Reflecting and Planning

January 4, 2024

As 2024 begins, I reflect on my first full year as a nomad.

The biggest question is, “Am I happy with the nomadic lifestyle?”

Yes! Absolutely. As the months pass, I can’t imagine returning to my former profession, teaching.

I never thought I would be so happy to be unemployed. (I still don’t believe I am retired.)

I wake up grateful every day for the sights I see, the people I meet, and a more relaxed lifestyle.

New Experiences in 2023:

House and pet sitting: From May to July, I mostly house-sat and pet-sat. My favorites have been the “one-dog sits.” Cats are easy, but dogs are good company, and at least one daily walk is guaranteed. It’s also a huge budget saver!
European National Parks: I visited Plitvice and Mljet in Croatia and Teide and Garajonay in the Canary Islands. The national parks in Croatia were stunning! Trails were well-marked and easy to navigate. Tiede, Spain’s highest peak, is located on Tenerife in the Canary Islands. I visited on a group tour that included star gazing. It was an unforgettable experience. I also spent a day on La Gomera in the Canaries, which is primarily a National Park. Absolutely gorgeous!
The Greek Islands: I spent about a month in Greece, starting in Athens and moving on to Crete, Karpathos, Rhodes, and Santorini. Each place had its unique character, and I enjoyed all of them. There are over 200 islands to explore in Greece, and I have plans to return this spring.
Reading: Okay, I have known how to read for a long time! I have always struggled with leisurely reading, though. I no longer feel guilty about spending the afternoon with my nose in a good book.

Plans and Changes for 2024:

More weeks of house sitting and pet sitting: I have been pet sitting since the middle of December when I arrived home from an extended trip to Europe. (I was able to schedule the sits around family Christmas celebrations.) And I will spend most of my days on sits through April. Requests have come my way, and I can be picky about pets and locations. I’m currently enjoying a gorgeous view of Puget Sound.
Volunteer Work: I’m researching options for volunteer positions both here in my home state and overseas. I’m hoping to make this part of my lifestyle.
Travel farther from home: I am going “Down Under” for the first time. After spending September in the Hawaiian Islands, I will head to Sydney, Australia, in October. I still need to plan the rest of the trip, including New Zealand.
No big US road trip: The past two years, I took off on extended road trips around the Western US (seven and ten weeks). Although I enjoyed those trips, which included visits with friends and family, I don’t have an open block of time this year. I will make some shorter trips instead.
Cruises: I haven’t been on a cruise ship in several years. I have mixed feelings about cruising, but incredible deals are out there as the cruise lines recover from the pandemic. And most cruise companies are responding to solo travelers with single rooms. It’s definitely worth checking out.

Two years ago, I never imagined that I would be living this lifestyle. I get a kick out of telling people that I am a nomad. Their reactions are almost always positive, and I enjoy answering their questions. Some people can’t believe that I no longer have a physical home. I have adapted and find it easy to make myself “at home” almost anywhere.

I have always enjoyed home renovation shows (I have remodeled one home and partially remodeled another.), and I love to see how people decorate. I now have a routine when I arrive for a sit. I take in the surroundings and appreciate their sense of style and the fact that they are entrusting me with their home and pets.

One of the best things about this lifestyle is that I see more of my adult kids now than I did in previous years. I schedule enough sits in the Seattle area that we get together quite often throughout the year. And Mom isn’t asking for their help with projects around the house. We just enjoy each other’s company.

Here’s to the year ahead! I wish you peace and happiness.

Checking Out Slovenia

October 9, 2023
Sometimes, I can’t believe how many beautiful places I see in a short time while traveling.

Yesterday, I once again visited an incredibly beautiful place, Vintgar Gorge, near Lake Bled, Slovenia.
Slovenia is entirely new to me. This is my first visit. I took a nice long stretch of six days to hang out in Ljubljana, the capital. As capital cities go, it is on the small side and has a chill vibe. The Ljubljanica River that runs through the city was carefully planned to be pedestrian friendly. There are oodles of bars, restaurants, and sitting spots to people-watch.

I visited a museum a day, all fantastic, and enjoyed walks up by the castle and through Tivoli Park.

The “Open Kitchen” food festival lasts from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Fridays, spring through autumn.

Not to mention, there’s the daily market square filled with fresh produce and flowers.

Two days ago, I arrived in Lake Bled. Wow! It is the quintessential European mountain fantasy town with a castle high on a rock cliff and an island in the lake with a church. It has a touristy vibe but doesn’t feel as overrun as Windermere in England’s Lakes District.

Yesterday, I took a shuttle out to nearby Vintgar Gorge. My expectations were low since I had recently visited Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia.
It was another of those better-than-expected experiences.
I think the fact that we are now in October helped, too. The trail along the gorge wasn’t especially crowded, even though it was a Sunday.
The fall colors also enhanced the crystal-clear waters.
Enjoy the photos and be sure to add Lake Bled and Vintgar Gorge to your Slovenian itinerary!

20K in a Day

September 24, 2023
I love to walk and hike. I’d say it is my primary form of recreation and transportation, especially while traveling.
I try to keep my daily limit to ten miles. You know, moderation and all. I don’t want to be too wiped out to enjoy the next day’s wanderings.
My friend Nancy likes to take it up a notch, though. She took up trail running in her fifties. Let’s say she’s my only friend my age who can kick my butt on a hiking trail. (Don’t be fooled by the sweet smile in the photo.)

We had two full days to explore Miljet National Park in Croatia. So, we decided to take a long hike the first day and take it easy the second.

The nice part about traveling with my friends Kirk and Nancy is that I don’t have to plan much at all. They are avid map readers, and Nancy loves to set up the day’s itinerary.

Besides covering much of the park, the hike also included an ascent to a viewing tower. The views of the island were stunning!

The side trip to the neighboring town of Polace for groceries added a couple of kilometers, too. But we got to see the ruins of a Roman place, too.

That’s how we ended up hiking 20K in a day, or 2.42 miles over my usual limit.

Don’t get me wrong; I’m just being cheeky. It was one of the most memorable days of our trip to Croatia. My feet survived, and I was only a little sore the next day.

And I would do the 20K all over again.

Hiking Hawaii’s National Parks

August 22, 2023

When traveling, do you ever think, “I’ll go back there someday and…?”

I do that a lot. In fact, I’ve been doing it since I was a teenager when I got my first taste of travel beyond my home state.

Since becoming a nomad, I have had several opportunities to “go back and…” The latest example is an 18-day trip to Hawaii, the Big Island.

I first visited fifteen years ago with my then-husband and two children. It was one of our most memorable family trips. We stayed in three different locations on the island for eleven days. In fact, one place we stayed, in Puna, was covered in the 2018 lava flows, so I truly can’t go back!

The one disappointment of that family trip was the weather on our visit to Volcanoes National Park. It was rainy, and both calderas were ensconced in fog. We didn’t get to see or do much.

More recently, I have returned twice, but each time I was with non-hiker people. I got to see Kilauea and Kilauea Iki, but I wanted to hike there. After the most recent visit, I promised myself to come back and hike.

This year, I returned by myself this time and did just that. I reserved an Airbnb close to the park for two nights and prayed for good weather.

On the first day, I started from the Devastation parking lot to avoid the crowds elsewhere. I then took the Byron Ledge Trail and kept veering left until I reached the east end of Kilauea Caldera. After that, I went to the right and hiked up to the Crater Rim Trail (parts of which are the old Crater Rim Drive). I opted to walk through the Kilauea Iki viewpoint and took a little side trip through the Thurston Lava Tube. Finally, I dipped back down to hike across Kilauea Iki and back up the Byron Ledge Trail to my car. The distance was 8.1 miles.

While hiking through Kilauea Iki, the winds picked up and brought in some fog. It created an extra-eerie effect on the already other-worldly trail. The trail becomes rocky at the far end of Kilauea Iki and makes for a challenging passage. I highly recommend hiking boots with Vibram soles for this endeavor.

On the second day in the park, I hiked through the Mauna Ulu flow (1969-1974) on the Napau Crater Trail (off of The Chain of Craters Drive). I didn’t put in as many miles, but I thoroughly enjoyed the unique formations left by the lava flows.

After the hike, I continued down the Chain of Craters Road to the ocean, stopping at every crater and most viewpoints.

When I reached the coastline, I pulled over on the second pullout and saw a sea arch. It wasn’t the famous Holei Arch that everyone goes to. I thought it was a lucky occurrence.

But wait, there’s more!

The Big Island has more than one National Park. Don’t miss out, especially if you enjoy history.

Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park (Place of Refuge)

This is a highly scenic park with an exciting history. The trail is relatively easy, and you will see so much culture in a short walk.

I recommend starting at the amphitheater, where you can relax in the shade and watch the video that explains the history of this sacred site.

Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park

This is the place you want to go to (almost) guarantee some sea turtle sightings. (A ranger told me there was only one occasion when a visitor returned and told her that they hadn’t seen any turtles.) You will also learn some of the history of the ancient Hawaiians.

The main parking lot is easily reached off Highway 19, just a few miles south of the Kailua-Kona airport. If you aren’t big on walking, I suggest you check in at the Visitor’s Center and then take the short drive over to the Honokohau Harbor, where you can park and take a short walk to the beach, where you will likely see some turtles along with the fish traps and the Heiau (temple).

If you are up for a few miles, hike the “big loop” from the visitor’s center through the trail on the lava fields and up to the Kalako Fishpond. The pond was created by a “massive stone wall,” currently under reconstruction. It’s really something!

Afterward, you will continue hiking, mainly along the beach on varied surfaces, from very rocky to sandy beaches, back to ‘Aimakapa Fishpond and Honokohau Beach. Unfortunately, the final leg of the hike is a bit boring as you walk through the rocky lava back to the Visitor’s Center. Still, there are a few petroglyphs to see on the way.

I highly recommend hiking boots with Vibram soles for this expedition. It’s a relatively flat hike, but many sections are challenging because of the sizeable, uneven lava rocks.

Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site (The Temple on the Hill of the Whale)

Don’t miss this one! I had visited the island three times before finally stopping at the visitor’s center on this trip. And then I went twice!

First, I hope you arrive when George, the park ranger, is on duty because he is the most enthusiastic ranger I have ever met. This guy loves his job! He also explained the difference between historic and historical to me. I will entice you to visit by saying this is probably the most important historic site to Hawaiians. But I really want you to go there and learn the history.

There is some hiking to be done here, but I must admit, I only walked out to the Heiau. No harm in leaving something for that next trip!

Now, your English lesson for the day. Both words are adjectives, and the following definitions are from Dictionary.com.

Historical: of, relating to, treating, or characteristic of history or past events

Historic: well-known or important in history

Therefore, to paraphrase Ranger George, a Historic National Park is where a significant event occurred. A Historical National Park shows the history of the place, but no important events took place there.

No Apologies for My Solo Nomad Lifestyle

August 13, 2023

I have been here in Hawaii (aka The Big Island) for a week—by myself. You are probably wondering what is wrong with me. Does she smell awful? Why doesn’t she have any friends? Seriously, who would go to Hawaii alone??

Well, it just didn’t work out this time. I had been holding a place for my older son, and he had to bow out due to other commitments. Then I tried a couple of friends. One had too many things scheduled in August, and another may be able to join me for a few days at the end of the trip. A single guy friend figured it wouldn’t go over too well with his new girlfriend. Fair enough.

So here I am, by myself.

The trip got off to a rocky start. My flight was delayed, and I was lucky enough to get a loud, kicking preschooler in the seat behind me.

By the time I checked in and got settled for bed, it was 3:00 AM back home.

My first full day in Hawaii consisted of sleeping in, exchanging my malfunctioning rental car, grocery shopping, and a late afternoon swim before dinner. Ah, paradise!

While driving around that first day, I heard the high wind warnings on the car radio. Hurricane Dora was passing south of the Hawaiian Islands.

In case you’ve been living in a cave, I’ll tell you what happened next. Dry conditions and high winds caused devastating wildfires on Maui and some smaller fires here on the Big Island.

I took a nice long beach walk Tuesday morning before the winds kicked up. I then spent the afternoon and evening safely in my condo, watching the trees sway, palm fronds and branches dropping to the ground.

The news the next day was heartbreaking. Beautiful, historic Lahaina had been devastated by the fires. As of today, we know that more than 100 people lost their lives.

Hearing that news about the neighboring island put a damper on the joy of my visit. I stayed close to my accommodations on Wednesday since a section of the highway was closed due to the fires.

I went out to attempt a hike on Thursday morning, hoping that the winds had calmed. Nope. Still super windy. Instead, I opted to shop at the health food store and Foodland in Waimea. At this point, I clearly was not going to starve. In my defense, I rarely eat out.

Finally, on Friday morning, I headed way up to Pololu on the north end of the island to hike the short but steep trail down to the black sand beach. Now I could start fully enjoying my time on the islands. This was the Hawaii I knew and loved.

Yesterday, I went to three farmers’ markets up in Waimea, all unique and lively. Hawaiian farmers markets make me so happy. I love seeing the exotic fruits and vegetables and meeting the people who grow them.

I enjoyed a leisurely shoreline walk in the afternoon and went for my pre-dinner swim, which has become part of my daily routine.

This is my first time alone in Hawaii, but I have visited a few times in the past. I’m doing what I want and settling into the pace of my days. I have the luxury of being here for more than two weeks, so the typical must-see tourist urgency is lacking. I sit out on the patio after lunch most days and read in the shade. This morning, I lingered on the beach and watched turtles for an hour.

From this day forward, I will never apologize for my solo travels. (Although, I’m happy when friends can join me, and I won’t complain if Mr. Wonderful shows up to accompany me.)

In a couple of days, I’m heading to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. I’ve arranged a two-night stay in the area to fully explore the park. Not a screaming deal this time but worth it for the location.

I got online today to make a dinner reservation at The Rim restaurant in the park. Even though I prepare most of my own food, I occasionally go out to eat. This restaurant has been on my “to do” list for a while along with some hikes in the park. I’ll burn the calories and enjoy the splurge.

For the first time, I had the option of making a reservation for ONE. (Usually, the dropdown options start at two.)

I feel like it’s a good sign.

Travel Timing

May 29, 2023

When planning a travel itinerary, sometimes it takes effort to guess how much time to spend in each place. At times I make adjustments, but I rarely wish I had spent less time in an area. That’s how I feel about Northern California.
It’s hard to know how many days to allot if you’ve never been to a place. I’ve visited California several times, but all but one visit was to the coast. I had always heard about the beauty of Lake Tahoe, and I knew I’d easily be able to fill a week there. That part of the itinerary was spot-on.

Snow hiking above Lake Tahoe to Eagle Lake on Mother’s Day 2023

Paddle Boarding on Lake Tahoe in May: Gorgeous!

It was the travel from Tahoe to Oregon where I short-changed myself. I had a mere afternoon to see Lassen Volcanic National Park. I could only get a little way into the southern entrance since the main road through the park was still snow-covered. I didn’t even make it to the northern entrance.

I was also in a rush at Lake Shasta and Mount Shasta. Although I did well with my limited time (one day), I would love to return and see more of the area. In fact, that day at Mount Shasta, I yearned to get a camper van. I could picture myself chilling out for a few days at one of the campgrounds there.

The main reason for my pressed itinerary was a dog-sitting gig in Bend, Oregon. I knew setting myself up with no-cost accommodations for Memorial Day weekend would be wise. And, indeed, it was a good idea. My canine companion was a sweetheart. I visited local sights like the Newberry National Monument, the Deschutes River, and the High Desert Museum.

Lava Butte at Newberry National Monument near Bend, Oregon

Benham Falls, Newberry National Monument

Obsidian Flow, Newberry National Monument

Tomorrow, I will start making my way back to Washington, my home state. More dog sitting on the agenda, and a Celebration of Life to honor my sister next Sunday.
It will be good to be “home.”

The Great Melt

May 16, 2023

Traveling during shoulder season is a great way to save money and avoid crowds. I have been on the road in the American West for seven weeks now. I’ve decided to call this trip “The Great Melt.”

March 31, 2023: Lake MacDonald in Glacier National Park

In early April, I enjoyed some end-of-the-season Nordic skiing and a day of snow hiking in Montana. All of the outings were crowd-free, as we saw few other people.

April 2, 2023: A friend and I hiked a partially thawed cross-country ski trail

April 5, 2023: My cousin and I skied up at Lost Trail Pass on the Montana-Idaho Border

A week later, I was in Park City. Even though the temperatures were rising to the low 60s, there was still some good skiing, especially if you got out in the morning. I literally watched the snow melt away during the week I was there (April 7-14).

April 8, 2023: Skiing the White Pine in Park City

April 8-9, 2023: Round Mountain Trails in Park City, Utah

I then enjoyed a few days in the Grand Canyon. There was very little snow left in the Grand Canyon, and temperatures were comfortable. Spring break had wrapped up everywhere, so the crowds were manageable. It was a great time to visit!

April 18, 2023: A tiny bit of snow remained at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon

A week in Sedona followed by another week in New Mexico were all sunshine and comfortable temperatures in the 60s and low 70s. I hiked nearly every day; it was heavenly!

My weekend in Colorado Springs was perfect. I stayed close to the historic downtown and enjoyed a day at the Garden of the Gods. Even though it was a sunny Saturday, the park wasn’t overly crowded, and I could hike throughout in awe of the rock formations.

May 6, 2023: No snow in the Garden of the Gods, but the surrounding mountains were still snow-covered.

As it was getting into May, you might think snow time was over. Not this year! There was still quite a bit of snow when I arrived in Breckenridge, Colorado. Nearby Lake Dillon was frozen over but beginning to thaw. The hillsides around it were dry, making for some fantastic hiking.

After a few days in Breckenridge, I started my journey west.

I arrived in Grand Junction, Colorado, in the early afternoon, which allowed me time to explore Colorado National Monument. Talk about uncrowded! Aside from the healthy group of people hiking Devil’s Kitchen, visitors were few and far between. In fact, I would have done more hiking, but the other trailheads I visited were empty, as in no other cars. As a solo traveler, I feel it’s unsafe to be alone on a trail, so I took in the sights and enjoyed walking around at the viewpoints.

May 10: Devil’s Kitchen in Colorado National Monument

When I arrived at Great Basin National Park the next day, I was disappointed that part of the Wheeler Peak scenic drive was still closed due to snow. I was looking forward to taking in the views and seeing the ancient bristlecone pines. Cave tours were limited to two per day, so I had missed out on that opportunity, too. I made the most of what I could see and especially enjoyed the Pole Canyon and Baker Creek areas. I’ll have to return with more time on my agenda in warmer months.

May 11: My best shot of Wheeler Peak in Great Basin National Monument

A few days ago, I arrived in South Lake Tahoe, just over the California border. As you probably know, this area experienced record snowfall this year. Some of the mountains surrounding the lake still have quite a bit of snowpack. It’s absolutely stunning!

The downside is that all the state parks are still closed. I imagine they want to clean up all the winter debris before opening them. Many of the hiking trails are not yet accessible, either. The trail I planned to hike a couple of days ago was snowed in. After consulting with a local who assured me it was safe and relatively easy, I ended up hiking a nearby trail to Eagle Falls and Eagle Lake. Most of the path was packed snow, so the route was easy to follow. The views were incredible, and I was thankful for the beautiful Mother’s Day experience. What else would I rather be doing on my special day?

May 14, 2023: Hiking to Eagle Lake near Lake Tahoe

Yesterday, I met a California friend for a snowshoe outing near Donner Pass. Once again, the weather was perfectly clear, and the views were fantastic. As the temperatures climbed into the 60s, the snow became more difficult to navigate. The trip back proved challenging, and I felt fully satisfied with the day’s workout.

May 15, 2023: On top of the World in our snowshoes near Donner Pass, California

Additionally, due to the high snowpack in northern California, I took Yosemite off my itinerary entirely. I’ll have to keep it on the bucket list for a future visit.

So, shoulder season travel in the Western states? My vote is a resounding YES! I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be.

Update: May 26, 2023

Every time that I think I have enjoyed my last day of fun in the snow, another opportunity appears.

As I continued working my way north toward Oregon, I first ran into snow in Lassen Volcanic National Park. I just snow hiked a few miles on May 19th, but again, I was fortunate to experience yet another bright sunny spring day!

On May 20, I stopped at Mount Shasta, and the woman at the tourist office recommended that I snowshoe to get the most enjoyment out of my day on the mountain. She told me about a less-popular location where I snowshoed to a beautiful clearing and had the mountain all to myself!

A couple of days later, on May 23, I arrived at Crater Lake. Still tons of snow there! I have to admit, these are some of the best photos of the trip.

The Day of Closed Doors

April 28, 2023

We all have those days when things don’t go to plan. Unfortunately, I am a planner. I like to think I can go with the flow, and sometimes I do. But I like having my travels at least sketched out in advance.

Today, in fact, I altered my original plan. A friend had told me about Canyon De Chelly National Monument. Visiting it would take me on a northward excursion out of the way. Still, I figured I had the time and love seeing those “less popular” National Monuments.

Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Landmark

I left Holbrook, Arizona, this morning and headed northeast. The first stop was the Hubbell Trading Post, a National Historic Landmark. There’s a visitor center, and parts of the old trading post are open for visitors and shopping.

The inside of the trading post preserves its original charm with modern goods.

I love the baskets on the ceiling of the trading post!

Since I’m a nomad, shopping is not really my thing. But I bought a few gifts, so I have to admit the trading post was pretty cool.

I then continued north to Canyon de Chelly National Monument. When I arrived, it was CLOSED because of flooding. The police officer who was blocking the road said I could go up and around to the other entrance adding 90 minutes to my drive. It would be even further in the wrong direction, so I decided against the idea.

I backtracked south (one of the least scenic stretches of this trip) and stopped to top off the tank. When I went inside, the bathrooms were CLOSED, out of order. What was going on?

I eventually made my way to Red Rock State Park near Gallup, New Mexico. It was 2:45 when I reached the park office, but it was—you guessed it—CLOSED. The posted hours were 8:00-4:00, but a little sign said, “Will return at 8:00.” It was also the strangest state park I’ve ever visited. It looked more like a state fairground with rodeo facilities.
Besides Hubbell Trading Post, it had been a day of disappointment. But, as a friend once said, “You can turn a bad day around at any time.”

There were two hiking trails, so I could make something good of the afternoon. I decided to hike Pyramid Rock. A young man came off the trail when I arrived, so I asked him for the report. He assured me it was beautiful and not very far to the top.

It was a short (3.4-mile roundtrip) but highly scenic hike.

Signs along the Pyramid Rock Trail encourage hikers at every quarter mile.

When I arrived at the top of Pyramid Rock, I had the space to myself, every hiker’s delight! The day of closed doors ended with a massive open space and marvelous views, just for me.

One of the views form the top of Pyramid Rock

I’ll see Canyon de Chelly another day.

El Malpais and El Morro

April 29, 2023

Based on the title, you might think that I’m back in Spain. Nope! New Mexico. I’m on my way to visit friends in Santa Fe, which allowed me to explore some of the state.

El Malpais National Park is near Grants, New Mexico, south of Interstate 40 and just over an hour west of Albuquerque. The way to visit the park is to start at the visitor center, which is literally across the freeway from Grants.
Unlike most National Parks, the visitor center is not the grand entrance. The park is split into two sections, and the visitor center is in a sort of no man’s land in between.

To reach the eastern section, drive up to exit 89. Then you can enjoy a scenic drive with a few stops along the way. There is not much hiking in this section, so I saved it for the late afternoon.

La Ventana Arch in the east side of El Malpais

Lava Falls is a hiking area on the south end of the eastern part of the park. I found the trail markers confusing and didn’t venture far.

Sandstone Bluffs in the eastern section of El Malpais

To reach the west section of the park, drive west to exit 81. Then continue to go south, where you will have a few hiking opportunities in the park.

Based on the recommendation from the visitor center, I hiked El Calderon to a volcanic crater. It was a perfect day for hiking, sunny and in the 60s. The trail was not crowded, and the trailhead had an inviting picnic area. The hike took me by some interesting lava tubes and up around the crater.

The caves on the El Calderon trail are currently closed. Sorry. No spelunking!

The hike continues along the crater rim.

Most of El Calderon Trail looks like this.

If you hike the longer loop, you will have to go through the more challenging lava field section.

After my hike, I decided to check out El Morro National Monument. So glad I did! I still had energy, so I took the two-mile Headland Trail up on the 240-foot rock bluff. Even though it was a sunny Saturday afternoon, the trail wasn’t crowded, and I ended up on top alone. If you are an avid hiker, you can appreciate the serenity and beauty that one experiences alone in nature. And after visiting busy places like the Grand Canyon and Sedona, alone time was a treasure. There was truly an otherworldly feeling up there. And there was a bonus—an ancestral Puebloan Dwelling.

The beautiful rock bluffs of El Morro National Monument

This box canyon is only visible from the top of the bluff.

Having descended, new views of the bluff appeared. The lines were created from water flow.

After descending the bluff, the trail connects to the half-mile Inscription Trail. There are hundreds of Spanish and American inscriptions on the rocks, along with some petroglyphs.

I highly recommend both El Malpais and El Morro.

Sedona to Petrified Forest National Park

April 27, 2023

Travel days are often the best part of my nomadic life. I love hitting the road and exploring new territory, especially if National Parks or National Monuments are on the day’s agenda.

After leaving Sedona, my first stop was Walnut Canyon National Monument. It is just east of Flagstaff, Arizona, off Interstate 40. I almost skipped this one, but I’m glad I didn’t. The Native American (ancestors of the Hopi) cliff dwellings were built somewhere between 1125-1250.

Part of the visit is a walk/hike down to 25 dwellings. Island trail is only a mile long, but it takes you 185 vertical feet down to the dwellings. Take your time if you need to because it is worth it. The trail takes you around the dwellings that are in various stages of restoration.

Heading east across Arizona, my next stop was Meteor Crater. It is the site of a Meteor that struck Earth 50,000 years ago. The Meteor was about 150 feet in size and mainly consisted of iron.

A guided tour is the only way to go to the crater’s edge. The visit is quite informative, starting with a short video. Our guide knew her stuff and packed in a lot of information about the history and geology of the site.

The gift shop is extensive, and the grounds are welcoming. I recommend this stop if you are traveling between Flagstaff and Winslow, Arizona.

I love visiting the “less crowded” National Parks. My final stop was Petrified Forest National Park near Holbrook, Arizona. The amount of petrified wood in the park is astounding! It’s hard to imagine that this desert landscape was once a lush forest, but that was millions of years ago.

You can take in most of the park in a few hours. I started at the south entrance and walked behind the visitor’s center and the Rainbow House Museum. The rolling landscape is loaded with large petrified logs. It’s hard to fathom that they are 200 million years old.
I didn’t have time for the hike to Agate house, but I stopped to take the one-mile walk around Crystal Forest.

I then made stops at Agate Bridge, Blue Mesa, and Newspaper Rock.

I finished at the park’s north end with the monument to Route 66 and the historic Painted Desert Inn. By then, it was getting late, so the Painted Desert Inn was already closed. I walked around the perimeter, peeking in where I could. Sometimes, you can’t see everything, and my stomach was demanding some dinner.

It was a three-for-three day.

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