Country August/September 2021

I was so stoked to join a backpacking trip into the Grand Canyon until the director asked, “So, how long does it take you to hike to the top of Squaw Peak?” I told him that I didn’t know because I’d never attempted it. He sighed and said, “If you can do it in under an hour, then you may join us.” I was fit, but I wasn’t a marathoner and opted for easy hikes. Known today as Piestewa Peak, the mountain is the second-highest in Phoenix at 2,608 feet tall and a nonstop climb to the top. Think of it as nature’s StairMaster. So on a crisp winter weekend (in Phoenix that meant a high of 65), I took my fitness test. I expected the super fit outdoor lovers…

Check out Great American Road Trips: National Parks, the latest book from Country! DISCOVER YOUR LANDS America’s best idea, our national parks, takes center stage in this gorgeous book that pairs stunning scenic photography with reader stories. ORDER NOW Sign up for a free preview at lovethecountry.com/NPCA WANT MORE TRIP IDEAS? CHECK OUT COUNTRYTM extra in the next issue you’ll… • Explore five wildlife refuges where the animals are as breathtaking as the scenery.• Experience the New England charm of Vermont’s Mad River Valley.• Take a scenic drive along Wisconsin’s Great Divide. Subscribe at countrymagazine.com…

The April/May issue’s cover photo “Journey to Alaska” reminded me of this picture my brother, Kevin, took of his daughter, Sarah, when they were paddling down the Buffalo River in northern Arkansas in about 2002. PAM EVANS St. Joseph, MO As a longtime subscriber I know what a good magazine you have, but the April/May 2021 issue was just fantastic. Love the stories and the layout, but I cannot describe how much I loved the article “Travel Tails” about Baloo and Henry (page 34). I wish I had a nickel for every time I have looked at those pictures. Congrats to Cynthia and Andre for being the best pet parents ever, and thank you for printing it. BARB THOMAS Hartville, OH How glorious to see something written of “our” neck…

Hikers extraordinaire, my grandkids are my outdoor recreation buddies. Ayana, 7, and Jordan, 8, have climbed a 14er; hiked many trails; river-rafted and bird-watched. In a time of pandemic-induced isolation and racial and political conflict, my young adventure pals have restored my spirit. One of our favorite places to explore is Castlewood Canyon State Park in Colorado, where I’ve volunteered for more than 20 years. It’s a day-use park that is open from sunrise to sunset. I enjoy sharing its unique features and history with Ayana and Jordan (below, hiking last year in Castlewood). The park has much to offer young explorers: about four ecosystems; the ruins of an historic dam that burst in 1933, sending a 15-foot wave of water about 40 miles away to Denver; and many geologic…

VIEWS OF THE GREEN Mountains in every direction are reason enough to stay at Vermont Schoolhouse, a renovated cottage that sits on a 270-acre, fifth-generation farm in Shaftsbury. The farm, Studio Hill, is an idyllic, natural setting. Sheep are raised on pasture and the gardens are no-till. The cottage has its own kitchen, grill and deck, plus an outdoor sauna, shower and hot tub. I can’t wait to spend another night there and relax under the stars. www.studiohill.farm –Stephanie Rapisarda, Cheshire, MA MORE TO EXPLORE LAKE SHAFTSBURY STATE PARK Hike the Healing Springs Nature Trail (an easy trek around the lake), rent a kayak or picnic on the beach. vtstateparks.com ROBERT FROST STONE HOUSE MUSEUM The poet bought the house, now under the stewardship of Bennington College, with the intent…

While cooped up in our homes over the past year and a half, the road called to us. Many Americans found comfort and safety in wide-open spaces, and along the way discovered our country’s natural beauty and scenic wonders. Where did you travel during the pandemic? Perhaps you visited a national park for the first time or got nostalgic along Route 66? Maybe you discovered a small town with charm and one-of-a-kind shops? If you took photos along the way, enter them in the Great American Road Trip Photo Contest. We’re looking for amazing images that show the beauty of America, from gorgeous landscapes and wildlife to people. Here’s what you need to know: 1. What you can win: Grand Prize: $1,000 • First Prize: $250 • Second Prize: $150…