As I snaked along the path that led me up to the top of the mountain, I was careful not to touch or bump into anything – and I mean anything. All the plants looked like they wanted to reach out and stick me. In fact, one of the plants, the chain fruit cholla, has …
South central New Mexico is home to the largest gypsum sand dunes in the entire world. And on Dec. 20, 2019, this unique area became the United State’s newest national park. White Sands National Park was first designated in 1933 as White Sands National Monument in order to protect its unique and beautiful terrain. So …
Caprock Canyons State Park has 25 miles of hiking trails, however, if you don’t have time to explore all 25 miles, the Haynes Ridge Overlook and North Prong trail system provides a wonderful loop so that you can sample the best of Caprock Canyons. In this Caprock Canyons hiking loop, the trail takes you to …
Because I came in over budget so much on my trip to Utah and Wyoming this past summer, I had to really double down on my most recent trip. A budget travel road trip is my cup of tea because the less money I spend, the more trips I can take. After getting home from …
I peered over the edge of the canyon where shrubs and grasses dotted rust-colored folds of the crevasse. It was a foggy day and the other side of the canyon appeared to fade into nothingness. I turned to follow the trail that takes hikers along the edge. As I rounded a corner I saw what …
Tsé Bii’ Nzdzisgaii is the Navajo name for Monument Valley and means “valley of the rocks.” This unique area of rock towers sits in the region of the Colorado Plateau on the border of Arizona and Utah. Spanning more than 91,000 acres, Monument Valley Tribal Park is one of the most recognizable places in the …
I texted my brother a picture of Bryce Canyon National Park in the morning. It is so gorgeous, I had to share it. That evening, I texted him a picture from Capitol Reef National Park. He texted me back and said, “What? You went to two national parks in one day?” I replied, “Technically three. …
Zion National Park is the fourth most visited National Park, and that’s not by coincidence or convenience – it’s breathtaking in its beauty and fascinating terrain. High plateaus in southwest Utah are ruggedly cut with a maze of deep, narrow canyons. Towering 2,000-foot Navajo Sandstones cliffs hang overhead in the valley, and give you vertigo …
Arkansas has a few areas with some truly unique rock formations, and the Pedestal Rocks and Kings Bluff area is definitely one of them. The 4.3-mile figure-eight loop shows many unique sandstone bluffs, some of them tall and skinny columns like the hoodoos you see out west. However, these are surrounded by the thick canopy …
I ran my hand along the cold, wet, and bumpy metal, and gave a short shiver in the cool air. I blinked my eyes hard in a vain attempt to make out anything in this dark place. And then I opened them wide to make sure they were, indeed, open. I listened to the rhythmic …
The Watchman Trail at Zion National Park is a great short hike to experience life inside the canyon. The trail starts on the canyon floor and climbs into the foothills of the Bridge Mountain and The Watchman, which provide amazing views into the narrow Zion Canyon. A little more than 3 miles round trip, this …
A great way to see all the diversity of Zion National Park is to hike the West Rim Trail. The trail begins (or ends if you are feeling a challenge) on the west side of the park and takes hikers into Zion Canyon. With a total elevation change of 3,400 feet, it takes hikers through …
Hiking the Narrows in Zion National Park is almost synonymous with the park’s name. When you think of Zion National Park one of the top images that come to mind is a person wading through the narrow slot canyon along the Virgin River. One of the great things about day hiking The Narrows at Zion …
Growing up in Arkansas I assumed everyone flocked to the Gulf of Mexico during the summer because it was the closest salt water beach to us. But after visiting Gulf Islands National Seashore, I soon realized Arkansans don’t go to the Gulf simply because it’s close, it’s a prime destination, and we are lucky to …
Hiking Big Bluff along the Goat Trail is most definitely not for those who are afraid of heights! The Goat Trail takes hikers along the narrow edge of Big Bluff with a sheer vertical drop to the Buffalo National River in northern Arkansas. However, if you can overcome your fear of heights the trail provides …
I’m so excited to have Sally Keys on the blog again. Sally writes about the Shark Valley Trails in Everglades National Park. And now, that I’ve read about it, I can’t wait to go! You can read more from Sally here. Hiking the Shark Valley Trails Is A Great Way to Explore the Florida Everglades …
I dipped my foot into icy-cold water. I put both feet in and sat down in the creek which washed over the lower half of my body. “Wow! This is cold!” Heart-stopping cold. But it was just what I needed after the June heat and humidity left me hot and sweaty – sticky skin acting …
While growing up in southwest Arkansas, floating the Caddo River was a mainstay in spring and early summertime. The most popular route for a Caddo River float is the 7.5 mile stretch of river between Caddo Gap and Glenwood. This float provides fun rapids that get your heart pounding and mixed with long deep pools …
Are you a vista person or a valley person? Do you like to be up high looking over everything below you, or do you like to be in the thick of it, surrounded by mountains on all sides? I’m a little of both, but if I had to choose just one – I’d say I’m …
As Cedar Creek carves its way through Petit Jean Mountain in Central Arkansas it forms a deep canyon. This canyon is one of the main features that make Petit Jean State Park such a beautiful and unique place. And there are many great trails to explore in this park. The best way to see the …
A blue plain spread out undulating before me. Much like a Monet painting, the blue and purple dots make up a sea that appears to be endless – waves rising and falling. I had always dreamed of seeing the Texas bluebonnets but never managed to find the time to travel during their peak. And honestly, …
I pulled my paddle out of the water and rested it on my kayak. I leaned back and drifted aimlessly through the murky water. My eyes unfocused as my attention went to what I was hearing – different birds calling, a bee visiting a water lily, a woodpecker hammering. As my boat drifted into some …
Lake Sylvia Recreation Area offers a number of shorter interpretive trails, but for those who want a longer hike can extend the loops with the Ouachita Trail for a five-mile loop. The extended Lake Sylvia Loop shows off everything the Ouachita National Forest has to offer – hardwood forests, a gorgeous valley, spectacular vistas, a …
On a February hike, the early morning light filtered through the pine trees and illuminated the saturated ground below. The light reflected off the standing water with a bright hot glow. And I was reminded of how unusual this scene is – this mix of wetland and pine forest. But the Coastal Plain Trail at …
I dropped my day pack with a thump and sat down on the smooth, warm, gray ground. I hung my feet over the edge of the United States and looked down to the turquoise water below, then up on into Mexico. Day hiking in Seminole Canyon State Park in South Texas, I and had just …
An easy 14er? OK, that’s an oxymoron. An “easier” 14er is probably the best description for the South Mount Elbert Trail. Also known as the Mount Elbert East Ridge Trail, it climbs the east ridge to the summit of Mount Elbert, the highest mountain in the Rocky Mountains at 14,433. The trail is classified as …
Sometimes you can have the perfect trip planned out and then the weather doesn’t cooperate. And there’s no rain check. So what do you do? You go anyway and adventure in the rain. Last fall, Hike Like A Woman sister Annie and I planned a get-to-gather near her stomping grounds in Land Between the Lakes …