Tag: national parks

Yorktown Battlefield-Virginia

It’s Yorktown Battlefield day. I play the song Yorktown, from the Hamilton soundtrack, as I get ready fortoday’s adventure. The creative arts fascinate me. How writing, music, acting, and visuals, can makeinformation, that dully washed over you in history class, come alive. I know the musical backwards andforwards, so today, instead of just names and…
Nature to Explore at the New Jersey Shore

If you have images of the New Jersey Shore, they most likely include stretches of sandy beaches with boisterous waves. Mini-golf, carousels, and coasters come to mind, and visions of pizza slices dance in your head. You may not imagine, tucked away benches for birding, meadows filled with flowers, ord serene swans, but there is…
Wall Drug Store and Minuteman Missile National Historic Site-South Dakota

The feeling bubbles up as Wall Drug Store comes into view. Swirling glitter in my stomach, that’s getting more sparkly as it swirls. The glitter rises up into my face, pulling the corners of my mouth into a smile. I’m ready for some “touristy” hijinks. Minuteman Missile National Historic Site Some travel days are filled…
Badlands National Park and Prairie Homestead-South Dakota

Rays of light beam down on the sign, as we make our way to Badlands National Park. The sign reads, Prairie Homestead. “Can we go, can we go, can we go,” I beg. Prairie Homestead As a kid I was obsessed with all things prairie. Thanks to a Dad with construction skills, I had a prairie style…
Mount Rushmore-We Didn’t Hate It

As we twist around the roads on the way to Mount Rushmore, I’m flooded with a memory. My family is on a New England road trip. I am a middle school history buff, and am most looking forward to gazing upon Plymouth Rock. I imagine Plymouth Rock to be a massive, inspiring, boulder, that shines…
Connecting with Elsa- Ellis Island-New York

Elsa watches as her home disappears in the distance. Elsa’s parents are concerned about Germany’s political direction. They decide to send sixteen- year- old Elsa to America, to live with cousins, until things in Germany calm down. A few days into the journey, Elsa is struck with a fever and chills. Although she is on…
Denali National Park-Eielson Visitors’ Center and Hike

“I’m so tired of roughing it,” huffs the women. Her attire appears more suited for strolling around a Caribbean resort than exploring the Alaskan Wilderness in Denali National Park. She rushes away from the tan tour bus, hoping to beat her fellow passengers to the restrooms. Though the restrooms are holes in the ground, topped…
Denali National Park-Wonder Lake and Reflection Pond

It seemed like a good idea at the time. If you are a part-time traveler, you can probably relate. While trudging through your 9-5, your trip planning grows more ambitious. While enjoying the comfort of my home sofa, catching the first shuttle bus of the day in Denali National Park, made so much sense. When…
Surprised in Sitka-Alaska

At first I am alarmed. We’re meandering around Sitka, killing time before we can check-in to our hotel. “Sarah. Shannon.” The calls echo. We look around, but there’s no one in sight. Once again we hear our names, “Sarah. Shannon. Up here.” Spinning around we see two familiar faces waving out of windows at The…