We are soooo lucky to have our National Parks, as well as our State Parks. At each park we have had a great time visiting and learning lots. The following are the four amazing National Parks we visited this past week.

Amazing Park #1: Guadalupe Mountains. We drove for two hours into and out of Dog Canyon Campground in GMNP, but the trip was well worth it. There were four RV camping spots with no electric or water. The views from the canyon into the mountains were spectacular. The first night we sat in our chairs viewing the moon coming up over one range and the sun setting over another. The next day I did a six hour hike into the backwoods and over various peaks. The winds were blowing at times, but what fun.

Amazing Park #2: Carlsbad Caverns. The following morning we drove to CCNP and had quite a different experience. The caves are 750 feet below the Visitors Center and the stalagmites and stalactites were amazing. It is incredible to think that someone with a candle traveled down into these caves and discovered such an overwhelming view. It would have been cool to see the bats swoop out of the cave during the evening, but hopefully there will be another time.

Amazing Park #3: White Sands. OMG. After traveling over the Sacramento Mountain Range we arrived in the Tularosa Basin and WSNP. The dunes brought us back to RI and sailing the ocean blue. When we entered WSNP we were told by the ranger to walk barefoot because the sands never get hot! The coolest thing is that people can borrow saucer sleds and slide down the dunes. How fun indeed! Otto enjoyed stretching his legs in the dunes.

Amazing Park #4: Saguaro East & West. We knew we were no longer in Jackson, NH when we visited the Saguaro National Parks East and West. The desert beauty is breathtaking and the saguaros majestic. The presentation at the Visitor Center spoke to the importance of all of Mother Nature’s creatures alive and passed on. When you throw trash or hurt any member of Mother Earth you are disrespecting your ancestors.

Many thanks to all the National Park staff for the wonderful job they do protecting the parks and sharing their amazing knowledge.