Adventure Awaits in Our National Parks
We were ready for adventure! Our wanderlust had grown to epic proportions. The RV had snacks, blankets, clothes, games, and all the “things” for a fun-filled family vacation. We were headed for a destination of bliss to several of our nation’s breathtaking national parks. These are trips of a lifetime! Booking the campgrounds, packing, and making sure the kiddos are occupied is crucial. Then comes the tactical search for activities, perfect hikes, scenic drives, savory restaurants, and the perfect
souvenir shops. So take it from someone who has experienced spending weeks on end with teens and young children in an RV to see some of the most beautiful sights on earth; it can be accomplished and enjoyed!
One truth about visiting our national parks is that there is so much to see and so little time. The National Park Service app was helpful in choosing sights and hikes with distances and degrees of difficulty. The app describes the national parks and provides photo galleries, activities, amenities, weather, and park fees. Being informed is critical, especially when encountering dangerous terrain and wildlife. Plan ahead and know what to pack for food, water, proper shoes, and clothing.
Our first exploration was to The Grand Canyon and Zion National Parks. We were unaware of the beauty we would encounter. While indulging in our hikes, we were awed by the splendor of copper sunsets, castles of painted sandstone, rainstorms that quenched dry sand, hidden pools of emerald, and hues of flowers that beamed from clefts of jolting rocks. As a family, we were transported to terrestrial wonderlands. Our next stop on this journey was Bryce Canyon. We raced through the soul-freeing, scenic
trails on a pack of four-wheelers. We were made alive with wind in our hair and sun dancing on the valleys!
We escaped to Yellowstone, The Grand Tetons, and Badlands National Parks this summer. While traversing The Grand Tetons, we soaked in snow-capped mountains, prolific evergreens, crystal streams, radiant blue skies, roaring rapids, and exquisite sunsets. Elk pranced in the meadows while we were immersed in the therapeutic mineral water of hot springs. In our stops, we were transported through time to neighboring Wild West towns and log-cabin diners.
As our voyage continued to Yellowstone, the land of a supervolcano, we entered the sci-fi dimensions of thermal vents, erupting geysers, mud volcanoes, turquoise pools, and rainbow hot springs. Wildlife was abundant and intriguing. Bison grazed, almost unaware of our close presence. The experience was magnificent! Moose, grizzlies, and wolves roam free while bald eagles soar above the mountaintops. Our final expedition was a sunset drive through the Badlands.
While sitting around a campfire, I could only imagine what it must have been like to live during the days of the untamed West. Reflecting on traveling the world, little can be compared to the majestic beauty in our sixty-three national parks. What could be next on our list of national park adventures? Glacier and Olympic National Parks might be on the horizon. What is on your list? I encourage you to make this “bucket list” a
near-future reality.
Begin dreaming at https://www.nps.gov.