Tag: travel

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!
Cinder cone

Looking into the crater at El Calderon

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
The ascent
Atsinna, ancestral Puebloan Dwelling
This box canyon is only visible from the top of the bluff.
Another view of the box canyon
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.

Crystal Forest

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

Agate Bridge

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.

Painted Desert Inn


It was a three-for-three day.

A Positive Week in Sedona

April 20-27, 2023

Living as a nomad, it is always nice to slow down a bit and relax for a while.


I had only passed through Sedona once, over twenty years ago. Returning has been on my to-do list for several years.

Courthouse Butte


Sedona is a town built in what should be a National Park. Red rock is everywhere, and the hiking trails are abundant. Stunning is the best way to describe it. In the six full days I was there, I managed to hike five. And I can’t wait to return and hike some more.

There’s not much natural water in Sedona. This is Cottonwood Creek along the Baldwin Trail
Baldwin Trail


In Sedona, places called vortexes are supposed to be energy centers. I hiked four of them, and I did experience some pleasant feelings at one. Perhaps I was walking too fast to get the whole experience.


In reality, the entire week was one big positive energy trip. From the moment I checked in until the day I left, I experienced positivity everywhere. During my first stop for groceries, the checker was excited about my trip and thought it was so cool that I had driven all the way from Washington State. People on the hiking trails often stopped and engaged in conversation or at least said hello and exchanged a few words. Bikers with whom I was sharing the trail were extremely polite. They often said, “Thank you,” in response to stepping aside, and they usually let me know how many were in their group. It was the most pleasant trail etiquette that I have experienced in a long time.

Chapel of the Holy Cross

Broken Arrow Trail

Airport Loop Trail

Boynton Canyon Trail


The week passed by quickly. I got into a routine of morning hikes and afternoon reading and relaxation, my favorite kind of travel.

Evening at Bell Rock

The Grand Canyon: America’s Premier National Park

April 17-20, 2023
Sometimes a splurge is worth it. When it comes to the National Parks, I assess the lodging options and, at times, take the plunge and go over budget for in-park accommodations.

Last summer, I stayed in a little cabin near Yellowstone Lake Lodge. Absolutely worth it! The cabin itself was cute and clean, and I was able to maximize my time in the park.


I again splurged at the Grand Canyon. The location, Yavapai Lodge, was perfect. The room itself, though, was kind of crappy. There’s really no other way to put it. The sheets appeared clean, but I was unsure about the rest. The coffee station hadn’t been cleaned or refilled, the shower curtain had mildew, and the nonslip mat in the tub had permadirt.

Still a little snow in April


I decided to remain optimistic and focus on the fabulous location. I could walk to the main grocery store and the canyon rim, and the park shuttle stops were nearby.


If you’ve never been, The Grand Canyon should be on your bucket list. One really can’t comprehend its expansiveness without seeing it in person. As Theodore Roosevelts said, it is “the one great sight…every American should see.”


Even better, a friend came up to join me for some hiking. We put in about nine miles along the Rim Trail starting from Hermit’s Rest. It was pretty much an all-day event starting with two shuttle rides. I probably wouldn’t have walked that far without company, and I’m grateful to have had the experience. We also took in Canyon Village life with dinner and live music at the Yavapai Tavern. It was one of the best days of this trip.


Enjoy the photos but know that the real thing is ten times better!

Gigantic Fireplace inside Hermit’s Rest

You can see the Colorado River in the center.
At some points, the Rim Trail is literally on the rim!

Female elk on the morning of my departure

Park City to Hurricane


April 14, 2023
The best part of my nomadic life is days like today.
This morning, I checked out of the condo I’ve been staying in for a week and hit the road. There is something so exciting about exploring new territory, and today did not disappoint.
I got started at about 9:30.
My first stop was at Cove Fort, Utah. I found this stop the old-fashioned way by looking at my road atlas. Yes, I have this actual book. It is indispensable for trip planning!

Cove Fort Main Entrance
Cove Fort interior


Built in 1867, Cove Fort wasn’t a military installation but a haven for travelers. It was a way station for the Pony Express, had a telegraph office, and offered food and lodging for visitors.

Kitchen and Dining Room at Cove Fort
All of the rooms at Cove Fort maintain their original qualities.


The site is beautifully maintained by the Mormon church. Each of the rooms in the fort is decorated to show what life was like there in the mid to late 1800s.
The enthusiastic volunteers are happy to answer questions and share details of the family that operated the fort.
Additionally, the bathrooms are sparkling clean, and the visit is free of charge. I highly recommend this walk through history if traveling south of Salt Lake City.
My next stop was the Parowan Visitors Center. Parowan is a small town off Interstate 15, the gateway to Brian Head and Cedar Breaks National Monument. I was hoping to see Cedar Breaks, but I was pretty sure the road would still be closed due to snow.


I was right. The road was closed, but the stop at the Visitors Center was worth it. This is something I have learned on my trips to Europe. Always stop at the local tourist office. You will almost always gain extra knowledge of the area, usually from pleasant locals.

Inside the vault at the Parowan Visitors Center


The coolest thing about the office was that it was in a former bank, and the vault was intact. I also learned all about the Cedar City vicinity. For example, did you know there is a Shakespeare festival from Late June until Early October? I’d love to return for some autumn hiking and live theater.
I then drove up to check out Brian Head Resort. It was sunny and hovering around 30 degrees—perfect! Oh, if I only had time for some skiing.

Scenic drive to Brian Head
Skiers enjoying a perfect spring day at Brian Head


I made another stop at the tourism office in Brian Head. I received even more information, including an extensive trail guide. I need to find a hiking buddy before I return.
The next stop was Kolob Canyons, the northwest corner of Zion National Park. Sadly, the road was only open two miles up, but that may have been a good thing because it was already 4:30.


The only activity choices were to hike along Taylor Creek or walk up the road past the closed gate.
I decided to go on the hike. The woman at the visitor center told me that there would be numerous creek crossings, but I could step on stones to get across.
She was right. There were numerous crossings. By crossing #11, I had had enough. I couldn’t see a way across that wouldn’t result in a soaked boot. So, I turned around and completed the ten crossings a second time. Twenty was plenty!


I walked up the road a bit, but my stomach was screaming for dinner, and I felt I had gotten enough exercise.
I arrived at my cozy Airbnb around 6:30, showered, made dinner, and called it a night.

Looking forward to more exploration tomorrow!

Cozy Airbnb in Hurricane, Utah

Early Spring in Montana’s Flathead Valley

April 3, 2023

Last week, I headed east across Washington State, visiting friends along the way. The great spring road trip has begun!
A few days ago, I arrived in Montana’s Flathead Valley, one of my favorite places in the country. I first passed through in the 1990s. Flathead Lake captivated me then and still does today.

The first view of Flathead Lake!


I had to pull over to take it in as I approached the lake. It literally brings tears to my eyes every time I return. This time, the frozen shores of early spring added a dimension to its beauty.

Frozen shores of Flathead Lake in Somers, Montana


The past few days have been filled with outdoor activities as I captured the end of the long, snowy season here.
No matter the time of year, I’m always happy to return to visit friends and enjoy the area’s natural beauty.

Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park
Skiing at Whitefish Mountain Nordic
Hiking the cross-country ski trail at Dog Creek Nordic Center. They let us hike the Black Diamond run since some of the snow had melted on parts of the trail.
Dog Creek

Can I Please Take This with Me?

November 24, 2022

Now that I have been travelling for five months, I can tell you some of the biggest challenges of moving from place-to-place and, well, not having my own home.

Number one: The bed. I am a girl who needs a good night’s sleep. Period. As I have gotten older (I’m in my 50s), I have come to appreciate a mattress with a bit of give. I’m not talking totally squishy, but I love a pillow top or some memory foam.

For the last five years, I had been spoiled with a Sleep Number bed, and I loved it.  I loved putting my feet up and taking a rest after a good hike or a day of skiing. I loved making it a little softer when my body needed some recovery time. And I loved the massage feature; it could get me back to sleep when I had those random 3:00 AM wake ups.

As you can imagine, not every hotel or short-term rental apartment has the best bed. The worst are the firm ones. I can’t say I’ve had one that was too soft yet. When I stayed in Valencia for a month, I got lucky. I really couldn’t have asked for a better mattress. (Well, except for that Sleep Number.)

Number two: Low quality or missing utensils. I like to cook and bake. For some reason making a delicious dinner with few ingredients while travelling is highly satisfying. Sometimes, it’s just throwing in one more thing, like the chopped Italian pancetta that I added to the sauteed vegetables and chicken breast tonight.

Simply delicious!

The problem is that I rarely have a sharp knife to work with, and ugh, sometimes the cutting boards are far beyond the day they should have been replaced. Yuck. Do I really have to eat food that has been chopped on this bacteria-ridden nightmare?

I also don’t understand why so many places have metal spatulas with nonstick pans. Don’t people know better? Don’t they understand that’s why their pans are all scratched up?

Number three: Lack of little comforts. My current journey started in Portugal and Spain in September and October. The weather was fabulous, in the 70s and 80s with very little rain. Then Daylight Savings time ended, and I was in the mountains of Andorra a week later. It was nearly freezing and pouring rain the day I arrived. After that, the days continued to be colder and shorter. In the evenings, I was longing for my favorite throw, the one that is like sheepskin.

Ah…bath time!

Bathtubs are a rarity in hotels and rentals these days. When I get one, I am a happy girl. That room in Andorra did have a tub. It was on the small side, but I didn’t care. A couple of week later, I spent the night in Barcelona before flying to meet a friend in Italy. I was grateful to have tub that night because I ended up walking more than expected that afternoon and evening.

Still, I wouldn’t trade the little annoyances or discomforts for the joy of my nomadic lifestyle.

If You Love Botanical Gardens, Go to Blanes, Spain

November 13, 2022

This post is another photo dump. Even though I was not happy with my accommodations in Blanes, I did enjoy the town, beach, castle, and botanical garden.

Blanes is a beach town in Catalonia, Spain, a mere 43 miles (69 kilometers) north of Barcelona. It is known as the “Gateway to the Costa Brava,” a popular tourist destination, but not crowded for this off-season traveler.

Besides its location, I picked it because I read that it was a good walking town with a boardwalk and trails, and there was a castle on the hilltop. Throughout town there are historic sights, too.

The Castle on the Hill

I was pleasantly surprised to find a gorgeous botanical garden, one of my favorite sights of my three-month European trip. Enjoy the sights!

Walking down from the castle
And walking down some more…it was a combination of roads and stairs.
Beachside boardwalk
Gothic Fountain 1438
The following photos are of Marimurtra Botanical Garden.
A truly awesome sight!
View from the pavillion
Bee house?

Sometimes It’s Just Shabby

November 12, 2022

I’ve been traveling for about four and a half months. Yesterday, I thought I was feeling travel weary. I arrived in a new town, and I wasn’t that excited. I walked into the building where I was renting an apartment, and it just didn’t feel right. I got up to my apartment and got a little excited that it had a partial view of the Mediterranean. And it was relatively spacious for a short-term rental. It may be alright after all.

Don’t let this post throw you off; Blanes is a lovely seaside town!

Then I started to notice little things, not-so-good things. The towel bar in the bathroom was broken and hanging rustily from its one screw. The white-painted kitchen chairs were grubby and in need of a good cleaning. The sofa had uneven back cushions and was ripped in one corner. There was a flat white sheet lying on it. I initially thought it might be a set of sheets for a fold-out mattress. No, it was one flat sheet, presumably to cover the crappy sofa.

Tattered sofa: Not okay

Then there were other little things. The batteries were dead in the television remote. I couldn’t release the stopper when I stopped up the bathroom sink to wash some underwear. But it got worse; there was no hair dryer! No hair dryer? Every single place I have been since June has provided a hair dryer.

Then there was one bizarre thing. Once I manually turned on the TV (dead batteries in the remote), I noticed all the stations were in French! Blanes is on the Costa Brava of Spain—at least 100 kilometers from France. Usually, I wouldn’t fuss about the TV, but it was Friday night, and I wanted to watch La Voz (Spain’s version of The Voice).

This morning, I was dreading the trip to the front desk. I actually had a list so I would remember everything. I’m not fond of confrontation, and complaining is not my style. But I’m here for two more nights, and it would be nice to stop washing my hands and brushing my teeth in the kitchen sink. And my hair looks like crap. I’d rather not go with the ponytail and hat look for the next three days.

Most of the issues were quickly remedied. The front desk clerk handed me two batteries and called housekeeping to bring up a hairdryer and check on the sink drain. It was one of those press-down and pop-up deals. She had to press a few times, and it finally popped up. She assured me she would send maintenance a note about the towel bar. I breathed a sigh of relief and got out for a day of exploring.

The dangling towel bar

Still, I wouldn’t say I like this place—not the town—this apartment. I tried to talk myself into liking it. The bed is comfortable, and the sheets are clean. There is even a rain head in the shower. But it lacks coziness and comfort. The walls have a rough texture. The décor is lacking, except for the cute basket-style lampshade over the kitchen table. It feels like it was done in the most minimally acceptable way, as no one cares. It lacks warmth. No one should have to pay to sit on a worn and tattered sofa! Shabby is the best word to describe it.

The cute basket-style lampshade was about all the kitchen had going for it.