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Helena Fire Tower

10 Old-Timey Things to do in Helena, Montana

Walking around Helena, Montana, I couldn’t help but think about the small town it was 100 years ago. Though, technically it’s not that small, not anymore. In my mind, as I strolled down Park Street, looking up at the historic fire tower, I envisioned it as it was when it was founded. Not much has changed, not really. The town perfectly captures the spirit of the west—the love of horses, the hilly streets, old alleys, and community gathering spots. In...

Rene on Yellowstone Safari

10 Yellowstone Animals Spotted on a Safari

If you want to see Yellowstone animals, you should book a safari. That’s my best advice. Seeing animals in Yellowstone National Park either happens by accident or intention or otherwise not at all. Since I didn’t see any by accident, I took matters into my own hands and booked a safari. Most of us assume that you will see animals in Yellowstone, but the truth is the park is big, probably much bigger than you think. Many people stay on...

Yellowstone Hot springs
Jackson Hole
Antelope Island Buffalo

Visiting Antelope Island, Utah, Where the Buffalo Roam, For Now

On Antelope Island, the buffalo roam. And it’s a beautiful miracle where once they were nearly extinct.   Not so many years ago, the American Bison, or buffalo as they’re commonly called, were decimated. They say that once in the late 18th century, these glorious beasts numbered over 60 million. There were so many buffalo in this country that a buffalo crossing could last up to six days. If your path crossed theirs, you’d have to wait as they lumbered and rumbled past, like waiting at a passing train. But we hunted...

hot spring crater

Swim in a Massive Hot Spring Crater

There is a massive hot spring crater shaped like a beehive, so giant you can swim in it. It’s the Homestead Hot Spring Crater in Salt Lake City, Utah. As if a massive 90+ degrees geothermal hot spring isn’t unique enough, this one goes even further by being inside a vast 55-foot tall beehive-looking limestone cave. The Homestead Crater cave has been forming over the hot spring for 10,000+ years from the mineral deposits contained in the water. About the...

Utah national park Bryce Canyon

Why Bryce Canyon Was My Least Favorite of the 5 Utah National Parks

I have the most unpopular opinion about Bryce Canyon National Park. It’s beautiful, and the hoodoos are spectacular, but it only ranks third on my list of the big five Utah National Parks. It’s ranked only third, not for lack of beauty or amenities – it has those in spades, but because I found it nearly impossible to get away from the crowds. To me, a national park should be a place to immerse yourself in nature, not dodge hordes...

Hiking the Valley of Fire in Nevada

They say the Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada is named for the red sandstone formations, but it’s probably also the intense blazing heat in the park where 115-degree temperatures aren’t unusual. Still, it’s such a unique and beautiful area; the risks may be worth the reward. The park was formed by the uplifting and faulting of geography, followed by erosion during the time of dinosaurs 150 million years ago. It now has a Mars-like landscape, with a likewise...

Kolob Canyon Overlook