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

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.

Carlsbad Caverns

Diving deep into Carlsbad Caverns

We camped without hookups in Big Bend National Park for five nights in 105-degree weather, but that didn't stop us from taking amazing hikes! 

Big Bend National Park is a place of big skies, big views, and big adventures. The Santa Elena Canyon Trail offers visitors the chance to experience the park's 1500-foot-high stone walls up close. For those looking to relax, the 105-degree hot springs are the perfect place to soak away your cares. And don't miss the Fossil Discovery Center, where you can see a giant pterosaur, the largest flyer ever. Birdwatching is also a popular activity at Rio Grande Village, and sunset seekers will want to hike to Window View for one of the best views in the park. Finally, don't forget to canoe along the Rio Grande at Santa Elena Canyon for an unforgettable experience.

Big Bend NP

Big Bend is remote, hot and stunning!

We were lucky enough to score a permit to hike Angels Landing on our first try and discovered first-hand how difficult but amazing this hike is! 

Follow the paths where native Paiute people and Mormon pioneers walked. Gaze up at massive sandstone cliffs of cream, pink, and red that soar into a brilliant blue sky. Experience wilderness in a narrow slot canyon. Zion’s unique array of plants and animals will enchant you as you absorb the rich history of the past and enjoy the excitement of present day adventures.

Zion NP

The Amazing Angels Landing Hike at Zion

Maybury State Park has an interesting history - it was originally home to a sanatorium for tuberculosis patients from the 1920s through the 1960s.

This beautiful state park just west of Detroit was once a quarantine destination for thousands of tuberculosis patients, created under the direction of real estate tycoon William H. Maybury to keep the infectious isolated and give them a place where nature could help them heal. Today, it's a marvelous place to cross-country ski in the winter or hike and bike at other times of year. The park also hosts demonstrations of life at the turn of the 20th century, such as honey extracting and sheep shearing.

Maybury State Park

Visit a Former Sanatorium in Southeast Michigan

Home of Kitch-iti-kipi -- or "Big Spring" -- Palms Book State Park is a must-see destination in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. 

Palms Book State Park is a publicly owned nature preserve encompassing 388 acres in the eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The state park is noted for Kitch-iti-kipi, the "Big Spring" of the Upper Peninsula. Michigan's largest freshwater spring, spanning 200 feet across and 40 feet deep, can be seen from above as it wells upward through the pond's bottom of bedrock limestone and sand, creating a continual pattern of random eddies and cross-currents in the depths of the pond. To the Anishinaabe people who were the original inhabitants of much of the Upper Peninsula, this site was a place of mystery and wonder. The flow continues throughout the year at a constant 45 degrees Fahrenheit, gushing more than 10,000 gallons of water a minute from fissures in the underlying limestone.

Palms Book State Park

Palms Book State Park and The Big Spring

Hartwick Pines State Park has a lot to offer for those looking to hike or bike, plus it offers an old growth forest trail and a logging museum. 

The largest state park in Michigan's lower peninsula, with nearly 10,000 acres, Hartwick Pines is a wonderful place for hiking, camping, mountain biking, hunting and fishing. Famed for its old-growth white pines, the park features four lakes and a 100-site campground. Fishing is allowed along the East Branch of the AuSable River. The park also features the Michigan Forest Visitors Center and an old-time logging camp, with summer demonstrations of crafts like carving and blacksmithing.

Hartwick Pines

An Old Growth Forest in Northern Michigan

We hiked two different trails in Glacier National Park, including Red Rock Falls and Iceberg Lake. 

Glacier National Park is one of the most stunning places on earth. A true showcase of Mother Nature's grandeur, the park is home to melting glaciers, alpine meadows, carved valleys, and spectacular lakes. With over 700 miles of trails, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Swiftcurrent Lake is a popular spot for fishing and boating, and the Going-to-the-Sun Road is one of the world's greatest drives. Scenic boat tours are also a great way to take in the sights. For those who love to hike, the Grinnell Glacier is a must-see before it's gone forever. The Hidden Lake Trail is also a great option for those looking for some stunning photos. No matter what you choose to do, Glacier National Park is sure to leave you with lasting memories.

Glacier

Two Good Hiking Trails in Glacier

Silver Lake State Park in northwest Michigan offers a lot of things to do, including camping, hiking, boating and off-roading on giant sand dunes. 

Silver Lake State Park is home to 3 miles of stunning Lake Michigan shoreline, a modern campground, nearly 2,000 acres of sand dunes, a day-use area on inland Silver Lake and the 500-acre Silver Lake ORV Area - the only sand dune riding opportunity east of the Mississippi River. The park grounds include the Little Sable Point Light on Lake Michigan and one mile of shoreline on 690-acre Silver Lake. The park originated in 1920 when 25 acres on the east side of Silver Lake were donated for park purposes by Carrie E. Mears, the daughter of lumber baron Charles Mears.  

Silver Lake State Park

Drive Giant Sand Dunes in West Michigan

We visited Great Basin National Park in Nevada, just across the state line from Utah, and discovered what might be one of our new favorite places! 

Great Basin National Park boasts a diverse range of landscapes, including rugged mountains, ancient bristlecone pine forests, and the captivating Lehman Caves. The park's history is closely tied to the Shoshone and Paiute peoples, who have called this region home for countless generations. Visitors can explore this unique ecosystem while stargazing under exceptionally clear night skies, thanks to its Dark Sky Park designation. With its rich biodiversity and cultural significance, Great Basin National Park offers a remarkable blend of natural wonders and historical heritage for all to enjoy and appreciate.

Great Basin NP

Great Basin: An Awesome Undiscovered Park

You should spend days at Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park, but don't skip either one even if you only have a few hours! 

Canyonlands National Park is a breathtaking desert landscape carved by the Colorado River. With towering rock pinnacles, remote canyons and stunning Native American rock art, Canyonlands is a must-see for any traveler. The Island in the Sky mesa offers panoramic views of the park, while the Needles provide a dramatic contrast to the flat landscapes. For those looking for a more adventurous experience, the Maze provides a remote and challenging experience. And no visit to Canyonlands would be complete without seeing the Mesa Arch, one of the most popular features of the park.

Canyonlands

Consider Day Trips to Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point State Park

If you're willing to be flexible, you can visit Arches National Park without a timed entry permit, a reservation, or a plan. We did! 

Arches National Park, nestled in the red rock country of Utah, is a geological wonderland renowned for its striking natural arches and sandstone formations. With over 2,000 arches carved by millennia of erosion, it showcases nature's artistic prowess. The park's history also intertwines with that of indigenous people, notably the Ute Tribe, who have inhabited the region for centuries. The park offers hiking trails, rock climbing opportunities, and stargazing under dark desert skies, as well as awe-inspiring sights like Delicate Arch, Balanced Rock, and Fiery Furnace.