OBLIGATORY TRAVELER

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Tag: nature

  • Taking A Big Island National Parks Road Trip-Hawaii

    Taking A Big Island National Parks Road Trip-Hawaii

    Hawaii’s Big Island is a dream for National Park Passport Stampers. One National Park, two National Historical Parks, one National Historic Site, and a National Historic Trail. Five places to explore nature and learn about history. The best way to visit them all is by taking a Big Island National Parks Road Trip.

  • Visiting Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park-Hawaii

    Visiting Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park-Hawaii

    If you enjoy a combination of history, culture, and nature, a visit to Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park should be on your Hawaii National Parks List.

  • Spending a Full Day at Volcanoes National Park – Hawaii

    Spending a Full Day at Volcanoes National Park – Hawaii

    Cue the Jaws theme. It’s playing in my head as we approach the Nahuku Lava Tube. The group ahead of us exits the tube, but a family of 12 barrels down the path behind us. As their boisterous cries get closer, we realize we have about ten minutes with the lava tube to ourselves. We…

  • 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,…

  • Visiting The New York World’s Fair Park

    Visiting The New York World’s Fair Park

    The song plays in my head, as we enter The New York World ’s Fair Park. “There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow, shining at the end of everyday…” This visit lights up my passion for learning about entertainment history. In New York, in 1939 and 1964, there was no greater entertainment spectacle, than the World’s…

  • 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…

  • Taking a North Shore Day-Trip-Oahu-Hawaii

    Taking a North Shore Day-Trip-Oahu-Hawaii

    Waikiki is walkable. This is our dilemma. A car is not needed for our stay on Oahu. Parking in Waikiki is scarce, difficult, and expensive. We want, however, to experience some activities beyond Waikiki. Though taking a guided tour is a great option, we’d rather visit sites on our own timeline. Solution, rent a car…