Sedona is the most beautiful town in the American Southwest. That is a bold statement, but I believe it to be true. The bright blue skies serve as the ideal backdrop to the red rock formations and green shrubbery in the foreground. You will have sensory overload with the variety of vivid colors in this Arizona small town. The stunning…
I spent a day in Sedona as part of a 4-day northern Arizona road trip in 2020, and I knew immediately I would have to go back to Sedona and spend more time. The beautiful red rock formations and miles and miles of trails make this a great area for hiking and other outdoor activities. Even if you are not…
Bryce Canyon National Park is one of the most unique parks in America featuring geological structures called hoodoos. The Utah park is smaller than other nearby national parks such as Zion and Grand Canyon but deserves a visit because it is so different than any other park in the country. Due to it’s relative closeness to other parks, you can…
The vast, raw and rugged beauty of this Nevada state park is one of the many reasons to visit Valley of Fire. This is one of my favorite parks to explore, and I have been to several state and national parks. For information on Valley of Fire entrance fees, how to get here, and other things to know before you…
My favorite type of hikes are ones that lead to waterfalls which is why I have wanted to go hiking to waterfalls in Georgia for some time now. This part of the country is loaded with waterfalls. Even though we spent 3 days hiking here, we barely scratched the surface on available waterfall hikes. Combine this with wineries and the…
We experienced the best sights on a Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park day trip after our 3 days in Yosemite National Park. The two parks are located roughly an hour east of Fresno in northern California. If you want to take your time and see both parks in their entirety, then you should split this trip into 2 separate…
When planning my 3-day trip to Yosemite National Park, I asked several people if there is one hike they would recommend, what would it be. All of them responded with Vernal Falls. Even though it is listed as a strenuous hike, I knew I had to do it. (Strenuous hikes are usually not my forte.) While I was at Vernal…
Yosemite National Park is one of the most visited parks in the country, and it is easy to see why. The powerful granite mountains surround the meadows of Yosemite Valley at the epicenter of this park. Located in the Sierra Nevada, this 3-day Yosemite itinerary is perfect for wildlife gazers, adventurous hikers, and wandering strollers. Outdoor enthusiasts flock to this…
Pedernales Falls State Park, located about an hour west of Austin, is a unique Texas park. The park has several hiking and biking trails that feature waterfalls, swimming areas, and scenic overlooks. It is best known for the impressive Pedernales Falls that flows over massive slabs of limestone. We spent hours exploring the limestone slabs and skipping rocks during our…
Valley of Fire State Park is a little gem I recently discovered that you can explore as a day trip from Vegas. If you find yourself needed a break from the crowds while visiting Sin City or if you are flying in or out of Las Vegas as the starting point of a Southwest road trip, take some time to…