Palo Duro Canyon State Park is one of those places that surprises you — not because it’s hidden, but because it’s far bigger and more dramatic than you expect. Carved deep into the Texas Panhandle just outside Amarillo, this vast canyon stretches for miles with layered red rock walls, winding trails, and wide-open skies that…
Hiking the Black Elk Peak Trail is considered by many to be the best hike in Custer State Park. The 7.5-mile loop starts near Sylvan Lake and winds through the Black Forest Wilderness area. At the summit, hikers stand on a 7,242-foot granite peak—the highest point in South Dakota. Perched on top of the mountain…
Little Devil’s Tower was one of our favorite hiking destinations when we visited Custer State Park in South Dakota. On our second day in the park, we met a local couple who strongly suggested we climb the rock tower. They were very knowledgeable about the park generally and convinced us we should add the hike…
On a morning in September, the stone spires on the Cathedral Trail in Custer State Park stood tall and imposing. Contrasting the towering rock was a vivid blue-sky background draped with fluffy white cumulus clouds. We were on the trail at the break of day and the picturesque landscape in front of us was stunning….
When we were planning our trip to Arizona, I contacted a person who follows us on Instagram. Knowing she lives in the state, I asked her for recommendations on places to see. She ranked Chiricahua National Monument as her favorite place in the entire state, and she also encouraged us to hike the Echo Canyon…
When we decided to visit White Sands National Park, I wasn’t especially excited. I couldn’t quite explain why. Maybe it was the idea of spending a day surrounded by nothing but sand. That changed almost immediately when we pulled into the parking lot near the visitor center. The landscape didn’t feel like a desert in…
After spending the morning at Carlsbad Caverns, we decided to hike the Slaughter Canyon Cave trail in the afternoon. The trailhead is about 18-miles south of the caverns but still inside the boundaries of the national park. Interestingly, we learned about this hike from a total stranger who we met at the Carlsbad Cavern National…
Goblin Valley State Park in Utah is an area covered with soft sandstone “goblins” and numerous other interesting formations. Truly a surreal place to visit, the odd natural shapes are a result of years of erosion. Walking amongst the goblin formations, we instantly felt like we were in a family friendly playground of sorts. It…
In late May of 2021, we spent five days in Page, Arizona. We really liked the town. It felt welcoming and was a community with amenities we needed. Additionally, there were many natural venues we wanted to visit nearby. Number one on our list of “must-do” attractions was Antelope Canyon. As far as slot canyons…
We feel lucky to have hiked Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park and the Beehive at Acadia National Park in the same year! I personally don’t know anyone who can make that claim because they are on opposite sides of the United States. That said, I’m sure there are others who have also achieved this…
When in the planning stages of an upstate New York visit, our friends encouraged us to include the Finger Lake area in our travel plans. This was good advise. Of all the places to visit and discover in the area, the Buttermilk Falls State Park Gorge was one of our favorite destinations. Buttermilk Falls State…
A few years ago, a friend gave us recommendations for places to see in upstate New York. Of all her suggestions, she was adamant about experiencing the Watkins Glen Gorge Trail in the Finger Lakes Region. Wow! What a great suggestion! Watkins Glen State Park If you only have time or ambition to hike one…
Our climb to Angels Landing in Zion National Park is a story we laugh about. We were determined to get to the trail early and hike to the top before the crazy crowds of people arrived. Zion National Park is an incredibly busy place. On a daily basis, the park seems to welcome in more…
