Utah is where it's at! There is so much gorgeous layered red rock and it's difficult to be tired of staring at it in wonder. Capitol Reef is a fun little park with a short scenic drive and several fun little hikes with gorgeous and colorful views of the canyons and cliffs. We stayed one … Continue reading A Capitol Reef, Indeed! →

Welcome to the red dessert! Here I'll discuss our visits to Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, where I felt like I was an ancient creature on some distant planet. Surely, I'm not still on earth? We stayed 3 nights at the Moab Valley RV Resort (complete with a nice hot-tub to soak in … Continue reading Well, Arch you a Big Canyon? →

Mesa Verde National Park is another one of those I-had-no-idea-I-would-be-so-impressed-with-this-park experiences. If any snobby foreigner says the U.S. has no culture or anything older than 200-years-old just point them here! This park has an awesome winding scenic drive and several panoramic views of the hundreds of cliff dwellings made by the ancient Pueblo Native Americans. … Continue reading Messerlys on the Mesas →

America is insanely gorgeous! Sure, there are a few pretty views by the bluffs on the Mississippi in Iowa but I was so naive before this trip. Peering over the ledge into the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, as my stomach ascended into my throat, I was once again awestruck by the ability of a … Continue reading By George, We’ve made it to the Gorge. →

"We're dunin' it!" we yelled as we had the time of our lives and the unique experience of flying down a huge sand dune on a sand sled. I had heard of being able to sled on the Great Sand Dunes but I didn't realize how vast this sand field was and how worthwhile it … Continue reading Been there. Dune that. →

So I now understand why the Rocky Mountain National Park is so popular. It's a pristine alpine sanctuary and an excellent chance to feel one with nature as you explore the numerous trails - except for the fact that there are billions of other tourists vying to knock you over to get the best view. … Continue reading Rocky in the Rockies →

Jaw. Dropping. These badlands are so not bad and actually just command you to stare at them in wonder. In fact I think it was quite dangerous to drive our scooters through the Badlands Loop State Scenic Byway as I had to whip my head around at every turn so I didn't miss anything. Like … Continue reading So Dak. So Good. →

"Is this still America?" I asked my husband as we first caught a glimpse of the spires, hoodoos and buttressing buttes of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Amazing that as we drove west from Fargo, North Dakota all we saw was flat flat land and then these beautiful structures of lignite, sandstone, limestone and clinker rise … Continue reading What a Butte →

So as a Minnesotan, knowing that lakes are our thing, I'm embarrassed to admit that we didn't plan very well for our trip to Voyageurs National Park. As a kid I recall RVing up to Lake Kabetogama with my aunt and uncle and camping for a day but, even though I'm from Minnesota, I haven't … Continue reading Musings of a Minnesotan →

Wow! Very hard to put into words the feeling you get when you pull up to Rock Harbor on the ferry after a 6-hour cruise through the foggy mist to the gorgeous archipelago (about 400 islands!) of Isle Royale National Park. The water is a pristine blue and the smell of the boreal forest is … Continue reading The Moose is Loose →