Happy January, fellow adventurers! This month seems like the perfect time to start a blog and share my most ambitious and exciting bucket-list item to date – visiting all 63 National Parks by the time I am 63 years old…63 by sixty-three. Embarking on this journey has been a relatively recent dream for me. After visiting my first few parks, I unexpectedly found my “happy places.” These magical wonderlands help me feel inspired, rejuvenated, and grateful. While I may be too young and busy to retire and meander the country in an RV and perhaps too old and bougie for tent camping, I am finding a middle ground for those of us, “normal” people, who are immersed in the hustle and bustle of careers and family. Long weekends and the occasional week-long trip seem to be the most practical way for me to hit these trails. And while the trails are what ultimately beckon me, a cozy lodge or local culinary delight greatly enhance my experience, especially depending on my traveling group. As for the traveling group, I definitely need one! I know some women who are perfectly content traveling alone. These women are my heroes. I prefer the comfort of having someone with me, although no one friend or family member shares this crazy goal. So I’ll be traveling with a variety of companions. The great thing about having rotating travel companions is that each offers different interests and perspectives, making each expedition unique. The way a national park can serve as a backdrop for our shared stories and lifetime memories adds to a trip’s allure and keeps me going back for more.
Join me as I share my personal journeys and the sheer awe that only our National Parks can instill.
