So you’ve seen Yosemite Valley and you’re looking for something new. Or else you’re visiting the park during the summer or fall and the famous falls aren’t falling. Whatever the reason, you’re looking for another trail that’s different from other…
Walk Across a Real Earthquake Fault Line at Carrizo Plain!
Carrizo Plain National Monument is fairly new as national monuments go. The park was established in 2001 from land in Southern California that had been a part of the Carrizo Plain Natural Area. When I visited the monument a couple…
Straddle the Headwaters of the Mississippi!
What’s your mental image of the Mississippi River? If it’s a huge river filled with paddle boats playing Jazz music, it’s probably similar to most American’s thoughts on the Mighty Mississippi. However, at the headwaters, the “mighty” river is anything…
Mississippi Watchtower
While visiting the Headwaters of the Mississippi River, a park ranger told us about another of the park’s features: a 100-foot observation tower, located in the middle of Itasca State Park. Having an hour or two to spare, we decided…
The Best View of Mt. Stewart in Longs Pass
Mt. Stewart has got to be one of the prettiest mountains in the Teanaway area. It seems to be visible from just about any viewpoint in the area, and it gives you a reference point: “Oh, there’s Mt. Stewart again!” …
Walk in an Ancient Indian Home at Lowry Pueblo
I visited Hovenweep National Monument inside of Canyons of the Ancients National Monument several years ago, but didn’t find it too exciting. Others in my group liked the square towers and round towers, but I guess I thought I’d seen…
Eastern Washington Lookout on Columbia Mountain
On a recent trip to Washington State, my group found ourselves in the middle of Colville National Forest, way too far from our intended hiking destination to drive there and then take the hike on the same day. Just as…
Good Views and a Fire Lookout, Too at Numa Lookout
Glacier National Park has always been synonymous in my mind with rain. From my experience, “Partly Cloudy” means “Pouring Rain All Day”. However, on our last trip to the park, Glacier redeemed itself: although it did rain two of the…
Grand Canyon Rim Viewpoints
Usually, I write about hiking. Long hikes to awesome views and pretty places all over the US. However, when I’m traveling, I don’t always hike. Sometimes, the best views are to be seen without hiking, and this can be terrific…
Mariscal Mine: Big Bend’s Mercury Mine
In an out-of-the-way corner of Big Bend National Park, there is an attraction that, although visited, would probably be a huge attraction if it was along a main road and in a heavily-visited national park. However, because it’s along a…