In Celebration of National Parks: National Parks Week 2017

Happy National Parks Week! This week, every year, we celebrate the 417 National Park Units across the nation and take a moment to acknowledge the landscapes, history, knowledge that these parks house and protect are what makes the United States amazing. I have been fortunate enough to visit twenty-three of these units, scattered across the states, within the past three years, some of them more than a few times. The weekends bracketing National Park Week (April 15-23) are fee-free weekends, so if you are able to get out and enjoy your parks now would be an awesome time to do so! I haven't been able to get to a park unit yet this year, but starting next month I have plans in place to travel to several over the summer months. Scroll on below for a gallery of every National Park Unit I've been to in the past three years and find some inspiration to visit one or two yourself!

Arches National Park, UT

Big Thicket National Preserve, TX

Brown's Canyon National Monument, CO

Bryce Canyon National Park, UT

Canyonlands National Park, UT

Capitol Reef National Park, UT

Capulin Volcano National Monument, NM

Carlsbad Caverns National Park, NM

Chimney Rock National Monument, CO

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, CO

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Guadalupe Mountains National Park, TX

Homestead National Monument, NE

Hot Springs National Park, AR

Hovenweep National Monument, UT

Mesa Verde National Park, CO

Petrified Forest National Park, AZ

Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

Sunset Crater National Monument, AZ

White Sands National Monument, NM

Wupatki National Monument, AZ

Zion National Park, UT

My Top 10 Favorite Roads

It's no secret: I love roads! I love driving on roads, I love figuring out how to get my little car around obstaclces on the roads where I shouldn't take it, and I love planning routes to take so I drive on the maximum number of new roads. Over the years that I've been travelling, and the years that I've been driving, I've come up with a list of roads that I absolutely love. For some roads the challenge they present is what draws me to them, for others it's the views they offer up, and for more it's the stops along the way. No matter what my reasons for loving roads, I've listed out ten of my favorites below, and I tell you why they're worth the time to drive! Please note, these are in no particular order, and this list will be updated as I come across more awesome roads to drive!

Trail Ridge Road, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

If you have a mind to explore the most easily accessible alpine tundra in the continental United States, take a ride on this road! The only paved road that bisects Rocky Mountain National Park is your only way to access both sides of the park without spending hours and miles going around outside of the park, but be aware that this road is only open seasonally. During the winter months the road closes due to white-out conditions and snow drifts so deep they bury buildings. During the summer though, the tundra is an amazing place to see elk, big horn sheep, mountain goats, marmots, and many other species, right from the side of this road! The road starts in the forest, rises to well above treeline, then descends back into the forest. Did I mention it crosses the Continental Divide too?

Schafer's Trail, Island in the Sky, Canyonlands National Park, UT

No list would be complete without a desert road. This road, located in my favorite national park, is not for those who have even a slight fear of heights. You start off on top of a plateau (which you have to access by way of another road mentioned on this list) and all but immediately dive over the edge of a cliff by way of a series of tight, stacked switchbacks. A thousand feet later, you reach the lower part of the road that meanders across the seemingly-flat-but-not-really middle layer of the park, bringing you right against the edge of another set of thousand foot cliffs above the Colorado River. From there you continue your journey across the desert and eventually end up back in Moab. Note: DO NOT drive this road during a thunderstorm or if there was recent rain!

Utah's Highway 12, UT

Another road that is not for anyone afraid of heights, this road takes you through an amazing series of ecosystems in central southern Utah. Starting from the town of Torrey near Capitol Reef National Park, you climb up and over the Boulder Mountains (I don't recommend it during a snowstorm, though I got through ok) before descending back into the Staircase-Escalante region of the desert. The road follows razor edge ridges above cliffs with no guardrails, and a mistake here means plummeting into canyons hundreds of feet below. From the ridges above you descend into the canyons below, before rising again as you approach Bryce Canyon National Park. Here you get back into the higher-elevation Ponderosa Pines and other altitude-loving flora, though still get to see the red rocks contrasted with the dark green of trees. The road is one of the top scenic byways in the country for a reason.

Notom-Bullfrog Road, Capitol Reef National Park, UT

I don't remember it, but apparently I rode this road with my family years ago, on one of our first trips to Capitol Reef. I stumbled across the road again this past January and after checking with the park rangers that my toyota could handle it, off I went. The road starts off paves, before abruptly switching to gravel, then eventually fading into the colorful, sandy dirt of the surrounding desert. The road itself was awesome: ups and downs, between mounds and desert washes, and I could see the tire tracks of those who had come through when the road had been wet. It was definitely not something I would want to be on if it were wet or too icy without 4-wheel drive, and a no-go if it were raining anywhere nearby. If you want to see the desert up close and personal, this road is for you.

My Spot, Mount Shavano/San Isabelle National Forest to Billings Mine, CO

It has been years, at least eight, since I was last on this road, but it still lands a place on my list because of where it goes and how it gets there. I've written about My Spot before, and it is awesome for reasons other than a perfect campsite by a creek. The road that goes past My Spot starts paved, before turning into a forest service road that meanders through the mountain forests, past alpine meadows and rushing water, until finally reaching a national forest campground, a lake, and an old mine right near the treeline and top of the mountain. It is not a road that can be accessed by my little toyota, but as soon as I get my jeep you can bet on where I'll be headed!

Utah's Highway 313, UT

This short scenic byway starts near Moab, UT and has one purpose: to get people up to the Island in the Sky. The only paved road that leads to the most popular district of Canyonlands National Park is a destination in itself. Starting near river level you head into a short canyon and begin to climb up. After roughly two thousand feet and a couple of scenic overlooks, campgrounds, and the entrance to Dead Horse Point State Park, you reach the boundaries of Canyonlands. But that isn't the end of the road. You cross a grassy steppe, where you're likely to see antelope, mule deer or a coyote, and keep driving until you hit the end of the road, right at the edge of one set of thousand foot cliffs overlooking the Colorado River miles away and two thousand feet below. It's not a bad drive (as it's paved) and has guard rails, so those with a mild fear of heights should be able to handle it fine.

Utah's Highway 128, UT

A road the runs along the mighty Colorado River? Count me in! This scenic byway connects the town of Moab, UT to Interstate 70 by way of a canyon cut out by the river. From Moab you dive straight into the canyon and follow the curves of the river for miles. Eventually the river drops away as you climb out of the canyon and onto the windswept desert and a flat road until you hit Cisco, UT and the interstate junction. My favorite way to travel is from the interstate down into Moab, as you get to transition slowly from the flat desert to one of the most scenic places in the country. This highway gives access to many other places besides Moab, including Castle Valley, the La Salle Mountains, river rafting opportunites, wineries, and many others.

La Salle Mountain Loop, Moab, UT

You wouldn't think of finding lush alpine forests within a few miles of some of the driest deserts in the country, but a drive along this road will show you how it is. It doesn't take long on this road, that rises out of Castle Valley near Moab, before you start to gain elevation and see the trees start popping up. Within a few miles you come across stands of aspens and ponderosa pines and hear the rush of a stream nearby. The road, which starts paves and gradually changes to gravel at the higher elevations, is pretty much a one lane path, but one with plenty of pull outs to make room for other vehicles going the opposite direction. There are plenty of forest service roads that branch off of the main road, and once I get my jeep I can't wait to make tracks all over these mountains. As you descend off the mountains and the land becomes arid again the road widens and is once again paved before spitting you back out into the desert on the other side of Moab. If you need a respite from the heat of the valley, hit this road for a nice little refreser!

Forest Service Road 177, Ouichita National Forest, AR

When I headed into Arkansas to check out Hot Springs National Park and the surrounding area, I wasn't expecting mountains. I mean sure, "mountains" was plastered across all the maps I consulted, but to me mountains are the towering, snowcapped behemoths out west. There is no denying, however, that the Ouichita Mountains are mountains, and nowhere is that more apparent than on this road. I first took this road on a whim, after seeing a brown sign pointing travellers down it, and have since gone back a couple more times just to get lost on it again. The road is easily accessible and well maintained, covered in gravel and crushed rock, though it can get slippery when it is wet, like during a thunderstorm (oops!). There aren't wide open views of glaciers and alpine lakes, but the enclosed and lush forests have their own charm and hide little jewels like waterfalls, crystals and swimming holes. If you take this road, make sure to bring paper maps of the area and make sure you have a full tank of gas, because cell phones don't work out here and you can easily get lost along the branching, sometimes unmarked roads that seem to circle among themselves. It's not a huge area so you'll eventally hit a paved road and head back to town, but it is always better to be prepared.

Balsam Mountain Road, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, NC

The last road on my list is another one that I stumbled upon while looking to escape the Labor Day crowds at the most popular national park in the country. On this road, I found what I was looking for. I saw maybe two other cars the entire time, and because it is a one way the only reason I saw them in the first place is because I was parked along the side, looking at the creek, the forest, the mushrooms or whatever else, and they just happened to pass me. The forest gives this road a muted feel, and in the near-constant wet of the Smokies mists envelope you and water drips from everything. Don't expect a dry road, though it was hard packed and my toyota handled it fine. There are no dizzying drop-offs and only a few extensive views, but there is something about the smell and feel of the forest that kept me enthralled for hours.

It is a good idea to begin all of these roads with a full tank of gas and to have paper maps with you at all times, because cell service is spotty at best and completely non-existant at worst. Exercise due caution on all of these roads during foul weather, but especially on desert roads during thunderstorms and mountain roads during blizzards. Four wheel drive is recommended, but not required, for all but one of the roads listed above. If you decide to drive any of these roads, can I go with you?

Celebrating National Park Week

Grand View Point, Canyonlands National Park

Get excited! It's National Park Week! To celebrate, all national parks are offering free admission to all of their units across the United States; make sure to get out there and take advantage of it! In honor of this week, I've compiled a list, complete with a photo, of all of my favorite national parks/monuments/recreation areas/ect. Each place listed has at least one other blog post associated with it, except Glacier, and I would like to point out that these are in no particular order.

Arches National Park:

This park, located near Moab, UT, is incredibly popular, and for good reason. The rust-red sandstone is prime for forming the largest concentration of arches in the world. You can hike to many of them, though the most popular by far are Delicate Arch (pictured above) and Landscape Arch.

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve:

Where can you go wrong with the highest sand dunes in North America? Absolutely nowhere, as long as you go visit this park, located in central Colorado between two mountain ranges sporting several 14ers. Ringed by life-giving seasonal streams, Great Sand Dunes is a desert paradise, located right next to a mountain oasis. You have to at least make the three-mile trek to High Dune, the tallest dune on the front range of the dune field. If you're feeling adventurous, continue on several miles to Star Dune, the tallest dune in North America (though make sure you bring plenty of water..and don't be on the field in a thunderstorm!)

White Sands National Monument:

Speaking of sand dunes, did you know there is such a thing as snow-white sand dunes? A trip to White Sands National Monument in New Mexico will show you I'm not joking, and that the picture above really is sand, not snow! This desert park bakes during the day, and the white sand is really good at reflecting the sun right into your eyes. Try visiting in the morning or the evening to fully enjoy this beautiful park. Also, you can backpack in the dune field. I want to go back!

Great Smoky Mountains National Park:

This is the most popular park in the states for a very good reason. Not only are the Smoky Mountains located in the southeastern US, where a great population of citizens live and work, but there is something alluring about the rolling green mountains, waterfalls, and open coves that stretch on for miles. The Appalachian Trail cuts directly through the middle of the park, and wildlife (including bears) are abundant. Make sure you have plenty of time when you visit this park; you're gonna need it.

Canyonlands National Park:

As Arches National Park's less-popular neighbor, Canyonlands doesn't see nearly as many visitors, though in my opinion that's what make it amazing. Maybe it's the drive up a mesa to get to the Island in the Sky District, or the distance to the three other districts encompassed in the park (including The Needles District, pictured above) none of which are connected by roads through the park, requiring you to drive miles and spend hours just to get to them. Whatever the reason people skip this park, Canyonlands has something to offer to sightseers, hikers, backpackers and jeep junkies alike. As of right now, this is my favorite park out of all of them. I've only visited the Island in the Sky District and the Needles District, though I would love to visit The Maze and Horseshoe Canyon at some point!

Capitol Reef National Park:

For reasons unclear to me this park, located in south-central Utah, is often skipped over by travelers making a beeline between Arches National Park and Zion National Park. They have no idea what they're missing! A great uplift in the earth's crust thousands of years ago created a great barrier to easst-west travel of cliffs and canyons, and the desert sun parched the land. There is, however, the Fremont River that carves its way through the canyons and brings life to the area. The ancient Fremont Culture used to call the park home, and in more recent times Mormons settled the area and farmed the little oasis. Their orchards still stand, and during the fall you are welcome to pick your own fruits. Don't forget to take a hike through Grand Wash or Capitol Gorge, or hit one of the backcountry roads for a bumpy, thrilling ride.

Bryce Canyon National Park:

Not a true canyon, red rock hoodoos tower within this amphitheater located at the highest elevation of the Big Five national parks in southern Utah. Due to this elevation, the park is often blanketed with snow during the winter months, which actually draws photographers from all over to try to capture the snow-topped hoodoos. Be warned, if you visit during the summer there is a good chance of thunderstorms, and it is very hot. If you visit during winter most of the park road is closed, and the plows have a hard time keeping up with the amount of snow that gets dumped on this high desert park.

Zion National Park:

Ever wondered what it would be like to walk up a shallow, cool river in the middle of a desert summer, while red cliffs tower hundreds of feet above you? Take a trip to this park and you can find out for yourself. While the Virgin River Walk is definitely popular during the summer and fall months, this park is enormous and offers hiking for all abilities. Angel's Landing, the dizzying strenuous hike to the top of a narrow sandstone fin hundreds of feet above the canyon bottom is another popular trail, though it's not for those afraid of heights. Whether you're there for a day or a week, you won't run out of things to do at this amazing park.

Rocky Mountain National Park:

My list wouldn't be complete without Rock Mountain National Park. As the first park I actively remember visiting, and definitely one I've revistited most often, Rocky Mountain holds a special place in my heart. Hikes anywhere from an hour to several days await you in this park, and Trail Ridge Road is not to be missed. Don't just stop on the east side of the park either, but cross the Continental Divide and check out the west side. You're much more likely to see moose on that side down by the banks of the tiny Colorado River!

Glacier National Park:

This is a park that I haven't visited in nearly ten years, but the fact that I'm including it on this list ought to be enough to convince you to go check it out for yourself. Located in northern Montana, this is a park that is a little bit difficult for me to get to at the moment, especially given that I prefer to drive everywhere I go. That being said, I'm working on plans to get back up north and revisit the park that remains under snow well into summer. From my memories, journals and pictures, this park is a hiker's haven, and I would need at least a week there just to scrape the surface. Plus, as it's name implies, there are glaciers to explore!

Morane Park, Rocky Mountain National Park

If you've been following along, you know by now that I have no intentions of ending my travels. I would love to visit every single one of the National Parks units sometime in my life, and often plan trips according to what parks are close by. I tend to revisit my favorites, though I am trying to branch out and discover new places. Every park has something that makes it special; go discover it for yourself!

Medano Creek, Great Sand Dunes National Park

2015 Wrap-Up: A Peek Into My Crazy

Blown Away. How is it the end of the year?? This has just been a year of incredible changes. I sat down to try and get my head around everything that has happened, all the places I've traveled to and people I've visited, and frankly I'm a little overwhelmed. I'll start at the beginning, and hope I don't miss anything!

Over my birthday weekend in January one of my best friends and I took a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado and snowshoed to our heart's content. Megan and I hiked several miles worth of snow-coverd trails and frozen lake surfaces, and I developed a taste for snowsports.

Once I'd finally developed that taste for snow, I moved south. The end of February found me packing up everything I own, leaving my job at the vet clinic, and setting off on the biggest adventure of my life: moving to Texas. It's turned out to be the best thing I've ever done.

For the majority of March I was trying to settle in to a new home, new community and new culture. Oh, and a new job. Jared and I were figuring out how to live together, mesh our insane number of pets, and make new friends. I still managed to get out and explore my chosen home a little bit, even though it rained for the first six weeks after I moved to Texas.

In April, I picked up my travels again by taking a short trip north to McGee Creek State Park in southern Oklahoma. It was just me and many miles of poorly marked trail. That was the first time this year that I broke my hiking distance record.

I also took a trip south to visit friends in San Antonio. We managed to pack a cave tour, the River Walk and wine tasting into under two full days. I still don't know how we managed it!

May found me settled in and adjusting to life in Texas. And then I spent the last week of the month back home in Nebraska for my little brother's graduation, a 90 mile bike ride, and several days driving around in the Sandhills on the hunt for historical markers with my dad and sister. Because why not?

In June, things started getting crazy(er). I first took a weekend to meet up with Julia at Chickasaw National Recreation Area, which we spent camping and hiking. And drinking really cold spring water right from the source.

I also drove myself to Buena Vista, Colorado to white water raft with Megan, as well as visit a ghost town, the coolest waterfall I've ever seen, and Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Oh, and I stopped at a volcano. I also got the worst sunburn of my life and couldn't stand to be touched for days.

In July I went back to Utah! I met my whole family for a sort of throw-back family vacation in one of our favorite places. We hiked Arches National Park, bounced around on jeep trails near Canyonlands National Park, camped, floated the Colorado River and otherwise spent time together. When we parted, Alisha came with me and we explored Hovenweep National Monument and Mesa Verde National Park. When she went home, I headed south and hit several more national parks and monuments (here, here and here) before I returned home as well.

The last weekend of July interns from work and I spent a day at Caddo Lake State Park, the only natural lake in Texas. Did I mention it's full of alligators? And that I went canoeing for the first time? And that I didn't panic even though I wanted to? We also drove through Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge and into Louisiana and Arkansas, just because.

I retraced some steps from last year and cheered on Torrey at Pike's Peak, Colorado as I watched her run her first ascent half marathon in August. I also finally accomplished the Manitou Incline, one of my top three most difficult physical activities to date.

I also camped out at Caddo Lake in late August with some interns from work, where we hit the bayou in canoes to look for alligators with no luck.

And for the last weekend in August Jared and I took a trip just for ourselves! We spent the weekend in Dallas, relaxing, visiting the Dallas World Aquarium, the Dallas Zoo, and drinking and swimming at our hotel. Also, room service.

The for first full week of September I received some major alone-time at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where I spent the week camping, hiking (breaking my distance record again), driving, and looking for bears. I found 'em, too! Can I just say: Take me back!

With October came a trip to Lawton, Oklahoma with Jared to watch my baby brother graduate from BCT, visit with my mom, dad and aunt, and explore nearby Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge.

The following weekend I went back to Nebraska for the wedding of my sister's best friend. It was a short and sweet trip, but all the more fun for it!

Over the week of Thanksgiving Jared and I and some of our pets headed north to Nebraska to spend time with our families. We ate, drank, visited with family and friends, and tried to cram as many leftovers as possible into the car to take home with us. Did I mention the ice? The week was far too short.

For the first time ever, I went camping in December. Seeing that it was in Texas at my local state park, it really felt more like an autumn camping trip than a camping trip in winter, but whatever. Temps around freezing, a nice fire, warm food, and a nighttime visitor made it memorable!

I managed to squeeze in one last adventure before the new year when I visited Big Thicket National Preserve in southeast Texas. I drove 2.5 hours south, broke my hiking distance record (AGAIN) with a 19.65 mile hike, and drove 2.5 hours back home, all in thirteen and a half hours. It was a gorgeous day, a brisk morning with temperatures around freezing, warming up to a wonderful day with highs in the 60s. It was bright, sunny, the trail was mostly flat (but a little muddy), and I saw a grand total of five other people. I could not have asked for a more perfect December day to smash my hiking record!

As you can see, I've been busy. My 2014 happy jar didn't even come close to being as full as this year's jar, but I'll write about that when the year is over. With all of the changes in my life recently, traveling is my way of injecting some sanity into my whirlwind, but also lets me live. There are many nights where I go to bed content, and I can count every night I've spent in a tent among them. I love my home, I love the life I've built here around my boyfriend and my pets (kids), my new and old friends, and my job, but I wouldn't be me if I didn't travel. I can't wait to see what new trips I get to go on in 2016, and am already in the planning stages of two, possibly three grand adventures!

Below I've listed out my stats from this year's travels. I'm probably the only one who finds this interesting, but whatever.

Total Number of Adventures: 18
Total Time Spent Traveling: about 45.5 days
Number of Nights Camping: 25
Number of Nights In Someone's House: 16
Number of Nights In a Hotel: 15
Number of Nights Driving: 1
Total Cost: $6,452.22
Number of States Visited: 15
Total Distance I've Driven: 17,928 miles
Total Distance I've Been Driven: 3,740 miles
Total Distance in a Car: 21,668 miles
Total Distance Hiked: 144.21 miles
Total Distance Biked: 90.22 miles
Total Distance Canoed: 7.42 miles
Total Distance Rafted: roughly 30 river miles
Number of National Parks/Monuments/Rec Areas/Refuges: 17
Number of State Parks: 7
Number of Human Companions: 33
Number of Furry Companions: 13

I hope your 2015 was as fulfilling as mine... Now bring on 2016!

What I'm listening to: Christmas at Hogwarts by John Williams