Rocky Mountains Region
Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.
Colorado
- Visited: Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site
- Not yet: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
- Not yet: Colorado National Monument
- Not yet: Curecanti National Recreation Area
- Visited: Dinosaur National Monument
- Not yet: Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
- Visited: Great Sand Dunes National Park
- Visited: Hovenweep National Monument
- Visited: Mesa Verde National Park
- Visited: Rocky Mountain National Park
- Not yet: Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site
- Not yet: Yucca House National Monument
Montana
- Visited: Big Hole National Battlefield
- Not yet: Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
- Visited: Glacier National Park
- Visited: Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site
- Visited: Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
North Dakota
- Not yet: Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site
- Not yet: Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site
- Visited: Theodore Roosevelt National Park
South Dakota
- Visited: Badlands National Park
- Not yet: Jewel Cave National Monument
- Not yet: Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
- Visited: Mount Rushmore National Memorial
- Visited: Wind Cave National Park
Utah
- Visited: Arches National Park
- Visited: Bryce Canyon National Park
- Not yet: Canyonlands National Park
- Not yet: Capitol Reef National Park
- Not yet: Cedar Breaks National Monument
- Not yet: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
- Visited: Golden Spike National Historical Park
- Not yet: Natural Bridges National Monument
- Not yet: Rainbow Bridge National Monument
- Visited: Timpanogos Cave National Monument
- Visited: Zion National Park
Wyoming
- Visited: Devils Tower National Monument
- Not yet: Fort Laramie National Historic Site
- Not yet: Fossil Butte National Monument
- Visited: Grand Teton National Park
- Not yet: John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway
- Visited: Yellowstone National Park
Recent Posts
Great Sand Dunes National Park
A special trip to Colorado brough Erin and me there, where we met Emmy. When we met at the airport, the weather was warm and sunny, and it felt like the beginning of an easy day. We set off with the intention of visiting the Great Sand Dunes, expecting wide open skies and calm views. […]
Glacier National Park
One of our most majestic national parks is also one of the few I have only been fortunate enough to visit once. Glacier National Park, located in northern Montana along the Canadian border, is part of a larger protected ecosystem that extends into Canada as Waterton Lakes National Park. Together they form the Waterton-Glacier-International Peace Park. This […]
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is located in southern Utah on the Paunsaugunt Plateau, with elevations ranging from 8,000 to over 9,00 feet. Despite its name, it is not a canon formed by a river. Instead, it is a series of natural amphitheaters carved into the edge of a plateau through erosion. The park is best […]
Dinosaur National Monument
When I visited Dinosaur National Monument, I couldn’t help but think of all the young boys who come into our office talking about dinosaurs. They know the names and, and to them, dinosaurs are larger than life. Standing inside this monument, I realized how unforgettable it would be for them to see the real thing. […]
Devil’s Tower
On our family road trip across the northern states, our westernmost destination was Devil’s Tower. Rising suddenly from the rolling prairie of northeastern Wyoming. The massive stone monolith looked unreal as we approached. This monument stands alone and detached from the surrounding hills. We circled the base watching climbers inch their way up the vertical columns. […]
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Carved into the granite face of the Black Hills are the towering likenesses of four of our presidential leaders. Visiting Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a ceremonial experience. Upon approaching the site, we walked the Avenue of Flags, with flags representing all U.S. states and territories. This walk takes us to the overlook where the […]
Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site
On a road trip to Glacier National Park, we took a few side trips to see more of the beautiful state of Montana. We followed long stretches of open road with expansive valleys and distant mountain ranges. One of our destinations along the way was the Grant-Kohrs Ranch. Coming from the East, it is difficult […]
Grand Teton National Park
We chose to stay in the lodge within the Grand Teton National Park to be present for the light throughout the day. In the Tetons, the light brushes the snow-capped peaks with soft pinks and golds in the morning with blue and silvers in the evening. There is no way I could choose which national park […]
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
I have traveled with intention, seeking out the place that tells the fuller stories of the Presidents of the United States. Over the years, I have visited all the Presidential libraries, along with many of their birthplaces, homes and the lesser-known sites that reveal who these men were beyond their public offices. It is often these […]
Rocky Mountain National Park
Another spectacular National Park is Rocky Mountain National Park. My oldest daughter Emily lives in the foothills of this park, so we have enjoyed more visits than most. From the rugged alpine cliffs to the mountain lakes, this landscape reminds us how diverse this park is. Established in January 1915, when Woodrow Wilson signed the act […]
