National Parks and Travels
Sedona National Parks Adventure: Arizona and the Spirit of the Red Rocks
Earlier this year, our wayfinding carried us through the desert heart of northern Arizona — from the wind-carved mesas of Pipe Spring to the volcanic ridges near Sunset Crater, winding our way toward Sedona’s red rock canyons. What began as a Junior Ranger adventure...
Lost in the Black Hills (Pahá Sápa): South Dakota’s Caves, Monuments, and Sacred Lands
The Black Hills of South Dakota (Pahá Sápa in Lakota) are a landscape shaped by wind, time, and story. From the winding passageways of Jewel Cave, to the towering granite monuments of Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills reveal a world rich in history,...
Alien Adventures in the National Parks: Cosmic Junior Rangers
Summer brought us on our most out-of-this-world adventure yet: an Alien Junior Ranger journey across the Southwest! From ancient pueblos, mysterious ruins and desert skies, we explored National Parks with one eye on nature and one eye on the cosmos. We immersed...
Springtime Blossoms & Junior Ranger Fun in the National Parks
Lavender Springtime Blossoms Springtime is always one of the most magical seasons in the National Parks. Blossoms start to open, wildlife is active, and every Junior Ranger badge feels like an adventure. This year, we planned our Van Life National Park exploration...
Great Lakes Junior Ranger Adventure: Exploring the Four Sisters
Onward bound on our Great Lakes adventure! From Ontario to the heart of the Midwest and into the East, our journey wove together lakeshores, battlefields, historic homes, and memorials — each offering lessons in nature, history, and resilience. Along the way, we...
Great Lakes Junior Ranger Adventure: The Spirit of Lake Superior
Spring is a season of awakening in the Great Lakes region. Rivers thaw, forests glow with new green, and the air is alive with birdsong. On this adventure, we traced history, culture, and wilderness across the Upper Midwest, earning Junior Ranger badges along the way....
From Fossils to Fire: Onward Bound in the Cascade Range
Every adventure tells a story, and this one felt like crossing eras of the Earth itself, deep into the Cascade Range. This is where ancient forces shaped the mountains of the Pacific Northwest, from the fossilized remains of ancient worlds to the fiery hearts of...
Magic in the National Parks: Zion and Yosemite’s Rivaling Grand Rocks
If you love stunning, towering monumental rock features, then both Zion and Yosemite National Parks are two of your must-see National Parks. Located in Utah and California, both National Park are filled with their own unique awe. But with many similarities in their...
Magic in the National Parks: The Real Enchanted Forests of the American West are in Northern California
Vast forests, stunning waterfalls, alpine temple mountains; the enchanted forests of Northern California invoke a state of wonder. I've talked in previous posts about living off-grid on Mount Shasta and life in the magnificent Cascades. Here I'll reiterate why the...
Magic in the National Parks: Historical Missions of the Oregon Trail
The missions and forts of the Oregon Trail preserve the memory of the regions' settlement, which are now National Park Service sites. Much of the Oregon Trail is now located in the Pacific Northwest region. Magic in the National Parks: Historical Missions of the...
