Skip to content
The Park Pilgrim
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Blog
    • 47 Parks
    • Spaces & Places
    • Thoughts & Things
    • Education
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

Thoughts & Things

Guest Post by Maura (a fellow nature enthusiast)

  • April 25, 2020April 25, 2020
Maura and I both like to climb rocks (and plastic). When the climbing gym is open, you can find Maura and I there on a regular basis enjoying this complex form of exercise as well as our many intellectual side conversations. Maura is an avid cyclist and an all-around outdoor adventurer. This is her story.
… Read more
Spaces & Places

Purposeless Meandering

  • April 10, 2020

I like the word meander. It connotes a sense of aimlessness and wandering that is quite juxtaposed to how modern life tends to go.

I find that so many of my actions are deliberate and quite purposeful. Yes, this is important and necessary for functioning as a 21st century adult. However, I would argue that … Read more

47 Parks

5 Fun Non-Rigorous National Park Activities

  • December 5, 2019May 29, 2020

Each of our country’s national parks are different, special snowflakes surrounded by the varied landscape of our nation. Despite each park’s uniqueness, I found that I still had similar experiences during my epic road trip when I visited each one. As a young, healthy outdoorsy gal, I was able to dive right in to nature, … Read more

New Orleans Trip

In the Bayou

  • March 29, 2018March 12, 2019

20180329_094816

My last gator sighting had been in the wild world of the Everglades.

I was overdue for a look at one of these fascinating critters.

Chock one up for Louisiana – it sure packs a punch when it comes to the local flora and fauna found within the beautiful landscape of the Bayou. I … Read more

Mexico

Sea Lions and Sea Slugs

  • November 24, 2017March 12, 2019

The waves picked up, barreling over my kayak as I struggled to paddle perpendicular to the shore. The salt spray blinded me momentarily until I was through the shore break and out into the relatively calm waters.

20171123_142341

It was a beautiful Thanksgiving day south of the border. An almost record high of 85° convinced me … Read more

47 Parks

My (Literal) Run-In with Bambi

  • June 5, 2017March 12, 2019

If you recall, I almost hit a bear in North Cascades.

In Wisconsin, I wasn’t as lucky with my wildlife avoidance.

There I was, cruising down the highway, looking forward to crawling into my camper for a good night’s sleep. According to my GPS, I was 5 minutes from my stopping point. I was alert, … Read more

47 Parks

Theodore Roosevelt Recap

  • June 2, 2017March 12, 2019

Countdown:

  • 4 more parks to go!

Length of Stay:

  • 2 days, 1 night

High:

  • More bison

Low:

  • Seeing dead prairie dogs on the side of the road #DriveSlow

Favorite Hike:

  • Painted Canyon Nature Trail

Favorite Treat:

  • Plain, old-fashioned doughnut holes
… Read more
47 Parks

A Tiny Town in a Tiny Town

  • June 1, 2017March 12, 2019

Prairie dogs are absolutely fascinating.

In the Badlands in South Dakota, I was able to observe these interesting creatures in their burrows. It was such a treat to have the opportunity to actually hike among the prairie dog towns in Theodore Roosevelt national park.

I found that it’s absolutely impossible to sneak up on them. … Read more

47 Parks

I Almost Ran Over a Bear

  • May 25, 2017March 12, 2019

True story.

Not even kidding.

I was driving the speed limit on my way into North Cascades national park. I had just come from the ranger station back in town, armed with maps and ready to hit up some nifty hiking trails in the mountains.

The weather wasn’t playing nice; it was drizzling and icky … Read more

Posts pagination

1 2

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.

Follow Me on Instagram

Follow on Instagram

Find Me on YouTube

© 2024 Stephanie Dean

Website created by Lisa Dean