The United States boasts many scenic national parks, monuments, and forests. 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 to the experience!
15 years later (2023), we visited 28 national parks. Each park has its own 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
Mission San Diego de Alcalá & Old Town San Diego State Historic Park December 2022 Strolling Around in San Diego, CA – Day 3 We started the day with a visit to California’s first mission, the Mission San Diego de Alcalá, founded in 1769. The history of this National Historical Landmark is fascinating. The mission …
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Cabrillo National Monument & Sunset Cliffs Natural Park December 2022 Strolling Around in San Diego, CA – Day 2 Cabrillo National Monument is fantastic for several reasons. This southern end of the Point Loma Peninsula offers breathtaking views of San Diego, the bay, and the Pacific. The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson sailing to the …
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Guadalupe Mountains National Park December 2022 Guadalupe Mountains National Park, The Most Beautiful Spot in Texas “El Capitan,” Guadalupe Mountains National Park’s iconic beacon, greeted us when we approached its main entrance. As usual, we went to the visitor center first to show our “America the Beautiful National Park Pass,” picking up a park brochure …
Big Bend National Park – Day 3 December 2022 Our Last Day in Big Bend National Park! We again enjoyed beautiful views of the desert, river, mountains, and wildlife. We hiked the short Rio Grande Village Nature Trail, which offered a great panorama of the surrounding area. We spotted a very shy “Road Runner,” which …
Big Bend National Park – Day 2 November 2022 Visiting Big Bend National Park On our second day in Big Bend National Park, we drove the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and hiked a few trails. We started at the end, at the Santa Elena Canyon, where the Rio Grande borders Mexico. While walking the Santa …
Big Bend National Park – Day 1 November 2022 Visiting Big Bend National Park On our way driving to Terlingua, TX, we entered Big Bend National Park at Persimmon Gap in the Santiago Mountains. The park’s oldest rocks can be found here. This area is geologically fascinating and unique. Large mountains eroded and became gentle …
Olympic National Park – Hurricane Ridge Area September 2020 . The Dry Side of Olympic NP It was the third time we visited Olympic National Park. Over the years, we’ve been to the Hoh River area with its huge trees twice. This was the first time we saw the rainshadow side of the park. The …
Driving Back Home Again Road Trip 2008 – Day 13 . Driving Back Home! Again we had a long day of driving ahead. We left the Beaver Lake Campground in Custer, SD, at 8 am, and almost two hours later, we entered Badlands National Park, a 244,000-acre park. We drove the Sage Creek Rim Road …
Mount Rushmore National Monument Road Trip 2008 – Day 12 . Driving Back Home! After a good night’s rest, we drove to “Mount Rushmore National Memorial.” We arrived early before the large groups and enjoyed the impressive statues! We learned about the sculptor Gutzon Borglum and why he carved George Washington (1st), Thomas Jefferson (3rd), …
Yellowstone Park, WY – Day 4 Road Trip 2008 – Day 7 . Yellowstone NP, WY The boys wanted a day of rest after almost a week of traveling. No driving, no hiking, just some swimming in Lake Yellowstone. Unfortunately, the weather had changed, and the sun did not show itself almost all day. Also, …
