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National Parks

67 Articles
A group of three travelers posing in front of a massive heart-shaped boulder in a desert landscape.
A group of three travelers posing in front of a massive heart-shaped boulder in a desert landscape.

Heart Rock

January 29, 2026
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HEART ROCK, JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK, CA :: Heart Rock is just a short walk from Arch Rock and was a great way to wrap up our day at Joshua...

Two hikers pose beneath a massive natural rock arch on a sunny day.
Two hikers pose beneath a massive natural rock arch on a sunny day.

Arch Rock

January 28, 2026
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ARCH ROCK, JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK, CA :: Late afternoon at Arch Rock in Joshua Tree. We explored the arch, then kept going into the rugged terrain behind it –...

A person navigating a narrow gap between massive rock formations, highlighting the scale of the landscape.
A person navigating a narrow gap between massive rock formations, highlighting the scale of the landscape.

Hall of Horrors at Joshua Tree

January 27, 2026
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JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK, PINTO WYE, CA :: First stop in Joshua Tree National Park was the Hall of Horrors – a pair of slots that are extremely narrow and...

A small orange bird perched on a shrub.
A small orange bird perched on a shrub.

Hosmers Grove Birding

October 29, 2025
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HOSMERS GROVE, HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK, KULA, HI :: We wrapped up our Maui trip high on Haleakala, hunting for the increasingly elusive ʻIʻiwi in Hosmer Grove (elevation...

A bird's-eye view of Wizard Island in Crater Lake, showcasing its deep blue water and volcanic caldera landscape.
A bird's-eye view of Wizard Island in Crater Lake, showcasing its deep blue water and volcanic caldera landscape.

Crater Lake National Park

August 27, 2024
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CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK, OR :: My first time visiting Crater Lake National Park, and I was blown away! Sure, it’s a lake in a volcano, but I was not...

A serene river winding through a rugged landscape with tall cliffs and vibrant greenery.
A serene river winding through a rugged landscape with tall cliffs and vibrant greenery.

Owyhee River Wilderness

August 25, 2024
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OWYHEE RIVER WILDERNESS, OWYHEE, ID :: After a weekend in Bend, I drove over to a place that sounds like Hawaii, but is spelled Owyhee. Millions of people have been...

A wooden boardwalk leads through a rugged rock canyon with hikers walking towards the distant landscape under a cloudy sky.
A wooden boardwalk leads through a rugged rock canyon with hikers walking towards the distant landscape under a cloudy sky.

Þingvellir

July 25, 2024
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ÞINGVELLIR – THINGVELLIR NATIONAL PARK, ÞINGVELLIR, ICELAND :: Today we drove the Golden Circle, starting with a hike through Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO...

A foggy view of a Pacific Northwest rocky island surrounded by turquoise waves. Giant rock formations are partially visible in the mist.
A foggy view of a Pacific Northwest rocky island surrounded by turquoise waves. Giant rock formations are partially visible in the mist.

Ruby Beach

July 15, 2021
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RUBY BEACH, WA :: Ruby Beach is one of the most stunning coastlines in Olympic National Park. The rugged scene is composed of a broadly curved beach, interspersed with an...

Three people walking across a wooden plank bridge over a creek in a densely wooded area.
Three people walking across a wooden plank bridge over a creek in a densely wooded area.

Fern Canyon Trail Redwood National Park

June 27, 2021
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FERN CANYON TRAIL REDWOOD NATIONAL PARK, ORICK, CA :: Today we explored a lush, magical canyon with walls layered in vibrant green ferns. The kids had fun crisscrossing the...

Three cross-country skiers wearing winter hats stand beside a snow-covered road next to a U-turn warning sign in a snowy forested area.
Three cross-country skiers wearing winter hats stand beside a snow-covered road next to a U-turn warning sign in a snowy forested area.

Hurricane Ridge Snowshoe

January 31, 2021
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HURRICANE RIDGE, OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK, WA :: Winter fun on Hurricane Ridge, where the snow is plenty, but the people are limited to just 150 cars – perfect for enjoying...

A happy family poses for a selfie at a scenic canyon overlook. The backdrop features a vast desert landscape under a cloudy sky.
A happy family poses for a selfie at a scenic canyon overlook. The backdrop features a vast desert landscape under a cloudy sky.

The Grand Canyon – Ooh Aah Point

January 16, 2021
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OOH AAH POINT, GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, AZ :: The twins were excited to check off their ninth National Park experience with The Grand Canyon. And it wouldn't be sufficient...

Three people standing next to a large Joshua tree in a desert landscape.
Three people standing next to a large Joshua tree in a desert landscape.

Joshua Tree

December 30, 2020
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JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK, JOSHUA TREE CA, JOSHUA TREE, CA :: U2’s fifth studio album and our destination today! ✖ Family at Joshua Tree National Park Hikers Climbing...

Moro Rock

August 1, 2019
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MORO ROCK, SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK, CA :: Our last stop in Sequoia National Park was Moro Rock, a granite monolith that towers over most of the park. It's like the...

A family relaxes on smooth boulders while a waterfall tumbles over the rocks behind them.
A family relaxes on smooth boulders while a waterfall tumbles over the rocks behind them.

Tokopah Falls Trail

July 31, 2019
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TOKOPAH FALLS, SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK, CA :: After being on the road for a few hours and enduring the summertime crowds around General Sherman, it was nice to stretch our...

Three people linking arms around the massive trunk of a giant sequoia tree in a forest setting.
Three people linking arms around the massive trunk of a giant sequoia tree in a forest setting.

General Sherman

July 30, 2019
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GENERAL SHERMAN TREE, SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK, CA :: We enjoyed a day in Sequoia National Park, starting with General Sherman, the world's largest tree (by volume)! It's 275 feet...

A group of people in a lush jungle, featuring a guide pointing forward and a tripod with a telescope set up nearby.
A group of people in a lush jungle, featuring a guide pointing forward and a tripod with a telescope set up nearby.

Manuel Antonio National Park

April 7, 2019
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MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK, COSTA RICA :: With help from our guide, Bear Claw, we hiked through most of Manuel Antonio park and spotted a variety of wildlife, including a...

Three people sitting in colorful camping chairs around a campfire in a lush green forest.
Three people sitting in colorful camping chairs around a campfire in a lush green forest.

Mt. Rainier Camping

August 7, 2018
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MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK, WA :: We enjoyed three days in the great outdoors with cousin Shielle, Susan, and Shain! We camped at Cougar Rock Campground, hiked to Comet Falls,...

A panoramic view of red rock desert formations beneath a vibrant blue sky. The natural arches and wind-carved sandstone dominate the scene, showcasing the raw beauty of the arid environment.
A panoramic view of red rock desert formations beneath a vibrant blue sky. The natural arches and wind-carved sandstone dominate the scene, showcasing the raw beauty of the arid environment.

Spring Break – Delicate Arch

May 25, 2018
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DELICATE ARCH, ARCHES NATIONAL PARK, UT :: (A little late posting this, but it has been a busy Spring!) The hike to Delicate Arch was one of our favorites, taking...

Hikers with trekking poles navigating a rocky trail through a deep red rock canyon. Lush green trees and shrubs line the path, reflecting the area's natural beauty.
Hikers with trekking poles navigating a rocky trail through a deep red rock canyon. Lush green trees and shrubs line the path, reflecting the area's natural beauty.

Emerald Pools & Riverside Walk

April 24, 2018
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ZION NATIONAL PARK, UT :: On our second day in Zion National Park, we explored the three Emerald Pools and the Riverside Walk leading to the Narrows. ✖ Balancing on...

Hikers walking along a dirt path under a large red rock overhang with a sweeping view of layered canyons.
Hikers walking along a dirt path under a large red rock overhang with a sweeping view of layered canyons.

Canyon Overlook Trail

April 17, 2018
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ZION NATIONAL PARK, UT :: After wandering through the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon, we headed to Zion and hiked the short but thrilling Canyon Overlook Trail. ✖ Hiking The Great...

Vibrant red and orange rock formations under a clear blue sky.
Vibrant red and orange rock formations under a clear blue sky.

Bryce Canyon

April 16, 2018
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BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK, UT :: The first stop on our tour of Utah/Arizona was a sunrise hike along the Navajo-Queen's Garden Loop Trail in beautiful Bryce Canyon. We got...

A collage of photos showing people wearing life jackets rowing a boat on turquoise water with mountains in the background.
A collage of photos showing people wearing life jackets rowing a boat on turquoise water with mountains in the background.

Lake Minnewanka

September 17, 2017
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LAKE MINNEWANKA, BANFF NATIONAL PARK, CANADA :: We rented a boat and enjoyed the morning on Banff's largest glacial lake, chasing the loons and trying to echo their cool calls!...

A panoramic view of a turquoise alpine lake surrounded by rugged mountains and pine trees under a blue sky.
A panoramic view of a turquoise alpine lake surrounded by rugged mountains and pine trees under a blue sky.

Peyto Lake

September 11, 2017
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PEYTO LAKE, BANFF NATIONAL PARK, CANADA :: From Moraine Lake, we ventured about 30 miles north along the Icefields Parkway to Peyto Lake, yet another stunningly turquoise body of...

Canoes on a mountain lake reflect rocky peaks, evergreen lakeside, and colorful canoes.
Canoes on a mountain lake reflect rocky peaks, evergreen lakeside, and colorful canoes.

Moraine Lake

September 10, 2017
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MORAINE LAKE, BANFF NATIONAL PARK, CANADA :: We arrived at Moraine Lake at 7:45, before sunrise, and the parking lot was already full! Fortunately we were just about ten cars...

A family poses on a rocky shoreline with a turquoise lake and towering mountains in the background. The distinctive teal water and rugged landscape are characteristic of Moraine Lake in Banff National Park.
A family poses on a rocky shoreline with a turquoise lake and towering mountains in the background. The distinctive teal water and rugged landscape are characteristic of Moraine Lake in Banff National Park.

Lake Louise

September 10, 2017
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LAKE LOUISE, BANFF NATIONAL PARK, CANADA :: Lake Louise was every bit as blue as promised, framed by towering peaks and the first hints of autumn along the shore. ✖...

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