Spaces & Places
El Salvador: The Land of Volcanos. A hundred plus thermal cliffs dot the landscape of this Central American country that features both mountainous regions and beaches. Before 2019, El Salvador was known for violence and gang activity, but things have turned around with the new president.
I haven’t met any Americans who have planned their … Read more
Spaces & Places
In the spirit of gratitude, I decided to take advantage of the Thanksgiving season by embarking on a road trip around my own state, appreciating its spectacular array of parks. Virginia State Parks have won various accolades and awards for customer service, overall quality, and just being darn good nature places.
*Round of applause*
I … Read more
Spaces & Places
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
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
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
Spaces & Places
I squinted my eyes, regretting leaving my sunglasses in the car. It was early (6 am?), and the sun was just starting to creep up behind the geological fascination in front of me. Right now, it was clouded in shadows, so I was eagerly awaiting a better glimpse of the tell-tale pillars caused from the … Read more
47 Parks
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
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
“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
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