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
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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Our Tour of Notre Dame’s Beauty Indiana June 2024 Admiring Notre Dame’s Beauty and History The University of Notre Dame campus in Notre Dame, IN, is a beautiful, peaceful 1,250-acre site. The Golden Dome, covered with 23.75-karat gold leaf and situated on top of the Main Building, is the most recognizable landmark on campus.
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Checking Indiana Dunes Off the Bucket List Indiana June 2024 Hitting #38 at Indiana’s First National Park June 20, 2025 0.49 mi 11:17 min 82 °F By visiting Indiana Dunes National Park, we added another National Park to our bucket list: #38. As always, we started at the visitor center to learn about the park’s
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Exploring Illinois’ Lowest Point at Fort Defiance State Park Illinois May 2024 Geography, History, & Nature at Fort Defiance At the southernmost tip of Illinois lies the state’s lowest geographical point, sitting just 279 feet above sea level. Here, at Fort Defiance State Park, historically known as Camp Defiance, geography, history, and the natural environment
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Round Spring, Ozark National Scenic Riverways Missouri May 2024 A Day at Round Spring May 19, 2024 4.40 mi 1:52:04 hrs 84 °F 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
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Big Spring, Ozark National Scenic Riverways Missouri May 2024 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 title in
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Hiking the Ozark National Scenic Riverways Missouri May 2024 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 these loud
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Hot Springs National Park – Day 3 Arkansas May 2024 Shades and Shadows on West Mountain It was a warm day as we made our way back along the steep Mountain Top Trail to the West Mountain Trail. The trees offered some protection from the sun, providing shade. The highlight of this hike was reaching
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