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
Mount Rainier National Park Our Stay in Eatonville, WA Mount Rainier NP – Day 1 Now that we stayed in Eatonville, a visit to Mount Rainier NP was a must, as the park was only an hour away. Especially because the weather looked promising today (although mountain weather can be very changeable). Mount Rainier Beautiful […]
Cuyahoga Valley NP, OH – Day 1 Read More »
Acadia – Day 1 Maine May 2025 Acadia – Day 1 Although I prefer to hike in America’s national parks, Acadia NP has simple too much to offer. So, we drove Acadia’s Park Loop Road on Mount Desert Island. This 27-mile drive with scenic overlooks provided a great way to see all the park’s natural beauty,
Lassen Volcanic National Park – Day 1 Read More »
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
The Captivating Charm of Weir Farm Read More »
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
A Visit to Gloria Dei, Philadelphia’s Oldest Church Read More »
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.
Stepping Back in Time at Hopewell Furnace Read More »
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
Valley Forge National Historic Park Read More »
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
Hopewell Culture National Historical Park Read More »
Round Spring, Ozark National Scenic Riverways Our Stay in Ellington, MO A Day at Round Spring We ended our visit to the Missouri Ozark Mountains with a visit to Round Spring, part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Though not technically a state park anymore, it began as one of Missouri’s first state parks. A
Round Spring, Ozark NSR Read More »
Big Spring, Ozark National Scenic Riverways Our Stay in Ellington, MO Big Spring, a Natural Wonder! Big Spring is a giant spring with cool, 58°F water constantly bubbling from the base of a bluff. While the exact depth is unclear, it’s undeniably massive. Big Spring is Missouri’s largest Spring and a candidate for the third-largest
Big Spring, Ozark NSR Read More »
Hiking the Ozark National Scenic Riverways Our Stay in Ellington, MO Cicadas, Springs, and Serenity So we landed in Ellington, Missouri. It’s beautiful here, but not exactly quiet! Millions of cicadas emerged. They do this periodically, every 13 or 17 years, depending on the species. This is a fascinating natural phenomenon to experience, especially since
Hiking the The Blue Spring Trail, Ozark NSR Read More »
