Welcome to my blog/travel guide. Take a look around, you never know what you might find!
The ruins of a nineteenth century U.S. army fort. A harbinger of change in the region, the fort was a distribution hub for many of the smaller forts throughout the southwest, supplying the American military while it enforced its will on Native Americans. Later, a earthworks star fort was constructed on site to defend against confederate soldiers during the civil war. A one mile long trail winds through the remaining adobe-style walls of the old fort.
This massive hole in the ground was created when a meteor struck the Arizona desert 50,000 years ago. The crater’s proximity to the San Francisco Volcanic Field near Flagstaff, Arizona fueled debates for years whether or not this was a volcanic crater or of extraterrestrial origin. Apollo astronauts trained here for possible crater missions on the moon.
An abundance of Joshua Trees and unusual rock formations make form a unique landscape along the confluence of the Mojave and Colorado deserts.
A vast volcanic expanse covering the western New Mexican countryside. Thousands of years ago, as recently as three thousand years ago, lava poured out of a number of cinder cones south of Grants, New Mexico. The lava cooled into rough black basalt that remains a scar on the area. Whether you enjoy a relaxing scenic drive, a hike amongst ancient lava flows and cinder cones, or dark adventures through lengthy lava tubes there is something for you at El Malpais.
New Mexico is the chili capitol of the world, and for two weeks in October, every year Albuquerque becomes the hot air balloon capitol of the world. Hundreds of balloons from around the world in every color and shape imaginable ascend from the fairgrounds in Albuquerque and drift down the Rio Grande valley for as far as the eye can see.
This vertical rock wall canyon is bested only by the Grand Canyon in inspiring awe in those who gaze upon its wonder. Shear rock walls, hundreds of feet high loom over the valley below. Views are so vast, it’s difficult to get a sense of scale of objects on the canyon floor. Chelly is pronounced “Shay”
On July 16th, 1945 humanity entered into the era of nuclear warfare. The objective of the Manhattan Project was achieved here, in the remote New Mexican desert, when the world’s first nuclear device was exploded.
Near the border of Colorado and Utah, tucked into the Little Ruin Canyon sits the remains of an ancestral Puebloan city. Perched precariously on steep cliff walls and boulders, these towers may have been used for defending precious resources, perhaps water.
This famous home, designed by the legendary Frank Lloyd Wright is one of the most spectacular works of modern architecture in the United States. You would expect a masterpiece like this to be perched on a cliff in California, but this hidden gem is over the river and through the woods of rural southern Pennsylvania.
Sand dunes of this size are usually associated with hot arid climates, but the temperature here in the Rockies hardly ever gets above 80degrees, and these dunes receive more than 40” of snow per year. From a distance the dunes seem tiny compared to the towering Sangre de Cristo Mountains behind them, but up close these mounds of sand might as well be mountains themselves. Dunes can reach up to 750ft. above the valley floor and the park contains three mountain peaks that stand over thirteen thousand feet tall.
In 1906, the Antiquities Act was passed giving the President of the United States the ability to declare any government land a National Monument. Three months later, Theodore Roosevelt declared Devil’s Tower the first national monument. At 1200ft tall, this volcanic scar looms over the entire region and can be seen from miles away.
Colorado is usually only associated with the Rocky Mountains, but the state shares 1/4thof the four corners monument with the Southwest. Being only forty miles from the eastern Utah border, Colorado shares the red sandstone cliffs and canyons southern Utah is famous for. The plateau from which these canyons are carved sits high above the city of Grand Junction, the Rio Grande River Valley, and Interstate-70. If you’re traveling through Grand Junction, set aside an hour so you can at least take the scenic drive through the park.
Three sites of ruined Spanish mission churches from the 17th century adjacent to ruins of Native American pueblos near Mountaineer in central New Mexico. Walk amongst the ruins to get a taste of what life may have been like during these contentious times.
An enormous 78ft long, 65ft. tall, rock arch hidden in forest in North-East Kentucky. Natural rock arches are usually associated with the Southwest, but there are over 150 arches within a five mile radius of the park. This area was heavily logged in the late nineteenth century but the lush forest here today shows how resilient nature can be. The park was originally a private tourist attraction owned by L&N Railroad but was donated to the state in 1926 and became one of Kentucky’s four original state parks later that year.
In 1872 Yellowstone became the first National Park in the world, and for good reason. The natural wonders contained within the border of the park are like the greatest hits of public lands. Mountains, canyons, waterfalls, wildlife, and an assortment of geothermal phenomena let you experience the majesty of the natural wonders found within this beautiful country.
This is the crown jewel of Arizona’s ruin national monuments, of which there are many. Although not actually a castle, the ancestral multi level housing complex perched high on a cliff side is formidable, overlooking the Wet Beaver Creek and the valley in the distance. This must have been a paradise in its heyday.
The world famous Niagara Falls is the largest waterfall in the world, in volume of water. The mighty Niagara River plunges 160 feet over the Niagara Escarpment in spectacular fashion and must be seen to be appreciated.
The centerpiece of the park is a natural bridge that stands over a 393ft long, 183ft tall, and 150ft wide tunnel. It is believed to be the largest travertine bridge in the world. The tunnel is so large it feels more like a cave. Pine Creek runs through the tunnel and creates a grotto oasis that has become a popular swimming hole for Arizonans looking to escape the summer heat. A small stream runs along the top of the bridge that plummets over its southern end.
It’s hard to believe these weren’t built just to be used as backdrops for sci-fi films. Out of all of the rock formation I’ve ever called “otherworldly”, these cliffs are the most. The combination of sheer walls between layers of bulbous sandstone makes these cliffs look like they were made by someone who doesn’t quite know what cliffs should look like.
