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Spaces & Places

More Lakes and a Little Bit of History

  • September 27, 2020

I eased my tired feet into crystal-clear water, appreciating the perfect temperature for soothing blisters. I had made sure to break-in my new hiking boots before the trip, but the sheer number of miles I’d been hiking had left a mark.

It was a bright sunny day with a just-right breeze blowing in from the … Read more

Spaces & Places

Bouldering in Bishop & Kindred Spirits

  • September 7, 2020

A journey well shared is a journey well enjoyed. – Unknown

I often meet a lot of people when I travel. Despite my enthusiasm for solo voyages, I do relish the opportunity to be social, even on trips into the wilderness. During my time in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, I met many friendly hikers along … Read more

Spaces & Places

Solitude and Sore Knees

  • August 29, 2020August 29, 2020

Depending on where you live in the world, the term backpack has a variety of definitions. Although commonly used as a noun (at least in North America), backpack can also be a verb meaning “to travel or hike carrying one’s belongings in a backpack.” In other words, backpacking involves multi-day trips with all the necessary … Read more

47 Parks

Sub-Alpine Attitude

  • August 15, 2020August 12, 2020

There’s something special about a serene river surrounded by an immense meadow, surrounded by blue-gray mountains. Like Russian nesting dolls, the intricate scenery just keeps going. I was above 8,000 feet, in an area of Yosemite known as Tuolumne (too-all-uh-me) Meadows. It was an absolutely beautiful place, unlike anything I had yet seen … Read more

47 Parks

Yosemite in all its Glory: Part II

  • August 11, 2020August 7, 2020

Up, up, up.

Hand over hand, one foot in front of the other.

I took a break to wipe my face, hoping to prevent the sunscreen I had just applied from going into my eyes. The sun was hot, but the strong breeze blowing from the north side made me feel less like a pastry … Read more

47 Parks

Yosemite in all its Glory: Part I

  • August 7, 2020August 7, 2020

“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity” – John Muir

There’s a reason Yosemite is such a well-known national park: its mountains are unequivocal and its waterfalls are unparalleled. Furthermore, during the country’s most important camping trip, … Read more

47 Parks

Kings Canyon Satisfaction

  • August 3, 2020

In April 2017 on a rainy day, I visited Kings Canyon National Park. I remember the overcast skies, the mystical feel of the huge sequoias, and the feeling of disappointment at road closures. That spring had been a record snow fall in the mountains, and only the very entrance of the park was accessible. … Read more

47 Parks

Redwood Forest Recap

  • May 9, 2017March 12, 2019

Countdown:

  • 10 more parks to go!

Length of Stay:

  • 3 days, 3 nights

High:

  • Being on the coast
  • Watching the Elk

Low:

  • Landslides and road maintenance everywhere
  • Torn up feet and blisters

Favorite Hike:

  • Yurok Loop Trail

Favorite Treat:

  • Butterscotch pie
… Read more
47 Parks

Tall Trees

  • May 7, 2017March 12, 2019

My neck hurt from craning upwards. From the forest floor it’s difficult to get a sense of how tall the redwood trees truly are. The sunlight left a dappled pattern on the lush greenery surrounding me, and Banana Slugs roamed at my feet in search of everything and anything to eat.

The hike I had … Read more

47 Parks

Lassen Volcanic Recap

  • May 3, 2017March 12, 2019

Length of Stay:

  • 2 days, 2 nights

High:

  • Snowshoeing around the thermals

Low:

  • Not being able to drive all the way through the park due to road closures

Favorite Hike:

  • Manzanita Lake (the west entrance had less snow and was more suitable for actual hiking)

Favorite Treat:

  • Buddha bowl – a bowl stuffed full of
… Read more

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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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