For my fellow nerds, the first thing we need to talk about is what we’re actually looking at, because despite widespread agreement on the basics, geologists still aren’t exactly sure about the specifics when it comes to how this tower formed (and no, it’s not hollow.) There is agreement that the tower is composed of an igneous rock (meaning it was once lava or magma) … Continue reading Devils Tower National Monument
Cody is a small town, but big enough to offer all of the services you’d expect in a medium sized city, with lots of entertainment, dining and lodging options. Just 50 miles from the East entrance to Yellowstone (a stunningly beautiful drive), with an altitude below 5,000 feet, it’s a perfect place to stop for a few days to rest and regroup if you are … Continue reading Cody, Wyoming
I had never heard of Lava Hot Springs until the day before I arrived, when I noticed it was just about the right amount of miles between me and the Grand Tetons for an overnight stop. I ended up staying two nights in this quiet little community whose claim to fame is their world famous hot springs. I arrived in Idaho after a longer than usual … Continue reading Lava Hot Springs, Idaho
Oops! How did I miss publishing this post on Death Valley? Oh well, I goofed and here it is! “Did you know Death Valley is almost the exact same size as the state of Connecticut?” That was the question posed to me by the Park Ranger as I picked up my park map and newspaper at the Furnace Creek Visitor’s Center, and no, I did … Continue reading Death Valley National Park
I made it to the West Coast! It took me two months via a crazy route, but I made it. I’m not sure what exactly I was expecting, but I think I had California all wrong in my head. My experience with the area was limited primarily to business trips through the LA and San Diego area, when I was rushed and driving from one … Continue reading Northern California
Today is the halfway mark on my four month trip around the lower 48 states. It’s been amazing! I’ve made it all the way to the southernmost part of the U.S., and to the lowest point in the North America. I’ve watched dolphins play in the Atlantic, swam with fish in the Gulf of Mexico, descended into the depths of Carlesbad, hiked hundreds of miles, … Continue reading Life on the Road (So Far)
Zion is basically Disney World for nature geeks. I’m serious. The parking lots fill up early in the day, so your best bet is to get in line for the well run shuttle that stops at every major beautiful natural attraction you may want to see in the park. The trail heads mostly start right in the area of the shuttle stop, and there is … Continue reading Zion National Park
Taos was the first place I’ve visited where I could see myself moving to. It’s a small town, but cultures blend here respectfully as if it were a big city. There’s art, there’s amazing food, there are interesting people, and there is an obvious appreciation of nature everywhere. The days start with the sun coming up from behind the mountains, pushing gorgeous colors along with … Continue reading Taos, NM
I rolled into Santa Fe ready for art, culture and food, but then got derailed a bit by weather and altitude. Luckily, I understand the number one rule for positive experiences while traveling is to be flexible, so I was still able to enjoy my time there, just not in the way I was initially expecting. The altitude issue was the biggest surprise. I wasn’t … Continue reading Santa Fe, NM
White Sands is the largest gypsum dunefield in the world, covering over 275 square miles of the Chihuahuan Desert with brilliant white, soft dunes. They’re located on the west side of the Tularosa Basin, between the San Andres and the Sacramento mountains. The White Sands Missile Range surrounds the park, so the road in (US 70) is sometimes closed during missile range tests. Those closures … Continue reading White Sands National Park
Magic Carpet Caravan 