— When we went to Brazil for Christmas 2014, we spent a few days in the Amazon. Besides visiting Manaus, e.g., the Opera House, also known as Teatro Amazonas, we had a special day navigating the Amazon River and some … Read More

— If you enter Yellowstone from the north entrance, near the town of Gardiner (Montana), you will pass under the famous Roosevelt Arch and start heading south on Highway 89 into the park. The arch had its cornerstone laid down … Read More

— Some scenes never get old no matter how many times we have seen them. That is the case of the classic Grand Teton National Park shot taken from the Oxbow Bend overlook. When we visited that park in 2009, … Read More

— Happy 101st anniversary to Denali National Park and Preserve! Can you see Mt. Denali? It is there in the photo here, but it’s hidden in the clouds. Some people may not be aware that private vehicles are not always … Read More

— A trip to Fernando de Noronha (Brazil) is idyllic. Located off the coast of Northeast Brazil, this archipelago contains some of the most pristine and beautiful beaches you’ll encounter, such as Sancho Beach. The scene in the photo above … Read More

— After the Mexican War, there was a need to establish a road through the rugged Texas country to advance west. The route would be used by mail carriers as well as pioneers and gold seekers heading to California. Two … Read More

— On our first day in the North Cascades National Park, we experienced majestic mountain ranges and roaring rivers. After an easy hike in the River Loop trail, we proceeded to the Rock Shelter trail and Trail of the Cedars … Read More

— Doeskin Ranch is an area inside the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, in northwest Austin. The area was set up to protect primarily two endangered species: the golden-cheeked warbler and the black-capped vireo. Those endangered songbirds rely on specialized habitats … Read More

— As a cloudy, drizzly day was coming to a close, the sun showed signs of life very briefly towards sunset time. Luckily for me, the Copperfield Nature Trail is very close to my house. I rushed to the small … Read More

— Happy 102nd anniversary to Bandelier National Monument! On February 11, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed legislation to establish Bandelier National Monument. That piece of legislation protected 33,000 acres of rugged land with a beautiful canyon and mesa country. Bandelier NM … Read More

— Through a contact known to a friend of mine, we were lucky to secure a long weekend in Bandera, the Texas Cowboy Capital of the World. We like the Bandera area a lot. It has great food (barbecue, Tex-Mex, … Read More

— Located in southwest New Mexico, the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument encompasses 533 acres (2.16 sq. km.) of protected land near the Gila River. There are two prominent ruin sites and several other smaller ones with examples of the Mimbres … Read More