George Washington Birthplace National Monument is a great spot to explore while visiting the Northern Neck of Virginia. As you walk through the grounds, you are transported to another time and can imagine what life may have been like for George growing up.
Pompeys Pillar is a great stop along I-94 filled with great history and stunning views of the eastern Montana plains. The Pillar is a unique break in the rims that stretch along the Yellowstone River. And is known for having the signature of William Clark, of the Lewis & Clark expedition, etched into the stone. When [...]
I thought I knew a lot about the story of Harriet Tubman, but what I was taught was the tip of the iceberg. I'm so grateful for this park, and a place to go to learn more about her story, struggles, and major impact that she made on this country. The headquarters location is home to a [...]
“Val-Kill is where I used to find myself and grow. At Val-Kill I emerged as an individual.” -Eleanor Roosevelt I'm writing this post 2 years after visiting Val-Kill, the cottage known as Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site. It's fun to go back and read journal entries about the visit. It was such a different time. [...]
I've dusted off journals to share more details about parks and attractions that I visited during my year-long sabbatical. In September 2020, I traveled from New York City north to Hyde Park, New York. It was challenging to be in New York City during Covid. When I caved and bought a car, it provided me with the [...]
Park Stats Park Location: Death Valley, California Park #: 53 Park established: October 31, 1994 (designated as a National Monument in 1933) President in office: President Bill Clinton Park size: 3.4 million acres Highest elevation: 11,049 feet (Telescope Peak Summit) Lowest elevation: -282 feet (Badwater Basin) Visitors: 1,128,862 in 2022 Fun facts: 5th Largest National Park [...]
Park Stats Location: Western Virginia in the Blue Ridge Mountains Park #: 22 Park established: December 26, 1935 President in office: Franklin D. Roosevelt Park size: 198,000 acres Highest elevation: 4,050 ft - Hawksbill Mountain Lowest elevation: 550 ft Visitors: 1,449,300 in 2022 Fun facts: One of the parks that utilized the Civilian Conservation Corps in [...]
Park Stats Location: Hot Springs, Arkansas Park established: March 4, 1921 Park #: 18th National Park President in office: President Woodrow Wilson Park size: 5000 Acres Visitors: 2.6 million in 2022 Fun facts: The hot springs were believed to have healing properties and was turned into a spa town in 1832 It is the oldest park [...]
Park Stats Location: Little Rock, Arkansas Park established: November 6, 1998 President in office: Bill Clinton Park size: 28 Acres Visitors: 92,108 in 2022 Fun fact: It is the only National Park Sight unit with a functioning high school as its focal point I spent much more time at Little Rock Central High School [...]
Grand Canyon National Park Park established: February 26, 1919 President in office: Woodrow Wilson Park number: 15th I visited in early March, long before the busy season. The benefit of this timing was I arrived before spring break trips and before the summer busy season. The risk is winter weather. I stayed at Mather [...]
I am so lucky to have gotten to visit Yellowstone quite a bit over the years. During my 2021 adventures, I used Big Sky, MT as my home base. It's about an hour from the West Yellowstone entrance. During the off-season I would pop into the park for a few hours. It afforded me the opportunity to see the [...]
Park Stats Park established: October 31, 1941 President in office: Franklin D. Roosevelt Mount Rushmore is a must-see as you drive through South Dakota. The view is really impressive. Turn off I-90 at Rapid City. If you need gas, a place to stay, or some food, this is your best option. Follow signs [...]
I wasn't sure if I could do this trail. I even hiked two shorter trails to warm up...get the nerve...to try Angel's Landing. I've heard so much about it, but it was cold, snow was predicted, and my ego was getting the best of me. After a 2-mile pep-talk I took a left on the trail towards Angel's Landing. [...]
Do you ever have those moments where the world stops and you can just soak in the beauty of the moment? That's what this hike was for me. I didn't do much planning for this trip. I was on my way from Boulder, CO to Billings, MT, and had some time to kill. I'd heard about the [...]
Devils Tower National Monument was one of the first stops of my trip. On a cold winter day, during Covid, I pulled into the nearly empty parking lot. The Visitor Center was closed, but they left the stamp out for my National Park Passport. The trail is a walking path around the Tower. It takes you around the [...]
Devils Tower was one of the first stops on my trip. I took the detour off of I-90 with my fingers crossed that it was even open. I lucked out. Right off of the parking lot is a visitors center and toilets. While the visitors center was closed, they still had a stand for stamping your National Parks Passport. [...]
