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
An Otherworldly Day At Petrified Forest National Park Arizona May 2021 The Painted Desert, Vistas, Ravens, and Route 66 Monday, May 17, 2021 61 °F – 64 °F We entered through the North Entrance off I-40 and began exploring Petrified Forest NP by following Petrified Forest Road. After a quick photo at the entrance, we […]
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Sky-High Homes and Sacred Springs Arizona May 2021 Montezuma Castle, The Sinagua Legacy May 16, 2021 0.75 mi 18:50 min 73 °F A peaceful green oasis surrounded by the enormous desert! That’s how Montezuma Castle and its flourishing surroundings felt. Montezuma Castle remains one of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in North America. The Sinagua must
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Exploring the Ruins of Tuzigoot at Crooked Water Arizona May 2021 The Legacy of Tuzigoot After our morning activity, we continued with a beautiful drive through the Tonto National Forest. One of our stops was at the Tuzigoot National Monument, whose name means “Crooked Water” in Tonto Apache. It is a fitting title for a
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The Legacy of Pipe Spring Arizona May 2021 A Visit to Pipe Spring NM, The Desert Oasis After many days of hiking and cycling, we wanted to give our legs and feet a much-needed break. So, we drove south to Arizona, through the desert to the Kaibab Indian Reservation, and paid a visit to the
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Our Active Day in Mesmerizing Zion Utah April 2021 Zion, The Heart of the Grand Staircase While we were staying in Kanab, we made sure to explore Zion National Park again. Zion is part of the Grand Staircase, a huge series of stone steps that run from the Grand Canyon to Bryce Canyon. Each step
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Our One-Day Adventure with The Spires of Bryce Canyon Utah April 2021 Bryce, A Hell of a Place to Find Hoodoos The weather app said it would be a sunny 75°F in Kanab, but we didn’t think to check the forecast for Bryce Canyon National Park. When we got to the Visitor Center, the sun
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A Second Visit to the Wonders of Arches NP Utah April 2021 A Different Feeling in Moab When we arrived at Arches National Park, it was again at full capacity, and we were advised to try back a few hours later. We went to Moab to wander around and have lunch. We had a different
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Capturing the Endless at Capitol Reef National Park Utah April 2021 Returning to Capitol Reef’s Gorge We started our visit to Capitol Reef at the west entrance near Torrey, Utah. After picking up brochures at the visitor center, we headed to the Capitol Gorge parking lot and set out on a hike through the deep,
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A Glimpse of Canyonlands National Park Utah April 2021 Standing on the Edge at Canyonlands’ Grand View Point After Dead Horse State Park, we visited Canyonlands National Park. The park is divided into four regions, each with its own characteristics: Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the Colorado River with its tributaries.
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Historic Walks Through Mount Pleasant and Spring City Utah Pioneer Towns and the “Plat of Zion” While staying in Sterling, UT, we also visited two little rural American towns, Mount Pleasant and Spring City. Both towns have a classic square, grid street layout, which follows the “Plat of Zion” grid. This efficient design, formalized by
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