The Chiricahua National Monument Jewel

April 26, 2022.Reading time 6 minutes.

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. She also encouraged us to hike the Echo Canyon Trail. […]

White Sands National Park Lives Up to Its Name

April 18, 2022.Reading time 7 minutes.

When we decided to visit the White Sands National Park, I was less than excited. I don’t know why. Fortunately, my attitude changed for the better when we pulled into the parking lot by the visitor’s center. I instantly found the white sand landscapes intriguing. The visitor’s center was not open when we arrived, but […]

Slaughter Canyon Cave Trail is Short, Steep and Beautiful

April 8, 2022.Reading time 6 minutes.

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 […]

Hiking Offers Feeling of Freedom (video)

February 2, 2022.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Our favorite hike at Canyonlands National Park is called the Peekaboo Trail. The trail is a lesser traveled 10-mile out and back path and one we highly recommend. The landscape is stunning and was beyond fun for us. If you like hikes that offer the feeling of freedom, inspiration and exploration, this is the one […]

Kayaking to the Notorious Antelope Canyon

January 30, 2022.Reading time 9 minutes.

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 […]

Hiking the Beehive at Acadia National Park

January 19, 2022.Reading time 10 minutes.

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 […]

Gorge at Buttermilk Falls State Park is Gorgeous

November 29, 2021.Reading time 7 minutes.

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 […]

When the Hike is more Than a Hike

November 19, 2021.Reading time 9 minutes.

Being in nature puts me in the best frame of mind and hiking is my favorite activity. I love the challenge, the physical pain and the vistas that hiking provides. The best treks for me have a reward at end like a waterfall or a lake. However, standing on a mountain ridge or peak is […]

Each Step on Watkins Glen Gorge Trail is Stunning

September 26, 2021.Reading time 5 minutes.

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 […]

Amazing Splendor at Bryce Canyon

June 17, 2021.Reading time 5 minutes.

We found amazing splendor at Bryce Canyon National Park. As first time visitors, the cathedral of spires and rock formations were beyond our imagination. Bryce Canyon was the fourth of eight national parks we visited on our trip and it was unlike any of the other parks we had seen. The splendor was undeniable. Sizing […]

Little Wild Horse Slot Canyon is Awesome

May 27, 2021.Reading time 4 minutes.

The Little Wild Horse Slot Canyon is one of our favorite places and we found it on a fluke. Traveling on Utah scenic byway 95W, we pulled into a service station for fuel and supplies in Hanksville. As it turned out, this stop changed the course of our day. Talking to locals, we learned we […]

Peekaboo Trail at Canyonlands is Remarkable

May 26, 2021.Reading time 7 minutes.

Today, we are in the southern section of the Canyonlands National Park called the Needles. After studying the maps and reading descriptions of the hiking trails, we chose to hike Peekaboo Trail at Canyonlands. As it turned out, this is one of the best hikes in the park according to people we spoke to. The […]

Hiking In Arches National Park

May 6, 2021.Reading time 5 minutes.

This is our first trip to Utah to visit the Fabulous 5 National Parks and many of their state parks. Arches National Park was our first stop. It is an amazing place. Even though we took several pictures, it is hard to capture the size, beauty, and magnitude of these arches. We arrived early on […]