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
Lady Bird Johnson Grove & The Big Tree Redwood National and State Parks – Day 3 California Lady Bird Johnson Grove We drove early to the Lady Bird Johnson Grove trailhead on Bald Hills Road near Orick, California. Although parking can be full, we were fortunate to find a spot that had just opened up. […]
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James Irvine Trail, Redwood National and State Parks – Day 2 California The James Irvine Trail Gives A Captivating Journey Through A Green Wonderland. We were excited for a long day of hiking the James Irvine Trail, a 10.4-mile out-and-back trail in the Redwood National and State Parks. The path winds through forests with giant
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Our Redwood Adventure Begins at Orick, CA California An Intro to Redwood National and State Parks The first thing we did after a good night’s sleep was drive to the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center in Orick, CA, the southernmost visitor center in the park. The drive itself was spectacular; US 101 runs through the
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Lassen Volcanic National Park – Day 3 California Sulphur Works & Ridge Lakes We couldn’t get enough and visited Lassen for a third time! Just one more post about this amazing park. On our last day in this magnificent park, we walked to Viewpoint Sulphur Works, an area with bubbling mud posts (smelling like rotten
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Lassen Volcanic National Park – Day 2 California Cinder Cone Trail We were on our way early to the northeastern part of Lassen Volcanic National Park. We wanted to hike the 4.7-mile Cinder Cone Trail, which was described as “challenging,” “hard,” “exposed,” and “only for the avid hiker.” We, therefore, came prepared with water, drinks,
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Lassen Volcanic National Park – Day 1 California Lassen Volcanic National Park – Day 1 We added a new national park to our bucket list: Lassen Volcanic National Park. Lassen is an off-the-beaten-path national park that has yet to be discovered. Thus, it is a perfect place for us to explore and see the wonders
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North Cascades National Park – Day 2 Washington The Blue Lake Trail On our second and last day in North Cascades National Park, we started with the Blue Lake Trail. I expected a challenging hike since we had to climb 1100 feet in about 2.4 miles to reach Blue Lake. Blue Lake Trailhead Waterfall Liberty
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North Cascades National Park Washington Hiking in North Cascades National Park We stayed in Sedro-Woolley, WA, mainly to visit our third and last National Park of Washington State, the North Cascades. In August 2020, we only drove the scenic route through the park and stopped at some overlooks. We wanted to come back even thought we already
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Mount Rainier National Park Washington Mount Rainier National Park – Day 3 Mount Rainier National Park – Day 3 We returned for a last visit to Mount Rainier National Park because hubby still wanted to hike up to Panorama Point over the snow-covered, steep Skyline Trail. I was still wondering if I would give it
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Mount Rainier National Park Washington Mount Rainier National Park – Day 2 Mount Rainier National Park – Day 2 The weather looked promising! We saw a blue sky with a few clouds. So, six days after our first visit, we returned to Mount Rainier National Park to explore the Longmire area. Wonderland, Rampart Ridge, and
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