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47 Parks

Saguaro Recap

  • April 2, 2017March 12, 2019

Length of Stay:

  • 2 days, 3 nights

High:

  • Admiring the saguaro (pronounced sa – WAH – row) cactuses
  • Visiting the local Desert Museum – although not actually in the park, this magical place taught me so much about desert life

Low:

  • Driving through a bad sand storm on my way into town

Favorite Hike:

  • King
… Read more
47 Parks

Saguaro Gallery

  • March 30, 2017March 12, 2019

These giant cactuses are the iconic symbol of the American southwest. Not only are they majestic and stately, each saguaro is unique… kinda like a special snowflake. Most of the really nifty lookin’ ones are much older than me, since they don’t start developing appendages until around age 75.

Pictures speak louder than words, so … Read more

47 Parks

Carlsbad Caverns Recap

  • March 27, 2017March 12, 2019

Length of Stay:

  • 3 days, 2 nights

High:

  • Enjoying the cool cave temperatures

Low:

  • Getting my legs and shorts torn up by cactuses* while bushwhacking after losing the trail

Favorite Hike:

  • Natural Entrance

Favorite Treat:

  • Piñon coffee, a New Mexico favorite

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* both cacti and cactuses is an accepted plural form, or so the internet … Read more

47 Parks

Cavern Travel

  • March 25, 2017March 12, 2019

Complete darkness. My eyes fought to find something to focus on; my ears something to target. Thankfully the lady next to me inhaled deeply, leaving me grateful for the brief respite from the disorienting sensory paralysis.

I sat in an alcove with twelve other strangers, united by our collective experience of this outright blackout. After … Read more

47 Parks

Guadalupe Mountains Recap

  • March 23, 2017March 12, 2019

Length of Stay:

  • 2 days, 2 nights

High:

  • Standing on the top of Texas (Guadalupe Peak is the highest point in the state)

Low:

  • Sunburnt lips

Favorite Hike:

  • Devil’s Hall

Favorite Treat:

  • The Pronto: eggs, sausage, cheese, hashbrowns wrapped in a tortilla and smothered with authentic red chile (pretty much an enhanced breakfast burrito)

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 … Read more

47 Parks

A Not-So-Desert Hike

  • March 21, 2017March 12, 2019

Part of traveling in the Southwest means deserts – lots of ’em. I was expecting a typical desert hike when I set out on the Devil’s Hall trail at Guadalupe Mountains National Park. I was pleasantly surprised when I ended up scrambling through a shaded wash littered by large limestone boulders, the evidence of the … Read more

47 Parks

Big Bend Recap

  • March 19, 2017March 12, 2019

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Length of Stay:

  • 4 days, 3 nights

High:

  • Strolling along the Rio Grande river, enjoying the shade of the Boquillas Canyon
  • Seeing both roadrunners and coyotes (but not at the same time)

Low:

  • Avoiding scorpions that liked to hang around Clarence at dawn and dusk

Favorite Hike:

  • Lost Mine Trail

Favorite Treat:

  • Antelope burger –
… Read more
47 Parks

Desert Heat, River Walk

  • March 16, 2017March 12, 2019

As I drove into Big Bend, the temperature gauge on my car read 92°. I expected oppressive heat that would cause perspiration to drip down my face within minutes. Tentatively, I opened the door to my Civic and felt a gentle breeze. Not too bad. I grabbed my day pack and set out to explore … Read more

Begin Again (Part II)

Letters from the Road

  • March 15, 2017March 12, 2019

Dear Other Drivers,

Please kindly remember that when you want to switch lanes, it is common courtesy to be going faster or at least matching the speed of the car you are cutting in front of. Also make note that my stopping distance is double what you think it is; Clarence the MyPod is quite … Read more

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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