OBLIGATORY TRAVELER

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Category: National Park

  • Spending a Half Day at Volcanoes National Park-Hawaii

    Spending a Half Day at Volcanoes National Park-Hawaii

    Hawaii is vast. With six islands to explore and boundless activities, it’s impossible to see it all in one trip. For ambitious National Park stampers, getting a stamp at Hawaii’s Largest National Park is an important goal. But what do you do if you want to see the park but are short on time? Spend…

  • Staying at The Volcano House Hotel-Volcanoes National Park-Hawaii

    Staying at The Volcano House Hotel-Volcanoes National Park-Hawaii

    Rolling out of bed is a luxury. It’s the best part about staying at the Volcano House hotel in Volcanoes National Park. After donning a t-shirt and hiking pants, I meander down the staircase. It’s early morning, and although the lobby is packed with day visitors from 9 am to 5 pm, at this hour,…

  • Fire Island National Seashore-Fire Island Lighthouse-New York

    Fire Island National Seashore-Fire Island Lighthouse-New York

    It’s a race against time to the Fire Island Lighthouse. Since we couldn’t get our National Park Passport Stamp at the Fire Island National Seashore’s Sailors Haven Visitors Center, we are hoping to complete our quest at Fire Island Lighthouse. Sailor’s Haven, Cherry Grove, and other areas of Fire Island National Seashore, are only accessible…

  • Fire Island National Seashore-Sailors Haven Day- Trip-New York

    Fire Island National Seashore-Sailors Haven Day- Trip-New York

    Crushing defeat. There is no sign of life at the Fire Island National Seashore- Sailors Haven Visitors Center. No Visitors Center, no National Park Passport Stamp. The main purpose of the United States’ Memorial Day holiday is to honor those who sacrificed their lives serving in the military. Due to occurring just before June, the…

  • Visiting The John Muir National Historic Site-California

    Visiting The John Muir National Historic Site-California

    There is a 7-Eleven directly across the street. This is the first thing I notice, as our rental car pulls into the parking lot, at the John Muir National Historic Site. The street also includes a fast food restaurant, a tire store, and several places to grab a cup of coffee. Progress. I’m always grateful…

  • Touring the WWII SS Red Oak Victory Ship

    Touring the WWII SS Red Oak Victory Ship

    The Park Ranger and Park volunteer at Rosie The Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park insist that visiting The SS Red Oak Victory ship, is worth the time. The ship is only open to visitors on Sundays, and we are fortunate to be in Richmond, California, on a Sunday. Recognizing how lucky we are,…

  • Visiting Rosie The Riveter National Park Site

    Visiting Rosie The Riveter National Park Site

    The headband speaks out to me from my headband holder. Red with white polka dots. Do I dare? I only need an appropriate shirt, and I could do it. Anticipation of visiting Rosie The Riveter National Park Site is high, but the feelings sky-rocket when I realize for the very first time, I can National…

  • Visiting Dry Tortugas National Park-Florida

    Visiting Dry Tortugas National Park-Florida

    Sleepy bodies shuffle into the Dry Tortugas National Park ferry terminal. The Yankee Freedom Boat Tour agency repeats the comment over the loudspeaker.  “The waters can be rough. We highly recommend taking medicine for seasickness prior to departure. We sell Dramamine pills for $1.00 if you need them.”  I brought my own Dramamine. Getting horribly…

  • Visiting Pearl Harbor National Memorial-Hawaii

    Visiting Pearl Harbor National Memorial-Hawaii

    Pearl Harbor National Memorial, is the most visited tourist attraction, in Hawaii. There are numerous National Park designations, including Historic Sites, Historic Parks, and National Monuments. Visiting a National Memorial, has a distinct feel.  Two and half weeks in Hawaii, on three different islands, takes a lot of logistical planning. We need to figure out…