St. Croix River and Ice Age Trail:  Easy Trek from Minneapolis Airport to 2 National Park Service Sites
Explore America / Explore The Outdoors / Explore The Parks

St. Croix River and Ice Age Trail: Easy Trek from Minneapolis Airport to 2 National Park Service Sites

When I was asked to speak at TBEX North America in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, I decided to check off a few National Park Service sites in Wisconsin and Minnesota. The closest major airport to Eau Claire is Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport about 1.5 hours away. Of course I was taking the scenic route to get … Continue reading

Visiting Homestead National Historical Park in Nebraska
Explore America / Explore The Parks

Visiting Homestead National Historical Park in Nebraska

On a 24-hour trip to Omaha, Nebraska I checked off my 164th National Park Service site with a visit to Homestead National Historical Park in Beatrice. It’s about 1.5-hour drive from downtown Omaha. Since there are three parts to the park, give yourself at least an hour to visit and more if you want to … Continue reading

Morristown National Historical Park:  Visit Where George Washington Spent the Historic Winter of 1779-1780
Explore America / Explore The Parks

Morristown National Historical Park: Visit Where George Washington Spent the Historic Winter of 1779-1780

If you’re a history buff, especially of the American Revolution, this national park site should be on your travel list. About 30 minutes from Newark Airport is Morristown National Historical Park. It’s where General George Washington and the Continental army wintered from December 1779 to June 1780 in one of the harshest and coldest winters … Continue reading

How to Spend an Hour at Scotts Bluff National Monument
Explore The Outdoors / Explore The Parks

How to Spend an Hour at Scotts Bluff National Monument

From a distance Scotts Bluff National Monument is impressive. It towers above the surrounding plains and is 800 feet above the North Platte River. The enormous bluff has been a prairie pathway landmark for at least 10,000 years first for indigenous people and then for pioneers on the Oregon Trail during America’s westward expansion. The … Continue reading

Hiking Fiery Furnace in Arches National Park
Explore The Parks / Explore Utah

Hiking Fiery Furnace in Arches National Park

If you want to experience true wilderness in Arches National Park hike in Fiery Furnace. It’s a maze of towering sandstone walls of endless canyons filled with fins, unique rock formations, unmarked arches, and dead ends. You likely won’t see anyone else, especially if you hike in winter. It is not for the novice hiker. … Continue reading

How to Spend Two Days in Moab Visiting Arches and Canyonlands
Explore The Parks / Explore Utah

How to Spend Two Days in Moab Visiting Arches and Canyonlands

It is doable to see Arches National Park and Canyonsland National Park two days with some planning. I’ve been to Moab multiple times, but never in winter until I recently took one of my besties’ sons for his first visit to Utah’s desert and canyon country. If you want no crowds, January and February are … Continue reading