Travel

Category

New Mexico sunset

10 Things to Love About New Mexico (Photos)

I spent a month in New Mexico, and on my last day, I walked around enjoying the ever-present perfect weather and frequently stopping to smell the flowers. Those were the biggest surprise in this place I’d never been to before—the flowers. But they weren’t the only things I loved. Here are images of 10 things I loved about New Mexico. 1 Flowers in New Mexico It’s springtime, but I didn’t expect it to be so grand in New Mexico. I...

Rene at Quail Creek

Paddle and Hike to Petroglyphs in Quail Creek State Park in Utah

Near St. George, Utah, there isn’t a lot of water, but there is the Quail Creek State Park and it’s the perfect lake for recreation and history. I went to the park for a 3-hour tour paddleboard tour culminating with a hike to some nearby ancient petroglyphs. Dig Paddlesports, who rents watersports equipment at the park, hosted the tour. The tour started at 8 am on the lake to get an early start on the day and avoid the 100+...

Canyonlands

5 Reasons I Found Canyonlands National Park an Unexpected Delight

When you hear about Utah National Parks, it’s always about Zion, Arches and Bryce, but others are less crowded and dare I say, maybe more beautiful. Canyonlands is one of those. It may not be on your shortlist because of those other parks, but after visiting for a day, I’d say, depending on the kind of person you are, Canyonlands should top your list. Why? For several reasons. Because I like the solitude of nature and being out moving around...

Utah national park Arches National Park

When Visiting Arches National Park, Prepare for Crowds

The first time I showed up at Arches National Park in Utah at 7:30 a.m. the park was already closed to further visitors. I joined the massive line of people turning around to find something else to do. But you don’t have to if you plan ahead and arrive early or in the evening Holiday crowds are expected, but the crowds at Arches are commonplace throughout spring, summer and fall. When I returned that evening, I entered after waiting in...

Tsankawi

Tips for Hiking Tsankawi Trail at Bandelier National Monument

The Tsankawi section of Bandelier National Monument is about a dozen miles from the main park entrance, and it’s a great, short hike that not many people visit, but they should. It’s my favorite hiking trail in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It’s just off State Highway 4 as you head to the park entrance. I only spotted it because several cars were parked on the side of the road, which is a sure sign that there’s a good trail nearby....

5 Things to Do Around the Rio Grande Gorge

For one month, I stayed a few miles from the Rio Grande Gorge and spent a lot of time in it. It turns out that there’s quite a bit to do around it for only being a gorge – which is just a big hole in the ground. I hiked it many times, rafted through it, walked across the bridge, and even had a few relaxing spa days at the hot springs. The gorge is a spectacular New Mexico character....

Seeking Georgia O’Keeffe in New Mexico

I knew I’d write a story about Georgia O’Keeffe after leaving New Mexico. In it, I expected to say I understood her better after traveling through “her” New Mexico. But, after a month, she is still as elusive as a ghost. Previously, the extent of what I knew about O’Keeffe hung above the stairs of the Modern Wing at the Chicago Art Institute. “Sky Above Clouds IV” is a massive cloudscape. It’s eight feet high and twenty-four feet wide. She...

Petroglyphs National Monument

Hiking Petroglyph National Monument in Albuquerque, New Mexico

They say that the petroglyphs at Petroglyph National Monument may be hard to see at certain times of the day because of the glare from the sun. But Pueblo elders believe it’s more than that. They believe the petroglyphs choose when and to whom they will reveal themselves. Visiting Petroglyph National Monument When visiting Petroglyph National Monument, GPS will take you to the visitor’s center, but there isn’t anything to see there. The center sits in between the two main...

Kayaks on the Rio River gorge

Kayaking the Rio River Gorge in New Mexico

Whitewater kayaking in the Rio River Gorge in New Mexico is a favorite pastime for locals and visitors to the state. However, due to low water levels, the amount of “whitewater” is less each year. Still, it was among the most challenging and scenic kayaking I’ve ever done. I took a rambling early afternoon drive through the mountains along the Rio Grande Gorge. The 50-mile gorge runs from northwest to southeast of Taos, New Mexico. It is about 800 feet...

10 Things to Explore in Alpine and Marathon Texas

If you’ve ever visited Big Bend or drove through west Texas, you’ll come across Alpine, Texas. I spent a week there hiking and kayaking at Big Bend. While there, I explored a few other things. It’s a good place central to many different locations you’ll want to see while you’re in that part of the country. Alpine, Texas The city is one of a few small frontier towns remaining from the glory day of the western mining and expansive cattle...