Category Archives: National Park Travels

Chiricahua National Monument

Posted on August 12, 2023 by mvbattelle

Through a combination of geologic forces and erosion, the canyons and hilltops of Chiricahua National Monument contain spires, balanced rocks and columns. To the Chiricahua Apaches, it was the Land of Standing-Up Rocks. Pioneers called it the Wonderland of Rocks. … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Chiricahua Apache, Chiricahua National Monument, geology, National Monuments, National Park Units, Nature Photos, rock formations, Southwestern U.S., Travels in the U.S., U.S. National Park Unit | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

El Morro National Monument

Posted on June 23, 2023 by mvbattelle

Pasó por aquí – “passed by here” – is definitely the message of El Morro National Monument, located in western New Mexico and somewhat of a hidden gem. This rock is a significant “document” of Southwestern history and provides a … Continue reading →

Posted in archaeology, desert, El Morro National Monument, hiking, History, Inscription Rock, national monument, National Monuments, National Park Travels, National Park Units, New Mexico, petroglyphs, prehistoric ruins, Southwest History, Southwestern U.S., Travels in the U.S., U.S. History, U.S. National Park Unit, Western History | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Posted on March 18, 2023 by mvbattelle

What’s so special about Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument? After all, there’s Saguaro National Park easily accessible right outside Tucson. Organ Pipe NM is a good three-hour drive from Tucson and a desert is a desert, right? Turns out that’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, cactus, desert, National Monuments, National Park Travels, National Park Units, Nature Photos, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, scenery, Sonoran Desert, Southwestern U.S., Travel, Travels in the U.S., U.S. National Park Unit, UNESCO biosphere reserve | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Montezuma Castle National Monument

Posted on February 24, 2023 by mvbattelle

Established in 1906 by President Theodore Roosevelt, Montezuma Castle was one of the nation’s first national monuments. Easy to get to off I-17 between Phoenix and Flagstaff, Montezuma Castle National Monument can be a quick stop and a brief look … Continue reading →

Posted in archaeology, Arizona, desert, History, Montezuma Castle National Monument, national monument, National Monuments, National Park Units, prehistoric ruins, Sinagua culture, Travels in the U.S., U.S. National Park Unit | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Katmai National Park – July 2022

Posted on November 8, 2022 by mvbattelle

In early July 2022, we made our third visit to Katmai National Park. Our first time to Katmai in July of 2016, we stayed at Kulik Lodge and we returned there again this time. As before, we thoroughly enjoyed this … Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska, Bears of Katmai, Katmai National Park, National Park, National Park Travels, Nature Photos, Travel, Travels in the U.S., U.S. national parks, wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

New River Gorge National Park

Posted on January 18, 2022 by mvbattelle

The newest National Park in the system, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in West Virginia is a beautiful place. Our visit in late September 2021 meant that we had visited all 63 of the National Parks. New River … Continue reading →

Posted in National Park, National Park Travels, Nature Photos, New River, New River Gorge National Park, scenery, Travel, Travels in the U.S., U.S. national parks, waterfalls, West Virginia | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Indiana Dunes National Park

Posted on October 26, 2021 by mvbattelle

Indiana Dunes was designated the 61st  National Park in 2019, having been a National Lakeshore since 1966. The park encompasses roughly 15,000 acres, including 15 miles of Lake Michigan shore and completely surrounds Indiana Dunes State Park.  There are a … Continue reading →

Posted in dunes, History, Indiana, Indiana Dunes National Park, National Park, National Park Travels, Nature Photos, scenery, swamp, U.S. national parks | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

All 63 of the National Parks Visited

Posted on October 7, 2021 by mvbattelle

Mission Accomplished – we have now visited all 63 of the National Parks. We took an extended trip with our camper and went to Indiana Dunes National Park and New River Gorge  National Park (as well as some other national … Continue reading →

Posted in Indiana Dunes National Park, National Park, National Park Travels, New River Gorge National Park, Travels in the U.S., U.S. national parks | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Wind Cave National Park

Posted on August 26, 2021 by mvbattelle

The seventh oldest national park in the system, Wind Cave National Park was the first to protect a cave. On a trip with two of our grandsons, we recently visited Wind Cave. Since this was 2021 and there were still … Continue reading →

Posted in cave, geology, gypsum, History, National Park, National Park Travels, South Dakota, Travel, Travels in the U.S., U.S. History, U.S. national parks, wildlife, Wind Cave National Park | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Acadia National Park

Posted on July 27, 2021 by mvbattelle

Acadia National Park was our 61st of the 63 National Parks. Whenever we told anyone who had been there that we were going, they always said Acadia was magnificent. They were right. Acadia is beautiful and we thoroughly enjoyed it. … Continue reading →

Posted in Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, carriage roads, hiking, History, Maine, Mount Desert Island, National Park, National Park Travels, Nature Photos, scenery, seacoast, Travel, Travels in the U.S., U.S. national parks, wildflowers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments