recap – The Park Pilgrim

47 Parks

20 Parks to Visit in 2020

December 28, 2019

20 Parks to Visit in 2020 (& when to go)

For me, 2019 has been a year of contentment. I took a road trip around Croatia and Italy, exploring many fantastic outdoor spaces. I also found places close to home that captured my interest and revisited some old American favorites. Despite my wanderlust, … Read more

Guatemala

Guatemala Recap

August 26, 2018March 12, 2019

Length of Stay:

4 days, 5 nights

Itinerary

Day 1:
- Exploring Antigua
- Visiting the Chocolate Museum
- Trying out some new cuisine
Day 2:
- Hiking Pacaya Volcano
- Using GPS My City to take a walking tour of ruins around the area
Day 3:
- Exploring Lake Atitlan
Day 4:
- Touring a coffee farm
- Going to a local

Africa

Capetown Recap

August 5, 2018March 12, 2019

Length of Stay:

5 days, 4 nights

High:

Memorable ocean views

Low:

Getting my luggage lost by the airline and going 2 days sans clothes/toiletries

Favorite Hike:

Elephant’s Eye Cave (part of the Table Mountain National Park)

Favorite Treat:

Biltong (dried, cured meat)
Braai (South African style barbecue)

Rock Climbing

RRG Recap

June 5, 2018March 12, 2019

Length of Stay:

Four days, three nights

Highs:

Good climbs, good people
Kayaking in an abandoned, flooded mine

Lows:

A couple thunderstorms meant a few less climbs than planned

Favorite Climb:

Workin’ for the Weekend (10a)

Favorite Treat:

Miguel’s Pizza (a Red River Gorge must-have)
Ale-8-One ginger/citrus-ale (a Kentucky must-try)

New Orleans Trip

New Orleans and Bayou Recap

April 9, 2018March 12, 2019

Length of Stay:

4 days, 4 nights

Highs:

Kayaking in the Bayou
Exploring the unusual cemeteries

Lows:

Spending more money than I had originally anticipated

Favorite Hike:

Bayou Coquille Trail and March Overlook (at Jean Lafitte NP)

Favorite Treat(s): [so many!]

Beignets
Seafood gumbo
Aligator meat po’boy
Crawfish étouffée fries

Mexico

Baja Cove Mexico Recap

November 26, 2017March 12, 2019

Length of Stay:

5 days, 4 nights

Highs:

Gorgeous weather
Kayaking in the ocean with a sea lion

Lows:

Airports during holiday travel

Favorite Treat:

Tacos! My favorite was the shrimp, although the Mako shark was also tasty.

47 Parks

Cuyahoga Valley Recap

June 14, 2017March 12, 2019

Countdown:

0 more parks to go!

Length of Stay:

2 days, 2 nights

High:

Biking along the canal
The Canal Exploration Center featuring historical exhibits on the Ohio and Erie canals

Low:

Constant traffic noise

Favorite Hike:

Ledges Trail

Favorite Treat:

Buckeyes: a peanut butter and chocolate treat unique to Ohio

47 Parks

Acadia Recap

June 10, 2017March 12, 2019

Countdown:

1 more park to go!

Length of Stay:

2 days, 3 nights

High:

The compactness of the park; so many neat things to see wrapped up in a relatively small area (= less driving)
Every hike I did

Low:

Too many detours

Favorite Hike:

Beehive trail (lots of iron rungs and exposed parts)

Favorite … Read more

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

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