Trip Favorites
I was able to try many new things on my road trip: new states, new foods, new plants and animals. It was all very exciting. I felt like a little kid experiencing the world for the first time. I have so many great memories of everything I saw and did so it was tough picking favorites, but it was fun thinking back on my adventures to narrow down my top choices.
Favorite Park - Rocky Mountain National Park. I couldn't get rid of the awed facial expression. Everything was so beautiful and different than what I've ever seen. Plus, it was very engaging because of the many volunteers, rangers, and programs.
Favorite Trail - Bear Lake Trailhead to Emerald Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park. This was an insanely fun trail through the mountains that led to three lakes: Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and Emerald Lake. The trail had amazing mountain views, and the visions of the lakes surrounded by snow dusted evergreen trees and rocky peaks was incredible.
Favorite Waterfall - Impossible to decide. I saw so many great waterfalls I just couldn't pick one. Some that really stick out are Buttermilk Falls at Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Yosemite Falls, and Zapata Falls outside Great Sand Dunes National Park.
Favorite Campground - Sage Creek Campground, Badlands National Park. This is a primitive campground way back in the Badlands Wilderness. It requires a long drive down a bumpy dirt road, and it is worth it. I loved it so much because of its wildness. There were bison herds roaming right past, a prairie dog town neighbored the campground, and I got a nighttime show of a pack of coyotes hunting at dusk. The campground was quiet minus the coyote howls, surrounded by beautiful, unmarred prairie scenery, immersed in nature, and not to mention, free.
Favorite City - Portland, Oregon. I had a ton of fun in Portland, and I felt really comfortable there. I loved the funky artsy culture, the widespread acceptance and sustainability, and the general forward-thinkingness. Also, everyone was very friendly and polite. I also really liked the public transportation system, which was very easy to use and got me all around town efficiently. The downtown area was also very cool. It had all the perks of a big city downtown like great shops and restaurants, but it wasn't hectic or stressful like a lot of big cities. I explored a few of the city's parks, restaurants, and the world famous Powell's Books.
Favorite State - California. This state was full of just such a variety of landscapes and people. One day I was hiking through the snow and the next day I was walking along the ocean. Great nature, great people, and great history and stories.
Favorite Food - The Beef Stroganoff from Yosemite Bug Resort. Yosemite Bug is a hostel, hotel, resort, spa, and restaurant all in one. I stayed here a couple nights while visiting Yosemite National Park and I just couldn't get myself to cook my freeze-dried vegetable surprise with such a great smelling restaurant right next to me. The restaurant focuses on homemade local, organic food. I tried the beef stroganoff my first night and it was so high quality and fresh and extremely delicious. They had a great menu but the stroganoff was just so good I got it again the next night.
Favorite Ranger Program - I narrowed this one down to a tie between the French Quarter walking tour at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park in New Orleans, and the guided snowshoe hike at Bryce Canyon National Park. The French Quarter tour was so great because my family and I learned so much about the history of New Orleans, a city very familiar to us. The ranger also told many meaningful stories about the injustices of slavery and the nonacceptance of the gay community. The tour left a big impact on us. The snowshoe hike at Bryce Canyon was fun because it was my first time snowshoeing and the ranger was very friendly. I got to chat a lot with the ranger and hear some tips and tricks on maybe one day being a park ranger myself. Also, at the end of our trek through the snowy evergreen forest, the ranger led a moment of silent appreciation as we looked out over the towering hoodoos. He told stories of how the native Americans that once lived in the area showed deep appreciation for the land that was providing for them and the other living creatures living around them. The ranger stressed how important this idea of appreciating the land was, especially in the busy world we live in today.
Favorite Hostel - Lazy Lizard Hostel, Moab, Utah. I stayed for a week while visiting Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. This hostel had a very strong sense of community. At the end of a busy hiking day, everyone gathered in the shared living room and kitchen and swapped stories. I learned a lot about mountain biking from a couple from Europe, I heard many stories and got travel recommendations from a man that sold his business and rented out his house to become a full time traveler. And I met the very interesting character Denali, a lifelong traveler that now spends his time at the Lazy Lizard cooking up great food to share with everyone. It was a great time.
My list of favorites could keep going on and on with my favorite tree, favorite flower, favorite new to me animal, etc. but I have to cut myself off at some point. It was a great trip and each stop had its own unique features and personality. It's hard to pick favorites; I might just have to go around the country again to make sure of my choices.
Want to know more about these favorites or any others? Feel free to contact me at usheystore@gmail.com!
