#12: Hot Springs National Park

Hot Springs National Park was/is an anomaly in my mind when it comes to National Parks. I didn’t really understand what exactly it was. And, although now I understand what it is, to be honest, I’m still a little unclear how it’s a National Park. But, regardless, visiting this park was really quite an experience and I know so much more now than I did before. And that’s the point, right?

When I checked in to the campground, I met the campground hosts and they were able to provide me with some intel on the park. I was on the fence as to stay one night or two, and decided to stay two nights after speaking to them. There are over 26 miles of hiking trails, as well as an entire town that makes up the National Park. I found it odd that the town IS the national park, but I went with it. I was also advised to experience an iconic bathhouse treatment.

The largest attraction is Bathhouse Row, which is essentially a block of historic bathhouses. Hot Springs is known for the thermal water - filled with minerals known for healing and soothing. As early as the 1500’s, this area became known for its healing waters from the 143-degree Fahrenheit spring. Later, business people flocked here to build and ride the wave of the public’s demand for the water. Without going into too much history (you can find more here), the “bathhouse” concept came and went. Modern-day medicine caught up to and surpassed the healing powers of the water, and bathhouse treatments morphed into what we now know as spa treatments (in a sense).

I’m going to use the majority of this post to walk through the steps of treatment I had at Buckstaff Bathhouse in Hot Springs. It was fascinating, weird and amazing all at the same time.

Step #1: Get Ready

I undressed and the attendant wrapped a white sheet around me, “toga” style. I couldn’t take photos in the bathhouse once undressed (obviously!), but here is the dressing/locker room:

I was asked to turn my back to the attendant as she wrapped the sheet around me and led me into the baths.

It looks a little “sterile” and outdated, but I had to remember that I was getting the same experience that someone in the early 1900’s would have been getting. I kept an open mind and went with it - it was cool! The bathhouse looks as it did when it was at its peak.

Step #2: Tub Bath

I was let into a room where bath “stalls” were lined up along the wall. Each stall had a curtain for privacy. The room was large and open and a little loud from running water everywhere…not at all what you’d find in a spa today.

The bath temperature was a maximum of 102 Fahrenheit and the bath lasted for 15 minutes. The attendant could increase or decrease the temperature to your liking. She took a loofa mitt and scrubbed me down on my arms, legs, and back. I learned later that this was to get the blood flowing (not necessarily to “feel good”).

I arrived first thing in the morning so it was somewhat clear of other guests, but they started to trickle in as I was in the bath.

This photo is taken from a different bathhouse than the one I received my treatment, but it gives you an idea of what the bath “stall”/room looks like:

Step #3: Lay Down/Hot Packs

I was slowly escorted out of the bath to stainless steel tables in another section of the room. I was instructed to lay down (slowly) and the attendant wrapped me in steaming hot towels (literally wrapped me…they were tight around my body to keep the heat in), while at the same time put ice-cold towels on my face and head. I lied here for about ten minutes.

Also, the attendant kept giving me ice-cold water to drink - to stay hydrated, but also to reap the benefits of the vitamin and mineral-infused water from the inside my body.

*NOTE: I get really confused with lay vs. lie, so if I used the wrong words for this context, you know what I mean!

Step #4: Steam (Vapor) Cabinet

This was a weird one. I sat in a booth-type thing and a metal horizontal “door” enclosed my lower body (below the neck) into its own space to be steamed. My head remained out of the contraption. This lasted for five minutes.

After five minutes, she opened the metal doors so I could breathe in the steam and my face could reap the benefits of the vapor (two minutes for that).

Step #5: Sitz Tub

This was a weird one, too. I literally sat my butt in a tub. My feet, legs, and upper body were out of it. The water was very hot and this was to focus on your hips and lower back. Apparently, this was common for women to do after childbirth to reposition things back to where they were supposed to be (?).

As awkward as it was, it felt good!

Here is a photo of a steam cabinet (right) and sitz tub (left).

Step #6: Needle Shower

The looks of this shower hold true to its name. This is a shower stall with many different small water spouts all around the shower and top of the shower. The spouts are small, so the water comes out forcefully. I was in the needle shower for two minutes. At this stage in the treatment, lukewarm water is used and gets your body ready for a massage afterward.

Here is a photo to give you an idea. Again, this was not the actual shower I used, but mine looked similar. There are water holes all along the pipes you see.

Step #7: Swedish Massage

The last part of the treatment is a 20-minute Swedish massage. The massage was a full-body massage, but I was asked if I had any areas that needed more work than others. Of course, I said my neck and back because that is where most of my tension is these days from driving and sleeping in the Airstream.

This is Jennifer, my massage therapist (taken post-my treatment…). I gave her a Lyfe in Tow sticker. :)

Other than my treatment at Buckstaff Bathhouse, I took a tour of the Fordyce Bathhouse which is actually the park’s visitor center. All of the “inside” shots of a bathhouse that I have shown were taken from that location. Fordyce was a “first-class” bathhouse where the “who’s who” went to bathe, socialize and receive therapy. The cool thing is that there was a bathhouse for every individual’s social status. Even people who didn’t come from a wealthy background could reap the benefits of the water.

I also hit up a brewery on Bathhouse Row, filled up my water bottles from public spigots on the street (all the locals do this - they bring huge jugs and come once a week to get drinking water because the city water is not the same as the spring water) and went on a few hikes.

Also, I made friends with my campground neighbors, Denise and Dave, from Minnesota. Overall it was a great stop on my journey and I’m really glad I got to experience Arkansas and the infamous Hot Springs!

A few more photos are below.

#11: Florida Panhandle, Alabama & Mississippi

After celebrating the new year in Key West, I headed north (which is essentially the only way to go!). I wanted to explore a bit of the western side of Florida after heading south on the eastern side. Given it was peak season in Florida, and the fact that I somewhat procrastinated planning my route post-the new year, I was a little limited as to where I stayed (live and learn…).

Little Manatee River State Park, Florida

I headed to Little Manatee River State Park, which is south of Tampa. Here, I took about three days to collect myself. To be honest, I needed some time in my trailer to wrap my head around a few things and get back into somewhat of a routine. I was able to finalize a freelance project, read, cook and get some good runs in. Here, I also had the realization that I need to stretch more often and pay a bit more attention to my body. I’m starting to wake up with a sore back - which I don’t want to escalate. I’m thinking culprits of this are driving for long periods of time and/or sleeping in the trailer. Little hack: I purchased a camping sleeping pad ($25) that I use as a yoga mat - it’s thicker than a yoga mat so it works perfectly on uneven surfaces. I love it!

Manatee Springs State Park, Florida

I then went north to Manatee Springs State Park (yes - another park with the word “manatee” in it), which is located north of Tampa, about 45 minutes inland from the western coast, right where the state starts to bend west - almost the inner “elbow” bend of the state. This was a park I had read about and was on my list because it was very possible to spot a manatee(!). In the cooler months, manatees find warmth in the springs there. I didn’t get lucky enough to see any, unfortunately. Also, I was a bit disappointed here as dogs weren’t allowed on most of the wilderness trails so we had to stay on the main roads.

St. Andrews State Park, Panama City Beach, Florida

I was excited to check out Panama City Beach. I booked three full days at St. Andrews State Park - I loved this park. The camping area was on the water, overlooking a body of water called the Grand Lagoon. The weather was fantastic while I was here, too, which always helps.

Panama City Beach reminded me of Myrtle Beach: pretty touristy, big beach shops, a ton of restaurants and high-rise resorts on the water. Many of the “activities” are geared towards families and children: miniature golf, water parks, etc. Not only did I have zero interest in those things, but also given it’s the off-season, many of them weren’t open.

Luckily, a friend of mine has a friend who lives in this area and she was able to give me some recommendations of things to do in the areas OUTSIDE of Panama City Beach. Addie and I explored west along 30-A - the road that runs along the beach. I wasn’t aware, but this road is iconic and hosts many small beach towns along the gulf shore in Florida. We explored Seaside, Alys Beach, Rosemary Beach, and a few others. The beaches are beautiful in this area with fine white sand and blue water.

In Seaside, I got a to-go mimosa (a specific recommendation) and Addie and I walked around the shops and restaurants. This is an area I would love to visit again one day.

Gulf State Park (Alabama)

We then ventured west to Gulf State Park in Alabama, just over the Florida border. I was only able to reserve one night here so we had to make the most of it. Unfortunately, the weather was turning and we ran into heavy fog and clouds. A storm was coming.

I visited the infamous “Flora-Bama” - the huge honky tonk/beach bar on the Florida/Alabama line. I was really digging it. This place has live music 365 days a year, countless bars, beachfront areas, gift shops and a TON of character (especially for my country music-loving heart). I wish I could have hung out longer but Addie wasn’t allowed inside. I’ve noted to return when I can tap into my younger self and let loose a little at Flora-Bama…

Chickasabogue Park (Mobile County, Alabama)

We left Gulf State Park early morning. The storm was expected throughout the day and I wanted to get to a place where Addie and I could hunker down and ride it out. We stayed south, in Mobile, because the middle of the storm (tornado!) was more north in Mississippi and Alabama. We didn’t do much at this park…just kept warm and dry as the storm passed.

Roosevelt State Park, Mississippi

After leaving Alabama, we made our way to a memorable state park in Mississippi - Roosevelt State Park. I loved this park. It was quiet, serene and lakeside and there weren’t many other campers there. Addie and I hiked and kept our eyes peeled for civil war trenches still somewhat identifiable. Not sure if we spotted any, but it was thought-provoking to consider the area as a Civil War Battlefield at one time.

Here, we also met an amazing park ranger named Louis. He and I had a lovely conversation when I checked in about everything from marriage and values to the Union and Confederacy. We were two people who grew up in very different places who were able to connect on so many common grounds. This was an obvious highlight of my time in the South.

I had all intentions of heading to northern Louisiana, but it just didn’t work out the way that I had planned - which is okay! Next, Addie and I headed north to Hot Springs National Park!

#10: December and the Holidays in Florida

December was busy! Perhaps I did that on purpose because I tend to glaze over the holidays each year (last year on Christmas, I was hiking Kilimanjaro). I was happy to be in the warm temperatures of Florida…that always makes me feel like I’m on vacation. My Florida travels went like this:

St. Augustine —> Winter Garden —> Jupiter —> Ft. Lauderdale —> Miami Beach —> Key West

St. Augustine

I loved this city and the time I spent there. The weather was perfect, I stayed in an incredible State Park (Anastasia State Park), and the city is full of history and character. Addie and I walked around for an entire day – popped into shops, did a trolley tour, and even had lunch on a dog-friendly patio. It was a great day. Very cool city and worth a trip.

The stressful part took place when I went to leave. For whoever saw my Instagram about a month ago, this is when the lock on my overhead cargo carrier got stuck. After a mild panic moment, it worked itself out (as most things do!).

Winter Garden

Remember the family I stayed with over Thanksgiving? Well, one of their daughters, Maura, lives in Winter Garden with her husband and two children. She wasn’t able to make it to South Carolina for Thanksgiving, so I made a stop to her. I hadn’t remembered the last time I saw her. I had such a nice time folding into their lives for a few days – walked their oldest daughter, Isla, to school, caught up on time lost over the years, and explored Winter Garden a bit – cute town! The best part was that so many years had gone by since I last saw Maura, but it was like we picked up where we left off.

How did I not take any good photos when I was there??

Jupiter

A close friend of mine from childhood’s parents (The Kellersmans) retired down in Jupiter. Growing up, I spent a lot of time with these guys, as their daughter, Lauren, and I have been friends since second grade. How lucky I felt to have been taken back into their home 30 years later. Addie and I had a blast with Mr. and Mrs. K! We went to the dog beach, visited a turtle sanctuary, toured around Jupiter (I had no clue so many pro golfers live there), and we just hung out, caught up, and laughed like old times. Mrs. K even surprised me by baking my mom’s special chocolate cake!

Looking back, I barely remember that the first morning there, I woke up to a deflated tire on my car. I ran over a nail…again. $400 later, I had two new back tires…YEAH (eye roll)!

Ft. Lauderdale

My high school friend, Steve, lives in Ft. Lauderdale with his family. I hadn’t seen Steve in probably about eight years, but you know how it is with good friends: so much time can go by, but it’s like no time had passed at all. He and his (awesome) wife have two beautiful children, and I had a blast spending time with them and gearing them up for Christmas. We dined at their yacht club (I’m REALLY roughing it…), and Steve and I hit the town one night for some people-watching (it was QUALITY).

I took a day trip one day to do an airboat ride…this is when I saw my first alligator and cried. Literally cried from happiness. I had a moment of “this is why I’m on this adventure!”

Miami Beach

I stayed in Miami Beach for about a week. My friend, John (“Johnny J”), lives there and he welcomed Addie and me at his apartment through Christmas. I met John when I was in college, studying abroad in Madrid. He is from Columbus and lived in NYC when I lived there. So, over the (many) years, we meet up in different cities when our paths cross and have become dear friends.

The weather was a little chilly, but we managed to hit the town a bit, relax and take a few day trips to Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park. It was fun to have John join me at these parks. We did (more) airboat-ing, snorkeling, paddle boarding, and also enjoyed a few tours to learn about both parks.

You may (or may not be) wondering where the Airstream was hanging out while I was in South Beach. She was tucked away safely in John’s work garage. Shout out to John’s co-workers for helping us out for the week!

Key West

Key West was sort-of a “mile-marker” (no pun intended) for my trip. When mapping out my route, I knew I was meeting up with friends there, so this stop was very much planned and sort-of served as the end of Chapter 1 of this journey. It’s crazy to think I’ve been on the road for two months.

It’s peak season in Key West this time of year - so it’s a zoo. I am so lucky and grateful that my stepmom’s brother-in-law has a marina there. I was able to leave the Airstream, and my car, at the marina while I stayed in a hotel with my friends. It couldn’t have worked out any better.

I met up with my close friends from England in Key West (this is the friend who helped me map out my route before deciding to embark on this epic journey). Knowing this was going to be a beach “vacation,” I got Addie a Rover.com sitter* so she could relax in a house while I hit the beach, pool, and town.

Perhaps my favorite National Park yet, I had the rare opportunity to visit Dry Tortugas National Park. This park is located about 68 miles off the coast of Key West - only accessible by boat or plane. After doing some research, I splurged and took a seaplane, which was part of what made the experience so memorable. On the way back, I got to sit in the cockpit with the (not-so-bad-to-look-at) pilot. Get this: BECAUSE I WAS SINGLE. That’s right.

Aside from my trip to Dry Tortugas, we spent the week lounging by the pool, feasting on delicious meals and relaxing. Visiting with my friend and her family was exactly what I needed to ring in the new year. I was able to reset and center myself a bit before heading into 2020, as well as the ten remaining months of my “Lyfe in Tow.”

*Addie had the best sitter and enjoyed her week of consistency in an actual house. I worry that having a different routine each day from living on the road creates an uneasy feeling for her, but she is a trooper (and an excellent travel companion). Regardless, she had a lovely time with Haley and her dog, Waylon, and Mom didn’t have to worry about her!

#9: "Life" Logistics

There are “life” logistics that require little-to-no thought when you’re permanently settled in a residence, job, and community. However, these things require more attention when you decide to go “nomad.”

For me, coordinating these logistics consumed me for a while. Maybe it was because I was overwhelmed with so much to figure out at once. Perhaps it was because I still couldn’t believe I was actually doing this. Who knows. Here are some of the “on-the-road” technicalities that you may be curious about.

Residence

Since my dad and stepmom live in Virginia and will not be relocating anytime soon, I changed my residence to their house. They graciously offered to help me out by receiving my mail and sending me anything that I may need (thanks, guys!). Even on the road, I get asked for an address of residence…not only for a billing address, but also for reserving campsites and booking tours/activities.

Car/Airstream Registration

When I decided to buy an Airstream, I knew I would need a new car: something that had the necessary towing capacity. After exploring various options, I decided on an old(er) VW Touareg TDI. The diesel engine makes it a beast (especially for towing), PLUS I have an affinity for VW’s (and the price was right given it would be pre-owned). Since these SUVs are somewhat harder to find, I ended up taking a quick trip from Columbus to Chicago to purchase one.

The Ohio registrations for the car and Airstream were finalized just as I was leaving Ohio. Go figure. I ended up changing over both to Virginia because that is where my “residence” would be. Having everything in one place minimizes complications.

Simple, right? Usually, yes. But…when I purchased both vehicles, I financed them. When you finance, you don’t “own” it outright (a bank does), so you don’t possess the title. As soon as I closed on my house, I paid off both the car and Airstream. This made me the owner of both, qualifying me to possess the title of each. The Ohio titles would be sent to me in the mail. Then, I would take them to the Virginia DMV to get them transferred to Virginia titles. Because my address changed, it added a layer of complication to ensure the Ohio titles got sent to the right address promptly. As you can imagine, when you’re dealing with banks and forwarded addresses, it takes much longer than it should.

Long story short, I spent many hours on the phone, online, filling out paperwork, and at the DMV. Eventually, I landed on the best courses of action to ensure I received and transferred both titles before hitting the road.

Health Insurance

This is the most common question I receive from the practical people when they learn what I’m doing. Rightfully, so. It’s essential. There was no way I WASN’T going to have health insurance for an entire year.

Leaving my company, I had the option to take advantage of COBRA. This basically enables one to keep the insurance he/she had while employed, but pay in full out of pocket. It gets expensive.

The other option is to purchase a monthly plan directly through a health insurance company. There are a LOT of choices out there, and the research got pretty involved. Based on the type of plan I wanted/needed, the costs were comparable to the cost of COBRA.

Partly because of ease, partly because of cost, I went with COBRA. Fortunately, I am healthy and do not require regular doctor visits. I was able to change my plan to a higher deductible, lower premium. Basically, with this plan, I can see a doctor as needed. If anything serious happens to me, my out of pocket expenses will cap out at a certain amount with which I feel comfortable.

Prescriptions

I have a couple simple prescriptions that I renew at Walgreens (locations nationwide). I spoke to my doctors before leaving Columbus and explained that I’d be traveling. I agreed with my doctors that if/when refills are needed, I will make a decision then, as to whether or not I need to refill. Worst case scenario, I go without - these medications are “nice-to-haves.”

Wifi / Staying Connected

Before leaving, I switched my mobile service from Sprint to Verizon. I didn’t want to risk not having coverage from one carrier if I could safely get it from another. I knew Verizon would provide the best coverage.

For internet/wifi on the go, I picked up one of these little guys: Verizon MiFi. It’s pretty incredible. As long as I have a cell signal (two bars is sufficient), I have internet. It’s a separate hotspot from my phone hotspot, which allows me to conveniently talk on my phone and be online on a separate device at the same time. I really love it. I pay an extra $10/month for the service, and the actual MiFi device was $50 at Verizon.

Some campsites have free wifi, but it’s often unreliable. I prefer to do things online on my computer, rather than on my phone, so I use my MiFi a lot. Of course, there are always coffee shops or other places that offer free wifi as well.

Getting Mail (and Amazon deliveries!)

I don't think I realized how heavily I rely on Amazon Prime….especially given this new "RV" lifestyle. I cannot believe the random items I need to make my life easier (for example, a hanging net to store fruit or mini dustpan and broom). To receive any packages in the mail, if I know I'm going to be in one place long enough to get mail, I'll send it there. Otherwise, for Amazon deliveries, there is always the pickup option at Amazon locker locations.

My friend Chris sent me a gift via Amazon and I picked it up at a Whole Foods Amazon locker along my route..

Addie Prescriptions / Medical Records

Addie and I were so sad to leave our veterinarian/doggie daycare/groomer in Columbus (Animal Care Center at Cherry Way). I asked them to email me all of her records, so I now have them digitally. She will be due for a checkup in June, and I will probably take her to Banfield Pet Hospital because they are nationwide. Their computer system is connected to all locations.

I just renewed her flea/tick and heartworm prescriptions through PetCareRx. She is good to go until June when we'll get her next checkup and renew any prescriptions.

Addie Training

I’ll be honest - traveling with Addie poses its challenges. She is an incredible dog, and I love her so much, but like all of us, she has her "things." She can be scared of new people, especially on her own turf ("her" car and "her" Airstream). She barks loudly and excessively if she feels she (or me) is in danger. She is a good watchdog.

To quell her tendencies a bit, she and I went through a training program before leaving. This program through Calm K9 Training in Richmond, VA, educated me and gave me the tools I need to manage her behaviors on the road (shout out to Sarah, our trainer!). So far, she is doing really, really well.

What else are you curious about? Let me know!

#8: Giving Thanks

Even though Thanksgiving has come and gone, I’m going to stretch out the sentiment. This year’s Thanksgiving was especially meaningful. I’ve felt especially grateful and perhaps “deeper” gratitude this year. I also have a few new things for which I’m thankful. May this post serve as a reminder to us all to be thankful way more often than just around this time of year.

Here are some things I’m most thankful for this year, given this recent adventure:

Old Friends (and Chosen Family)

I spent Thanksgiving with my life long friend Amanda, her sister Morganne (and her husband, Matt), and their parents, “Aunt” Debbie and “Uncle” Joe. Amanda and I were born one month apart (I’m older…which she never lets me forget!) and in houses about 100 yards away from one another in Connecticut. We grew up side by side…literally. As a child, if I needed help with my chores, she led the charge so we could get them done faster. When I ran my first marathon, she was on the sidelines cheering me on. When my mom suddenly passed, she made sure to come see me. When I didn’t think I could make the Kilimanjaro climb, she was there by my side, telling me I could do it.

Of all Thanksgivings, I was so grateful to spend THIS one with her and her family. I think the universe did me a favor. It really meant a lot to me.

(AND I ate some incredible vegetarian meals, drank some lovely wines AND did loads of laundry.)

Chosen Family (and Old Friends)

My 20-year high school reunion took place over the Thanksgiving weekend. Given my new lifestyle, I didn’t even consider going up to Connecticut for it…until about two weeks prior to the date. Something hit me and I knew that I would regret not going. I loved high school and have a lot of close friends from that time of my life. I had a bizillion Delta miles (well, not that many), the logistics of it weren’t that difficult to figure out and…YOLO. My time in CT (including travel time to/from SC) was a total of 36 hours. But I was so, so, so happy that I went.

My friends (many from high school and many from other chapters of my life) are my chosen family. They are not people I am forced to love through blood or through marriages…they are people I have chosen to keep by my side. They add value, positive energy and support to my life that I can only hope I provide to them in return.

Taking this journey has only magnified these relationships for me. These people are so supportive and every day they keep me going. They know me, stick by me and help me become a better person. Hopefully they are supporting me by reading this…if not, I may need to reevaluate some of them (just kidding…sort-of…hehe).

Seriously, though…the calls, the texts, the emails, the surprises in the mail…I feel like I can conquer the world with the support that I have. I am so thankful!

Showers

For better or for worse (no pun intended), when I see this word, I first think of wedding showers or baby showers. This is NOT what I mean when I say this. Although I do appreciate the celebration of weddings and babies, I’m not referring to those things now.

What I mean is actual SHOWERS. Like, taking a shower. With hot water. And water pressure. In the comfort of a clean bathroom in a home. Showers are taken for granted and after one month of living on the road, I vow to myself that I will never take another shower for granted again.

My Dad

This guy. He is incredible.

I mean it when I say this…I couldn’t have taken this leap without his support - emotionally, mentally and logistically.

Like a fine wine, our relationship has developed and improved over time. We never used to “get” each other - in fact, we couldn’t have been further opposites regarding how we looked at things and what we expected from each other. But over time, we grew. We each grew in different ways, but the important part is that through our own growth, we grew closer to each other…as if we both leaned in towards each other and met in that space neither one of us was willing or able to go before.

When I told him I had the idea to travel for a year and live on the road, he was hesitant. However, since I’m so charming and such a skilled marketer (ahem), he slowly got on board. Once I knew I had his attention, I made the definitive decision to do it. And once I made the decision (which I wouldn’t have done unless I knew he would support me on), he made it his mission to set me up for success.

Just like me, my dad knew nothing about RV’ing (although he knows pretty much everything else and can fix or make anything). We tackled all the prep work together - hour by hour, user manual by user manual, mishap by mishap - and we figured things out. He was able to send me off on this journey feeling confident that he did everything he could to set me up for a safe, fun and memorable year on the road.

Side note: He had phone calls from me literally 24 hours after departing his house…when it was 20 degrees, the Airstream batteries were dying and my car 7-prong was busted. I bet he smiled when he picked up my calls. :)

National and State Parks

This is a new one for me. Over the past month, I have spent a lot of time in National and State parks. I rely on these parks…to explore, to learn from, to SLEEP in.

In a world full of controversy, technology, and constant development, I find such humility in the simplicity of nature. Standing in a forest, on a beach or in a cave that looks nearly identical to how it did centuries ago is remarkable. And more importantly, it’s a privilege.

I am so grateful for these parks. For the individuals who founded them and run them, for the movements and organizations that keep them going and for the people out there who visit, cherish and support them. We share this planet with so many other species and it’s our responsibility to preserve and protect it for future generations.

I know I sound like a speech or a mission statement (or something), but my appreciation for this is real and I feel #blessed to have the opportunity to take advantage of what these parks have to offer. What they offer really is beyond my words.