We are adventurers, explorers, and wanderers. We travel in a 30-foot Airstream Flying Cloud Office towed by a Chevrolet Express 3500. We hike, we ride, we paddle and we try to prove everyday that "Not all who wander are lost." 

Ari and Jessi Adler

We visited Capulin Volcano National Monument and spent an entire day exploring the volcano and the surrounding hiking trails.

Capulin Volcano is an iconic part of the northeastern New Mexico landscape. This cinder cone volcano is part of the Raton-Clayton Volcanic Field, and it provides visitors with an up-close look at the area's volcanic geology. The views from the volcano's rim are truly spectacular, and on a clear day, you can see all the way to four different states. The night sky here is also one of the darkest in the country, making it a perfect place for stargazing. 

Capulin Volcano NM

We hiked up the extinct Capulin Volcano!

Vicksburg NMP offers a great glimpse at a terrible time in our nation's history. Now it just needs to be kept up better! 

In the Battle of Vicksburg, which was fought from March 29 to July 4, 1863, the Union army, under the command of General Ulysses S. Grant, laid siege to the city of Vicksburg, Mississippi, hoping to gain control of the Mississippi River. The Confederate army, led by General John C. Pemberton, was determined to stop them. For 47 days, the two armies fought a grinding battle of attrition, with neither side able to gain an advantage. In the end, the Union army prevailed and the city of Vicksburg surrendered. Today, the site of the battle is preserved at Vicksburg National Military Park. Visitors can see the reconstructed fortifications and trenches that were so important to the outcome of the battle. 

Vicksburg

Vicksburg offers a ton of Civil War history in one location

Visiting Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in the winter allows visitors to see all kinds of birds that have migrated south, including whooping cranes!

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, located on the Texas Gulf Coast, is a vital habitat for diverse wildlife, including the endangered whooping crane. Spanning over 115,000 acres of wetlands, prairies, and oak woodlands, the refuge offers excellent birdwatching, fishing and hiking opportunities. Visitors can explore scenic trails, observation towers and a scenic auto loop. Established in 1937, Aransas plays a crucial role in coastal conservation, protecting essential habitats for migratory birds and other native species.

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge

Huge wildlife refuge in Texas

While visiting Grand Canyon National Park, we hiked two main trails and explored many other spots. It's now one of our top destinations! 

Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States. A giant chasm that was carved out over millions of years by the Colorado River, it's one of the most spectacular examples of erosion anywhere in the world. The park is located on the ancestral homeland of 11 Associated Tribes, and there are many opportunities to learn about their history and culture. There are also many activities to enjoy at Grand Canyon National Park, such as hiking, camping, fishing, and more. Grand Canyon National Park is open 24 hours a day, so there's always something to do!


Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is truly a wonder of the world!

This national monument doesn't get the attention it should. We expected to spend 1 hour, spent more than 4 and could have spent even more time there! 

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve is a truly unique landscape. Located in southern Idaho, the park is home to lava flows, cinder cones, and sagebrush steppe. Most visitors explore the trails, caves, and scenic overlooks along the park's 7-mile loop road, but there are plenty of opportunities for adventurers to get off the beaten path. The park's vast wilderness provides ample opportunity for hiking, backpacking, and wildlife watching. With so much to see and do, the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to explore the "weird and scenic" side of the American West.

Craters of the Moon

Craters of the Moon is out of this world

Encompassing one national park and three state parks, this California gem shouldn't be missed, especially if you're a fan of Jurassic Park! 

Most people know Redwood as home to the tallest trees on Earth. But the Parks also protect vast prairies, oak woodlands, wild rivers, and 40 miles of rugged coastline. People have lived in this verdant landscape since time immemorial. Together, the National Park Service and California State Parks are managing and restoring these lands for the inspiration, enjoyment, and education of all.

Redwood

Experience the majesty of Redwoods National and State Parks

Joshua Tree NP is unique because of the quantity of Joshua Trees there, but don't miss the Cholla Cactus and the impressive rocks and vistas, too. 

Joshua Tree National Park is one of the most iconic and beautiful places in the United States. The park is home to Joshua trees, which are twisted trees that grow to be about 40 feet tall. The trees are named for the Old Testament prophet, stretching out his hands in prayer. Joshua Tree National Park is also home to rugged rock formations and stark desert landscapes. The park straddles the cactus-dotted Colorado Desert and the Mojave Desert.

Joshua Tree

Joshua Tree has more than just trees

Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona has fossilized trees that had fallen and started becoming petrified BEFORE T-Rex walked the Earth! 

Nature, geology, archaeology, paleontology and even architecture meet at this high-desert park. Stretching for miles on both sides of Interstate 40 and located near the town of Holbrook in Northern Arizona, Petrified Forest National Park is a high-desert geologic treasure chest. You’ll see loads of petrified wood, not to mention eye-popping views of The Painted Desert, which sweeps through the park. Two visitor centers — the Painted Desert Visitor Center on the north and the Rainbow Forest Museum to the south — offer exhibits, books and gifts, limited food service and restrooms. Both sides of the park are connected by the 28-mile-long Main Park Road, which winds past viewpoints, trailheads and other attractions.

Petrified Forest

The age of Petrified Forest trees is mind-blowing

We did two cave tours at Mammoth Cave National Park and want to go back to do even more. 

Mammoth Cave National Park in west-central Kentucky is the longest cave system known in the world with more than 420 miles of surveyed passageways. The park is 52,830 acres and two rivers - the Green River and a tributary called the Nolin River - flow through it. The caves are located just below the water table, which means that they are constantly being replenished with water. This also means the caves are subject to flooding, and many have been closed to the public for safety reasons. The national park is open year-round and offers a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy.

Mammoth Cave

Mammoth Cave is mammoth, but watch your head! 

Long or short hikes and small or steep hills for sand sledding -- it's all available at White Sands National Park in Alamogordo, New Mexico! 

Rising from the heart of the Tularosa Basin is one of the world's great natural wonders - the glistening white sands of New Mexico. Great wave-like dunes of gypsum sand have engulfed 275 square miles of desert, creating the world's largest gypsum dunefield. White Sands National Park preserves a major portion of this unique dunefield, along with the plants and animals that live here. Occasionally the Dunes Drive may be closed on short notice when a missle test is scheduled. Keep an eye on the skies and check with NPS before you go. 

White Sands NP

Hiking and sledding in White Sands! 

Guadalupe Mountains National Park offers visitors a chance to hike to Guadalupe Peak -- the highest point in Texas -- plus some tamer trails. 

Guadalupe Mountains National Park is a truly unique place, home to a 400-mile long fossil reef that dates back to the Permian period. This ancient reef is one of the most well-preserved in the world, and provides a rare glimpse into a time when giant reptiles roamed the earth. The park was long home to the Mescalero Apache Tribe, who lived here until the US military drove them out by the 1880s. Today, visitors can enjoy stunning views from Guadalupe Peak, the highest mountain in Texas. The Guadalupe Mountains offer something for everyone, with ample opportunities for hiking, camping, and wildlife watching. Whether you're interested in geology or history, this national park is sure to impress.

Guadalupe Mountains

The highest point in Texas!

We recently discovered something new: we must classify our favorite national parks based on whether they are above ground or underground! 

Carlsbad Caverns National Park is one of the most unique and exciting places in the world. Located in the Chihuahuan Desert of southern New Mexico, Carlsbad Caverns is home to more than 100 caves. The most famous of these is the Big Room, a massive underground chamber that is adorned with stalactites clinging to its roof. In addition to the Big Room, Carlsbad Caverns also features the Walnut Canyon Desert Loop, a drive that offers stunning views of the desert landscape. And for those who want to get up close and personal with some of the park's resident reptiles, the Rattlesnake Springs wetland is a must-visit.