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 April 2022 Exploring the Heart of the Smokies One of the main 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’s drive from our Airbnb. The Smokies truly […]
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Hiking the Appalachian Trail from Allen Gap, TN Tennessee A Short But Tough Stretch on the Appalachian NST On this beautiful day, we hiked a short section of the Appalachian Trail. We began at the Allen Gap trailhead and followed the ridge through the Cherokee National Forest, right on the Tennessee-North Carolina border. The scenery
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17,000 Years of History at Ocmulgee Mounds Georgia April 2022 Our Visit to Ocmulgee Mounds After visiting Macon, GA, we stopped at Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, which preserves 17,000 years of human history. The site’s timeline runs from Ice Age hunters to the Muscogee (Creek) people. Paleo-Indians first inhabited the land, but the Mississippian
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A Legacy of Peace at the King National Historical Park Georgia April 2022 Honoring King’s Spirit of Nonviolence While we were in Atlanta, we visited the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. The park is located in the heart of the Sweet Auburn district, a lively Black neighborhood. Although we didn’t get to see
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Exploring Congaree’s Untouched Beauty South Carolina March 2022 Getting Soaked in Congaree National Park Despite the anticipated rain and thunderstorms, we explored Congaree National Park on our last day in the Windsor area. At the Harry Hampton Visitor Center – the name pays tribute to the man who helped save Congaree – we learned that
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Augusta, the “The Garden City” Georgia March 2022 Augusta’s Living History, The Augusta Canal National Heritage Area The Augusta Canal National Heritage Area, a 13-mile waterway with surrounding historic industrial sites, was designated by Congress in 1996 and was the first National Heritage Area in Georgia. The centerpiece is the fully intact Augusta Canal, built
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Steel Halls and Human Cost, A Reflection at Patriots Point South Carolina March 2022 Our Visit to Patriots Point Marketed as a must-see destination, we visited the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. The main attraction is the massive USS Yorktown (CV-10), an aircraft carrier built during World War II. The visit turned out to
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Fort Moultrie, Where Palmetto Logs Saved the Day South Carolina March 2022 Fort Moultrie, Triumph on Sullivan’s Island Even though the Fort and Visitor Center were closed today, we still had a wonderful time exploring the exterior and grounds of historic Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island on a beautiful sunny day! The markers provided insightful
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Charles Pinckney National Historic SiteA Complex Legacy South Carolina March 2022 Snee Farm and the Story of Charles Pinckney The Charles Pinckney National Historic Site tells the story of South Carolina’s Charles Pinckney, a statesman who played a role in shaping the U.S. Constitution. As a representative of South Carolina, he was also one of
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Old Sheldon, Beaufort, and the Unfinished Civil War South Carolina March 2022 Old Sheldon Church Ruin, History and Haunting We drove around Beaufort County and visited the Old Sheldon Church Ruin grounds. These historical ruins are what’s left over what once was the Prince William’s Parish Church, which was constructed between 1751 and 1757. After
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