onthelooselive – Page 2 – On the Loose Live

Getting a Taste of New Zealand, Oneroa Village, Waiheke Island

March 3, 2026March 3, 2026livevigorously

A short 40-minute ferry ride from Auckland, with its coastal charm and vineyard vistas, Waiheke Island feels like a world apart. With 36 miles of coastline, internationally acclaimed wineries, sun-drenched olive groves, award-winning restaurants, stylish boutiques, and vibrant art galleries, this island escape is the perfect blend of relaxation and refinement.

Arrive in Oneroa, a lively, yet laid-back charming village that’s ideal for wandering on foot. From here, you can create your own Island experience by taking the Hop-on Hop Off Bus, or simply strolling from winery to winery and shop to gallery. For nature immersion, there’s ziplining above the treetops and extended coastal walks. If you’d like to get more of the lay of the land, you can rent motor scooters, ebikes, or a car on the island. In favorable weather, the beaches may beckon you for a swim, kayak, stand-up paddle, or for a sunny snooze.

Here, the fresh flavors of New Zealand come alive awakening the appetite and tantalizing the taste buds. Oenophiles and food lovers alike will delight in discovering the region’s remarkable wines and vibrant culinary scene. Some may wonder how the wineries and cuisine compare to California’s renowned Napa and Sonoma wine regions. In my opinion, Oneroa’s wineries and their scenic coastal setting rival (dare I say, surpass) them. But of course, you’ll have to decide for yourself.

Whether you’re seeking a memorable day trip or a relaxed weekend escape, the charming never-never land of Oneroa is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon, the day, or a couple of days. For me it was an idyllic spot i to let the haze of the long flight gently dissolve before “winding up” for the New Zealand adventures to come. The vibe is relaxed yet sophisticated, encouraging you to slow down, savor the moment and the flavors, and soak up the best of island life. Stay tuned for the adventure posts – teaser alert – world-class hiking!!!

Happy Travels!

Guide to Waiheke Island.

Ferry info from Auckand.

https://www.waiheke.co.nz/

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!

Short, Steep, and Sweet: Ridge Lakes Trail, A Glimpse Into Lassen Volcanic National Park’s Former Splendor

November 19, 2025November 19, 2025livevigorously

Distance: 2 miles RT

Elevation gain: ~1k ft climb ( ~7k to 8k ft)

Difficulty: Moderate+, depending on your fitness level and sensitivity to altitude

As you drive and hike around Lassen Volcanic National Park, one of the first things you’ll notice is the extensive devastation from the Dixie Wildfire that occurred in 2021 and burned 73,240 acres of the park in 3 months (August through October)—the largest fire in the park’s history and the largest single fire in California history (963,309 acres). While Nature’s resilience is on display in terms of seedlings and new growth, it’s clear four years later that full recovery will take many decades.

It’s hard to imagine what the park once looked like, but fortunately, a few untouched areas still offer us a glimpse into its former splendor. The Ridge Lakes Trail is one of them. This short (2 miles), steep (1k in 1 mile) hike is an idyllic little slice of paradise and a window into what Lassen Volcanic National Park must have been like before the fire.

This was my morning “warm-up” hike before tackling Lassen Peak (post to come). The lovely single-track trail winds up through ferns, grasses, and wildflowers (Indian Paintbrush, Lupine) to two (it seems more like 1, as they’re connected) small alpine lakes cradled in a pristine basin with Brokeoff Mountain and Mount Diller as the scenic backdrop.

I had the hike all to myself (except for a Doe and her fawn), and as you can see, I thoroughly enjoyed my photo safari here. If you’re heading to Lassen Volcanic National Park, I’d put this one on your short list (pun intended).

Getting there: The trailhead is at the Sulphur Works parking area (1.1 miles past the southwest entrance).

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!

Short Hike That’s Long on Panoramic Views: Owen’s Loop, Red Cliffs Desert Reserve, Saint George, UT

October 28, 2025livevigorously

Difficulty: Easy +, traverses slickrock, so shoes with good tread are recommended

Distance: 2.7 miles

Elevation gain: 423 ft

I’m guilty of only posting longer, more adventurous hikes, so here’s an easy St. George shortie that’s long on panoramic views.

If you only have time for a short hike in St. George, Owen’s Loop is one you might consider, especially for a sunset hike. While rated easy, this popular hike is an excellent introduction to Southwestern Utah’s varied, rugged terrain. You’ll be traversing red slick rock, white sandstone, and lava rock, so you may find yourself paying more attention to your footing and to the trail itself than usual. Even the “easy”, suburban hikes here have some elements of adventure. If you lose track of the “camouflaged” trail, don’t worry, the hike follows the rim across and back, and you’ll soon encounter footsteps or wheel tracks to get you back on track.

The sweeping 360-degree views from the Beaver Dam Mountains to Pine Valley Mountain, and even out to Zion, are especially breathtaking when blessed with one of our magnificent Southwestern Utah Sunsets. Plan to finish the hike before dark if you don’t have lights, but consider remaining on the ridge as night descends to watch the city lights sparkle below.

If you’re up for more mileage, there are options to add on with the City Creek Trail, or across the way at Pioneer Park. Visit the Red Cliff Desert Reserve website for current info on this and other local hikes.

Note: “Loop” is a bit of a misnomer as the loop part is a tiny lollipop at the far end of the trail overlooking the public Dixie Red Hills Golf Course and the Elk’s Club below. This trail is more of an out-and-back.

Getting there: Parking for the trailhead is at Brooks Nature Park, 452 North Main St., St. George. You can also park at the Pioneer Park trailhead and walk across the street. (Use the crosswalk or the underpass.)