We recently spent a Saturday in Seattle, Washington, visiting one of Madeline’s friends, Megan. We are not big-city people, but we wanted to experience some of Seattle while in the vicinity and visit with this sweet girl. Although she had just recently moved to Seattle, she gave us a wonderful tour of its highlights, and we are sharing some of those along with some tips on how to make the day a little more successful. Enjoy the video!

One full year. 19 states. 30,960 miles. 15 national parks. 3 national memorials. 4 national monuments. 1 national recreation area. A few issues. A lot of favorite places. Some surprises. Game changers. What we miss and what we have planned. Our first edited video! Learning something new everyday!

Our journey north through California’s hills and mountains continues. Another favorite – Yosemite. Seeing old friends. Meeting new friends. A little bit of snow. A whole lot of beauty.

Hello fellow national park enthusiasts! I posted this last week but have added a few clarifications.

I’d like to bring to your attention a big change to the confusing entry requirements for Glacier National Park and Yosemite National Park starting this year.

National parks usually require some type of entrance fee unless you have an annual pass or a senior pass (i.e., America the Beautiful pass; there are a few other types of passes with which you might be familiar). This is still required at Glacier and Yosemite.

Starting this year—May 6 for Glacier and May 21 for Yosemite—through September 2021, both parks are requiring an additional entry reservation ticket.

LET ME REPEAT. To get into Glacier and Yosemite National Parks this summer (and most likely all future summers), you will need a park pass (or pay an entrance fee when you arrive) AND a reservation (with an entry reservation ticket in hand or on phone).

Wow. Wow. Wow. Taxes, high prices, and crazy traffic aside, California’s diverse landscapes are breathtaking. From desert and palm trees in the south to high elevations, towering trees, and snow in the north. Or cliff-lined shores in the west to plunging waterfalls in the east. California does not disappoint.