National Parks and Public Lands

Experience what all US public lands have to offer.

National Parks are dear to my heart. Not just National Parks themselves, but also National Monuments, National Historic Sites, etc. Not all US public land is run by the National Park Service but also the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, state parks, non-profits, etc. Most people may not know the difference between all these agencies, or really care and for this blog, it doesn’t matter either. So this topic will cover all public lands in the United States, no matter who runs it. Yay!

The West Fork Trail in Sedona, Arizona, part of the Coconino National Forest.

I love to explore cities but I also like to explore parks. A nice hike is good for the soul. However, hiking is not the only thing to do in parks. Many are historic sites that are national treasures as well. I now try to visit as many National Park sites that I can but that wasn’t always the case. Better late than never I guess. Stay tuned for the journey!

National Parks preserve more than just nature. Cliff Palace in Mesa Verde National Park.

Come explore US Public lands and state parks with me.


The Valley of Death

Racetrack, Death Valley National Park, California

Explorations of Death Valley National Park, the driest and hottest area of the United States. Continue reading

Goodbye to 2018

Hopi Point, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona.

Saying goodbye to a very interesting year.  Continue reading

Wandering San Diego

Old Point Loma Lighthouse. Cabrillo National Monument. San Diego, California

Explore the history of this Southern California city. Continue reading

Wandering San Francisco

Golden Gate Bridge. San Francisco, California

Explorations of the City by the Bay. Continue reading

Sequoia and Kings Canyon

Sequoia National Park, California

Explore two national parks (and a national forest) full of giant trees and amazing views.  Continue reading

Endless Desert

Kelso Dunes, Mojave National Preserve, California

Explore California’s Mojave National Preserve and all its awesomeness.  Continue reading

Glen Canyon

Navajo Bridge. Colorado River. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Arizona

Even Glen Canyon National Recreation Area has history behind it.  Continue reading

Some Ruins and a Trading Post

Canyon de Chelly National Monument. Arizona

Explore more ruins in the Four Corners and a historic trading post. Continue reading

Chaco Canyon

Pueblo Bonito. Chaco Culture National Historical Park. New Mexico.

Explore the mysterious ruins of Chaco Canyon, New Mexico.  Continue reading

Mesa Verde

Cliff Palace, Mesa Verde National Park

An archaeologist explores a bunch of awesome cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde National Park. Continue reading

The Four Corners

Tower Point, Hovenweep National Monument, Utah

An adventure starts in the Four Corners with two National Monuments.  Continue reading

Cliff Dwellings and Petroglyphs

Montezuma Castle National Monument. Arizona.

A day full of amazing Sinagua cliff dwellings and petroglyphs in Central Arizona. Continue reading

Grand Canyon: Hike to Dripping Springs

Hermit Trail. Grand Canyon National Park. Arizona.

Hiking along one of the Grand Canyon’s more interesting trails. Continue reading

Ruins of Walnut Canyon

Cliff dwelling. Walnut Canyon National Monument. Flagstaff, Arizona.

Step back in time at the cliff dwellings of Walnut Canyon. Continue reading

Volcanic Arizona

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument.

Did you know that Northern Arizona is full of volcanoes? Neither did I. Continue reading

Wupatki Ruins

Lumaki and Box Canyon Pueblos, Wupatki National Monument, Arizona

What now is a fairly desolate area used to be the home to thousands of farmers.  Continue reading

A Day in Ruins

A day of archaeology as I explore three Native American ruins in Central Arizona.  Continue reading

Exploring Southern Arizona

Coronado National Memorial, Southern Arizona

A road trip exploring Southern Arizona history. Continue reading

10 Must See Memorials in Washington, D.C.

Jefferson Memorial

These are the top ten memorials that you should not not miss in America’s capital city! Continue reading

The Tomb of America’s Dutch President: Martin Van Buren

The tomb of a forgotten president that deserves a little more credit. Continue reading

Ste. Genevieve: A Colonial Town on the Mississippi River

Explore the hidden history of a small French colonial town in Missouri.  Continue reading

Governors Island: The Birthplace of New York

Castle Williams, Governors Island, NYC

New York wasn’t born on Manhattan, but instead on a very unlikely place in the harbor.  Continue reading