Read more about the article Yosemite NP – Tuolumne Meadows & Tioga Pass
Tuholomne Meadows

Yosemite NP – Tuolumne Meadows & Tioga Pass

We finally made it to Yosemite and entered on the eastern side of the park near Tuolumne (pronounced “to-all-lum-ee”) Meadows. Most visitors never tour this side of the park as the Tioga Pass is only open during the summer and early fall.

Tuolumne Meadows

Located in the High Sierra at 8,600 feet, Tuolumne Meadows feels quite different from the rest of the park. It is exactly what it says – a lush, green sub-alpine meadow with the Tuolumne River running through it.

Tuolumne Meadows with Lembert Dome in the background

Several hikes start from the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center. We chose the easier 2-mile Soda Springs hike instead of the Lembert Dome hike.

Tuolumne River

After crossing the river, a miniature log cabin stood alone in the distance. Homesteader Jean Baptiste Lembert enclosed the Soda Springs in 1889 to protect them from grazing sheep and livestock. (more…)

Read more about the article Joshua Tree NP – California

Joshua Tree NP – California

We met my husband’s family at Big Bear Lake, CA last summer. Those who’ve read my posts know that I don’t like to stay in one place for a long time – especially somewhere I’d been before. Since four days hanging out at a lake didn’t excite me, I decided to take one of my daughters (Thing 2) with me to Joshua Tree National Park for a day trip.

Looking at the Joshua Tree inside the park

It was a huge undertaking but worth it in the end. We left just before sunrise. Although only a little over 70 miles from Big Bear, the drive to the western entrance takes almost two hours mainly because the two-lane road full of hair-pin curves winds its way down the San Bernardino mountains for about 25 miles. Fortunately once we reached the Lucerne Valley area, miles of desert (and flat, straight roads) stretched ahead. (more…)

Read more about the article Boquillas Canyon and Hot Springs – Bend Bend National Park
Overlooking the Rio Grande from the Boquillas Canyon Trail

Boquillas Canyon and Hot Springs – Bend Bend National Park

After completing the Balanced Rock Trail, we ventured to the eastern side of Big Bend National Park. We passed the Panther Junction visitor center – one of two places in the park to purchase gasoline. Then we drove about 20 miles to Boquillas Canyon.

Even though we had seen the Rio Grande at Santa Elena Canyon the previous day, this area was completely different. Instead of being surrounded by sheer limestone cliffs, this area was more open and the river seemed to flow faster.  Additionally, we could see people on the other side in Mexico riding horses. (more…)

Read more about the article Balanced Rock Trail – Big Bend National Park
On the trail

Balanced Rock Trail – Big Bend National Park

We started our last day at La Posata Milagro where my brother-in-law recommended. Not only did we have great breakfast outside (70 degrees) but we ordered meatloaf sandwiches for a picnic later.

La Posata Milagro

Once we entered the park, we took a side road to Balanced Rock trail. The 7-mile gravel road was primitive and we wondered if the rental car would make it. After a slow drive, we found the parking area. (more…)