Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada is full of stunning red rocks and even some petroglyphs from over 2,000 years ago. Many of these beautiful structures can be seen from the roads that cross through the park. Short hikes offer viewpoints of varying landscapes throughout the valley. Here are the top things to do and see in Valley of Fire. Driving into Valley of Fire as the sun starts to rise. In 1912 a road named the Arrowhead Trail that connected Salt Lake City to Los Angeles was …
North America
Hiking and Camping in Big Pine Lakes
Mountains, pine trees, and gorgeous turquoise lakes! What else can you ask for in a hike? The Big Pine Lakes hike in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains of California is an incredibly popular hike for good reason. This hike can be done as a day trip or a multi-day backpacking excursion. You can camp anywhere along the route, including any of its 9 lakes. I strongly recommend taking a few days to see and enjoy more of this incredible area. I have backpacked this trail twice and visited all …
Two Days in Great Basin National Park
Great Basin National park is home to the highest peak in Nevada, the oldest non-clonal trees on Earth, and some of the darkest night skies in the contiguous U.S. We spent 2 days / 3 nights in Great Basin National Park. We arrived in the late afternoon and drove up the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive to our reserved campsite at Wheeler Peak Campground. A ranger told us that this campground is commonly thought of as the prettiest campground in all the national parks, and I can see why. Some …
What to do in Mexico City
It's been a while since I posted anything. Returning to the States in March 2020 and jumping back into work (at a lab, lots of COVID testing) slammed a door on my momentum. Jumping back in with my last minute trip to Mexico City. Mexico City boasts one of the highest populations in the world. As of 2022, over 22 million people live in the metropolitan area! It has a rich history including it's independence, the Spanish rule, and the prehispanic cultures prior to 1500. The city offers up …
One Day in Death Valley
Want to check out Death Valley but short on time? Although the park is huge... You can still see a variety of highlights with one day in Death Valley. Be sure to check average temperatures before planning your visit, it is extremely hot during the summer! And bring LOTS of water. The night before: Spend the night inside or close to the national park. We stayed at Panamint Springs Campground, located on the western edge of Death Valley National Park. They have a bar …
Ever Touched a Whale?
Floating in a small boat, we hoped one of the whales would feel compelled to check us out. An adult female gray whale approached our vessel, with a calf just behind her. She surfaced within feet of us. Lifting her head out within arms reach of the boat bow, she allowed the first of us to touch her. While she was saying hello, her baby rolled onto his side. He peaked above the water surface with the right side of his face and looked right at us. 3 different mom and calf pairs visited us …