As 2016 drew to a close, Taylor and I were invited to begin the new year in our nation’s capital. Washington D.C. was no new experience for Taylor, but this was my first visit. Our journey began in Birmingham, Alabama, and after a full day of driving, our first night's stop was in Roanoke, Virginia at The Snuggle Inn. We arrived in Roanoke as the first snowflakes of the year began to cover the Virginian capital city. Once we'd arrived in Washington D.C., our first destination was The National Mall. We walked to the Library of Congress, and among the expertly crafted institutional buildings that we saw, the Library of Congress may have been the most impressive. Its seemingly flawless design, captivating murals, and patterned ceilings and floors is a spectacular home for the personal library of Thomas Jefferson. The library holds some of the American republic’s most direct influences. Fittingly, we would move from a building whose walls hold the ideas that formed our nation to a building whose walls have heard the debates those ideals have encouraged. We did not spend much time at the Supreme Court, but the highest federal court in the land is housed in an impressive structure that is just as imposing as the decisions that echo from its halls. We sat in on the beginning of a scheduled lecture but did not stay for long. We moved on to The Capitol Building, but we were only allowed into the visitor’s lobby without purchasing an official tour. Instead of signing up for a tour, we decided to explore on our own. We took a tunnel from the capital building back to the Library of Congress on our way to the Madison Memorial Building. Once we were inside the Madison Memorial Building, we followed a tip from a friendly staffer that led us to a view of the city from the Madison cafeteria. After finding our way out of the Madison Building, it was time for us to rendezvous with our friend and host for the weekend. We met Taylor’s sorority sister Laine and her brother Jay at the Christmas tree display on the white house lawn. The Funkhouser family was kind enough to allow us to be guests in their Arlington home for the remainder of our trip. Once our luggage had been unloaded and introductions were a thing of the past, we ended our night catching up at Pizza Paradiso with a delicious meal and much needed relaxation. Our Saturday began with a wonderful breakfast prepared by Mrs. Funkhouser. The breakfast was followed by my first ride on the metro. Laine, Taylor, and I met a friend of mine and his significant other at Arlington National Cemetery. Looking out over the sea of uniform, white tombstones made me realize the reality of war. We were told that the cemetery buries, on average, 30 per day. That sounded absurd at first, but when we considered the qualifications to be buried there and the number of American veterans in our country, the absurdity vanished. I must highly recommend visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and, if at all possible, watching the ritual changing of the guard. The amount of physical and mental discipline on display at any moment at the Tomb is difficult to fathom. If more time is available, the Internal Flame at the tomb of John F. Kennedy is another sight that gripped my attention and demanded my respect. A short distance from the Internal Flame, the manor of Robert E. Lee is standing but seems to be deteriorating at its extremities. No matter the sentiment toward the previous owner of such an estate, I found sadness in the allowed degradation of such a piece of history. Once we had toured a large portion of the grounds, it was time for lunch. We moved over to Georgetown to head to The Tombs for a delicious meal of hamburgers and bloody Mary's. Our only other stop in Georgetown was to see the iconic set of stairs featured in the classic horror film, The Exorcist. Although we did not explore much of Georgetown, what I experienced of it was spectacular. With our stomachs full, we decided that the evening would be complete after a drive to The National Mall to visit one of the Smithsonian museums. We decided on the Air and Space Museum. I can’t speak for the rest of our party, but I know that Taylor and I were excited that this museum was the group’s choice. The museum is massive, and we did not have time to see an IMAX film or see every exhibit, but we did see several airplanes, rockets, and landers. After going through the exhibits on space exploration, my local friend and I decided the only suitable dessert would be flash-frozen, astronaut ice cream. Our couple of friends that had joined us for the day had different plans for the night of New Year’s Eve, but the evening would find Laine, Taylor, and I preparing to ring in 2017 at Don Julio’s in Arlington. We had been joined by Paige—a friend of Laine’s—by the time we left for Don Julio’s. The admission privilege for Don Julio’s was a bit expensive for my tastes, but the night was nothing short of what a NYE spent out on the town should be. We danced and celebrated as if it would be our last NYE to enjoy. The first day of 2017 would be much more active than I had ever imagined it would. Laine, Taylor, Jay, and I began our morning with a brunch burger at Whitlow's on Wilson. The meal was exactly what Laine, Taylor, and I needed to kick start our day of walking and viewing the many monuments of Washington D.C. Our first monument was Einstein, seated in thought with his theories of general relativity, the photoelectric effect, and the conservation of energy inscribed on his papers. I stood in the statue's presence as my thoughts were warped by the magnitude of this man’s propositions. We kept walking until we reached the Lincoln Memorial. I did not read the inscribed speeches in Lincoln’s temple, only because I am well aware of the contents. I consider this monument one of the most fittingly portrayed. As we descended the steps of the temple, a crystal clear sky, adorned with the Washington Monument, shone in the reflecting pool and was the most captivating sight, of a man-made object, I’ve seen. Rival views were plenty as we walked through the Korean War memorial on our way to the memorial for Dr. Martin Luther King Junior. The likeness of a man who revolutionized American society--and its controversial inscription--will never do his deeds justice, but his words of wisdom engraved on the surrounding walls provide a sample of his mission and morality. Dr. King’s statue looks out over the Tidal Basin toward my favorite monument of the day. Thomas Jefferson’s memorial left me speechless. I felt in the presence of the very ideas that I find most intellectually satisfying. The summation of his most noble thought is inscribed around the base of his monument's dome: “...for I have sworn, upon the altar of god eternal, hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.” Still basking in the light of Jefferson’s words, I joined Taylor and Laine for an Uber ride back to Arlington for a much needed evening nap. With batteries recharged, we hit the streets to meet Taylor’s cousin and her family for wings at the Bracket Room. Once our appetites for food and conversation were satisfied, we made our last trip back to the Funkhouser residence. The next morning, Taylor and I packed our bags, said our goodbyes, and fixed our bearing south. We fueled up the car and fueled up ourselves with bagels from Brooklyn Bagel Bakery. Our drive to Birmingham was an easy one with so many new and sweet memories to cherish.
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Breckenridge is one of the most amazing spring break destinations I've been to. John and I chose to go to the Rocky mountains instead of the typical beach destinations. Keep in mind that we had a free place to stay, so this opportunity was also almost impossible to pass up. Luckily, we knew almost twenty friends who also had planned to go to Breckenridge or Keystone for spring break. After countless hours driving past windmills and farmland our very first Breckenridge stop was Crepes A La Cart, and this place did not disappoint. We ended up going there multiple times over the course of the week. Our crepe cravings have grown exponentially, and we have been on a hunt for more crepes since leaving Breckenridge. We have to give major thanks to our wonderful hosts Fruit, Krissy, and Clapp for all of the cool things they were able to hook us up and help us out with. We were provided a free place to stay by Fruit and Krissy, free skiing passes and ski rentals by Clapp, and delicious food recommendations by all three that only locals could give. Our trip would have been nothing close to what it was without their hospitality. Thank you! One of the aforementioned reasons that our trip was enhanced by their hospitality is that we would not have gone skiing if it wasn't for them. If you do plan to go skiing and have never been, you should definitely take a lesson. We did not take lessons, and I regretted it as many times as John fell. Even if you don't take a lesson and spend as much time learning to recover from a flop as you do actually skiing, it is truly one experience that would have been worth the cost. Since we were only able to ski one day, we spent most of our time enjoying the quaint ski town. We wandered up and down main street dozens of times, stopping in and out of shops and bars. One of those spots included a pancake-filled breakfast at The Blue Moose. Everything in Breck is extremely easy to access from the free-ride bus system. Plus, it's much easier than driving in the snow. One day, we decided to take a trip to Keystone to see the friends who were also in the area for spring break. After a couple of quick bus rides, we arrived at our friend's rental house. We sat around and watched the snow fall through the windows while playing games and enjoying each other's company. John and I had had worked up a bit of an appetite, so we decided to wander outside to find some grub. Through the snow, we saw the bright sign for Adriano's Bistro. It turned out to be a completely homemade, five course meal that will forever be as one of the best I have enjoyed. This place is the real deal, and I could never write enough about it to do it justice. Our last day of the trip was Saint Patrick's day. We spent the day with our friends bar crawling through the town, stopping at any place that served beer. One place was The Breckenridge Brewery, where we had been for dinner earlier in the week. Spring Breck was truly one for the books, and it was the best spring break trip that I have ever been on. Along the long road home, we stopped at a few notable places. I cannot wait to make it back to Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado for a show. John cannot wait to make it back to the Osceola Cheese Company in Osceola, Missouri to stock up on delicious varieties of cheese. The midnight before we set out, I decided that I'd like to go to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. After checking out the map and reviewing other bloggers' reviews of trails on the nps.gov website, I settled on hiking the Angel Falls trail to a backcountry campsite and hiking out on Deep Creek Trail the next day. It did not take much to convince John to join. The two trails are connected by several shorter 'loop' trails. Unfortunately, John and I were illiterate to clearly marked trail signs and took a different connector trail than I had planned for us to. This connector trail was a steep one mile uphill and one mile downhill hike that took us prematurely to Deep Creek Trail. We continued on Deep Creek Trail to our site, set up camp, and got some rest. Navigational mistakes aside, the trail was beautiful. The stunning water falls were all at the beginning of Angel Falls Trail. This was nice, because it allowed us to take pictures and marvel at the falls before setting a pace for our hike. Both trails followed right along their respective creeks and provided wonderful glimpses of the mountains through the trees. All in all, the roughly 12 mile journey took us exactly 24 hours to complete. This was the best 24 hour trip I've been on and serves as proof that you don't need to spend a lot of time, money, or effort planning to have a great trip to a National Park. The drive to and from the National Park is beautiful. We drove through Nantahala National Forrest and Cherokee National Forrest. Both were homes to events in the 1996 Olympics. [Other stops along the way included the Chattanooga Brewery and Urban Stack in Chattanooga, TN.] John and I have been to New Orleans several times for several different occasions. Regardless of the reason, we always have a fantastic time. If I could put together a perfect weekend, out of all of my favorite places, here is what it would be like: First, we love the AirBnB's in New Orleans. Some of our favorites aren't listed anymore, but the Garden District is our favorite area to look. It's uptown and really close to Magazine street. (If you've never used AirBnB, use this link for a discout!) We usually get to town on Friday evening and head straight to dinner. Trying new places is our favorite thing, but one of the best in Nola for an afternoon delight is The Original Gumbo Pot. It is just off of Decatur street with plenty of shopping and bars nearby, and it's only a few blocks from Bourbon Street. As much as we love Bourbon Street, we always recommend going to Frenchmen’s Street and visiting the cluster of bars there. If bar hopping isn't your thing, go to my favorite “run of the mill pirate bar”, Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar and enjoy a casual evening of piano music in candlelight. We like to get up early the next morning and head to Tchoupitoulas Street to grab a great “cali-mex” beachy brunch at Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant. After breakfast, you might have a hard time deciding what to do in Nola, but here are a few of our favorite options: To start, if you aren't hurting too badly after your first night out, grab a drink from any bar and take it with you while you explore. We like the famous Huge Ass Beer. You can always take a ghost tour. We chose the Haunted History Tour and loved walking around the exclusive St. Louis Cemetery #1 while being lectured about its history and the history of the city. If guided tours don't appeal to you, hop on a trolley car and stop off when you see something that catches your eye. Jackson Square is the most iconic place in New Orleans for good reason. This beautiful, centrally located park is surrounded by bars, restaurants, and artists. We've found the fence that surrounds Jackson Square to be, more often than not, covered in impressive works of art, and the Decatur Street side of the square is often host to an eccentric performing artist or two. Head over to Red Fish Grill on Bourbon Street for a great seafood dinner, but make sure to have a reservation ahead of time. You might not get to try this New Orleans classic if you don't! After dinner, keep heading down Bourbon Street and enjoy the New Orleans nightlife. Maybe even go sing some karaoke at The Cat's Meow like we did on one trip with John's fraternity. If you have the late night munchies and none of the pizza bars on Bourbon Street look good, go brave the crowd at Café Du Monde and get some fluffy, sugary beignets with a cup of rich coffee to end the night.
Surrey’s Uptown is a fantastic spot for a relaxing Sunday brunch after a long night out in New Orleans. If the wait at Surrey's is too long, any of the restaurants on Magazine Street will do the trick before you have to leave the Big Easy. I grew up going to Atlanta for all sorts of things: lacrosse tournaments, Braves baseball games, Six Flags over Georgia, and the Coca-Cola Museum. Sadly, my most recent trip didn't allow for too many touristy activities, but I did make sure to check out some awesome graffiti spots before my work conference started! I was told that all the best spots were in Little Five Points, so I made the quick drive from downtown and checked out all of the coolest Instagram spots! I parked my car near the awesome Vortex Bar and Grill, and even the parking lot had great murals that got me excited for what the rest of the area had in store! Once exploring the graffiti and local record stores had worked up an appetite, I stopped for lunch at a great spot called The Corner Tavern. I finished my salad and kept walking until I hit the wall art jackpot at Euclid Avenue. I met a few cool photographers snapping pics, and they told me there were even cooler places just down the street. I hopped in my car and kept looking. Sure enough, there were a few more spots on Euclid Avenue that I hopped out to take pictures of! The Greg Mike Garage was right near the Krog Street Market on Edgewood Avenue. The entire garage was painted in bright colors and silly faces. Sadly, the biggest mural had construction vehicles in front of it, so I couldn't get a full picture. The next spot was my absolute favorite. The Magnificent Popsicle wall on the side of A&R Ironworks on Decatur Street is inspired by the King Of Pops, popsicle brand. Everything on the wall is related to those sweet, fruity popsicles! After all of my smiles and giggles at the popsicle artwork, I headed back to my car and was ready to check into my hotel in Marietta. On my way, I found one last piece of artwork before I got on the interstate. Going to school an hour and a half away from Memphis kept John and I visiting for various reasons. I've heard people express hatred for Memphis, but I tend to love it. I love the music scene, being on the river, and the barbecue. If you want to have a great and safe time, here’s what we recommend for the weekend: The first thing we like to do in Memphis is get some barbecue. Whether it's from Rendezvous, Corky’s, or Central BBQ, you're bound to get some of the best the city has to offer. After that, you might head to Silky’s for a “bucket” to wash it down. If Silky's piano doesn't have you on the floor, step outside and follow the blues music to any of the Beale Street bars for a taste of Memphis nightlife. When Beale Street starts to slow and you feel like dancing until the dawn, head down 2nd Street South to Raiford’s Disco for all of the boogie you can handle. The next day you'll probably want to take it a little bit easier. We like to have a few cocktails at The Peabody Hotel and watch the ducks or go to Loflin Yard when it is patio weather. If you’re lucky, the Grizzlies will be in town and you'll be able to score affordable tickets to the game! If you have time to spare, Graceland, The Pink Palace, and The Pyramid are well-known tourist attractions that are all worth a visit. Graceland is the beautiful home of Elvis Presley. The Pink Palace is an inspirational collection of museums complete with a planetarium. The Pyramid is an engineering marvel with a view and houses a massive Bass Pro Shop. There are a multitude of things to do in Memphis that we didn't mention like taking a Mississippi Riverboat ride, but you'll have a blast no matter what you find yourself getting into at the Home of the Blues. Taylor, Maria, and I spent two nights and three days camping at The Land between the Lakes, outside of Paducah, Kentucky. We found a campsite on the shore of Lake Barkley suitable for viewing the coming total eclipse. We arrived at the Land between the Lakes just after noon on Saturday and began looking for our site. Once we had established our site for the weekend, we drove roughly thirty minutes to the nearest market in the Grand Rivers community to stock up on supplies. The next morning, after a poor attempt to make campsite pancakes, Taylor and I took Maria to hike a portion of the Canal Loop. The Canal loop turned out to be a very enjoyable time. The towering Kentucky pine trees gave way to occasional access to Lake Barkley and eventually to Kentucky Lake. Maria romped through the wilderness and into the water as Taylor and I worked to keep up. We finished our hike and decided that we’d go check out the Elk and Bison preserve before making the trek back to our campsite for the night. The weather was far too hot for Elk or Bison to be grazing, so we missed out on that sight and headed back to our campsite for the night. A delicious meal of beef tips, corn, and broccoli ended our day and left us with full bellies as we gazed into the clear night sky. I’d never been so excited to see a clear morning sky when I thought about the celestial anomaly that we’d be experiencing in a few short hours. I headed into Grand Rivers to gain an internet signal and complete a bit of work. I found a perfect place to sit, eat, and work at Pokey’s Cafe. After a nice breakfast, I sped back to the campsite. We sat with our toes in the water of Lake Berkley and our eyes on the sky. I couldn’t help but to swoon over the mechanics and precise proportions necessary to allow for such a magnificent event. My excitement swelled as I looked through my glasses and saw the first black spheroid encroach upon the sun. Roughly one and a half hours later, our surroundings changed. The sky dimmed as the temperature noticeably dropped. Crickets became audible as bugs began to buzz about. The lake water rippled with feeding fish. Shadows became strangely psychedelic, and the awe of boaters and campers alike filled the air. The sun had been totally eclipsed by our moon over the United States of America for the first time in 40 years. Freshly dumbstruck after our 2 minutes and 40 seconds of totality, Taylor and I began to gather our things as the moon proceeded across the sky to once again reveal the brilliance of our sun. Land between the Lakes is a wonderful place to camp, hike, and get away from it all, but Taylor and I will always have the memory of our first total solar eclipse burned into our minds in conjunction with our memories of the Land between the Lakes. The day we hiked to Angel’s Landing started with us sleeping in for three extra hours at the Zion River Resort after hiking The Narrows the day before. It didn’t matter that we started our hike at noon in the peak of the 100 degree heat (even though we don't recommend it). Tthe view that awaited us at the top was worth every bead of sweat and more. The first two miles of the West Rim Trial are uphill, concrete switchbacks. This trail is not as much fun as the actual Angel’s Landing trail, but it does include a few shady stopping points. On the other hand, the sand and rocks of Angel’s Landing trail were cooler than the concrete path. Climbing Angel’s Landing was less intimidating and more exhilarating than I thought it would be. Metal poles strung with chain marked the path, and every time a hiker was making their way down the trail, we were able to stop and catch our breath. We didn’t use the chains too much and climbed to the top with relative ease. Although it was a bit crowded at the top, we were able to find a quiet spot to sit and marvel at the humbling, panoramic view of Zion National Park. The hike down seemed more dangerous, we watched our footing, walked with confidence, and didn't slip once. At the end of the long and hot five mile hike, we found a trial down to the Virgin River and cooled off before heading back to the shuttle bus. Taylor and I were lucky enough to win a permit to hike the Narrows in a lottery drawing the week before our hike. Permits can be reserved up to three months in advance, but we missed that since they sell out within hours of them opening. Our punctuality at Zion Adventure Company on the morning of our hike was made possible by a wonderful night of sleep at the Two Cranes Inn. Once we loaded our gear on to the transport bus, we joined eight more hikers for a ride up to Chamberlain’s Ranch. We started on the trail at eight thirty in the morning and were in for a day full of spectacular sights. Roaring waterfalls, massive log jams, and sandbanks flush with vegetation were framed by massive vertical walls of red rock all along the 16 mile hike. Elevated gardens of grasses and shrubs grew on the steep rock walls as if they were fleeing the river’s cool touch. The Virgin River was crystal clear and littered with blue holes deep enough for a refreshing plunge. As we neared the Temple of Sinawava at the bottom of the Narrows, my body was worn from the day, but my mind was ever in awe. I was held most captive by the diversity of visitors who were splashing and smiling despite the unfamiliarity of those strangers among them, the heat of the day, and the happenings of the world outside of Zion National Park. It is difficult for me to think of a more beautiful sight or a more beautiful place to wander around for 12 hours with great company by your side. John and I made a quick stop at the picturesque Horseshoe Bend during our day in Page, Arizona. The short but hot walk was worth the view even if only for a few minutes. We stood in amazement at the size of the canyon and sheer degree of bend in the river.
We were quite jealous of the kayakers and boaters on the Colorado River and decided that's how we want to enjoy the canyon on our next visit to Horseshoe Bend and The Grand Canyon. Antelope Canyon is one of the most picture perfect places in the world, and it tops every list of 'must see' places. We saw exactly why it has marveled visitors for years when we stood between the lower canyon's walls. You must be on a guided tour to legally enter the canyon. Tours are offered by a few companies in and around Page, Arizona. Just an hour before we arrived, we managed to grab the last spot on an early morning tour with Dixie Ellis Lower Antelope Canyon Tours. We were one of the last groups to tour the canyon for the day, because the tour companies must halt tours once the ground temperature reaches 105 degrees. Our tour guide, Julie, was a native Navajo woman. Even though she was raised on the outskirts of the reservation and is self-admittedly more modern than traditional, she told us of lore and legends that surround the land and her people. She answered every question we had about her culture and was extremely familiar with the canyon. After all, she played in and around it as a child. After standing in line under large shop fans in the desert heat, we took a few flights of descending stairs and were surrounded by the sweeping, red canyon walls. Every turn of the canyon provided us with new forms and colors to marvel at. Julie added to the experience by taking several pictures for us and pointing out formations on the walls that looked like faces and animals. We took hundreds of postcard-worthy pictures and gained a new love for slot canyons. John and I’s wonderment in Zion National Park never ceased. from the curvy 28 mile long entrance drive to the final bus ride to our car, we loved every view the park had to offer. We knew that we wanted to hike The Narrows and Angel’s Landing, and we were glad to have done our research and planned ahead before arriving. We found that a permit and a reservation with a shuttle company were required to hike the Narrows from the top down, but no special permits were needed to hike Angel’s Landing. Our first attempt at passes wasn’t successful, as the online spots fill up as soon as they open three months before the hiking date. We applied for the online lottery that opens one week in advance of the hiking date, and to our surprise, we both won day-trip permits! We found out the good news two days before our hike and were lucky to get a spot on a shuttle ride with Zion Adventures the same day due to a cancellation As soon as we arrived at the park on the Fourth of July, we picked up our narrows permits from the visitor’s center. We paid our dues, signed the waivers, and booked it out of there to find a good swimming hole. To get to a swimming hole or go anywhere else in Zion, we had to take the shuttle system. It runs frequently but does get backed up at the visitor’s center during the busy morning hours. The bus took us to the Canyon Junction stop, where we hopped into the Virgin River for a cool swim with a beautiful view. We skipped rocks and slid down the waterfall until we had worked up an appetite for a burger from The Zion Brewery. After a restful night at the Two Cranes Inn, we met our Zion Adventure shuttle bright and early just a few miles outside of the park entrance in Springdale. Our driver gave us a few pointers during the one and a half hour drive to Chamberlain’s Ranch. She dropped us off at the trailhead with a, “Good luck!” The narrows hiking trail winds through a diverse area for the first few miles before entering the actual Narrows. Once we were between the thousand-foot-high walls, I forgot what the rest of the world looked like. The sheer mass of the canyon is enough to humble anyone. After we waded, climbed, hiked, and swam through the Narrows for 16-miles, we were exhausted. We pitched our tent for the night at Zion River Resort and got a great night’s rest. It was such good rest that we didn’t get moving until almost 10 AM. Despite our slow start, we decided to enjoy breakfast at MeMe’s Café. The hearty breakfast was much needed before the monstrous Angel’s Landing hike. The exhilarating, strenuous, and blistering hot hike was worth every step to see an incredible view of Zion National Park. ‘Straight up land’--as the native people call it--is awe inspiring from the top of Angel’s Landing. It was the best way we could’ve ended our incredible journey through Zion National Park. We can’t wait to go back and find new ways to explore the canyon. Our day at Arches National Park began with a stop at the visitor’s center. The information lines were long, and the gift shop was stuffed full of patrons so we grabbed a map and drove into the park. Most of the park can be accessed from the main road that cuts straight through the middle of the park; the namesake formations can be reached after a short drive littered with scenic formations. We stopped along the road several times to get out and explore around the lesser known formations. Balanced Rock is the first big name formation you pass when driving through the park and it is definitely the most fascinating formation along the roadway. Just beyond Balanced Rock lie a cluster of the park’s treasures: Double Arch, Turret Arch, and the North and South Windows are all neighbors with a shared parking lot. They are all very accessible by foot and well worth the time spent exploring, but we decided to keep our day moving and go check out the sand dune arch. We drove over to the Devils Garden area to sadly find out that part of the park was closed off for construction, but we were still able to explore around the Sand Dune Arch. We marched through the bright red sand and narrow canyon walls to find an opening with a great hidden surprise: a delicate arch with a giant slit in the middle. The formation looked as if two animals were frozen in a kiss for all of eternity, put on display for everyone to look at. As great as this formation was, nothing could compare to the main treasure of the park that we would hike to next. Delicate Arch is a creation of time that left me reeling in its presence. A steep one and one half mile hike is the price to be paid if you wish to see it up close and personal. I recommend it. The elevation gain of roughly 600 feet seemed to be grueling for some, but the expression of struggle vanished from their faces once the destination had been reached. The entire area of the park that we saw was stunning, but nothing compares to the wonder that is Delicate Arch.
The best way to view Canyonlands National Park is via hot air balloon with Canyonlands Ballooning at sunrise. If you are on a tight budget or just aren’t a morning person, driving through the park and hiking around is just as beautiful. Canyonlands is split into three districts: The Needles, Island in the Sky, and The Maze. John and I started our driving tour from the Island in the Sky visitors center. As soon as we entered the park, we noticed a change in the environment; it became more desolate and windy the higher up we went. Our first pull off was at the Shafer Canyon Overlook. We climbed all over the rocks and gazed out over the land debating how the canyons might've formed while scrutinizing the modern scientific explanations. After those conversations ended, we hopped back in the car and headed to mesa arch. Mesa Arch is a smaller arch and had several families waiting for pictures, so we avoided the crowd and hiked off trail to the next peak over. We climbed up to the top to soak up the sun and spread out onto the white sandstone. Our thirst drove us from the peak, down onto the mesa arch trail, and out to the car. Our next stop was the Grand View Point Overlook. There isn’t much exploring to do at this stop, but the view is magnificient. It overlooks miles of desert, far away rock spires, and old uranium mining roads. Canyonlands is a park that we plan to come back to and spend more quality time in. There are lots of campsites in the park and plenty of trails in each of the three areas. We can’t wait to go back and experience more of Canyonlands National Park. A hearty meal from the Cowboy Buffet and Steak Room at Ruby’s Inn prepared Taylor and I for exploring Bryce Canyon’s scenic views and hiking into the canyon to camp for the night. The bus system that would ferry Taylor and I around the park was always punctual and rarely full. At any stop in the upper area of the park, a bus was guaranteed within fifteen minutes. Our first stop was the visitor’s center to acquire a camping permit for the night. They do not take online reservations for backcountry passes so we were going in blind hoping to get a site, and lucky for us we got the last one and it was at the site we wanted. Unbeknownst to us, we would also be acquiring a bear canister to pack all of our food; fortunately the extra container didn’t take up too much room once we filled it with our belongings. With our packs reorganized, we loaded a bus and set out to see Bryce Canyon. The most spectacular of the developed viewpoints is Inspiration Point. Looking out over the amphitheater of hoodoos from 8,100 feet was breathtaking. The complexity of each hoodoo in sight was enough to capture my attention for an entire evening, but we had to move on. Sunset and Sunrise Points were impressive as well, but all three would have been more impressive had we been able to afford the time to explore the hiking trails that descend into the canyon. The last bus of the day dropped Taylor and I off at Bryce Point for our roughly three mile hike to our reserved campsite at Right Fork Yellow Creek. Along this hike, I discovered just how diverse Bryce Canyon is; from large pines surrounded by grasses and shrubs to hillsides of loose rock and massive boulders, there is something new to see around every corner. We passed the ‘Hat Shop’ at about two miles into our hike. This natural phenomena echoes Arches National Park’s ‘Balancing Rock’ in smaller and more frequent occurrences. The fifteen or so balanced ‘hats’ would be an unknown signal that we were approaching our campground. Situated next to a bubbling canyon stream, the clearing that is Right Fork Yellow Creek campground couldn’t have been a more welcome sight. We assembled our tent and deployed our Reehut Camp Stove with only a few minutes of sunlight left in the day. The ban on campfires in Bryce was off-putting initially, but I was sold on using a portable burner when Taylor began cooking less than ten minutes after we’d arrived at camp. The Under the Rim Trail continues on for approximately 19 more miles, but Taylor and I had a schedule to honor, and sadly had to meander our way back out of the canyon the next morning. We made a quick breakfast and closed down our campsite and got back on the trail. We made the climb back out of the canyon in the midday heat (big mistake) and praised the sight of a bus waiting as we reached the rim.
All-in-all, Bryce Canyon was one of my favorite places along our Utah route, and I can only hope to go back and continue exploring the many trails that twist through those mystifying hoodoos. Capitol Reef was one of the more interesting parks we visited, and we wish we'd had more time to learn about the histories and mysteries of the area. Once we made it into the park, we stopped a few times to look at different formations and some ancient petroglyphs. After arguing over the weird body shapes and head decorations depicted, we drove to the visitor’s center to get some answers and a map. Although we’ve come to no conclusion on the drawings, we were able to buy magnets with replica depictions. We drove through the historic town of Fruita, where fruit groves and an abandoned school are the main attractions. Panoramic point was our first stop for a short hike. We wanted to hike to Chimney Rock but kept on driving so that we could make it to Bryce Canyon National Park before sundown. Our visit to Capitol Reef was short, but we are glad to have seen some of the major points of interest. We will definitely be back one day to do more hiking and petroglyph deciphering. Hiking in the Smoky Mountains early in the fall was the perfect time to see the complete beauty of the season. Even though we went during the first cold snap of the year, it was delightful to wander through the forest. We traveled along the Deep Creek trail and admired the trees and the distant mountain tops that would periodically peek through them. Our campsite was positioned beside the creek with a path to the water. Massive boulders littered the banks and made for perfect platforms for observing the stars. Sleeping under those stars with the lullaby of gushing water was the most perfect way to fall asleep. Hiking down the trail early in the morning before the fog had lifted made the forest seem mystical. It seemed as though we were the first ones awake and moving that morning. As we quietly hiked the last few miles of our journey, we felt grateful that we had been able to spend the time we did in such a wonderful place. We can’t wait to go back and do more, longer hikes through the national park. 'Til next time Smoky Mountains! There is a place in Missouri virtually midway between Springfield and Kansas City on Highway 13 that is what my dreams are made of. This place is called The Osceola Cheese Factory. The cheese factory has hundreds of cheeses available for tasting and purchase. I find more satisfaction with every visit. The cheese factory also sells a variety of summer sausages, crackers, and cheese accessories (so you can eat it in the car immediately after purchase like Taylor and I did). If there’s a small chance you find yourself in south Missouri and you love cheese, do yourself a favor and pull over at the Osceola Cheese Factory. Nashville is one of my favorite cities. I love going there for any occasion, but going to celebrate a friend's 21st birthday may be my favorite. Thankfully, our party included friends who lived just outside of the city, so we were able to stay there and catch Ubers to and from downtown. To start off our weekend, we went to Desano’s Pizza. The main reason we went was to bring our own wine, but we stayed for the delicious pizza. Once there was nothing left of the two large pizzas, we walked over to a few bars on Demonbreun Street before heading to Broadway Street. We had to hit some of our favorite Broadway bars: Tequila Cowboy, Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, and The Stage. After we boot scooted our way through a few whiskey drinks, we were in need of some late night eats. We satisfied our cravings with tacos, chips, and guacamole dip at some mysterious late night spot. We got up Saturday morning and grabbed brunch downtown at 417 Union, then we walked around Broadway street to do some shopping. After going home and taking naps, we got ready for the night and went over to “The Gulch” to eat dinner at Bar Taco. We had a few margaritas and enjoyed the wonderful atmosphere until we were able to get up from the table. We headed back down to Broadway Street and were having a great time until I lost my debit card. From there, the night faded, and we found a way home fairly early in the night. We were all hurting a little bit Sunday morning, so we decided to go our separate ways and say, 'see ya later!' Another great Nashville weekend in the books. Mesa Verde is a special place whose uniqueness I could've never understood before visiting. The monstrous plateau and breath-taking wilderness are incredible enough, but the ancient dwellings hiding among the cliffs are the most impressive aspects. Taylor and I were a little too late to get tickets for a tour of the largest collection of dwellings, The Cliff Palace, but we were able to get tickets for the second largest tour, The Balcony House. Even though it was smaller, it cannot be less impressive. Our National Park Ranger —whose name Taylor and I regretfully cannot recall—was the most knowledgeable and experienced that we’ve had on any national park tour yet. His knowledge of the dwellings and the Native Americans of that time and place was quite impressive. Walking through these structures and hearing the National Park Service's best guess as to how the people constructed these homes and lived is surreal. There is so much that no one knows, including why they came and why they left. Mystery abounds in these dwellings. For those too late to claim a spot on a tour or for those who prefer walking at their own pace, there are several areas that do not require a guided tour. Taylor and I leisurely explored the remains of The Step House. We saw ancient corn cobs, ceremony rooms called kivas, and recreated pit-houses.
No matter what dwelling you are able to visit, take your camera and your curiosity. Mammoth Cave is a true wonder of the world, as recognized by the National Park Service and the United Nations. What makes it so special? It is the largest cave system in the world; this thing is over 300 miles long!! We had a wonderful weekend; but in hindsight there are a few things that we will change when we go back. The beauty and magnitude of the cave was worth all the troubles. Our first mistake happened long before we arrived at the park. Mistake #1 – We went at the wrong time Since the cave system is so ginormous, there are lots and lots of bats who call the cave their home. During certain times of the year, parts of the cave are closed to the public. We went one week into the winter season and only had three tours to choose from. There are much longer tours we would have rather taken, but we picked what seemed to be the best tour being offered at the time. Mistake #2 – We didn’t get our tickets ahead of time The national park website must have reassured us three or four times that the tours rarely sell out and they always have plenty of tour times. The reassurance would turn out to be misleading. We got there around 9:30 AM expecting to get on the 10 am tour. We found that the next three tour times were sold out, so we had to pick the only time offered before our reservation to kayak the Lost River Cave just outside of the park. Outside of those minor setbacks, we did do a few things right! Good Move #1 – We picked an awesome tour The Domes and Dripstones tour was incredible, and we recommend it for anyone looking for an easy, guided tour. Click here to learn about the specifics of our tour and our trip Good Move #2 – We hiked to Green River Our mistakes allowed us extra time on park property, so we hiked some of the 80+ miles of trails. We chose a trail from the visitor's center that wasn’t too long. That trail happened to lead us to the beautiful Green River. It was cool to see the river that would be credited with creating the very cave we toured. Good Move #3 – We didn't take the doggie After our problems at other national parks, including Carlsbad Caverns National Park, we knew it was a good idea to leave Maria at home. As much as she would’ve loved the weather and the wild hiking trails, the bats and other animals of the caves would have rescinded her welcome. The Grand Canyon National Park has several areas that cater to visitors, but Taylor and I decided to spend our trip on the southern rim. The Rim Trail on the southern side is a leisurely walk through time, but Taylor and I had to journey into the canyon on the Bright Angel Trail. No matter the perspective, the canyon's harrowing heights, beautifully striped walls, and sheer size are absolutely breathtaking. The Rim Trail is scattered with dates and information. As we walked, we learned about the sediments and causes of each of the canyon's layers. We spotted several deer and several places to explore the rim beyond the educational path. Crowded and fenced overlooks near the visitor's center are no comparison to the ledges and sights to be found along the trail. We thought looking at the canyon from above was mesmerizing, but the views from inside would be even more incredible. We set out on the Bright Angel Trail in the heat of the day and had our breath taken away by its difficulty and scenery. After countless descending switchbacks, we managed to reach Indian Gardens at the four and one half mile mark. Indian Gardens provided a great change of scenery from layers of ancient rock to lush, green desert flora. I had not understood the height of the canyon's walls until I stood beneath them. Even though we didn't make it to the Colorado River, the change in perspective encouraged our appreciation of this Grand Canyon. It was a special place to be even when we realized that it was time for the trek back up. Needless to say, our legs were not prepared for it. I won't say which of us needed to take more breaks, but we both needed to use the rim's ice cream shop for motivation. We gazed down with pride upon reaching the top but soon realized that our motivational ice cream shop had closed for the evening. I grew up going to Chattanooga, TN for field trips and lacrosse tournaments, but John had never been until late last fall. We stopped for the night on our way to The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The night before we arrived, we booked our stay at the Red Bank Charm Inn through Air BnB (Get credits towards your stay with this code: www.airbnb.com/c/johnd9471). We dropped off our bag, called an Uber, and headed downtown to Urban Stack for a delicious dinner. After stuffing ourselves with juicy burgers, we drank a few more beers at The Chattanooga Brewery and played a couple of great board games until they closed. We got a great night’s sleep and woke up early enough to beat the crowds at one of the best brunch places in town. The scrumptious and fluffy pancakes at Aretha Frankenstein’s were the perfect ending to our 12 hour stay in Chattanooga. We can’t wait to go back and spend more time in this amazing city. Next time, we want to try the hang gliding offered at Lookout Mountain. After basking in the glory of the ancient ancestors at Mesa Verde National Park, John and I started a 12-hour trek home to Dallas, TX. The drive included a quick yet delightful lunch stop at The Diamond Belle Saloon in Durango, Colorado. After we'd washed down our colossal burgers with a local brew, we needed to get our legs moving before we hit the road again. We walked around this beautiful ski town and window shopped in the local store fronts. There had been some bike races a few hours before we arrived, so the streets were filled with bicycles. It was nice to explore the bustling town before we hopped back in the car to finish our journey home. After watching BBC’s Planet Earth episode on caves, John and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see Carlsbad Caverns on our first trip out west, and this National Park did not disappoint. Although we didn’t get to see the 'Chandelier Room' or some other parts of the cave, we did see an incredible cave system. We took our time wandering through the pathways of cave, taking pictures and wondering about the creation of these magnificent rock formations. Those thoughts were quickly halted as the park ranger told us to hurry along. The park was closing, so we snapped a few last pics, hopped on the elevator, and grabbed Maria from the kennel service. Outside of the cave, we wandered the park property and viewed the natural entrance. The entrance was closed while we were there, but we stopped for pictures. We walked around for a little while longer, then we had to leave. The dog would have disturbed the bats when they came out at dusk. On your way out, we recommend taking the Walnut Canyon Desert Drive loop and walking the Rattlesnake Canyon Trail. This was a beautiful snippet of nature tucked away on a hill side rife cacti and scurrying animals. We recommend everyone check out Carlsbad Caverns National Park and the nearby Guadalupe Mountains National Park! Outside of the cave we wandered the park property and viewed the natural entrance, which was closed when we were there, but we still stopped and took some pictures. We walked around till for a little while longer but then we had to leave because the dog would disturb the bats who come out at dusk. On your way out we recommend taking the Walnut Canyon Desert Drive loop and walking the Rattlesnake Canyon Trail; it was a beautiful snippet of nature tucked away in the hill side with lots of cacti and little animals to look at. We recommend everyone checks out Carlsbad Caverns National Parks and stop by the near by Guadalupe Mountains National Park – which we totally missed out on! |
Talkin' 'bout Tacos:
I'm Taylor, aka Tacos! I am sharing my journeys and experiences from across the world hoping to inspire travel and adventure in all who read. Archives
November 2023
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