In the middle of Petrified Forest National Park is a small viewpoint. It’s not remarkable except that it sits on the clifftop above boulders literally covered in petroglyphs and rock art. These aren’t just the normal squiggles or stick figures;…
Canyon Rim Boardwalk Trail above New River Gorge
If you want to see the New River Gorge Bridge, the best angle is from the Main Overlook, also known as the Canyon Rim Boardwalk. (Actually, I really like the angle from Long Point, but it’s not as classic as…
How to See the Fiery Furnace – Without a Permit!
Most people who visit Arches National Park drive right by the entrance to the Fiery Furnace, because the sign on the road says that a permit is required for entry. This is true as far as it goes – if…
Oregon Coast Trail: Whaleshead Beach to China Beach
Last summer, I happened to be driving north along the coast of California (it’s a lot cooler than driving I-5, that’s for sure!) The day after our little adventure in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (the Ossagon Trail down to…
History at Harmony Borax Works
The Harmony Borax Works is one of the classic stops in Death Valley National Park. I like them because they offer both great history and a good view of the surrounding area. The 20 Mule Team, made famous by the…
Photos from Every Visit to the Grand Canyon!
I’ve been to the Grand Canyon more than any other national park. I’ve also almost died in the Grand Canyon more times than in any other national park, but maybe we’d better not dwell on that in this post! Instead,…
Finding Butch Cassidy’s Cabin at Robber’s Roost
When one of your less adventurous group members says, “There’s this off-trail adventure in the middle of nowhere with a really cool cabin built by Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch Gang; we’ve got to go see if we can…
Climbing to the Golden Trout Lakes (North Fork)
The day before I hiked up to the famous Kearsarge Pass, I happened to have a few hours to burn. I didn’t feel like sitting around the parking area, and I really, really didn’t feel like hanging out in the…
The Boardwalks of Black Sand Basin
Overshadowed by the nearby Upper Geyser Basin and Biscuit Basin, Black Sand Basin is another little gem in central/western Yellowstone National Park. While it’s not very large and doesn’t have a lot of features, I loved an extremely active geyser…
Beautiful Blue Goat Lake
Goat Lake was probably the most beautiful lake I saw in the Sawtooth Mountains. Sawtooth Lake was also very nice (especially from the far end), but it lacked the deep blue color and sheer cliffs of its nearby counterpart. That…