earthworks and museum that's very interesting to stop and visit if you have the time.

You can also do the Circuit Hike on the Buckeye Trail, which means you can walk the whole thing. At almost 1,500 miles long though, it would take you a few weeks and a excellent pair of hiking boots to complete, especially if you're hiking during the summer months when Ohio gets very humid. You, of course, wouldn't want to hike the trail past the beginning of October as Ohio gets supremely cold in winter with the weather quickly changing to sleet, snow and ice.

Ohio, in my opinion, is one of the most beautiful states in the U.S. During the spring and summer, the countryside is green and full of flowers. It's also hilly in many areas so you'll get a great workout while hiking. The Buckeye Trail runs through pretty countryside, where you'll see rivers, waterfalls, gorgeous foliage and wild flowers, raccoons, deer, rabbits and more.

For more information on the Buckeye Trail in Ohio, check out the Buckeye Trail's website.