The United States boasts many scenic national parks, monuments, and forests. They can be visited with the “America The Beautiful” Year Pass. It is THE reason my hubby and I explore the United States. After we visited America’s (and the world’s) first national park since 1872, Yellowstone, Wyoming, in 2008, we became hooked on the experience!
We visited 28* national parks fifteen years later (2023). Each park has its unique character, energy, and vibe. For me, It is a spiritual experience to wander through the wilderness.
“Between every two pine trees, there is a door leading to a new way of life. Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine into trees.”
— John Muir, Scottish-American naturalist
2008 – Yellowstone National Park, WY Badlands National Park, WY, Mount Rushmore National Monument, SD
Great Smoky Mountains NP – Day 1 North Carolina Exploring the Heart of the Smokies April 22, 2022 3.94 mi 1:20:30 hrs 71 °F One of the significant reasons we chose to stay in Franklin, NC, was its proximity to the Oconaluftee entrance of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which was just under an hour […]
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The Farm & Home of the 20th U.S. President, James Garfield Ohio June 2025 A Presidential Stop in Mentor, Ohio A visit to the James A. Garfield National Historic Site was also on our to-do list. Once, this site in Mentor, OH, was the farm and home of James A. Garfield, the 20th U.S. President.
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Cuyahoga Valley National Park – Day 3 Ohio The Ledges Trail, A Farewell to Cuyahoga Valley Our last hike in Cuyahoga Valley National Park was on The Ledges Trail, a 1.8-mile loop, within the Virginia Kendall Park Historic District. Cuyahoga Valley was only federally protected 50 years ago, initially as a National Recreation Area for
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Cuyahoga Valley National Park – Day 2 Ohio Boston Mill, From Canal Town to NP Gateway We parked in the village of Boston Mill, conveniently located near the Boston Mill Visitor Center, for our hike to Brandywine Falls. Boston’s history is deeply connected with the Ohio & Erie Canal, along which it developed in the
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Cuyahoga Valley National Park – Day 1 Ohio All Aboard! Discovering Cuyahoga Valley by Rail Our first impression of Cuyahoga Valley National Park was a unique experience, different from our visits to other National Parks. Instead of driving or hiking through a National Park, we boarded the magnificent Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad train for a
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The Captivating Charm of Weir Farm Connecticut April – May 2025 The Captivating Charm of Weir Farm Even though it was a rainy day, we visited Weir Farm, Wilton, CT, one of Connecticut’s two National Historic Sites. The visitor center wasn’t open, but luckily, there were brochures from the National Park Service with information and maps
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A Visit to Gloria Dei, Philadelphia’s Oldest Church Pennsylvania April 2025 Gloria Dei, Serenity in the Heart of Philadelphia We also found a peaceful spot in the dynamic city of Philadelphia. We visited Gloria Dei, the oldest church in Pennsylvania and the second oldest in America. The church was founded by early Swedish settlers when
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Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site Pennsylvania April 2025 Stepping Back in Time at Hopewell Furnace We visited a charming, lesser-known National Park Service (NPS) gem. As a living history museum featuring 19th-century buildings, structures, and appliances, Hopewell Furnace allowed us to travel back in time and enjoy a fascinating glimpse into America’s early iron industry.
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Valley Forge National Historic Park Pennsylvania April 2025 A Glimpse of Valley Forge April 19, 2025 5.41 mi 2:05:56 hrs 77 °F Even before we started, we knew we would only see a small part of Valley Forge National Historical Park. This site is enormous, spanning 3,500 acres and featuring 35 miles of trails. Due
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Hopewell Culture National Historical Park Ohio April 2025 Mysteries of the Mound City Group We visited Mound City Group in Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, since 2023. Mound City Group is a restored Hopewell earthwork complex containing 25 mounds of varying sizes enclosed by a low, earthen wall. The Hopewell
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