Pittsburgh-area campgrounds fill up ahead of Fourth of July
Campground starting to fill up ahead of Fourth of July weekend
Campground starting to fill up ahead of Fourth of July weekend
Campgrounds in western Pennsylvania are beginning to fill up ahead of the Fourth of July.
At Raccoon Creek State Park in Beaver County, KDKA found many campers just arriving and setting up on Wednesday afternoon. That included the Craig family. They were cooking up mini hot dogs for their kids and burgers for the parents and grandparents.
"It has the potential to be the best Fourth of July yet," mom Catherine Craig said.
Their family likes to camp, but they had never gone camping during the Fourth of July weekend until Wednesday. She's hoping this is the start of a tradition.
The grandparents brought their RV from North Carolina. The kids are 2 and 4 years old.
"They're gonna go fishing, and hopefully they're gonna walk around and look for some birds and stuff," Craig said.
Not far away, the Nabozny family had a new camper and multiple tents set up.
"We're not big on shooting off fireworks. We just like being out to see all the natural beauty America has to offer," Logan Nabozny said.
For the Maryland-based family, the trip is all about spending time with loved ones.
Jeff Crawford was responsible for building the fire. It took him a few attempts, as neither using bark as tinder nor a leaf blower worked. He admitted he does not go camping often.
"We've had this tent for three years, this is the first time we've gotten to use it," Crawford said.
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Travel + Leisure
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- Travel + Leisure
These Sneakers Didn't Give Me a Single Blister During an 8-day Vacation in Hawaii — and They're on Sale
I'm not exaggerating when I say I've tested out hundreds upon hundreds of sneakers over the years. As a longtime health and fitness journalist, it doesn't take me long to file this type of footwear into a few different categories: ideal for running, best for long walks, a solid cross-trainer, perfect for the trails, and so on. However, the pair that I'm always searching for, the true unicorn shoe, is a solid travel sneaker. I'm talking about trainers that aren't overly bulky, don't take up too much space in my bag, can power me through vacation runs, and function as comfortable walking shoes (with enough grip for hiking trails and city walks). Of course, it's also a major bonus if the shoe is decently stylish and well-suited for sightseeing. So far, this criterion has only been met by the Allbirds Women's Tree Flyer 2s, which are on rare sale right now ahead of the Fourth of July. I've been a fan of Allbirds' sustainable footwear for years, and I'm in good company—celebrities like Jennifer Garner, Hilary Duff, Blake Lively, and Mila Kunis have been seen sporting the brand. But when I first tried on Tree Flyer in June 2022, I knew the supportive yet lightweight sneaker was going to be a game-changer. I decided to really put the Tree Flyers to the test when I packed them as my designated sneakers on a trip to Hawaii last September. At this point, I'd only worn them once before, so I was taking a risk by essentially breaking them in on vacation. Thankfully, they held up. From my flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu to running through the hills in Lanai and hiking in Oahu, they provided the ultimate comfort. Travel + Leisure / Kristine Thomason The very first day I arrived in Lanai, I laced up my Tree Flyers and went for a run. They felt cushioned on my feet, keeping a bounce in my step as I jogged up hills tucked into the center of the island, and down roads lined by hundreds of pine trees (yes, pine trees). On a hike to Koloiki Ridge, the grippy, natural rubber tread helped me stay steady as I floated from gravel roads to dusty trails. At the peak, I was greeted by an expansive, breathtaking view, along with a family of Bighorn sheep climbing the canyon. Later, when I hopped over to Oahu, these lightweight sneakers continued to offer support as I explored various corners of the island. Travel + Leisure / Kristine Thomason Even though these shoes were nearly fresh out of the box, my feet were completely blister-free by the end of the trip. I was also really impressed by their versatility, thanks to a few thoughtful features. Specifically designed for distance running, the Tree Flyers have a high-cushion, high-performance sole that's meant to make miles easier on the body. I also loved that the light, breathable, eucalyptus fiber woven upper could compress for easy packing (without damaging the structure or support of the shoe). What's more, these sneakers actually have a very cool look — mine are the cream hush color, which is a unique neutral hue with multicolored eyelets. The outsole's geometric construction has an almost futuristic feel, and it's also a functional choice, as it helps maximize cushioning while minimizing weight. Plus, the grippy FSC-certified natural rubber tread offers a contrasting pop of color on the bottom. Like all their products, Allbirds' Tree Flyer is made with Earth-friendly materials and sustainable manufacturing practices, which means you can feel good about the impact of this purchase. Allbirds customers are raving about these sneakers, too—the shoe currently has more than 352 perfect reviews on the brand's website. One Allbirds shopper shared, 'I've already worn them for two weeks in four cities — in rain, lots of air travel, and running. I love them because my feet are comfortable,' continuing, 'I also feel good that they are sustainable.' Another buyer said: 'They are the most comfortable sneakers I have ever worn. They are, honestly, like walking in slippers.' After wearing the Allbirds Women's Tree Flyer 2 shoes throughout my trip to Hawaii, I can attest to their quality, too. They're not the same color as they were when I left (thank you, dusty hikes), but nevertheless, these sneakers proved themselves worthy of the title 'travel shoe' and will undoubtedly join me for future adventures. Plus, they're starting at just $64 during the Allbirds Fourth of July sale, so you can snag these reliable sneakers (and many other celeb-loved pairs) at a fraction of the price. Keep scrolling to explore the other newly-marked-down comfy travel shoes. At the time of publishing, the price started at $64. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.
CNN
an hour ago
- CNN
There's world-class wilderness in every direction, but Missoula is far more than a gateway
See More Videos The American West is full of towns that serve as gateways into the natural world. Launching points, if you will, that sit on the edge of the wilderness and offer the infamous three Bs — a beer, a burger and a bed — to those seeking refuge. But Missoula, Montana, is way more than a launching pad. Better to call it a basecamp, as one young college student working in a coffee shop put it, with plenty to do and see before you set out on your next outdoor adventure. Because Missoula is so remote, people often think there's no diversity or culture, he explained, and they don't realize how much is going on here until they come and see for themselves. MORE AMERICA'S BEST TOWNS TO VISIT 2025 1. Ithaca, NY 2. Missoula, MT 3. Asheville, NC 4. Bend, OR 5. Annapolis, MD See all 10 towns How we picked the Best Towns to Visit Share your picks for our top towns in 2026 Described as 'fairly alternative,' 'eclectic,' and 'quirky' by various locals, Missoula is home to about 80,000 residents and a large student population attending the University of Montana. With world-class wilderness in every direction, there are endless opportunities for outdoor recreation, especially when it comes to river activities, like fishing and boating, as well as hiking and mountain biking. Missoula was once an industrial lumber town, its ambiance haunted by black smoke and the buzz of saws. But today, things are different. Modern-day Missoula is outdoorsy, artistic and musical, with university roots that bring energy to its downtown. Prev Next Missoula sits at the confluence of four of the greatest rivers in the Western United States for fishing and recreation, according to Todd Frank, a local outdoor outfitter — the Bitterroot, the Blackfoot, the Clark Fork and Rock Creek. Fly fishing is ingrained into the local way of life, and you can take a guided fly-fishing outing to learn the ropes if it's your first time. Other ways to experience the serenity of the Montana countryside are hiking, camping and mountain biking, which are abundant in nearby wilderness areas, such as Lolo National Forest, Bitterroot National Forest, Flathead National Forest, the Bob Marshall Wilderness and many others. Todd Frank's outdoor gear business, The Trail Head, has handy recreation guides online to hiking trails and other activities around Missoula, including their difficulty and distance from town. Much of the appeal is that you don't have to go far to enjoy the outdoors in Missoula. Rattlesnake National Recreation Area and Wilderness is just four miles from downtown, and in summer, the Clark Fork River, which runs right through the heart of town, comes alive with activity. The scenic 'M' trail that climbs to an overlook of Missoula leaves right from town. 'Five minutes outside of town you can be on a trail, and you don't even know there's a town there,' said Matt Lautzenheiser, executive director of the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula, a 32-acre park with various exhibits. The rivers are undeniably integral to the city's tourism and any visitor is bound to interact with them in some way. Frank recommends that first-timers go for a drink out on the deck of Finn Restaurant to watch the fly fishermen in action in the river below. For some low-key river time, rent a canoe, inflatable kayak, or tube and float a segment of the Clark Fork River, a locally-beloved way to spend an afternoon on the water, close to home. If you had arrived in Missoula prior to 1990, the center of town would have been a giant sawmill, tasked with the processing and transporting of logs. Long-time local residents can remember a time when a haze enveloped the town, wood pulp clouded the river, and the sounds of the sawmill could be heard from miles away. 'The air was bad and smoky, there wasn't really much going on,' Frank recalled about his arrival to Missoula in the early 1980s. 'When I moved here, no one went into the river. Generally speaking, all the businesses in Missoula had their back to the river. There really wasn't any fishing to be had.' A series of regulatory changes and efforts by environmental groups throughout the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s pushed out natural resource extraction industries. The local economy was hit hard as the mills closed down, but a popular Hollywood film helped kick off Missoula's new era in tourism. The 1992 film, 'A River Runs Through It,' starring Brad Pitt, introduced Americans to Missoula and to fly fishing in Montana, which, looking back, Frank described as a turning point. From there on out, Missoula's rivers began to take center stage. 'That movie shined a super bright spotlight on fishing in Montana,' said Frank. 'And it just blew up at that point, the number of people coming to recreate, we've been busy ever since then.' While the success story of revitalizing the rivers tends to take center stage, Missoula has blossomed in other ways, too. When Nick Checota moved to Missoula about 20 years ago, the historic Top Hat Lounge had seen better days. Nearby, The Wilma theater was not much better off — it, too, was rundown and lacked the musical infrastructure (i.e. stage equipment) to consistently attract artists. Where many saw stagnation, Checota saw opportunity. He went on to buy and restore the Top Hat as a 'passion project,' then later, in 2015, he bought and renovated The Wilma. Then, in 2017, he created something brand new: the KettleHouse Amphitheater, a 4,000-person capacity, outdoor venue on the Blackfoot River, built on a property that was originally the Bonner Mill, another former timber processing plant. ESSENTIAL MISSOULA EAT: At The Notorious P.I.G. BBQ or Biga Pizza and a sweet treat at Veera Donuts DRINK: Beer at Imagine Nation Brewing; cocktails at Plonk STAY: At Goldsmith's Riverfront Inn SEE: Montana from the river with Montana River Guides 'Nick was a game changer in our community,' Frank said. 'He has done a number of things in the community in the music scene that have really changed the face of what we have available to us.' Today, visitors to Missoula can enjoy the town's excellent music scene by bopping around these venues, plus occasional stadium shows held at the University of Montana. The KettleHouse has been especially beloved by visitors for its scenic, sun-soaked riverside vibes. Checota said that 67% of ticket sales in summer come from out-of-state zip codes, an admirable feat given Missoula's remote location. The ability to attract national acts is one obvious reason for the influx of visitors, Checota said, but he also thinks Missoula is becoming a destination for music lovers because of the deliberately and reasonably priced tickets. Lawn seats at the KettleHouse, for example, can be had for less than $50 for most shows — sometimes as low as $29.50. Prior to a show, you can hit the KettleHouse Brewing Company taproom adjacent to the amphitheater. Or check out the oldest microbrewery in Montana, Bayern Brewing, started in 1987 and serving classic Bavarian brews and German pretzels and brats. Missoula has more than a dozen craft breweries to explore. If you didn't have world-class ceramics on your Montana bingo-card, you'd be forgiven. But artists in Missoula turn out high-quality ceramics that rival the best the United States has to offer. 'People come and want to pinch themselves,' says Lisa Simon, co-owner of Radius Gallery and a former professor of English literature at the University of Montana. 'They can't believe [these ceramics] are here in Missoula, and not New York City.' Missoula owes its prowess in this ancient art to the Archie Bray Center, a renowned ceramics center located about two hours from town. 'People come from all over the world to visit 'The Bray,'' said Simon. 'A lot of fine ceramicists moved here to Missoula to be close to The Bray.' You can make a pilgrimage to The Bray for a two-hour clay class, though there are plenty of ways to experience the ceramic scene here in town. The Clay Studio of Missoula, for example, holds adult clay classes for all abilities, and Zootown Arts Community Center has a wide range of events and classes. Professionally-made ceramics can be found at one of the many downtown galleries, like Radius. There are also two art museums — the Missoula Art Museum and the Montana Museum of Art and Culture on the University of Montana campus. Missoula is also a place to explore a wide variety of Indigenous art, including a unique style of expression known as ledger art, which began in the 1890s and was revitalized in the 1970s. '[Ledger art] is based on a traditional art form that was practiced by Plains Indians, of which there were upwards of 30 different tribes,' Simon said. 'They did a sort of pictorial flattened art that told the stories of battles, what happened that year, marriages, and big events.' The tradition changed when the Native peoples were forced onto reservations in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Instead of painting on, say, buffalo hides, the artform was adapted onto discarded ledgers, which were available in abundance from government officials, missionaries and traders. Today, ledger art remains an important part of Indigenous storytelling. Ask around for examples of ledger art at galleries in downtown Missoula. To discover more of the quirky and hipster side of Missoula, visit Rockin Rudy's department store or Rudy's Attic, where you can shop for Montana-themed gag gifts and nostalgic memorabilia. Or, take the family for a ride on the local carousel, which is one of the few fully hand-carved carousels in the country. In the center of town, where the old sawmill once stood, is the newest neighborhood in Missoula. Created in 2015 and known as the Old Sawmill District, it could be considered a historic district, thanks to the fact that it sits on close to 50 acres of prime riverside real estate that was once occupied by the mill. A walk through it reveals its modern ways, though, with a variety of brand-new apartments and condos, mixed-use commercial office space, and ground-level retail outlets. It is here that you will find a more modern version of Missoula taking root, perhaps even trendy at times — for example, behold the Montana-inspired French cuisine at Boxcar Bistro. But the area retains a laid-back feel despite its uptick in style. The neighborhood is home to many local ballfields, which are flooded with families on summer nights, and sits adjacent to the Clark Fork River and its riverfront trail, nice for evening strolls or bike rides. Like many smaller cities, Missoula's population saw a big increase during and after the pandemic. The popular show 'Yellowstone,' which was filmed in the Missoula area, also increased its visibility, as has the recent increase in travel to national parks. (Missoula has long been a stopping point for those road tripping between Yellowstone and Glacier). 'It's becoming more than just, 'I'll stay one night there on my way from Yellowstone to Glacier,'' Lautzenheiser said. 'It's more than just a launching pad,' he said. 'It's a place where people can spend a few days and really experience not only that kind of western culture [typical of Montana], but also that kind of quirky, interesting Missoula culture we've created.' 'These mountains are still here.'
Washington Post
an hour ago
- Washington Post
World football is coming to Trump's America. Is the world ready?
Good morning, Early Birds. We are off tomorrow for the holiday, so please have a wonderful Fourth of July without your faithful writers. Send tips to earlytips@ Thanks for waking up with us. In today's edition … We dive into the myriad issues around an American World Cup … Trump goes after Mamdani — again … Elon Musk's year gets worse … but first …
