47 Parks
I couldn’t resist fitting in one more outdoor trip before heading back into full time teaching. All 47 parks had been successfully checked off the list, but I jumped at the opportunity to revisit the Rockies. Re-branded as the Park Pilgrim*, I hopped on a plane sans Clarence, ready to have some rugged adventures … Read more
47 Parks
A Throwback Tale
Cairn. I rolled the word around in my head, almost like a chant, matching pace with the sound of my feet hitting the slick rock. Canyonlands National Park in Utah was an adventurer’s dream. I was taking a much-needed break from Arches, the tourist trap only 45 minutes to the northeast. After … Read more
47 Parks
Congratulations KENT!
On our most recent contest, you guessed that I had stayed in 110 places during my trip, which is pretty darn close to the actual answer, 100. I zoomed around quite a bit in my little teardrop, but also frequently hunkered down for a couple nights in one spot.
Kent, leave me … Read more
47 Parks
Time for another contest!
A couple months ago, my dear blog readers had a chance to win either a big ol’ jar of jelly beans or a blog picture sent as a 8.5 X 11 print. The challenge was to guess how many miles I had hiked.
Our new contest revolves around the number … Read more
47 Parks
Every park that I’ve been to is special in it’s own way. The diversity found within the natural areas of our country is truly astounding.
That being said, some parks piqued my interest a little more than others.
Introducing my favorites…
(1) Best Hiking: Redwood Forest
(2) Best Desert Park: Joshua Tree
(3) Best Lil’ … Read more
47 Parks
Countdown:
Length of Stay:
High:
Low:
Favorite Hike:
Favorite Treat:
47 Parks
I did it.
I have officially visited every national park within the contiguous United States.
I felt such a sense of accomplishment adding the last stamp to my passport booklet in Cuyahoga Valley, a park snuggled neatly in between Cleveland and Akron, Ohio. Huge bridges overhead shuttled cars along the interstate while visitors and wildlife … Read more
47 Parks
Countdown:
Length of Stay:
High:
Low:
Favorite Hike:
Favorite … Read more
47 Parks
When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.
Or in my case: When life throws a deer in front of your car, fly to Acadia National Park.
It just didn’t make sense to hang out in Wisconsin for a week while I waited for my car to get fixed. Hotels were pretty pricey, and I knew … Read more
47 Parks
I was struck by a feeling of melancholy yesterday morning as I hiked along a trail, alone with my thoughts.
My trip is almost finished. My trip is almost finished. My trip is almost finished.
This phrase rolled over and over in my mind, beating rhythmically in time with my steps.
Two hours later I … Read more