Death Valley National Park

5 Reasons Why Death Valley Should be the Next National Park You Visit

Julie United States 16 Comments

When you think of Death Valley, what is the first thing that comes to mind? A barren desert landscape, crawling with scorpions and rattlesnakes? Yes, you can find that here, but there is so much more to Death Valley National Park than a forbidding desert landscape. We spent several days touring the park and fell in love with this place. …

Racetrack Playa

How to Visit Racetrack Playa in Death Valley National Park

Julie United States 21 Comments

Death Valley National Park is filled with unusual spots to visit and the Racetrack Playa may be one of the most bizarre. This is the place to see those mysterious sailing stones…the large rocks that somehow glide over this dry, muddy surface, leaving imprinted trails behind them. This is not a spot you can just visit on a whim. Getting …

Great Smoky Mountains

A Weekend in Gatlinburg and Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Julie United States 28 Comments

In an attempt to catch the last of the autumn colors, Tim and I went a road trip to the Great Smoky Mountains in early November. We spent a weekend exploring Great Smoky Mountains National Park, using Gatlinburg, Tennessee as our home base. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the United States’ most visited national park. It actually receives twice …

General Sherman Sequoia

One Day Itinerary for Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks

Julie United States 82 Comments

Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks sit side by side in central California. Filled with alpine peaks, deep canyons, and the largest trees in the world, you could spend several days here. However, if you only have one day, you have just enough time to visit the highlights of both parks. We visited Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park on …

LeConte Hike

Hiking Mt. LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains

Julie United States 14 Comments

Summiting Mt. LeConte is one of the Smoky Mountains great hikes. It is a long way to the top but it’s an interesting experience, hiking through caves and along trails that, at times, cling to the side of the mountain. On a clear day, the view from the top of Mt. LeConte can be magnificent. There are several ways to reach …

Best Zion Hikes

10 Great Hikes in Zion National Park: Which One Will Be Your Favorite?

Julie United States 75 Comments

Zion National Park is one of the best spots in the United States to go hiking. From the awe-inspiring hike up Angels Landing to the family friendly Riverside Walk to multi-day backpacking adventures, there is something here for everyone. Here are 10 of the best hikes in Zion National Park. This is not an all-inclusive list, but there is definitely …

Yosemite National Park

30 Epic Things to Do in Yosemite for First-Timers

Julie United States 110 Comments

Yosemite National Park is packed with famous landmarks, awesome hikes, and breathtaking views. If you are planning your first trip to Yosemite, how do you know what to do? I am a big fan of lists (and photos!). In this post, I list the best things to do in Yosemite: the best landmarks to visit, the best views, and best …