Located in “The Heart of Louisiana,” the neighboring cities of Alexandria Pineville span the Red River and join forces to preserve the great outdoors and welcome visitors to enjoy its beauty. With the Kisatchie National Forest as its playground, plentiful bayous, and Lake Buhlow, as well as several parks and recreation attractions, hiking, biking, horseback riding, ATVing, golfing, fishing, kayaking, and even motorboat racing has made Louisiana’s moniker as a sportsman’s paradise true to its word.

Kisatchie National Forest is ideal for bird and nature watching, noting popular “Eagle Cams” near Kincaid Lake Campground that have peeked in on hatchlings for eagles Louis & Anna and Alex and Andria! There are more than 40 developed recreation sites that make it easy to get away from it all and commune with nature. Follow Kisatchie National Forest on Facebook to keep up with the latest developments.

There are a couple of other options for seeing animals up close in Alexandria-Pineville. The Alexandria Zoological Park features 500 extraordinary animals, from tigers to otters, and a wonderful place for your wild things to visit with ours! The Gone Wild Safari has a drive-through safari adventure as well as an exotic petting zoo!

And don’t worry if you haven’t brought your gear for your outdoor adventures. There are outfitters like River Paddle Rentals for kayaks and paddle boards. And Hays E. Daze Riding Adventures can set you up with trail horses to explore the wooded trails of Kisatchie

The outdoors figures prominently in historic adventures as well, with the grounds of Kent House (the oldest standing structure in Central Louisiana), Forts Randolph & Buhlow, and many historic homes and even cemeteries, serving as a graceful backdrop to the preserved architecture and stories from pirates, pioneers, generals, natives and settlers who once ventured across the rolling hills and piney forests.

You can take the nearly 500 miles of Colonial Trails Scenic Byway to trace the westward expansion routes and cultural connections of the French, Creole, Anglo, African American, and Native Americans who ventured through the lands, developing fertile fields and military fortifications of our historic past. The Northrup Trail Byway follows the journey of Solomon Northrup, a free-born, African American kidnapped and sold into slavery, chronicled in the movie, “Twelve Years a Slave,” based upon his memoirs.

Outdoor adventure might even mean taking in festival grounds or fresh air concerts in Alexandria Levee Park’s amphitheater along the banks of the Red River. With festivals throughout the year, from Mardi Gras to Winter Fete, booking your outdoor adventure to include festival fun is definitely an option.

You’ll burn up plenty of calories exploring, so you can take your pick of decadent spots to dine throughout the area. With Louisiana favorites, like gumbo, red beans & rice, and etouffee, to the freshest of seafood and down-home barbecue, you won’t leave hungry!

Aside from camping in the great outdoors, we have plenty of comfortable spots to lay your head at the end of a long day exploring in Central Louisiana! From historic Hotel Bentley to brand-name locales, you’ll find a spot to suit your needs for many days of adventuring! Plan your trip now at AlexandriaPinevilleLa.com.

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While much of the country is battling snowstorms, Sierra Vista, Arizona, is enjoying mild winter weather with picture-perfect, snow-topped peaks as a reminder that winter is in full swing. But with valley temperatures in the low 60s, tire chains and wooly under things are as mysterious as Chupacabra*.

While “going south” is usually associated with rising temperatures, Sierra Vista, at 4,633 feet, enjoys a comfortable climate all year long. In winter months, visitors can still explore without bundling up. Spring starts in late February with mercury rising to the low 70s. Blazing summer heat is unusual; June’s high 90s are broken with seasonal rainstorms.

The Huachucas (say “Waa-CHOO-kuhs” to sound like a local) are the southern most range of the Sky Islands, fast-rising peaks surrounded by radically different low lands, that create an ecosystem that is among the most diverse in the world, with narrow valleys, steep canyons, and soaring peaks that invite biodiversity seen nowhere else in the United States. In fact, the area attracts myriad avian life, more than any other place in the United States, giving Sierra Vista the nickname of “Hummingbird Capital of the United States. ”Here, you can find up to 15 species of hummingbirds—one found nowhere else north of Mexico—and more than 300 different bird species during the year.

Whether you road cycle or mountain bike, Sierra Vista is surrounded by miles of rolling, two-lane roads, bike lanes, and single-track mountain trails. The Huachucas reach a soaring 9,465 feet with some pretty steep trails for hearty hikers, although plenty of gentler trails still rate high with mountain bikers and hikers alike. One of the easiest routes (and perhaps most peaceful trail) is the path along the San Pedro River. This 54-mile trail is relatively flat (just 100 feet of elevation change) and offers multiple access points along the river.

Sierra Vista is big enough for the best amenities, but small enough for a charming getaway. The city has earned a reputation for culinary diversity, thanks to the international restaurants tucked in plazas throughout the city. Offerings include flavors from around the world, attributed to nearby Fort Huachuca, whose soldiers returned from overseas with a hunger for world flavors. Drop into any of the eateries in jeans and hiking boots for a flavor-packed meal. Don’t let the unassuming (and sometimes kitschy) décor fool you into low expectations. The chefs won’t compromise when showcasing their homeland favorites. And luckily, reservations aren’t needed unless you have a big group.

Southeast Arizona grows about 80 percent of Arizona’s wine grapes at more than two dozen vineyards. Exploring nearby wine country and sampling the gold medal-winning wines produced there is a must. Along the way, the scenery will knock your socks off, especially if you are traveling at sunset: blasts of orange, pink, and purple light up the sky. Have your camera ready, the light changes quickly.

Find out more and start planning your getaway at SierraVistaAZ.com or download the interactive guide on your smart phone at your favorite app store. Just search“Sierra Vista Guide.”

*What is a Chupacabra you ask? An urban legend, a mythological question mark that roams the Southwest and Latin America attacking livestock under the cloak of darkness. Don’t worry, Chupacabraare as elusive as Big foot and you’re more likely to spot a coatimundi than this “goat sucker.

The post Outdoor Adventures and Flavors to Savor: Sierra Vista, Arizona appeared first on Food and Travel Magazine.

Located between Big Sky and Yellowstone National Park, 320 Guest Ranch honors its rich history and celebrates Montana’s pioneer spirit through lodging, food, and activities.

We believe in connecting people to this naturally beautiful and historically abundant place. We believe in the pioneering spirit, which, for us, means providing updated log cabin accommodations, made-from-scratch, innovative food at McGill’s Restaurant and Saloon, and activities such as horseback riding, fly fishing, workshops, kids’ activities, sleigh rides, and more.

We are defying social norms to blaze our own trail, embracing the pioneer spirit and returning to tradition. We honor the nature around us and our history, by welcoming our guests with hospitality and a look into life as it used to be.

The ranch transitions between the winter and summer seasons offering different opportunities for each.

In the winter months–experience what it’s like living inside of a snow globe. With picturesque snow views, evergreen tress flocked in snow, and warm fires glowing in the cabins’ fireplaces. Learn about the history of the Ranch while riding in a 2 horse open sleigh along the river. If you opt for the later sleigh ride, you can catch a glimpse of the Milky Way. The ride will take you to a warming hut where you can enjoy hot beverages and a campfire before returning back to the Ranch center.

Our restaurant, McGill’s is open to the public and ranch guests for dinner. The restaurant is situated in the old homestead building from the early 1900’s. We use local fish, game, vegetables, mushrooms and other ingredients that to create pioneering dishes and drinks that pay tribute to the area.

McGill’s offers all the culinary experiences on Ranch such as a Chuckwagon BBQ, Porch-side Picnic, Sleigh Ride bites at the warming tent, and more.

During the Summer season, the 320 Guest Ranch comes to life with horseback trail rides through the national forest, wagon rides around Ranch to a BBQ dinner, “Wanna be a Wrangler” kids program, and fly fishing casting lessons on our trout pond. There is always something to be discovered on Ranch and an activity to suit everyman, woman, boy or girl’s inner pioneer.

Make the 320 Guest Ranch your home away from home and return from your vacation feeling rested and rejuvenated–and cherishing some life-long memories of visiting the old west and experiencing something you can’t find on the coastlines.

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