US National Park Service – Page 3 – Singin' One's Journeys

The DMV and Indiana Dunes NP

Posted on June 4, 2023June 11, 2023 by traveler

As I mentioned in earlier posts, I am in the process of relocating to the DC Metro area, otherwise known as the DMV, so I’m closer to family and away from the winters of Iowa. I had two primary goals for this trip: one, to find a place to stay and two, celebrate the publication…

The Singin’ Tourist in the SW USA (Afterthoughts)

Posted on November 19, 2022November 20, 2022 by traveler

It’s hard to believe that it has been a month since I finally made this trip that has been on my wish list for a decade. And what a difference a decade makes! I still don’t feel like I’ve fully recovered from the trip. Yet, I’m already contemplating one more venture while I’m still in…

The Singin’ Tourist in the SW USA (Day 5)

Posted on November 2, 2022November 2, 2022 by traveler

Another beautiful day! This map displays all four national parks I visited during the trip: Bryce Canyon (I), Capitol Reef (J), Canyonlands (K), and Arches (L). I entered the Canyonlands National Park on Friday morning. It seemed like every time I pulled out of one turnoff after taking pictures, I would pull off the road…

The Singin’ Tourist in the SW USA (Day 4)

Posted on November 1, 2022November 19, 2022 by traveler

Utah has five national parks. I’ve previously visited Zion National Park, so my game plan was to try to visit the remaining four parks during this trip. However, one thing had to be taken into account. Utah is a big state in area, and the roads between the parks were not exactly direct or were…

The Singin’ Tourist in the SW USA (Day 3)

Posted on November 1, 2022November 1, 2022 by traveler

I described myself as an eco-tourist on Tripadvisor because I enjoy travelling, but I usually work with a limited budget. Purchasing the senior national park pass two years ago has been a major benefit to me on that front. It’s has especially come in handy for this trip. Instead of paying $30-35 to enter one…

The Singin’ Tourist in the SW USA (Day 2)

Posted on October 30, 2022November 19, 2022 by traveler

I was just a few miles from the entrance to Death Valley National Park. I got a very early start, so I took some pictures of the sun rise. It had felt a little weird to run air conditioning again the night before, but then again, I had used it while in the Irvine/L.A. areas,…

A Bit of Business, A Bit of Fun

Posted on October 11, 2022October 11, 2022 by traveler

This “how many national parks can I visit in a week” trip has been on my radar for quite a while. I finally have a shot of actually doing it! The trip is now part business and part pleasure. I am scheduled to give a lecture on the development of concert spirituals during the Harlem…

Seven National Parks in Ten Days–Can It Be Done?

Posted on May 24, 2022May 30, 2022 by traveler

I’m not sure exactly when I became a fan of national parks, but I am one. I couldn’t wait to be able to get my senior pass, but now I have it I want to put it to good use. I had visited both Rocky Mountain NP and Zion NP with my mother in 2012,…

A New Normal? Prepping to Get Back on the Road

Posted on May 12, 2022July 13, 2023 by traveler

Sorry it’s been so long since I last posted. Real life has been REAL for everyone! I’ve limited most of my interactions to virtual events, but I do owe a post or two about the trip to the NATS workshop in Tennessee in October 2021, so I’ll try to get to it after I finish…

Have Card, Will Travel

Posted on November 15, 2020July 28, 2023 by traveler

Now that I had SB and she had proven herself to be road worthy, I wanted to really put her to the test. Also, with my recent last birthday, I could now purchase a senior lifetime national park card, thus ending the annual card fees. The only thing I had to determine was whether there…