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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

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....

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...

two kayaks on the rio grande river in between two tall granite walls

Experiencing the Wonders of Big Bend National Park on land and water

Big Bend National Park stands alone in a nation of parks. Its remote desolation makes it one of the least visited parks in the United States. That also makes it one of the rarest experiences you can have in nature – solitude, you, and the Earth. If you’re lucky, you’ll see a red snake slither by, a roadrunner dash across your path, and a coyote prowl the landscape. Wild horses and free-roaming longhorn cattle might amble past. You’ll find cactus...

Shoshone Falls, Idaho

5 Great Places to Explore in Idaho Now

I was driving down a winding Idaho mountain road just as the sun was rising over the horizon when I saw them: Three huge white wolves running across the Sawtooth Valley floor. I slowed my car and watched as the two rear wolves caught up to the leader, who had been far ahead but stopped to wait. Then, together, they ran into a patch of trees and I drove on to my destination. This is Idaho. On that same drive,...

Maroon Bells, Aspen, Colorado

Discover Magic Hiking to Maroon Bells in Aspen

Hiking to Maroon Bells and Crater Lake in Aspen’s White River National Forest is worth getting up early for … real early. I rose before the sun and drove nine miles into the White River National Forest to see the most photographed mountains in North America. As I was driving in the dark down the long road to the trailhead, a deer nearly ended its life in front of me. I forged ahead undaunted and hoped it was the only...

An Adventure Finding Waterfalls in Costa Rica

I accidentally went on a hike while looking for waterfalls in the Costa Rica rainforest. The fact that I’m alive to tell this is nothing short of a miracle. I joke, but only sort of. Some people told me there was a beautiful waterfall a few towns over in Hermosa Playa in the Guanacaste province. I could visit by taking a bus. Once there, I just had to walk up a short road, and there would be a beautiful waterfall....

Volcano Boarding for Amateurs and Who Isn’t?

While searching for things to do in Nicaragua, I stumbled upon “Volcano Boarding.” What in the world, I thought, is that? Then I found out first hand. Nicaragua, in Central America, is essentially made up of volcanos. There are over 40, and some are still active. Of course, I chose one of those for volcano boarding in Nicaragua. What is Volcano Boarding? Volcano boarding is like snow sledding with a few key differences, namely the weather and the surface land....