Rawr!

Bozeman, Montana – National Parks Crash Pad

Bozeman, Montana was sort of an accidental stop on our trip. We wanted to stay near Yellowstone National Park or Grand Teton National Park, maybe Jackson Hole, but at the peak of summer tourist season we just couldn’t find the right place for us. Bozeman seemed like the best town that was reasonably close to …

Pronghorn in Lamar Valley

Doing the Impossible: How to see Yellowstone National Park in a Single Day

Can you see Yellowstone in a day? Most say no, I say YES! The Fire If you’ve been following along with our trip, you’ll know that our planned trip to Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park got all kinds of messed up because of forest fires. Sure, it’s inconvenient, but when you head …

Snake River at the end of Schwabacher Road

Grand Teton National Park in a Single Day

Despite your best plans, nature always wins. We had planned a trip departing from our Airbnb in Bozeman, Montana to Grand Teton National Park, then spending the night camping at the border of Grand Teton and Yellowstone, and exploring Yellowstone the following day. Well, Mother Nature had other plans. A forest fire evacuated our campground …

We completed the Mighty 5!

Landscape Arch Trail, Arches National Park, Utah | 52 Hike Challenge – Hike 30

We did it! We hit The Mighty 5 in our time in Utah! I know this isn’t an actual accomplishment but…it felt like one to me. Although it was kind of miserable, we managed to get a hike in at Arches National Park. This was Utah park #5 and my 52 Hike Challenge Hike #30 …

Upheaval Dome, Canyonlands National Park

Upheaval Dome, Canyonlands National Park, Utah | 52 Hike Challenge – Hike 29

When deciding which hikes to do with our limited time at Canyonlands National Park, we couldn’t pass up a quick walk out to the rim of the Upheaval Dome. Scientists and geologists debate what actually caused this geologic anomaly in the relatively stable area and it became my Hike 29. The Upheaval Dome The showstopper feature …

The landscape will humble you. Nothing but a tiny little speck, but loving every minute.

Grand View Point, Canyonlands National Park, Utah | 52 Hike Challenge – Hike 28

If the Grand View Point Trail doesn’t knock your socks off, I believe you’re bound to be bored with everything else on earth. This was Hike 27 of my 52 Hike Challenge, and what a great way to kick off the second half of this project. The day started with an incredible sunrise that I …

Eric checking out the scenery

Roadside Ruin & Cave Spring Trails, Canyonlands National Park, Utah | 52 Hike Challenge – Hike 27

These Canyonlands hikes were both pretty short, so I’m combining them into Hike 26 of my 52 Hike Challenge – the halfway point!! Roadside Ruin We arrived in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park and since the Visitor’s Center was closed and the closest town was an hour away, we hit the trails right …

Grand Wash Scenic Drive, Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef National Park Grand Wash Scenic Drive

Capitol Reef National Park is an impressive park that really doesn’t get enough air time. I suppose when you’re competing with Zion that will happen. However, I think that Capitol Reef is a can’t-miss southern Utah destination that offers some similar attractions as Zion but without the crowds. About the Park Capitol Reef’s headlining attraction …

Sulphur Creek, Capitol Reef National Park

Hike 25 of my 52 Hike Challenge was a day full of firsts. This experience was unlike anything I had ever done before, and I can’t wait to revisit Capitol Reef National Park. About the Park Capitol Reef was, admittedly, just somewhere I wanted to go to check off all of Utah’s “Mighty 5” National …

Queen’s Garden/Navajo Loop Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park

Hike 24 of my 52 Hike Challenge was one of the highlights of the trip so far, and is widely known as the “World’s Best 3-Mile Hike”. Welcome to the Queens-Navajo Trail in Bryce Canyon National Park. This hike begins at Sunrise Point (or you can start at Sunset Point and follow the Rim Trail …