Currently plotting out a return trip to Death Valley over the holidays. While I’ve explored the park on a number of occasions, it’s always fun showing a first-timer around. #optoutside #viaadventure #nationalparkgeek
It’s been a rough week, and it’s been a tough chore to navigate a path through the challenges. I know it’s only been a month since my last trip, but…damn, I really need another one soon. So I’m strategizing a solo “cannonball run” road trip up the California coast to Oregon then over to Idaho, and back home to Phoenix to visit a few quest spots that I’ve missed over the years. #optoutside #keepitwild #roadtripping
One of our most favorite moments of our Alaska trip was flying through the mountains in Gates of the Arctic National Park in a small bush plane. While not especially tall, these remote mountain ranges were as rugged as you can find. #getoutside #keepitwild #nationalparkgeek #optoutside #alaska
Where’s the weekend taking you?
#optoutside #keepitwild #nationalparkgeek #northcascades
Just the view from a random highway pull-off in Alaska, no big deal. #alaska #thelastfrontier #keepitwild #keepitpublic
It was rainy when we got to the viewpoints at Denali State Park; the “Great One” was fully shrouded in cloud cover. We weren’t expecting much, as our day in Talkeetna hadn’t yielded any clear views either. Not only was this common, but it was what a majority of the visitors experienced. And just a handful of every 100 visitors get a clear view of the mountain from base to summit.
The following day when we boarded the long 12-hour bus ride into Denali National Park, we were hopeful but resigned to the fact that we probably wouldn’t get a great shot of the mountain. So when we crested a hill and finally got this amazingly clear view of the highest peak on the continent, we were thrilled. And so was the bus driver, who later explained that this was the clearest day she’d ever seen of the mountain all the years she’d been driving.
In a trip loaded with spectacular destinations, Denli certainly held its own.
#denalinationalpark #epicsocialadventures #nationalparkgeek #thegreatone #denali #exploremore
I’ve been missing short sunset hikes for months now. So glad I got a chance to reconnect yesterday! It’s one of the best things about living in Phoenix. #optoutside #keepitwild #whyaz #findyourpark #visitarizona
I’m looking forward to cooler temps; I’ve been missing the desert wilderness these last few weeks.
The best views are often found well off the pavement.
Where’s the open road taking YOU this weekend? No really, I wanna hear some destinations, so tell me in the comments.
The sand dunes at Kobuk Valley just seem so out of place for what you’d expect in the Arctic. It’s a bit trippy of a transition when you first encounter the edge of them.
Smoke from three wildfires fills the Yukon River gorge inside Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve in Alaska. It was quite the adventure landing at Coal Creek and getting a fire crew escort down to Slaven’s Roadhouse and the river.
Along the Glenn Highway, Alaska.
The Great One, towering in the distance…
One of the amazing and frustrating things about traveling around Alaska is that there are scenic photographs-to-be every minute or two. The state should just add a dedicated photo lane along each highway for tourists to stop and take that gorgeous shot.
It’s been a blast up here in Alaska. We started in the rain at Kenai Fjords NP and the trip is wrapping up here at a rainy Wrangell-St Elias. Nonetheless, I can’t wait to return next summer to explore more.
The last “new” National Park visit for me was Biscayne in December. Tomorrow, I head north to Alaska to mark off (depending on the weather) as many as 10-12 more.
Alaska has been my white whale for at least a decade. It’s always seemed like the last state I’d make it to, even though some of its parks were always near the top of my to-visit list. And, that’s exactly what it’ll be my 50th state.
I’m far more apprehensive of this trip than any other one in recent memory. I’m not exactly sure why. Is it the reverence for big wild territory that Alaska is known for? Is it uncertainty now that I’m finally narrowing in on completing my quest? Is it nervousness over the mosquitos? Your guess is as good as mine.
#findyourpark #optoutside #adventureawaits #goquesting #alaska #nationalparkgeek #epicsocialadventures
It’s been steamy hot recently here in Phoenix, which reminded me of the last time I visited Yellowstone…but you know, without the crazy geothermal features, sulfur smell, or the bison.
#nationalparkgeek #findyourpark #adventureawaits #peoplewhoadventure #wearethewild #optoutside #staywild #theoutbound
Some of the best vistas are the ones off the main tourist routes. We had this viewpoint of the Grand Canyon all to ourselves for the afternoon. #findyourpark #optoutside #adventureawaits #goquesting
Sometimes, it’s all about perspective… #hawaii #naturelove #naturewalk
