• Bare Soul Wanderlust
  • Bare Soul Wanderlust

National Parks

My fascination with national parks was ignited on June 3, 1996, during an excursion with my best friend and her mother. This pivotal journey kindled my profound appreciation for nature, waterfalls, and the art of capturing the essence of our nation. Read more
  • Trip start
    June 3, 1996

    Badlands National Park

    June 3, 1996 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F

    Land of Stone and Light
    The rugged beauty of the Badlands draws visitors from around the world. These striking geologic deposits contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds. Ancient horses and rhinos once roamed here. The park’s 244,000 acres protect an expanse of mixed-grass prairie where bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets live today.Read more

  • Mount Rushmore

    June 3, 1996 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 46 °F

    American History, Alive in Stone...
    Majestic figures of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, surrounded by the beauty of the Black Hills of South Dakota, tell the story of the birth, growth, development and preservation of this country. From the history of the first inhabitants to the diversity of America today, Mount Rushmore brings visitors face to face with the rich heritage we all share.Read more

  • Shell Falls

    June 3, 1996 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 50 °F

    Shell Falls is a waterfall in the Bighorn National Forest on Shell Creek, about halfway down Shell Canyon, and a few miles upstream from the town of Shell in northeast Wyoming. The falls are 120 feet (37 meters) in height and tumble over basement rock of granite.Read more

  • Yellowstone NP

    June 5, 1996 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 50 °F

    The World's First National Park
    On March 1, 1872, Yellowstone became the first national park for all to enjoy the unique hydrothermal and geologic features. Within Yellowstone's 2.2 million acres, visitors have unparalleled opportunities to observe wildlife in an intact ecosystem, explore geothermal areas that contain about half the world’s active geysers, and view geologic wonders like the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River.Read more

  • Grand Teton

    June 6, 1996 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F

    Mountains of the Imagination
    Soaring over a landscape rich with wildlife, pristine lakes, and majestic alpine vistas, the Teton Range stands as a testament to generations of stewards. For over 11,000 years, communities have thrived in the valley known as Jackson Hole, turning these mountains into more than just peaks—they embody imagination and enduring human connection.Read more

  • Mesa Verde Park

    May 20, 2006 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F

    For over 700 years, the Ancestral Pueblo people built thriving communities on the mesas and in the cliffs of Mesa Verde. Today, the park protects the rich cultural heritage of 27 Pueblos and Tribes and offers visitors a spectacular window into the past. This World Heritage Site and International Dark Sky Park is home to over a thousand species, including several that live nowhere else on earth.Read more

  • Arlington House

    March 27, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 54 °F

    The Robert E. Lee Memorial
    Arlington House is the nation’s memorial to Robert E. Lee. It honors him for specific reasons, including his role in promoting peace and reunion after the Civil War. In a larger sense it exists as a place of study and contemplation of the meaning of some of the most difficult aspects of American history: military service; sacrifice; citizenship; duty; loyalty; slavery and freedom.Read more

  • George Washington Mem Parkway

    March 27, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F

    A Scenic Approach
    The George Washington Memorial Parkway was designed for recreational driving. It links sites that commemorate important episodes in American history and preserve habitat for local wildlife. The parkway and its associated trails provide a scenic place to play and rest in the busy Washington, DC metropolitan area.Read more

  • Constitution Gardens

    March 27, 2016 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 52 °F

    Officially established in 1965, National Mall and Memorial Parks actually protects some of the older parkland in the National Park System. Areas within this premier park provide visitors with ample opportunities to commemorate presidential legacies; honor the courage and sacrifice of war veterans; and celebrate the United States commitment to freedom and equality.Read more

  • Colonial NHP

    March 31, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F

    The Colonial Parkway is a twenty-three mile scenic roadway stretching from the York River at Yorktown to the James River at Jamestown. It connects Virginia's historic triangle: Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. Several million travelers a year use this route to enjoy the natural and cultural beauty of Virginia.

    The Parkway's construction presented the National Park Service with a unique challenge: build a thoroughfare unifying culturally distinct sites crossing several pristine natural environments while still maintaining the National Park Service's prime directive "to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same." Adding to the complexity of the project was a construction period extending over twenty-six years through the Depression, World War II, and funding shortages.

    The Parkway, completed in 1957, is an NPS success story. This roadway allows motorists to appreciate the surrounding landscape, while reducing impact on the resources and providing for traveler safety
    Read more

  • Cumberland Gap NHP

    August 2, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F

    Mountain Gateway
    Cumberland Gap was the first great gateway to the west. Come follow the path of bison, Native Americans, longhunters, and pioneers. Walk where 300,000 people crossed the Appalachians to settle America. Explore 85 miles of trails and 14,000 acres of wilderness. Stand in 3 states at once. Explore a cave, see Hensley Settlement, or camp under the stars. Come find your connection to Cumberland Gap.Read more

  • Wright Brothers N Memorial

    May 7, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 61 °F

    They Taught the World to Fly!
    Wind, sand, and a dream of flight brought Wilbur and Orville Wright to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina where, after four years of scientific experimentation, they achieved the first successful airplane flights on December 17, 1903.

    With courage and perseverance, these self-taught engineers relied on teamwork and application of the scientific process. What they achieved changed our world forever.
    Read more

  • Cape Hatteras NS

    May 8, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    Climbed 257 steps to the top for a beautiful birthday view.

    The sound of ocean waves, the starry night sky, or the calm of the salt marshes, you can experience it all. Shaped by the forces of water, wind, and storms these islands are ever changing. The plants, wildlife, and people who live here adapt continually. Whether you are enjoying the beach, kayaking the sound, or climbing the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse there is something for everyone to explore!Read more

  • Gulf Islands NS

    November 27, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F

    The Lure of the Islands in the Gulf of Mexico
    Millions of visitors are drawn to the Gulf of Mexico for Gulf Islands National Seashore's emerald coast waters, magnificent white beaches, fertile marshes and historical landscapes.Read more

  • Hot Springs NP

    May 18, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F

    Hot Springs National Park has a rich cultural past. The grand architecture of our historic bathhouses is equally matched by the natural curiosities that have been drawing people here for hundreds of years. Ancient thermal springs, mountain views, incredible geology, forested hikes, and abundant creeks – all in the middle of town – make Hot Springs National Park a unique and beautiful destinationRead more

  • Jefferson National Expansion

    July 16, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 90 °F

    Gateway to the West
    Gateway Arch National Park commemorates President Jefferson’s vision of a continental nation, the individuals and cultural groups who helped shape its history, St. Louis’ role in westward expansion, and Dred and Harriet Scott, who sued for their freedom in the Old Courthouse.Read more

  • Little Rock Central High School

    July 18, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 84 °F

    "Mob rule cannot be allowed to override the decisions of our courts."
    In 1957, Little Rock Central High School was the epicenter of confrontation and a catalyst for change as the fundamental test for the United States to enforce African American civil rights following Brown v. Board of Education. Learn how the sacrifice and struggle endured by the Little Rock Nine have provided opportunities and opened doors for those seeking equality and education around the world.Read more

  • Nintey Six NHS

    October 24, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F

    Walk Where Battles Were Fought and Heroes Were Forged
    Settlers struggled against the harsh backcountry to survive. Cherokee Indians hunted and fought to keep their land. Two towns and a trading post were formed then abandoned to the elements. And two Revolutionary War battles claimed over 100 lives. Come discover the 18th century history of South Carolina.Read more

  • Cape Lookout NS

    October 25, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F

    Explore the Undeveloped Islands of Cape Lookout
    A boat ride three miles off-shore brings you to the barrier islands of Cape Lookout National Seashore. Horse watching, shelling, fishing, birding, camping, lighthouse climbing, and touring historic villages--there’s something for everyone at Cape Lookout. Be sure to bring all the food, water, and supplies you need (and carry your trash out of the park) when visiting these remote beachesRead more

  • Blue Ridge Parkway

    October 26, 2018 in the United States ⋅ 🌫 39 °F

    America's Favorite Drive
    A Blue Ridge Parkway experience is unlike any other: a slow-paced and relaxing drive revealing stunning long-range vistas and close-up views of the rugged mountains and pastoral landscapes of the Appalachian Highlands. The Parkway meanders for 469 miles, protecting a diversity of plants and animals, and providing opportunities for enjoying all that makes this region of the country so special.Read more

  • Tupelo NB

    November 30, 2018 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 64 °F

    Tupelo National Battlefield
    In July, 1864, Union forces, including men from the United States Colored Troops, marched into Tupelo, Mississippi. Disorganized Confederate soldiers fought fiercely but could not overpower the federal troops. Neither side could claim a clear victory, but Union troops had succeeded in their main goal: keeping the Confederates away from Union railroads in Tennessee.Read more

  • Natchez Trace Parkway

    November 30, 2018 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 66 °F

    A Drive through 10,000 Years of History
    The Natchez Trace Parkway is a 444-mile recreational road and scenic drive through three states. It roughly follows the "Old Natchez Trace," a historic travel corridor used by American Indians, "Kaintucks," European settlers, slave traders, soldiers, and future presidents. Today, people can enjoy a scenic drive as well as hiking, biking, horseback riding, and camping along the Parkway.Read more