Featured – On the Loose Live

Easy Waterfall Hikes With Ravishing Rewards, Tongariro National Park, NZ: Tawhai & Taranaki Falls

March 8, 2026March 8, 2026livevigorously

Founded in 1887 and officially established in 1894, Tongariro is New Zealand’s oldest national park and the 4th in the world. It is a dual UNESCO World Heritage site, recognized for both its outstanding natural volcanic features, including 3 active volcanoes: Mt. Ruapehu, Mt. Ngauruhoe, and Mt. Tongariro, and its cultural significance to the native Māori people.

Tawhai Falls Distance: < .50 Mile (Ranking 6th of the Top Hikes in Tongariro National Park per AllTrails.)

Up for a tame, super short stroll to a lovely waterfall? Tawhai Falls won’t disappoint. It’s an easy walk through the forest on a smooth trail to see the gorgeous, rushing, crystal-clear, turquoise waters of this 42-foot-high waterfall. You can take in the views from the top viewing platform and then follow the water’s journey to the base of the falls.

Getting to Tawhai Falls: It’s right off the SH48, about 2.5 miles below Whakapapa Village. Look for the large sign.

Taranaki Falls Distance: 3.73 Miles (The #2 Top Hike in the Park per AllTrails.)

Another tame and short walk to a waterfall is Taranaki Falls. Here, you’ll walk through the tussock (a golden, coppery red ornamental grass that is native to New Zealand) and alpine shrublands, enjoying expansive views of mountains and the beech forest, until you come to the star of the show— the dramatic 65 ft Taranaki Falls tumble down from top of the volcanic cliffs (formed by the Ruapehu eruption of 15,000 years ago) to a natural, boulder-ringed pool below.

In my opinion, this loop is most scenic clockwise, with the reward of rounding a corner for the big reveal (versus the anticlimax of seeing the comparatively anticlimactic top of the falls first). From the falls, the track climbs up to loop back, or you can continue your hike on the Tama Lakes Track (post to come).

Getting there: The trail starts from the road about 100 yards below the Whakapapa Visitor Centre.

Happy Trails and Waterfall Chasing!

At the Intersection of Art and Nature: Harry Bertoia, Mid Century Modern Italian Artist, The Harry Bertoia Foundation, St. George, UT

February 10, 2026livevigorously

Have you heard of the Italian artist Harry Bertoia? I hadn’t, but am so glad I was introduced to his eclectic works by none other than his daughter, Celia Bertoia, who runs the Harry Bertoia Foundation right here in St. George. Harry Bertoia was a renowned Mid Century Modern Italian artist whose favorite medium was metal. During the war, when metal was scarce, he created prints, which he called monotypes. A prolific and selfless artist, Harry Bertoia preferred not to title or sign his art because it came from “the great Oneness,” and he wanted the audience to experience it and interpret it freely.

From jewelry to chairs and sculptures—especially his mesmerizing “Sonambient” sounding sculptures (check out the videos and learn more)—his artistry fascinates and engages on all levels: visual, tactile, and auditory.

A few of Harry Bertoia’s notable artistic achievements

Wedding rings for the artist Ray Eames and his wife
The iconic 1952 Diamond Chair for Knoll—a staple of 1950s modern furniture—
50 large-scale public commissions
The Sonambient Barn

[Pictures of the artist and his works courtesy of the Harry Bertoia Foundation.]

While all his artwork is compelling, the “Sonambient” sounding sculptures drew me in the most. I love that Harry Bertoia coined the term sonambient (Latin root words for sound and environment) to refer to his sound sculptures (varying in size from delicate rods to thunderous gongs up to 10 feet in diameter). I immediately connected to their natural shapes and movement—some evocative of reeds and cattails, swaying in the breeze. Celia was gracious enough to treat me to a private concert/sound bath, playing each sculpture into a splendid symphony. The deeply resonant tones of the sculptures struck chords of connection in my soul. The experience made an indelible imprint on me – as if the sounds of the tonals are still reverberating through me. What beautiful gifts this selfless artist left us. Grateful to him and his daughter, Celia, for preserving his legacy.

Learn more about Harry Bertoia, his artwork, and his life.

If you’re in the Saint George area, stop by the Harry Bertoia Foundation. You’re invited to Harry Bertoia’s Birthday Bash at the Foundation, March 10, 12-4. 1449 N. 1400 W #11, Saint George, UT 435-673-2355

Bang one of Harry’s gongs at Red Hills Desert Garden, 375 E Red Hills Parkway, St George, UT.

Check out the Harry Bertoia: Master of Metal Documentary.

A Quick Jaunt Up Lassen Peak Rewards With Panormaic Views, Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA

February 2, 2026livevigorously

Distance: 5 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,957 ft (8,500 ft at the trailhead to 10,457 ft at the peak)

Difficulty: Moderate to difficult, depending on your fitness level and altitude acclimation.

(LVNP rates it as strenuous and suggests 4-5 hours. It took us 2 hours – the threat of a storm kept us on pace.)

When it’s your last day in LVNP, and you haven’t “bagged” Lassen Peak yet, you make a run for it. And so we did. Actually, it was more of a fast walk than a trot, but a steady pace to try and outpace a looming monsoon. Mission accomplished. This was a fun hike and a solid workout. In my opinion, the trail is runnable – mostly smooth gravel with some short rocky sections. It’s a moderate, though consistent, incline with sweeping switchbacks. (Unfortunately, my knees no longer sanction running, so I have to settle for brisk walking.)

Since we had just hiked the Ridge Lakes Trail with 1k of elevation gain, we were warmed up for the climb. If you’re just hopping out of the car, you may want to take a little stretch band stroll before you hop on the “hill”.

The immediate scenery is a bit stark, but the panoramic views are splendid.

Happy Trails!

Chimney Rock—Short and Sweet With Stunning Panoramic Views, Capitol Reef National Park, Torrey, Utah

November 12, 2025livevigorously

Distance: ~3.4 miles

Elevation gain: ~795 ft

Difficulty: Easy (smooth trail-runable terrain)

If you’re rolling into Capitol Reef at sunset or wrapping up a day of hiking but still have some energy left, the Chimney Rock Trail is a short, sweet hike that offers stunning panoramic sunset views. If you’re really short on time, you can take the official sunset “hike” in the park, Sunset Point Overlook—an easy half-mile trail that offers similar breathtaking vistas.

Chasing sunsets on the trails and yoga pose photobombing are two of my favorite things! What silly things do you do to express your exuberance in the wild?

Happy Trails!

Off to See the Wizard! Wonderful Wizard Island, Crater Lake National Park, OR

October 14, 2025October 14, 2025livevigorously

Wizard Island, named for its resemblance to a wizard’s hat, is a striking volcanic cinder cone rising from the western side of Crater Lake in Oregon’s Crater Lake National Park. It was formed over 7,700 years ago during the cataclysmic eruption of Mount Mazama.

Exploring Wizard Island is one of the most unforgettable ways to experience Crater Lake up close — from its pristine shoreline to the sweeping panoramic views from the rim. It’s easily one of the top highlights of the entire park. I’m so glad my friend insisted we make the boat trip out there!

Unfortunately, the Cleetwood Cove Trail — the only public access point to the water at Crater Lake — is now closed for the 2025 season and may remain closed for up to three years due to a major rehabilitation project. As a result, boat tours to Wizard Island are suspended until the trail reopens.

I was lucky enough to visit Crater National Park this past August, just before the closure. The excursion to Wizard Island was, without a doubt, the highlight of my trip there. While I enjoyed a few beautiful hikes in the Park (posts coming soon), it was on Wizard Island that I truly felt the spellbinding magic of Crater Lake. The colors are spectacular—the many blues of the water and the neon green of the moss and trees are surreal.

What truly made the visit unforgettable was standing on Wizard Island, surrounded by mesmerizing views of Crater Lake, and then immersing myself in the deepest, bluest, purest lake in the country (in the refreshing summer temps of ~57 F)—priceless.

Cleetwood Cove Trail

Distance: 2.2 miles RT

Elevation Gain: ~700 ft on the return (comparable to 65 flights of stairs)

Difficulty: NPS lists this hike as “steep and strenuous”, AllTrails lists it as “moderate” – it depends on your fitness level and altitude sensitivity. (It’s easy footing, and runnable though the pumice surface can be slippery.) I’d rate it easy++.

To the Top of the Wizard’s “Hat” (Cindercone Rim) & Lower Cove area, Wizard Island

Distance: 3.6 miles

Elevation Gain: 798 ft

Is Crater Lake National Park Worth Visiting If You Can’t Get To Wizard Island?

Knowing what I know now, would I visit Crater Lake if I couldn’t get to Wizard Island? Probably not. While the hike samplers I took in the park (posts to come) were wonderful, I don’t find them compelling enough to warrant a special trip here. Disclaimer: I would never discourage a visit to a national park if you’re in the area, but if you need help deciding when and where to go, and what to prioritize, this might be helpful. Also, if you feel Crater Lake is absolutely worth it, even if you can’t get to Wizard Island, comment below to let people know.

Notes: Boat reservations to Wizard Island must be made in advance. Since it’s likely the park will have a new system in place when the trail and boat excursions reopen, here’s a direct link to CLNP.

Swimming is only allowed within 100 yards of Cleetwood Cove and within 100 yards of Wizard Island. To keep the water pristine, the following items are not allowed: scuba and snorkeling gear, wet suits, masks, goggles, fins, inner tubes, kayaks, canoes, inflatable rafts, SUPs, flotation devices, personal life jackets or vests, waders, and personal boats.

Pro tip (wink): Apparently, it’s a “thing” to wear a Wizard’s hat to Wizard Island. There’s plenty of time for you to find one before it reopens if you’re so inclined. (No, I didn’t wear one.)

Happy Trails!