Trees of Mystery in California offers wide, wandering trails through towering redwoods that are perfect for families. Although we normally stick to National Parks and scenic drives, we occasionally take a chance on a “tourist trap.”  In this case, curiosity got the best of us, and we cautiously paid the entrance fee into Trees of… Read more: Trees of Mystery California

Avenue of the Giants You must put Avenue of the Giants in Northern California’s Humboldt Redwoods State Park on your bucket list. This wonderfully scenic 31-mile highway winds through towering groves of ancient redwoods that rise like cathedral pillars, their massive trunks stretching skyward and their leafy crowns disappearing into a soft, misty canopy above.… Read more: Motorcycles & Giants

Nestled in the Eel River Valley, surrounded by the lush, redwood-covered ridges of Northern California’s Coast Ranges, is Stafford RV Park. You will find it located just off Hwy 101 in Scotia, California. It is definitely one of those rare finds. Excellent Location for Touring Stafford RV Park, also known as Avenue of the Giants… Read more: A Hidden Gem in the Redwoods: Stafford RV Park

Pacific Dunes Ranch RV Resort in Oceano, California was a place we looked forward to visiting—but it didn’t turn out the way we expected. Great Anticipation After doing some research, we found what seemed like the perfect stop—Pacific Dunes Ranch RV Resort in Oceania, California. Everything we saw said the same thing: you could ride… Read more: Pacific Dunes Ranch RV Resort Unexpected Lessons

Although our travels are centered around visiting national parks, there are a few other “must-do” stops that occasionally cause us to take a short detour. One of those stops was the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, located just a short drive from Channel Islands National Park. Cowboy Exhibit at Ronald Reagan Presidential Library At the time… Read more: Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

Our visit to Santa Cruz Island — the largest of the Channel Islands — was filled with ocean views, rugged beauty, and just enough adventure to remind us that nature is always in charge. Getting there, however… might best be told with a familiar tune. If you know the Gilligan’s Island theme song, you may… Read more: Music Day in Channel Islands National Park

Joshua Tree National Park isn’t just one landscape, as I once imagined — it is many. Cactus Everywhere Around every bend, the arid region seemed to change its personality. One moment we were in a desert basin surrounded by fluffy-looking cacti, each one glowing softly in the sunlight. The stillness of the desert felt lonely… Read more: Many Landscapes, Many Rooms

Perhaps Death Valley National Park became famous through television. Remember those old westerns set in the desert? Cowboys lost their horses, ran out of water, and dragged themselves through a hot and dangerous landscape. Sand dunes, cactus, salt flats, rocks, and rattlesnakes threatened their survival. That was the picture I carried in my mind of… Read more: Refreshment in Death Valley National Park

Visiting Kings Canyon National Park gave us another day among the giant sequoia trees. As we wandered through Kings Canyon National Park, these towering giants reminded me of a song I sang many times as a child in church — Deep and Wide. It begins, “deep and wide, deep and wide, there’s a fountain flowing… Read more: Kings Canyon National Park Deep & Wide

If you are looking for Sequoia National Park travel tips, this incredible destination offers towering giants, astounding vistas, and unforgettable moments in God’s creation. There is so much to see here. The General Sherman Tree is truly something to behold — widely recognized as the largest tree on earth by volume. The scenic vistas are… Read more: Standing Tall at Sequoia National Park

Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona Always take advantage of stopping to see what you’re passing along the road. After all, you never know when—or if—you might ever pass that way again. We did just that on our journey from Texas to California. Along our route, we stopped at Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona. A… Read more: Seeing The Unseen

As we wandered through the historic downtown Deadwood, South Dakota, we were immersed in the rich history of Deadwood, South Dakota and immediately felt its lively, festive energy. Visitors filled the sidewalks, drifting in and out of the town’s old saloons. Gunfight reenactments erupted right on schedule, drawing crowds, while street vendors offered local souvenirs… Read more: Deadwood, South Dakota: Where the Old West Lives On

Moving day is always a well-oiled routine for us. Ken and I each have our own responsibilities, and after doing this so many times, we usually glide through our checklist with confidence. I’m in charge of the inside—securing the TV and anything breakable, locking pantry and refrigerator items in place, and making sure everything is… Read more: An Unplanned Ambulance Ride in Yosemite

Our visit to Many Glacier in Glacier National Park took an unforgettable turn when we encountered a big black bear feeding just off a busy path near the lodge. What began as a simple walk quickly became a moment of awe, caution, and gratitude as we watched this powerful animal move peacefully through its natural… Read more: The Big Black Bear

While in Oregon House, California, we have been using our motorcycles to tour the beautiful countryside. It’s somewhat like going out for a “Sunday afternoon drive,” only different. A Lesson From the Ride As I follow Ken down the windy, tree lined road, I hear his voice in my ear, giving me instructions, “Watch for… Read more: Motorcycles & God’s Guidance