I have been very fortunate to have visited some of this country’s most beautiful locations. From the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Parks in Wyoming to the Great Smokies and Acadia National Parks in Tennessee and Maine.

The couple’s email put me in a positive mood as I set out for a more typical day of sightseeing in Arches National Park before driving up to Canyonlands National Park. The geological diversity of Utah can overwhelm the senses.

A few weeks ago, I set off for Utah to visit the mighty five National Parks in Utah (Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion). My goal was to spend some time in the sunshine of southwestern Utah and avoid the

Shortly after graduation from the University of Minnesota, I moved to Washington DC to begin my career in association management. Being young and naive, I had no plan and very little money to get started.

I’m up early this morning (3:00 AM) as I woke up and could not fall back asleep. As I wait for the sunrise, I began to ponder Wisconsin winters and my growing trepidation for their arrival each year.

When I first started hiking, I was a lost soul. From equipment and trails to clothing and shoes, I knew nothing about hiking. I merely strapped on my 15 year old LL Bean hiking boots and started walking the neighborhood.