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47 Parks

Dunes, Dunes, Dunes!

  • August 20, 2016March 10, 2019

The views are spectacular and the hiking trails are out of this world, but the real bread-and-butter of this park is the Dunes.

A little education:

  • The sand you see at the Dunes is the tip of the iceberg… literally. Expert researchers have investigated and realized that there is way more sand underneath.
… Read more
47 Parks

Hot Springs Recap

  • August 16, 2016March 10, 2019

sign

Length of Stay:

  • 3 days, 3 nights

High:

  • Touring the Fordyce bathhouse

Low:

  • Hot, humid, and then extremely rainy

Favorite Hike:

  • Goat Rock trail

Favorite Treat:

  • Water – it’s tasteless and odorless but somehow makes my coffee taste extremely delicious

 … Read more

47 Parks

House of Baths

  • August 15, 2016March 10, 2019

Hot Springs, Arkansas was the perfect blend of interesting history, relaxing baths, and gorgeous hiking trails. Although it is the smallest national park, Hot Springs had so much to offer. One of my favorite activities was touring the historical Fordyce bathhouse. It was three stories of fancy spa equipment, including some weird stuff going on … Read more

47 Parks

Great Smoky Mountains Recap

  • August 7, 2016March 10, 2019

sign

Length of Stay:

  • 5 days, 5 nights on the North Carolina side
  • 2 days, 2 nights on the Tennessee side

Highs:

  • Walking in the woods (yep – the hiking was superb)
  • Learning the history of the Appalachian people

Lows:

  • Graffiti – some people think it’s “cool” to carve their name into a building that is
… Read more
47 Parks

Mentorship and Bird Banding

  • August 5, 2016March 10, 2019

A couple noteworthy things happened during my last 24 hours in Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

First of all, I met Trevor. He is only 2 parks away from visiting every single national park. That’s incredible! I was able to ask him a ton of questions about his journey thus far and gleam some … Read more

47 Parks

Old Timey = Good Timey

  • August 3, 2016March 10, 2019

Cades Cove is a pretty neat little place. Long before the Smokies were established as a national park, settlers moved into the valley and created homesteads. Life was difficult, but these folks sure knew how to work hard, build community, and enjoy life in the mountains. Their daily routines revolved around feeding their families, heeding … Read more

47 Parks

Outdoor Withdrawal

  • July 26, 2016March 10, 2019

For 5 days in a row, I spent most of my waking moments in the great outdoors. After averaging about 6 miles of hiking a day, it’s incredible how accustomed I became to being in nature. I appreciated the solitude that comes from hours of meandering and exploring through the woods.

And so it felt … Read more

47 Parks

High Places

  • July 24, 2016March 10, 2019

The Smokies are perfect for those seeking deliciously satisfying views. There are numerous drives, hikes, and strolls that take you to fabulous summits.

A popular destination within the Smokies is Clingman’s Dome. It’s a simple half-mile walk up a paved inclined trail that lands you at the base of an observation tower. On Monday, I … Read more

47 Parks

Running Water

  • July 22, 2016March 10, 2019

No, I’m not talking about that convenient spigot full of fluoride-infused water that most Americans take for granted – I’m talking about rivers, streams, runs, brooks, creaks, and “cricks”. Great Smoky National Park is full of running water, flowing rapidly (yet sometimes leisurely) from the mountain crests.

I’ve been pretty spoiled to be able to … Read more

47 Parks

Everglades Recap

  • July 18, 2016March 10, 2019

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Length of Stay:

  • 2 days, 2 nights

Highs:

  • Petting a baby manatee
  • Going for a 15 mile bike ride along the canal and through the marsh

Lows:

  • Deer flies (they’re relentless)

Favorite Hike:

  • Gumbo Limbo trail

Favorite Treat:

  • Fresh mango

Favorite Random Moment:

  • Watching a classic Floridian storm roll in from the Shark Valley observation
… 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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