The youngest volcano in the San Francisco volcanic field, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument offers an intriguing day trip for visitors passing through via I-40 or who live in nearby Arizona cities. Situated just 2 hours from Prescott, 2.5 hours from Phoenix, and a mere 30 minutes outside Flagstaff, it's easily accessible for many in …
Exceptionally beautiful, the hike to Trillium Falls via the Trillium Falls Trail should top any list for Redwood National Park. Hands down, this was my favorite hike from our entire Redwoods trip and one of the few hikes I'd be happy to do again. Highly recommended on countless blogs and even the official NPS website, …
As implied, City of Rocks State Park earns its name from a striking landscape that mirrors a city sculpted from massive boulders. Despite its somewhat remote location in southern New Mexico, wandering through this natural wonder evokes the sensation of strolling through downtown Manhattan - albeit surrounded by 40-foot stones instead of skyscrapers. Numerous pathways …
Continue reading City of Rocks State Park: An Otherworldly Landscape.
The Quaker Church. Growing up, I always wondered why the Saline Creek Pioneer Village and Museum in Southern Illinois wasn't more popular. I thought, "This is a legitimate pioneer village from the olden days - why wouldn't more people want to see it?!” As an adult, I learned that while the buildings on the grounds …
Continue reading The 1800’s Pioneer Village of Southern Illinois.
One of two Spanish forts that call San Juan, Puerto Rico home, Castillo San Felipe del Morro is a travel pinnacle for travel lovers and history enthusiasts alike. Locally known as “El Morro”, this impressive fortress is the most iconic fortification constructed by the Spanish in the Americas. Situated in the historic district of Old …
Arguably one of the most famous points at the Grand Canyon, hiking down to Ooh Aah Point should be a box ready to be checked on any hiker's checklist. Gaining its name from the obvious “Ooh, aah" sound you make upon reaching it, the point has been made uber-trendy by Instagram and TikTok “influencers”, and …
When people think about petroglyphs, their minds often instinctively gravitate towards iconic sites like Petroglyph National Monument in New Mexico, Newspaper Rock in Utah (Newspaper Rock: One of the First Community Message Boards.), or the (conveniently) similarly named Newspaper Rock in The Petrified Forest National Park and Painted Desert.. Yet, the American Southwest is home …
While I rarely offer scathing reviews of my travel destinations, the Shrine Drive-Thru Tree is an exception, with this blog serving as a screaming cautionary tale to all my readers. Please don’t waste your time and money. Despite its initial appeal and promise of adventure, this attraction falls flat, like a tree in the forest, …
✨Fun fact - there are 128 lakes in Arizona and only 2 are natural.✨ Among Arizona's many man-made lakes, Tempe Town Lake stands out as a favorite, particularly for residents of The Valley. Situated just 10 miles east of downtown Phoenix, adjacent to downtown Tempe, it's a prime spot for day trips, outdoor activities, and …
Continue reading Tempe Town Lake: The Killer Lake of Arizona.
One of the few epic destinations on the island of Trinidad, Maracas Waterfall is well worth the journey. While reaching it requires a rather lengthy drive and a challenging hike, the experience is rewarding. Standing at an impressive height of 300 feet (or 91.5 meters, though some claim 298 feet), Maracas Waterfall claims the title …
Continue reading Maracas Waterfall: The Tallest Waterfall in Trinidad.