Reach for the heavens atop Black Elk Peak, the highest natural point in the Midwest, soaring to 7,242 ft. Here, depending on how tall you are, the top of your noggin may, for a moment, be the highest human point in South Dakota. Besides the potential of this great honor, you shall bask in stunning views of ponderosa pine forests, babbling brooks, and granite cliffs.
Deep in Kananaskis country, a magnificent wonder awaits discovery: the spectacular Opal Ridge. Marvel at the rocky sentinels crowned in snow and gilded by the sun as you stride to the summit of Opal Ridge. Beware, the trek will not be easy, but it will certainly be an adventure to colossal heights and picturesque sights.
Many millennia ago, a most curious wonder thrust itself from the molten depths of Earth…a giant tree stump made of stone. Today, this stump is known as the Devils Tower, standing tall amid the mixed grass prairies and ponderosa pine forests of Wyoming. Dedicated by President Theodore Roosevelt on September 24, 1906, the Devils Tower is, in fact, the first National Monument of the United States.
Be sure to tread carefully upon the Sleeping Giant lest you wake this slumbering beast and incur its wrath. Thankfully, the Sleeping Giant is quite the heavy sleeper whose snores rumble across Lake Superior. However, as long as you whisper and tiptoe along, you may be lucky enough to discover one of the Sleeping Giant’s hidden gems: the majestic Sea Lion.
As the winter lingers on, why not go for Grotto by hiking the beautiful Grotto Canyon Trail? On this winter hike, discover waterfalls frozen in time, snow-crested peaks, and a peace you will only find in the wintertime.
Not only a tropical paradise for travelers, but for birds too, South Padre Island is the place to be for birders. From sandpipers skipping along the shores to pelicans soaring overhead, discover the beautiful birds of coastal South Texas.
Snowcapped peaks, lush forests, and babbling creeks. Full of unofficial wonders and hidden gems, no picture or painting can fully capture the majestic landscapes of Jasper National Park. Now, one of the best ways to uncover a wonder is to explore by foot. This is why I recommend you take a hike. However, you may wonder which mountain to climb, which lake to visit, and which way to go. I too often…
Like the city, my name is Florence. However, I am not of the Italian sort. You will find me here and there roaming around – sometimes because I am lost but other times because a bird or a lake or a deer has caught my eye.
Here, at the Unofficial Florence, I share tales of the wild, wacky and wonderful unofficial wonders of the world. You never know when you will stumble upon one yourself.
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