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47 Parks

Isle Royale Recap

  • June 9, 2017March 12, 2019

Countdown:

  • 2 more parks to go!

Length of Stay:

  • 1 very full day, plus another morning at the visitor center on the mainland

High:

  • Being on a remote island on a sunshiney day

Low:

  • Too short (I had the option to spend the weekend, but the Lodge was expensive and I didn’t have Clarence with
… Read more
47 Parks

Pristine Wilderness

  • June 7, 2017March 12, 2019

Isle Royale is one of the least visited national parks in the United States. It’s no wonder, given the fact that it is extremely difficult to get to. A seaplane would have taken me directly to this island in the middle of Lake Superior, but would have cost a pretty penny. I opted for a … Read more

47 Parks

Voyageurs Recap

  • June 6, 2017March 12, 2019

Countdown:

  • 3 more parks to go!

Length of Stay:

  • 2 days, 1 night

High:

  • Visiting the Ellsworth Rock Garden
  • Being out on the Lake

Low:

  • No visitors centers open (despite what the website said)
  • Hitting Bambi

Favorite Hike:

  • Blind Ash Bay Trail

Favorite Treat:

  • Locally made scones
… Read more
47 Parks

My (Literal) Run-In with Bambi

  • June 5, 2017March 12, 2019

If you recall, I almost hit a bear in North Cascades.

In Wisconsin, I wasn’t as lucky with my wildlife avoidance.

There I was, cruising down the highway, looking forward to crawling into my camper for a good night’s sleep. According to my GPS, I was 5 minutes from my stopping point. I was alert, … Read more

47 Parks

Peace in the North

  • June 3, 2017March 12, 2019

Everything was tranquil. The lake water lapped gently against the shore, and I took a moment to soak everything in. The sun was shining, brightly reflecting upon the clear water. The smell was soft, kindred, and soothing.

Voyageurs is a national park in Minnesota, almost as far north as you can get without plopping into … Read more

47 Parks

Theodore Roosevelt Recap

  • June 2, 2017March 12, 2019

Countdown:

  • 4 more parks to go!

Length of Stay:

  • 2 days, 1 night

High:

  • More bison

Low:

  • Seeing dead prairie dogs on the side of the road #DriveSlow

Favorite Hike:

  • Painted Canyon Nature Trail

Favorite Treat:

  • Plain, old-fashioned doughnut holes
… Read more
47 Parks

A Tiny Town in a Tiny Town

  • June 1, 2017March 12, 2019

Prairie dogs are absolutely fascinating.

In the Badlands in South Dakota, I was able to observe these interesting creatures in their burrows. It was such a treat to have the opportunity to actually hike among the prairie dog towns in Theodore Roosevelt national park.

I found that it’s absolutely impossible to sneak up on them. … Read more

47 Parks

Teardrop Soapbox

  • May 31, 2017March 12, 2019

I like having a teardrop trailer. Clarence, my MyPod, is absolutely adorable.

 

That being said, I’m not a big fan of paying big-rig prices for full hookups when all I need is a little heat at night. Most campsites have a flat rate regardless of the type of camper you have. It seems silly … Read more

47 Parks

Glacier Recap

  • May 30, 2017March 12, 2019

Countdown:

  • 5 more parks to go!

Length of Stay:

  • 2 days, 2 nights

High:

  • Unparalleled scenery

Low:

  • Lots of driving; Montana is a flippin’ huge state

Favorite Hike:

  • Baring Falls, Saint Mary Falls, and Virginia Falls spur

Favorite Treat:

  • Cheese curds
… Read more
47 Parks

Everywhere I Looked…

  • May 29, 2017March 12, 2019

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…there was majesty.

Words are inadequate to describe my experience in Glacier. Even glancing back over the pictures I took, I was reminded how nothing quite beats the multi-sensory engagement of actually being in a stunning natural place.

Everything was alive. Even the glacial lakes themselves seemed to breathe in and out, the water moving … Read more

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47 Parks

This is where it all began – an epic road trip to visit all 47 national parks in the contiguous United States within the span of 47 weeks. [Spoiler alert: I did it.] Read about my travels around the country, living in a MyPod trailer and experiencing the nation’s greatest treasures.

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About Me

About Me

National park expert. Nature enthusiast. Outdoor educator. These are the chronicles of my travels and discoveries around the country and throughout the world.

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